battery OLDSMOBILE ALERO 1999 Owner's Manual

6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-7 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-7 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-17 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-18 Thermostat
6
-18 Engine Coolant
6
-22 Power Steering Fluid
6
-23 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-24 Brakes
6
-27 Battery6
-28 Bulb Replacement
6
-34 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-34 Tires
6
-44 Appearance Care
6
-44 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-46 Care of Safety Belts
6
-48 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-50 Finish Damage
6
-51 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-52 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-53 Electrical System
6
-58 Replacement Bulbs
6
-59 Capacities and Specifications
6
-59 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-60 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
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6-9 2.4L L4 (CODE T) Engine
When you open the hood, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Power Steering Fluid ReservoirE. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Air Cleaner/Filter
G. Battery
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
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6-10 3400 V6 (CODE E) Engine
When you open the hood, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap
D. Engine Oil DipstickE. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Air Cleaner/Filter
G. Battery
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
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6-27 Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or
heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly. If
you drive in that way, then
-- very carefully -- make a few
moderate brake stops about every 1,000 miles (1 600 km),
so your brakes will adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top
-quality GM brake
parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don't, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you've come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with an ACDelco Freedom

battery. When it's time for a new battery, we recommend
an ACDelco Freedom battery. Get one that has the
replacement number shown on the original
battery's label.
Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more,
remove the black, negative (
-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.
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6-37
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 until you turn off the
ignition or press the RESET button.
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,
or have one or more tires repaired or replaced, 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, turn the ignition switch
to ON (engine not running). The RESET button is
located inside of the driver's side instrument fuse panel.
Press and release the RESET button.
The CHANGE OIL light will begin to flash. Press and
release the RESET button again. The CHANGE OIL
light will go off, and the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light
will start flashing. 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 then, 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 2
-8 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).
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6-56
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver's side of the engine compartment, near
the battery.
Fuse Usage
Maxi
-Fuses
1) Ignition Switch
2) Left
-Hand Electrical
Center
-Power Seats, Power
Mirrors, Door Locks, Trunk
Release, Audio Amplifier, Remote
Lock Control
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9-1
Section 9 Index
A
ccessory Power Outlets 2-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle 6-3 . . . . . .
Adjuster, Seat 1-2, 1-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag 1-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Does it Restrain 1-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How it Works 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Location 1-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Readiness Light 1-25, 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Servicing 1-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Makes it Inflate 1-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Will You See After it Inflates 1-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When Should it Inflate 1-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag Readiness Light 1-25, 2-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner 6-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerants 6-59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance, Tire 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antenna, Backglass 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antifreeze 6-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light 2-57, 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes 2-57, 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Theft, Radio 3-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appearance Care 6-44, 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arbitration Program 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Equipment, Adding 2-16, 3-22, 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Audio Systems 3
-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auto-Down Window 2-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Light Control 2-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid 6
-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation 2-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Park Mechanism Check 7-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting 2-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Backing Up with a Trailer 4-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery 6-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump Starting 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement, Remote Lock Control 2-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saver 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warnings 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BBB Auto Line 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before Leaving on a Long Trip 4-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Better Business Bureau Mediation 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blizzard 4-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake
Adjustment 6
-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Master Cylinder 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pedal Travel 6-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing System Parts 6-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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9-3
Compact Disc Care 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Player 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Player Care 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare Tire 5-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convenience Net 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside Mirror 2-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater, Engine 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surge Tank 5-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surge Tank Pressure Cap 6-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What to Use 6-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System 5-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Transportation 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Control 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Light 2-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users 8-4 . . . . . . . . .
Customer Assistance Information 8-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Assistance Offices 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Satisfaction Procedure 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Finish 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage, Sheet Metal 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Daytime Running Lamps 2-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dead Battery 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defects, Reporting Safety 8-10, 8-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive Driving 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defogger, Rear Window 3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defogging 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defrosting 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions, Vehicle 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dolby B Noise Reduction 3-12, 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dome Lamp 2
-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive, Automatic Over 2-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Position 1-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving
City 4
-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defensive 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Freeway 4-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In a Blizzard 4-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Foreign Countries 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In the Rain 4-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Night 4-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Curves 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Grades While Towing a Trailer 4-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Hill and Mountain Roads 4-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Snow and Ice 4-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Through Water 4-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wet Roads 4-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter 4-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
With a Trailer 4-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drunken Driving 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical Equipment, Adding 2-19 2-48, 3-22, 6-53 . . . . . .
Electrical System 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine 6-9, 6-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Heater 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Level Check 7-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gage 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust 2-12, 2-30, 4-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse Block 6-56, 6-57, 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Level Check 7-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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