flat tire Oldsmobile Alero 2004 Owner's Manuals

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-4
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-5
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood.....................5-9
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-21
Manual Transaxle Fluid..................................5-22
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-22
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-35
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-36Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-50
Headlamps..................................................5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-51
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-52
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-53
Tires..............................................................5-54
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-61
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-64
Buying New Tires.........................................5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Wheel Replacement......................................5-67
Tire Chains..................................................5-69
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-70
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-70
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-80
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare tire or
temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven
at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire
has lost air and gone flat. SeeCompact Spare Tire on
page 5-80andIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-70.
(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number of
plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identication Number (TIN):The Tire
Identification Number (TIN). The TIN shows the
manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and date the tire
was manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both
sides of the tire, although only one side may have the
date of manufacture.
(D) Maximum Cold Ination Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. SeeCompact Spare Tire
on page 5-80andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-34.(E) Tire Ination:The temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be inflated to 60 psi (420 kPa).
For more information on tire pressure and inflation see
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-61.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and numbers
define a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type and service description. The letter “T” as the
first character in the tire size means the tire is for
temporary use only.
(G) Tire Performance Criteria Specication
(TPC Spec):Original equipment tires designed to GM’s
specific tire performance criteria have a TPC
specification code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC
specifications meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines.
5-57

When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-95.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off. See “Changing a Flat
Tire” in the Index.
5-63

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-70for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used
or how far it’s been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
5-68

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning flashers.
5-70

The tools you’ll be using include the jack (A) and wheel
wrench (B).
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire
1. If your vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap that
has a plastic wheel nut cap, then loosen the
plastic nut caps (you may need to use the wheel
wrench to loosen them). Do not pry off wheel covers
or center caps that have plastic wheel nut caps.
2. Remove the wheel cover or center cap.3. If your vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap without
plastic wheel nut caps, gently pry on the edge of
the plastic wheel trim to remove it from the wheel to
find the wheel nuts.
5-73

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision,
loose equipment could strike someone. Store
all these in the proper place.
Store the flat tire in the compact spare tire compartment.
Place the tire in the compartment, then secure the
adapter and wing nut. Place the cover and the nut on
top of the flat tire. Store the jack and the wrench in the
foam tray.A. Nut
B. Cover
C. Wing Bolt
D. AdapterE. Wrench
F. Jack
G. Tool Tray
H. Flat Tire
5-79

GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities
This program, available to
qualified applicants, can
reimburse you up to $1,000
toward eligible aftermarket
driver or passenger
adaptive equipment you
may require for your vehicle
(hand controls, wheelchair/
scooter lifts, etc.).
This program can also provide you with free resource
information, such as area driver assessment centers and
mobility equipment installers. The offer is available for
a limited period of time from the date of vehicle
purchase/lease. For more details, or to determine your
vehicle’s eligibility, see your GM dealer or call the
GM Mobility Assistance Center at 1-800-323-9935. Text
telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-9935.
GM of Canada also has a Mobility Program. Call
1-800-GM-DRIVE (463-7483) for details. All TTY users
call 1-800-263-3830.
Roadside Assistance Program
Security While You Travel
1-800-442-OLDS (6537)
As the proud owner of a new Oldsmobile vehicle, you
are automatically enrolled in the Oldsmobile Roadside
Assistance program. This value-added service is
intended to provide you with peace of mind as you drive
in the city or travel the open road.
Oldsmobile’s Roadside Assistance toll-free number is
staffed by courteous and capable Roadside Assistance
Representatives who are available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year.
We will provide the following services during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty period, at no expense
to you:
•Fuel delivery
•Lock-out service (identification required)
•Tow to the nearest dealership for warranty service or
in the event of a vehicle-disabling accident
•Flat tire change
•Jump starts
•Minor repairs to disabled vehicles
7-6

Engine (cont.)
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-31
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-26
Starting......................................................2-18
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-93
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-45
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Active Light................................................3-31
Warning Light.............................................3-30
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-17
Event Data Records (EDR)..............................7-10
Express Down Window....................................2-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).................................3-48, 3-58Finding a Station............................3-41, 3-46, 3-56
Finish Care....................................................5-85
Finish Damage...............................................5-87
Flat Tire........................................................5-70
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-21
Manual Transaxle........................................5-22
Power Steering...........................................5-35
Windshield Washer......................................5-36
FM Stereo.....................................................3-67
Fog Lamps....................................................3-16
Folding the Seatback........................................ 1-8
Following Distance..........................................4-43
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-5
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-38
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-4
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-90
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-90
5

Radios (cont.)
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-68
Care of Your CDs........................................3-68
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-55
Radio with CD....................................3-40, 3-45
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-40
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-39
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-67
Understanding Reception..............................3-67
RDS Messages......................................3-49, 3-59
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-29
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-8
Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions.............1-23
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-23
Rear Window Defogger....................................3-22
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-3
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-31
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation............. 2-4
Remote Trunk Release....................................2-13
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-73
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-72
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-52
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-41
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash.....1-61Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-12
United States Government............................7-11
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-60
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a
Crash.....................................................1-61
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-60
Replacing Parts...........................................1-61
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-18
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-23
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out...................4-31
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-32
S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-26
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-84
Center Rear Passenger Position....................1-27
Driver Position............................................1-15
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-14
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-13
10