2003 Oldsmobile Alero flat tire

Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when
your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the inflation pressure regularly.
It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should
stop as soon as possible and make sure
your spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact spare
is made
to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph
(1 05 km/h) for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km),
so you can finish your trip and have your full-size
tire repaired or replaced where you want. Of course, it’s
best to replace your spare with a full-size tire as
soon as you can. Your spare will
last longer and be in
good shape in case you need it again.
Nofice: When the compact spare is installed, don’t
take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact spare can get caught
on the rails. That can damage the tire and wheel,
and maybe other parts
of your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on other vehicles.
And don’t mix your compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They won’t fit. Keep your spare tire
and its wheel together.
Notice: Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare.
Using them can damage your vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Don’t use tire chains on
your compact spare.
5-7 1

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 B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specified to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these Lmderhood checks at each fuel fil!.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See Engine Oil on page 5-15 for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
if necessary. See Engine Coolant
on page
5-23 for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid
if necessary.
See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-36 for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inreation Check
Make sure tries are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. See
Tires on
page 5-53 for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Ziean casseiire deck. Zieaning snouid be done every
50 hours of tape play. See Audio System(s) on
page
3-38 for further details.
6-9

We will provide the following services during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty period, at no expense
to you:
Fuel delivery
Lock-out service (identification required)
Tow to the nearest dealership for warranty service
or in the event of a vehicle-disabling accident
Flat tire change
Jump starts
Minor repairs to disabled vehicles
Assistance when vehicle is mired in sand, mud
or snow
Trip routing
Trip interruption expense benefits
Dealership locator service
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance specifically excludes
coverage for mounting, dismounting or changing
of snow
tires, chains or other traction devices.
In some cases, where service is impractical, the driver
may be authorized to obtain other service for which
reimbursement is provided. In
many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Oldsmobile’s comprehensive warranty. However,
when other services are utilized, our Roadside
Assistance Representatives will explain any payment
obligations you might incur.
For prompt and efficient assistance when calling, please
provide the following to the Roadside Assistance
Representative:
Location of vehicle
Telephone number of your location
Vehicle model, year and color
Mileage of vehicle
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Vehicle license plate number
Oldsmobile reserves the right to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when,
in
Oldsmobile’s judgement, the claims become excessive
in frequency or type of occurrence.
While we hope you never have the occasion to use our
service, it is added security while traveling for you
and your family. Remember, we’re only a phone
call away. Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance:
1 -800-442-OLDS (6537), text telephone (TTY)
users, call 1-888-889-2438.
7-6

Engine (cont.) Coolant Temperature Gage
........................... 3-31
Cooling System Inspection ............................ 6-1 4
Engine Compartment Overview ...................... 5-1 2
Exhaust ..................................................... 2-30
Oil ............................................................. 5-15
Overheating ................................................ 5-26
Starting .................................................. 2-1 8
Engine Compartment Fuse Block .................. 5-84
Engine Coolant Level Check .............................. 6-9
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing .................. 4-42
Engine Oil Additives ........................................ 5-19
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance ..................... 6-5
Enhanced Traction System(ETS) ......................... 4-9
Ac'rive Light ................................................ 3-30
Warning Light ............................................. 3-29
Entry/Exit Lighting ........................................... 3-1 6
Express Down Window .................................... 2-15
Extender, Safety Belt ....................................... 1-31
Exterior Lamps ............................................... 3-13
Engine Oil Level Check ..................................... 6-9
F
FabridCarpet ...............................
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner
.....
(RDS. XMTM and DAB) .... .............. 3.46. 3-56
Finding a Station ............................ 3-39, 3-44, 3-54
Finding a PTY Station
............
5-73
5-2
1
Finish Care ................................................ 5-76
Finish Damage ............................................... 5-77
Flat Tire ........................................................ 5-61
Flat Tire, Changing ......................................... 5-62
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle
.................. ........ 5-22
Manual Transaxle .................................... 5-22
Power Steering ........................................... 5-35
Windshield Washer ...................................... 5-36
Fog Lamps .................................................... 3-15
Folding the Seatback ........................................ 1-8
Footmtes ........................................................ 6-5
Fuel ............................................................... 5-5
Additives ...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel .............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container ..................... 5-8
Filling Your -rank ........................................... 5-7
Gage ......................................................... 3-37
FM Stereo ..................................................... 3-65
Following Distance .......................................... 4-40
Fge!s i~ Fnminn Pnrrntrin c. "'V'Y" v"u"L"-U J-v cr? ..............................
Gasoline Octane ........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications .................................. 5-5
System Inspection ....................................... 6-14
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-81
Windshield Wiper ......................................... 5-81
5

