audio Oldsmobile Alero 2001 s User Guide

3-16
Using RDS Mode
Your audio system is equipped with a Radio Data
System (RDS). RDS mode gives you many useful
new features. With RDS, the radio can:

seek only to stations with the types of programs you
want to listen to,

seek to stations with traffic announcements,

receive announcements concerning local and
national emergencies and

receive and display messages from radio stations.
RDS features are only available for use on FM stations
which broadcast RDS information. The RDS features of
your radio rely upon receiving specific RDS information
from these stations. These features will only work when
the RDS information is available. In rare cases, a radio
station may broadcast incorrect information that will
cause the radio features to work improperly. If this
happens, please contact the radio station.
When you are tuned to an RDS station, the station name
will appear on the display, instead of the frequency.
Most RDS stations provide their station name, the
time of day and a Program Type (PTY) for their
current programming.TRAF: Press this button to receive traffic
announcements. The traffic announcement brackets will
appear on the display. TRAF will appear on the display
if the tuned station broadcasts traffic announcements.
If the current tuned station does not broadcast traffic
announcements, the radio will seek to a station that
does. When the radio finds a station that broadcasts
traffic announcements, it will stop. If no station is
found, NONE FOUND will appear on the display.
When a traffic announcement comes on the tuned
radio station or a related network station, you will hear
it, even if the volume is muted or a cassette tape or
compact disc is playing. If the cassette tape or compact
disc player was being used, the tape or compact disc
will stay in the player and resume play at the point
where it stopped.
INFO: If the current station has a message, INFO
will appear on the display. Press this button to see the
message. If the whole message does not appear on the
display, parts of the message will appear every three
seconds until the message is completed. To see the parts
of the message faster than every three seconds, press this
button again. A new group of words will appear on the
display. Once the complete message has been displayed,
INFO will disappear from the display until another new
message is received.

3-18
Adjusting the Speakers
BAL
-FADE: The AUDIO button adjusts balance
and fade. To adjust balance, press and hold the AUDIO
button until BAL appears on the display. Turn the knob
to adjust the sound to the left or right speakers. The
middle position balances the sound between the speakers.
To adjust fade, press and hold the AUDIO button until
FAD appears on the display. Turn the knob to adjust the
sound to the front or rear speakers. The middle position
balances the sound between the speakers.
Playing a Cassette Tape
Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are
up to 30 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer
than that are so thin they may not work well in this
player. The longer side with the tape visible should face
to the right. If the ignition is on, but the radio is off,
the tape can be inserted and will begin playing. If you
hear nothing but a garbled sound, the tape may not be in
squarely. Press EJECT to remove the tape and start over.
While the tape is playing, use the VOL, FAD, BAL,
TREB, MID, BASS, TONE, SEEK and SCAN controls
just as you do for the radio. The display will show TAPE
and an arrow showing which side of the tape is playing.
The tape player automatically begins playing the other
side when it reaches the end of the tape.Your tape bias is set automatically when a metal or
chrome tape is inserted. If you want to insert a tape when
the ignition is off, first press EJECT or the RCL knob.
If an error appears on the radio display, the tape won't
play because of an error.
TIGHT TAPE is displayed when the tape is tight and the
player can't turn the tape hubs. Remove the tape. Hold
the tape with the open end down and try to turn the right
hub counterclockwise with a pencil. Turn the tape over
and repeat. If the hubs do not turn easily, your tape may
be damaged and should not be used in the player. Try a
new tape to make sure your player is working properly.
BROKEN TAPE is displayed when the tape is broken.
Try a new tape.
WRAPPED is displayed when the tape is wrapped
around the tape head. Attempt to get the cassette out.
Try a new tape.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can't be
corrected, please contact your dealer. If your radio
displays an error message, write it down and provide
it to your dealer when reporting the problem.

3-22 Personal Choice Radio Controls
(If Equipped)
With this feature, your vehicle will recall the latest radio
settings as adjusted the last time your vehicle was
operated. This feature allows two different drivers to
store and recall their own radio settings for AM and FM
presets, last tuned station, volume, tone and audio
source (radio, cassette or CD). The settings recalled by
the radio are determined by which transmitter was used
to enter the vehicle. After the UNLOCK button is
pressed on the transmitter and the ignition is in ON,
the radio settings will automatically adjust to where
they were last set by the identified driver. All vehicles
are shipped with this feature on. This feature can be
disabled by your dealer if desired.
Theft-Deterrent Feature RDS Radios
THEFTLOCK
is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. The feature works automatically by learning a
portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
If the radio is moved to a different vehicle, it will not
operate and LOCKED will be displayed.
When the radio and vehicle are turned off, the blinking
red light indicates that THEFTLOCK is armed.
With THEFTLOCK activated, your radio will not
operate if stolen.
Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.
Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be
loud and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.

6-32 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.
Bulb Replacement
The following procedures tell you how to replace your
bulbs. For the type of bulb to use, see ªReplacement
Bulbsº in the Index. For any bulbs not listed in this
section, contact your service department.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
1. Lift up on the two retaining clips which secure the
headlamp assembly.

6-57
Instrument Panel Fuse Block -- Driver's Side
Fuse Usage
WIPER Windshield Wiper Motor,
Washer Pump
TRUNK REL/
RADIO AMPTrunk Release Relay/Motor,
Audio Amplifier
TURN LPS Turn Signal Lamps
PWR MIRROR Power MirrorsFuse Usage
AIR BAG Air Bags
BFC BATT Body Computer (BFC)
PCM ACC PCM
DR LOCK Door Lock Motors
IPC/BFC ACC Cluster, Body Computer (BFC)
STOP LPS Stop Lamps
HAZARD LPS Hazard Lamps
IPC/
HVAC BATTHVAC Head, Cluster,
Data Link Connector
Circuit Breaker Usage
PWR SEAT Power Seats
Relay Usage
TRUNK REL Trunk Relay
DR UNLOCK Door Unlock Relay
DR LOCK Door Lock Relay
DRIVER DR
UNLOCKDriver's Door Unlock Relay

6-60
Maxifuses Usage
5 Ignition Switch
6 Not Used
7 Left Electrical Center
-Power
Seats, Power Mirrors, Door Locks,
Trunk Release, Audio Amplifier,
Remote Lock Control
8 Cooling Fan #1
Mini Relays Usage
9 Rear Defog
10 Not Used
11 Not Used
12 Cooling Fan #1
13 HVAC Blower (Climate Control)
14 Cooling Fan #2
15 Cooling FanMicro Relays Usage
16 Air Conditioning Compressor
17 Not Used
18 Fuel Pump
19 Automatic Light Control
20 Automatic Light Control
21 Horn
22 Daytime Running Lamps
Minifuses Usage
23
- 32 Spare Fuse Holder
33 Rear Defog
34 Accessory Power Outlets,
Cigarette Lighter
35 Not Used
36 Not Used
37 Air Conditioning Compressor,
Body Function Control Module
38 Automatic Transaxle
39 Powertrain Control Module
40 Anti
-Lock Brakes, Variable
Effort Steering

7-15
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See ªEngine Oilº in the Index for
further details.Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture if necessary. See ªEngine Coolantº in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don't forget to check your spare tire. See ªTiresº in the
Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See ªAudio Systemsº in the
Index for further details.