ignition Oldsmobile Alero 2002 s Workshop Manual

3-21
AUTO EQ (Automatic Equalizer): Press AUTO EQ
to select the desired preset equalization setting while
playing a cassette tape. The equalization will be
automatically set whenever you play a cassette tape. See
ªAUTO EQº listed previously for more information.


SEEK
: Press the right or left arrow to search for
the next or previous selection on the tape. Your tape
must have at least three seconds of silence between each
selection for seek to work. You can skip nine selections
forward or backward on the tape. Choose how many
selections you want to skip. Press the right or left SEEK
arrows that many times. The number of selections to be
skipped will appear on the display.


SCAN
: Press and hold either arrow for more than
two seconds until you hear a beep and SCAN appears
on the display. The tape will go to the next selection,
play for a few seconds, then go on to the next selection.
Press this button again to stop scanning.BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when a
cassette tape is playing. The tape will stop but remain in
the player.
TP CD (TAPE): Press this button to play to play a
cassette tape or a CD when listening to the radio. Press
TP CD to switch between the tape and compact disc if
both are loaded. The inactive tape or CD will remain
safely inside the radio for future listening. The display
will show the TAPE and CD symbols.
(Eject): Press this button, located next to the
cassette tape slot, to eject a tape. Eject may be activated
with either the ignition or radio off. Cassettes may be
loaded with the radio and ignition off if this button is
pressed first.

3-22
Cassette Tape Messages
If an error occurs while trying to play a cassette tape,
it could be for one of the following reasons:
TIGHT TAPE: When this message is displayed, the
tape is tight and the player can't turn the tape hubs.
Remove the tape. Hold the tape with the open end down
and try to turn the right hub counterclockwise with a
pencil. Turn the tape over and repeat. If the hubs do not
turn easily, your tape may be damaged and should not be
used in the player. Try a new tape to make sure your
player is working properly.
BROKEN TAPE: If this message is displayed, the tape
is broken. Try a new tape.
WRAPPED: When this message is displayed, the tape
is wrapped around the tape head. Attempt to get the
cassette out. Try a new tape.
CLEAN PLAYR (Clean Player): This message may
also appear on the radio display to indicate that the
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 the tapes and player. For additional
information see ªCare of Your Cassette Tape Playerº
in the Index.If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error can't be
corrected, contact your dealer. If your radio displays an
error message, write it down and provide it to your
dealer when reporting the problem.
Playing a Compact Disc
With the ignition on, insert a disc partway into the slot,
label side up. The player will pull it in and the disc
should begin playing. If you want to insert a CD when
the ignition is off, first press the eject button or the
RCL knob.
When the disc is inserted, the CD symbol will be
displayed. If you select an EQ setting for your CD,
it will be activated each time you play a CD.
As each new track starts to play, the track number will
appear on the display.
If an error appears on the display, see ªCompact Disc
Messagesº later in this section.
1 REV (Reverse): Press and hold this pushbutton to
reverse quickly within a track. You will hear sound at a
reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.

3-23
2 FWD (Forward): Press and hold this pushbutton to
advance quickly within a track. You will hear sound at
a reduced volume. Release it to play the passage. The
display will show elapsed time.
4 RDM (Random): Press this pushbutton to hear the
tracks in random, rather than sequential, order. RDM
and the track number will appear on the display. Press
this pushbutton again to turn off random mode.
AUTO EQ (Automatic Equalizer): Press this button
to select the desired preset equalization setting while
playing a compact disc. The equalization will be
automatically set whenever you play a compact disc.
See ªAUTO EQº listed previously for more information.


SEEK
: Press the left arrow to go to the start of the
current track if more than eight seconds have played.
Press the right arrow to go to the next track. If you hold
this button or press it more than once, the player will
continue moving backward or forward through the disc.


SCAN
: Press and hold either arrow for more than
two seconds until you hear a beep and SCAN appears
on the display. The disc will go to the next track, play
for a few seconds, then go on to the next track. Press this
button again to stop scanning. The sound will mute
while scanning. SCAN and the track number will appear
on the display.RCL (Recall): Press this knob to see how long the
current track has been playing. To change what is
normally shown on the display (track or elapsed time),
press the knob until you see the display you want, then
hold the knob until the display flashes. While elapsed
time is showing, EL TM will appear on the display.
BAND: Press this button to listen to the radio when
a CD is playing.
TP CD (Tape): Press this button to play to play a
cassette tape or a CD when listening to the radio. Press
TP CD to switch between the tape and compact disc if
both are loaded. The inactive tape or CD will remain
safely inside the radio for future listening. The display
will show the TAPE and CD symbols.
(Eject): Press this button to eject a CD. Eject
may be activated with either the ignition or radio off.
CDs may be loaded with the radio and ignition off if
this button is pressed first.

