Oldsmobile 1999 Alero User Manual

yellowblue iThe 1999 Oldsmobile Alero Owner’s Manual1-1 Seats and Restraint SystemsThis section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts p

yellowblue 1-46-Way Power Seat Controls (If Equipped)The power seat switch is located on the lower, left sideof the driver’s seat. This switch all

yellowblue 2-40Turn the turn signal lever end cap up two positions toturn on your:HeadlampsParking LampsSidemarker LampsTaillampsLicense Plate Lam

yellowblue 2-41Automatic Light Control (ALC)When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic LightControl (ALC) will turn on your headlamps along wi

yellowblue 2-42Interior LampsInstrument Panel Intensity ControlYou can brighten or dim theinstrument panel clusterlights by moving thethumbwheel u

yellowblue 2-43Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)Press the switch on the lower front portion of the mirrorto turn on the lamps. Press the other si

yellowblue 2-44MirrorsInside Day/Night Rearview MirrorThis mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjustthe angle of the mirror, move the mirr

yellowblue 2-45Power Remote Control Mirror (If Equipped)This selector controls bothoutside rearview mirrors.Select the mirror you want to adjust b

yellowblue 2-46Storage CompartmentsGlove BoxUse the key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open,pull the glove box handle up.Center Console Stor

yellowblue 2-47Ashtray and Lighter (If Equipped)To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.NOTICE:Don’t put papers and other thing

yellowblue 2-48Sun VisorsTo block out glare, you can swing down the visors. Youcan also remove them from the center mount and swingthem to the sid

yellowblue 2-49Sunroof (If Equipped)Open the sunshade by hand when using the vent position.To use the vent position of the sunroof, push the switc

yellowblue 1-5Reclining Front SeatbacksTo adjust the seatback, lift the lever on the outer side ofthe seat and move the seatback to where you want

yellowblue 2-50Instrument Panel

yellowblue 2-51Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fastyou’re going, how mu

yellowblue 2-52Instrument Panel ClusterYour vehicle is equipped with this cluster or one very similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights

yellowblue 2-53Speedometer and OdometerYour speedometer lets you see your speed in both milesper hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).Your od

yellowblue 2-54Warning Lights, Gages and IndicatorsThis part describes the warning lights and gages thatmay be on your vehicle. The pictures will

yellowblue 2-55Air Bag Readiness LightThere is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel,which shows the air bag symbol. The system check

yellowblue 2-56Brake System Warning LightYour vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided intotwo parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part

yellowblue 2-57CAUTION:Your brake system may not be working properlyif the brake system warning light is on. Drivingwith the brake system warning

yellowblue 2-58If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if thelight comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon aspossible and turn the

yellowblue 2-59The Enhanced Traction System warning light may comeon for the following reasons:If you turn the system off by pressing the ETS butt

yellowblue 1-6CAUTION: (Continued)up, your safety belts can’t do their job whenyou’re reclined like this.The shoulder belt can’t do its job becaus

yellowblue 2-60Engine Coolant Temperature GageThis gage shows the enginecoolant temperature. If thegage pointer moves into thered area, the light

yellowblue 2-61Low Tire Pressure Light (If Equipped)The tire pressure monitor system can alert you to a largechange in the pressure in one tire. A

yellowblue 2-62Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light in the UnitedStates or Check Engine Light in Canada)United States CanadaYour

yellowblue 2-63This light should come on, as a check to show you it isworking, when the ignition is on and the engine is notrunning. If the light

yellowblue 2-64Have you recently changed brands of fuel?If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see“Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel

yellowblue 2-65CAUTION:Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. Ifyou do, your engine can become so hot that itcatches fire. You or others c

yellowblue 2-66Change Oil LightThe CHANGE OIL lightshould come on briefly as abulb check when you startthe engine. If the lightdoesn’t come on, ha

yellowblue 2-67Cruise Light (If Equipped)The CRUISE light comeson whenever you set yourcruise control.Low Washer LightUnited States CanadaThis lig

yellowblue 2-68Fuel GageUnited States CanadaYour fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you haveleft, when the ignition is on. When the indicator

