Oldsmobile 2004 Alero User Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems... 1-1Front Seats... 1-2Rear Seats...

But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle ismoving.{CAUTION:Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicleis in motion can be dangerous. Ev

Running Your Engine While YouAre ParkedIt is better not to park with the engine running. But ifyou ever have to, here are some things to know.{CAUTION

MirrorsManual Rearview MirrorThe mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjustthe height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects themirror to

Outside Convex MirrorYour passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convexmirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from thedriver’s seat.{CAUTION:A c

Center Console Storage AreaThe center console has two separate storage areas. Toopen, pull up on the lid.SunroofIf your vehicle has this feature, the

✍ NOTES2-36

Instrument Panel Overview ...3-2Hazard Warning Flashers ...3-4Other Warning Devices ...

Instrument Panel Overview3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are thefollowing:A. Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks. See Fuses andCircuit Breakers on page 5-90.B. Air Outle

Hazard Warning FlashersYour hazard warning flashers let you warn others. Theyalso let police know you have a problem. Your frontand rear turn signal la

Other Warning DevicesIf you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up atthe side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind yourvehicle.HornYou can

Head RestraintsSlide the head restraint up or down so that the top ofthe restraint is closest to the top of your head. Thisposition reduces the chance

Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverThe lever on the left side of the steering columnincludes the following:• Turn and Lane-Change Signals• Headlamp High/L

To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the leveruntil the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until youcomplete your lane change. The lever will

The exterior lamps control has three positions:< (Parking Lamps): Turn the control to this positionto turn on the parking lamps, together with thef

Windshield Wiper LeverUse this lever located on the right side of the steeringwheel to operate the windshield wipers.OFF: Move the lever to OFF to tur

Windshield WasherTo wash your windshield, push in the button at the endof the lever until the washers begin.{CAUTION:In freezing weather, do not use y

{CAUTION:• Cruise control can be dangerous whereyou can not drive safely at a steady speed.So, do not use your cruise control onwinding roads or in he

Resuming a Set SpeedSuppose you set your cruise control at a desired speedand then you apply the brake. This, of course, shutsoff the cruise control.

Passing Another Vehicle While UsingCruise ControlUse the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle

Exterior LampsHeadlampsSee “Headlamps” under Turn Signal/Multifunction Leveron page 3-6.Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can mak

Automatic Headlamp SystemWhen it is dark enough outside, your AutomaticHeadlamp System will turn on your headlamps at thenormal brightness along with

Easy Entry SeatFor two-door model vehicles, the right front seat of yourvehicle makes it easy for people to get in and out ofthe rear seat.1. Fold the

Delayed HeadlampsThe delayed headlamps feature will continue toilluminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key isturned to OFF, then the headlam

Entry/Exit LightingThe lamps inside your vehicle will go on when you openany door. These lamps will fade out after about10 seconds after all of the do

Accessory Power OutletsWith accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliaryelectrical equipment such as a cellular telephone orCB radio.The accessor

Ashtrays and Cigarette LighterTo use the lighter, push it in all the way and let go.Notice: If you put papers or other flammable itemsin the ashtray, h

A (Floor): This mode directs most of the air to the flooroutlets with some air directed to the side windows.The right knob can also be used to select d

On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside airescape; then close them. This helps to reduce the timeit takes for your vehicle to cool down. It al

Rear Window DefoggerThe rear window defogger uses a warming grid toremove fog from the rear window.< Rear: Press this button to turn the rear windo

• When an objectionable odor outside the vehicle isencountered, use the recirculation mode, with thetemperature knob at a comfortable setting to preve

Instrument Panel ClusterYour instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fastyou’re

Speedometer and OdometerYour speedometer lets you see your speed in bothmiles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).Your odometer shows how fa

Power Lift SeatIf your vehicle has this feature, to move the power liftseat forward or rearward, pull up on the lever locatedunder the front of the dr

Safety Belt Reminder LightWhen the key is turned to ON or START, a chime willcome on for several seconds to remind people to fastentheir safety belts,

If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start thevehicle or comes on when you are driving, your airbag system may not work properly. Have yo

Up-Shift LightIf your manual transaxlevehicle has this featurethis light comes onwhen you need to shift tothe next higher gear.See Manual TransaxleOpe

{CAUTION:Your brake system may not be working properlyif the brake system warning light is on. Drivingwith the brake system warning light on can leadt

Enhanced Traction System WarningLightIf your vehicle has theEnhanced Traction System(ETS), this warning lightshould come on briefly asyou start the eng

Enhanced Traction System ActiveLightIf your vehicle has theEnhanced Traction System(ETS), this light willcome on when the systemis limiting wheel spin

Low Coolant Warning LightThis light comes onbriefly when you turn yourignition on.If this light comes on and stays on and you hear achime, the coolant

This system is called OBD II (On-BoardDiagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended toassure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the lifeof t

If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “Ifthe Light Is On Steady” following.If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,st

Emissions Inspection and MaintenanceProgramsSome state/provincial and local governments have ormay begin programs to inspect the emission controlequip

