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2003 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manual - Page 182

2003 Oldsmobile Alero Manual

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In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This will help you retain steering control. If you do have anti-lock, it's different. See "Anti-Lock Brakes." In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking. If your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control. See 'Cruise Control" under Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7. The Enhanced Traction System operates in all transaxle shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the transaxle only as high as the shift lever position you've chosen, so you should use the lower gears only when necessary. See Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-22. When the system is on and the parking brake is fully released, this warning light will come on to let you know if there's a problem. Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Your vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the system reduces engine power and may also upshift the transaxle to limit wheel spin. This light will come on when your Enhanced Traction Slmtem is !irniting wheel spin. See Enhanced Traction System Active Light on page3-30. TRAC OFF I You may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal. See Enhanced Traction System Warning Light on page 3-29. When this warning light is on, the system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road ca?dltic?ns,you should alwa'js leave the Enhanced Traction System on. But you can turn the system off if you prefer. 4-9

Section	Page
Table of Contents	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	8
Front Seats	9
Manual Seats	9
Six-Way Power Driver Seat	10
Reclining Seatbacks	10
Head Restraints	12
Seatback Latches	12
Easy Entry Seat	13
Power Lift Seat	13
Rear Seats	15
Rear Seat Operation	15
Safety Belts	16
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	16
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts	20
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	21
Driver Position	22
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	29
Right Front Passenger Position	30
Rear Seat Passengers	30
Center Rear Passenger Position	34
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	36
Safety Belt Extender	38
Child Restraints	39
OIder Children	39
Infants and Young Children	41
Child Restraint Systems	45
Where to Put the Restraint	48
Top Strap	48
Top Strap Anchor Location	49
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	52
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position	55
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	57
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	60
Where Are the Air Bags?	62
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?	63
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?	64
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?	64
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?	64
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	66
Restraint System Check	67
Checking Your Restraint Systems	67
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	67
Features and Controls	70
Keys	71
Remote Keyless Entry System	72
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation	73
Doors and Locks	76
Door Locks	76
Power Door Locks	77
Delayed Locking	77
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	77
Rear Door Security Locks	79
Lockout Protection	80
Leaving Your Vehicle	80
Trunk	80
Windows	83
Manual Windows	83
Power Windows	84
Sun Visors	84
Theft-Deterrent Systems	85
Passlock	85
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	86
New Vehicle Break-In	86
Ignition Positions	86
Starting Your Engine	87
Engine Coolant Heater	89
Automatic Transaxle Operation	91
Manual Transaxle Operation	94
Parking Brake	95
Shifting Into Park (P)	96
Shifting Out of Park (P)	97
Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal	98
Parking Over Things That Burn	98
Engine Exhaust	99
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked	99
Mirrors	101
Manual Rearview Mirror	101
Outside Remote Control Mirror	101
Outside Power Mirrors	102
Outside Convex Mirror	102
Storage Areas	103
Glove Box	103
Cupholder(s)	103
Center Console Storage Area	103
Sunroof	104
Instrument Panel	106
Instrument Panel Overview	109
Hazard Warning Flashers	111
Other Warning Devices	111
Horn	111
Tilt Wheel	112
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	112
Exterior Lamps	118
Interior Lamps	121
Accessory Power Outlets	122
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	123
Climate Controls	124
Climate Control System	124
Outlet Adjustment	127
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	128
Instrument Panel Cluster	129
Speedometer and Odometer	130
Tachometer	130
Safety Belt Reminder Light	131
Air Bag Readiness Light	131
Charging System Light	132
Up-Shift Light	133
Brake System Warning Light	133
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	134
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light	134
Enhanced Traction System Active Light	135
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	136
Low Coolant Warning Light	136
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	136
Oil Pressure Light	139
Low Oil Level Light	140
Change Engine Oil Light	140
Security Light	141
Cruise Control Light	141
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light	141
Service Vehicle Soon Light	141
Fuel Gage	142
Audio System(s)	143
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS)	143
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS)	143
Radio with CD (Base Level)	144
Radio with CD (Up Level)	147
Radio with Cassette and CD	157
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non-RDS Radios)	169
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios)	169
Understanding Radio Reception	170
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	170
Care of Your CDs	171
Care of Your CD Player	171
Backglass Antenna	171
XM Satellite Radio Antenna System	172
DAB Radio Antenna System	172
Chime Level Adjustment	172
Driving Your Vehicle	174
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	175
Defensive Driving	175
Drunken Driving	175
Control of a Vehicle	178
Braking	179
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)	182
Steering	183
Off-Road Recovery	185
Passing	186
Loss of Control	187
Driving at Night	188
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	190
City Driving	193
Freeway Driving	194
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	195
Highway Hypnosis	195
Hill and Mountain Roads	196
Winter Driving	198
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	202
Towing	204
Towing Your Vehicle	204
Recreational Vehicle Towing	204
Loading Your Vehicle	207
Towing a Trailer	209
Service and Appearance Care	216
Service	218
Doing Your Own Service Work	219
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	219
Fuel	220
Gasoline Octane	220
Gasoline Specifications	220
California Fuel	221
Additives	221
Fuels in Foreign Countries	221
Filling Your Tank	222
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	223
Checking Things Under the Hood	224
Hood Release	225
Engine Compartment Overview	227
Engine Oil	230
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	236
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	237
Manual Transaxle Fluid	237
Hydraulic Clutch	237
Engine Coolant	238
Engine Overheating	241
Cooling System	243
Power Steering Fluid	250
Windshield Washer Fluid	251
Brakes	253
Battery	256
Jump Starting	257
Headlamp Aiming	262
Bulb Replacement	264
Halogen Bulbs	264
Headlamps	264
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps	265
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)	265
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps	265
Replacement Bulbs	266
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	267
Tires	268
Inflation - Tire Pressure	269
Tire Inspection and Rotation	270
When It Is Time for New Tires	271
Buying New Tires	271
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	272
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	273
Wheel Replacement	274
Tire Chains	275
If a Tire Goes Flat	276
Changing a Flat Tire	277
Compact Spare Tire	286
Appearance Care	287
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	287
Care of Safety Belts	290
Weatherstrips	290
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	290
Sheet Metal Damage	292
Finish Damage	292
Underbody Maintenance	293
Chemical Paint Spotting	293
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	293
Vehicle Identification	295
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	295
Service Parts Identification Label	295
Electrical System	296
Add-on Electrical Equipment	296
Windshield Wiper Fuses	296
Power Windows and Other Power Options	296
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	296
Capacities and Specifications	301
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	303
Maintenance Schedule	304
Maintenance Schedule	305
Introduction	305
Your Vehicle and the Environment	305
Maintenance Requirements	305
How This Section is Organized	306
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	307
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	307
Scheduled Maintenance	308
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	312
At Each Fuel Fill	312
At Least Once a Month	312
At Least Twice a Year	313
At Least Once a Year	313
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	316
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	316
Exhaust System Inspection	316
Fuel System Inspection	317
Engine Cooling System Inspection	317
Throttle System Inspection	317
Brake System Inspection	317
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	318
Part E: Maintenance Record	319
Customer Assistance Information	322
Customer Assistance Information	323
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	323
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	324
Customer Assistance Offices	324
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	326
Roadside Assistance Program	326
Courtesy Transportation	328
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	330
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	330
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	330
Service Publications Ordering Information	331

