2004 Oldsmobile Alero change time

9. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
the places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off.
{CAUTION:
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If
you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel
could fall off, causing a serious accident.
10. Install the compact spare tire.
5-76

Owner Checks and Services on page 6-8tells you what
should be checked, when to check it and what you can
easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts, fluids and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-12andNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 6-13. When your vehicle is serviced,
make sure these are used. All parts should be replaced
and all necessary repairs done before you or anyone
else drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine GM parts.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE OIL light comes on, it means that
service is required for your vehicle. Have your vehicle
serviced as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving under the
best conditions, the engine oil life system may not
indicate that vehicle service 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 must be
reset. Your GM Goodwrench dealer has GM-trained
service technicians who will perform this work using
genuine GM parts and reset the system.If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15for information on the Engine
Oil Life System and resetting the system.
When the CHANGE OIL light appears, certain services,
checks and inspections are required. Required services
are described in the following for “Maintenance I” and
“MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is recommended that your
first service be MaintenanceI, your second service be
MaintenanceIIand that you alternate MaintenanceIand
MaintenanceIIthereafter. However, in some cases,
Maintenance II may be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the CHANGE
OIL light comes on within ten months since vehicle was
purchased or Maintenance II was performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the light comes on ten months
or more since the last service or if the light has not
come on at all for one year.
6-4

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualified applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000
toward eligible aftermarket
driver or passenger
adaptive equipment you
may require for your vehicle
(hand controls, wheelchair/
scooter lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The offer is available for
a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. For more details, or to determine your
vehicle’s eligibility, see your GM dealer or call the
GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935. Text
telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program. Call
1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. All TTY users
call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1-800-442-OLDS (6537)
As the proud owner of a new Oldsmobile vehicle, you
are automatically enrolled in the Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance program. This value-added service is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive
in the city or travel the open road.
Oldsmobile’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is
staffed by courteous and capable Roadside Assistance
Representatives who are available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
We will provide the following services during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty period, at no expense
to you:
•Fuel delivery
•Lock-out service (identification required)
•Tow to the nearest dealership for warranty service or
in the event of a vehicle-disabling accident
•Flat tire change
•Jump starts
•Minor repairs to disabled vehicles
7-6

Courtesy Rental Vehicle
Your dealer may arrange to provide you with a courtesy
rental vehicle or reimburse you for a rental vehicle you
obtained if your vehicle is kept for a warranty repair.
Reimbursement will be limited to a maximum of $30 a
day and must be supported by receipts. This requires that
you sign and complete a rental agreement and meet
state, local and rental vehicle provider requirements.
Requirements vary and may include minimum age
requirements, insurance coverage, credit card, etc. You
are responsible for fuel usage charges and may also be
responsible for taxes, levies, usage fees, excessive
mileage or rental usage beyond the completion of the
repair.
Generally it is not possible to provide a like-vehicle as a
courtesy rental.
Additional Program Information
Courtesy Transportation is available during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty coverage period, but itis
notpart of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. A
separate booklet entitledWarranty and Owner
Assistance Informationfurnished with each new vehicle
provides detailed warranty coverage information.Courtesy Transportation is available only at participating
dealers and all program options, such as shuttle
service, may not be available at every dealer. Please
contact your dealer for specific information about
availability. All Courtesy Transportation arrangements
will be administered by appropriate dealer personnel.
Canadian Vehicles:For warranty repairs during
the Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General
Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
alternative transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult
your dealer for details.
General Motors reserves the right to unilaterally modify,
change or discontinue Courtesy Transportation at
any time and to resolve all questions of claim eligibility
pursuant to the terms and conditions described
herein at its sole discretion.
7-9

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
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-13

Customizing the Automatic Door Locks for
Automatic Transaxle Vehicles.......................... 2-9
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks for
Manual Transaxle Vehicles............................. 2-9
D
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-21
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-16
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-8
Dinghy Towing................................................4-32
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-33
Dome Lamp...................................................3-17
Door
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-15
Six-Way Power Seat...................................... 1-3
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-21
Defensive..................................................... 4-2Driving (cont.)
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Winter........................................................4-26
Driving On Grades..........................................4-44
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-19
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-20
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-43
E
Easy Entry Seat............................................... 1-6
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-89
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-90
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-90
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-90
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-13
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-35
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-41
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-36
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-32
Coolant......................................................5-23
4