seats Oldsmobile Alero 2004 s User Guide

A rear seat is a safer place to secure a forward-facing
child restraint. If you need to secure a forward-facing
child restraint in the right front seat, you will be using the
lap-shoulder belt to secure the restraint in this position.
Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the
child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint
when and as the instructions say.
1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger
air bag, always move the seat as far back as it will
go before securing a forward-facing child restraint.
SeeManual Seats on page 1-2.
2. Put the restraint on the seat.
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.
4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
1-52

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 is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can not move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not 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 will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-28. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-39.
2-22

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated. Be sure to clear as much snow
from the rear window as possible.
The rear window defogger will turn off about 10 minutes
after the button is pressed. If turned on again, the
defogger will only run for about five minutes before
turning off. The defogger can also be turned off turning
off the engine.
Notice:Don’t use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs wouldn’t be
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar
to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the sliding levers on the air outlets located in the
center and on the sides of the instrument panel, to
change the direction of the airflow.
Operation Tips
•
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the flow of air into your vehicle.
•Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
•Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
3-22

{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle. In a
trunk, put them as far forward as you can.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment and
drive properly, you can lose control when you
pull a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work well — or even
at all. You and your passengers could be
seriously injured. You may also damage your
vehicle; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Pull a trailer only if
you have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what
the vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section. But trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration, braking, durability
and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
4-39

Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to its
width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles substantially less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure in
a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi) before a
tire has built up heat from driving. SeeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-61.Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, seeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
There are 6.9 kPa’s to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
5-59

Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Driver’s Side)
Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses and
features listed.
Fuses Usage
WIPERWindshield Wiper Motor, Washer
Pump
TRUNK
REL/RADIO
AMPTrunk Release Relay/Motor, Audio
Amplifier/RFA
TURN LPS Turn Signal Lamps
PWR MIRROR Power Mirrors
Fuses Usage
AIR BAG Air Bags
BFC BATT Body Computer (BFC)
PCM ACC Power Control Module (PCM)
DR LOCK Door Lock Motors
IPC/BFC ACC Cluster, Body Computer (BFC)
STOP LPS Stop Lamps
HAZARD LPS Hazard Lamps
IPC/HVAC
BATTHVAC Head, Cluster, Data Link
Connector
Circuit
BreakersUsage
PWR SEAT Power Seats
Relay Usage
TRUNK REL Trunk Relay
DR UNLOCK Door Unlock Relay
DR LOCK Door Lock Relay
DRIVER DR
UNLOCKDriver’s Door Unlock Relay
5-91

Engine Compartment Fuse Block
Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses and
features listed.
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver’s side of the vehicle, near the battery.
Fuse Usage
1 Ignition Switch
2Right Electrical Center-Fog Lamps,
Radio, Body Function Control
Module, Interior Lamps
3Left Electrical Center-Stop Lamps,
Hazard Lamps, Body Function
Control Module, Cluster, Climate
Control System
4 Anti-Lock Brakes
5Left Electrical Center-Power Seats,
Power Mirrors, Door Locks, Trunk
Release, Audio Amplifier, Remote
Keyless Entry
6 Not Used
7 Ignition Switch
8 Cooling Fan #1
Relays Usage
9 Rear Defog
10 Not Used
11 Starter (V6 only)
12 Cooling Fan #1
13 HVAC Blower (Climate Control)
14 Cooling Fan #2
15 Cooling Fan
5-93

Locks
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-12
Lockout Protection.......................................2-11
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-32
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-37
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Using Your................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-45
Making Turns.................................................4-43
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-32
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle............................................2-18
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-25
Manual Windows............................................2-14
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-5
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-33
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-34
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-33
Outside Remote Control Mirror......................2-33
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
8

Safety Belts (cont.)
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults......................................1-29
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-23
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-23
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-31
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-22
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-9
Safety Chains.................................................4-42
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seatback Latches............................................. 1-5
Seats
Easy Entry Seat............................................ 1-6
Head Restraints............................................ 1-5
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Power Lift Seat............................................. 1-7
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-8
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-3
Seatback Latches.......................................... 1-5
Six-Way Power Driver.................................... 1-3
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Rear Seat Position............................1-49
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-46
Rear Outside Seat Position...........................1-46
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-51
Security Light.................................................3-37
Security While You Travel.................................. 7-6Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-3
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-32
Publications Ordering Information...................7-12
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-38
Service Bulletins.............................................7-12
Service Engine Soon Light in the United States
or Check Engine Light in Canada..................3-32
Service Manuals.............................................7-12
Setting Preset PTYs (RDS Only)...............3-49, 3-59
Setting Preset Stations....................3-41, 3-47, 3-57
Setting the Time
Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS).........3-40
Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS).....3-39
Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble)..........3-41, 3-47, 3-57
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-87
Shift Speeds..................................................2-26
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-30
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-17
Skidding........................................................4-15
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-20
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-83
Specifications, Capacities.................................5-95
Speedometer..................................................3-25
Starting Your 2.2L L4 ECOTEC™ Engine...........2-18
11