2003 Oldsmobile Alero window

Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flames
if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part
of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed
space. When you use anything from a container to clean
your vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s
warnings and instructions. And always open your doors
or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
0 Benzene
0 Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner They can
all be hazardous
- some more than
others
- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any of these unless this manual
says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and
loose dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic and painted
surfaces with a clean, damp cloth.
Nail Polish Remover
5-72

Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do this more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth
and vinyl/leather cleaner. See your dealer for
this product.
Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let
the leather dry naturally.
Do not use heat to dry.
For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
dealer for this product.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately. If dirt is allowed
to work into the finish,
it can harm the leather.
Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones
or waxes may cause annoying reflections in the
windshield and even make it difficult to see through the
windshield under certain conditions.
Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft cloth
or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the
surface finish.
Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or a
liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal
tobacco smoke and dust films on interior glass. See
GM
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on page
5-78.
Notice: Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass,
because they may cause scratches. Avoid placing
decals on the inside rear window, since they
may have to be scraped
off later. If abrasive cleaners
are used on the inside
of the rear window, an
electric defogger element may be damaged. Any
temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
5-74

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice: Don’t add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they
should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-59.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
the overload is caused by some electrical problem, have
it fixed. snow,
eic., iile wiper wiii siup ui-liii ti-le i-hstci- GS~S. If
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
A circuit breaker in the fuse panel protects the power
windows. When the current load is too heavy, the circuit
breaker opens and closes, protecting the circuit until
the problem is fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination
of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible links. This greatly reduces the chance of
damage caused by electrical problems.
There are three fuse blocks in your vehicle: two
instrument panel fuse blocks and the engine
compartment fuse block.
There are four spare fuses located in the driver’s side
instrument panel end cap for your use.
Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks
There are two fuse panels for your vehicle. One is
located on the driver’s side of the instrument panel and
the other is located on the passenger’s side.
5-81

Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Passenger’s Side)
SEE OTHER END CAF FOR FUSE PULLER &SPARE FUSES
A) INST LPS
C) CRUISE
SW B) CRUISE SW LPS
0) HVAC BLOWER E) CRUISE F) FOG LPS G) INT LPS H) RADIO BATr I) SUNROOF
* SEE OWNERS MANUAL /
1’
Fuse
INST LPS
CRUISE SW LPS
CRUISE SW Usage
Interior Lamp Dimming
Steering Wheel Cruise Control
Switch Lamps
Steering Wheel Cruise Control
Switches
HVAC Blower Motor
HVAC
BLOWER
CRUISE Cruise Control
FOG LPS
Fog Lamps
INT LPS Interior Courtesy Lamps
RADIO BAT Radio, XMTM Satellite Radio/DAB
SUNROOF Power Sunroof
Circuit Breaker Usage
PWR WNDW Power Windows
Relay
FOG LFS
Usage
Fog iarnps
5-83

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

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

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