2003 Oldsmobile Alero suspension

Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has a headlamp system equipped with
horizontal and vertical aim indicators. The aim has been
pre-set at the factory and should need no further
adjustment. This is true even fnough your vertieai
and
horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on the
“0 (zero) marks on their scales.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment may be necessary
if it is difficult to see lane markers (for horizontal
you (for vertical aim). If you believe your headlamps
need to be re-aimed,
we recommend that you take it to
your dealer for service; however, it is possible for
you to re-aim your headlamps as described in the
following procedure.
~im), nr if ~n~nmins drivers flash their hi9h beams at
Notice: To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before beginning.
Failure to follow these instructions could cause
damage to headlamp parts.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:
The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface.
If necessary, pads may be used on an uneven
surface.
The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.
The vehicle should be fully assembled and aii other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.
There should not be any cargo or loading of
the vehicle, except it should have a full tank of
fuel and one person or
160 Ibs. (75 kg) on
the driver’s seat.
Close all doors.
Tires should be properly inflated.
Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspension.
5-47

Used Replacement Wheels
- wmmu
I
Tire Chains
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how
it’s been used
or how far
it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to replace a wheel, use a new
GM original
equipment wheel.
I
If your ve :le s FLL ;OR16 re tires, ,,n’t
use tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may
be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only
if its
manufacturer recommends
it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the device if it’s contacting your vehicle, and don’t spin your wheels.
If you do find traction devices that will
fit,
install them on the front tires.
5-60

Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule ...................................... 6.2
Introduction
................................................... 6.2
Your Vehicle and the Environment
.................... 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
.............................. 6-2
How This Section
is Organized ......................... 6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
........... 6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
.................... 6-4
Scheduled Maintenance
................................... 6-5
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
................. 6-9
At Each Fuel Fill ............................................ 6-9
At Least Once a Month ................................... 6-9
At Least Twice a Year ................................... 6-10 At
Least Once a Year
................................... 6.10
Part C: Periodic Maintenance inspections
......... 6.13
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal inspection
............................ 6.13
Exhaust System Inspection
............................ 6.13
Fuel System Inspection
.................................. 6.14
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................... 6.14
Throttle System Inspection
............................. 6.14
Brake System inspection
................................ 6.14
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
.... 6-15
Part E: Maintenance Record
........................... 6.16
6- 1

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.
6-1 3

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

Inspection Brake System
............................................. 6-14
Engine Cooling System
................................ 6-14
Fuel System
............................................... 6-14
Part C
. Periodic Maintenance ....................... 6-13
Steering. Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal
......................................... 6-1 3
Throttle System
.................................... 6-1 4
Cluster
....................................................... 3-24
Overview
..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness
............................. 3-1 6
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Passenger's Side)
....................................... 5-83
instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Driver's Side)
............................................. 5-82
Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks
........................... 5-81
Exhaust System
.......................................... 6-13
Instrument Panel
Interior Lamps
................................................ 3-16
Interior Plastic Components
.............................. 5-74
J
Jump Starting ................................................. 5-42
Key Lock Cylinders Service
.............................. 6-10
Key Removal
................................................. 2-29 Keyless
Entry System
....................................... 2-3
Keys
............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior
............ .... ........ 3-13
Interior
....................................................... 3-16
Lap Belt
........................................................ 1-27
Lap-Shoulder Belt
................................... 1.15. 1-24
LATCH System Child Restraints
........................................... 1-43
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System
........................................ 1-45
Latches,
Seatback ............................................ 1-5
Leather ......................................................... 5-74
Leaving Your Vehicle
....................................... 2-11
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
.......................................... 2-28
Lift Seat, Power
....................... ......... 1-6
Light
................................... 3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ................... 3-29
Brake System Warning
................................. 3-28
Change Engine Oil
...................................... 3-35
Charging System
......................................... 3-27
Cruise Control
............................................. 3-36
Enhanced Traction System Warning
............... 3-29
Low Coolant Warning
................................... 3-31
. A-ir -"a Ran Rnadinncc .V UU ... YYY
LI c+,,,, I talIbGd T;actior; System Active J-JO QQ ..................
7

