2003 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manuals

Public Transportation or Fuel
Reimbursement
If your vehicle requires overnight warranty repairs,
reimbursement up to
$30 per day (five days maximum)
may be available for the use of public transportation
such as taxi or bus. In addition, should you arrange
transportation through a friend or relative,
reimbursement for reasonable fuel expenses up to
$10 per day (five day maximum) may be available.
Claim amounts should reflect actual costs and be
supported by original receipts.
Courtesy Rental Vehicle
When your vehicle is unavailable due to overnight
warranty repairs, your dealer may arrange to provide
you with a courtesy rental vehicle
or reimburse you for a
rental vehicle you obtained, at actual cost, up to a
maximum of
$30.00 per day supported by receipts. This
requires that you sign and complete a rental agreement
and meet state, local and rental vehicle provider
requirements. Requirements vary and may include
minimum age requirements, insurance coverage, credit
card, etc.
You are responsible for fuel usage charges
and may also be responsible for taxes, levies,
usage fees, excessive mileage or rental usage beyond
the completion of the repair.
Generally it is not possible to provide a like-vehicle as a
courtesy rental.
Additional Program Information
Courtesy Transportation is available during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty coverage period, but it
is
not
part of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. A
separate booklet entitled Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information
furnished with each new vehicle
provides detailed warranty coverage information.
Courtesy Transportation is available only at participating
dealers and all program options, such as shuttle
service, may not be available at every dealer. Please
contact your dealer for specific information about
availability. All Courtesy Transportation arrangements
will be administered by appropriate dealer personnel.
Canadian Vehicles: For warranty repairs during
the Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General
Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
alternative transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult
your dealer for details.
General Motors reserves the right to unilaterally modify,
change or discontinue Courtesy Transportation at
any time and to resolve all questions of claim eligibility
pursuant to the terms and conditions described
herein at its sole discretion.
7-8

Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and
if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA,
U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C.
20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C Ottawa Ontario KIA ON5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-442-6537, or write:
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Center
P.O.
Box 33171
Detroit,
Mi 48232-51 71
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (Englishj
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1 H 8P7
7-9

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specifications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$50.00
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1 -800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specifically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
in-Portfolio: Includes
a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00
7-1 0

Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles.
To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-41 23
Monday-Friday 8:OO AM - 6:OO PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-Mastercard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com Or
you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. 0. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers:
All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable
in U.S. funds.
7-1 1

A
Accessory Power Outlets .............................. 3-17
Adding Washer Fluid
....................................... 5-36
Additional Program Information
........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel
................................................. 5-6
Adjusting the Speakers
Air Bag
Air Bag System, Supplemental Restraint Add-On Electrical Equipment
............................ 5-81
(Balance/Fade)
............................ 3-40, 3-46, 3-56
Readiness Light
.......................................... 3-26
System (SRS)
............................................. 1-53
Air CleanedFiIter, Engine
................................. 5-21
All Overseas Locations ...................................... 7-4
Aluminum Wheels
........................................... 5-77
AM ................................................ ....... 3-65
Antenna, XMTM Satellite Radio System
................ 3-67
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
............................ 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light
.............. 3-29
Care of Safety Belts
.................................... 5-75
Chemical Paint Spotting
............................... 5-78
Antenna, Backglass
......................................... 3-66
Appearance Care
............................................ 5-72
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
................ 5-72
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
.............. 5-75
Finish Damage
............................................ 5-77
G!.! Vehicle CarelAppearmce Materials .......... 5-78
Sheet Metal Damage ................................... 5-77
Underbody Maintenance
............................... 5-78 Appearance Care (cont.)
Weatherstrips
........... ........................ 5-75
Ashtrays
........................................................ 3-18
Audio System(s)
......................................... 3-38
Backglass Antenna
...................................... 3-66
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
................ 3-65
Care of Your CD Player
............................... 3-66
Care of Your CDs
........................................ 3-66
Chime Level Adjustment
............................... 3-67
DAB Radio Antenna System
.......................... 3-67
Radio with Cassette and CD
......................... 3-52
Radio with CD
.................................... 3-39, 3-42
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)
................................ 3-38
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)
................................ 3-38
Theft-Deterrent Feature
................................ 3-64
Understanding Radio Reception
..................... 3-65
KhATM %?P!!ifP Radln Antenna . Sysf9t-p .............. 1-87
Automatic Headlamp System ............................ 3-14
Automatic Transaxle
........................................ 2-18
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-22
Operation
................................................... 2-22
Automatic Transaxle Check
.............................. 6-10
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
............................................. 6-11
Audio Systems

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