turn signal Oldsmobile Alero 2003 s Owner's Guide

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or supernignwaysj are
ine
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic iiow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At
the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to
the freeway.
If you have a clear view of the freeway as
you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect
to blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close
to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal,
check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as
often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the
traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate
if it’s slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in
your “blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well
in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
4-2 1

Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-40

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even
if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are stiil working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
P; ‘ting on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) for an automatic transaxle or into a
gear for a manual transaxle, yet. When parking
uphill, turn your wheels away from the curb. When
parking downhill, turn your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
1/:!?ee!s.
3. When the chocks are in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and shift into PARK (P) for an
automatic transaxle or
REVERSE (R) for a manual
transaxle.
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-4 1

Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
Service ........................................................... -5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work ......................... 5.4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your
Vehicle
..................................................... -5-4
Fuel
............................................................... -5-5
Gasoline Octane ........................................... -5-5
Gasoline Specifications .................................... 5.5
California Fuel .............................................. -5-6
Additives
...................................................... -5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries
.............................. -5-6
Filling Your Tank
..................................... 5-7
Fillins a Portable Fuel Container .. ...... 5.8
the Hood
...................................................... 5-9
Hood Release .............................................. 5-10
Engine Compartment Overview ....................... 5-12
Engine Oil
.................................................. -5-1 5
Au'romaiic Transaxie Fiuia A-LL
Manual Transaxle Fluid .................................. 5-22
Checking
Things Under
Engine Air CleanedFilter
................................ 5-21 - ^^ .............................
Hydraulic Clutch ........................................... 5-22
Engine Overheating
....................................... 5-26
Cooling System
............................................ 5-28
Power Steering Fluid
..................................... 5-35
Windshield Washer Fluid
............ ............ -5-36
Brakes
...................................................... -5-38
Battery
........................................................ 5-41
Jump Starting
.............................................. 5-42
Engine Coolant
............................................. 5-23
Headlamp Aiming
........................................... 5-47
Bulb Replacement .......................................... 5-49
Haloger;
!3L;lbs .............................................. 5-49
Headlamps .................. .... ......... 5-49
Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps
.......... ......... 5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
.................................... 5-50
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps ............ 5-50 n-.-~ n ..II-- nepmwzIIIe111 DUIU~ J-J 1 rc4 .......................................
5- 1

Front Turn Signal and
Parking Lamps
1. Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to the
removal procedure earlier in this section.
2. Turn the bulb assembly retainer and pull out
the bulb.
3. Unclip the bulb assembly from the wiring harness.
4. When replacing the bulb, be sure to properly
align the bulb with the locating feature in the
assembly.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the bulb
assembly.
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)
1. Open the trunk lid and locate the center
high-mounted stop lamp on the inside
of the lid.
2. Use a tool to remove the three screws.
3. Gently remove and replace the bulb(s).
4. Reverse this procedure to reassemble the lamp.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps
I /---
A. Taillamp
6. TaiVBrake Lamp
C. Taillamp
D. Turn Signal
E. Back-up Lamp
5-50

Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Driver's Side)
f I A) WIPER I
F) EFC BATT G) PCMACC I ti: DALOCK I PWR SEAT E) 0 I) IPC / BFC ACG F) .
DRIVER
Fuses
WIPER
TRUNK REURADIO
AMP
TURN LPS Usage
Windshield Wiper Motor,
Washer Pump
Trunk Release Relay/Motor, Audio
Amplifier/RFA
Turn Signal Lamps
Fuses
PWR MIRROR
AIR BAG
BFC BATT
PCM ACC
DR LOCK
IPC/BFC ACC
STOP LPS
HAZARD LPS
I PC/HVAC
BATT
Circuit Breakers
PWR SEAT Usage
Power Mirrors
Air Bags Body Computer (BFC)
Power Control Module (PCM) Door Lock Motors
Cluster, Body Computer (BFC) Stop Lamps
Hazard Lamps
HVAC Head, Cluster, Data Link
Connector
Usage Power Seats
Relay Usage
TRUNK
REL Trunk Relay
DR UNLOCK Door Unlock Relay
DR LOCK Door Lock Relay
DRIVER DR Driver's Door Unlock Relay
UNLOCK
5-82

