
The 2003 Oldsmobile Alero Owner Manual a
Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-9
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-32
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
...................................... 1-53
Restraint System Check
............................ 1-60
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
................................................. 2-1 4
Theft-Deterrent Systems ............................ 2-1 6
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-17
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-32
Siorage Areas
......................................... 2-34
Sunroof .................................................. 2-35
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
...................................... 3-1 9
.w .arning Lights, Gages and indicators ......... 3-23
Audio System(s) ....................................... 3-38
Features and Controls
..................................... 2-1
Instrument Panel
............................................. 3-1 Driving Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
................................................... 4-31
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel ......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under
the
Hood ............................................... 5-9
Headlamp Aiming
..................................... 5-47
Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
......... 5-52
Tires
...................................................... 5-53
Appearance Care
..................................... 5-72
Vehicle Identification
................................. 5-80
Electrical System
...................................... 5-81
Zapai;iiit=s at-tii ~J~LIIIL~LIUI I> 5-w~
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ...... 5-88
Maintenance Schedule ........................... ... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information
.................... 7-1
Customer
Assistance iniorrnation .................. 7-2
Index ................................................................. 1
Service
and Appearance Care
.......................... 5-1
n.- - -:I: - -1: - .- - .....................

Head Restraints Seatback Latches
For two-door model vehicles, the front seatbacks fold
forward to let people get into the back seat. The
seatback latch is designed for one-handed operation.
To fold a front seatback forward, lift the seatback
latch fully without pushing forward on the seatback to
unlock it. Then the seatback will fold forward.
1 Push the seatback to its original position, and the
seatback will lock.
If the seatback isn't locked, it could move
forward
in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to
be sure it is
locked.
1 -5

Easy Entry Seat
For two-door model vehicles, the right front seat of your
vehicle makes it easy for people to get in and out of
the rear seat.
1. Fold the right front seatback forward by lifting the
2. The seat will slide forward to allow someone to get
seatback latch fully.
into the rear seat area.
3. Push the seatback upright to lock it and slide the
seat fully rearward to lock it.
4. Adjust the seat to the desired position.
5. The front passenger should try to move the seat to
make
sllrc’! the seat is Inckeri intn place.
If the easy try right frc
can move. In a sudden stop or crash, the
person sitting there could be injured. After
you’ve used it, be sure to push rearward on an
easy entry seat
to be sure it is locked.
Power Lift Seat
If your vehicle has this feature, to move the power lift
seat forward or rearward, pull
up on the lever located
under the front of the driver’s seat to unlock
it. Slide the
seat to where you want it and release the lever. Try
to move the seat with your body to make sure the seat
is locked into place.
1 -6

Driver Position
This part describes the driver’s restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it
properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see
how, see
Manual Seats on page 1-2 or Six-Way
Power Driver Seat on page
1-3.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock
if you pull the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
isruss yuu very qui&iy. II tr11s i~apper~s, iei ttt. ijt.ii .I *I *
1-15

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
(Four-Door Models)
Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt
adjuster to the height that
is right for you.
To move it down, squeeze the release button and move
the height adjuster to the desired position. You can
move the adjuster up just by pushing on the shoulder
belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where
you want it, try to move it down without squeezing the
release button to make sure it has locked into position.
Adjust the height
so that the shoulder portion of the
belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should
be away from your face and neck, but not falling
off
your shoulder.
1-17

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

Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system.
If the
transmitter does not work or
if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
e
e
e
e
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check to determine
if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4.
If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
If your vehicle has this feature, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from about
3 feet
(1 m) up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote keyless
entry transmitter supplied with your vehicle.
The following functions are
available with the keyless
entry system:
@ (Lock): All doors will automatically lock when this
button on the transmitter is pressed. The interior
lamps will turn
off after all of the doors are closed. If all
of the doors are closed, the parking lamps will flash
twice and the horn will chirp to indicate locking
has occurred.
2-4

6 (Unlock): The driver’s door will unlock
automatically when this button on the transmitter is
pressed.
If the button is pressed again within five
seconds, all remaining doors will unlock. The interior
lamps will stay on for
10 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on. The parking lamps will flash twice to
indicate unlocking has occurred.
(rsy (Remote Trunk Release): The trunk will unlock
when the vehicle symbol on the transmitter is pressed,
as long as the trunk lockout
is not engaged. You
can open the trunk with the transmitter when the vehicle
speed is less than
2 mph (3 km/h), when the parking
brake is engaged, or when the ignition is
off. The interior
lamps will come on for
10 seconds or until the ignition
switch is turned to
ON.
.# (Horn): The horn will sound and the headlamps
and the parking lamps will flash for up to two minutes
when the horn symbol on the transmitter is pressed. The
interior
lamps will come on and remain on while the
horn is sounding and the lamps are flashing. The horn
and lamps can be turned
off by pressing the horn
symbol button again or by turning the ignition to
ON.
Programmable Horn Chirp
When you use the remote keyless entry transmitter to
lock the doors or use the delayed locking feature
the parking lamps will flash and the horn will chirp.
The programmable horn chirp can be disabled by pressing and holding either
of the door lock switches in
the unlock position for
10 seconds with the ignition
ON and all of the doors closed. When you hear the horn
chirp, programming is complete.
To reactivate the horn chirp feature, repeat the above
procedure.
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each remote keyless entry transmitter is coded to
prevent another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can
be purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters with you when you go to
ynlIr dealer When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum of four
transmitters matched to it.
2-5