service Oldsmobile Alero 2001 s Service Manual

6-39 Tire Pressure Monitor System (If Equipped)
The tire pressure monitor system can alert you to a large
change in the pressure of one tire. The system ªlearnsº the
pressure at each tire throughout the operating speed range
of your vehicle. The system normally takes between
45 and 90 minutes of driving to learn the tire pressures.
This time may be longer depending on your individual
driving habits. Learning need not be accumulated during
a single trip. Once learned, the system will remember the
tire pressures until the system is reset.
After the system has learned tire pressures with properly
inflated tires, the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light will come
on if the pressure in one tire becomes 12 psi (83 kPa) lower
than the other three tires. The tire pressure monitor system
won't alert you if the pressure in more than one tire is low,
if the system is not properly calibrated, or if the vehicle is
moving at less than 15 mph (25 km/h), faster than 75 mph
(120 km/h), on rough roads or during turns. The light may
also come on if you are driving on partially cleared
pavement or on gravel roads.
The tire pressure monitor system detects differences in tire
rotation speeds that are caused by changes in tire pressure.
The system can alert you about a low tire
-- but it doesn't
replace normal tire maintenance. See ªTiresº in the Index.If the anti
-lock brake system warning light comes on,
the tire pressure monitor system may not be working.
See your dealer for service. Also, see ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.
When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light comes on, you
should stop as soon as you can and check all your tires for
damage. If a tire is flat, see ªIf a Tire Goes Flatº in the
Index. Also check the tire pressure in all four tires as soon
as you can. See ªInflation
- Tire Pressureº in the Index.
The light will come on and stay on, when the ignition is
ON, until the tire pressure condition is corrected and
you RESET the system. The light may come on and then
go out when driving on partially cleared pavement or on
gravel roads. Under these conditions, you do not need to
reset the tire pressure monitor.
Don't reset the tire pressure monitor system without first
correcting the cause of the problem and checking and
adjusting the pressure in all four tires. If you reset the
system when the tire pressures are incorrect, the system
will not work properly and may not alert you when a
tire is low.

6-40
Any time you adjust a tire's pressure, rotate your tires,
have one or more tires repaired or replaced, or when any
work is done on your vehicle where tires are removed
you'll need to reset (calibrate) the tire pressure monitor
system. You'll also need to reset the system whenever
you buy new tires and whenever the vehicle's battery
has been disconnected.
To reset (calibrate) the system:
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (engine not running).
2. Press and release the RESET button located inside
of the driver's side instrument panel fuse block.
The CHANGE OIL light will begin to flash.
3. Press and release the RESET button again.
The CHANGE OIL light will go off, and the
LOW TIRE PRESSURE light will start flashing.
4. When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light is flashing,
press and hold the RESET button until the
chime sounds.
If the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light doesn't go off,
repeat the procedure. If the LOW TIRE PRESSURE
light still remains on, see your dealer for service.
The system completes the calibration process
during driving.The system normally takes 15 to 20 minutes of driving in
each of three speed ranges to ªlearnº tire pressures. The
speed ranges are 15 to 40 mph (25 to 65 km/h), 40 to
65 mph (65 to 105 km/h) and above 65 mph (105 km/h).
When learning is complete, the system will alert you after
2
-8 minutes if a tire is 12 psi (83 kPa) different from the
other three tires. Detection thresholds may be higher and
detection times may be longer on rough roads, curves and
at high speeds. The system is not capable of detection at
speeds greater than 75 mph (120 km/h).
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See ªWhen It's Time for New Tiresº and
ªWheel Replacementº later in this section for
more information.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.

6-42
When It's Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it's
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires have
only 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:

You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.

You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire's rubber.

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep
enough to show cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.

The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can't be repaired well because of the size or location
of the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire
-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all
-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by
an ªMSº (for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same
size, load range, speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias
-belted or radial) as your original tires.

6-44
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
-- AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA,
A, B, and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight
-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.Temperature
-- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

6-53
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch
-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control
can collect on the underbody. If these are not removed,
accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the underbody
parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and exhaust
system even though they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage can
take two forms: blotchy, ringlet
-shaped discolorations,
and small irregular dark spots etched into the
paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
Oldsmobile will repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km)
of purchase, whichever occurs first.

6-55
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver's side. You can see it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You'll find this label on the bottom of your spare tire
cover. It's very helpful if you ever need to order parts.
On this label is:

your VIN,

the model designation,

paint information and

a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.

6-61
Minifuses Usage
41 Ignition System
42 Back
-Up Lamps, Brake Transaxle
Shift Interlock
43 Horn
44 Powertrain Control Module
45 Parking Lamps
46 Climate Control System,
Air Conditioning
47 Canister Vent Valve, Exhaust
Oxygen Sensors
48 Fuel Pump, Injectors
49 Generator
50 Right Headlamp
51 Left Headlamp
52 Cooling Fan #2
53 HVAC Blower (Climate Control)
54 Not Used
55 Cooling Fan #2 Ground
56 Fuse Puller for Mini Fuses
57 Not Used
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb
Back
-Up Lamps 921. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High
-Mounted Stop Lamp 912. . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal Lamps 3157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stop/Taillamps 3157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Halogen Headlamps
-Low Beam 9006. . . . . . . . . . . .
Halogen Headlamps
-High Beam 9005. . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking/Turn Signal Lamps 3157NA or 3157A. . . . .
Sidemarker Lamps 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For service information on other bulbs, contact your
dealer's service department.

7-
7-1
Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7
-2 Introduction
7
-4 Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
7
-15 Part B: Owner Checks and Services7
-20 Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
7
-22 Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
7
-24 Part E: Maintenance Record

7-3 How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided into five parts:
ªPart A: Scheduled Maintenance Servicesº shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex, so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer's service department or another qualified
service center do these jobs.
CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured. Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know
-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work.
If you want to get the service information, see ªService
and Owner Publicationsº in the Index.ªPart B: Owner Checks and Servicesº tells you
what should be checked and when. It also explains
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
ªPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspectionsº explains
important inspections that your dealer's service
department or another qualified service center
should perform.
ªPart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricantsº lists
some recommended products necessary to help keep
your vehicle properly maintained. These products, or
their equivalents, should be used whether you do the
work yourself or have it done.
ªPart E: Maintenance Recordº is a place for
you to record and keep track of the maintenance
performed on your vehicle. Keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.

7-4
Part A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don't know
exactly how you'll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your dealer.This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them. If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you'll know
that GM
-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle
uses these. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle.
This schedule is for vehicles that:

carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle's
Tire
-Loading Information label. See ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index.

are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.

use the recommended fuel. See ªFuelº in the Index.