2004 Oldsmobile Alero spare tire

Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identication Label
You’ll find this label on the bottom of your spare
tire cover. It’s very helpful if you ever need to order
parts. On this label is:
•your VIN,
•the model designation,
•paint information and
•a list of all production options and special
equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer rst. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-60.
5-89

At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
inflated to the correct pressures. Don’t forget to check
your spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-54for further
details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-39for further details.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-27if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench dealer for service.
6-9

Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-51
Top Strap...................................................1-41
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-69
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-82
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-87
Weatherstrips..............................................5-84
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-86
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-85
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-82
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-84
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-84
Cleaning Leather............................................5-83
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-84
Cleaning Tires................................................5-87
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-83
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-86
Climate Control System...................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-22Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-22
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-80
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-31
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Low Warning Light.......................................3-32
Cooling System..............................................5-29
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-37
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-34
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-13
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-12
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-11
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-12
3

Radios (cont.)
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-68
Care of Your CDs........................................3-68
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-55
Radio with CD....................................3-40, 3-45
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-40
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-39
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-67
Understanding Reception..............................3-67
RDS Messages......................................3-49, 3-59
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-29
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-8
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions.............1-23
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-23
Rear Window Defogger....................................3-22
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-3
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-31
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation............. 2-4
Remote Trunk Release....................................2-13
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-72
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-52
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-41
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash.....1-61Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-12
United States Government............................7-11
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-60
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash.....................................................1-61
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-60
Replacing Parts...........................................1-61
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-18
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-23
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out...................4-31
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-32
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-26
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-84
Center Rear Passenger Position....................1-27
Driver Position............................................1-15
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-14
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-13
10

Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine...........................2-19
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-18
Steering........................................................4-11
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-12
Steering Tips..................................................4-11
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-35
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-34
Glove Box..................................................2-34
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-79
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-80
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-30
Sun Visors.....................................................2-15
Sunroof.........................................................2-35
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)...............1-54
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-58
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-60
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-58
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?......1-58
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-57
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-56
T
Tachometer....................................................3-25
Taillamps
Turn Signal, and Stoplamps..........................5-52
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-67
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-16Passlock
®...................................................2-16
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire Inflation Check........................................... 6-9
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-54
Tire Size.......................................................5-58
Tire Terminology and Definitions........................5-59
Tires.............................................................5-54
Buying New Tires........................................5-65
Chains.......................................................5-69
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-70
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-80
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-70
Inflation - Tire Pressure................................5-61
Inspection and Rotation................................5-62
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-67
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-64
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Top Strap......................................................1-41
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-43
Torque Lock...................................................2-29
Total Weight of Your Vehicle’s Tires...................4-42
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-39
Your Vehicle...............................................4-31
Traction
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).................... 4-9
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Active Light....3-31
12