although i still love my alero, it is becoming more and more difficult to continue to do so. it's a 00 gl3 v6 bought new. so far here's what's been fixed under warranty: front brakes, rear lamp, emergency brake boot 5 times (it kept tearing at seam), driver side mirror 5 times (then gm blamed the hoodflector so i took it off to prove them wrong since it vibrated before i put it on, still vibrates!), cruise control switch lights burnt out, clip that holds left side speaker near window broke, fuel gage inoperative, rear view mirror vibration, ......at the next oil change, these things need repaired: half of rear olds emblem broke off when washing, emergency brake doesn't hold car on slight incline, found a large spring under passenger seat, cds stick in player; sometimes won't eject, driver side mirror still vibrating (can't see traffic clearly when driving)!!!!! all this is hard for me to comprehend since i pamper my car. i wanted to keep it for a very long time but now i'm thinking i may trade it for an accord after warranty expires! very frustrating! i want to like this car!
is for intake manifold gasket, not the head gasket.
The intake manifold gasket problems are rather usual for 3.4l GM engines and its ancestors: the 3.1l and the old 2.8l share the same basic design. See the following link:
i was washing it by hand and i didn't snag the emblem either, just barely brushed over it and it broke. but has anyone else had any of my other problems?
to message 1401 i had similar problems with my 01 alero,traded it in for a vw Jetta...surprisingly,even though i was upside down on my loan...i didnt loose money on it......alero is a great car but....they are madde very cheaply
Bought my daughter a new Alero in April 01, and only problem I've brought it back for is the dome light. when using the push buttons, the entire light fell out of the ceiling. Next oil change the tech just adjusted the clips. When did you do your first tire rotation?
I disagree that they are "made cheaply". While this is no Mercedes, I think the Alero is very well screwed together and for the price of this car I think the materials used are pretty decent. That said we have a GX and if I had a loaded GLS we may not feel quite the same way.
My mom also has a 99 and it's been nearly flawless aside from a sticky door. Her experience brought us to look at the car and we are quite pleased.
I spent considerable time looking at other cars, and feel the Alero is very well built...especially for the price. (I too have a GX)
No make is free of lemons. I drove a Jetta for a couple of years. The engine was great, but everything else on the car kept falling apart. Really soured me on the Jetta, but I have to think mine was a bit of an exception. However, repairs to the Jetta were much more expensive that they would cost for an Alero, so I wouldn't take a chance on one again.
well i have another problem to add to my previous post. now the right rear seat belt buckle has broken (the gray plastic part). also the accessory outlet falls out whenever i take out my cell cord. i have to always snap it back into place. i like this car but all these little problems bug me! and it will take 2 trips to the chevrolet dealer (local olds dealer has always been a sorry excuse for a gm dealer) to get fixed, 1 to look at everything wrong and another to fix after parts arrive. i'm now hesitant to use my gm card since my next car may not be gm, after 1 buick, 1 chevrolet, 1 cadillac, 2 pontiacs, and 2 oldsmobiles. they may lose one of their most loyal after all..............
Sorry to hear about all your problems. I would be thinking the same thoughts if I had half of your problems. My Alero is also a 00 V6 with GL3 package. It now has 23,000 miles on it and the only problem to date has been the front brake rotors replaced on warranty. Overall I am quite impressed with the Alero and am thinking about trading in for a new one before it all ends.
infina1 : It's too bad you have had such bad luck with the car. Almost sounds like someone booby trapped it. Hope things get better.
Just ordered a keyless entry system for my 02 Alero. Dealer is charging me C$200 which I think is more than fair as it will carry the same warranty as the car and will not void the general warranty. Could have save $40 somewhere else, but I want it done right.
Any luck with those wheels yet? If not I found a great place to get some. Its a place called Cheap Thrills. They are located in Milton and have excellent prices on rims & tires. I picked up a set of four 15" rims with Firestone Firehawk 50 series tires for my Jetta for $900 inc. tax and instalation. You could probably get just the rims and use your tires for $5-600. Or if you want 16" they start at around $1000 inc. tax & instal. Let me know if you are interested and I'll give you directions.
cpwingnut : To be honest I haven't had time to really look for them yet. Is this place you mention a wrecker? Could I get OEM? I'm pretty close to Milton so that might work.
jpelder : Ya I thought it was a good price. Hopefully I can get it installed next week.
After over 2 weeks, still loving this car. The Ecotec is amazing.
No its not a wrecker, They just sell rims & tires, used & new aftermarket (american racing, craig, etc.) they have some great styles. The guy has a shop in his backyard so low overhead and buys end of line or overstock stuff from other dealers. He's $4-500 cheaper than anywhere else i've seen.
