Oldsmobile Alero 2000 s Repair Manual

1-49
4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of
the retractor to set the lock.

1-50
6. To tighten the belt, feed the shoulder belt back into the
retractor while you push down on the child restraint.
You may find it helpful to use your knee to push down
on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle's
safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt
will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult
or larger child passenger.
Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle's safety belts.
If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window so the child can wear a lap
-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.

1-51
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.

Children who aren't buckled up can be thrown out
in a crash.

Children who aren't buckled up can strike other
people who are.
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the same belt.
The belt can't properly spread the impact forces.
In a crash, the two children can be crushed
together and seriously injured. A belt must be
used by only one person at a time.
Q:What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child's face or neck?
A:Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child's
shoulder, so that in a crash the child's upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is sitting in a rear seat outside position, see
ªRear Safety Belt Comfort Guidesº in the Index.
If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still
very close to the child's face or neck, you might
want to place the child in the center seat position,
the one that has only a lap belt.

1-52
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way,
in a crash the child might slide under the belt.
The belt's force would then be applied right on
the child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.

1-53
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you
go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so
the extender will be long enough for you. The extender
will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle
that you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and
use it only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it,
just attach it to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you
in a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won't work after a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system
earlier in this section.

2-
2-1
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
- 9 Remote Lock Control (If Equipped)
2
- 13 Trunk
2
- 15 Theft
2
- 16 Passlock

2- 16 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
- 17 Ignition Switch
2
- 18 Starting Your Engine
2
- 20 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
- 22 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
- 25 Manual Transaxle Operation
2
- 27 Parking Brake
2
- 28 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
- 30 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
- 30 Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)2
- 31 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
- 31 Engine Exhaust
2
- 32 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
2
- 33 Windows
2
- 34 Tilt Wheel
2
- 34 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
- 41 Exterior Lamps
2
- 44 Interior Lamps
2
- 46 Mirrors
2
- 47 Storage Compartments
2
- 48 Ashtray and Lighter (If Equipped)
2
- 48 Sun Visors
2
- 49 Auxiliary Power Accessory Outlet
2
- 49 Sunroof (If Equipped)
2
- 50 Instrument Panel - Your Information System
2
- 54 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-2
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 the 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.

2-4
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.

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) for an automatic
transaxle. All of the doors will lock when the vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h) for a manual
transaxle. If someone needs to get out while the vehicle
is running, have that person use the 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.