Rear SeatsRear Seat OperationFolding the SeatbackIf your vehicle has this feature, do the following:1. Pull the release strapslocated in the trunk.The

When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,the light will come on as a test to show you it is working,but the light will go out when the en

Security LightThis light will come onwhen you turn the key toON and will stay onuntil the vehicle starts.If you’re driving and the security light come

Service Vehicle Soon LightThis light will come onbriefly when you turn theignition to ON.It will stay on, or come on and a chime will sound if itdetect

• It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than thegage indicated. For example, the gage may haveindicated the tank was half full, but it actuall

Setting the Time for Radios withRadio Data Systems (RDS)Press and hold HR or MN for two seconds. Then pressand hold HR until the correct hour appears

Finding a StationAM FM: Press this button to switch between FM1,FM2, and AM. The display will show your selection.TUNE: Turn this knob to select radio

To adjust both tone controls and both speaker controlsto the middle position, first end out of audio modeby pressing another button, causing the radio

As each new track starts to play, the track number willappear on the display.The CD player can play the smaller 8 cm single CDswith an adapter ring. F

o SEEK p: Press the right or the left arrow to go tothe next or to the previous track. The track numberwill appear on the display.RCL (Recall): Press

Radio with CD (Up Level)Radio Data System (RDS)Your audio system is equipped with a Radio DataSystem (RDS). RDS features are available for use onlyon

Safety BeltsSafety Belts: They Are for EveryoneThis part of the manual tells you how to use safetybelts properly. It also tells you some things you sh

SCV (Speed-Compensated Volume): With SCV, youraudio system adjusts automatically to make up forroad and wind noise as you drive.Set the volume at the

Press either SCAN arrow again to stop scanning presets.The radio will scan only to stations that are in the selectedband and only to those with a stro

To adjust fade between the front and the rear speakers,press and release the AUDIO button until FADappears on the display. Press the knob above theAUD

Setting Preset PTYs (RDS Only)The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to yourfavorite PTYs. These pushbuttons have factoryPTY presets. You can set

TRAF (Traffic): If TRAF appears on the display, thetuned station broadcasts traffic announcements.To receive the traffic announcement from the tunedst

XM™ Radio MessagesRadio DisplayMessageCondition Action RequiredXL (Explicit LanguageChannels)XL on the radio display,after the channel name,indicates

XM™ Radio Messages (cont’d)Radio DisplayMessageCondition Action RequiredNo Info Category Name notavailableNo category information is available at this

Playing a CDWith the ignition on, insert a CD partway into the slot,label side up. The player will pull it in and the CD shouldbegin playing. The CD s

S SEEK T: Press the left arrow to go to the start ofthe current track if more than eight seconds haveplayed. Press the right arrow to go to the next t

Radio with Cassette and CDRadio Data System (RDS)Your audio system is equipped with a Radio DataSystem (RDS). RDS features are available for use onlyo

In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the lawsays to wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you d

Playing the RadioPOWER: Press this knob to turn the system on and off.VOLUME: Turn this knob to increase or to decreasevolume.SCV (Speed-Compensated V

To scan preset stations, press and hold either SCANarrow for more than four seconds. PRESET SCAN willappear on the display. You will hear a double bee

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)AUDIO: To adjust balance between the right andthe left speakers, press and release the AUDIO buttonuntil BAL appe

BAND (Alternate Frequency): Alternate frequencyallows the radio to switch to a stronger station with thesame program type. To turn alternate frequency

INFO (Information): If the current station has amessage, INFO will appear on the display. Press thisbutton to see the message. The message may display

XM™ Radio MessagesRadio DisplayMessageCondition Action RequiredXL (Explicit LanguageChannels)XL on the radio display,after the channel name,indicates

XM™ Radio Messages (cont’d)Radio DisplayMessageCondition Action RequiredNo Info Category Name notavailableNo category information is available at this

Playing a Cassette TapeYour tape player is built to work best with tapes that areup to 30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapeslonger than that are s

S SCAN T: Press and hold either arrow for morethan two seconds until you hear a beep and SCANappears on the display. The tape will go to the nextselec

Playing a CDWith the ignition on, insert a CD partway into the slot,label side up. The player will pull it in and the CD shouldbegin playing. The CD s

Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The riderdoesn’t stop.1-11

S SEEK T: Press the left arrow to go to the start ofthe current track if more than eight seconds have played.Press the right arrow to go to the next t

Theft-Deterrent Feature(RDS Radios)THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of yourradio. The feature works automatically by learninga portion of the

For best results, use a scrubbing action, non-abrasivecleaning cassette with pads which scrub the tapehead as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn. T

Backglass AntennaYour AM-FM antenna is integrated with your rear windowdefogger, located in the rear window. Be sure that theinside surface of the rea

✍ NOTES3-70

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle ...4-2Defensive Driving ...4-2Drunken Driving ...

