2003 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manuals

There will be some smoke and dust coming from the
vents
in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t
prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the
vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the
vehicle.
When an air bag inflates, there
is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do
so. If you have breathing problems but
can’t get out of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
e
e
e
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After an
air bag inflates, you’ll need some new parts for
your air bag system.
If you don’t get them, the air
bag system won’t be there to help protect you
in another crash.
A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness of the system, when
the system commands air bag inflation and
driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer for
service.
Notice: If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s air bag, the bag
may not work properly. You may have to replace the
air bag module
in the steering wheel or both the
air bag module and the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
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Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications
Ordering Information
on page 7- 10.
For up tc .D minutes after the igniti,.i key is
turned
off and the battery is disconnected, an
air bag can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are close to
an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires
wrapped with yellow tape or yellow connectors. They are probably part of the air
bag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you
is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-59

Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, 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.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt
is torn or frayed, get
a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
A crash can damage the restrain1 (stems in
your vehicle.
A damaged restraint system may
not properly protect the person using
it,
resulting in serious injury or even death in a
crash.
To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after
a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
1-60

If you’ve had a crash, do you need new belts or LATCH If your seat adjuster won’t work after a crash, the
system parts? special part
of the safety belt that goes through the seat
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But
if the belts were stretched, as they would be if If an air bag inflates, you’ll need to replace air bag
worn during a more severe crash, then you need system parts. See
Supplemental Restraint System
to the adjuster may need to be replaced.
new parts. If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even
if the belt
or LATCH system wasn’t being used at the time of
the collision.
(SRS) on page 1-53.
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Section 2 Features and Controls
Keys ............................................................... 2.2
Remote Keyless Entry System
......................... 2.3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation
.......... -2-4
Doors and
Locks ............................................. 2-7
Door Locks
................................................... -2-7
Power Door Locks
.......................................... 2-8
Delayed Locking
............................................ -2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
................................................ 2.8
Rear Door Security Locks
.............................. 2-10
Lockout Protection
........................................ 2.11
Leaving Your Vehicle
.................................... 2-1 1
Trunk .......................................................... 2-1 1
Windows .......................... ...................... -2-1 4
Manual Windows
...................................... -2-1 4
Power Windows
............................. ....... 2.15
Sun Visors
............................................... 2.15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
.................................. 2.16
Passlock@
@ ................................................. 2.16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
................ 2.17
New Vehicle Break-In
.................................... 2.17
Ignition Positions
.......................................... 2.17 Starting
Your Engine
................................. 2.18
Engine Coolant Heater
.................................. 2.20
Automatic Transaxle Operation
....................... 2.22
Manual Transaxle Operation
........................... 2.25
Parking Brake
.............................................. 2.26
Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal
.................. 2-29
Engine Exhaust
............................................ 2-30
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
.... 2-30
Mirrors
........................................................... 2-32
Manual Rearview Mirror
................................. 2-32
Outside Remote Control Mirror
....................... 2-32
Outside Power Mirrors
................................... 2-33
Outside Convex Mirror
................................... 2-33
Storage Areas
................................................ 2-34
Glove Box
................................................... 2.34
Cupnoiaerjsj
d-34
Center Console Storage Area ......................... 2-34
Sunroof
......................................................... 2.35
Shifting Into
Park
(P) ..................................... 2-27
Shifting Out
of Park (P) ................................. 2-28
Parking Over Things That Burn
....................... 2-29
n e’ ................................................
2- 1

Keys
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
Don’t leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
2-2

One key is used for the
ignition and all locks.
When a new vehicle
is delivered, the key has a
bar-coded key tag. This tag may be removed by your
dealer before it is delivered.
Each tag has a key code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
tag in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be able
to have one made easily using this tag. If you need
See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5 for more
information.
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Notice: Your vehicle has a number of new features
that can help prevent theft. You can have a lot
of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you have
spare keys.
Remote Keyless Entry System
If equipped, the keyless entry system operates on a
radio frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15
of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
i . I nis aevice may nor cause inierfererlce, arid
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
-.
2-3