2001 Oldsmobile Alero cruise control

Table of Contents
Windows
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
Remote Trunk Release
Automatic Transaxle (If Equipped)
Manual Transaxle (If Equipped)
Parking Brake
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverWindshield Wipers
Cruise Control
Exterior and Interior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Accessory Power Outlet
Sunroof (Option)
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages Seats and Seat Controls
Safety BeltsSupplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Restraints Systems for Children
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii

2-41 Windshield Washer
To wash your windshield, push in the button at the end
of the lever until the washers begin.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
When you release the button, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will continue to wipe about three times or
will resume the speed you were using before.
Cruise Control
The cruise control buttons are located on the steering wheel.
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. This can really help on long
trips. Cruise control does not work at speeds
below 25 mph (40 km/h).

2-42
The cruise control will turn off when any of the
following occur:

The brakes are applied,

the clutch is applied (manual transaxle),

the parking brake is applied, or

the brake system warning light is on.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced
traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. See ªEnhanced
Traction Systemº in the Index. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may turn the cruise control back on.
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Press the cruise control ON OFF button.
The indicator light above the button will turn on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the CST SET button and release it. The
CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

2-43
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it. Once
you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can
press the cruise control RES ACCL button for about
half a second.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you press the RES ACCL button longer than
half a second, the vehicle will keep going faster until
you release the button or apply the brake. So unless
you want to go faster, don't hold down the
RES ACCL button.Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the CST SET button, then release the button
and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the
higher speed.

Press the RES ACCL button. Hold it there until
you get up to the speed you want, and then release
the button. To increase your speed in very small
amounts, press the RES ACCL button for less
than half a second and then release it. Each time
you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you turn on
the cruise control by pushing the CST SET button.

2-44
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push the CST SET button until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, push the
CST SET button for less than half a second. Each
time you do this, you'll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers find this to be too much trouble and don't use
cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Out of Cruise Control
There are five ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step on the brake pedal.

Press the cruise control CANCEL button.

Press the cruise control RES ACCL button and the
CST SET buttons at the same time.

Press the cruise control ON OFF button. The
indicator light above the cruise control button will
turn off.

Push the clutch pedal if your vehicle has a
manual transaxle.
Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

2-55
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks
B. Vents
C. Instrument Panel Cluster
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
E. Audio System
F. Climate Control System
G. Side Window Defogger Vent
H. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped)
I. Instrument Panel Intensity Control
J. Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverK. Hood Release Handle
L. Cruise Control Switches
M. Tilt Wheel Lever
N. Ignition Switch
O. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
P. Enhanced Traction System Button
Q. Transaxle Shift Lever
R. Parking Brake
S. Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power Outlet
T. Accessory Power Outlet

2-71 Security Light
This light will come on
when you turn the key to
ON and will stay on until
the vehicle starts.
If you're driving and the security light comes on and
remains on, your Passlock

system is not working
properly. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock and
you should see your dealer.
Cruise Light
The CRUISE light comes
on whenever you set your
cruise control.
Low Washer Light
United States Canada
This light will come on briefly when you turn on the
ignition. It will also stay on, or come on and a chime
will sound, if the windshield washer fluid reservoir is
less than one
-third full.

4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Enhanced Traction System
Your vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially
useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may also
upshift the transaxle to limit wheel spin.
This light will come on
when your Enhanced
Traction System is limiting
wheel spin. See ªEnhanced
Traction System Active
Lightº in the Index.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced
traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. See ªCruise Controlº in
the Index.