2004 Oldsmobile Alero fuel filter

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-4
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-5
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood.....................5-9
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Manual Transaxle Fluid..................................5-22
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-35
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-36Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-50
Headlamps..................................................5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-52
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-53
Tires..............................................................5-54
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-61
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-64
Buying New Tires.........................................5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Wheel Replacement......................................5-67
Tire Chains..................................................5-69
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-70
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-70
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-80
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-29.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-35.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
inEngine Oil on page 5-15.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” in
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” inBrakes
on page 5-38.
F. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-20.
G. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-41.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-36.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
2.2L L4 ECOTEC™ Engine
5-15

Capacities and Specications
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level or as recommended in this
manual.
Capacities
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a
Use Refrigerant Oil, R134a Systems1.4 lbs. 0.6 kg
Automatic Transaxle
Complete Overhaul9.5 quarts 9.0 L
Cooling System
2.2L L4 † Engine
3400 V6 Engine8.6 quarts
13.6 quarts8.2 L
12.9 L
Engine Oil with Filter
2.2L L4 † Engine
3400 V6 Engine5.0 quarts
4.0 quarts4.8 L
3.8 L
Fuel Tank 14.1 gallons 53.4 L
Manual Transaxle
Complete Overhaul1.8 quarts 1.7 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb-ft 140Y
†ECOTEC™
5-95

Additional Required Services
The following services should be performed at the first maintenance service (IorII) after the indicated miles
(kilometers) shown for each item.
Service25,000
(41 500)50,000
(83 000)75,000
(125 000)100,000
(166 000)125,000
(207 500)150,000
(240 000)
Inspect fuel system for damage or
leaks.••••••
Inspect exhaust system for loose or
damaged components.••••••
Replace engine air cleaner filter. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 5-20.An Emission Control
Service.••••••
Change automatic transaxle fluid
and filter (severe service only).See
footnote (h).•••
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark
plug wires (V6 only).An Emission
Control Service.•
Engine cooling system service (or
every 5 years, whichever occurs
first).An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (i).•
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.•
6-6

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-18
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-36
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-5
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-89
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-42, 3-47, 3-58
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Air Bag System, Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS).............................................1-54
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)....7-10
AM ...............................................................3-67
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-69
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . 3-69
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...............3-29
Appearance Care............................................5-81
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-84
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-87
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-82
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-85
Finish Damage............................................5-87
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-87
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-88
Weatherstrips..............................................5-84Ashtrays........................................................3-19
Audio System(s).............................................3-39
Backglass Antenna......................................3-69
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-67
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-68
Care of Your CDs........................................3-68
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-69
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 Feature................................3-67
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-67
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-69
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transaxle........................................2-18
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-69
Backing Up....................................................4-43
Battery..........................................................5-41
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-17
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-23
1

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