Section |
Page |
2002 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manual |
1 |
Copyright General Motors Corp. 2001 |
2 |
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a French Language Manual: |
3 |
How to Use this Manual |
4 |
Safety Warnings and Symbols |
4 |
Vehicle Damage Warnings |
5 |
Vehicle Symbols |
5 |
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems |
7 |
Seats and Seat Controls |
8 |
Manual Seats |
8 |
Power Lift Seat (If Equipped) |
9 |
Six-Way Power Seat Controls (If Equipped) |
10 |
Manual Lumbar Support (If Equipped) |
10 |
Reclining Front Seatbacks |
10 |
Head Restraints |
12 |
Seatback Latches (Two-Door Models) |
12 |
Easy Entry Seat (Two-Door Models) |
13 |
Rear Seats |
13 |
Folding the Rear Seatback (Option) |
13 |
Safety Belts: They're for Everyone |
14 |
Why Safety Belts Work |
15 |
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts --and the Answers |
18 |
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly |
19 |
Adults |
19 |
Driver Position |
20 |
Lap-Shoulder Belt |
20 |
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster (Four-Door Models) |
22 |
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy |
27 |
Right Front Passenger Position |
28 |
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
28 |
How the Air Bag System Works |
30 |
Where are the air bags? |
30 |
When should an air bag inflate? |
31 |
What makes an air bag inflate? |
32 |
How does an air bag restrain? |
32 |
What will you see after an air bag inflates? |
32 |
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle |
34 |
Rear Seat Passengers |
34 |
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions |
34 |
Lap-Shoulder Belt |
34 |
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults |
37 |
Center Passenger Position |
40 |
Lap Belt |
40 |
Children |
41 |
Infants and Young Children |
41 |
Restraint Systems for Children |
45 |
Where to Put the Restraint |
48 |
Top Strap |
48 |
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) |
50 |
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System |
52 |
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position |
53 |
Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position |
55 |
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position |
56 |
Older Children |
59 |
Safety Belt Extender |
62 |
Checking Your Restraint Systems |
62 |
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash |
62 |
Section 2 Features and Controls |
63 |
Windows |
64 |
Manual Windows |
65 |
Power Windows (If Equipped) |
65 |
Auto-Down Switch |
65 |
Lock-Out Switch (Four-Door Models) |
65 |
Keys |
66 |
Door Locks |
68 |
Power Door Locks |
69 |
Programmable Automatic Door Locks |
69 |
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks |
70 |
Delayed Locking |
71 |
Rear Door Security Locks (Four-Door Models) |
72 |
Anti-Lockout Protection |
73 |
Leaving Your Vehicle |
73 |
Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped) |
73 |
Operation |
74 |
Programmable Horn Chirp |
75 |
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle |
75 |
Battery Replacement |
76 |
Trunk |
77 |
Remote Trunk Release |
78 |
Remote Trunk Release Lockout |
78 |
Trunk Release Handle |
79 |
Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit |
79 |
Theft |
80 |
Key in the Ignition |
80 |
Parking at Night |
80 |
Parking Lots |
80 |
Passlock |
81 |
New Vehicle "Break-In" |
81 |
Ignition Positions |
82 |
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) |
83 |
Starting Your Engine |
83 |
Automatic Transaxle |
83 |
Manual Transaxle |
83 |
Starting Your 2.2L L4 ECOTEC_ Engine |
84 |
Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine |
85 |
Engine Coolant Heater (Option) |
86 |
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater |
87 |
Automatic Transaxle Operation |
88 |
Manual Transaxle Operation |
92 |
Shift Speeds |
93 |
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle) (If Equipped) |
93 |
Parking Brake |
94 |
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Only) |
95 |
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Automatic Transaxle Only) |
96 |
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle) |
96 |
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Only) |
97 |
Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal (Manual Transaxle Models Only) |
97 |
Parking Over Things That Burn |
98 |
Engine Exhaust |
98 |
Running Your Engine While You' re Parked (Automatic Transaxle) |
99 |
Horn |
99 |
Tilt Wheel |
100 |
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever |
100 |
Turn and Lane-Change Signals |
101 |
Turn Signal On Chime |
101 |
Lamps On Reminder |
101 |
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer |
102 |
Flash-to-Pass |
102 |
Windshield Wipers |
102 |
Windshield Washer |
103 |
