key Oldsmobile Alero 2003 s User Guide

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.
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
Lockout Protection on
page2-71
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
“Programmable Horn Chirp” listed previously for more
information.
If the driver opens another door before the seven
seconds are up, the doors will not lock until seven
seconds have elapsed 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
symbol 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.
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
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
huffon is pressed. A!! doors will unlock when the
transaxle
is shifted into REVERSE (R) and the key is
turned to
OFF.
^I I-. . 11- - -I..:. _^__ -.- .-.l-:-1-- ... :*L. -^_. .,I ~IUCJI~I I 11 II~U uy 11 IG UI IVGI VI I VGI IILIGCI VVILI I 6 I I la1 lual
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.
Before 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.
2.
3.
4.
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.
Press and hold the lower part of the power door
lock switch for
10 seconds. Release the switch
when you hear the chime.
Count the number of chimes you hear. The number
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).
Repeat Step 2 until you hear the number of chimes
that matches the mode you want.
c! chirzcs tc!!s yc: v:!ic!? n?!x!e ;‘c)L!!- vehk!e In in-
The mode you selected is now set.
2-9

Lockout Protection
Lockout protection is intended to provide enhanced
security and convenience. This feature prevents a driver
who has left the keys in the ignition from locking the
doors, using the power door locks while any door
is open.
To override this feature, when the key is in the ignition
and any door is open, press and hold down the
power door lock switch for three seconds.
This feature cannot guarantee that you will never be
locked out of your vehicle.
If you don’t leave the keys in
the ignition, or
if you use the manual door lock or the
remote keyless entry transmitter, you could still lock your
keys inside your vehicle. Always remember to take
your keys with you.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving your vehicle, open your door and
set the locks from the inside, then get out and close
the door.
Trunk
When closing the trunk, close from the center to ensure
’+ ‘ully latches.
It can be d,,,gerous L drive wit.. Ihe trL ... c lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO.
It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. If you must drive with the trunk
lid open
or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk
lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
0 Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to
its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air into your vehicle. See “Climate Controls”
in the Index.
instrument panel, open them all the way.
- !f ywu lIUYC UII “ULlrLV V., V. U..UY. L.. Y .-~~ma CImnerr mi~ AII+ICI+E A- AS. ~~nr(ar )ha
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key and
turn the trunk lock cylinder or use the remote keyless
entry transmitter,
if your vehicle has this feature.
2-1 1

Remote Trunk Release Remote Trunk Release Lockout
The switch is located on the inside of the trunk lid,
mounted to the trunk lid latch.
Press the remote trunk release button, located on the
driver’s door, to release the trunk lid.
Make sure the remote trunk release lockout feature
is
not activated. Also, the remote trunk release will
only work when either the ignition is
off, the parking
brake is engaged or the vehicle speed is less than
2 mph (3 km/h). To
turn the lockout on, slide the switch all the way to
the left
(ON). To turn the lockout off, slide the switch all
the way to the right
(OFF).
When the lockout is on, the remote trunk release switch
on the driver’s door will not release the trunk lid.
However, the trunk lid can still be opened with the key,
but not with the remote keyless entry transmitter,
if
your vehicle has this feature.
2-1 2

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make
it
impossible to steal.
Passlock@
Your vehicle has the Passlock@ theft-deterrent system.
Passlock@ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock@ enables fuel
if the ignition lock cylinder has
not been tampered with.
During normal operation, the SECURITY light will go
off
approximately five seconds after the ignition key is
turned to
ON and the engine is started.
After attempting to start the engine,
if the SECURITY
light flashes or stays on, wait ten minutes with the key in
ON until the light goes off. Then turn the ignition to
OFF before attempting to start the engine again.
See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 7-5 for
more information.
2-1 6

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Nofice: Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0 Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or
slow
- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in. See “Towing
a Trailer”
in the Index for more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to four
different positions.
A
hB
A (OFF): This is the only position from which you can
shift lever must be in PARK (P) with the ignition in
OFF
to remove the key. With a manual transaxle, the shift
lever must be in
REVERSE (R) with the ignition in OFF
to remove the key.
I~IIIUV~: iP~t: key. VVIU I 21-1 huiei-fi&ic tTSiTsZ26, th~ 8 18!1l-
2-1 7

A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition is
off and the key is in the ignition.
Notice: If your key seems stuck in OFF and
you can’t turn it, be sure you are using the correct
key;
if so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only
with your hand. Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY): This position unlocks the transaxle.
It also lets you use things like the radio and windshield
wipers when the engine is not running. To use
ACCESSORY, turn the key clockwise to the first
position. Use this position
if your vehicle must be pushed
or towed, but never try to push-start your vehicle.
C (ON): This position is where the key returns to after
you start your engine and release the key. The
ignition switch stays in ON when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can
use
ON to operate your electrical accessories and to
display some instrument panel warning lights.
D (START): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON for normal driving.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio to
continue
to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to OFF.
Your radio will work when the ignition key is in ON or
ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from ON
to OFF,
the radio will continue
to work up to 10 minutes or
until the driver’s door is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice: Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor
and start the engine. Your vehicle won’t start
if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down
- that’s a safety feature.
2-1 8

Starting Your 2.2L L4 ECOTECTM
Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at
a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start, wait about 15 seconds and
try again to start the engine by turning the ignition
key to START. Wait about
15 seconds between
each try.
When your engine has run about
10 seconds to
warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Don’t
“race” your engine when it’s cold.
If the weather is below freezing (32°F or O’C), let
the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
iioor and hoiding
it there as you noia the key in
START for about three seconds.
If the vehicle starts briefly but then
stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six
seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
Nofice: Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer.
If you don’t, your engine
might not perform properly.
Starting Your 3400 V6 Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine warms up.
Notice: Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If the engine doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way
down while you turn the key to START.
Do this until
the engine starts. As soon as it does, let go of
thn Lnn, 11 vz nGy.
2-1 9

3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for a maximum of 15 seconds. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine.
If the engine
still won’t start or starts briefly but then stops again,
repeat Step
1 or 2, depending on temperature.
When the engine starts, release the key and the
accelerator pedal.
Notice: Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer.
If you don’t, your engine
might not perform properly.
Engine Coolant Heater
2-20

4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
has a shift lever located
on the console between
the seats.
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It’s the
best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.
It igerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You
or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle won’t move, even when
you’re on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See “Shifting Into Park (P)” in the
Index. If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a
Trailer”
in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift
lock control system. You have to apply your regular brake
before you can shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition key
is
in ON. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the
way into PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
2-22