Oldsmobile Alero 2002 s Repair Manual

1-55
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way,
in a crash the child might slide under the belt.
The belt's force would then be applied right on
the child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.

1-56
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts or
LATCH system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt
or LATCH system wasn't being used at the time of
the collision.
If your seat adjuster won't work after a crash, the special
part of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system
earlier in this section.

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
-15 Trunk
2
-18 Theft
2
-19 Passlock

2-19 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-20 Ignition Positions
2
-21 Starting Your Engine
2
-24 Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
2
-26 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-30 Manual Transaxle Operation
2
-32 Parking Brake
2
-33 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
-35 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)2
-35 Parking Your Vehicle/Key Removal
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)
2
-36 Parking Over Things That Burn
2
-36 Engine Exhaust
2
-37 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
2
-38 Tilt Wheel
2
-38 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-45 Exterior Lamps
2
-48 Interior Lamps
2
-50 Mirrors
2
-52 Storage Compartments
2-53 Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped)
2
-53 Sun Visors
2
-54 Accessory Power Outlet
2
-55 Sunroof (Option)
2
-56 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-60 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. Press the rear of the
switch slightly down, and the driver's window will open
a small amount. If the rear of the switch is pressed all
the way down, the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front
of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the
front of the switch.
Lock
-Out Switch (Four-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 operate all of 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.
To unlock the door 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, 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.
Press the bottom of the switch to lock all of the doors.
Press 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
equipped 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.