Cruise Control |
104 |
Setting Cruise Control |
105 |
Resuming a Set Speed |
105 |
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control |
106 |
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control |
106 |
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control |
106 |
Using Cruise Control on Hills |
107 |
Ending Out of Cruise Control |
107 |
Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory |
107 |
Exterior Lamps |
107 |
Daytime Running Lamps |
108 |
Automatic Light Control (ALC) |
109 |
Headlamps Dim to Park |
109 |
Delayed Headlamps |
110 |
Fog Lamps (If Equipped) |
110 |
Interior Lamps |
110 |
Instrument Panel Brightness Control |
110 |
Illuminated Entry/Exit System |
111 |
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped) |
111 |
Three-Position Dome Lamp |
111 |
Trunk Lamp |
111 |
Battery Saver |
112 |
Mirrors |
112 |
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror |
112 |
Manual Remote Control Mirror |
112 |
Power Remote Control Mirrors (If Equipped) |
113 |
Convex Outside Mirror |
113 |
Storage Compartments |
114 |
Glove Box |
114 |
Center Console Storage Area |
114 |
Rear Seat Cupholders |
114 |
Convenience Net (If Equipped) |
114 |
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped) |
115 |
Sun Visors |
115 |
Visor Vanity Mirror |
115 |
Accessory Power Outlet |
116 |
Sunroof (Option) |
117 |
The Instrument Panel --Your Information System |
118 |
Instrument Panel Cluster |
120 |
Speedometer and Odometer |
121 |
Trip Odometer |
121 |
Tachometer |
121 |
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators |
122 |
Safety Belt Reminder Light |
122 |
Air Bag Readiness Light |
123 |
Charging System Indicator Light |
124 |
Up-Shift Light (Manual Transaxle) (If Equipped) |
124 |
Brake System Warning Light |
124 |
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light |
126 |
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light |
126 |
Enhanced Traction System Active Light |
127 |
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage |
128 |
Low Coolant Warning Light |
128 |
Low Tire Pressure Light (If Equipped) |
129 |
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light in the United States or Check Engine Light in Canada) |
130 |
If the Light Is Flashing |
132 |
If the Light Is On Steady |
132 |
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs |
133 |
Oil Pressure Light |
134 |
Low Oil Light (If Equipped) |
135 |
Change Oil Light |
135 |
Security Light |
136 |
Cruise Light |
136 |
Low Washer Light |
136 |
Service Vehicle Soon Light |
137 |
Fuel Gage |
137 |
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems |
138 |
Comfort Controls |
139 |
Climate Control System with Air Conditioning |
139 |
Fan Knob |
139 |
Temperature Knob |
139 |
Mode Knob |
139 |
Mode Buttons |
140 |
Air Conditioning |
140 |
Heating |
141 |
Defogging and Defrosting Windows |
141 |
Rear Window Defogger |
142 |
Ventilation System |
142 |
Ventilation Tips |
143 |
Audio Systems |
144 |
Setting the Clock |
144 |
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player with Programmable Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS) |
144 |
Playing the Radio |
144 |
Finding a Station |
145 |
Setting Preset Stations |
146 |
Setting the Tone (Bass/ Treble) |
146 |
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) |
147 |
Using RDS |
147 |
Finding a PTY Preset Station |
148 |
Setting PTY Preset Stations |
149 |
RDS Messages |
149 |
Playing a Compact Disc |
150 |
Compact Disc Errors |
151 |
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player with Programmable Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS) (If Equipped) |
152 |
Playing the Radio |
152 |
Finding a Station |
152 |
Setting Preset Stations |
153 |
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) |
153 |
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) |
154 |
Using RDS |
154 |
Finding a PTY Preset Station |
155 |
Setting PTY Preset Stations |
156 |
RDS Messages |
156 |
Playing a Cassette Tape |
157 |
Cassette Tape Messages |
159 |
Playing a Compact Disc |
159 |
Compact Disc Messages |
161 |
Theft-Deterrent Feature |
161 |
Understanding Radio Reception |
161 |
AM |
161 |
FM Stereo |
162 |
Tips About Your Audio System |
162 |
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player |
163 |
Care of Your Compact Discs |
164 |
Care of Your Compact Disc Player |
164 |
Backglass Antenna |
165 |
Chime Level Adjustment |
165 |
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road |
166 |
Defensive Driving |
167 |
Drunken Driving |
168 |
Control of a Vehicle |
171 |
Braking |
171 |
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) |
172 |
Using Anti-Lock |
174 |
Braking in Emergencies |
174 |
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) |
174 |
Steering |
176 |
Power Steering |