Your Driving, the Road, andYour VehicleDefensive DrivingThe best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drivedefensively.Please start with a very im

Many adults — by some estimates, nearly half the adultpopulation — choose never to drink alcohol, so theynever drive after drinking. For persons under

There is a gender difference, too. Women generallyhave a lower relative percentage of body waterthan men. Since alcohol is carried in body water, this

{CAUTION:Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness andjudgment can be affected by even a smallamount of alc

The person keeps going until stopped by something. Ina real vehicle, it could be the windshield...or the instrument panel...1-12

BrakingBraking action involves perception time andreaction time.First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.That is perception time. Then you

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is anadvanced electronic braking system that will helpprevent a braking skid.I

The anti-lock system can change the brake pressurefaster than any driver could. The computer isprogrammed to make the most of available tire and roadc

If you do not have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” brakingtechnique. This will give you maximum brakingwhile maintaining steering control. You can do this

When the system is onand the parking brake isfully released, this warninglight will come on to letyou know if there’s aproblem.See Enhanced Traction S

SteeringPower SteeringIf you lose power steering assist because the enginestops or the system is not functioning, you can steer butit will take much m

Steering in EmergenciesThere are times when steering can be more effectivethan braking. For example, you come over a hill and finda truck stopped in yo

Off-Road RecoveryYou may find that your right wheels have dropped offthe edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’redriving.If the level of the shoul

• Do not get too close to the vehicle you want topass while you are awaiting an opportunity. For onething, following too closely reduces your area ofv

Loss of ControlLet us review what driving experts say about whathappens when the three control systems (brakes,steering and acceleration) do not have

or the safety belts!With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,and your strongest bon

If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember: Ithelps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not haveanti-lock, then in a braking skid (where th

No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. Butas we get older these differences increase. A50-year-old driver may require at least twice as mu

Driving in Rain and on Wet RoadsRain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wetroad, you can not stop, accelerate or turn as wellbecause your ti

Driving too fast through large water puddles or evengoing through some car washes can cause problems,too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avo

Driving Through Flowing Water{CAUTION:Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.If you try to drive through flowing water, as youmight at a low wa

City DrivingOne of the biggest problems with city streets is theamount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out forwhat the other drivers are do

Freeway DrivingMile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are thesafest of all roads. But they h

The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speedaccording to your speedometer, not to your sen

Highway HypnosisIs there actually such a condition as “highwayhypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?Call it highway hypnosis, lac

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you areplanning to visit there, here are some tips that can makeyour trips safer and more enjoyable.• K

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,OLDSMOBILE, the OLDSMOBILE Rocket Emblem andthe name ALERO are registered trademarks ofGeneral Motors Corporation.Th

Q: If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far fromhome, why should I wear safety belts?A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in anaccident

Winter DrivingHere are some tips for winter driving:• Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.• You may want to put winter emergency supplies inyou

Driving on Snow or IceMost of the time, those places where your tires meetthe road probably have good traction.However, if there is snow or ice betwee

Remember, unless you have anti-lock, if you brake sohard that your wheels stop rolling, you will just slide.Brake so your wheels always keep rolling a

• Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.If you have no blankets or extra clothing, makebody insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags

Run your engine only as long as you must. This savesfuel. When you run the engine, make it go a littlefaster than just idle. That is, push the acceler

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It OutFirst, turn your steering wheel left and right. That willclear the area around your front wheels. Then shift backand

Dinghy TowingTo tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground,follow these steps:1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.2. Turn the i

Notice: Towing your vehicle from the rear coulddamage it. Also, repairs would not be covered bythe warranty. Never have your vehicle towed fromthe rea

Loading Your VehicleIt is very important to know how much weight yourvehicle can carry. This weight is called the vehiclecapacity weight and includes

A. Vehicle Capacity WeightThe Tire and Loading Information label shows the seatingcapacity and the total weight your vehicle can properlycarry. This w

Driver PositionThis part describes the driver’s restraint system.Lap-Shoulder BeltThe driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here is how to wearit properly.1

4. The resulting figure equals the available amount ofcargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will

Loading Your VehicleItem Description TotalAVehicle Capacity Weightfor Example 2 =1,000 lbs (453 kg)BSubtract OccupantWeight 150 lbs(68kg)x5=750 lbs (3

Certification LabelThe Certification label is also found on the rear edge ofthe driver’s door. It tells you the gross weight capacityof your vehicle, ca

{CAUTION:Things you put inside your vehicle can strikeand injure people in a sudden stop or turn, orin a crash.• Put things in the trunk of your vehic

That is the reason for this part. In it are manytime-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.Many of these are important for your safety an

You can ask your dealer for our trailering information oradvice, or you can write us at:Oldsmobile Customer AssistanceP.O. Box 33171Detroit, MI 48232-

Total Weight of Your Vehicle’s TiresBe sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limitfor cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on theTire-Loa

Driving with a TrailerTowing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.Before setting out for the open road, you will want toget to know your

Turn Signals When Towing a TrailerWhen you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need adifferent turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Checkwith your deal

When You Are Ready to Leave AfterParking on a Hill1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal downwhile you:• start your engine,• shift into a gea

5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckleend of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt.The lap part of the belt should be worn low

✍ NOTES4-46

Service ...5-3Doing Your Own Service Work ...5-3Adding Equipment to the

Appearance Care ...5-81Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle ...5-82Care of Safety Belts ...