Backglass Antenna .......................................... 3-66
Backing Up
.................................................... 4-40
Battery
.......................................................... 5-41
Battery Replacement
......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection
............................ 3-1 7
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
......................... 4-22
Body Lubrication Service
.................................. 6-1 1
Brake
Parking
................................... .... 2-26
System Inspection
.................... .... 6-14
System Warning Light
................... .... 3-28
Brake Adjustment
............................................ 5-40
Brake Fluid
.................................................... 5-38
Brake Pedal Travel
......................................... 5-40
Brake Wear
................................................... 5-40
Brakes
................................ ................... 5-38
Braking
................................... ................. 4-6
Break-in, New Vehicle
..................................... 2-17
Bulb Replacement
........................................... 5-49
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
........ 5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps ............. 5-50
Headlamp Aiming .. .......................... 5-47
Braking
in Emergencies
............. ............. 4-8
Halogen Bulbs
............................................ 5-49
Headlamps
........ .......................... 5-49 Bulb
Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs
...................................... 5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal. and Stoplamps ............ 5-50
Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-56
C
............
California Fuel ........................ ...... 5-6
Canada
......................................... .. 7-4
Canadian Owners
...............................
Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specifications
............................ 5-86
Carbon Monoxide
................... 4.25. 4.36. 4-1 1. 4-30
Care
of
Safety Belts ........ ................ 5-75
Care of Your
..... II
Cassette Tape Player ... ................ 3-65
CD Player
.................................................. 3-66
Cassette Deck Service
...................................... 6-9
Center Console Storage Area
........................... 2-34
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
........... 5-50
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts ..... 1-50
Chains, Tires
.................................................. 5-60
Charging System Light
.................................... 3-27
Check Engine Light
............................................... 3-31
Checking Coolant
............................................ 5-25
CDS
.......................................................... 3-66
Cassette Tape Messages
................................. 3-62
3

G
Gage Engine Coolant Temperature
......................... 3-31
Fuel
.......................................................... 3-37
Speedometer
.............................................. 3-25
Tachometer
................................................. 3-25
Octane
........................................................ 5-5
Specifications ............................................... 5-5
Glass Surfaces
............................................... 5-74
Glove Box
..................................................... 2-34
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
.................................................... 7-5
Gasoline
H
Head Restraints ............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming
....................................................... 5-47
Headlamps
.................................................... 5-49
Bulb Replacement
....................................... 5-49
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
............. 5-50
Halogen Bulbs
............................................ 5-49
Headlamps
Off in PARK (P) .............................. 3-15
Highway Hypnosis
........................................... 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
.................................. 4-23
Hitches
.......................................................... 4-39 Hood
Checking Things Under
.............................. 5-9
Release
..................................................... 5-10
Horn
........................................................... 3-6
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
............................. ............ 5-30
How to Check
................................................ 5-54
How to Check and Add Fluid
............................ 5-23
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
.................. 5-36
How to Use This Manual
...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-14
Hydraulic Clutch
............................................. 5-22
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
........................ 6-10
Hydroplaning
.................................................. 4-18
If
No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .......... 5-27
If Steam
Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-26
If the Light
Is Flashing ..................................... 3-32
If the Light
Is On Steady ................................. 3-33
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
....... 4-29
If You Do Decide
To Pull A Trailer ..................... 4-37
If You’re Caught in a Blizzard
........................... 4-27
Ignition Positions
............................................. 2-17
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.......................... 6-12
IHazard Warning Flashers
.................................. 3-6
Indicators
....................................................... 3-23
Infants and Young Children, Restraints
............... 1-34
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure .................................. 5-54