3-yellowblue 3-1Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio SystemsIn this section, you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems

yellowblue 1-7The front seatback folds forward to let people get intothe back seat. The seatback latch is designed forone-handed operation.To fold

yellowblue 3-2Comfort ControlsWith this system, you can control the ventilation andheating in your vehicle.Your vehicle also has the flow-through

yellowblue 3-3 DEFOG: This position divides the airflowbetween the floor outlets and the windshield defrostervent. The air conditioning compressor

yellowblue 3-4HeatingOn cold days, use FLOOR and the outside air buttonwith the temperature knob all the way in the red area.The system will bring

yellowblue 3-5Rear Window DefoggerThe rear window defoggeruses a warming grid toremove fog from the rear window.Press the defogger button. The ind

yellowblue 3-6Ventilation SystemFor mild outside temperatures when little heating orcooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside airthrough your

yellowblue 3-7Audio SystemsYour Delco Electronics audio system has been designedto operate easily and give years of listening pleasure.You will ge

yellowblue 3-8Playing the RadioPWR-VOL: Press this knob to turn the system on andoff. To increase volume, turn the knob clockwise. Turnit counterc

yellowblue 3-9Setting the ToneBASS: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn theknob to increase or decrease bass.TREB: Press this knob lightly

yellowblue 3-10Playing the RadioPWR-VOL: Press this knob to turn the system on andoff. To increase volume, turn the knob clockwise. Turnit counter

yellowblue 3-11P SCAN: Press SCAN for more than two seconds, andP SCAN will appear on the display. The radio will go tothe first preset station st

yellowblue 1-8Safety Belts: They’re for EveryoneThis part of the manual tells you how to use safety beltsproperly. It also tells you some things y

yellowblue 3-12While the tape is playing, use the VOL, FADE, BAL,TREB, BASS, TONE, SEEK and SCAN controls just asyou do for the radio. Other contr

yellowblue 3-13SCAN: Press this button to listen to each selection for afew seconds. The tape will go to the next selection, stopfor a few seconds

yellowblue 3-14Playing the RadioPWR-VOL: Press this knob to turn the system on andoff. To increase volume, turn the knob clockwise. Turnit counter

yellowblue 3-15P SCAN: Press SCAN for more than two seconds, andP SCAN will appear on the display. The radio will go tothe first preset station st

yellowblue 3-16While the tape is playing, use the VOL, FADE, BAL,TREB, BASS, TONE, SEEK and SCAN controls just asyou do for the radio. Other contr

yellowblue 3-17TONE: Press this button to select a tone while playing acassette. The tone that you set will be activated eachtime you play a casse

yellowblue 3-18Playing a Compact DiscWith the ignition on, insert a disc partway into the slot,label side up. The player will pull it in and the d

yellowblue 3-19SCAN: Press this button to listen to each selection for afew seconds. The disc will go to the next selection, stopfor a few seconds

yellowblue 3-20Activating the Theft-Deterrent FeatureThe instructions which follow explain how to enter yoursecret code to activate the THEFTLOCK

yellowblue 3-21If you enter the wrong code eight times, INOP willappear on the display. You will have to wait an hourwith the ignition on before y

yellowblue 1-9In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says towear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.You never know if you’ll be in a cras

yellowblue 3-22Tips About Your Audio SystemHearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectableuntil it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to hi

yellowblue 3-23Care of Your Cassette Tape PlayerA tape player that is not cleaned regularly can causereduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a

yellowblue 3-24Care of Your Compact DiscsHandle discs carefully. Store them in their original casesor other protective cases and away from direct

4-yellowblue 4-1Section 4 Your Driving and the RoadHere you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather c

yellowblue 4-2Defensive DrivingThe best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively.Please start with a very important safety devic

yellowblue 4-3Drunken DrivingDeath and injury associated with drinking and driving isa national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the hi

yellowblue 4-4It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, ifthe same person drank three double martinis (3 ouncesor 90 ml of liquor each)

yellowblue 4-5But the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills ofmany people are impai

yellowblue 4-6Control of a VehicleYou have three systems that make your vehicle go whereyou want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering andth

yellowblue 4-7And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatlywith the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement orgravel); the condition o

yellowblue 1-10Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The riderdoesn’t stop.

yellowblue 4-8Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet.You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out infront of you.You slam on

yellowblue 4-9Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you needto get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decreasestopping distance. If y

yellowblue 4-10When the system is on andthe parking brake is fullyreleased, this warning lightwill come on to let youknow if there’s a problem.See

yellowblue 4-11Braking in EmergenciesWith anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the sametime. In many emergencies, steering can help you morethan

yellowblue 4-12If you need to reduce your speed as you approach acurve, do it before you enter the curve, while your frontwheels are straight ahea

yellowblue 4-13Off-Road RecoveryYou may find that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re driving.If

yellowblue 4-14Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to passwhile you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,following too closely reduc

yellowblue 4-15Loss of ControlLet’s review what driving experts say about whathappens when the three control systems (brakes, steeringand accelera

yellowblue 4-16Driving at NightNight driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired -- by a

yellowblue 4-17Night VisionNo one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But aswe get older these differences increase. A 50-year-olddriver m

yellowblue 1-11The person keeps going until stopped by something.In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...or the instrument panel ...