ServiceYour dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you tobe happy with it. We hope you will go to your dealerfor all your service needs. You will ge

CAUTION: (Continued)•Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts andother fasteners. “English” and “metric”fasteners can be easily confused. If youuse the w

In Canada, look for the“Auto Makers’ Choice”label on the pump.California FuelIf your vehicle is certified to meet California EmissionStandards (see the

Some gasolines that are not reformulated for lowemissions may contain an octane-enhancing additivecalled methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl(

The tethered fuel cap is behind a hinged door on thepassenger’s side of the vehicle.While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap inside thefuel door.5-

To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly to the left(counterclockwise). The fuel cap has a spring in it; ifyou let go of the cap too soon, it will sprin

Filling a Portable Fuel Container{CAUTION:Never fill a portable fuel container while it is inyour vehicle. Static electricity discharge fromthe contain

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster(Four–Door Models)Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder beltadjuster to the height that is right for you.To move i

Hood ReleaseTo open the hood, do the following:1. Pull the handle locatedunder the instrumentpanel on the driver’sside of the vehicle.2. Then go to th

3. Lift the hood.4. Release the hood prop rod from its retainer and putthe hood prop into the slot in the hood markedPROP ROD.Before closing the hood,

Engine Compartment OverviewWhen you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC™ ™ engine, you’ll see the following:5-12

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Cooling System onpage 5-29.B. Ground. See Jump Starting on page 5-42.C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oi

When you open the hood on the 3400 V6 engine, you’ll see the following:5-14

A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Cooling System onpage 5-29.B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power SteeringFluid on page 5-35.C. Engine Oil Fil

When to Add Engine OilIf the oil is at or below the MIN mark for the 2.2L L4ECOTEC™ engine or below the cross-hatched area atthe tip of the dipstick f

• SAE 5W-30As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is bestfor your vehicle. However, if it is going to be 0°F(–18°C) or above and SAE 5W-30 is not

Notice: Use only engine oil identified as meetingGM Standard GM6094M and showing the AmericanPetroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Enginesstarburst

How to Reset the CHANGE OIL LightThe GM Oil Life System calculates when to changeyour engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytimeyour oil is ch

Q: What’s wrong with this?A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not givenearly as much protection this way.{CAUTION:You can be seriously hurt if

Engine Air Cleaner/FilterSee Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 formore information on location.When to Inspect the Engine AirCleaner/FilterInsp

{CAUTION:Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filteroff can cause you or others to be burned. Theair cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps tos

Manual Transaxle FluidIt is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. Atransaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.If a leak occurs, t

How to Check and Add FluidYou do not need to check the fluid level unless yoususpect a clutch problem. To check the fluid level, takethe cap off. If the

What to UseUse a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water andone-half DEX-COOL®coolant which won’t damagealuminum parts. If you use this coolant mix

Checking CoolantThe coolant surge tank is located in the enginecompartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.See Engine Compartment Overview on p

The vehicle must be on a level surface. When yourengine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULLCOLD mark, or a little higher.If the low coola

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine{CAUTION:Steam from an overheated engine can burnyou badly, even if you just open the hood. Stayaway from the engin

If No Steam Is Coming From YourEngineAn overheat warning, along with a low coolant light, canindicate a serious problem. See Low Coolant WarningLight

Cooling SystemWhen you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s whatyou’ll see:A. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure CapB. Electric Engine Cooling Fan{

Q: What’s wrong with this?A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place.{CAUTION:You can be seriously injured if your belt isbuckled in the wrong place li

The coolant level should be at or above the FULLCOLD mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak at thepressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,

How to Add Coolant to the CoolantSurge TankNotice: This vehicle has a specific coolant fillprocedure. Failure to follow this procedure couldcause your e

{CAUTION:Adding only plain water to your coolingsystem can be dangerous. Plain water, orsome other liquid such as alcohol, can boilbefore the proper c

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.You can remove the coolant surge tank pressurecap when the cooling system, including the coolantsurge tank pres

4. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,to the hash mark on the label. Wait about fiveminutes, then check to see if the level is below t

6. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressurecap is hand-tight and fully seated.See your dealer, if necessary.Power Steering FluidWhen to Check Po

How to Check Power Steering FluidTurn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, thenunscrew t

The windshield washerfluid reservoir is located inthe engine compartmenttowards the front ofthe vehicle.Open the cap with the washer symbol on it. Add

BrakesBrake FluidYour brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with DOT-3brake fluid. See Engine Compartment Overview onpage 5-12 for the location of t

When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brakewarning light will come on. See Brake System WarningLight on page 3-28.What to AddWhen you do nee

Q: What’s wrong with this?A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It shouldbe worn over the shoulder at all times.{CAUTION:You can be seriously in