I have a 99 Olds Alero and the low tire pressue light is stuck on. I have checked and filled the tires and the light won't go off. I don't have the manual and I can't find the info anywhere on line. Could anybody help me out with this?
To reset (calibrate) the system, turn the ignition switch to ON. The RESET button is located inside of the driver's side instrument fuse panel. Press and release the RESET button.
The CHANGE OIL light will begin to flash. Press and release the RESET button again. The CHANGE OIL light will go off, and the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light will start flashing. When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light is flashing, press and hold the RESET button until the chime sounds. If the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light doesn't go off then, see your dealer for service.
I have a 2000 4dr GL3, V-6 engine, with 17,000 miles. My MPG for conservative driving in suburbia has been in the 18-19 MPG area. On the interstate it has been in the area of 28-30 (once in a great while I would get 32, but not often). This is with no air on and the windows rolled up. This is the MPG I started with when the car was new and I still get the same MPG. There has been no improvement with time or miles put on the car. Severe colder weather has decreased the MPG by 1-2 MPG. I am surprised that some people get better mileage than I do. I am not sure why.
Just fueled up again on the way into the office (yes I'm working Saturday and it's a drag). Mileage is a little better now at about 23 MPG with very similar, mostly city driving. Ecotec is still smooth and peppy, still happy with the car. No problems to report at all.
I have a 2000 GL2 w/6 cyland 27,000. When I drive I average about 23 or 24 mpg in mixed driving. When my wife has put on most of the miles, we average 19 or 20 mpg in mixed. In primarily highway driving, I average 29 or 30 mpg and my wife 26 or 27. It's often based on driving style.
Had the keyless entry installed yesterday. It's not OEM, but it's very good quality and functions perfectly. Warranty is fully intact and covers the keyless for the full 3 years. So far, looks to have been a good move.
Asked this question before but I'll throw it out again, anyone installed a K&N in their Ecotec Alero? If so, was it worth the $$.
I saw your message in Saturn. How much was it at Crappy tire? Karbelt wanted $100 for one. Thats too much for a freaking air filter. I'll pay around $60. thats what my last three K&N's cost. Why are they so expensive now?
The only reason I would buy one is for the replacement factor. It will save money over the long run but the power difference will be negligible. Sure it breathes better(seen the display at the store with the ping pong ball?) but the only time your engine needs the extra air flow is at high RPM. A stock filter is not restrictive under 4-4500 RPM. So unless you have a 5 speed, the only benefit you will get from it is traveling at 150k on the highway with an automatic. Or just drive it in 3rd and hope the tranny holds up!
Another reason to buy a K&N is so they don't con you into buying a new air filter everytime you get an oil change. I hate when they do that at the quick lube places. They try to sell you everything from a tranny service to new belts(like I would let one of those 'lube techs' touch my car). But I don't have to worry about that anymore because I only go to the dealer with the Alero now.
Ya, last time I was at Quick Lube they tried to sell me an air filter for the Intrigue for C$20, what a rip off. The K&N is tempting, but it may be a waste who knows. I think they wanted $70 for it. I will check the local performance shop also.
Just passed 1000kms and still happy with the purchase.
Having driven a friends 02 Civic, I can't believe how crummy it felt compared to his previous 99. Roomier but thats about all it had going for it comparatively. Even he admitted it doesn't hold a candle to his last one, and his scheming to get out of it (getting his wife to drive it?!).
I'm not going to whoop too much on the Alero, as it is the closest that any hometown automaker came to selling me a car last year. It's too big in all dimensions (and thus fuel consumption) for what I want to see, but the interior is good for a GM product... but handling is numb.
In sort, the Alero is one of those rare cars from Lansing that I wouldn't dump on for quality. The car can actually stand on its own merits. (Whoa, crazy, eh, GM?)
I know what you mean on the Alero but all this talk of you and the 2xx4 Grand Prix is scaring me! Are you really gonna buy into the hype??? Its gonna be another cladwagon!
Regfootball, somehow I just want to believe that someone somewhere in the Evil Empire of General Motors realizes that cladded monsters are no way to do business.
Oldsmobile, before 1997/1998, was a square-speedometer joke. Suddenly, it jumped into the twenty-first century. The current models look nice, but if Olds was still around, who knows what would happen next. Maybe Olds should just die and rest in peace, because the rest of GM will collapse and rest in pieces if the new styling and product doesn't please. Cadillac is headed down a dark road, and Chevrolet and Buick are not awake at the wheel.
