Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Owner's Manuals

6-34
Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb to use, see ªReplacement Bulbsº in
the Index. For any bulb changing procedure not listed in
this section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
1. Lift up on the two retaining clips which secure the
headlamp assembly.
2. Lift the headlamp assembly forward, out of the
mounting bracket.
3. Remove the rubber cap covering the bulb assembly.
4. Turn the bulb assembly retainer counterclockwise
one
-sixth of a turn and pull out the bulb assembly.
5. Unclip the bulb assembly from the wiring harness.
6. Replace the bulb.
7. Reverse Steps 1 through 5 to reinstall the bulb
assembly and headlamp housing.

6-35
Headlamp Aiming
Your vehicle has a headlamp system equipped with
horizontal and vertical aim indicators. The aim has been
pre
-set at the factory and should need no further
adjustment. This is true even though your vertical
and horizontal aim indicators may not fall exactly on
the ª0º (zero) marks on their scales.
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. Aim adjustment may be necessary
if it is difficult to see lane markers (for horizontal aim),
or if oncoming drivers flash their high beams at you (for
vertical aim). If you believe your headlamps need to be
re
-aimed, we recommend that you take it to your dealer
for service; however, it is possible for you to re
-aim
your headlamps as described in the following procedure.
NOTICE:
To make sure your headlamps are aimed
properly, read all the instructions before
beginning. Failure to follow these instructions
could cause damage to headlamp parts.
To check the aim, the vehicle should be properly
prepared as follows:

The vehicle must have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface.

If necessary, pads may be used on an uneven surface.

The vehicle should not have any snow, ice or mud
attached to it.

The vehicle should be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp aiming is being done.

There should not be any cargo or loading of the
vehicle, except it should have a full tank of fuel and
one person or 160 lbs. (75 kg) on the driver's seat.

Close all doors.

Tires should be properly inflated.

Rock the vehicle to stabilize the suspension.

6-36
Start with the
horizontal aim. The
adjustment screws
can be turned with an
E8 Torx

socket.
Once the horizontal aim is adjusted, then adjust the
vertical aim.
Horizontal Aiming Vertical Aiming
1. Turn the horizontal aiming screw until the indicator
is lined up with zero.
2. Turn the vertical aiming screw until the level bubble
is lined up with zero.

6-37 Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.
2. Turn the bulb assembly retainer and pull out
the bulb.
3. Unclip the bulb assembly from the wiring harness.
4. When replacing the bulb, be sure to properly align
the bulb with the locating feature in the assembly.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the bulb
assembly.
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp
1. Open the trunk lid and locate the center
high
-mounted stop lamp on the inside of the lid.
2. Use a tool to remove the three screws.
3. Gently remove and replace the bulb(s).
4. Reverse this procedure to reassemble the lamp.

6-38 Rear Turn Signal and Stop/Taillamps
A. Taillamp
B. Tail/Brake Lamp
C. Taillamp
D. Turn Signal
E. Back
-Up Lamp1. Disconnect the cargo net in the trunk.
2. Pull back the trunk trim.
3. Remove the three wing nut bolts which fasten the
taillamp lens to the vehicle.
4. Carefully remove the taillamp lens from the body
and avoid scratching the paint or dropping it.
5. Turn the bulb socket 1/6 of a turn counterclockwise
and pull out the bulb assembly.
6. To remove a bulb, gently pull the bulb out from the
socket. Put in a new bulb.
7. Reverse Steps 3 through 5 to reassemble
the taillamp.

6-39
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected at least
twice a year for wear or cracking. See ªWiper Blade
Checkº in the Index for more information.
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. Here's how to remove the
wiper blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.
2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
toward the driver's side of the vehicle.
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.
For the proper type and size, see ªCapacities and
Specificationsº in the Index.

6-40
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Oldsmobile Warranty booklet for details.
CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.

Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air
-out and a serious
accident. See ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinflated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.

Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.

6-41 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
rear edge of the driver's door, shows the correct
inflation pressures for your tires when they're cold.
ªColdº means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:

Too much flexing

Too much heat

Tire overloading

Bad wear

Bad handling

Bad fuel economy
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:

Unusual wear

Bad handling

Rough ride

Needless damage from road hazards
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at 60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.

6-42 Tire Pressure Monitor System (If Equipped)
The tire pressure monitor system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire. The system ªlearnsº
the pressure at each tire throughout the operating speed
range of your vehicle. The system normally takes
between 45 and 90 minutes of driving to learn the tire
pressures. This time may be longer depending on your
individual driving habits. Learning need not be
accumulated during a single trip. Once learned, the
system will remember the tire pressures until the system
is reset.
After the system has learned tire pressures with properly
inflated tires, the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light will
come on if the pressure in one tire becomes 12 psi
(83 kPa) lower than the other three tires. The tire
pressure monitor system won't alert you if the pressure
in more than one tire is low, if the system is not properly
calibrated, or if the vehicle is moving at less than
15 mph (25 km/h), faster than 75 mph (120 km/h), on
rough roads or during turns. The light may also come on
if you are driving on partially cleared pavement or on
gravel roads.The tire pressure monitor system detects differences in
tire rotation speeds that are caused by changes in tire
pressure. The system can alert you about a low
tire
-- but it doesn't replace normal tire maintenance.
See ªTiresº in the Index.
If the anti
-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the tire pressure monitor system may not be working.
See your dealer for service. Also, see ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.
When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light comes on, you
should stop as soon as you can and check all your tires
for damage. If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in
the Index. Also check the tire pressure in all four tires as
soon as you can. See ªInflation
- Tire Pressureº in
the Index.
The light will come on and stay on, when the ignition is
ON, until the tire pressure condition is corrected and
you RESET the system. The light may come on and then
go out when driving on partially cleared pavement or on
gravel roads. Under these conditions, you do not need to
reset the tire pressure monitor.

6-43
Don't reset the tire pressure monitor system without first
correcting the cause of the problem and checking and
adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset the
system when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system
will not work properly and may not alert you when a tire
is low.
Any time you adjust a tire's pressure, rotate your tires,
have one or more tires repaired or replaced, or when any
work is done on your vehicle where tires are removed
you'll need to reset (calibrate) the tire pressure monitor
system. You'll also need to reset the system whenever
you buy new tires and whenever the vehicle's battery
has been disconnected.
To reset (calibrate) the system:
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (engine not running).
2. Press and release the RESET button located inside of
the driver's side instrument panel fuse block. See
ªInstrument Panel Fuse Blockº in the Index.
The CHANGE OIL light will begin to flash.
3. Press and release the RESET button again.
The CHANGE OIL light will go off, and the LOW
TIRE PRESSURE light will start flashing.4. When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light is
flashing, press and hold the RESET button until the
chime sounds.
If the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light doesn't go off,
repeat the procedure. If the LOW TIRE PRESSURE
light still remains on, see your dealer for service.
The system completes the calibration process
during driving.
The system normally takes 15 to 20 minutes of driving
in each of three speed ranges to ªlearnº tire pressures.
The speed ranges are 15 to 40 mph (25 to 65 km/h),
40 to 65 mph (65 to 105 km/h) and above 65 mph
(105 km/h). When learning is complete, the system will
alert you after two to eight minutes if a tire is 12 psi
(83 kPa) different from the other three tires. Detection
thresholds may be higher and detection times may be
longer on rough roads, curves and at high speeds. The
system is not capable of detection at speeds greater than
75 mph (120 km/h).