2004 Oldsmobile Alero mirror

If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember: It
helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are
no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the
brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This restores
steering control. Push the brake pedal down steadily
when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels
are rolling, you will have steering control.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
•Drive defensively.
•Do not drink and drive.
•Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
•Since you can not see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
•Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
•In remote areas, watch for animals.
•If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
4-16

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your
mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your “blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
4-22

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway
hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road inless than a second,and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
•Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
•Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
•If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.
4-24

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you will want to
get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you are a good deal
longer, you will need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer will not strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-43

Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Driver’s Side)
Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses and
features listed.
Fuses Usage
WIPERWindshield Wiper Motor, Washer
Pump
TRUNK
REL/RADIO
AMPTrunk Release Relay/Motor, Audio
Amplifier/RFA
TURN LPS Turn Signal Lamps
PWR MIRROR Power Mirrors
Fuses Usage
AIR BAG Air Bags
BFC BATT Body Computer (BFC)
PCM ACC Power Control Module (PCM)
DR LOCK Door Lock Motors
IPC/BFC ACC Cluster, Body Computer (BFC)
STOP LPS Stop Lamps
HAZARD LPS Hazard Lamps
IPC/HVAC
BATTHVAC Head, Cluster, Data Link
Connector
Circuit
BreakersUsage
PWR SEAT Power Seats
Relay Usage
TRUNK REL Trunk Relay
DR UNLOCK Door Unlock Relay
DR LOCK Door Lock Relay
DRIVER DR
UNLOCKDriver’s Door Unlock Relay
5-91

Engine Compartment Fuse Block
Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses and
features listed.
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver’s side of the vehicle, near the battery.
Fuse Usage
1 Ignition Switch
2Right Electrical Center-Fog Lamps,
Radio, Body Function Control
Module, Interior Lamps
3Left Electrical Center-Stop Lamps,
Hazard Lamps, Body Function
Control Module, Cluster, Climate
Control System
4 Anti-Lock Brakes
5Left Electrical Center-Power Seats,
Power Mirrors, Door Locks, Trunk
Release, Audio Amplifier, Remote
Keyless Entry
6 Not Used
7 Ignition Switch
8 Cooling Fan #1
Relays Usage
9 Rear Defog
10 Not Used
11 Starter (V6 only)
12 Cooling Fan #1
13 HVAC Blower (Climate Control)
14 Cooling Fan #2
15 Cooling Fan
5-93

Locks
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-12
Lockout Protection.......................................2-11
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-32
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-37
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Using Your................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-45
Making Turns.................................................4-43
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-32
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle............................................2-18
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-25
Manual Windows............................................2-14
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-5
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-34
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-33
Outside Remote Control Mirror......................2-33
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
8

O
Odometer......................................................3-25
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-36
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Light.............................................3-35
Older Children, Restraints................................1-32
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
Operation......................................................3-19
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-5
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-34
Power Mirrors.............................................2-33
Remote Control Mirror..................................2-33
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-13
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-28
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Parking
Brake........................................................2-27
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31Parking (cont.)
Your Vehicle/Key Removal............................2-30
Parking on Hills..............................................4-44
Passing.................................................4-13, 4-43
Passlock
®......................................................2-16
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-8
Playing a Cassette Tape..................................3-63
Playing a CD.................................3-42, 3-53, 3-65
Playing the Radio...........................3-40, 3-45, 3-56
Power............................................................. 1-3
Accessory Outlets........................................3-18
Door Locks.................................................. 2-8
Electrical System.........................................5-90
Lift Seat....................................................... 1-7
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-15
Power Steering...............................................4-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-9
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-13
R
Radio Data System (RDS).......................3-45, 3-55
Radio Messages.............................................3-42
Radios..........................................................3-39
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-67
9