I knew the end was coming when my grandmother bought another Grand Am ("it's so sporty!") with her GM card when *I* insisted that she at least test-drive an Alero.
Does anyone know if it is possible to add keyless entry to a 2002 Alero GX Sedan? I thought it might be possible since the vehicle has power door locks standard and all that might be necessary would be to obtain a programmed transmitter (i.e. key fob). Thanks.
pagris : I just had keyless entry added to our GX 2 weeks ago for $200 at the dealership. I could have had it done elsewhere for less, but if the dealer does it the warranty stays intact and your are covered for the 3 years, same as the car.
verozahl : I have an Ecotec powered Alero and the gas mileage is excellent? The car is definitely well built. Not one issue after over a month of driving. Never had that in a car before. I agree with you though, the Grand Am's cladding is not attractive. According to Auto News, cladding is dropped in 2003.
Well, I've been on vacation/business travel these last couple of weeks, and I've just come back from Chicago. Chicago->Port Huron->Brockville is about 1260km, and including a little bit of city driving, with 1/2 of that trip with A/C on, and travelling at 110km/h OR 70mph almost all of the way we still managed 34 mpg U.S. In my opinion, that is pretty bloody amazing - the most recent pushrod V6's are quite exceptional for good, low end power, good emissions AND such good mileage.
That said, GM is still making some models with rather underpowered base engines - namely a recent rental Malibu with the 3.1L V6. Sluggish off the line, although admittedly not bad in the Rockies on cruise control - it maintained fairly low speeds (70 - 90km/h) quite well.
1. To be precise, this is not a power, but torque.
The current 3.1l GM engine, as found on Malibu, Century, Gran Prix SE from the late 1999, provides 170hp. Practically the same power as 3.4l engine in Alero / Grand Am.
However, the torque curve of 3.4l engine is practically flat from 1800 rpm and up to about 400 or 4500 rpm. Alero / Grand Am are cruising on highway at about 1800 rpm, vs. 2100 for Malibu. A plenty of spare torque to accelerate even on overdrive, before switching gears to the 3-rd.
2. Malibu have somewhat weak engine. Yet, most of cars on the roads have even less torque than Malibu. I see it every time when driving on hilly Connecticut highways. Almost all older cars, smaller cars, and 4-cylinder cars like Camry / Accords slow down substantially when driving uphill.
The same when accelerating in city. Either from traffic light, or when need to change lanes, etc.
3. The 3.8l engine provides even better acceleration than 3.4l. Especially the supercharged 3.8. However, 3.8 does not have so flat torque curve.
Yurakm is right, the 3.1L is a pretty good performer. The Malibu has very good acceleration but probably not exactly the same as the Alero 3.4L. I had a 3.1L in my old Cavalier and it served me very well for almost 8 years.
So far the mileage on my Ecotec powered Alero is still disappointing. Combined I got just over 23 mpg on the last fill. Still hoping it will improve in the coming weeks as I am on my 4th tank.
Hang in there Dindak. I didn't get what I would call decent mileage until about 1800 miles. Prior to 1800, I had 24-27. Now, I get 27-32 and my current tankful seems to be doing even better.
Ya, I figure it will get better. I was hoping for more this tank as it was about 50% highway driving. Oh well.
Question for you.. do you notice the temp gauge going above the 1/2 way mark when standing in traffic. I was pretty warm last week but our other cars didn't do this so I wasn't sure if it was normal.
I have a 2001 GL2 5-sp. with the 2.4l four. I don't drive it much, but when I do it is almost all highway driving. I have 6,500 miles on it, and the mileage has been consistently between 26-28 mpg. Somewhat disappointing as I accelerate conservatively and cruise steadily at 70-73 mph as a rule.
The starting issue, after having "fixed" itself, has cropped up again. I turn the key, but the cranking stops before I release the key and before the engine catches. I sometimes have to try it up to five times before it runs. Wierd.
Actually, the new direction of Olds started in 1995(spring of 94 to be exact) with the Aurora. Trouble was, they waited until 97 to follow up with lower priced cars styled on that theme. The Cutlass, Intrigue, and Alero really should have come to market immediately after the Aurora. As for Cadillac, they are certainly headed in the right direction. Have you driven a CTS yet? If not, I recommend a hearty test drive. Heck, even a test drive in a current Northstar equipped model would be a good start. It looks like Bob Lutz has wrapped his arms around Pontiac and wants them decladded asap. Good move IMO. And it looks like we will have a modern day Goat in a year or so courtesy of GM's arm down under. Always knew those Aussies had more in common with us than many think(i.e. affordable performance cars).