yellowblue 4-18Driving in Rain and on Wet RoadsRain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wetroad, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as we

yellowblue 4-19Driving too fast through large water puddles or evengoing through some car washes can cause problems, too.The water may affect your

yellowblue 4-20Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. Therejust isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. Thebest advice is to slow d

yellowblue 4-21Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:Know the best way to get to where you are going.Get a city map and plan your

yellowblue 4-22The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keepup with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the samespeed most of the othe

yellowblue 4-23Here are some things you can check before a trip:Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean inside and o

yellowblue 4-24Hill and Mountain RoadsDriving on steep hills or mountains is different fromdriving in flat or rolling terrain.If you drive regular

yellowblue 4-25CAUTION:Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with theignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have todo all the work of slowing d

yellowblue 4-26Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supplyof windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outerclothing, a small shove

yellowblue 4-27What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very coldsnow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wetice can be even more trou

yellowblue 1-12or 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

yellowblue 4-28If You’re Caught in a BlizzardIf you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in aserious situation. You should probably stay with y

yellowblue 4-29You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.CAUTION:Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.This can cause deadly CO

yellowblue 4-30Run your engine only as long as you must. This savesfuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little fasterthan just idle. That i

yellowblue 4-311. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.3. Set the parking brake.4. Remove the followi

yellowblue 4-32Towing Your Vehicle from the RearNOTICE:Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Yourvehicle could be badly damaged and the repairswo

yellowblue 4-33The other label is the Certification label, found on therear edge of the driver’s door. It tells you the grossweight capacity of yo

yellowblue 4-34CAUTION:Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or ina crash.Put things in the tr

yellowblue 4-35Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with theproper trailer towing equipment. To identify what thevehicle trailering ca

yellowblue 4-36Three important considerations have to do with weight:the weight of the trailer,the weight of the trailer tongueand the total weigh

yellowblue 4-37If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailertongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loadedtrailer weight (B). If yo

yellowblue 1-13Q: 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 y

yellowblue 4-38Safety ChainsYou should always attach chains between your vehicleand your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongueof the t

yellowblue 4-39Following DistanceStay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as youwould when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This

yellowblue 4-40Turn Signals When Towing a TrailerWhen you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need adifferent turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring.

yellowblue 4-41When You Are Ready to Leave AfterParking on a Hill1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal downwhile you:Start your engine;S

yellowblue 4-42✍NOTES

5-yellowblue 5-1Section 5Problems on the RoadHere you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.5-2 Hazard Warning Flasher

yellowblue 5-2Hazard Warning FlashersYour hazard warning flashers let you warn others. Theyalso let police know you have a problem. Your front and

yellowblue 5-3Other Warning DevicesIf you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up atthe side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your

yellowblue 5-4NOTICE:If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with anegative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.2. Get the vehicles close enou

yellowblue 5-5CAUTION:Using a match near a battery can cause batterygas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,and some have been blinded. U

yellowblue iiGENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,OLDSMOBILE, the OLDSMOBILE Rocket Emblemare registered trademarks and the name ALERO is atrademark

yellowblue 1-14Driver PositionThis part describes the driver’s restraint system.Lap-Shoulder BeltThe driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to

yellowblue 5-67. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery.8. Don’t let the other endtou

yellowblue 5-710. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) awayfrom the dead battery, but not near engine parts thatmove. The electrical connec

yellowblue 5-8Towing Your VehicleCAUTION:To help avoid serious personal injury to you or others:Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that isbein

yellowblue 5-9Engine OverheatingYou will find a coolant temperature gage and a lowcoolant warning light on your vehicle’s instrumentpanel. See “En

yellowblue 5-10If No Steam Is Coming From Your EngineIf you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear nosteam, the problem may not be too ser

yellowblue 5-11When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s whatyou’ll see:A. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure CapB. Electric Engine Cooling

yellowblue 5-12The coolant level should be at or above the FULLCOLD mark. If it isn’t, you may have a leak in theradiator hoses, heater hoses, rad

yellowblue 5-13NOTICE:When adding coolant, it is important that you use only DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.If coolant other than DEX-COOL is a

yellowblue 5-14CAUTION:Adding only plain water to your cooling systemcan be dangerous. Plain water, or some otherliquid like alcohol, can boil bef

yellowblue 5-15NOTICE:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack theengine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Souse the recommended coolant.

