2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manual - Page 123

Warm-up Shift Your vehicle has a computer controlled transaxle designed to warm up the engine faster when the outside temperature is 35°F (2°C) or colder. You may notice that the transaxle will shift at a higher vehicle speed until the engine is warmed up. This is a normal condition designed to provide heat to the passenger compartment and defrost the windows more quickly. See Climate Control System on page 3-25for more information. THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D). Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3) instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): When driving on hilly, winding roads. When towing a trailer (so there is less shifting between gears). When going down a steep hill. SECOND (2): This position gives you more power, but lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would also want to use your brakes off and on. Notice: Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over55 mph (90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle. THIRD(3) or Use AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) as much as possible. Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going slower than65 mph (105 km/h) or you can damage your engine. Notice: If your vehicleseems to start up rather it slowly, or if seems notto shiftgears as you go faster, something may be wrong with a transaxle system sensor. If you drive very far way, your that vehicle can be damaged. So, if thishappens, have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you can use SECOND (2) when youare driving less than 35 mph (55 km/h) andTHIRD (3) for higherspeeds. FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) thanSECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. the shift If lever is put in FIRST (I), the transaxle won't downshift into first gearuntil the vehicle is going slow enough. Notice: If your front wheels won't turn, don't try to drive. This might happen if you stuck in very were deep sand or mud or were up against a solid object. You could damage your transaxle. Also, if you stop when goinguphill, don't hold your vehicle there with only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and damage the transaxle. Use your brakes to hold your vehicle in position on hill. a 2-38