Can someone tell me how to change the oil filter for my Alero 2002. I've just bought a Fram oil filter and it costs $7.50. This oil filter has no metal chamber (different than regular oil filter). Is it easy to replace this filter? Thanks.
The filter is a "removable element" filter where the filter material is separate from the housing, and hence it is only the filter material that gets removed and replaced. Supposedly reduces costs and complexity of filter changes. They are more common in Europe, and seen occasionally in the States in European engines (like the Ecotec.)
Word of warning: make sure the new filter you are installing matches the one you remove. A part number mix-up caused the oil change place to install an incorrect filter on my wife's Saturn w/ the Ecotec. The filter was too big (made for the Saturn euro-sourced V-6), cut off oil flow, and seized the engine. Glad I wasn't the one responsible for the $5000 repair bill.
Needless to say, I haven't done an oil change at home since. Also helps that my local Olds dealer does oil & filter changes for US$4.95!
I recently bought a used '01 GL2 with V6.The brakes make a "scraping" sound when they are applied (especially at very low speeds). I test drove 4 used aleros and they all did it. The dealer replaced the front rotors/pads and this helped a bit, but the rear rotors didn't seem to be applying evenly as some slight rusting on the rotors wouldn't clean off with normal braking. They then cut the new front rotors(don't know why), and the rear rotors. The noise is worse now. They say that it's because of the metallic pads that GM uses....never heard this noise on other cars other than aleros. Anyone else hear this noise? Will changing to non-metallic or after market pads help? Also, do Aleros seem alittle sensative to steering input when going in a straight line on the highway? Thanks for any responses.
Still not getting great mileage on our 2.2L Ecotec Alero. Last tank worked out to be about 21 MPG with 1/2 of that highway. Did have the air on some of the time, but not all that much. Anyone know the A/C in the Alero is particularly hard on mileage?
I own a 2001 Alero GLS V-6. Just turned 12000 miles on it. At the end of February took a 3000 mile trip to Arizona and back and averaged better than 30 mpg. Travelled at speeds from 65 to 80 mph on the freeways. I get about 23 mpg in town. Just took it to the local tire dealer for a rotation and the brakes are wearing evenly. They do make a little noise when stopping a slow speeds. They have done this since the car was new. I plan on keeping this car a long time.
Comments
The intake manifold gasket problems are rather usual for 3.4l GM engines and its ancestors: the 3.1l and the old 2.8l share the same basic design. See the following link:
rbenton "Common General Motor's 2.8, 3.1, 3.4 V6's engine problems" Feb 4, 2001 12:15pm
As well as I remember, problems with head gasket are not usual with the engine.
DC
My mom also has a 99 and it's been nearly flawless aside from a sticky door. Her experience brought us to look at the car and we are quite pleased.
No make is free of lemons. I drove a Jetta for a couple of years. The engine was great, but everything else on the car kept falling apart. Really soured me on the Jetta, but I have to think mine was a bit of an exception. However, repairs to the Jetta were much more expensive that they would cost for an Alero, so I wouldn't take a chance on one again.
I'm hoping the car lasts at least another 64,000 miles before needing any repair work.
My Alero is also a 00 V6 with GL3 package. It now has 23,000 miles on it and the only problem to date has been the front brake rotors replaced on warranty. Overall I am quite impressed with the Alero and am thinking about trading in for a new one before it all ends.
Just ordered a keyless entry system for my 02 Alero. Dealer is charging me C$200 which I think is more than fair as it will carry the same warranty as the car and will not void the general warranty. Could have save $40 somewhere else, but I want it done right.
Dindak, nice deal on the keyless. Now you gotta work on those aluminum wheels. good luck
jpelder : Ya I thought it was a good price. Hopefully I can get it installed next week.
After over 2 weeks, still loving this car. The Ecotec is amazing.
Question : Has anyone put a K&N on their Ecotec powered Alero? Wondering if there is much power boost from it.
Thanks in advance,
Chris
To reset (calibrate) the system, turn the ignition switch to ON. The RESET button is located inside of the driver's side instrument fuse panel. Press and release the RESET button.
The CHANGE OIL light will begin to flash. Press and release the RESET button again. The CHANGE OIL light will go off, and the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light will start flashing. When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light is flashing, press and hold the RESET button until the chime sounds. If the LOW TIRE PRESSURE light doesn't go off then, see your dealer for service.
Not too bad, but it will take awhile to break this engine in since we rarely drive this car.
Still love it!
