Oldsmobile Alero 2001 s Manual PDF

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 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Door Locks
2
-11 Remote Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)
2
-16 Trunk
2
-19 Theft
2
-20 Passlock

2-20 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-21 Ignition Positions
2
-22 Starting Your Engine
2
-24 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-26 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-29 Manual Transaxle Operation
2
-31 Parking Brake
2
-32 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
-34 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)2
-34 Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)
2
-35 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-35 Engine Exhaust
2
-36 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
2
-37 Tilt Wheel
2
-37 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-45 Exterior Lamps
2
-47 Interior Lamps
2
-49 Mirrors
2
-50 Storage Compartments
2
-51 Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped)
2
-51 Sun Visors
2
-52 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-53 Sunroof (Option)
2
-54 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-58 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-2
Windows
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome
by the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke.
Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially
with the windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-3 Manual Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
The power window switches are located on the armrest
on the driver's door. In addition, each passenger door
has a window switch.Auto
-Down Switch
The driver's window switch has an auto
-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Pull the switch slightly
rearward, and the driver's window will open a small
amount. If the switch is pulled all the way rearward,
the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, push the
switch forward. To raise the window, push and hold
the switch forward.
Lock
-Out Switch (4-Door Models)
On four
-door models, the driver's power window
controls also include a lock
-out switch. When the
lock
-out switch is moved to the left, the driver and
passengers will be able to use their window switches.
Move the lock
-out switch to the right to stop
the passengers from using their window switches.
The driver can still control all the windows with
the lock on.

2-4
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.

2-5
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.
See ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index for
more information.
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.

2-6
Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.

Passengers -- especially children -- can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked,
the handle won't open it. You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in
a crash if the doors aren't locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.

Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.

Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or stop
your vehicle. Locking your doors can help
prevent this from happening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or remote keyless entry
transmitter, if your vehicle is equipped with this feature.
To lock the door from the inside, to lock the door,
move the manual lock forward.
To unlock the door, move the manual lock rearward.

2-7 Power Door Locks
With the power door locks, you can lock or unlock
all of the doors on your vehicle using the driver's or
front passenger's door lock switch.
Push the bottom of the switch to lock all of the doors.
Push the top of the switch to unlock all of the doors.
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
Your vehicle has a feature that allows you to program
your power door locks to automatically lock and unlock
under certain conditions. You can program your vehicle
to have all of the doors lock when you move your shift
lever out of PARK (P) to REVERSE (R) if your vehicle
has an automatic transaxle or when the vehicle speed
is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h) if your vehicle has 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). You can
also program all doors to automatically unlock when the
shift lever is moved to PARK (P) on vehicles with an
automatic transaxle or to REVERSE (R) on vehicles
with a manual transaxle when the key is turned to OFF.

2-8
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks
One of four operating modes may be selected and
programmed by the driver on vehicles with an
automatic transaxle:

Mode 1: All doors automatically lock when the
transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). The doors will
remain locked unless manually unlocked or the lock
button is pressed. All doors will unlock when the
transaxle is shifted into PARK (P) and the key is
turned to OFF.

Mode 2: This mode is only available on vehicles
with a remote keyless entry transmitter. All doors
automatically lock when the transaxle is shifted out
of PARK (P). Automatic driver's door only unlock
when the transaxle is shifted into PARK(P) and the
key is turned to OFF.

Mode 3: All doors automatically lock when the
transaxle is shifted out of PARK (P). No automatic
door unlock.

Mode 4: No automatic door lock or unlock.One of the four operating modes may be selected
and programmed by the driver on vehicles with a
manual transaxle:

Mode 1: All doors automatically lock when the
vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). The
doors will remain locked unless manually unlocked
or the lock button is pressed. All doors will unlock
when the transaxle is shifted into REVERSE (R) and
the key is turned to OFF.

Mode 2: This mode is only available with the remote
keyless entry transmitter. All doors automatically
lock when the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph
(8 km/h). Automatic driver's door only unlock when
the transaxle is shifted into REVERSE (R) and the
key is turned to OFF.

Mode 3: All doors automatically lock when the
vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
No automatic door unlock.

Mode 4: No automatic door lock or unlock.

2-9
When your vehicle was shipped from the factory it was
programmed in Mode 1. To determine the current mode
or to change to a different mode, do the following:
1. Put an automatic transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual
transaxle in REVERSE (R) with the parking brake
engaged and turn the ignition to ON.
2. Press and hold the lower part of the power door lock
switch for 10 seconds. Release the switch when you
hear the chime.
3. Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
of chimes tells you which mode your vehicle is in.
You can change the mode by pressing and holding
the lower part of the power door lock switch (two
chimes for Mode 2, three chimes for Mode 3 and
four chimes for Mode 4).
4. Repeat Step 2 until you hear the number of chimes
that matches the mode you want.
The mode you selected is now set.Delayed Locking
This feature will allow the driver to delay the actual
locking of the vehicle. This feature will not operate if
the key is left in the ignition. See ªAnti
-Lockout
Protectionº later in this section.
When the lower part of the driver's power door lock
switch is pressed, with the key removed from the
ignition and the driver's door open, three chimes will
be heard. The doors will not lock. Seven seconds
after the driver's door has been closed, all of the doors
will lock and the parking lamps will flash. The horn
will also chirp if the horn chirp feature is enabled.
See ªProgrammable Horn Chirpº in the Index for
more information.
If the driver opens another door before the seven
seconds, the doors will not lock until seven seconds
after the last door is closed.
If the lower part of the power door lock switch is
pressed twice when leaving the vehicle, or the
LOCK button on the remote keyless entry transmitter
is pressed, the doors will lock immediately.
If the power door lock switch is pressed to unlock,
the doors will not lock automatically.

2-10 Rear Door Security Locks (4-Door Models)
If your vehicle is a 4-door
model, it is equipped with
rear door security locks that
help prevent passengers
from opening the rear doors
from the inside.
The switch is located on the inside of the rear door.
To use the security locks, do the following:
1. Move the switch up.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing on the other rear door.The rear doors of your vehicle cannot be opened from
the inside when this feature is in use. If you want
to open a rear door when the security lock is on,
do the following:
1. Unlock the door from the inside.
2. Then open the door from the outside.
If you don't cancel the security lock feature, adults or
older children who ride in the rear won't be able to open
the rear door from the inside. You should let adults and
older children know how these security locks work,
and how to cancel the locks.
To cancel a rear door lock, do the following:
1. Unlock the door from the inside and open it from
the outside.
2. Move the switch down.
3. Do the same to the other rear door.
The rear doors will now work normally.