2004 Oldsmobile Alero check engine

Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System 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. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-27if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), contact your GM
Goodwrench dealer for service.
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to OFF in each shift lever position.
•With an automatic transaxle, the key should turn to
OFF only when the shift lever is in PARK (P). The
key should come out only in OFF.
•With a manual transaxle, the key should turn to
OFF only when the shift lever is in reverse. The
key should come out only in OFF.
Contact your GM Goodwrench dealer if service is
required.
6-10

Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
•To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
•To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your GM Goodwrench dealer if service is
required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-11

Brake
Parking......................................................2-27
System Warning Light..................................3-28
Brake Adjustment............................................5-41
Brake Fluid....................................................5-38
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-41
Brake Wear...................................................5-40
Brakes..........................................................5-38
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-16
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-51
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-51
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-48
Headlamps.................................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-52
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-52
Buying New Tires...........................................5-65
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specifications............................5-95
Carbon Monoxide...................4-26, 4-39, 2-12, 2-31Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-84
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-67
Your CD Player...........................................3-68
Your CDs ...................................................3-68
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-64
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Messages................................3-44, 3-54, 3-66
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-35
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-51
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts.....1-27
Chains, Tires..................................................5-69
Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-32
Checking Coolant............................................5-25
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood....................... 5-9
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-60
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-87
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-43
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-49
2

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

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

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