Oldsmobile 2000 Alero User manual

Free lockout assistance
Free dead-battery assistance
Free out-of-fuel assistance
Free flat-tire change
Emergency towing
1-800-442-OLDS
( For vehicles purchased in Canada,
call
1-800-268-6800)
that provides in an emergency:
1-800-442-OLDS
( For vehicles purchased in Canada,
call
1-800-268-6800)
Bumper-to-Bumper
3-years/36,000 miles (60 000 km)
Limited Warranty
Courtesy
Transportation
Every
2000 Alero
under warranty is
backed with the
following
services:

i
2000 Oldsmobile Alero
Owner's Manual
Litho in U.S.A.
Part Number 22618959 A First Edition
© Copyright General Motors Corporation 1999
All Rights Reserved

Table of Contents
Keys and Door Locks
Remote Lock Control
Trunk Release
Automatic Transmission (If Equipped)
Manual Transmission
Parking Brake
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Windshield Wipers
Cruise Control
Interior and Exterior Lamps
Mirrors
Storage Compartments
Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Accessory Power Outlets
Sunroof (If Equipped)
Instrument Panel, Warning Lights and Gages
Seats and Seat Controls
Safety Belts
Air Bag Systems
Child Restraints
Section
1
Section
2
Seats and Restraint Systems
Features and Controls
ii

iii
Section
3
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Section
4
Your Driving and the Road
Section
5
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
Enhanced Traction System
Steering
Driving Tips for Various Road Conditions
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
Heating and Air Conditioning
Setting the Radio Clock
Radio/Cassette Player/CD Player
Radio Theft-Deterrent Feature
Hazard Warning Flashers
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating
Changing a Flat Tire
If You're Stuck
Problems on the Road

iv
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Maintenance Schedule
Service and Appearance Care
Section
7
Section
6
Scheduled Maintenance
Owner Checks and Services
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Maintenance Records
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires and Wheels
Appearance Care
Electrical System/Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Fuel
Checking Fluids and Lubricants
GM Oil Life System™
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Brakes
Bulb Replacement

v
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Customer Assistance Information
In the Index you will find an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual.
You can use it to quickly find something you want to read.
Section
8
Customer Satisfaction Procedures
Customer Assistance Offices
Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation
Warranty Information (See Warranty Manual)
Reporting Safety Defects on page 8-10
Service Publications
Index
Section
9
Please refer to the last page of this manual for your Service Station Guide

vi
GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
OLDSMOBILE, the OLDSMOBILE Rocket Emblem
and the name ALERO are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time
it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
in the product after that time without further notice.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Oldsmobile
Division whenever it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the new
owner can use it.
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propriétaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer un exemplaire de ce guide en français chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1577 Meyerside Dr.
Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1B9

vii
How to Use this Manual
Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning
to end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
do this, it will help you learn about the features and
controls for your vehicle. In this manual, you’ll find
that pictures and words work together to explain
things quickly.
Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you
about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore
the warning.
CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce
the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t,
you or others could be hurt.
You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or
“Don’t let this happen.”

viii
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also in this book you will find these notices:
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
In the notice area, we tell you about something that can
damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would
not be covered by your warranty, and it could be costly.
But the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid
the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in
different words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

ix
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
CAUTION
POSSIBLE
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
ACID COULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
FLAME
COULD
EXPLODE
BATTERY
These symbols
are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
AIR BAG
These symbols
have to do with
your lamps:
MASTER
LIGHTING
SWITCH
TURN
SIGNALS
PARKING
LAMPS
HAZARD
WARNING
FLASHER
DAYTIME
RUNNING
LAMPS
FOG LAMPS
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD
WASHER
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
VENTILATING
FAN
These symbols
are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMP
BATTERY
CHARGING
SYSTEM
BRAKE
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
LIGHTER
HORN
SPEAKER
FUEL
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.