yellowblue 1-15If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle the belt.Pull up on the

yellowblue 5-162. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, andremove it.3. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the propermixture, to the FULL

yellowblue 5-174. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start theengine and let it run until you can feel the upperradiator hose getting h

yellowblue 5-18If a Tire Goes FlatIt’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,especially if you maintain your tires properly. If ai

yellowblue 5-19The following steps will tell you how to use the jack andchange a tire.Removing the Spare Tire and ToolsThe equipment you’ll needis

yellowblue 5-20Turn the wing nutcounterclockwise andremove it. Then lift off thespacer and remove the spare tire.Remove the jack and wheel wrench

yellowblue 5-21Removing the Flat Tire and Installing theSpare Tire1. Remove the wheel nut caps (you may need to use thewheel wrench to loosen and

yellowblue 5-22CAUTION:Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up isdangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, youcould be badly injured or k

yellowblue 5-237. Remove any rust or dirtfrom the wheel bolts,mounting surfaces andspare wheel.CAUTION:Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts

yellowblue 5-2410. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrenchcounterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.11. Tighten the wheel nutsfirmly in a

yellowblue 5-25NOTICE:Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead tobrake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoidexpensive brake repairs, evenly tighten

yellowblue 1-16The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug onthe hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this appliesforce to the str

yellowblue 5-26A. NutB. Wing NutC. Extension (If Equipped)D. AdapterE. WrenchF. JackG. Tool TrayH. Flat Road TireStoring the Spare Tire and ToolsC

yellowblue 5-27A. NutB. CoverC. Wing NutD. AdapterE. WrenchF. JackG. Spare TireCompact Spare TireAlthough the compact spare tire was fully inflate

yellowblue 5-28NOTICE:When the compact spare is installed, don’t takeyour vehicle through an automatic car wash withguide rails. The compact spare

yellowblue 5-29NOTICE:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of yourvehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheelstoo fast while shifting yo

yellowblue 5-30✍NOTES

6-yellowblue 6-1Section 6 Service and Appearance CareHere you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with servi

yellowblue 6-2ServiceYour dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you tobe happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer forall your service ne

yellowblue 6-3CAUTION:You can be injured and your vehicle could bedamaged if you try to do service work on avehicle without knowing enough about i

yellowblue 6-4If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and youhear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. Butdon’t worry if you hear

yellowblue 6-5NOTICE:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel thatcontains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrodemetal parts in your fuel system and

yellowblue 1-17Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster (4-Door Models)Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder beltadjuster to the height that is right

yellowblue 6-6While refueling, hang the tethered cap inside the fuel door.To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left(counterclockwise). The cap

yellowblue 6-7NOTICE:If you need a new cap, be sure to get the righttype. Your dealer can get one for you. If you getthe wrong type, it may not fi

yellowblue 6-8CAUTION:Things that burn can get on hot engine parts andstart a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,oil, coolant, brake fluid,

yellowblue 6-92.4L L4 (CODE T) EngineWhen you open the hood, you’ll see:A. Engine Coolant Surge TankB. Engine Oil Fill CapC. Engine Oil DipstickD.

yellowblue 6-103400 V6 (CODE E) EngineWhen you open the hood, you’ll see:A. Engine Coolant Surge TankB. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirC. Engine Oi

yellowblue 6-11Engine Oil3400 V6 Engine OnlyIf the LOW OIL light on the instrument panel comes on,it means you need to check your engine oil level

yellowblue 6-123400 V6 EngineThe engine oil dipstick handle is yellow. The dipstick onthe 2.4L L4 engine is located at the rear of the engine.The

yellowblue 6-13NOTICE:Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has somuch oil that the oil level gets above the uppermark that shows the proper oper

yellowblue 6-14What Kind of Engine Oil to UseOils recommended for your vehicle can be identified bylooking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol

yellowblue 6-15As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for yourvehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W-30 if it’s goingto be 0 F (-18 C) or above.

yellowblue 1-18Q: What’s wrong with this?A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearlyas much protection this way.CAUTION:You can be ser

yellowblue 6-16What to Do with Used OilDid you know that used engine oil contains certainelements that may be unhealthy for your skin and couldeve

yellowblue 6-17CAUTION:Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filteroff can cause you or others to be burned. The aircleaner not only cleans th

yellowblue 6-18NOTICE:We recommend you use only fluid labeledDEXRON-III, because fluid with that label ismade especially for your automatic transa

yellowblue 6-19NOTICE:When adding coolant, it is important that you use only DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.If coolant other than DEX-COOL is a

yellowblue 6-20NOTICE:If you use an improper coolant mixture, yourengine could overheat and be badly damaged.The repair cost wouldn’t be covered b

yellowblue 6-21CAUTION:Turning the surge tank pressure cap when theengine and radiator are hot can allow steam andscalding liquids to blow out and

yellowblue 6-22Power Steering FluidWhen to Check Power Steering FluidIt is not necessary to regularly check power steeringfluid unless you suspect

yellowblue 6-23Windshield Washer FluidWhat to UseWhen you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to readthe manufacturer’s instructions before use.

