Oldsmobile Alero (2004 year). Manual

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The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:

A. Instrument Panel Fuse Blocks. See Fuses and

Circuit Breakers on page 5-90.

B. Air Outlets. See Outlet Adjustment on page 3-22.

C. Instrument Panel Cluster. See Instrument Panel

Cluster on page 3-24.

D. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. See Hazard

Warning Flashers on page 3-4.

E. Audio System. See Audio System(s) on page 3-39.

F. Climate Control System. See Climate Control

System on page 3-19.

G. Side Window Defogger Vent. See “Defogging and

Defrosting” in Climate Control System on page 3-19.

H. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). See “Fog Lamps”

in Exterior Lamps on page 3-14.

I. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel. See

“Instrument Panel Brightness” in Interior Lamps on
page 3-16.

J. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See Turn

Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.

K. Hood Release Handle. See Hood Release on

page 5-10.

L. Cruise Control Switches (If Equipped). See Cruise

Control on page 3-10.

M. Tilt Wheel Lever. See Tilt Wheel on page 3-5.

N. Ignition Switch. See Ignition Positions on page 2-17.

O. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever. See Windshield

Wiper Lever on page 3-9.

P. Enhanced Traction System Button (If Equipped).

See Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9.

Q. Transaxle Shift Lever. See Automatic Transaxle

Operation on page 2-22.

R. Parking Brake. See Parking Brake on page 2-27.

S. Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power Outlet. See

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-19.

T. Accessory Power Outlet. See Accessory Power

Outlets on page 3-18.

3-3

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Hazard Warning Flashers

Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.

The hazard warning
flasher is located near the
center of the instrument
panel.

Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.

Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the flashers off.

When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won’t work.

3-4

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Other Warning Devices

If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your
vehicle.

Horn

You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbol on
your steering wheel.

Tilt Wheel

A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise it to the highest level to
give your legs more room when you exit and enter
your vehicle.

The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.

To tilt the wheel, hold the wheel and pull the lever
toward you. Then move the wheel to a comfortable
position and release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

3-5

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Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever

The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:

•

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

•

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

•

Flash-to-Pass

•

Exterior Lamps Control

For information on the exterior lamps, see Exterior
Lamps on page 3-14.

Turn and Lane-Change Signals

The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.

To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.

An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.

3-6

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To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.

As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
flash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.

If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and then check
the fuse. See Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-90.

Turn Signal On Chime

If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each flash of the
turn signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal
lever to the off position.

Headlamps

The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.

(Exterior Lamps): Turn the outside part of the

lever with the symbol on it, to operate the lamps.

3-7

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The exterior lamps control has three positions:

(Parking Lamps): Turn the control to this position

to turn on the parking lamps, together with the
following.

•

Sidemarker Lamps

•

Taillamps

•

License Plate Lamps

•

Instrument Panel Lights

(Headlamps): Turn the control to this position to

turn on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.

AUTO: Turn the control to this position to turn the
headlamps, taillamps and parking lamps on and
off automatically while the ignition is on, by sensing how
dark it is outside. For more information see Automatic
Headlamp System later in this section.

Headlamps On Reminder

If you open the driver’s door and turn off the ignition
while leaving the lamps on, you will hear a warning
chime.

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer

To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.

When the high beams are
on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster
will come on if the ignition
is in ON.

To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.

Flash-to-Pass Feature

This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.

To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.

3-8

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Windshield Wiper Lever

Use this lever located on the right side of the steering
wheel to operate the windshield wipers.

OFF: Move the lever to OFF to turn off the windshield
wipers.

INT (Intermittent): Move the lever to INT to choose a
delayed wiping cycle. Turn the INT ADJ band down for a
longer delay or up for a shorter delay. The further the INT
ADJ band is turned upward, the shorter the delay will be
and the further the INT ADJ band is turned downward, the
longer the delay will be. The wiper speed can only be
adjusted when the lever is in the INT position. Use this
position for light rain or snow.

LO (Low Speed): Move the lever up to the first setting
past INT, for steady wiping at low speed.

HI (High Speed): Move the lever up to the second
setting past INT, for steady wiping at high speed.

MIST: Move the lever all the way down to MIST for a
single wiping cycle. Hold it there until the windshield
wipers start; then let go. The windshield wipers will stop
after one wipe. If you want more wipes, hold the band on
mist longer.

Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you
from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them. If they’re frozen to the
windshield, carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades
do become damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.

3-9

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Windshield Washer

To wash your windshield, push in the button at the end
of the lever until the washers begin.

{

CAUTION:

In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer fluid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.

When you release the button, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will continue to wipe about three times or
will resume the speed you were using before.

Cruise Control

If your vehicle has this feature, the cruise control
buttons are located on the steering wheel.

With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise
control does not work at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).

The cruise control will turn off when any of the following
occur:

•

The brakes are applied,

•

the clutch is applied (manual transaxle),

•

the parking brake is applied, or

•

the brake system warning light is on.

3-10

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{

CAUTION:

•

Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can not drive safely at a steady speed.
So, do not use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.

•

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
needless wheel spinning, and you could
lose control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.

Your vehicle may have Enhanced Traction System
(ETS). See Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on
page 4-9. If your vehicle is in cruise control while the
ETS begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control
will automatically disengage. When road conditions allow
you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.

Setting Cruise Control

{

CAUTION:

If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.

1. Press the cruise control ON OFF button. The

indicator light above the button will turn on.

2. Get up to the speed you want.

3. Press the CST SET (Coast Set) button and release

it. The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster
will come on.

4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.

3-11

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Resuming a Set Speed

Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts
off the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset
it. Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can press the cruise control RES ACCL
(Resume/Accelerate) button briefly.

You’ll go right back up to your chosen speed and stay
there.

If you press the RES ACCL button longer, the vehicle
will keep going faster until you release the button
or apply the brake. So unless you want to go faster,
don’t hold down the RES ACCL button.

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control

There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

•

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the CST SET button, then release the
button and the accelerator pedal. You’ll now
cruise at the higher speed.

•

Press the RES ACCL button. Hold it there until you
get up to the speed you want, and then release the
button. To increase your speed in very small
amounts, press the RES ACCL button briefly and
then release it. Each time you do this, your
vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.

The accelerate feature will only work after you turn on
the cruise control by pressing the CST SET button.

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control

There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

•

Press the CST SET button until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release it.

•

To slow down in very small amounts, press the
CST SET button briefly. Each time you do this, you’ll
go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.

3-12

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Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control

Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.

Using Cruise Control on Hills

How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control. Many
drivers find this to be too much trouble and don’t use
cruise control on steep hills.

Ending Cruise Control

There are five ways to turn off the cruise control:

•

Step on the brake pedal.

•

Press the cruise control CANCEL button.

•

Press the cruise control RES ACCL button and the
CST SET buttons at the same time.

•

Press the cruise control ON OFF button. The
indicator light above the cruise control button
will turn off.

•

Push the clutch pedal if your vehicle has a manual
transaxle.

Erasing Speed Memory

When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition, your
cruise control set speed memory is erased.

3-13

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Exterior Lamps

Headlamps

See “Headlamps” under Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-6.

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.

The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:

•

The ignition is on,

•

the exterior lamps control is in AUTO or the parking
lamps only position,

•

the light sensor detects daytime light,

•

the parking brake is released, and

•

the shift lever is not in PARK (P) on vehicles with
an automatic transaxle only.

When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights
will not be illuminated unless you have turned the
exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.

As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

3-14

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Automatic Headlamp System

When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic
Headlamp System will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.

Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the
top of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so
be sure it is not covered which will cause the system
to be on whenever the ignition is on.

The system may also be on when driving through a
parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel.
This is normal.

There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the Automatic
Headlamp System so that driving under bridges or bright
overhead street lights does not affect the system. The
DRL and Automatic Headlamp Systems will only be
affected when the light sensor sees a change in lighting
lasting longer than this delay.

If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,

your instrument panel cluster may not be as bright as
usual. Make sure your instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position. See “Instrument
Panel Brightness Control” under Interior Lamps
on page 3-16.

To idle your vehicle with the system off, set the parking
brake while the ignition is off. Then start the vehicle.
The system will stay off until you release the parking
brake.

As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.

Headlamps Off in PARK (P)

To turn the headlamps off when it is dark outside, turn
the exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument panel
lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off.

To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the exterior lamps control to
the AUTO or headlamp position.

3-15

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Oldsmobile Alero (2004 year). Manual - part 7