page 48 Oldsmobile Alero 2003 s Owner's Guide

When you switch to the defog or defrost modes the
system will automatically move from recirculation to
outside air. When you move the mode knob back to
another mode, the system will move back into
recirculation. When the car is turned off and back on the
system will default to outside air automatically.
Temperature Control: Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to manually increase or decrease
the temperature inside your vehicle.
When it’s cold outside
0°F (-18°C) or lower, use the
engine coolant heater,
if equipped, to provide warmer air
faster to your vehicle. An engine coolant heater warms
the coolant that the engine uses to provide heat to
warm the inside of your vehicle. For more information,
see
Engine Coolant Heater on page 2-20.
A/C (Air Conditioning): Press this button to turn the
air-conditioning system on or off. When
A/C is pressed,
an indicator light in the button will come on to let you
know that air conditioning is activated.
The fan knob must be set to a speed for the air
conditioning to operate.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently. For
quick cool down
on hot days:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select A/C.
4. Select the recirculation mode.
5. Select the coolest temperature.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle is cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from
the air,
so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Defogging and Defrosting
There are two modes to choose from to clear fog or
frost from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear
the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
3-20

Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages
that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help
you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions.
As you will
see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when you start the
engine just to let you know they’re working.
If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens. Gages can
indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together
to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving,
or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section that
tells you what to do about
it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly
- and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.
3-23

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need to drive safely and economically.
Your vehicle has this cluster
or one very similar to it. It includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained
on the following pages. Be sure to read about them.
PO
RO
NO
DO
30
20
United States Automatic Transaxle Cluster shown, Manual Transaxle and Canada Clusters similar
3-24

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind people to fasten
their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will also come on and stay on
for several seconds,
then it will flash for
several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you
if there is an electrical problem.
The system check includes the air bag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) on page 1-53.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will flash for
a few seconds. Then
the light should
This means the
ready.
go out.
system is
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
3-26

Up-Shift Light
SHIFT
If your manual transaxle
vehicle has this feature
this light comes on
when you need to shift to
the next higher gear.
See
Manual Transaxle
Operation on page
2-25.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
I I I
United States
Canada This light should
come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to
ON. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
floor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing
Your Vehicle on page
4-3 1.
Your brake system r y not be working
properly
if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still
on after you’ve pulled
off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
I
3-28

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
ANTI -
LOCK
United States Canada
If your vehicle has the anti-lock brake system, the light
will come on when your engine is started and may
stay on for several seconds. That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you’re driving, stop as soon
as possible and turn the ignition
off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system.
If the light still stays
on, or comes on aqain while Vou’re drivinq, your vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake system warning
light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes
and there’s a problem with your regular brakes. See
section.
Brake Sy~Sei~7 Viamj~~ Light O/T page 3-28 earlier in this
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briefly when you turn the ignition key to
ON. This is
normal.
If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light
TRAC
OFF
If your vehicle has the
Enhanced Traction System
(ETS), this warning light
should come on briefly as
you start the engine.
If the warning light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the warning light stays on, or comes on when you’re
driving, there may be a problem with your Enhanced
I raction system ana your venicie may need service.
When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. -
3-29

The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the ETS
button on the center console near the gear
shift lever, the warning light will come on and stay
on. To turn the system back
on, press the button
again. The warning light should go
off. See
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9 for
more information.
If the traction control system is affected by an
engine-related problem, the system will turn
off and
the warning light will come on.
If the vehicle is driven on an extremely rough road,
the warning light may come on momentarily but will
go off again when the vehicle leaves the rough
surface.
If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on and the parking brake is fully
released, your vehicle needs service.
Enhanced Traction System
Active Light
LOW
TRAC
If your vehicle has the
Enhanced Traction System
(ETS), this light will
come on when the system
is limiting wheel spin.
Slippery road conditions may exist
if the Enhanced
Traction System active light comes on,
so adjust your
driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes
on briefly when you turn the ignition key
to ON. If
the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
there to tell you when the system is active.
3-30

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature.
if the gage
pointer moves into the red
area, the light comes
on and you hear a chime,
your engine
is too hot.
It means that your engine
coolant has overheated.
See
Engine Overheating on page 5-26.
Low Coolant Warning Light
1
This light comes on
briefly when you turn your
ignition on.
!f this !ight comes on and stays on and you hear a
chime, the coolant level in your vehicle is low.
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-23. If the light is on along
with an overheat warning, you may have a
serious overheating problem. See
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-31
listed previously.
Notice: Damage to your engine from neglected
coolant problems can be costly and is not covered
by your warranty.
See
Engine Overheating on page 5-26 for information
on what
to do. Your vehicle should be serviced as soon
as possible.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light in the
United States
or Check Engine Light in
Canada
17
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
II I I I
United States Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
3-3 1

If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart
the engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
flashing, follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle
to your dealer or qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See
Filling Your Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light
off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If
so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
if SU, yuuI &cti-ic& ~~~t6fi-1 i7-lZj be vvt;~. I I IC LUI IUILIUI I ...- TL - --.-A:&:--
Gasc/i,qe &fane cfi 5-5. fuel quality ;&/iff
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use.
It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check
the vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment
and diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your \.lehic!e wi!! not pass this inspectinn if the SERV!CE
ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE light is on or not
working properly.
3-33

Low Oil Level Light
LOW
OIL
If your vehicle is equipped
with a
3400 V6 engine,
then you
will have a LOW
OIL light in your
instrument panel cluster.
This light will come on briefly when you start your
vehicle.
If the light stays on after starting your vehicle, or comes
on and chimes while you are driving, your engine
oil
level should be checked.
Prior to checking the oil level, be sure your vehicle has
been shut
off for several minutes and is on a level
surface. Check the oil level on your dipstick and bring it
to the proper level. See
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level
during the brief period between when the key is on and
the engine is cranking. It does not monitor engine oil level
when the engine is running. Additionally, an oil level
check is only performed
if the engine has been turned off
for a considerable period of time allowing the oil normally
in circulation to drain back into the oil pan.
Change Engine Oil Light
CHANGE
OIL
The CHANGE OIL light
should come on briefly as
a bulb check when you
start the engine. If the light
' doesn't come on, have it
~ serviced.
I I
If the CHANGE OIL light comes on and stays on after
you start the engine, have the oil changed.
To reset the CHANGE
OIL light, see Engine Oil on
page 5- 15.
3-35