yellowblue 6-24BrakesBrake FluidYour brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver’sside of the engine compartment. It is filled with DOT-3brak

yellowblue 6-25United States CanadaWhen your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brakewarning light will come on. See “Brake System WarningLigh

yellowblue 1-19Q: 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

yellowblue 6-26Brake WearYour vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that makea high-pitched warning sou

yellowblue 6-27Brake AdjustmentEvery time you make a moderate brake stop, your discbrakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate orheavier

yellowblue 6-28Bulb ReplacementHalogen BulbsCAUTION:Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside andcan burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or

yellowblue 6-291. Remove the fasteners and the splash shield. 2. Lift the two speed clips.

yellowblue 6-303. Lift the headlamp assembly forward, out of themounting bracket.4. Twist the bulb assembly retainer counterclockwiseone-sixth of

yellowblue 6-31To check the aim, the vehicle should be properlyprepared as follows:The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectlylevel surfac

yellowblue 6-32Horizontal Aiming Vertical Aiming1. Turn the horizontal aiming screw until the indicatoris lined up with zero.2. Turn the vertical

yellowblue 6-33Turn Signal and Stop/Taillamp Bulb ReplacementA. Parking/Brake LampB. Parking LampC. Turn SignalD. Back up LampE. Parking LampFor t

yellowblue 6-34Windshield Wiper Blade ReplacementWindshield wiper blades should be inspected at leasttwice a year for wear or cracking. See “Wiper

yellowblue 6-35CAUTION:Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous.Overloading your tires can causeoverheating as a result of too mu

yellowblue 1-20Q: 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 c

yellowblue 6-36NOTICE: (Continued)If your tires have too much air (overinflation),you can get the following:Unusual wearBad handlingRough rideNeed

yellowblue 6-37If the anti-lock brake system warning light comes on,the tire pressure monitor system may not be working.See your dealer for servic

yellowblue 6-38Tire Inspection and RotationTires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusualwe

yellowblue 6-39When It’s Time for New TiresOne way to tell when it’stime for new tires is tocheck the treadwearindicators, which willappear when y

yellowblue 6-40CAUTION:Mixing tires could cause you to lose control whiledriving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types(radial and bias-bel

yellowblue 6-41TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating based onthe wear rate of the tire when tested under controlledconditions on a

yellowblue 6-42Wheel Alignment and Tire BalanceThe wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balancedcarefully at the factory to give you the longes

yellowblue 6-43Used Replacement WheelsCAUTION:Putting a used wheel on your vehicle isdangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used orhow far it’s b

yellowblue 6-44Appearance CareRemember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Someare toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike amatch or get

yellowblue 6-45Here are some cleaning tips:Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set

yellowblue 1-21Q: What’s wrong with this?A: The belt is twisted across the body.CAUTION:You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. Ina crash,

yellowblue 6-46Cleaning VinylUse warm water and a clean cloth.Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You may have to do it more than once.Th

yellowblue 6-47Cleaning Glass SurfacesGlass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner or aliquid household glass cleaner will remove normaltobacco

yellowblue 6-48Cleaning the Outside of Your VehicleThe paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depthof color, gloss retention and durability

yellowblue 6-49Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and othersalts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, birddroppings, chemicals

yellowblue 6-50Finish DamageAny stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finishshould be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrodequickl

yellowblue 6-51GM Vehicle Care/Appearance MaterialsPART NUMBER SIZE DESCRIPTION USAGE994954 23 in. x 25 in. Polishing Cloth – Wax Treated Exterior

yellowblue 6-52Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears ona plate in the front corner of the i

yellowblue 6-53Electrical SystemAdd-On Electrical EquipmentNOTICE:Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicleunless you check with your dealer f

yellowblue 6-54Driver’s SideFuse UsageRADIO SW Steering Wheel Radio SwitchesRADIO ACC RadioWIPER Windshield Wiper Motor, Washer PumpTRUNKREL/RFA/R

yellowblue 6-55Passenger’s SideFuse UsageINST LPS Interior Lamp DimmingCRUISE SWLPSSteering Wheel Cruise ControlSwitch LampsCRUISE SW Steering Whe

yellowblue 1-22To 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 t

yellowblue 6-56Engine Compartment Fuse BlockThe engine compartment fuse block is located on thedriver’s side of the engine compartment, near the b

yellowblue 6-57Fuse UsageMaxi-Fuses3) Left-Hand Electrical Center-StopLamps, Hazard Lamps, BodyFunction Control Module, Cluster,Climate Control Sy

yellowblue 6-58Fuse UsageMini-Fuses41) Ignition System42) Back-Up Lamps, Brake TransaxleShift Interlock43) Horn44) Powertrain Control Module45) Pa

yellowblue 6-59Capacities and SpecificationsEngine Crankcase2.4L L4 Engine 4.0 quarts (3.8 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3400 V6 Engine 4.5 quar

yellowblue 6-60Normal Maintenance Replacement PartsAir Cleaner Element2.4L L4 AC Type A-1279C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3400 V6 AC

