2004 Oldsmobile Alero heating

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling
system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:If you operate the engine without coolant
or fail to maintain the cooling system properly,
you could damage the engine. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for
maintaining your cooling system. SeeCooling
System on page 5-29for more information.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-30

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer’s booklet
included with your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical passenger
car tire and a compact spare tire sidewall.
5-54

Engine (cont.)
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-31
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-18
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-93
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-45
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Active Light................................................3-31
Warning Light.............................................3-30
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-17
Event Data Records (EDR)..............................7-10
Express Down Window....................................2-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).................................3-48, 3-58Finding a Station............................3-41, 3-46, 3-56
Finish Care....................................................5-85
Finish Damage...............................................5-87
Flat Tire........................................................5-70
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-21
Manual Transaxle........................................5-22
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
FM Stereo.....................................................3-67
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Folding the Seatback........................................ 1-8
Following Distance..........................................4-43
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-5
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-38
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-4
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-90
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-90
5