2003 Oldsmobile Alero service

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
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. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield.
Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-75.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-15.
Manual Transaxle Check
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
Check for leaks.
A fluid leak is the only reason for fluid
loss. Have the system inspected and repaired if
needed.
Automatic Transaxle Check
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A
transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
Check for leaks. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the fluid level in the clutch reservoir. See
Hydraulic Clutch on page 5-22. A fluid loss in this
system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
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Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all the door hinges and latches, including
those for the hood and the trunk lid. Part
D tells
you what to use. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Starter S---:tc" Ct---'-
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
When you are doing this chec the vehicle
could move suddenly.
If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly.
If it does, you or others
CGG!~ be i~j~d. FO~~GVV the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
around the vehicle.
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-26 if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked
on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page
2-26 if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately
if
the vehicle begins to move.
but don't start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
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Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to
OFF in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transaxle, the key should turn to
OFF only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
With a manual transaxle, the key should turn to
OFF only when the shift lever is in reverse.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only
in OFF.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Parl- 'P) ""xhanism Check
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake's holding ability:
With the engine running and transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready
to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.
I
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
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Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).
You should let your dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See
Service Publications
Ordering Information on page
7- IO.
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhmst system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust
on page
2-30.
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Part E: Maintenance Record
After the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service and any
additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” on the following record pages. Also,
you should retain all maintenance receipts. Your owner information portfolio is a convenient place to store them.
Maintenance Record
6-1 6

Section 7 Customer Assistance Information
Customer Assistance Information .................. 7.2
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
...................... 7.2
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
Customer Assistance
Off ices ............................ 7.3
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
.................................................. 7.5
Roadside Assistance Program
.......................... 7.5
(TTY) Users ............................................... 7.3 Courtesy
Transportation
.................................. -7-7
Government
............................................... 7.9
Government
............................................... 7.9
General Motors
........................................... 7.9
Service Publications Ordering Information
......... 7.10
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Reporting Safety Defects to
7-
1

Customer Assistance
Information
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to
your dealer and to Oldsmobile. Normally, any concerns
with the sales transaction or the operation of your
vehicle will be resolved by your dealer’s sales or service
departments. Sometimes, however, despite the best
intentions of all concerned, misunderstandings can
occur. If your concern has not been resolved to your
satisfaction, the following steps should be taken:
STEP
ONE: Discuss your concern with a member of
dealership management. Normally, concerns can
be quickly resolved at that level.
If the matter has
already been reviewed with the sales, service or parts
manager, contact the owner of the dealership or
the general manager.
STEP TWO:
If after contacting a member of dealership
management, it appears your concern cannot be
resolved by the dealership without further help, contact
the Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Center by
calling 1-800-442-6537. In Canada, contact GM of
Canada Customer Communication Centre in
Oshawa by calling 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French). We encourage
you to call the toll-free number in order
to give your inquiry prompt attention. Please have
the following information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:
Vehicle Identification Number (This is available from
the vehicle registration or title, or the plate at the
top left of the instrument panel and visible through
the windshield.)
Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
When contacting Oldsmobile, please remember that
your concern will likely be resolved at a dealer’s facility.
That is why we suggest you follow Step One first
if
you have a concern.
STEP
THREE: Both General Motors and your dealer
are committed to making sure you are completely
satisfied with your new vehicle. However,
if you continue
to remain unsatisfied after following the procedure
outlined in Steps One and Two, you should file with the
GM/BBB Auto Line Program to enforce any additional
rights you may have. Canadian owners refer to
your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information
booklet for information on the Canadian Motor Vehicle
Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP).
7-2

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to qualified applicants, can
reimburse you up to
$1,000 toward aftermarket
driver or passenger
adaptive equipment you
may require for your
vehicle (hand controls, wheelchair/scooter lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The program is available
for a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. See your dealer for more details or
1-800-323-9935. Text telephone
(TTY) users,
call 1-800-833-9935.
,-.-I1 +hn ehll htl,h;lit,, Ac-c-irtqnpn f‘nntnr 31 ball 11 IG UIVI IVIWUIIIL~ IW~IULUIIVV VVI I.V.
Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1 -800-442-OLDS (6537)
As the proud owner
of a new Oldsmobile vehicle, you
are automatically enrolled in the Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance program. This value-added service is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive
in the city or travel the open road.
Oldsmobile’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is
staffed by courteous and capable Roadside Assistance
Representatives who are available 24 hours a day,
365 days
a year.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program.
Call
1 -800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details.
All TTY GS~S call 1-800-253-3830.
7-5