3-26 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 CLEAN
PLAYR 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).
When cleaning the cassette tape player with the
recommended non
-abrasive cleaning cassette, it is
possible that the cassette may eject, because the cut tape
detection feature on your radio may recognize it as a
broken tape. To prevent the cleaning cassette from being
ejected, use the following steps.
1. Turn the ignition to ON or ACC.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Press and hold the TP CD button for five seconds.
4. Insert the scrubbing action cleaning cassette.
5. Eject the cleaning cassette after the manufacturer's
recommended cleaning time.

3-28 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.
NOTICE:
Do not try to clear frost or other material from
the inside of the rear window with a razor blade
or anything else that is sharp. This may damage
the rear defogger grid and affect your radio's
ability to pick up stations clearly. The repairs
wouldn't be covered by your warranty.
Because this antenna is built into your rear window,
there is a reduced risk of damage caused by car washes
and vandals.If you choose to add a cellular telephone to your vehicle,
and the antenna needs to be attached to the glass, be sure
that you do not damage the grid lines for the AM
-FM
antenna. There is enough space between the lines to
attach a cellular telephone antenna without interfering
with radio reception.
Chime Level Adjustment
The radio is the vehicle chime producer. The chime is
produced from the driver's side front door speakers. To
change the volume level, press and hold pushbutton 6
with the ignition on and the radio power off. The chime
volume level will change from the normal level to loud,
and LOUD will be displayed on the radio. To change
back to the default or normal setting, press and hold
pushbutton 6 again. The chime level will change from the
loud level to normal, and NORMAL will be displayed.
Each time the chime volume is changed, three chimes will
sound as an example of the new volume selected. Chime
level adjustment is only available on RDS radios.
Removing the radio and not replacing it with a factory
radio or chime module will disable vehicle chimes.

4-25
CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

Know how to go uphill. Drive in the highest
gear possible.

Stay in your own lane when driving on two
-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

You may see highway signs on mountains that warn
of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing
or no
-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:

Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.

You may want to put winter emergency supplies
in your trunk.

4-31 Dinghy Towing
To tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground,
follow these steps:
1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it.
2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. To prevent your battery from draining while the
vehicle is being towed, remove the following fuses
from the left side instrument panel fuse block:
WIPER, PCM ACC and IPC/BFC ACC. See
ªInstrument Panel Fuse Block
-- Driver's Sideº in
the Index for the location of these fuses.
5. Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY.
6. Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
7. Release the parking brake.

4-32
Remember to reinstall the fuses once you reach your
destination. To reinstall a fuse do the following:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Put the fuse back in.
NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
65 mph (110 km/h), or your vehicle could be
badly damaged.
NOTICE:
Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Your
vehicle could be badly damaged and the repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.

5-4
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren't touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don't want. You wouldn't be able
to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic transaxle
in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in NEUTRAL
before setting the parking brake.
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn off the radio and all lamps that aren't
needed. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. And it could save your radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (
-) terminal locations on
each vehicle. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more information on location.
CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.

6-19
How to Reset the Change Oil Light
The GM Oil Life System
calculates when to change
your engine oil and filter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation
occurs where you change your oil prior to a CHANGE
OIL light being turned on, reset the system.
After the oil has been changed, the oil life indicator
must be reset. To reset the oil life indicator, do
the following:
1. With the ignition key in ON, press the RESET
button located in the driver's side instrument panel
fuse block. See ªInstrument Panel Fuse Blockº in
the Index.
2. When the CHANGE OIL light starts to flash, press
and hold the RESET button again.
The reset is complete when you hear the chimes
sound and the CHANGE OIL light goes out.
If your vehicle is equipped with a 2.2L L4 ECOTEC
engine, it has a unique oil filter element. When
reinstalling the filter cap do not exceed 18 lb
-ft
(25 N´m). Inspect the condition of the O
-ring and
replace if damaged.
See your dealer for additional information.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don't let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer's
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or
into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a
problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask
your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.