2004 Oldsmobile Alero steering

Maintenance Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect drum brake linings for wear or cracks.
Inspect other brake parts, including drums, wheel
cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing part or
signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace with genuine GM parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air
bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, door hinges and
latches, hood hinges and latches and trunk lid hinges
and latches. More frequent lubrication may be required
when exposed to a corrosive environment. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth will
make them last longer, seal better and not stick or
squeak.
(g)Check system for interference or binding and for
damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that have high effort or
excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or cruise
control cables.
6-7

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certified for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-23.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid (GM Part No.
U.S. 12345347 in Canada
10953517) or equivalent DOT-3
brake fluid.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 89021184, in Canada
89021186).
Manual
TransaxleDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
992887).
6-12

Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-442-6537, or write:
Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33171
Detroit, MI 48232-5171
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specifications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to assist in
the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
7-12

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

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-31
Fuel..........................................................3-38
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Specifications............................................... 5-4
Glove Box.....................................................2-34
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-48
Headlamps......................................3-7, 3-14, 5-50
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-51
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Headlamps Off in PARK (P)..............................3-15
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-24Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-42
Hood
Checking Things Under.................................. 5-9
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank . . 5-31
How to Check................................................5-62
How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-23
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-36
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-20
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-22
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-28
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-27
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-33
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-34
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-28
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-40
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
6

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

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

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