air conditioning Oldsmobile Alero 2001 Owner's Manuals

iii
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
SteeringDriving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio ClockRadio/Cassette Player/CD Player
Radio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your VehicleEngine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road
Section
3
Section
4
Section
5
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Your Driving and the Road

3-
3-1
Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle.
Be sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning
3
-3 Air Conditioning
3
-4 Heating
3
-4 Defogging and Defrosting Windows
3
-5 Rear Window Defogger
3
-5 Ventilation System
3
-7 Audio Systems
3
-7 Setting the Clock
3
-7AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
with Programmable Equalization and
Radio Data System (RDS)3
-14 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and
Compact Disc Player with Programmable
Equalization and Radio Data System (RDS)
(If Equipped)
3
-22 Personal Choice Radio Controls (If Equipped)
3
-22 Theft-Deterrent Feature RDS Radios
3
-22 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-22 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-23 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-24 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-24 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-24 Backglass Antenna
3
-25 Chime Level Adjustment

3-2
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the ventilation and
heating in your vehicle.
Your vehicle also has the flow
-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Climate Control System with
Air Conditioning
Fan Knob
The left knob regulates the fan speed. To select the force
of air you want, turn the knob.Temperature Knob
The center knob regulates the temperature of the air
coming through the system.
Mode Knob
The right knob changes the functions of the system.
UPPER: In this position most of the airflow comes
through the instrument panel outlets. A small amount of
air comes through the floor vents. Set the center knob to
the temperature desired.
BI-LEVEL: In this position the airflow comes
through the instrument panel outlets and through the floor
outlets. Set the center knob to the temperature desired.
FLOOR: In this position most of the airflow
comes through the floor outlet. The rest of the air comes
through the windshield and side window vents. Set the
center knob to the temperature desired.
DEFOG: This position divides the airflow
between the floor outlets and the windshield defroster
vent. The air conditioning compressor will run
automatically in this position when it is needed to
help dry the air in the vehicle.

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.

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

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.

6-62
Capacities and Specifications
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure
to fill to the appropriate level or as recommended in
this manual.
Capacities
Engine Crankcase
2.4L L4 Engine 4.0 quarts (3.8 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3400 V6 Engine 4.5 quarts (4.3 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transaxle
Complete Overhaul 9.5 quarts (9.0 L). . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Transaxle
Complete Overhaul 1.8 quarts (1.7 L). . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System
2.4L L4 Engine 11.3 quarts (10.7 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3400 V6 Engine 13.6 quarts (12.9 L). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refrigerant, Air ConditioningSee refrigerant . . . . .
charge label under the hood.
Fuel Tank14.3 U.S. gallons (54.1 L) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Pressures, SizesSee Tire
-Loading . . . . . . . . . . .
Information label on the
rear driver's side passenger door.
Engine Specifications
See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
VIN Engine Code
2.4L L4 Engine T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3400 V6 Engine E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement
2.4L L4 Engine 2.4 Liters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3400 V6 Engine 3.4 Liters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order
2.4L L4 Engine 1
-3-4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3400 V6 Engine 1
-2-3-4-5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower
2.4L L4 Engine 150. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3400 V6 Engine 170. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Nut Torque
100 lb-ft (140 N´m)

7-20
Part C: Periodic
Maintenance Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall). You should let your dealer's
service department or other qualified service center
do these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See ªService and Owner
Publicationsº in the Index.
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook
-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out
-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build
-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See ªEngine Exhaustº in
the Index.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the outside
of the radiator and air conditioning condenser. To help
ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap is recommended at least once
a year.