2003 Oldsmobile Alero oil change

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS RECOMMENDED
14
r
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even affect the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper
fluid levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase
the level of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect
our environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended fluids and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. Any damage caused by failure
to follow recommended maintenance may not be
covered by warranty.
6-2

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
This part contains engine oil scheduled maintenance
which explains the engine oil life system and how
it indicates when to change the engine
oil and filter.
Also, listed are scheduled maintenance services which
are
to be performed at the mileage intervals specified.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. But we don’t know exactly how
you’ll drive it. You may drive short distances only a few
times
a week. Or you may drive long distances all
the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may use your
vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive it to
work, to
do errands or in many other ways.
Because of the different ways people use their vehicles,
maintenance needs may vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements.
So please read the
following and note how you drive.
If you have
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your dealer. This part tells
you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them.
When you go to your dealer for your service needs,
you’ll know that GM-trained and supported service
people will perform the work using genuine GM parts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part
D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these.
All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the
vehicle.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See
Loading Your
Vehicle on page 4-34.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. See Gasoline Octane
on page 5-5.
6-4

Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(1
66 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(1
66 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
See
Part B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-9
and Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page
6- 13.
Footnotes
t The U.S. EfMrmmef%al Prdectim Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
,iia;ii;eiiaiic.e be ,.ec.ui.u'eu'.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page
6-14.
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and filter as indicated by the GM
Oil Life SystemTM (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Reset the system.
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This
is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that
oil life has been
diminished, it
wi!! indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE OIL light will come on. Change
your oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel. It is possible that,
if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and filter must
be
must be reset. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
chs-mgd
!ezst s-ve 2 ye2r 2nd 2t this ?im,e the cwctam 'J -*-* ' *
6-5

If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil
is changed. See Engine Oil on
page
5-15 for information on resetting the system.
After the services are performed, record the date,
odometer reading and who performed the service on the
maintenance record pages in part
E of this schedule.
An Emission Control Service.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-55 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary. An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote
t.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-55 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-55 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-55 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
il Replace engine air cleaner filter. An Emission
Control Service.
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
El Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-55 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Inspect engine air cleaner filter if you are driving in
dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary. An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote
t.)
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page
5-55 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
6-6

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Roadside Assistance Program
......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information
........ 7-1 0
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks ............. 2-9
D
DAB Radio ................................................ 3-65
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
......................... 3-14
Defensive Driving
............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting
................................. 3-20
Delayed Headlamps
........................................ 3-1 5
Delayed Locking ............................................... 2-8
Dinghy Towing
...................... .................. 4-32
Dolly Towing
........................ .............. 4-33
Dome Lamp
......................... .................. 3-16
Door Delayed Locking
................... ................ 2-8
Power Door Locks
......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-8
Rear Security Locks
..................................... 2-10
Position, Safety Belt
..................................... 1-15
Six-Way Power Seat
...................................... 1-3
At Night
..................................................... 4-15
City
........................................................... 4-20
Defensive
..................................................... 4-2
Doing
Your Own Service Work
............... ..... 5-4
Locks
...................................................... 2-7
Driver
Driving Driving
(cont.)
Drunken
....................................................... 4-2
Freeway
..................................................... 4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads
.............................. 4-23
In Rain and on Wet Roads
........................... 4-17
Winter
........................................................ 4-25
Driving On Grades
.......................................... 4-41
Driving on Snow or Ice
.................................... 4-26
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
............... 4-19
Driving Through Flowing Water
......................... 4-19
Driving with a Trailer
....................................... 4-40
E
Easy Entry Seat ............................................... 1-6
Electrical System
Add-on Equipment
...................................... 5-81
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-81
Windshield Wiper Fuses
............................... 5-81
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
..................... 2-13
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
................................................... 3-33
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
......................................... 5-21
Battery
....................................................... 5-41
Change Engine Oil Light
............................... 3-35
Coolant
...................................................... 5-23
Coolant Heater
............................................ 2-20
Power Windows and Other Power Options
...... 5-81
Check and Service Engine Soon Light
............ 3-31
4