G
Gage Engine Coolant Temperature
......................... 3-31
Fuel
.......................................................... 3-37
Speedometer
.............................................. 3-25
Tachometer
................................................. 3-25
Octane
........................................................ 5-5
Specifications ............................................... 5-5
Glass Surfaces
............................................... 5-74
Glove Box
..................................................... 2-34
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
.................................................... 7-5
Gasoline
H
Head Restraints ............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming
....................................................... 5-47
Headlamps
.................................................... 5-49
Bulb Replacement
....................................... 5-49
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
............. 5-50
Halogen Bulbs
............................................ 5-49
Headlamps
Off in PARK (P) .............................. 3-15
Highway Hypnosis
........................................... 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
.................................. 4-23
Hitches
.......................................................... 4-39 Hood
Checking Things Under
.............................. 5-9
Release
..................................................... 5-10
Horn
........................................................... 3-6
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
............................. ............ 5-30
How to Check
................................................ 5-54
How to Check and Add Fluid
............................ 5-23
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
.................. 5-36
How to Use This Manual
...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-14
Hydraulic Clutch
............................................. 5-22
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
........................ 6-10
Hydroplaning
.................................................. 4-18
If
No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .......... 5-27
If Steam
Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-26
If the Light
Is Flashing ..................................... 3-32
If the Light
Is On Steady ................................. 3-33
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
....... 4-29
If You Do Decide
To Pull A Trailer ..................... 4-37
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard
........................... 4-27
Ignition Positions
............................................. 2-17
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.......................... 6-12
IHazard Warning Flashers
.................................. 3-6
Indicators
....................................................... 3-23
Infants and Young Children, Restraints
............... 1-34
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure .................................. 5-54

Power ............................................................. 1-3
Accessory Outlets
........................................ 3-1 7
Door Locks .................................................. 2-8
Electrical System
......................................... 5-81
Lift Seat
....................................................... 1-6
Steering Fluid
............................................. 5-35
Windows
.................................................... 2-1 5
Power Steering ............................................... 4-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
.................. 2-8
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts
......... 1-13
Radio Messages
.............................................
Radios ..........................................................
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player ................
Care of Your CD Player ...............................
Care of Your CDs ........................................
DAB Radio Antenna System ..........................
Radio with Cassette and CD .........................
Radio with CD .................................... 3.39.
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)
................................
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems
(RDS) .......................
Theft-Deterrent ............................................
Understanding Reception ..............................
3-41
3-38
3-65
3-66
3-66 3-67
3-52 3-42
3-38
3-38
3-64
3-65 RDS
and DAB Messages
......................... 3.47. 3-57
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides
...................... 1-29
Rear Seat Operation
......................................... 1-8
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions
............. 1-23
Rear Window Defogger
.................................... 3-21
Rearview Mirrors
............................................. 2-32
Reclining Seatbacks
.......................................... 1-3
Recreational Vehicle Towing
............................. 4-31
Remote Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation
............ 2-4
Remote Trunk Release
.................................... 2-12
Remote Trunk Release Lockout
........................ 2-12
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire
.................................................. 5-64
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
................... 5-63
Replacement Bulbs
......................................... 5-51
Replacing Brake System Parts
.......................... 5-41
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash
................................................. 1-60
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government
................................... 7-9
General Motors
............................................. 7-9
United States Government
.............................. 7-9
Restraint System Check
................................... 6-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems
................... 1-60
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash
..................................................... 1-60
Checking
.................................................... 1-60
Rear
Seat Passengers, Safety Belts
.................. 1-23
Restraint Systems
10

Setting the Time
Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS)
......... 3-38
Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS)
..... 3-38
Setting the Tone (BassTTreble)
.......... 3.40. 3.45. 3-55
Sheet Metal Damage
....................................... 5-77
Shift Speeds
.................................................. 2-26
Shifting Into Park (P)
....................................... 2-27
Shifting Out of Park (P)
................................... 2-28
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
........................... 1-1 7
Skidding
........................................................ 4-1 4
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
....................... 4-19
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems
... ....... 5-73
Specifications, Capacities
.................. ... 5-86
Speedometer
.............................................. 3-25
Starter Switch Check
....................................... 6-1 1
Starting Your 2.2L L4 ECOTECTM Engine ........... 2-19
Starting Your 3400
V6 Engine ........................... 2-19
Starting Your Engine
................................... 2-18
Steering
............................................. ... 4-10
Steering in Emergencies
.................................. 4-1 1
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.............................. 6-13
Steering Tips
....................................... , ... 4-10
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area
........................ 2-34
Cupholder(s)
............................................... 2-34
Glove Box
.................................................. 2-34
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
.......................... 5-69
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
....................... 5-70
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow ...................... 4-29 Sun
Visors
................................................. 2-15
Sunroof
..................................................... 2-35
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) ........... 1-53
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
.................... 1-57
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1-59
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
.................... 1-57
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?
.. 1-57
When Should an Air Bag Inflate? ................... 1-56
Where Are the Air Bags?
.............................. 1-55
Tachometer
.................................................... 3-25
Taillamps Turn Signal, and Stoplamps
.......................... 5-50
Theft-Deterrent, Radio ..................................... 3-64
Theft-Deterrent Systems
................................... 2-16
Passlock@
.................................................. 2-16
Throttle System Inspection
............................... 6-14
Tilt Wheel
........................................................ 3-7
Tire Inflation Check
........................................... 6-9
Tires
..................................................... 5-53, 5-77
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-56
Chains
....................................................... 5-60
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-62
Compact Spare Tire
..................................... 5-71
If a Tire Goes Flat
....................................... 5-61
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-54
Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-55
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-57
12