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2004 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manual - Page 205

2004 Oldsmobile Alero Manual

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Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear (or with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see "Towing Your Vehicle" following. Recreational Vehicle Towing Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle behind another vehicle - such as behind a motorhome. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as "dinghy towing" (towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and "dolly towing" (towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a "dolly"). With the proper preparation and equipment, many vehicles can be towed in these ways. See "Dinghy Towing" and "Dolly Towing," following. Here are some important things to consider before you do recreational vehicle towing: • What's the towing capacity of the towing vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Towing Towing Your Vehicle Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6. If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome), see "Recreational Vehicle Towing" following. • How far will you tow? Some vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long they can tow. • Do you have the proper towing equipment? See your dealer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations. • Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you'll want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be towed. See Before Leaving on a Long Trip on page 4-23. 4-31

Section	Page
Oldsmobile Alero Owner Manual BookToc	1
Preface	2
Seats and Restraint Systems	7
Front Seats	8
Manual Seats	8
Six-Way Power Driver Seat	9
Reclining Seatbacks	9
Head Restraints	11
Seatback Latches	11
Easy Entry Seat	12
Power Lift Seat	13
Rear Seats	14
Rear Seat Operation	14
Safety Belts	15
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	15
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts	19
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	20
Driver Position	21
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	28
Right Front Passenger Position	29
Rear Seat Passengers	29
Center Rear Passenger Position	33
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	35
Safety Belt Extender	37
Child Restraints	38
Older Children	38
Infants and Young Children	40
Child Restraint Systems	44
Where to Put the Restraint	47
Top Strap	47
Top Strap Anchor Location	49
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)	49
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	66
Checking Your Restraint Systems	66
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	67
Features and Controls	69
Keys	70
Remote Keyless Entry System	71
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation	72
Doors and Locks	75
Door Locks	75
Power Door Locks	76
Delayed Locking	76
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	77
Rear Door Security Locks	78
Lockout Protection	79
Leaving Your Vehicle	80
Trunk	80
Windows	82
Manual Windows	82
Power Windows	83
Sun Visors	83
Theft-Deterrent Systems	84
Passlock®	84
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	84
New Vehicle Break-In	84
Ignition Positions	85
Starting Your Engine	86
Engine Coolant Heater	88
Automatic Transaxle Operation	90
Manual Transaxle Operation	93
Parking Brake	95
Shifting Into Park (P)	96
Shifting Out of Park (P)	98
Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal	98
Parking Over Things That Burn	99
Engine Exhaust	99
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked	100
Mirrors	101
Manual Rearview Mirror	101
Outside Remote Control Mirror	101
Outside Power Mirrors	101
Outside Convex Mirror	102
Storage Areas	102
Glove Box	102
Cupholder(s)	102
Center Console Storage Area	103
Sunroof	103
Instrument Panel	105
Instrument Panel Overview	106
Hazard Warning Flashers	108
Other Warning Devices	109
Horn	109
Tilt Wheel	109
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	110
Windshield Wiper Lever	113
Cruise Control	114
Exterior Lamps	118
Interior Lamps	120
Accessory Power Outlets	122
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter	123
Climate Controls	123
Climate Control System	123
Outlet Adjustment	126
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	127
Instrument Panel Cluster	128
Speedometer and Odometer	129
Tachometer	129
Safety Belt Reminder Light	130
Air Bag Readiness Light	130
Charging System Light	131
Up-Shift Light	132
Brake System Warning Light	132
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	133
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light	134
Enhanced Traction System Active Light	135
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	135
Low Coolant Warning Light	136
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	136
Oil Pressure Light	139
Change Engine Oil Light	140
Security Light	141
Cruise Control Light	141
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light	141
Service Vehicle Soon Light	142
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)	144
Radio with CD (Base Level)	144
Radio with CD (Up Level)	149
Radio with Cassette and CD	159
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios)	171
Understanding Radio Reception	171
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	171
Care of Your CDs	172
Care of Your CD Player	172
Backglass Antenna	173
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System (48 Contiguous US States)	173
Chime Level Adjustment	173
Driving Your Vehicle	175
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	176
Defensive Driving	176
Drunken Driving	176
Control of a Vehicle	179
Braking	180
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)	183
Steering	185
Off-Road Recovery	187
Passing	187
Loss of Control	189
Driving at Night	190
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	192
City Driving	195
Freeway Driving	196
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	197
Highway Hypnosis	198