7-yellowblue 7-1Section 7 Maintenance ScheduleThis section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to

yellowblue 7-2Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your Warranty and Owner Assistance

yellowblue 7-3CAUTION:Performing maintenance work on a vehicle canbe dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you canbe seriously injured. Do your ow

yellowblue 7-4Part A: Scheduled MaintenanceServicesUsing Your Maintenance ScheduleWe at General Motors want to help you keep yourvehicle in good w

yellowblue Scheduled Maintenance7-5The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles(166

yellowblue 1-23The best way to protect the fetus is to protect themother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s morelikely that the fetus won’

Scheduled Maintenanceyellowblue 7-67,500 Miles (12 500 km)Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor. See “Engine

yellowblue Scheduled Maintenance7-730,000 Miles (50 000 km)Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor. See “Engin

Scheduled Maintenanceyellowblue 7-845,000 Miles (75 000 km)Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor. See “Engin

yellowblue Scheduled Maintenance7-952,500 Miles (87 500 km)Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor. See “Engin

Scheduled Maintenanceyellowblue 7-1067,500 Miles (112 500 km)Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor. See “Eng

yellowblue Scheduled Maintenance7-1190,000 Miles (150 000 km)Check Oil Life Monitor. If engine oil and filter are changed, reset monitor. See “Eng

Scheduled Maintenanceyellowblue 7-12100,000 Miles (166 000 km)Inspect spark plug wires (except 2.4L Code T L4 engine). An Emission Control Service

yellowblue 7-13Part B: Owner Checks and ServicesListed in this part are owner checks and services whichshould be performed at the intervals specif

yellowblue 7-14At Least Twice a YearRestraint System CheckMake sure the safety belt reminder light and all yourbelts, buckles, latch plates, retra

yellowblue 7-15Starter Switch CheckCAUTION:When you are doing this check, the vehicle couldmove suddenly. If it does, you or others could beinjure

yellowblue iiiHow to Use this ManualMany people read their owner’s manual from beginningto end when they first receive their new vehicle. If youdo

yellowblue 1-24CAUTION:Air bags inflate with great force, faster than theblink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflatingair bag, as you would

yellowblue 7-16Ignition Transaxle Lock CheckWhile parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turnthe ignition key to OFF in each shift lever p

yellowblue 7-17Part C: Periodic MaintenanceInspectionsListed in this part are inspections and services whichshould be performed at least twice a y

yellowblue 7-18Part D: Recommended Fluids andLubricantsNOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,part number or specification may be ob

yellowblue 7-19Part E: Maintenance RecordAfter the scheduled services are performed, record thedate, odometer reading and who performed the servic

yellowblue 7-20Maintenance RecordDATEODOMETERREADINGSERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED

8-yellowblue 8-1Section 8 Customer Assistance InformationHere you will find out how to contact Oldsmobile if you need assistance. This section als

yellowblue 8-2Customer Satisfaction ProcedureYour satisfaction and goodwill are important to yourdealer and to Oldsmobile. Normally, any concerns

yellowblue 8-3STEP TWO -- If after contacting a member of dealership management, it appears your concern cannot beresolved by the dealership witho

yellowblue 8-4The BBB Auto Line Program is an out of court programadministered by the Council of Better Business Bureaus tosettle automotive dispu

yellowblue 8-5CanadaGeneral Motors of Canada LimitedCustomer Communication Centre, 163-0051908 Colonel Sam DriveOshawa, Ontario L1H 8P71-800-263-3

yellowblue 1-25There is an air bag readinesslight on the instrumentpanel, which shows the air bag symbol.The system checks the air bag electrical

yellowblue 8-6Oldsmobile Roadside AssistanceProgram Features and BenefitsSecurity While You Travel1-800-442-OLDS (6537)As the proud owner of a new

yellowblue 8-7In some cases, where service is impractical, the drivermay be authorized to obtain other service for whichreimbursement is provided.

yellowblue 8-8Plan Ahead When PossibleWhen your vehicle requires warranty service, youshould contact your dealer and request an appointment.By sch

yellowblue 8-9Additional Program InformationCourtesy Transportation is available during theBumper-to-Bumper warranty coverage period, but it is no

yellowblue 8-10REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTSTO THE UNITED STATESGOVERNMENTIf you believe that your vehicle has a defect which couldcause a crash or cou

yellowblue 8-11REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTSTO GENERAL MOTORSIn addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada)in a situation like this, we certainly

yellowblue 8-12CURRENT PUBLICATIONS FOR 1999 OLDSMOBILESERVICE MANUALSService Manuals have the diagnosis and repair informationon engines, transmi

yellowblue 8-13PUBLICATION FORMNUMBEROrders will be mailed within 10 days of receipt. Please allow adequate time for postalservice. If further inf

yellowblue 8-14✍NOTES

9-yellowblue 9-1Section 9 IndexAccessory Power Outlets 2-48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your

yellowblue 1-26The right front passenger’s air bag is in the instrumentpanel on the passenger’s side.CAUTION:If something is between an occupant a

yellowblue 9-2Brake (Continued)System Warning Light 2-56, 6-25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trailer 4-38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

yellowblue 9-3Compact Disc Care 3-24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compact Disc Player 3-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

yellowblue 9-4Engine (Continued)Overheating 5-9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Running While Parked 2-30. . .

