light Oldsmobile Alero 2001 s Service Manual

3-3
FRONT DEFROSTER: This position directs
most of the airflow through the window defroster vent.
Some of the air goes to the floor outlets. The air
conditioning compressor will run automatically in
this position when it is needed to help dry the air
in the vehicle.
Mode Buttons
: Press A/C to operate the air conditioner
compressor. The indicator light will glow when the
button is pressed to indicate that the air conditioning
system has been turned on. The fan knob must be
set to a speed for the air conditioning to operate.
OUTSIDE AIR: Press this button to force
the system to use outside air.
Pressing the OUTSIDE AIR button will cancel the
RECIRCULATION button.
RECIRCULATION: Press this button to limit
the amount of outside air entering your vehicle. This is
helpful when you are trying to limit odors entering your
vehicle. Press it again to turn off the recirculation.
Pressing the RECIRCULATION button will cancel the
OUTSIDE AIR button.RECIRCULATION is not available when the DEFOG
or FRONT DEFROSTER mode is selected, or when the
fan is off. When RECIRCULATION is selected, the air
conditioning compressor will run automatically to help
dry the air in the vehicle.
Air Conditioning
The air conditioner and heater work best if you keep
your windows closed while using them. Your vehicle
also has the flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
For normal cooling on hot days, use UPPER with the
temperature knob in the blue area and the A/C indicator
light glowing.
On very hot days, open the windows long enough
to let hot inside air escape. This reduces the time it
takes for your vehicle to cool down, which should
help fuel economy.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use BI
-LEVEL with the temperature knob
in the middle and the A/C indicator light glowing. The
system directs slightly warmer air to your lower body.

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
knob as desired.
To defrost the front window quickly, turn the temperature
knob all the way in the red area. Use FRONT DEFROSTER
and adjust the fan to the highest speed. To warm passengers
while keeping the front window clean, use DEFOG.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents. The side window defogger vents are located
above the side instrument panel vents. To defrost the
side windows, turn the temperature 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
knob all the way in the red area. Use DEFOG and adjust
the fan to the highest speed.
To defog the side windows while using air conditioning,
use BI
-LEVEL and adjust the fan to the highest speed
and press the A/C button so that the indicator light is
glowing. For added airflow to the side windows aim
the side vents toward the windows and close the
center vents.

3-5 Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger
uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the
rear window.
Press the defogger button. The indicator light will glow.
The rear window defogger will turn itself off after about
10 minutes after the first time the button is pressed,
and after five minutes each additional time the button
is pressed. You can turn the defogger off by pressing
the button again or turning off the ignition.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license across the
defogger grid on the rear window.NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or anything else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use UPPER to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has the
flow
-through ventilation system.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
fan is running.

3-11
P-TYPE: This button is used to turn on and off
Program Type (PTY) select. The PTY icon and the light
next to the button will turn on. The last selected PTY
will appear on the display for five seconds. Turn the
P
-TYPE knob to select the PTY you want to listen to.
Press SEEK or SCAN to find radio stations of the PTY
you want to listen to. The last PTY selected will be used
for seek or scan modes. If a station with the selected
PTY is not found, NONE FOUND will appear on the
display. If both P
-TYPE and TRAF are on, the radio
will search for stations with traffic announcements and
the selected PTY.
To use the P
-TYPE interrupt feature, press and hold the
P
-TYPE button until you hear a beep on the PTY you
want to interrupt on. When you are listening to compact
disc, the last selected RDS FM station will interrupt play
if that selected PTY format is broadcast.
PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons
let you return to your favorite Program Types (PTYs).
These buttons have factory PTY presets. You can set
up to 12 PTYs (six FM1 and six FM2). Just:
1. Press P
-TYPE, if it is not already on.
2. Press AM FM to select FM1 or FM2.
3. Turn the SELECT knob to select a PTY.4. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons until
you hear a beep. Whenever you press that numbered
button, the PTY you set will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
ALERT!: This type of announcement warns of national
or local emergencies. You will not be able to turn off
alert announcements. ALERT! appears on the display
when an alert announcement plays. When an alert
announcement comes on the tuned radio station, you
will hear it, even if the volume is muted or a compact
disc is playing. If the compact disc player is playing,
play will stop for the announcement and resume when
the announcement is finished.
ALTERNATE FREQUENCY: This feature allows
the radio to switch to a stronger station with the same
program type. Press and hold AM FM for two seconds
to turn alternate frequency on. AF ON will appear on
the display. The radio may switch to stronger stations.
Press and hold AM FM again for two seconds to
turn alternate frequency off. AF OFF will appear on
the display. The radio will not switch to other stations.
When you turn the ignition off and then on again,
the alternate frequency feature will automatically be
turned on.