176 |
Variable Effort Steering (If Equipped) |
176 |
Steering Tips |
176 |
Driving on Curves |
176 |
Steering in Emergencies |
177 |
Off-Road Recovery |
178 |
Passing |
178 |
Loss of Control |
180 |
Skidding |
180 |
Driving at Night |
181 |
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads |
182 |
Hydroplaning |
183 |
Driving Through Deep Standing Water |
184 |
Driving Through Flowing Water |
184 |
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips |
184 |
City Driving |
185 |
Freeway Driving |
186 |
Before Leaving on a Long Trip |
187 |
Highway Hypnosis |
188 |
Hill and Mountain Roads |
189 |
Winter Driving |
190 |
Driving on Snow or Ice |
191 |
If You' re Caught in a Blizzard |
193 |
Recreational Vehicle Towing |
195 |
Dinghy Towing |
196 |
Dolly Towing |
198 |
Loading Your Vehicle |
199 |
Towing a Trailer |
201 |
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer |
202 |
Weight of the Trailer |
202 |
Weight of the Trailer Tongue |
203 |
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires |
203 |
Hitches |
204 |
Safety Chains |
204 |
Trailer Brakes |
204 |
Driving with a Trailer |
205 |
Following Distance |
205 |
Passing |
205 |
Backing Up |
205 |
Making Turns |
206 |
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer |
206 |
Driving On Grades |
207 |
Parking on Hills |
207 |
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill |
208 |
Maintenance When Trailer Towing |
208 |
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing |
208 |
Section 5 Problems on the Road |
209 |
Hazard Warning Flashers |
210 |
Other Warning Devices |
210 |
Jump Starting |
211 |
Towing Your Vehicle |
216 |
Engine Overheating |
217 |
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine |
217 |
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine |
218 |
Cooling System |
219 |
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank |
221 |
If a Tire Goes Flat |
226 |
Changing a Flat Tire |
226 |
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools |
227 |
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire |
229 |
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools |
234 |
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools |
235 |
Compact Spare Tire |
236 |
If You' re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow |
237 |
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out |
237 |
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care |
238 |
Service |
239 |
Doing Your Own Service Work |
239 |
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle |
240 |
Fuel |
240 |
Gasoline Octane |
240 |
Gasoline Specifications |
241 |
California Fuel |
241 |
Additives |
241 |
Fuels in Foreign Countries |
242 |
Filling Your Tank |
243 |
Filling a Portable Fuel Container |
245 |
Checking Things Under the Hood |
246 |
Hood Release |
246 |
Engine Compartment Overview |
248 |
Engine Oil |
250 |
Checking Engine Oil |
250 |
When to Add Engine Oil |
252 |
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use |
253 |
Engine Oil Additives |
255 |
When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life System_) |
255 |
How to Reset the Change Oil Light |
256 |
What to Do with Used Oil |
256 |
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter |
257 |
Automatic Transaxle Fluid |
259 |
Manual Transaxle Fluid |
260 |
Hydraulic Clutch |
260 |
When to Check and What to Use |
260 |
How to Check and Add Fluid |
260 |
Engine Coolant |
261 |
What to Use |
262 |
Checking Coolant |
263 |
Adding Coolant |
264 |
Power Steering Fluid |
265 |
When to Check Power Steering Fluid |
265 |
How to Check Power Steering Fluid |
265 |
What to Use |
265 |
Windshield Washer Fluid |
265 |
What to Use |
265 |
Adding Washer Fluid |
266 |
Brakes |
267 |
Brake Fluid |
267 |
What to Add |
268 |
Brake Wear |
269 |
Brake Pedal Travel |
269 |
Brake Adjustment |
269 |
Replacing Brake System Parts |
270 |
Battery |
270 |
Vehicle Storage |
270 |
Bulb Replacement |
271 |
Halogen Bulbs |
271 |
Headlamps |
271 |
Headlamp Aiming |
272 |
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps |
274 |
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp |
274 |
Rear Turn Signal and Stop/Taillamps |
275 |
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement |
276 |
Tires |
277 |
Inflation -- Tire Pressure |
278 |
When to Check |
278 |
How to Check |
278 |
Tire Pressure Monitor System (If Equipped) |
279 |
Tire Inspection and Rotation |
281 |
When It's Time for New Tires |
282 |
Buying New Tires |
283 |
Uniform Tire Quality Grading |
284 |
Treadwear |
284 |
Traction -- AA, A, B, C |
284 |
Temperature -- A, B, C |
285 |
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance |
285 |
Wheel Replacement |
285 |
Used Replacement Wheels |
286 |
Tire Chains |
287 |
Appearance Care |
288 |