Brake WearDisc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that makea high-pitched warning sound when the brake padsare worn and new pads are needed. The

Brake Pedal TravelSee your dealer if the brake pedal does not return tonormal height, or if there is a rapid increase inpedal travel. This could be a

Vehicle StorageIf you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 daysor more, remove the black, negative (−) cable fromthe battery. This will help kee

Notice: If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-voltsystem with a negative ground, both vehicles canbe damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt syste

{CAUTION:Using a match near a battery can cause batterygas to explode. People have been hurt doingthis, and some have been blinded. Use aflashlight if

6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)terminal of the dead battery. Use a remotepositive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.7. Don

Don’t let the other end touch anything until the nextstep. The other end of the negative (−) cable doesn’tgo to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy,

Notice: If the jumper cables are removed in thewrong order, electrical shorting may occur anddamage the vehicle. The repairs would not becovered by yo

Headlamp AimingYour vehicle has a headlamp system equipped withhorizontal and vertical aim indicators. The aim has beenpre-set at the factory and shou

Start with the horizontalaim. The adjustmentscrews can be turned withan E8 Torx®socket.Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust thevertical ai

Q: What’s wrong with this?A: The belt is twisted across the body.{CAUTION:You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt.In a crash, you wouldn’t have

Bulb ReplacementFor the type of bulb to use, see Replacement Bulbs onpage 5-52. For any bulb changing procedure notlisted in this section, contact you

Front Turn Signal and ParkingLamps1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to theremoval procedure earlier in this section.2. Turn the bulb assembly ret

Taillamps, Turn Signal, andStoplampsA. TaillampB. Tail/Brake LampC. TaillampD. Turn SignalE. Back-Up Lamp1. Disconnect the cargo net in the trunk.2. P

Windshield Wiper BladeReplacementWindshield wiper blades should be inspected at leasttwice a year for wear or cracking. See “Wiper BladeCheck” in Sche

TiresYour new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made bya leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questionsabout your tire warranty and where t

(A) Tire Size: The tire size code is a combination ofletters and numbers used to define a particulartire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction ty

(E) Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and number ofplies in the sidewall and under the tread.(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): Tiremanufactur

(A) Temporary Use Only: The compact spare tire ortemporary use tire has a tread life of approximately3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be drivenat

Tire SizeThe following illustration shows an example of a typicalpassenger car tire size.(A) P-Metric Tire: The United States version of ametric tire

Tire Terminology and DefinitionsAir Pressure: The amount of air inside the tire pressingoutward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressureis express

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.The belt should go back out of the way.Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of t

Load Index: An assigned number ranging from 1 to279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacityof a tire.Maximum Inflation Pressure: The maximum air

UTQGS: Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards, a tireinformation system that provides consumers withratings for a tire’s traction, temperature and tre

When to CheckCheck your tires once a month or more.Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at60 psi (420 kPa).How to CheckUse a good qualit

When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotationpattern shown here.Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.After the tires

When It Is Time for New TiresOne way to tell when it’stime for new tires is tocheck the treadwearindicators, which willappear when your tireshave only

Buying New TiresTo find out what kind and size of tires you need, look atthe tire and loading information label. For an exampleof this label and its lo

Uniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where applicable on thetire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximumsection width. For exam

Temperature – A, B, CThe temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,representing the tire’s resistance to the generationof heat and its ability

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel boltsor wheel nuts, replace them only with new GMoriginal equipment parts. This way, you will be sure

Tire Chains{CAUTION:If your vehicle has P225/50R16 size tires, don’tuse tire chains, there’s not enough clearance.Tire chains used on a vehicle withou

The best way to protect the fetus is to protect themother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s morelikely that the fetus won’t be hurt in a cras

If a Tire Goes FlatIt’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re driving,especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goesout of a tire,

{CAUTION:Changing a tire can cause an injury. Thevehicle can slip off the jack and roll over youor other people. You and they could be badlyinjured. F

Removing the Spare Tire and ToolsThe equipment you’ll needis in the trunk.1. Pull the carpeting from the floor of the trunk. Turnthe center retainer nu

The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A) and wheelwrench (B).Removing the Flat Tire and Installingthe Spare Tire1. If your vehicle has a wheel c

4. Then use the wheel wrench to loosen all the wheelnuts. Don’t remove them yet.5. Position the jack and raise the jack head until it fitsfirmly into th

{CAUTION:Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up isdangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack youcould be badly injured or killed. Never get un

9. Remove any rust or dirtfrom the wheel bolts,mounting surfacesand spare wheel.{CAUTION:Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts towhich it is fast

11. Put the wheel nuts back on with the rounded end ofthe nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut byhand until the wheel is held against the hub.12. L

13. Tighten the wheel nutsfirmly in a crisscrosssequence, as shown.{CAUTION:Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightenedwheel nuts can cause the wheel

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools{CAUTION:Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in thepassenger compartment of the vehicle couldcause injury. In a

Safety Warnings and SymbolsYou will find a number of safety cautions in this book.We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you aboutthings that could