Light (cont.) Low Oil Level
............................................. 3-35
Low Washer Fluid Warning
........................... 3-36
Malfunction Indicator
.................................... 3-31
Oil Pressure
............................................... 3-34
Safety Belt Reminder
................................... 3-26
Security
..................................................... 3-36
Service Vehicle Soon
................................... 3-36
Up-Shift
..................................................... 3-28
Loading Your Vehicle
....................................... 4-34
Lockout Protection
.......................................... 2-1 1
Locks Delayed Locking
.......................... ...... 2-8
Door
.......................................... .......... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle
........................ .... 2-11
Lockout Protection
........................... .... 2-11
Power Door
.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks
............................. 2-10
Loss of Control
............................................... 4-14
Low Coolant Warning Light
.............................. 3-31
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
....................... 3-36
M
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts ........ 5-88
Maintenance Schedule At Each Fuel Fill
........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month
.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year
.................................. 6-10 Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
At Least Twice a Year
.................................. 6-10
Brake System Inspection
.............................. 6-14
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................. 6-14
Exhaust System Inspection
........................... 6-13
Fuel System Inspection
................................ 6-14
How This Section is Organized
....................... 6-3
Introduction
.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
............................. 6-2
Part A
- Scheduled Maintenance Services ......... 6-4
Part B
- Owner Checks and Services ............... 6-9
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...... 6-13
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
........................................... 6-15
Part
E - Maintenance Record ........................ 6-16
Scheduled Maintenance
................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.......................... 6-13
Throttle System Inspection
............................ 6-14
Using Your
................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
............... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
.... ..... 4-42
Making Turns
.................................... ..... 4-40
Malfunction Indicator Light
............................ 3-31
Manual Seats
................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle
............................................ 2-18
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-22
Operation
................................................... 2-25
Manual Transaxle Check
.................................. 6-10
Manual Windows
............................................ 2-14
8

Setting the Time
Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS)
......... 3-38
Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS)
..... 3-38
Setting the Tone (BassTTreble)
.......... 3.40. 3.45. 3-55
Sheet Metal Damage
....................................... 5-77
Shift Speeds
.................................................. 2-26
Shifting Into Park (P)
....................................... 2-27
Shifting Out of Park (P)
................................... 2-28
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
........................... 1-1 7
Skidding
........................................................ 4-1 4
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
....................... 4-19
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems
... ....... 5-73
Specifications, Capacities
.................. ... 5-86
Speedometer
.............................................. 3-25
Starter Switch Check
....................................... 6-1 1
Starting Your 2.2L L4 ECOTECTM Engine ........... 2-19
Starting Your 3400
V6 Engine ........................... 2-19
Starting Your Engine
................................... 2-18
Steering
............................................. ... 4-10
Steering in Emergencies
.................................. 4-1 1
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.............................. 6-13
Steering Tips
....................................... , ... 4-10
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area
........................ 2-34
Cupholder(s)
............................................... 2-34
Glove Box
.................................................. 2-34
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
.......................... 5-69
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
....................... 5-70
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow ...................... 4-29 Sun
Visors
................................................. 2-15
Sunroof
..................................................... 2-35
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) ........... 1-53
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
.................... 1-57
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1-59
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
.................... 1-57
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?
.. 1-57
When Should an Air Bag Inflate? ................... 1-56
Where Are the Air Bags?
.............................. 1-55
Tachometer
.................................................... 3-25
Taillamps Turn Signal, and Stoplamps
.......................... 5-50
Theft-Deterrent, Radio ..................................... 3-64
Theft-Deterrent Systems
................................... 2-16
Passlock@
.................................................. 2-16
Throttle System Inspection
............................... 6-14
Tilt Wheel
........................................................ 3-7
Tire Inflation Check
........................................... 6-9
Tires
..................................................... 5-53, 5-77
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-56
Chains
....................................................... 5-60
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-62
Compact Spare Tire
..................................... 5-71
If a Tire Goes Flat
....................................... 5-61
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-54
Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-55
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-57
12