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle |
288 |
Cleaning of Fabric/Carpet |
289 |
Using Cleaner on Fabric |
289 |
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems |
290 |
Cleaning Vinyl |
290 |
Cleaning Leather |
290 |
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel |
291 |
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components |
291 |
Care of Safety Belts |
291 |
Cleaning Glass Surfaces |
291 |
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades |
292 |
Weatherstrips |
292 |
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle |
292 |
Washing Your Vehicle |
292 |
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses |
293 |
Finish Care |
293 |
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped) |
294 |
Cleaning Tires |
294 |
Sheet Metal Damage |
294 |
Finish Damage |
295 |
Underbody Maintenance |
295 |
Chemical Paint Spotting |
295 |
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials |
296 |
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) |
297 |
Engine Identification |
297 |
Service Parts Identification Label |
297 |
Electrical System |
298 |
Add-On Electrical Equipment |
298 |
Windshield Wipers |
298 |
Power Windows |
298 |
Fuses and Circuit Breakers |
298 |
Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks |
298 |
Instrument Panel Fuse Block -- Driver's Side |
299 |
Instrument Panel Fuse Block -- Passenger' s Side |
300 |
Engine Compartment Fuse Block |
301 |
Replacement Bulbs |
303 |
Capacities and Specifications |
303 |
Capacities |
304 |
Engine Specifications |
304 |
Wheel Nut Torque |
304 |
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity |
305 |
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts |
305 |
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule |
306 |
Introduction |
307 |
Your Vehicle and the Environment |
307 |
Maintenance Requirements |
307 |
How This Section is Organized |
308 |
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services |
309 |
Using Your Maintenance Schedule |
309 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
310 |
Footnotes |
310 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
311 |
Engine Oil Scheduled Maintenance |
311 |
Scheduled Maintenance |
314 |
Part B: Owner Checks and Services |
319 |
At Each Fuel Fill |
319 |
Engine Oil Level Check |
319 |
Engine Coolant Level Check |
319 |
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check |
319 |
At Least Once a Month |
319 |
Tire Inflation Check |
319 |
Cassette Deck Service |
319 |
At Least Twice a Year |
320 |
Restraint System Check |
320 |
Wiper Blade Check |
320 |
Weatherstrip Lubrication |
320 |
Manual Transaxle Check |
320 |
Automatic Transaxle Inspection |
320 |
Hydraulic Clutch System Check |
320 |
At Least Once a Year |
320 |
Key Lock Cylinders Service |
320 |
Body Lubrication Service |
320 |
Starter Switch Check |
321 |
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check |
321 |
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check |
322 |
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check |
322 |
Underbody Flushing Service |
322 |
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections |
323 |
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection |
323 |
Exhaust System Inspection |
323 |
Fuel System Inspection |
324 |
Engine Cooling System Inspection |
324 |
Throttle System Inspection |
324 |
Brake System Inspection |
324 |
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants |
325 |
Part E: Maintenance Record |
327 |
Section 8 Customer Assistance Information |
332 |
Customer Satisfaction Procedure |
333 |
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users |
335 |
Customer Assistance Offices |
335 |
United States |
335 |
Canada |
336 |
All Overseas Locations |
336 |
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/ Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U. S. Virgin Islands) |
336 |
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities |
336 |
Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance Program Features and Benefits |
337 |
Security While You Travel |
337 |
Canadian Roadside Assistance |
338 |
Courtesy Transportation |
339 |
Plan Ahead When Possible |
339 |
Transportation Options |
339 |
Shuttle Service |
339 |
Public Transportation or Fuel Reimbursement |
340 |
Courtesy Rental Vehicle |
340 |
Additional Program Information |
340 |
Warranty Information |
341 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT |
341 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT |
342 |
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO GENERAL MOTORS |
342 |
SERVICE PUBLICATIONS ORDERING INFORMATION |
343 |
Service Manuals |
343 |
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit Repair Manual |
343 |
Service Bulletins |
343 |
Owner's Information |
343 |