OLDSMOBILE ALERO 1999 Repair Manual

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Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-8 Remote Lock Control (If Equipped)
2
-12 Trunk
2
-13 Theft
2
-14 Passlock

2-15 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-15 Ignition Switch
2
-17 Starting Your Engine
2
-20 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-22 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-26 Parking Brake
2
-27 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-29 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-29 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-30 Engine Exhaust
2
-30 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-31 Windows
2
-32 Tilt Wheel
2
-33 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-39 Exterior Lamps
2
-42 Interior Lamps
2
-44 Mirrors
2
-46 Storage Compartments
2
-47 Ashtray and Lighter (If Equipped)
2
-48 Sun Visors
2
-48 Auxiliary Power Accessory Outlet
2
-49 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
-50 Instrument Panel
2
-54 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
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Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.
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One key is used for the
ignition and all locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the key has a
bar
-coded key tag. This tag may be removed by your
dealer before it is delivered.
Each tag has a key code on it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
tag in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be able
to have one made easily using this tag. If you need a
new key, go to your dealer for the correct key code. In
an emergency, call the Oldsmobile Roadside Assistance
Center at 1
-800-442-OLDS (6537). (In Canada, call
1
-800-268-6800.)
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft, therefore you can have a
lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you
have extra keys.
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Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.From the outside, use your key or remote lock control
system, if your vehicle is equipped with this feature.
From the inside, you can lock the door by pushing the
locking lever forward.
To unlock the door, pull the locking lever rearward.
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2-5 Power Door Locks
With the power door locks, you can unlock or lock all of
the doors of your vehicle from the driver or front
passenger door lock switch.
Push the top of the switch to unlock all of the doors.
Push the bottom of the switch to lock all of the doors.
Automatic Door Locks
Just close your doors and turn on the ignition. All of the
doors will lock when you move your shift lever out of
PARK (P) to REVERSE (R). If someone needs to get
out while the vehicle is running, have that person use the
manual or the power door lock. When the door is closed
again, it will lock automatically when the vehicle
reaches about 5 mph (8 km/h). All doors will
automatically unlock when the shift lever is moved to
PARK (P) and when the key is turned to OFF.
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
Programmable Automatic Door Locks is a standard
feature intended to provide enhanced security and
convenience by automatically locking and unlocking the
doors. The automatic locking and unlocking of the doors
will occur if the ignition key is turned to ON and the
driver's door is closed when the vehicle is shifted out of
PARK (P). One of four operating modes may be selected
and programmed by the driver:

Mode 1: All doors automatically lock when the
transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). The doors will
remain locked unless manually unlocked or the lock
button is pressed. All doors will unlock when the
transaxle is shifted into PARK (P) and the key is
turned to OFF.
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Mode 2: This mode is only available with the remote
lock control transmitter. All doors automatically lock
when the transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P).
Automatic driver's door only unlock when the
transaxle is shifted into PARK(P) and the key is
turned to OFF.

Mode 3: All doors automatically lock when the
transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). No automatic
door unlock.