Inspection Brake System
............................................. 6-14
Engine Cooling System
................................ 6-14
Fuel System
............................................... 6-14
Part C
. Periodic Maintenance ....................... 6-13
Steering. Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal
......................................... 6-1 3
Throttle System
.................................... 6-1 4
Cluster
....................................................... 3-24
Overview
..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness
............................. 3-1 6
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Passenger's Side)
....................................... 5-83
instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Driver's Side)
............................................. 5-82
Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks
........................... 5-81
Exhaust System
.......................................... 6-13
Instrument Panel
Interior Lamps
................................................ 3-16
Interior Plastic Components
.............................. 5-74
J
Jump Starting ................................................. 5-42
Key Lock Cylinders Service
.............................. 6-10
Key Removal
................................................. 2-29 Keyless
Entry System
....................................... 2-3
Keys
............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior
............ .... ........ 3-13
Interior
....................................................... 3-16
Lap Belt
........................................................ 1-27
Lap-Shoulder Belt
................................... 1.15. 1-24
LATCH System Child Restraints
........................................... 1-43
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
........................................ 1-45
Latches,
Seatback ............................................ 1-5
Leather ......................................................... 5-74
Leaving Your Vehicle
....................................... 2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
.......................................... 2-28
Lift Seat, Power
....................... ......... 1-6
Light
................................... 3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ................... 3-29
Brake System Warning
................................. 3-28
Change Engine Oil
...................................... 3-35
Charging System
......................................... 3-27
Cruise Control
............................................. 3-36
Enhanced Traction System Warning
............... 3-29
Low Coolant Warning
................................... 3-31
. A-ir -"a Ran Rnadinncc .V UU ... YYY
LI c+,,,, I talIbGd T;actior; System Active J-JO QQ ..................
7

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle ............... 2-5
Mexico. Central America and Caribbean
IslandslCountries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) ....................................... 7-4
Manual Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-32
Outside Convex Mirror
................................. 2-33
Outside Power Mirrors
.................................. 2-33
Outside Remote Control Mirror
...................... 2-32
Mirrors
New Vehicle Break-In
...................................... 2-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............ 5-88
0
Odometer ...................................................... 3-25
Off-Road Recovery
.......................................... 4-1 2
Oil Change Engine Oil Light
............................... 3-35
Low Oil bevel Light
...................................... 3-35
Pressure Light
............................................. 3-34
Older Children, Restraints
................................ 1-32
Operation
...................................................... 3-1 9
Other Warning Devices
...................................... 3-6
Outside
Engine ....................................................... " E-! 5
Outlet Adjiisti?ieiit ............................................ 3-22
Convex Mirror ............................................. 2-33 Outside
(cont.)
Power Mirrors
............................................. 2-33
Remote Control Mirror
................................ 2-32
Owners. Canadian
............................................... ii
Owner's Information
........................................ 7-10
Park (P)
Parking Shifting
Out
of ......... ~~~~ ................ 2-28
Brake
............................ ................ 2-26
Over Things That Burn
............................. 2-29
Your Vehicle/Key Removal
............................ 2-29
Parking Brake and Automatic Transax!e Park (P)
Mechanism Check
....................................... 6-12
Parking on Hills
.............................................. 4-41
Park(
P)
Shifting Into ................................................ 2-27
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services ............ 6-4
Part B
- Owner Checks and Services .................. 6-9
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and Lubricants .... 6-15
Part
E - Maintenance Record ........................... 6-16
Passing
................................................. 4-13, 4-40
Passlock@
..................................................... 2-16
Plan Ahead When Possible
................................ 7-7
Playing a Cassette Tape .................................. 3-61
Playing a Compact Disc .................. 3-41, 3-51, 3-63
Playing the Radio
........................... 3-39, 3-43, 3-53
I UI k G . Pericdlc ??lzintzn2ncc Inspcticns .......... 8-13
9

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