instrument panel Oldsmobile Alero 2000 s User Guide

2-35 Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
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.To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
flash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won't see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned
-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index).
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps
from low beam to high
beam, push on the turn
signal/multifunction lever
all of the way forward.
Then release it.
If the ignition is on and the high beams are on, a light on
the instrument panel cluster also will be on.

2-39
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Press the cruise control ON OFF button. The indicator
light above the button will turn on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the CST SET button and release it. The CRUISE
light on the instrument panel cluster will come on.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it. Once
you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can
press the cruise control RES ACCL button for about
half a second.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you press the RES ACCL button longer than
half a second, the vehicle will keep going faster until
you release the button or apply the brake. So unless
you want to go faster, don't hold down the RES
ACCL button.

2-41
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this
to be too much trouble and don't use cruise control
on steep hills.
Ending Out of Cruise Control
There are five ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step on the brake pedal.

Press the cruise control CANCEL button.

Press the cruise control RES ACCL button and
the CST SET buttons at the same time.

Press the cruise control ON OFF button. The
indicator light above the cruise control button will
turn off.

Push the clutch pedal if you have a manual transaxle.
Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.Exterior Lamps
Turn the turn signal lever end cap up one position to
turn on your:

Parking Lamps

Side Marker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

2-42
Turn the turn signal lever end cap up two positions to
turn on your:

Headlamps

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Turn the switch to OFF to turn all of the lamps off.
Lamps On Reminder
If you turn off the ignition and open the driver's
door while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a
warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your high
-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is in OFF or you have turned on
your parking lamps,

the light sensor detects daytime light,

the parking brake is released and

the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with an
automatic transaxle only.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, park lamps and instrument panel lights will not
be illuminated.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-43 Automatic Light Control (ALC)
When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light
Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps along with
other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker lamps,
park lamps and the instrument panel lights. The radio
lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be
sure it is not covered. This will cause the ALC system
to be on whenever the ignition is on.
The ALC system may also come on when driving
through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a
tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC
systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
ALC systems will only be affected when the light sensor
sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay.
To idle your vehicle with the ALC system off, set the
parking brake while the ignition is off. Then start the
vehicle. The ALC system will stay off until you release
the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the
key is turned to OFF, then the headlamps will
automatically turn off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while it is active turn the turn signal/multifunction lever
up one position and then back to OFF.
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
The button for your fog lamps is located on the
instrument panel, to the left of the steering wheel,
beside the instrument panel intensity control.
When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low
-beam headlamps.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Push the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high
-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.

2-44
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
You can brighten or dim the
instrument panel cluster
lights by moving the
thumbwheel up to increase
intensity and down to
decrease intensity. The
thumbwheel is located on
the instrument panel to the
left of the steering wheel.
Courtesy Lamp Control
When the thumbwheel for the instrument panel intensity
control is moved up, the dome lamp, the mirror reading
lamps (if equipped) and the footwell lamps will turn on.
Move the thumbwheel down to turn the lamps off.
Illuminated Entry/Exit System
When you lift the driver's door handle or open any door,
the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps
will fade out after about 10 seconds after all of the doors
have been closed or when the ignition is turned to ON.
These lamps will also go on when you press the trunk
release, UNLOCK button or the horn symbol on the
optional keyless entry system transmitter.
The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.

2-45 Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the switch on the lower front portion of the mirror
to turn on the lamps. Press the other side of the switch to
turn the lamps off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened or when the
instrument panel intensity control thumbwheel is moved
up. The OFF position will shut off the lamp completely,
even when a door is opened.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, mirror reading lamps,
footwell, dome lamp or glove box) is left on when the
ignition is turned off, the battery saver system will
automatically shut the lamp off after 20 minutes.
This will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:

Lift the driver's door handle,

open any door or

press any remote lock control transmitter button
(if equipped),

press the power door lock switch,

press the remote trunk release or

turn the lamp that was left on to off and then to
on again.

2-49
Auxiliary Power Accessory Outlet
The auxiliary power accessory outlet is located to the
left of the glovebox on the lower side of the instrument
panel and behind a flip
-out door.
The power outlet can be used to plug electrical
equipment such as a cellular telephone, CD player, CB
radio, etc. Follow the proper installation instructions that
are included with any electrical equipment you install.
Sunroof (If Equipped)
Open the sunshade by hand when using the vent position.
To use the vent position of the sunroof, push the switch
back and release it. This is the express
-vent mode of
the sunroof.
To fully open the sunroof, push the switch back again
and release. This is the express
-open mode of the
sunroof and sunshade.
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. If desired, you may
close the sunshade by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an electrical failure.
NOTICE:
Do not attempt to force the sunshade forward of
the sliding glass panel. Damage will occur and the
sunroof may not open or close properly.

2-50
Instrument Panel - Your Information System

2-51
Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You'll know how fast
you're going, how much fuel you're using, and many other things you'll need to drive safely and economically.
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Fuse Panels
B. Vents
C. Instrument Cluster Panel
D. Hazard Warning Button
E. Audio System
F. Climate Control
G. Auxiliary Power Accessory Outlet
H. Cigarette Lighter/Power Accessory Outlet
I. Parking BrakeJ. Transaxle Shift Lever
K. Enhanced Traction System Switch
L. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
M. Ignition Switch
N. Cruise Control Switches (If Equipped)
O. Tilt Wheel Lever
P. Hood Release Handle
Q. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
R. Instrument Panel Intensity Control