2003 Oldsmobile Alero engine coolant

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

Backglass Antenna .......................................... 3-66
Backing Up
.................................................... 4-40
Battery
.......................................................... 5-41
Battery Replacement
......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection
............................ 3-1 7
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
......................... 4-22
Body Lubrication Service
.................................. 6-1 1
Brake
Parking
................................... .... 2-26
System Inspection
.................... .... 6-14
System Warning Light
................... .... 3-28
Brake Adjustment
............................................ 5-40
Brake Fluid
.................................................... 5-38
Brake Pedal Travel
......................................... 5-40
Brake Wear
................................................... 5-40
Brakes
................................ ................... 5-38
Braking
................................... ................. 4-6
Break-in, New Vehicle
..................................... 2-17
Bulb Replacement
........................................... 5-49
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
........ 5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps ............. 5-50
Headlamp Aiming .. .......................... 5-47
Braking
in Emergencies
............. ............. 4-8
Halogen Bulbs
............................................ 5-49
Headlamps
........ .......................... 5-49 Bulb
Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs
...................................... 5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal. and Stoplamps ............ 5-50
Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-56
C
............
California Fuel ........................ ...... 5-6
Canada
......................................... .. 7-4
Canadian Owners
...............................
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specifications
............................ 5-86
Carbon Monoxide
................... 4.25. 4.36. 4-1 1. 4-30
Care
of
Safety Belts ........ ................ 5-75
Care of Your
..... II
Cassette Tape Player ... ................ 3-65
CD Player
.................................................. 3-66
Cassette Deck Service
...................................... 6-9
Center Console Storage Area
........................... 2-34
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
........... 5-50
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts ..... 1-50
Chains, Tires
.................................................. 5-60
Charging System Light
.................................... 3-27
Check Engine Light
............................................... 3-31
Checking Coolant
............................................ 5-25
CDS
.......................................................... 3-66
Cassette Tape Messages
................................. 3-62
3

Checking Engine Oil ........................................ 5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood
....................... 5-9
Checking Your Restraint Systems
...................... 1-60
Chemical Paint Spotting
................................... 5-78
Child Restraints Child Restraint Systems
............................... 1-38
Infants and Young Children
........................... 1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
.......................... 1-43
Older Children
............................................. 1-32
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
........................................ 1-45
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position
........................................... 1-48
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat
Position ........................................... 1=45
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position
........................................... 1-50
Top Strap
................................................... 1-41
Where to Put the Restraint
........................... 1-41
Chime Level Adjustment
.................................. 3-67
wyC4i t;llt; Llyr ilGl 4- IO
Cleaning Inside of Your Vehicle
........................... 5-72
Outside of Your Vehicle
................................ 5-75
Underbody Maintenance
............................... 5-78
Weatherstrips
.............................................. 5-75
Cleaning Exterior LampdLenses ....................... 5-76
Top Strap Anchor Location ............................ 1-42
P: -.--- IL- I :-.LA-- A +n .............................................
Climate Control System ................................... 3-19
Outlet Adjustment
........................................ 3-22
Compact Disc Messages
................. 3-42, 3-52, 3-64
Compact Spare Tire
........................................ 5-71
Control of a Vehicle
.......................................... 4-5
Coolant Engine Temperature Gage
............................ 3-31
Heater, Engine
............................................ 2-20
Low Warning Light
....................................... 3-31
Cooling System
.............................................. 5-28
Cruise Control
................................................ 3-10
Cruise Control Light
........................................ 3-36
Current and Past Model Order Forms
................ 7-11
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation
.........
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
............................... 7-3
Customer Assistance Offices
........................... 7-3
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Proaram for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors
...... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
................................ 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United
States Gzvernment .... ....... 7-9
Clutch, Hydraulic ............................................. 5-22
Cupholder(s)
.................................................. 2-34
.............. 7-7
3

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

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

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

Light (cont.) Low Oil Level
............................................. 3-35
Low Washer Fluid Warning
........................... 3-36
Malfunction Indicator
.................................... 3-31
Oil Pressure
............................................... 3-34
Safety Belt Reminder
................................... 3-26
Security
..................................................... 3-36
Service Vehicle Soon
................................... 3-36
Up-Shift
..................................................... 3-28
Loading Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-34
Lockout Protection
.......................................... 2-1 1
Locks Delayed Locking
.......................... ...... 2-8
Door
.......................................... .......... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle
........................ .... 2-11
Lockout Protection
........................... .... 2-11
Power Door
.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks
............................. 2-10
Loss of Control
............................................... 4-14
Low Coolant Warning Light
.............................. 3-31
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
....................... 3-36
M
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........ 5-88
Maintenance Schedule At Each Fuel Fill
........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month
.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year
.................................. 6-10 Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
At Least Twice a Year
.................................. 6-10
Brake System Inspection
.............................. 6-14
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................. 6-14
Exhaust System Inspection
........................... 6-13
Fuel System Inspection
................................ 6-14
How This Section is Organized
....................... 6-3
Introduction
.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
............................. 6-2
Part A
- Scheduled Maintenance Services ......... 6-4
Part B
- Owner Checks and Services ............... 6-9
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...... 6-13
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
........................................... 6-15
Part
E - Maintenance Record ........................ 6-16
Scheduled Maintenance
................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.......................... 6-13
Throttle System Inspection
............................ 6-14
Using Your
................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
............... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
.... ..... 4-42
Making Turns
.................................... ..... 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Light
............................ 3-31
Manual Seats
................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle
............................................ 2-18
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-22
Operation
................................................... 2-25
Manual Transaxle Check
.................................. 6-10
Manual Windows
............................................ 2-14
8