2000 Oldsmobile Alero trunk

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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
You can brighten or dim the
instrument panel cluster
lights by moving the
thumbwheel up to increase
intensity and down to
decrease intensity. The
thumbwheel is located on
the instrument panel to the
left of the steering wheel.
Courtesy Lamp Control
When the thumbwheel for the instrument panel intensity
control is moved up, the dome lamp, the mirror reading
lamps (if equipped) and the footwell lamps will turn on.
Move the thumbwheel down to turn the lamps off.
Illuminated Entry/Exit System
When you lift the driver's door handle or open any door,
the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps
will fade out after about 10 seconds after all of the doors
have been closed or when the ignition is turned to ON.
These lamps will also go on when you press the trunk
release, UNLOCK button or the horn symbol on the
optional keyless entry system transmitter.
The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.

2-45 Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the switch on the lower front portion of the mirror
to turn on the lamps. Press the other side of the switch to
turn the lamps off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened or when the
instrument panel intensity control thumbwheel is moved
up. The OFF position will shut off the lamp completely,
even when a door is opened.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, mirror reading lamps,
footwell, dome lamp or glove box) is left on when the
ignition is turned off, the battery saver system will
automatically shut the lamp off after 20 minutes.
This will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:

Lift the driver's door handle,

open any door or

press any remote lock control transmitter button
(if equipped),

press the power door lock switch,

press the remote trunk release or

turn the lamp that was left on to off and then to
on again.

2-47
Select the mirror you want to adjust by moving the
switch to the right or the left. Press any of the four
arrow buttons to move the mirror in the direction
desired. Adjust each mirror so that you can see the side
of your vehicle when you are sitting in a comfortable
driving position.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use the key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open,
pull the glove box handle up.
Center Console Storage Area
The center console has two separate storage areas.
To open, pull up on the lid.
Rear Seat Cupholders
Pull down the door on the rear of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholders.
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You'll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you're not using it.

4-25
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:

Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.

You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and a
couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items in your vehicle.

4-32
The other label is the Certification label, found on the
rear edge of the driver's door. It tells you the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle, called the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes
the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out. Don't carry more than 132 lbs. (60 kg) in
your trunk.
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.

4-33
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash.

Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.

Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.

Don't leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.

When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.

Don't leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
Towing a Trailer
CAUTION:
If you don't use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy,
the brakes may not work well
-- or even at all.
You and your passengers could be seriously
injured. You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Pull a trailer only if you have followed
all the steps in this section. Ask your dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.

5-20
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The equipment you'll need
is in the trunk.
Pull the carpeting from the floor of the trunk.
Turn the center retainer nut on the compact spare
cover counterclockwise to remove it.
Lift and remove the cover. See ªCompact Spare Tireº
later in this section for more information about the
compact spare.

5-21
Turn the wing nut
counterclockwise and
remove it. Then lift off
the spacer and remove
the spare tire.
Remove the jack and wheel wrench from the trunk.
Your vehicle's jack and wheel wrench are stored in a
foam tray. Remove the band around the jack.
The tools you'll be using include the jack (A) and wheel
wrench (B).