2003 Oldsmobile Alero fuel additives

Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
Service ........................................................... -5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work ......................... 5.4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your
Vehicle
..................................................... -5-4
Fuel
............................................................... -5-5
Gasoline Octane ........................................... -5-5
Gasoline Specifications .................................... 5.5
California Fuel .............................................. -5-6
Additives
...................................................... -5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries
.............................. -5-6
Filling Your Tank
..................................... 5-7
Fillins a Portable Fuel Container .. ...... 5.8
the Hood
...................................................... 5-9
Hood Release .............................................. 5-10
Engine Compartment Overview ....................... 5-12
Engine Oil
.................................................. -5-1 5
Au'romaiic Transaxie Fiuia A-LL
Manual Transaxle Fluid .................................. 5-22
Checking
Things Under
Engine Air CleanedFilter
................................ 5-21 - ^^ .............................
Hydraulic Clutch ........................................... 5-22
Engine Overheating
....................................... 5-26
Cooling System
............................................ 5-28
Power Steering Fluid
..................................... 5-35
Windshield Washer Fluid
............ ............ -5-36
Brakes
...................................................... -5-38
Battery
........................................................ 5-41
Jump Starting
.............................................. 5-42
Engine Coolant
............................................. 5-23
Headlamp Aiming
........................................... 5-47
Bulb Replacement .......................................... 5-49
Haloger;
!3L;lbs .............................................. 5-49
Headlamps .................. .... ......... 5-49
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps
.......... ......... 5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
.................................... 5-50
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps ............ 5-50 n-.-~ n ..II-- nepmwzIIIe111 DUIU~ J-J 1 rc4 .......................................
5- 1

California Fuel
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications.
If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on (see
Malfunction indicator Lamp on page 3-31 )
and your vehicle may fail a smog-check test. If this
occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered
by your warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work
properly. You should not have to add anything to your
fuel. Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available in your area to contribute to clean air.
General Motors recommends that you use these
gasolines, particularly
if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
Notices Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage wouldn’t be covered under your
warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
5-6

As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is the
only viscosity grade recommended for your vehicle. You
should look for and use only oils which have the API
Starburst symbol and which are also identified as
SAE 5W-30.
If you cannot find such SAE 5W-30 oils,
you can use an SAE 1OW-30 oil which has the API
Starburst symbol,
if it’s going to be 0°F (-18°C)
or above.
Do not use other viscosity grade oils, such as
SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50 under any conditions.
Nofice: Use only engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below -20°F (-29”C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
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Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for
good performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM
Oil Life SystemTM)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and filter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based
on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE
OIL light will come on. Change
your oil as soon as possible within the next two
times you stop for fuel. It is possible that,
if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
%Est !x rcsd. It is a!sc irr?pcrtz??t ?e check ;‘QL!T Qi!
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
:vheneve: the ci! is changed.
5-1 9

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

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