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2000 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manual - Page 195

2000 Oldsmobile Alero Manual

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Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground. trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working. Trailer Brakes Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so you'll be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly. And because you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle's brake system. If you do, both systems won't work well, or at all. Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the Passing You'll need more passing distance up ahead when you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane. 4-37

Section	Page
2000 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manual	1
24-hour Roadside Assistance	2
Copyright General Motors Corp. 1999	3
Table of Contents:	4
	4
	5
	6
	7
	8
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual:	8
How to Use this Manual	9
Safety Warnings and Symbols	9
Vehicle Damage Warnings	10
Vehicle Symbols	11
Service Station Guide	12
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems	13
Seats and Seat Controls	14
Manual Seats	14
Way Manual Seat Controls	14
Power Lift Seat-Forward/Rearward Controls (If Equipped) Power Lift Seat- Height Controls (If Equipped)	15
Way Power Seat Controls (If Equipped)	16
Manual Lumbar Support (If Equipped) Reclining Front Seatbacks	17
Head Restraints	19
Seatback Latches (2-Door Models)	19
Easy Entry Seat (2-Door Models) Rear Seats	20
Folding the Rear Seat	20
Safety Belts: They re for Everyone	21
Why Safety Belts Work	22
Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts	25
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	26
Adults	26
Driver Position	26
Lap-Shoulder Belt	26
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster (4-Door Models)	29
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	34
Right Front Passenger Position	35
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	35
How the Air Bag System Works	37
Where are the air bags?	37
When should an air bag inflate? What makes an air bag inflate?	39
How does an air bag restrain?	39
What will you see after an air bag inflates?	40
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	41
Rear Seat Passengers	42
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions	42
Lap-Shoulder Belt	42
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	45
Center Passenger Position	47
Lap Belt	48
Children	49
Smaller Children and Babies	49
Child Restraints	51
Where to Put the Restraint	54
Top Strap	55
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position	56
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position	58
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	60
Larger Children	62
Safety Belt Extender	65
Checking Your Restraint Systems	65
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	65
Section 2 Features and Controls	66
Keys	67
Door Locks	69
Power Door Locks Automatic Door Locks	70
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	70
Delayed Locking	72
Rear Door Security Locks (4-Door Models)	73
Anti-Lockout Protection	74
Leaving Your Vehicle	74
Remote Lock Control (If Equipped)	74
Operation	75
Programmable Horn Chirp	76
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle	76
Battery Replacement	77
Resynchronization	78
Trunk	78
Remote Trunk Release Remote Trunk Release Lockout	79
Theft	80
Key in the Ignition	80
Parking at Night	80
Parking Lots	80
Passlock	81
New Vehicle Break-In	81
Ignition Switch	82
Starting Your Engine	83
Automatic Transaxle	83
Manual Transaxle	83
Starting Your 2.4 Liter L4 Engine	83
Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine	84
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)	85
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater	86
Automatic Transaxle Operation	87
Manual Transaxle Operation	90
Shift Speeds	92
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle) (If Equipped)	92
Parking Brake	92
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Only)	93
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Automatic Transaxle Only)	94
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)	95
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Only) Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle Models Only)	95
Parking Over Things That Burn Engine Exhaust	96
Running Your Engine While You re Parked (Automatic Transaxle)	97
Windows	98
Manual Windows	98
Power Windows (If Equipped)	98
Auto- Down Switch	98
Lock- Out Switch	98
Horn	98
Tilt Wheel Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	99
Turn Signal On Chime	100
Turn and Lane Change Signals	100
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer	100
Flash-to-Pass	101
Windshield Wipers	101
Windshield Washer	102
Cruise Control	103
Setting Cruise Control Resuming a Set Speed	104
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control	105
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control	105
Using Cruise Control on Hills	106
Ending Out of Cruise Control	106
Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory	106
Exterior Lamps	106
Lamps On Reminder	107
Daytime Running Lamps	107
Automatic Light Control (ALC) Delayed Headlamps	108
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)	108
Interior Lamps	109
Instrument Panel Intensity Control	109
Courtesy Lamp Control	109
Illuminated Entry/Exit System	109
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)	110
Three-Position Dome Lamp	110
Trunk Lamp	110
Battery Saver	110
Mirrors	111
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror	111
Manual Remote Control Mirror	111
Power Remote Control Mirror (If Equipped)	111
Convex Outside Mirror	112
Storage Compartments	112
Glove Box	112
Center Console Storage Area	112
Rear Seat Cupholders	112
Convenience Net (If Equipped)	112
Ashtray and Lighter (If Equipped)	113
Sun Visors	113
Visor Vanity Mirror	113
Auxiliary Power Accessory Outlet Sunroof (If Equipped)	114
Instrument Panel	115
Your Information System	115
Instrument Panel Cluster	117
Speedometer and Odometer	118
Trip Odometer	118
Tachometer	118
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	119
Safety Belt Reminder Light	119
Air Bag Readiness Light	120
Charging System Indicator Light Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle)	121
(If Equipped)	121
Brake System Warning Light	121
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	123
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light	123
Enhanced Traction System Active Light	124
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage Low Coolant Warning Light	125
Low Tire Pressure Light (If Equipped)	126
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light in the United States or Check Engine Light in Canada)	127