yellowblue 9-5Ignition Positions 2-15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ignition Transaxle Lock Check 7-16. . . . . . . .

yellowblue 9-6Locks 2-4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cylinders 7-14. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

yellowblue 9-7Passenger Position 1-23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Passing 4-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

yellowblue 9-8Safety Belts (Continued)Extender 1-54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to Wear Properly 1-

yellowblue 9-9Steering 4-11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . In Emergencies 4-12. . . . . . . . . . . .

yellowblue 9-10Trailer (Continued)Hitches 4-37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maintenance When Towing 4

yellowblue 1-27In any particular crash, no one can say whether an air bagshould have inflated simply because of the damage to avehicle or because

yellowblue 1-28In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.Additional windshield breakage ma

yellowblue 1-29Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped VehicleAir bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.There are parts of the air bag system in

yellowblue 1-30Lap-Shoulder BeltThe positions next to the windows have lap-shoulderbelts. Here’s how to wear one properly.1. Pick up the latch pla

yellowblue 1-313. 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

yellowblue 1-32CAUTION:You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt istoo loose. In a crash, you would move forwardtoo much, which could increa

yellowblue 1-331. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge ofthe seatback and the interior body to remove theguide from its storage clip.2.

yellowblue ivVehicle Damage WarningsAlso in this book you will find these notices:NOTICE:These mean there is something that coulddamage your vehic

yellowblue 1-343. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guideon top.4. Buckle, po

yellowblue 1-35To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze thebelt edges together so that you can take them out fromthe guides. Pull the guide

yellowblue 1-36To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown untilthe belt is snug.Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lapp

yellowblue 1-37CAUTION:Smaller children and babies should always berestrained in a child or infant restraint. Theinstructions for the restraint wi

yellowblue 1-38CAUTION:Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in avehicle. A baby doesn’t weigh much -- until acrash. During a crash a baby w

yellowblue 1-39Child RestraintsEvery time infants and young children ride in vehicles,they should have protection provided by appropriate restrain

yellowblue 1-40A rear-facing infant restraint (B) positions an infantto face the rear of the vehicle. Rear-facing infantrestraints are designed fo

yellowblue 1-41A forward-facing child restraint (C-E) positions a child upright to face forward in the vehicle. These forward-facing restraints ar

yellowblue 1-42A booster seat (F, G) is designed for children whoare about 40 to 60 lbs., or even up to 80 lbs. (18 to 27 kg, or even up to 36 kg)

yellowblue 1-43When choosing a child restraint, be sure the childrestraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, itwill have a label sayi

yellowblue vFor example,these symbolsare used on anoriginal battery:CAUTIONPOSSIBLEINJURYPROTECTEYES BYSHIELDINGCAUSTICBATTERYACID COULDCAUSEBURNS

yellowblue 1-44Top StrapCanadian law requires that forward-facing childrestraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored.If your child r

yellowblue 1-45Securing a Child Restraint in a RearOutside Seat PositionYou’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier partabout the top s

yellowblue 1-463. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if you ever h

yellowblue 1-47To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’ssafety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety beltwill move free

yellowblue 1-484. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if you ever h

yellowblue 1-49CAUTION:A child in a rear-facing child restraint can beseriously injured or killed if the right frontpassenger’s air bag inflates,

yellowblue 1-504. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle thesafety belt quickly if you ever h

yellowblue 1-51Larger ChildrenChildren who have outgrown child restraints shouldwear the vehicle’s safety belts.If you have the choice, a child sh

yellowblue 1-52CAUTION:Never do this.Here two children are wearing the same belt. Thebelt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In acrash, the

yellowblue 1-53CAUTION:Never do this.Here a child is sitting in a seat that has alap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behindthe child. If t

yellowblue vi✍NOTES

yellowblue 1-54Safety Belt ExtenderIf the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, youshould use it.But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to

