2003 Oldsmobile Alero lights

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle has this cluster
or one very similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained
on the following pages. Be sure to read about them.
PO
RO
NO
DO
30
20
United States Automatic Transaxle Cluster shown, Manual Transaxle and Canada Clusters similar
3-24

Here are some tips on night driving.
e
e
e
Drive defensively.
Don’t drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example,
if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But
if
you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may
cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible. You
can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust
to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver
who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean
- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier
to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim,
so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness
- the inability to see in dim light - and
aren’t even aware of it.
4-1 6

When to Check and What to Use
Schedule to determine
how often you should
check the fluid level in your
master cylinder reservoir
and for the proper
fluid. See
Part B: Owner
Checks and Services
on page 6-9 and Part D:
Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
on
page 6- 15.
How to Check and Add Fluid
You do not need to check the fluid level unless you
suspect a clutch problem. To check the fluid level, take
the cap
off. If the fluid level reaches the top of the
reservoir, the fluid level is correct. It isn’t a good idea to
top
off your clutch fluid. Adding fluid won’t correct a
leak. A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem
Have the system inspected and repaired.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL@ engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add
only DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on
page 5-26.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (1 29°C).
@ Protect against rust and corrosion.
@ Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
5-23

Ventilation Adjustment ...................................... 3-22
Vinyl
............................................................. 5-74
Visor Vanity Mirror
.......................................... 2-15
Visors
........................................................... 2-1 5
Warning Lights. Gages and indicators ................ 3-23
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers
............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices
.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols
......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv
Washer Fluid, Low Warning Light
...................... 3-36
Washing Your Vehicle
...................................... 5-75
Weatherstrip Lubrication
................................... 6-1 0
Weight of the Trailer ........................................ 4-37
Weight
of the Trailer Tongue ............................. 4-38
What Kind
of Engine Oil to Use ........................ 5-18
What to Do with Used Oil
................................ 5-20
What to Use
.......................................... 5-24, 5-36
Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance
.......................... 5-58
Replacement
............................................... 5-59
When to Add Engine Oil
.................................. 5-17
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life SystemTM)
................................ 5-19
When to Check
.............................................. 5-54
When to Check and What to Use
..................... 5-23 When
to Check Power Steering Fluid
................ 5-35
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill
..................................................... 4-42
Where to Put the Restraint
........... ............ 1-41
Window Lockout
............................................. 2-15
Windows
....................................................... 2-14
Manual
...................................................... 2-14
Power
........................................................ 2-15
Windshield and Wiper Blades
....................... 5-76
Windshield Washer
..................................... 3-10
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
................. 6-9
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
...................................... 5-52
Fuses
........................................................ 5-81
Windshield Wipers
............................................ 3-9
Winter Driving
......... ................................ 4-25
Wiper Blade Check
..... ........ ........ 6-10
Why Safety Belts Work
.................................... 1-10
X
XMTM Satellite
Radio Antenna System ................ 3-67
XMTM Satellite Radio Service
............................ 3-65
Your Vehicle and the Environment
....................... 6-2
14