Hill and Mountain Roads	198
Winter Driving	200
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	204
Towing	205
Towing Your Vehicle	205
Recreational Vehicle Towing	205
Loading Your Vehicle	208
Towing a Trailer	213
Service and Appearance Care	221
Service	223
Doing Your Own Service Work	223
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	224
Fuel	224
Gasoline Octane	224
Gasoline Specifications	224
California Fuel	225
Additives	225
Fuels in Foreign Countries	226
Filling Your Tank	226
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	229
Checking Things Under the Hood	229
Hood Release	230
Engine Compartment Overview	232
Engine Oil	235
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	240
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	241
Manual Transaxle Fluid	242
Hydraulic Clutch	242
Engine Coolant	243
Engine Overheating	246
Cooling System	249
Power Steering Fluid	255
Windshield Washer Fluid	256
Brakes	258
Battery	261
Jump Starting	262
Headlamp Aiming	268
Bulb Replacement	270
Halogen Bulbs	270
Headlamps	270
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps	271
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)	271
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps	272
Replacement Bulbs	272
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	273
Tires	274
Inflation - Tire Pressure	281
Tire Inspection and Rotation	282
When It Is Time for New Tires	284
Buying New Tires	285
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	286
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	287
Wheel Replacement	287
Tire Chains	289
If a Tire Goes Flat	290
Changing a Flat Tire	290
Compact Spare Tire	300
Appearance Care	301
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	302
Care of Safety Belts	304
Weatherstrips	304
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	305
Sheet Metal Damage	307
Finish Damage	307
Underbody Maintenance	307
Chemical Paint Spotting	307
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	308
Vehicle Identification	309
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	309
Service Parts Identification Label	309
Electrical System	309
Add-On Electrical Equipment	309
Windshield Wiper Fuses	310
Power Windows and Other Power Options	310
Fuses and Circuit Breakers	310
Capacities and Specifications	315
Maintenance Schedule	317
Maintenance Schedule	318
Introduction	318
Maintenance Requirements	318
Your Vehicle and the Environment	318
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	319
Scheduled Maintenance	320
Additional Required Services	322
Maintenance Footnotes	323
Owner Checks and Services	324
At Each Fuel Fill	324
At Least Once a Month	325
At Least Once a Year	325
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	328
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	329
Maintenance Record	330
Customer Assistance Information	333
Customer Assistance Information	334
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	334
Online Owner Center	336
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	336
Customer Assistance Offices	336
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	338
Roadside Assistance Program	338
Courtesy Transportation	340
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Records	342
Reporting Safety Defects	343
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	343
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	343
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	344
Service Publications Ordering Information	344

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out

First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will

clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back

and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear

(or with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or

SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels

as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal

while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal

when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your

wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you

will cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If

that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may

need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out,

see “Towing Your Vehicle” following.

Towing

Towing Your Vehicle

Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if

you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See

Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-6

If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle

for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),

see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.

Recreational Vehicle Towing

Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle

behind another vehicle – such as behind a motorhome.

The two most common types of recreational vehicle

towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle

with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”

(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and

two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).

With the proper preparation and equipment, many

vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy

Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.

Here are some important things to consider before you

do recreational vehicle towing:

•

What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle? Be

sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s

recommendations.

•

How far will you tow? Some vehicles have

restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.

•

Do you have the proper towing equipment? See your

dealer or trailering professional for additional advice

and equipment recommendations.

•

Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you would

prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll want to

make sure your vehicle is prepared to be towed. See

Before Leaving on a Long Trip on page 4-23

4-31