2-yellowblue 2-1Section 2 Features and ControlsHere you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information o

yellowblue 2-2KeysCAUTION:Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignitionkey is dangerous for many reasons. A child orothers could be badly injure

yellowblue 2-3One key is used for theignition and all locks.When a new vehicle is delivered, the key has abar-coded key tag. This tag may be remov

yellowblue 2-4Door LocksCAUTION:Unlocked doors can be dangerous.Passengers -- especially children -- can easilyopen the doors and fall out. When a

yellowblue 2-5Power Door LocksWith the power door locks, you can unlock or lock all ofthe doors of your vehicle from the driver or frontpassenger

yellowblue 2-6Mode 2: This mode is only available with the remotelock control transmitter. All doors automatically lockwhen the transaxle is shift

yellowblue 2-7Rear Door Security Locks (4-Door Models)Your vehicle is equippedwith rear door securitylocks that help preventpassengers from openin

yellowblue 2-8This feature cannot guarantee that you will never belocked out of your vehicle. If you don’t leave the keys inthe ignition, if you u

yellowblue 2-9This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not c

1-yellowblue 1-1Section 1 Seats and Restraint SystemsHere you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts

yellowblue 2-10Programmable Horn ChirpWhen you use the remote lock control transmitter tolock the doors or use the delayed locking feature thepark

yellowblue 2-11To replace the battery in the remote lock control transmitter:1. Use a small coin or flathead screwdriver to separatethe bottom hal

yellowblue 2-12TrunkCAUTION:It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lidopen because carbon monoxide (CO) gas cancome into your vehicle. You ca

yellowblue 2-13Remote Trunk Release LockoutYour trunk release is equipped with a lockout feature tohelp prevent unauthorized entry into the trunk

yellowblue 2-14Parking at NightPark in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock yourvehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.Put th

yellowblue 2-15New Vehicle “Break-In”NOTICE:Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate“break-in.” But it will perform better in the longrun if you fol

yellowblue 2-16With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turnthe switch to four positions.OFF (A): Before you put the key into the ign

yellowblue 2-17Starting Your EngineMove your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s asafet

yellowblue 2-183. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but thenstops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.Try pushing your accelera

yellowblue 2-193. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but thenstops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.Try this:Wait 15 seconds

yellowblue 1-2Seats and Seat ControlsThis section tells you about the seats -- how to adjust them -- and also about reclining seatbacks andhead re

yellowblue 2-20Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)2.4L L4 Engine3400 V6 EngineIn very cold weather, 0 F (-18 C) or colder, the enginecoolant heate

yellowblue 2-21To Use the Engine Coolant Heater1. Turn off the engine.2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. Onthe 2.4L L4 engine, the e

yellowblue 2-22Automatic Transaxle OperationYour automatic transaxlehas a shift lever located on the console between the seats.PARK (P): This lock

yellowblue 2-23Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) beforestarting the engine. Your vehicle has a Brake-TransaxleShift Interlock (BTSI). Yo

yellowblue 2-24AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is fornormal driving. If you need more power for passing, and you’re:Going less than 35 mph

yellowblue 2-25NOTICE:Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles (41 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (88 km/h), or you can damage your transax

yellowblue 2-26Parking BrakeTo set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedaldown with your right foot. Pull up on the parking brakehandle. I

yellowblue 2-27Shifting Into PARK (P)CAUTION:It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle ifthe shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with thepar

yellowblue 2-28Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine RunningCAUTION:It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with theengine running. Your vehicle

yellowblue 2-29CAUTION: (Continued)can move suddenly. You or others could beinjured. If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing aTrailer” in the Ind

yellowblue 1-3Power Lift Seat-Forward/RearwardControls (If Equipped)Move the control lever under the front of the seat tounlock it. Slide the seat

yellowblue 2-30Engine ExhaustCAUTION:Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gascarbon monoxide (CO), which you can’t see orsmell. It can cause u

yellowblue 2-31CAUTION:It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle ifthe shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with theparking brake firmly set.

yellowblue 2-32Auto-Down SwitchThe driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.This switch is labeled AUTO. Push the top of the switchpartway,

yellowblue 2-33Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverThe lever on the left side of the steering columnincludes your:Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator

yellowblue 2-34As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flashrapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and otherdrivers won’t see your

yellowblue 2-35For steady wiping at low speed, move the stalk up to theLO position. For high-speed wiping, move the stalk upfurther, to HI. To sto

yellowblue 2-36CAUTION:In freezing weather, don’t use your washer untilthe windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washerfluid can form ice on the win

yellowblue 2-37CAUTION:Cruise control can be dangerous where youcan’t drive safely at a steady speed. So,don’t use your cruise control on windingr

yellowblue 2-38Resuming a Set SpeedSuppose you set your cruise control at a desired speedand then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts offt

yellowblue 2-39Using Cruise Control on HillsHow well your cruise control will work on hills dependsupon your speed, load and the steepness of the