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2003 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manual - Page 213

2003 Oldsmobile Alero Manual

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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. 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. Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you. Making Turns Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer to come in contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering. When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance. 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. 4-40

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

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

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.

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.

Backing

Hold the bottom of the steering wheel

with

one

hand.

Then, to move the trailer to the

left,

just

move

that

hand

to the left. To

move

the trailer to the

right,

move

your

hand to the right. Always

back

slowly

and,

possible,

have

someone guide you.

Making Turns

Notice:

Making very sharp

turns while

trailering

could

cause the trailer to come in contact

with the

vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged.

Avoid

making

very

sharp turns while trailering.

When

you’re turning with

a trailer, make

wider

turns

than normal.

this

your trailer won’t

strike

soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or

other

objects.

Avoid jerky or sudden

maneuvers.

Signal

well in

advance.

4-40