2000 Oldsmobile Alero service

2-13 Resynchronization
Your keyless entry system is equipped with a security
system that prevents anyone from recording and playing
back your signal. The transmitter does not send the
same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver will not
respond to a signal that has been sent to it more
than once.
To resynchronize your transmitter and receiver, follow
these directions:
1. Stand close to your vehicle.
2. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons
on the transmitter at the same time.
3. Hold the buttons for seven seconds. In this time, the
doors should lock and unlock once. This confirms
the resynchronization. If the doors do not lock and
unlock, see your dealer for service.
Trunk
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key
and turn the trunk lock cylinder or use the remote lock
control transmitter (if equipped).When closing the trunk, close from the center to ensure
it fully latches.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting on
VENT. That will force outside air into your
vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.

2-17
Ignition Switch
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to four positions.
OFF (A): Before you put the key into the ignition switch,
the switch is off. It is the only position from which you can
remove the key. With an automatic transaxle, the shift lever
must be to PARK (P) with the ignition to OFF to remove
the key. With a manual transaxle, the shift lever must be to
REVERSE (R) with the ignition to OFF to remove the key.
This position locks your ignition and transaxle. A warning
chime will sound if you open the driver's door when the
ignition is off and the key is in the ignition.ACC (Accessory) (B): This position unlocks the
transaxle. It also lets you use things like the radio and
windshield wipers when the engine is not running. To
use ACC, turn the key clockwise to the first position
Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or
towed, but never try to push
-start your vehicle.
ON (C): This position is where the key returns after
you start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in ON when the engine is running. But even when
the engine is not running, you can use ON to operate
your electrical power accessories and to display some
instrument panel warning lights.
START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in OFF and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.

2-24
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down. You'll shift down to
the next gear and have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle
system sensor. If you drive very far that way,
your vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, 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
(41 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (88 km/h), or
you can damage your transaxle. Use AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) or THIRD (3) as much as
possible. Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you
are going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h) or you
can damage your engine.

2-55 Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag's electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag modules, the wiring
and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For more
information on the air bag system, see ªAir Bagº
in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your vehicle,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

2-57
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it doesn't come on then, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing Your Vehicleº
in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.

2-58 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
United States Canada
With the anti
-lock brake system, this light will come on
when you start your engine and it will stay on for three
seconds. That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is
also on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
With the Enhanced Traction
System (ETS), this warning
light should come on briefly
as you start the engine. If
the warning light doesn't
come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there's a problem.
If the warning light stays on, or comes on when you're
driving, there may be a problem with your Enhanced
Traction System and your vehicle may need service.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

2-59
The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by pressing the ETS button
on the center console near the gear shift lever, the
warning light will come on and stay on. To turn the
system back on, press the button again. The warning
light should go off. (See ªEnhanced Traction
Systemº in the Index for more information.)

The warning light will come on when you set your
parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully.
If the system is turned on and the warning light
stays on after your parking brake is fully released,
it means there's a problem with the system.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off
and the warning light will come on.
If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of time when
the system is turned on and the parking brake is fully
released, your vehicle needs service.
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
When your Enhanced
Traction System is
limiting wheel spin,
this light will come on.
Slippery road conditions
may exist if the Enhanced
Traction System active
light comes on, so adjust
your driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
This light will also come on when the anti
-lock brake
system is active.
The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
there to tell you when the system is active.

2-60 Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the
red area, the light comes on
and you hear a chime, your
engine is too hot! It means
that your engine coolant
has overheated.
The ªProblems on the Road,º section of this
manual shows what to do. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.
Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
briefly when you turn
your ignition on.
If this light comes on and stays on and you hear a chime,
the vehicle should promptly be pulled off the road and
the coolant level checked.
See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index. If there are visible
signs of steam, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index
before opening the hood. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as you can.