Asked this question before but I'll throw it out again, anyone installed a K&N in their Ecotec Alero? If so, was it worth the $$.
The only reason I would buy one is for the replacement factor. It will save money over the long run but the power difference will be negligible. Sure it breathes better(seen the display at the store with the ping pong ball?) but the only time your engine needs the extra air flow is at high RPM. A stock filter is not restrictive under 4-4500 RPM. So unless you have a 5 speed, the only benefit you will get from it is traveling at 150k on the highway with an automatic. Or just drive it in 3rd and hope the tranny holds up!
Another reason to buy a K&N is so they don't con you into buying a new air filter everytime you get an oil change. I hate when they do that at the quick lube places. They try to sell you everything from a tranny service to new belts(like I would let one of those 'lube techs' touch my car). But I don't have to worry about that anymore because I only go to the dealer with the Alero now.
Just passed 1000kms and still happy with the purchase.
Where are the Camry and the Civic?
;^)In sort, the Alero is one of those rare cars from Lansing that I wouldn't dump on for quality. The car can actually stand on its own merits. (Whoa, crazy, eh, GM?)
Its a pity olds is going away.
Oldsmobile, before 1997/1998, was a square-speedometer joke. Suddenly, it jumped into the twenty-first century. The current models look nice, but if Olds was still around, who knows what would happen next. Maybe Olds should just die and rest in peace, because the rest of GM will collapse and rest in pieces if the new styling and product doesn't please. Cadillac is headed down a dark road, and Chevrolet and Buick are not awake at the wheel.
I knew the end was coming when my grandmother bought another Grand Am ("it's so sporty!") with her GM card when *I* insisted that she at least test-drive an Alero.
verozahl : I have an Ecotec powered Alero and the gas mileage is excellent? The car is definitely well built. Not one issue after over a month of driving. Never had that in a car before. I agree with you though, the Grand Am's cladding is not attractive. According to Auto News, cladding is dropped in 2003.
Have you seen the Letter from the Town Hall Manager on the Town Hall Welcome page? If not, you might want to follow that link to have a look.
And hang on to your seats. Change is never easy - for any of us - but resolving the Search problems we've had will be worth the pain.
Pat
Sedans Host
That said, GM is still making some models with rather underpowered base engines - namely a recent rental Malibu with the 3.1L V6. Sluggish off the line, although admittedly not bad in the Rockies on cruise control - it maintained fairly low speeds (70 - 90km/h) quite well.
Have fun!
Rick D.
The current 3.1l GM engine, as found on Malibu, Century, Gran Prix SE from the late 1999, provides 170hp. Practically the same power as 3.4l engine in Alero / Grand Am.
However, the torque curve of 3.4l engine is practically flat from 1800 rpm and up to about 400 or 4500 rpm. Alero / Grand Am are cruising on highway at about 1800 rpm, vs. 2100 for Malibu. A plenty of spare torque to accelerate even on overdrive, before switching gears to the 3-rd.
2. Malibu have somewhat weak engine. Yet, most of cars on the roads have even less torque than Malibu. I see it every time when driving on hilly Connecticut highways. Almost all older cars, smaller cars, and 4-cylinder cars like Camry / Accords slow down substantially when driving uphill.
The same when accelerating in city. Either from traffic light, or when need to change lanes, etc.
3. The 3.8l engine provides even better acceleration than 3.4l. Especially the supercharged 3.8. However, 3.8 does not have so flat torque curve.
So far the mileage on my Ecotec powered Alero is still disappointing. Combined I got just over 23 mpg on the last fill. Still hoping it will improve in the coming weeks as I am on my 4th tank.
Question for you.. do you notice the temp gauge going above the 1/2 way mark when standing in traffic. I was pretty warm last week but our other cars didn't do this so I wasn't sure if it was normal.
The starting issue, after having "fixed" itself, has cropped up again. I turn the key, but the cranking stops before I release the key and before the engine catches. I sometimes have to try it up to five times before it runs. Wierd.
I enjoy this car more and more each drive I take.
Absolutely love the driving dynamics and engine of the Alero also. For the price, the car can't be beat in my opinion.
Word of warning: make sure the new filter you are installing matches the one you remove. A part number mix-up caused the oil change place to install an incorrect filter on my wife's Saturn w/ the Ecotec. The filter was too big (made for the Saturn euro-sourced V-6), cut off oil flow, and seized the engine. Glad I wasn't the one responsible for the $5000 repair bill.
Needless to say, I haven't done an oil change at home since. Also helps that my local Olds dealer does oil & filter changes for US$4.95!
Otherwise, still like the car a lot.