Match case Limit results 1 per page

In an

emergency,

you will probably want to squeeze the

brakes hard without locking the wheels.

you hear or

feel the wheels

sliding,

ease

off

the brake pedal.

This

will

help

you retain steering control.

you

have

anti-lock, it’s different. See “Anti-Lock Brakes.”

In many

emergencies, steering can help you

more than

even the very best braking.

Enhanced

Traction

System

(ETS)

Your

vehicle

may

have

Enhanced Traction System

(ETS)

that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in

slippery road conditions.

The

system operates only

it senses

that

one

or both

the front wheels are

spinning

or beginning to lose traction. When this

happens,

the

system reduces engine power

and

may

also upshift the transaxle to limit wheel

spin.

This light will come

when

your

Enhanced

Traction

Slmtem

!irniting

wheel

spin.

See

Enhanced

Traction System

Active

Light

page

3-30.

You

may feel or hear the

system working, but this is

normal.

your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced

traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise

control will automatically disengage. When road

conditions allow you to safely use it again, you

may

re-engage the cruise control. See ‘Cruise Control” under

Turn

Signal/Multifunction

Lever

on page 3-7.

The Enhanced Traction System operates in all transaxle

shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the

transaxle only as

high as the shift lever position you’ve

chosen, so

you should use the lower gears only

when necessary. See

Automatic

Transaxle

Operation

page 2-22.

TRAC

OFF

When the system is on

and the

parking brake is

fully released, this warning

light will come on

to let

you

know

there’s a

problem.

See

Enhanced Traction System Warning

Light

page 3-29.

When this warning light is on, the system will

not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

limit wheel

spin, especially in slippery road

Traction System on. But you can turn the system

off

you prefer.

ca?dltic?ns,

you

should

alwa‘js

leave

the

Enhanced

4-9