Mode 4: No automatic door lock or unlock.
The Programmable Automatic Door Locks will be in
operating mode 1 when the vehicle is shipped from
the factory.
Disconnecting the vehicle battery for up to one year will
not change the programmed mode of the Programmable
Automatic Door Locks.
The operating mode of the Programmable Automatic
Door Locks will be changed when the driver performs
the following sequence with the doors closed and the
vehicle's ignition key is turned to ON.
To change the mode:
1. Press and hold LOCK on the power door lock switch
for 10 seconds.2. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is in.
You can change the mode by pressing and holding
LOCK on the power door lock switch (two chimes
for mode 2, three chimes for mode 3 and four chimes
for mode 4).
3. Repeat Step 1 until you hear the number of chimes
that matches the mode you want.
The mode you selected is now set.
Delayed Locking
The Delayed Locking feature is standard and makes it
easier to use your power door locks at any time either
manually or with the power door lock switches.
When the driver leaves the vehicle and pushes the power
door lock switch to LOCK, three chimes will be heard.
The doors will not lock. Seven seconds after the driver's
door has been closed, all of the doors will lock, the
lamps will flash and the horn will chirp.
If the driver opens another door before the seven
seconds, the doors will not lock until seven seconds after
the last door is closed.
If the power door lock switch is pressed to LOCK twice
when leaving the vehicle, the doors will lock immediately.
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2-7 Rear Door Security Locks (4-Door Models)
Your vehicle is equipped
with rear door security
locks that help prevent
passengers from opening
the rear doors of your
vehicle from the inside.
The switch is located on the inside of the rear door.
To use the security locks:
1. Move the switch up.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing on the other rear door.
The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from
the inside when this feature is in use. If you want to
open a rear door when the security lock is on:
1. Unlock the door from the inside.
2. Then open the door from the outside.If you don't cancel the security lock feature, adults or
older children who ride in the rear won't be able to open
the rear door from the inside. You should let adults and
older children know how these security locks work, and
how to cancel the locks.
To cancel the rear door lock:
1. Unlock the door from the inside and open it from
the outside.
2. Move the switch down.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
The rear doors will now work normally.
Anti-Lockout Protection
Anti-Lockout Protection is a standard feature intended
to provide enhanced security and convenience. This
feature prevents a driver who has left the keys in the
ignition from locking the doors using the power door
locks while any door is open.
To override this feature, when the key is in the ignition
and a door is open, hold the power door lock switch in
the lock position for three seconds.
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This feature cannot guarantee that you will never be
locked out of your vehicle. If you don't leave the keys in
the ignition, if you use the manual door lock, or if you
use the remote lock control transmitter (if equipped),
you could still lock your keys inside your vehicle.
Always remember to take your keys with you.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving your vehicle, open your door and set
the locks from the inside, then get out and close
the door.
Remote Lock Control (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your trunk from about 3 feet (1 m)
up to 30 feet (9 m) away using the remote lock control
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.Your remote lock control operates on a radio frequency
subject to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
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This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer to
your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:

Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization is necessary. See the instructions
that follow.

Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.

Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or
right, hold the transmitter higher, and try again.

If you're still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.Operation
The following functions are available with the remote
lock control system:
LOCK: All doors will automatically lock when the
LOCK button on the transmitter is pressed. The interior
lamps will turn off after all of the doors are closed.
UNLOCK: The driver's door will unlock automatically
when the UNLOCK button on the transmitter is pressed.
If the UNLOCK button is pressed again within five
seconds, all remaining doors will unlock. The interior
lamps will stay on for 10 seconds or until the ignition is
turned on.
Trunk Release: The trunk will unlock anytime when the
button with the vehicle symbol on the transmitter is
pressed, the trunk lockout is not engaged and the gear
selector is in PARK (P) or the parking brake is engaged.
The interior lamps will come on for 10 seconds or until
the ignition switch is turned to ON.
Horn Symbol: The horn will sound and the headlamps
and taillamps will flash for up to one minute when the
horn symbol on the transmitter is pressed. This can be
turned off by pressing the horn symbol button again or
by turning the ignition to ON.
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Programmable Horn Chirp
When you use the remote lock control transmitter to
lock the doors or use the delayed locking feature the
parking lamps will flash and the horn will chirp.
The programmable horn chirp can be disabled by
pressing and holding either of the door lock switches in
the unlock position for 10 seconds with the ignition ON
and all of the doors closed. When you hear the horn
chirp, programming is complete.
To reactivate the horn chirp feature, repeat the
above procedure.
Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each remote lock control transmitter is coded to prevent
another transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your dealer. Remember to bring any
remaining transmitters with you when you go to your
dealer. When the dealer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock your
vehicle. Each vehicle can have only four transmitters
matched to it.You can match your transmitter to as many
1999 General Motors vehicles as you own, as long as
they have the same remote lock control system.
Contact your dealer for assistance with this.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your remote lock
control transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter won't
work at the normal range in any location. If you have to
get close to your vehicle before the transmitter works,
it's probably time to change the battery.
NOTICE:
When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your
body transferred to these surfaces may damage
the transmitter.
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