2003 Oldsmobile Alero Maintenance

How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided into five parts: “Part
B: Owner Checks and Services”
tells you what
should be checked and when. It also explains what
you can easily do to help keep your vehicle
in good
“Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” explains
what to have done and how often. Some of these “Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections” explains
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically important inspections that your dealer’s service
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you department or another qualified service center should
should let your dealer’s service department or another perform.
qualified service center do these jobs. condition.
“Part
D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some recommended products necessary to help
keep your vehicle properly maintained. These products,
or their equivalents, should be used whether you do
I the work yourself or have it done. I
Per- _-‘ming mainten_---ce work on a vehicle can
be dangerous.
In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only
if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt,
have a qualified technician
do the work. “Part
E: Maintenance Record”
is a place for you to
record and keep track of the maintenance performed on
your vehicle. Keep your maintenance receipts. They
may be needed to qualify your vehicle for warranty
repairs.
If you want to get the service information, see Service
Publications Ordering information
on page 7- 10.
6-3

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

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield.
Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-75.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-15.
Manual Transaxle Check
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
Check for leaks.
A fluid leak is the only reason for fluid
loss. Have the system inspected and repaired if
needed.
Automatic Transaxle Check
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A
transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
Check for leaks. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 5-22. A fluid loss in this
system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
6-1 0

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).
You should let your dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See
Service Publications
Ordering Information on page
7- IO.
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhmst system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust
on page
2-30.
6-1 3

Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service and any
additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” on the following record pages. Also,
you should retain all maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
6-1 6

Maintenance Record (cont’d)
6-1 7