2004 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manuals

Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Inflation - Tire Pressure...................................5-61
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-24
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-16
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Passenger’s Side)....5-92
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Driver’s Side).............................................5-91
Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks...........................5-90
Interior Lamps................................................3-16
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-42
K
Key Removal.................................................2-30
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-14
Interior.......................................................3-16
Lap Belt........................................................1-27Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-15, 1-24
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-46
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-12
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-29
Lift Seat, Power............................................... 1-7
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-29
Brake System Warning.................................3-28
Change Engine Oil......................................3-36
Charging System.........................................3-27
Cruise Control.............................................3-37
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Active Light....3-31
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning
Light......................................................3-30
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-32
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-37
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-32
Oil Pressure...............................................3-35
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-26
Security.....................................................3-37
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-38
Up-Shift.....................................................3-28
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-34
Lockout Protection..........................................2-11
7

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

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

Safety Belts (cont.)
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults......................................1-29
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-23
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-23
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-31
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-22
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-9
Safety Chains.................................................4-42
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seatback Latches............................................. 1-5
Seats
Easy Entry Seat............................................ 1-6
Head Restraints............................................ 1-5
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Power Lift Seat............................................. 1-7
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-8
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-3
Seatback Latches.......................................... 1-5
Six-Way Power Driver.................................... 1-3
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Rear Seat Position............................1-49
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-46
Rear Outside Seat Position...........................1-46
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-51
Security Light.................................................3-37
Security While You Travel.................................. 7-6Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-3
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-32
Publications Ordering Information...................7-12
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-38
Service Bulletins.............................................7-12
Service Engine Soon Light in the United States
or Check Engine Light in Canada..................3-32
Service Manuals.............................................7-12
Setting Preset PTYs (RDS Only)...............3-49, 3-59
Setting Preset Stations....................3-41, 3-47, 3-57
Setting the Time
Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS).........3-40
Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS).....3-39
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..........3-41, 3-47, 3-57
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-87
Shift Speeds..................................................2-26
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-30
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-17
Skidding........................................................4-15
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-20
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-83
Specifications, Capacities.................................5-95
Speedometer..................................................3-25
Starting Your 2.2L L4 ECOTEC™ Engine...........2-18
11

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

Traction (cont.)
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning
Light......................................................3-30
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-42
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-21
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-22
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-22
Transaxle Operation, Manual............................2-25
Transmission
Up-Shift Light..............................................3-28
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-12
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit...................................2-14
Trip Odometer................................................3-25
Trunk............................................................2-12
Trunk Lamp...................................................3-17
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-6
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-44
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-66
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-5
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-28Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-68
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-82
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-34
Parking Your...............................................2-30
Service Soon Light......................................3-38
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Records....7-10
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).............................................5-89
Service Parts Identification Label...................5-89
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-42
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-22
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-15
Visors...........................................................2-15
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-23
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-5
13

Warnings (cont.)
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washer Fluid, Low Warning Light......................3-37
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-85
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-40
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-41
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-16
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-19
What to Use..........................................5-24, 5-36
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-67
Replacement...............................................5-67
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-16
When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)...................................5-18
When to Check..............................................5-62
When to Check and What to Use.....................5-22
When to Check Power Steering Fluid................5-35
When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.....5-20
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking
on a Hill.....................................................4-45
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-41Why Safety Belts Work....................................1-10
Window Lockout.............................................2-15
Windows.......................................................2-14
Manual......................................................2-14
Power........................................................2-15
Windshield Washer.........................................3-10
Fluid..........................................................5-36
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-53
Fuses........................................................5-90
Windshield Wiper Lever..................................... 3-9
Winter Driving................................................4-26
X
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System................3-69
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
(48 Contiguous US States)...........3-45, 3-55, 3-67
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
14