Lap-Shoulder BeltThe positions next to the windows have lap-shoulderbelts. Here is how to wear one properly.1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the be

Storing the Spare Tire and Tools{CAUTION:Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in thepassenger compartment of the vehicle couldcause injury. In a

After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, youshould stop as soon as possible and make sureyour spare tire is correctly inflated. The compact

They can all be hazardous — some more thanothers — and they can all damage your vehicle, too.Do not use any of these unless this manual saysyou can. I

Special Fabric Cleaning ProblemsStains caused by such things as catsup, coffee (black),egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, vomit, urineand blo

Cleaning the Top of the InstrumentPanelUse only mild soap and water to clean the top surfacesof the instrument panel. Sprays containing siliconesor wa

Cleaning the Outside of YourVehicleThe paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depthof color, gloss retention and durability.Washing Your Vehicle

Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and othersalts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, birddroppings, chemicals from industrial ch

Cleaning TiresTo clean your tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.Notice: Using petroleum-based tire dressingproducts on your vehicle may damage

Vehicle Care/Appearance MaterialsSee your GM dealer for more information on purchasingthe following products.Vehicle Care/Appearance MaterialsDescript

Vehicle IdentificationVehicle Identification Number (VIN)This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears ona plate in the front corner of the i

3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckleend of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part.The lap part of the belt should be worn low

Windshield Wiper FusesThe windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuitbreaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavysnow, etc., the wiper

Instrument Panel Fuse Block(Driver’s Side)Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses andfeatures listed.Fuses UsageWIPERWindshield Wiper Moto

Instrument Panel Fuse Block(Passenger’s Side)Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses andfeatures listed.Fuse UsageINST LPS Interior Lamp D

Engine Compartment Fuse BlockYour vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses andfeatures listed.The engine compartment fuse block is located on th

Relays Usage16 Air Conditioning Compressor17 Not Used18 Fuel Pump19 Automatic Headlamp System20 Automatic Headlamp System21 Horn22 Daytime Running Lam

Capacities and SpecificationsAll capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level or as recommended in thismanual.Capac

See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.Engine SpecificationsEngine VIN Code Transaxle Spark Plug Gap2.2L L4 † FAutomaticManual0.042 inch (1

Maintenance Schedule ...6-2Introduction ...6-2Maintenance Requireme

Maintenance ScheduleIntroductionImportant: Keep engine oil at the proper level andchange as recommended.Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The

Using Your Maintenance ScheduleWe at General Motors want to help you keep your vehiclein good working condition. But we do not know exactlyhow you wil

The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or acrash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out ofthe retractor.{CAUTION:You can be seriously hurt

Owner Checks and Services on page 6-8 tells you whatshould be checked, when to check it and what you caneasily do to help keep your vehicle in good co

Service Maintenance I Maintenance IIChange engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system. See Engine Oil onpage 5-15. An Emission Control Service. ••Vis

Additional Required ServicesThe following services should be performed at the first maintenance service (I or II) after the indicated miles(kilometers)

Maintenance Footnotes† The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or theCalifornia Air Resources Board has determined that thefailure to perform this ma

(h) Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if thevehicle is mainly driven under one or more of theseconditions:− In heavy city traffic where the ou

At Least Once a MonthTire Inflation CheckVisually inspect your tires and make sure tires areinflated to the correct pressures. Don’t forget to checkyour

Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock ControlSystem Check{CAUTION:When you are doing this inspection, thevehicle could move suddenly. If the vehiclemoves, yo

Parking Brake and Automatic TransaxlePark (P) Mechanism Check{CAUTION:When you are doing this check, your vehiclecould begin to move. You or others co

Recommended Fluids andLubricantsFluids and lubricants identified below by name, partnumber or specification may be obtained from yourdealer.Usage Fluid/

Normal Maintenance Replacement PartsReplacement parts identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Part GM P

Center Rear Passenger PositionLap BeltWhen you sit in the center seating position, you have alap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make thebelt

Maintenance RecordAfter the scheduled services are performed, record the date, odometer reading, who performed the service and thetype of services per

Maintenance Record (cont’d)DateOdometerReadingServiced ByMaintenance I orMaintenance IIServices Performed6-15

Maintenance Record (cont’d)DateOdometerReadingServiced ByMaintenance I orMaintenance IIServices Performed6-16

Customer Assistance Information ...7-2Customer Satisfaction Procedure ...7-2Online Owner Center ...

