2002 Oldsmobile Alero Owner's Manual - Page 135

Low Oil Light (If Equipped) If your vehicle is equipped with a 3400 V6 engine, then you will have a LOW OIL light in your instrument panel cluster. The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level during the brief period between when the key is on and the engine is cranking. It does not monitor engine oil level when the engine is running. Additionally, an oil level check is only performed if the engine has been turned off for a considerable period of time allowing the oil normally in circulation to drain back into the oil pan. Change Oil Light This light will come on briefly when you start your vehicle. If the light stays on after starting your vehicle, or comes on and chimes while you are driving, your engine oil level should be checked. Prior to checking the oil level, be sure your vehicle has been shut off for several minutes and is on a level surface. Check the oil level on your dipstick and bring it to the proper level. See "Engine Oil" in the Index. A false LOW OIL light may be generated when parking on steep grades. The CHANGE OIL light should come on briefly as a bulb check when you start the engine. If the light doesn't come on, have it serviced. If the CHANGE OIL light comes on and stays on after you start the engine, have the oil changed. To reset the CHANGE OIL light, see "Engine Oil, When to Change" in the Index. 2-73