ignition Oldsmobile Alero 2002 s Owner's Guide

2-39 Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
flash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and
other drivers won't see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned
-out bulbs and then check
the fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index).
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the turn
signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal lever
to the off position.
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver's door and turn off the
ignition while leaving the lamps on, you will hear
a warning chime.

2-40 Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the instrument
panel cluster will come on
if the ignition is in ON.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high
-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
Windshield Wipers
Use this lever located on the right side of the steering
wheel to operate the windshield wipers.
OFF: Move the lever to OFF to turn off the
windshield wipers.

2-45
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake takes
you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to be too
much trouble and don't use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Out of Cruise Control
There are five ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step on the brake pedal.

Press the cruise control CANCEL button.

Press the cruise control RES ACCL button and the
CST SET buttons at the same time.

Press the cruise control ON OFF button. The
indicator light above the cruise control button will
turn off.

Push the clutch pedal if your vehicle has a manual
transaxle.Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
: Turn the outside part of the lever with the symbol
on it, to operate the lamps.

2-46
The exterior lamps control has three positions:
(Parking Lamps): Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps, together with
the following:

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
AUTO: Turning the control to this position turns the
headlamps, taillamps and parking lamps on and off
automatically, while the ignition is on, by sensing how
dark it is outside. For more information see ªAutomatic
Light Controlº later in this section.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your high
-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the exterior lamps control is in AUTO or the parking
lamps only position,

the light sensor detects daytime light,

the parking brake is released, and

the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with an
automatic transaxle only.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights will
not be illuminated unless you have turned the exterior
lamps control to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-47 Automatic Light Control (ALC)
When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light
Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be
sure it is not covered which will cause the ALC system
to be on whenever the ignition is on.
The ALC system may also be on when driving through a
parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel. This
is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC
systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
ALC systems will only be affected when the light sensor
sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay.To idle your vehicle with the ALC system off, set the
parking brake while the ignition is off. Then start the
vehicle. The ALC system will stay off until you release
the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
Headlamps Dim to Park
To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn
the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel
lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamps control
to the AUTO or headlamp position.

2-48 Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF, then the headlamps will automatically
turn off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while it is active turn the turn signal/multifunction lever
up one position and then back to AUTO.
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
The button for your fog lamps is located on the
instrument panel, to the left of the steering wheel,
beside the instrument panel brightness thumbwheel.
When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low
-beam headlamps.
Press the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Press the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high
-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this
feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
Move the thumbwheel up to brighten the lights and
down to dim them.

2-49 Illuminated Entry/Exit System
When you lift the driver's door handle or open any door,
the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps
will fade out after about 10 seconds after all of the doors
have been closed or when the ignition is turned to ON.
These lamps will also go on when you press the trunk
release, unlock symbol button or the horn symbol on the
keyless entry system transmitter (if equipped).
The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about 10
seconds after your key is removed from the ignition to
provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the button on the bottom portion of the rearview
mirror to turn on the lamps. Press the other side of the
button to turn the lamps off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened or when the
instrument panel brightness thumbwheel is moved up.
The OFF position will shut off the lamp completely,
even when a door is opened.
Your vehicle may also have two reading lamps as part of
the dome lamp. Press the lens of a lamp to turn a lamp
on and off.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.

2-50 Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, mirror reading lamps,
dome lamp or glove box) is left on when the ignition is
turned off, the battery saver system will automatically
shut the lamp off after 20 minutes. This will avoid
draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:

Lift the driver's door handle,

open any door or

press any remote keyless entry transmitter button
(if equipped),

press the power door lock switch,

press the remote trunk release or

turn the lamp that was left on to off and then to
on again.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
The mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust the
height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield. Second, adjust the angle of the
mirror, by moving the mirror to a position that allows
you to see out of the back window.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, move the
lever toward you to the night position. To return the
mirror to the daytime position, move the lever away
from you.
Manual Remote Control Mirror
The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you
can see a little of the side of your vehicle when you are
sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Adjust the driver's outside mirror with the control lever
on the driver's door.
To adjust your passenger's mirror, sit in the driver's seat
and have a passenger adjust the mirror for you.

2-55
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
NOTICE:
Power outlets are designed for accessory plugs
only. Do not hang any type of accessory or
accessory bracket from the plug. Improper use of
the power outlet can cause damage not covered
by your warranty.
Sunroof (Option)
If your vehicle has a sunroof, the switch is located on
the headliner between the sun visors. The sunroof will
only operate when the ignition is in ON.
The sunroof can be opened to a vent position or it can be
express
-opened all of the way.
To open the sunroof to the vent position, you must first
open the sunshade by hand. Then push the switch back
and release it.To fully open the sunroof, push the switch back again
and release it.
In both the vent and fully open positions, the air flow
can be adjusted for driving comfort by pushing and
holding the switch forward until the sunroof moves to
the desired position.
To close the sunroof, push the switch forward and hold
it until the sunroof is closed. The sunroof will stop if the
switch is released during operation. Remember to close
the sunshade by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an electrical failure.
NOTICE:
Do not attempt to force the sunshade forward of
the sliding glass panel. Damage will occur and the
sunroof may not open or close properly.

2-57
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks
B. Vents
C. Instrument Panel Cluster
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
E. Audio System
F. Climate Control System
G. Side Window Defogger Vent
H. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped)
I. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel
J. Turn Signal/Multifunction LeverK. Hood Release Handle
L. Cruise Control Switches
M. Tilt Wheel Lever
N. Ignition Switch
O. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
P. Enhanced Traction System Button
Q. Transaxle Shift Lever
R. Parking Brake
S. Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power Outlet
T. Accessory Power Outlet