Oldsmobile 2002 Alero User manual

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2002 Oldsmobile Alero
Owner’s Manual
Litho in U.S.A. E Copyright General Motors Corporation 06/25/01
Part Number 22673544 A First Edition All Rights Reserved

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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
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:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207

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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.”

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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.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle may be equipped with components and
labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols,
used on your vehicle, are shown along with the text
describing the operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator reference the following
topics in the Index:
D “Engine Compartment Overview”
D “Instrument Panel”
D “Comfort Controls”
D “Audio Systems”
Also see “Warning Lights and Gages” in the Index.

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These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:

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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
1-8 Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone
1-12 Here Are Questions Many People Ask About
Safety Belts -- and the Answers
1-13 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
1-14 Driver Position
1-21 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
1-22 Right Front Passenger Position
1-22 Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
1-28 Rear Seat Passengers
1-31 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults
1-34 Center Passenger Position
1-35 Children
1-39 Restraint Systems for Children
1-53 Older Children
1-56 Safety Belt Extender
1-56 Checking Your Restraint Systems
1-56 Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash

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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.
Lift the bar located 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.

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Power Lift Seat (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, to move the power lift
seat forward or rearward, pull up on the lever located
under the front of the driver’s seat to unlock it. Slide the
seat to where you want it and release the lever. Try to
move the seat with your body to make sure the seat is
locked into place.
To raise or lower the power lift seat, hold the switch
located on the outboard side of the driver’s seat
up or down.

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Six-Way Power Seat Controls (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this
feature, the power seat
control is located on
the outboard side of
the driver’s seat.
This control allows you to move the seat up, down,
forward, or backward. It will also move the front or rear
of the seat cushion up or down.
D Move the seat forward or rearward by pushing the
control toward the front or rear of the vehicle.
D Raise or lower the entire seat cushion by holding
the control up or down.
D Raise or lower the front of the seat cushion by
holding the front of the control up or down.
D Raise or lower the rear of the seat cushion by
holding the rear of the control up or down.
Manual Lumbar Support (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, turn the knob located on
the inboard side 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 located on the
outboard 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 without pushing on the
seatback, and the seatback will go to an upright position.