engine coolant Oldsmobile Alero 2000 Owner's Manuals

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

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

2-20
3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try this:
Wait 15 seconds to let the starter motor cool down.
Then push your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor. Hold it there. Then hold the key in START.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and the
accelerator pedal. If the engine still doesn't start,
wait another 15 seconds and repeat this step.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed,
see the part of this manual that tells how to do
it without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2.4L L4 Engine

2-21
3400 V6 Engine
In very cold weather, 0
F (
-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. On
the 2.4L L4 engine, the engine coolant heater cord is
located in front of the engine coolant surge tank.
On the 3400 V6 engine, the engine coolant heater
cord is located near the air cleaner/filter.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach,
use a heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord
rated for at least 15 amps.

2-22
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located
on the console between
the seats.PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It's the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.

2-60 Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the
red area, the light comes on
and you hear a chime, your
engine is too hot! It means
that your engine coolant
has overheated.
The ªProblems on the Road,º section of this
manual shows what to do. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.
Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
briefly when you turn
your ignition on.
If this light comes on and stays on and you hear a chime,
the vehicle should promptly be pulled off the road and
the coolant level checked.
See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index. If there are visible
signs of steam, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index
before opening the hood. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as you can.

3-4 Heating
On cold days, use FLOOR and the outside air button
with the temperature knob all the way in the red area.
The system will bring in outside air, heat it and send
it to the floor outlets.
Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward the
rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats clear of
obstructions so that the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it's
cold outside (0
F (
-18
C) or lower). An engine
coolant heater warms the coolant your engine and
heating system use to provide heat. See ªEngine
Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defogging and Defrosting Windows
Your system has two settings for clearing the front and
side windows. For each setting, adjust the temperature
control as desired.
To defrost the front window quickly, turn the temperature
control knob all the way in the red area. Use FRONT
DEFROST and adjust the fan to the highest speed.
To warm passengers while keeping the front window
clean, use DEFOG.
If you select RECIRCULATION while in VENT,
BI
-LEVEL or FLOOR modes, humid air can recirculate
inside the vehicle and allow moisture to form on the
windows. If this happens, either press the A/C button
to on or select DEFROST or the DEFOG modes.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents. The side window defogger vents are located on the
outside of the side instrument panel vents. To defrost the
side windows, turn the temperature control knob all the
way in the red area. Use FLOOR and adjust the fan to the
highest speed. To control fogging of the windows, turn
the temperature control knob all the way in the red area.
Use DEFOG and adjust the fan to the highest speed.

5-10
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a low
coolant warning light on your vehicle's instrument
panel. See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº and
ªLow Coolant Warning Lightº in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered
by your warranty.

5-12
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.

5-13
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the FULL COLD mark. If it isn't, you may
have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.