For
a More
Detailed Look at
What's Under the Hood
See Section 6
Tire Pressure
See Section 6
Service Station Guide
Oil Viscosity
Engine Oil
See Section 6
Engine Oil Dipstick
See Section 6
Use unleaded gas only,
87 Octane or higher.
See Section 6
Cooling System
See Section 5
Hood Release
See Section 6
Windshield Washer
Fluid
See Section 6
Spare Tire Pressure
See Section 5
Battery
See Section 6

1- 1-1
Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems
Here you’ll find information about the seats in your vehicle and how to use your safety belts properly. You can also
learn about some things you should not do with air bags and safety belts.
1-2 Seats and Seat Controls
1-9 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
1-13 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About
Safety Belts -- and the Answers
1-14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
1-14 Driver Position
1-22 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
1-23 Right Front Passenger Position
1-23 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
1-30 Rear Seat Passengers
1-33 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults
1-35 Center Passenger Position
1-37 Children
1-39 Child Restraints
1-50 Larger Children
1-53 Safety Belt Extender
1-53 Checking Your Restraint Systems
1-53 Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash

1-2
Seats and Seat Controls
This section tells you about the seats -- how to
adjust them -- and also about reclining seatbacks
and head restraints.
Manual Seats
CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is
moving. The sudden movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you
don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
2-Way Manual Seat Controls
Lift the bar under the front of the seat to unlock it.
Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar.
Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat
is locked in place.

1-3
Power Lift Seat-Forward/Rearward
Controls (If Equipped)
Move the control lever under the front of the seat to
unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it. Then
release the lever and try to move the seat with your
body to make sure the seat is locked into place.
Power Lift Seat-Height Controls
(If Equipped)
The power seat switch is located on the lower left
side of the driver’s seat. Raise the seat by holding the
switch up. Lower the seat by holding the switch down.

1-4
6-Way Power Seat Controls (If Equipped)
The power seat switch is located on the lower, left side
of the driver’s seat. This switch allows you to move the
seat up, down, forward, and backward. It also moves the
front of the seat up or down and the rear of the seat up
or down.
Move the seat higher by lifting and holding the bottom
of the switch. Lower the seat by pushing and holding the
top of the switch.
To move the seat forward, push the rear of the switch
forward. To move the seat backward, push the front
of the switch rearward.
Raise the front of the seat by lifting and holding the
bottom front end of the switch. Lower the front of
the seat by pushing and holding the top front end
of the switch.
Raise the rear of the seat by lifting and holding the
bottom rear of the switch. Lower the rear of the seat
by pushing and holding the top rear of the switch.

1-5
Manual Lumbar Support (If Equipped)
Turn the knob on the right front of the driver’s seat
cushion clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust support
of the lower back.
Reclining Front Seatbacks
To adjust the seatback, lift the lever on the outer side
of the seat and move the seatback to where you want it.
Release the lever to lock the seatback. Pull up on the
lever and the seat will go to an upright position.

1-6
But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle
is moving.
CAUTION:
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is
in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle
up, your safety belts can’t do their job when
you’re reclined like this.
The shoulder belt can’t do its job because it
won’t be against your body. Instead, it will be
in front of you. In a crash you could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt can’t do its job either. In a crash the
belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit
well back in the seat and wear your safety
belt properly.

1-7
Head Restraints
Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the
restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position
reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.
Seatback Latches (2-Door Models)
CAUTION:
If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move forward
in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury
to the person sitting there. Always press rearward
on the seatback to be sure it is locked.
The front seatback folds forward to let people get into
the back seat. The seatback latch is designed for
one-handed operation.
To fold a front seatback forward, lift the seatback latch
fully without pushing forward on the seatback.
Push the seatback to its original position, the seatback
will lock.

1-8
Easy Entry Seat (2-Door Models)
CAUTION:
If an easy entry right front seat isn’t locked, it
can move. In a sudden stop or crash, the person
sitting there could be injured. After you’ve used
it, be sure to push rearward on an easy entry seat
to be sure it is locked.
The right front seat of your vehicle makes it easy to get
in and out of the rear seat.
1. Fold the right front seatback forward by lifting the
seatback latch fully.
2. The seat will slide forward to allow someone to get
into the rear seat area.
3. Push the seatback upright to lock and slide the seat
fully rearward to lock.
4. Adjust the seat to the desired position.
5. The front passenger should try to move the seat to
make sure the seat is locked into place.
Rear Seats
Folding the Rear Seat
To fold down the rear seat,
pull the release straps
located in the trunk.
The right strap operates the right rear split seat.
The left strap operates the left rear split seat.
Fold the seatback down from the inside of the vehicle.
Push the seatback up to return it to its original position.
To make sure the seatback is secure, push the seatback
into a fully upright position. Pull the seatback forward
slightly to make sure that it is latched. The seatback
should not fold down.