Oldsmobile Alero 2004 Owner's Manuals

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield. Second, adjust the angle of
the mirror, by moving the mirror to a position that allows
you to see out of the back window.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, move the
lever toward you to the night position. To return the mirror
to the daytime position, move the lever away from you.
Outside Remote Control Mirror
The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you
can see a little of the side of your vehicle when you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Adjust the driver’s outside mirror with the control lever
on the driver’s door.
To adjust your passenger’s mirror, sit in the driver’s seat
and have a passenger adjust the mirror for you.
Outside Power Mirrors
If your vehicle has power
mirrors these controls are
located on the driver’s door.
First move the selector switch left or right depending on
which mirror you want to adjust. Then use the arrows
on the control pad to move the mirror in the desired
direction.
2-33

Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open, pull the glove box latch toward you.
Cupholder(s)
Pull down the door on the rear of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholders.
2-34

Center Console Storage Area
The center console has two separate storage areas. To
open, pull up on the lid.
Sunroof
If your vehicle has this feature, the switch is located on
the headliner between the sun visors. The sunroof
will only operate while the ignition is in ON.
The sunroof can be opened to a vent position or it can
be express-opened all of the way.
To open the sunroof to the vent position, you must first
open the sunshade by hand. Then push the switch
back and release it.
To fully open the sunroof, push the switch back again
and release it.In both the vent and fully open positions, the air flow
can be adjusted for driving comfort by pushing and
holding the switch forward until the sunroof moves to
the desired position.
To close the sunroof, push the switch forward and hold
it until the sunroof is closed. The sunroof will stop if
the switch is released during operation. Close the
sunshade by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an electrical failure.
Notice:If you force the sunshade forward of the
sliding glass panel, damage will occur and the
sunroof may not open or close properly. Always
close the glass panel before closing the sunshade.
2-35

✍NOTES
2-36

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-6
Windshield Wiper Lever...................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-18
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-19
Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-26
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-26
Charging System Light..................................3-27
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-28
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-28
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-29
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-30
Enhanced Traction System Active Light............3-31
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-31
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-32Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-32
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-35
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-36
Security Light...............................................3-37
Cruise Control Light......................................3-37
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.....................3-37
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-38
Fuel Gage...................................................3-38
Audio System(s).............................................3-39
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-39
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS).........................................3-40
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-40
Radio with CD (Up Level)..............................3-45
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-55
Theft-Deterrent Feature
(RDS Radios)...........................................3-67
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-67
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-67
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-68
Care of Your CD Player................................3-68
Backglass Antenna.......................................3-69
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(48 Contiguous US States).........................3-69
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-69
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Instrument Panel Overview
3-2

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks. SeeFuses and
Circuit Breakers on page 5-90.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-24.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-39.
F. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-19.
G. Side Window Defogger Vent. See “Defogging and
Defrosting” inClimate Control System on page 3-19.
H. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). See “Fog Lamps”
inExterior Lamps on page 3-14.
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel. See
“Instrument Panel Brightness” inInterior Lamps on
page 3-16.J. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
K. Hood Release Handle. SeeHood Release on
page 5-10.
L. Cruise Control Switches (If Equipped). SeeCruise
Control on page 3-10.
M. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-5.
N. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-17.
O. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. SeeWindshield
Wiper Lever on page 3-9.
P. Enhanced Traction System Button (If Equipped).
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9.
Q. Transaxle Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-22.
R. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-27.
S. Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power Outlet. See
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-19.
T. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlets on page 3-18.
3-3

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.The hazard warning
flasher is located near the
center of the instrument
panel.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work.
3-4

Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your
vehicle.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol on
your steering wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level to
give your legs more room when you exit and enter
your vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever
toward you. Then move the wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.
3-5

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
•Turn and Lane-Change Signals
•Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
•Flash-to-Pass
•Exterior Lamps Control
For information on the exterior lamps, seeExterior
Lamps on page 3-14.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
3-6