Setting the Time
Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS)
......... 3-38
Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS)
..... 3-38
Setting the Tone (BassTTreble)
.......... 3.40. 3.45. 3-55
Sheet Metal Damage
....................................... 5-77
Shift Speeds
.................................................. 2-26
Shifting Into Park (P)
....................................... 2-27
Shifting Out of Park (P)
................................... 2-28
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
........................... 1-1 7
Skidding
........................................................ 4-1 4
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
....................... 4-19
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems
... ....... 5-73
Specifications, Capacities
.................. ... 5-86
Speedometer
.............................................. 3-25
Starter Switch Check
....................................... 6-1 1
Starting Your 2.2L L4 ECOTECTM Engine ........... 2-19
Starting Your 3400
V6 Engine ........................... 2-19
Starting Your Engine
................................... 2-18
Steering
............................................. ... 4-10
Steering in Emergencies
.................................. 4-1 1
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.............................. 6-13
Steering Tips
....................................... , ... 4-10
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area
........................ 2-34
Cupholder(s)
............................................... 2-34
Glove Box
.................................................. 2-34
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
.......................... 5-69
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
....................... 5-70
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow ...................... 4-29 Sun
Visors
................................................. 2-15
Sunroof
..................................................... 2-35
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) ........... 1-53
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
.................... 1-57
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1-59
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
.................... 1-57
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?
.. 1-57
When Should an Air Bag Inflate? ................... 1-56
Where Are the Air Bags?
.............................. 1-55
Tachometer
.................................................... 3-25
Taillamps Turn Signal, and Stoplamps
.......................... 5-50
Theft-Deterrent, Radio ..................................... 3-64
Theft-Deterrent Systems
................................... 2-16
Passlock@
.................................................. 2-16
Throttle System Inspection
............................... 6-14
Tilt Wheel
........................................................ 3-7
Tire Inflation Check
........................................... 6-9
Tires
..................................................... 5-53, 5-77
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-56
Chains
....................................................... 5-60
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-62
Compact Spare Tire
..................................... 5-71
If a Tire Goes Flat
....................................... 5-61
Inflation
-- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-54
Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-55
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-57
12

Tires (cont.) Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-58
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-59
When It
Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-56
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
.................... 2-21
Top of the Instrument Panel
............................. 5-74
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-41
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-42
Torque Lock
................................................... 2-28
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
.................. 4-39
Towing Recreational Vehicle
..................................... 4-31
Towing a Trailer
.......................................... 4-36
Your Vehicle
............................................... 4-31
Traction Enhmced Traction Systerr; Active Light
........... 3-30
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
........ 3-29
Enhanced
Traction System (ETS)
.................... 4-9
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-39
Transaxle Fluid, Automatic
........................................... 5-22
Fluid, Manual
.............................................. 5-22 T - - .. I - n- -.--a: - .- A . .I -.-- -L:- I I dl 13dAlt: Upel dllUl I, fiUlUl1 ldllb 6-66 A nA .........................
Transaxle Operation, Manual ............................ 2-25
Transmission Up-Shift Light
.............................................. 3-28
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual
........................................ 7-10
Transportation Options
...................................... 7-7
Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit
................................... 2-1 3 Trip Odometer
.......... ........................... 3-25
Trunk
............................................................ 2-11
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
........................... 3-7
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-41
Trunk Lamp
................................................... 3-16
Underbody Flushing Service
............................. 6-12
Understanding Radio Reception
........................ 3-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
............................ 5-57
United States
................................................... 7-4
Up-Shift Light
................................................. 3-28
Used Replacement Wheels
.............................. 5-60
using Cleaner on Fabric
.................................. 5-73
v
Vehicle
Control
........................... ..................... 4-5
Damage Warnings
........................................... iv
Loading
...................................................... 4-34
Service Soon Light
...................................... 3-36
Parking
Your
............................................... 2-29
Symbols
......................................................... iv
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
............................................. 5-80
Service Parts Identification Label
................... 5-80
Vehicle Storage
.............................................. 5-41
13