Customer AssistanceInformationCustomer Satisfaction ProcedureYour satisfaction and goodwill are important toyour dealer and to Oldsmobile. Normally, a

STEP THREE: Both General Motors and your dealerare committed to making sure you are completelysatisfied with your new vehicle. However, if you continue

Online Owner CenterThe Owner Center is a resource for your GM ownershipneeds. You can find your specific vehicle informationall in one place.The Owner C

United States – Customer AssistanceOldsmobile Customer Assistance CenterP.O. Box 33171Detroit, MI 48232-51711-800-442-65371-800-833-6537 (For Text Tel

GM Mobility Program for Personswith DisabilitiesThis program, available toqualified applicants, canreimburse you up to $1,000toward eligible aftermarke

• Assistance when vehicle is mired in sand, mud orsnow• Trip routing• Trip interruption expense benefits• Dealership locator serviceOldsmobile Roadside

To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shownuntil the belt is snug.Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lappart of a lap-should

Courtesy TransportationOldsmobile has always exemplified quality and value inits offering of motor vehicles. To enhance yourownership experience, we an

Courtesy Rental VehicleYour dealer may arrange to provide you with a courtesyrental vehicle or reimburse you for a rental vehicle youobtained if your

Vehicle Data Collection and EventData RecordsYour vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has anumber of sophisticated computer systems that monito

Others, such as law enforcement, may have access tothe special equipment that can read the informationif they have access to the vehicle or SDM.If you

Reporting Safety Defects to GeneralMotorsIn addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) ina situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify

Owner’s InformationOwner publications are written specifically for owners andintended to provide basic operational information aboutthe vehicle. The ow

✍ NOTES7-14

AAccessory Power Outlets ... 3-18Adding Washer Fluid ... 5-36Additional Program Info

BrakeParking ... 2-27System Warning Light ... 3-28Brake Adjustment .

Child Restraints (cont.)Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear OutsideSeat Position ... 1-46Securing a Child Res

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides forChildren and Small AdultsRear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide addedsafety belt comfort for older children

Customizing the Automatic Door Locks forAutomatic Transaxle Vehicles ... 2-9Customizing the Automatic Door Locks forManual Tran

Engine (cont.)Coolant Heater ... 2-20Coolant Temperature Gage ... 3-31Engine Compartm

GGageEngine Coolant Temperature ... 3-31Fuel ... 3-38Speedometer ...

Infants and Young Children, Restraints ... 1-34Inflation - Tire Pressure ... 5-61Instrument PanelCluster ..

LocksDelayed Locking ... 2-8Door ... 2-7Leaving Your V

OOdometer ... 3-25Off-Road Recovery ... 4-13OilChange Engine

Radios (cont.)Care of Your CD Player ... 3-68Care of Your CDs ... 3-68Radio with Cass

Safety Belts (cont.)Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Childrenand Small Adults ... 1-29Rear Seat Passengers ...

Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine ... 2-19Starting Your Engine ... 2-18Steering ...

Traction (cont.)Enhanced Traction System (ETS) WarningLight ... 3-30Trailer Brakes ...

2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elasticcord must be under the belt. Then, place the guideover the belt, and insert the two edges of th

Warnings (cont.)Safety and Symbols ... iiiVehicle Damage ... ivWasher

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt asdescribed in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-23.Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses theshoulder.

Child RestraintsOlder ChildrenOlder children who have outgrown booster seats shouldwear the vehicle’s safety belts.If you have the choice, a child sho

{CAUTION:Never do this.Here two children are wearing the same belt.The belt can’t properly spread the impactforces. In a crash, the two children can b

Vehicle Damage WarningsAlso, in this book you will find these notices:Notice: These mean there is something that coulddamage your vehicle.A notice will

{CAUTION:Never do this.Here a child is sitting in a seat that has alap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part isbehind the child. If the child wears the

Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles,they should have the protection provided by appropriaterestraints. Young children should not us

{CAUTION:Children who are up against, or very close to,any air bag when it inflates can be seriouslyinjured or killed. Air bags plus lap-shoulderbelts

For most basic types of child restraints, there aremany different models available. When purchasing achild restraint, be sure it is designed to be use

Child Restraint SystemsAn infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in amotor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designedto restrain or posit

A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint forthe child’s body with the harness and also sometimeswith surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-li

Q: How do child restraints work?A: A child restraint system is any device designed foruse in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or positionchildren. A

Where to Put the RestraintAccident statistics show that children are safer if theyare restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We,therefore,

In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing childrestraints have a top strap, and that the strap beanchored. In the United States, some child rest

Top Strap Anchor LocationYour vehicle has top strap anchors already installed forthe rear seating positions. You’ll find them behindthe rear seat on th

These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:v

In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, youneed a child restraint designed for that system.1-44

To assist you in locating thelower anchors for this childrestraint system, eachseating position with theLATCH system has a labelon the seatback at eac

Securing a Child Restraint Designedfor the LATCH System1. Find the anchors for the seating position you wantto use, where the bottom of the seatback m

Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed.3. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesa

4. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder beltwhile you push down on the child restraint. Ifyou’re using a forward-facing child restraint, youma

Securing a Child Restraint in aCenter Rear Seat PositionIf your child restraint is equipped with the LATCHsystem, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers

4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if you ever had to.5. To tighten

Securing a Child Restraint in theRight Front Seat PositionIf your child restraint is equipped with the LATCHsystem, see Lower Anchorages and Top Tethe

A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facingchild restraint. If you need to secure a forward-facingchild restraint in the right front seat,

5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out ofthe retractor to set the lock.6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back intothe retr