3-17
P-TYPE: This button is used to turn on and off
Program Type (PTY) select. The PTY icon and the light
next to the button will turn on. The last selected PTY
will appear on the display for five seconds. Turn the
P
-TYPE knob to select the PTY you want to listen to.
Press SEEK or SCAN to find radio stations of the PTY
you want to listen to. The last PTY selected will be used
for seek or scan modes. If a station with the selected
PTY is not found, NONE FOUND will appear on the
display. If both P
-TYPE and TRAF are on, the radio
will search for stations with traffic announcements and
the selected PTY.
To use the P
-TYPE interrupt feature, press and hold
the P
-TYPE button until you hear a beep on the PTY
you want to interrupt on. When you are listening to a
cassette or compact disc, the last selected RDS FM
station will interrupt play if that selected PTY format
is broadcast.
PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let
you return to your favorite Program Types (PTYs).
These buttons have factory PTY presets. You can
set up to 12 PTYs (six FM1 and six FM2). Just:
1. Press P
-TYPE, if it is not already on.
2. Press AM FM to select FM1 or FM2.3. Turn the SELECT knob to select a PTY.
4. Press and hold one of the six numbered buttons
until you hear a beep. Whenever you press that
numbered button, the PTY you set will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
ALERT!: This type of announcement warns of national
or local emergencies. You will not be able to turn off
alert announcements. ALERT! appears on the display
when an alert announcement plays. When an alert
announcement comes on the tuned radio 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 is playing, play will stop for the
announcement and resume when the announcement
is finished.
ALTERNATE FREQUENCY: This feature allows
the radio to switch to a stronger station with the same
program type. Press and hold AM FM for two seconds
to turn alternate frequency on. AF ON will appear on the
display. The radio may switch to stronger stations. Press
and hold AM FM again for two seconds to turn alternate
frequency off. AF OFF will appear on the display.
The radio will not switch to other stations. When you
turn the ignition off and then on again, the alternate
frequency feature will automatically be turned on.

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.

3-23
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.

Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.
NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two
-way radio -- be sure you
can add what you want. If you can, it's very
important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation of
your vehicle's engine, Delphi Delco Electronics
radio or other systems, and even damage them.
Your vehicle's systems may interfere with the
operation of sound equipment that has been
added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren't, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate
that you have used your tape player for 50 hours without
resetting the tape clean timer. If this message appears
on the display, your cassette tape player needs to be
cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as
soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and
player. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a
known good cassette to see if it is the tape or the tape
player at fault. If this other cassette has no improvement
in sound quality, clean the tape player.
The recommended cleaning method for your
cassette tape player is the use of a scrubbing action,
non
-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
The recommended cleaning cassette is available through
your dealer (GM Part No. 12344789).

3-24
When using a scrubbing action, non-abrasive cleaning
cassette, it is normal for the cassette to eject because
your unit is equipped with a broken tape detection
feature and a cleaning cassette may appear as a broken
tape. If the cleaning cassette ejects, insert the cassette
at least three times to ensure thorough cleaning.
You may also choose a non
-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will not
eject on its own. A non
-scrubbing action cleaner may
not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner.
The use of a non
-scrubbing action, dry-type cleaning
cassette is not recommended.
After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for
five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio will
display
--- to show the indicator was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution
and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the side without writing when
handling discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer
edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Care of Your Compact Disc Player
The use of CD lens cleaner discs is not advised, due to
the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics with
lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
Backglass Antenna
Your AM-FM antenna is integrated with your
rear window defogger, located in the rear window.
Be sure that the inside surface of the rear window is
not scratched and that the lines on the glass are not
damaged. If the inside surface is damaged, it could
interfere with radio reception.

4-7
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a
mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between
hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you
do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the
traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is
used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti
-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that your
brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
United States Canada
If there's a problem with the anti
-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.

4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Enhanced Traction System
Your vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially
useful in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may also
upshift the transaxle to limit wheel spin.
This light will come on
when your Enhanced
Traction System is limiting
wheel spin. See ªEnhanced
Traction System Active
Lightº in the Index.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the enhanced
traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
reengage the cruise control. See ªCruise Controlº in
the Index.