2001 Oldsmobile Alero air condition

iii
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
SteeringDriving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio ClockRadio/Cassette Player/CD Player
Radio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road
Section
3
Section
4
Section
5
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Your Driving and the Road

2-60 Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
indicator light will come
on when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
When the engine is running, the light should go out.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving and
you hear a chime, you may have a problem with the
electrical charging system. It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another electrical
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle)
(If Equipped)
This light comes on when
you need to shift to the next
higher gear. See ªManual
Transaxle Operationº in
the Index.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.

2-67
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. If the light doesn't come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:

Light Flashing
-- A misfire condition has been
detected. A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service may be required.

Light On Steady
-- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see
ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See ªFilling Your Tankº in the Index. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been
left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A
few driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning
3
-3 Air Conditioning
3
-4 Heating
3
-4 Defogging and Defrosting Windows
3
-5 Rear Window Defogger
3
-5 Ventilation System
3
-7 Audio Systems
3
-7 Setting the Clock
3
-7AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
with Programmable Equalization and
Radio Data System (RDS)3
-14 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Programmable
Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS)
(If Equipped)
3
-22 Personal Choice Radio Controls (If Equipped)
3
-22 Theft-Deterrent Feature RDS Radios
3
-22 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-22 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-23 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-24 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-24 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-24 Backglass Antenna
3
-25 Chime Level Adjustment

3-2
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the ventilation and
heating in your vehicle.
Your vehicle also has the flow
-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning
Fan Knob
The left knob regulates the fan speed. To select the force
of air you want, turn the knob.Temperature Knob
The center knob regulates the temperature of the air
coming through the system.
Mode Knob
The right knob changes the functions of the system.
UPPER: In this position most of the airflow comes
through the instrument panel outlets. A small amount of
air comes through the floor vents. Set the center knob to
the temperature desired.
BI-LEVEL: In this position the airflow comes
through the instrument panel outlets and through the floor
outlets. Set the center knob to the temperature desired.
FLOOR: In this position most of the airflow
comes through the floor outlet. The rest of the air comes
through the windshield and side window vents. Set the
center knob to the temperature desired.
DEFOG: This position divides the airflow
between the floor outlets and the windshield defroster
vent. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this position when it is needed to
help dry the air in the vehicle.

3-3
FRONT DEFROSTER: This position directs
most of the airflow through the window defroster vent.
Some of the air goes to the floor outlets. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this position when it is needed to help dry the air
in the vehicle.
Mode Buttons
: Press A/C to operate the air conditioner
compressor. The indicator light will glow when the
button is pressed to indicate that the air conditioning
system has been turned on. The fan knob must be
set to a speed for the air conditioning to operate.
OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button to force
the system to use outside air.
Pressing the OUTSIDE AIR button will cancel the
RECIRCULATION button.
RECIRCULATION: Press this button to limit
the amount of outside air entering your vehicle. This is
helpful when you are trying to limit odors entering your
vehicle. Press it again to turn off the recirculation.
Pressing the RECIRCULATION button will cancel the
OUTSIDE AIR button.RECIRCULATION is not available when the DEFOG
or FRONT DEFROSTER mode is selected, or when the
fan is off. When RECIRCULATION is selected, the air
conditioning compressor will run automatically to help
dry the air in the vehicle.
Air Conditioning
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
For normal cooling on hot days, use UPPER with the
temperature knob in the blue area and the A/C indicator
light glowing.
On very hot days, open the windows long enough
to let hot inside air escape. This reduces the time it
takes for your vehicle to cool down, which should
help fuel economy.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI
-LEVEL with the temperature knob
in the middle and the A/C indicator light glowing. The
system directs slightly warmer air to your lower body.

3-4 Heating
On cold days, use FLOOR and the outside air button
with the temperature knob all the way in the red area.
The system will bring in outside air, heat it and send
it to the floor outlets.
Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward the
rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats clear of
obstructions so that the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside (0
F (
-18
C) or lower). An engine
coolant heater warms the coolant your engine and
heating system use to provide heat. See ªEngine
Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting Windows
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows. For each setting, adjust the temperature
knob as desired.
To defrost the front window quickly, turn the temperature
knob all the way in the red area. Use FRONT DEFROSTER
and adjust the fan to the highest speed. To warm passengers
while keeping the front window clean, use DEFOG.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents. The side window defogger vents are located
above the side instrument panel vents. To defrost the
side windows, turn the temperature knob all the way
in the red area. Use FLOOR and adjust the fan to
the highest speed.
To control fogging of the windows, turn the temperature
knob all the way in the red area. Use DEFOG and adjust
the fan to the highest speed.
To defog the side windows while using air conditioning,
use BI
-LEVEL and adjust the fan to the highest speed
and press the A/C button so that the indicator light is
glowing. For added airflow to the side windows aim
the side vents toward the windows and close the
center vents.

3-5 Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger
uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the
rear window.
Press the defogger button. The indicator light will glow.
The rear window defogger will turn itself off after about
10 minutes after the first time the button is pressed,
and after five minutes each additional time the button
is pressed. You can turn the defogger off by pressing
the button again or turning off the ignition.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or anything else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use UPPER to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow
-through ventilation system.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
fan is running.