✍ NOTESvi

Supplemental RestraintSystem (SRS)This part explains the Supplemental Restraint System(SRS) or air bag system.Your vehicle has air bags – one air bag

{CAUTION:Air bags inflate with great force, faster than theblink of an eye. If you’re too close to aninflating air bag, as you would be if you wereleani

Where Are the Air Bags?The driver’s air bag is in the middle of the steeringwheel.The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrumentpanel on the

{CAUTION:If something is between an occupant and anair bag, the bag might not inflate properly or itmight force the object into that person causingseve

What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensingsystem detects that the vehicle is in a crash. Thesensing system

{CAUTION:When an air bag inflates, there is dust in theair. This dust could cause breathing problemsfor people with a history of asthma or otherbreathi

Servicing Your Air Bag-EquippedVehicleAir bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.There are parts of the air bag system in several placesaroun

Replacing Restraint System PartsAfter a Crash{CAUTION:A crash can damage the restraint systems inyour vehicle. A damaged restraint system maynot prope

✍ NOTES1-62

Keys ...2-2Remote Keyless Entry System ...2-3Remote Keyless Entry Sy

Front Seats ...1-2Manual Seats ...1-2Six-Way Power Dri

Keys{CAUTION:Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignitionkey is dangerous for many reasons. A child orothers could be badly injured or even killed.

One key is used for theignition and all locks.When a new vehicle is delivered to the dealer, the keyhas a key tag. This tag has a bar-coded key codeth

At times you may notice a decrease in range. This isnormal for any remote keyless entry system. If thetransmitter does not work or if you have to stan

W (Unlock): Press this button once to unlock thedriver’s door. If the button is pressed again within fiveseconds, all remaining doors will unlock. The

Battery ReplacementUnder normal use, the battery in your remote keylessentry transmitter should last about four years.You can tell the battery is weak

Doors and LocksDoor Locks{CAUTION:Unlocked doors can be dangerous.• Passengers — especially children — caneasily open the doors and fall out of amovin

From the inside, you can lock or unlock the door bymoving the manual lever forward or rearward.Power Door LocksWith the power door locks, you can lock

Programmable Automatic DoorLocksProgrammable automatic power door locks are intendedto provide enhanced security and convenience byautomatically locki

Before your vehicle was shipped from the factory it wasprogrammed in Mode 1. To determine the currentmode or to change to a different mode, do the fol

The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened fromthe inside when this feature is in use. If you want toopen a rear door when the security lock is o

Front SeatsManual Seats{CAUTION:You can lose control of the vehicle if you try toadjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicleis moving. The sudden

Leaving Your VehicleIf you are leaving your vehicle, open your door and setthe locks from the inside, then get out and close the door.TrunkTo unlock t

Remote Trunk ReleasePress the remote trunk release button, located on thedriver’s door, to release the trunk lid. The remotetrunk release will only wo

Trap-Resistant Trunk KitTo help prevent a child from becoming trapped in yourtrunk, you can order a trap-resistant trunk kit fromyour dealer. This kit

Power WindowsIf your vehicle has power window switches, they arelocated on the armrest on the driver’s door. In addition,each passenger door has a win

Theft-Deterrent SystemsVehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrentfeatures, we know

Ignition PositionsWith the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to fourdifferent positions.A (OFF): This is the only position from which you ca

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) feature which will allow the radio tocontinue to work up t

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but thenstops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the wa

Engine Coolant HeaterYour vehicle may have this feature. In very coldweather, 0°C (−18°F) or colder, the engine coolantheater can provide easier start

To Use the Engine Coolant Heater1. Turn off the engine.2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. Onthe 2.2L L4 ECOTEC™ engine, the engine coola

Six-Way Power Driver SeatIf your vehicle has thisfeature, the power seatcontrol is located onthe outboard side of thedriver’s seat.This control allows

Automatic Transaxle OperationYour automatic transaxlehas a shift lever located onthe console between theseats.PARK (P): This position locks your front

Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before startingthe engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxleshift lock control system. You have to a

AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is fornormal driving. If you need more power for passing, andyou’re:• Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push yo

Manual Transaxle OperationThis is your shift pattern.The clutch must be fullypressed in when shifting amanual transaxle toensure the transaxle isfully

Shift Speeds{CAUTION:If you skip a gear when you downshift, youcould lose control of your vehicle. You couldinjure yourself or others. Don’t shift dow

Parking BrakeTo set the parking brake, pull up on the parking brakehandle. If the ignition is on, the brake system warninglight will come on. See Brak

Shifting Into Park (P){CAUTION:It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicleif the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) withthe parking brake firmly s

Leaving Your Vehicle With the EngineRunning{CAUTION:It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle withthe engine running. Your vehicle could movesuddenly

Shifting Out of Park (P)If your vehicle has an automatic transaxle, it has anautomatic transaxle shift lock control system which locksthe shift lever

Parking Over Things That Burn{CAUTION:Things that can burn could touch hot exhaustparts under your vehicle and ignite. Do notpark over papers, leaves,