If the Light Is Flashing	128
If the Light Is On Steady	129
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs	130
Oil Pressure Light	130
Low Oil Light (If Equipped)	131
Change Oil Light	132
Security Light	132
Cruise Light (If Equipped)	132
Low Washer Light Service Vehicle Soon Light	133
Fuel Gage	134
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	135
Comfort Controls	136
Climate Control System with Air Conditioning	136
Fan Knob	136
Temperature Knob	136
Mode Knob	136
Air Conditioning Compressor Button	137
Air Conditioning	137
Heating Defogging and Defrosting Windows	138
Rear Window Defogger	139
Ventilation System	140
Ventilation Tips	140
Audio Systems	141
Setting the Clock	141
AM-FM Stereo	141
Playing the Radio	141
Finding a Station	142
Setting the Tone	143
Adjusting the Speakers	143
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)	143
Playing the Radio	143
Finding a Station	144
Setting the Tone Adjusting the Speakers	145
Playing a Cassette Tape	145
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)	148
Playing the Radio	148
Finding a Station	148
Setting the Tone	149
Adjusting the Speakers	150
Playing a Cassette Tape	150
Playing a Compact Disc	152
Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)	154
Activating the Theft- Deterrent Feature	154
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss	155
Disabling the Theft- Deterrent Feature	155
Understanding Radio Reception	156
AM	156
FM Stereo	156
Tips About Your Audio System	156
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	157
Care of Your Compact Discs	158
Care of Your Compact Disc Player	158
Backglass Antenna	158
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road	159
Defensive Driving	160
Drunken Driving	161
Control of a Vehicle Braking	164
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)	165
Using Anti- Lock	167
Braking in Emergencies	167
Enhanced Traction System	167
Steering	169
Power Steering	169
Variable Effort Steering (If Equipped)	169
Steering Tips	169
Driving on Curves	169
Steering in Emergencies	170
Off-Road Recovery Passing	171
Loss of Control	173
Skidding	173
Driving at Night	174
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	175
Hydroplaning	176
Driving Through Deep Standing Water	177
Driving Through Flowing Water	177
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips	177
City Driving	178
Freeway Driving	179
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	180
Highway Hypnosis Hill and Mountain Roads	181
Winter Driving	183
Driving on Snow or Ice	184
If You re Caught in a Blizzard	185
Recreational Vehicle Towing	187
Towing Your Vehicle from the Front	187
Towing Your Vehicle from the Rear	189
Loading Your Vehicle	189
Towing a Trailer	191
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer	192
Weight of the Trailer Weight of the Trailer Tongue	193
Total Weight on Your Vehicle s Tires	194
Hitches	194
Safety Chains	195
Trailer Brakes	195
Driving with a Trailer	195
Following Distance	195
Passing	195
Backing Up	196
Making Turns	196
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer	196
Driving On Grades	196
Parking on Hills	197
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill	197
Maintenance When Trailer Towing Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing	198
Towing a Trailer (2.4L L4 Engine)	198
Section 5 Problems on the Road	199
Hazard Warning Flashers	200
Other Warning Devices	200
Jump Starting	201
Towing Your Vehicle	207
Engine Overheating	208
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine	208
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine	209
Cooling System	210
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank	212
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire	217
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools	218
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire	220
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools	225
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools	226
Compact Spare Tire	227
If You re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	228
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out	228
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care	229
Service	230
Doing Your Own Service Work	230
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	231
Fuel	231
Fuels in Foreign Countries Filling Your Tank	233
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	235
Checking Things Under the Hood	236
Hood Release	237
	3400

Match case Limit results 1 per page

4-37

Safety Chains

You should always attach chains between your vehicle

and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue

of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road

if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions

about safety chains may be provided by the hitch

manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the

manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety

chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always

leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig.

And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.

Trailer Brakes

Does your trailer have its own brakes?

Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer

brakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain

them properly. And because you have anti

lock brakes,

do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake system.

If you do, both systems won’t work well, or at all.

Driving with a Trailer

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.

Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to

get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel

of handling and braking with the added weight of the

trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you

are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as

responsive as your vehicle is by itself.

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform

(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,

lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has

electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and

then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure

the brakes are working. This lets you check your

electrical connection at the same time.

During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the

load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes

are still working.

Following Distance

Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as

you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.

This can help you avoid situations that require heavy

braking and sudden turns.

Passing

You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when

you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good

deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the

passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.