1993 Chevrolet Cavalier Owners Manual

mirrors that enable the driver to reduce glare. But outside mirrors are not of this type and high beams from behind can bother the driver ahead.

A Few More Night Driving Suggestions Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean-inside and out. Glare at night is made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass can build up a film caused by dust. Tobacco smoke also makes inside glass surfaces very filmy and can be a vision hazard if it's left there. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would, making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. You might even want to keep a cloth and some glass cleaner in your vehicle if you need to clean your glass frequently.

Remember that your headlights light up far less of a roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it's easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. Just as your headlights should be checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night blindness-the inability to see in dim light-and aren't even aware of

it.

IC

Driving in the Rain Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road you can't stop, accelerate or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction isn't as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires don't have much tread left, you'll get even less traction. It's always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement. The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even people

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Your Driving and the Road

Driving in the Rain (CONT:) walking. Road spray can often be worse for vision than rain, especially if it comes from a dirty road. So it is wise to keep your wiping 2quipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled. Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.

Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work

werl in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side. You could. lose control of the vehicle. After driving though a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally.

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I46

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. You might not be aware of hydroplaning. You could drive along for some time without realizing your tires aren’t in constant contact with the road. You could find out the hard way: when you have to slow, turn, move out to pass-or if you get hit by a gust of wind. You could suddenly find yourself out of control.

Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple’’ the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is raining, and be careful.

Some Other Rainy Weather Tips Turn on your headlights-not just your parking lights-to help make you more visible to others. Look for hard-to-see vehicles coming from behind. You may want to use your headlights even in daytime if it’s raining hard. Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. If the road spray is so heavy you are actually blinded, drop back. Don’t pass until conditions improve. Going more slowly is better than having an accident. Use your defogger if it helps. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See the Index under fires.)

I47

Your Driving and the Road

Everybody then has a better chance to avoid hitting the vehicle ahead. A patch of dense fog may extend only for a few feet (meters) or for miles (kilometers); you can’t really tell while you’re in it. You can only treat the situation with extreme care. One common fog condition-sometimes called mist or ground fog-can happen in weather that seems perfect, especially at night or in the early morning in valley and low, marshy areas. You can be suddenly enveloped in thick, wet haze that may even coat your windshield. You can often spot these fog patches or mist layers with your headlights. But sometimes they can be waiting for you as you come over a hill or dip into a shallow valley. Start your windshield wipers and washer to help clear accumulated road dirt. Slow down carefully.

Tips on Driving in Fog If you get caught in fog, turn your headlights on low beam, even in daytime. You’ll see-and be seen-better. Don’t use your high beams. The light will bounce off the water droplets that make up fog and reflect back at you. Use your defogger. In high humidity, even a light buildup of moisture on the inside of the glass will cut down on your already limited visibility. Run your windshield wipers and washer occasionally. Moisture can build up on the outside glass, and what seems to be fog may actually be moisture on the outside of your windshield. Treat dense fog as an emergency. Try to find a place to pull off the road. Of course you want to respect another’s property, but you might need to put

Driving in Fog, Mist and Haze Fog can occur with high humidity or heavy frost. It can be so mild that you can see through it for several hundred feet (meters). Or it might be so thick that you can see only a few feet (meters) ahead. It may come suddenly to an otherwise clear road. And it can be a major hazard. When you drive into a fog patch, your visibility will be reduced quickly. The biggest dangers are striking the vehicle ahead or being struck by the one behind. Try to “read” the fog density down the road. If the vehicle ahead starts to become less clear or, at night, if the taillights are harder to see, the fog is probably thickening. Slow down to give traffic behind you a chance to slow down. I48

trees, telephone poles,

something between you and moving vehicles-space, a private driveway, anything that removes you from other traffic. zf visibility is near zero and you must stop but are unsure whether you are away from the road, turn your lights on, start your hazard warning flashers, and sound your horn at intervals or when you hear approaching traffic. Pass other vehicles in fog only if you can see far enough ahead to pass safely. Even then, be prepared to delay your pass if you suspect the fog is worse up ahead. If other vehicles try to pass you, make it easy for them.

City Driving One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals. Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:

Know the best way to get to where you are going. Try not to drive around trying to pick out a familiar street or landmark. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross- country trip. Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the next section, Freeway Driving.)

Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and just before you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not cleared the intersection or may be running the red light. Obey all posted speed limits. But remember that they are for ideal road, weather and visibility conditions. You may need to drive below the posted limit in bad weather or when visibility is especially poor. Pull to the right (with care) and stop clear of intersections when you see or hear emergency vehicles.

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Your Driving and the Road

Freeway Driving Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules. The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.

... I 50

Entering the Freeway At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with the flow. If traffic is light, you may have no problem. But if it is heavy, find a gap as you move along the entering lane and time your approach. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your rearview mirrors as you move along, and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.

Driving on fhe Freeway Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass. If you are on a two-lane freeway, treat the right lane as the slow lane and the left lane as the passing lane. If you are on a three-lane freeway, treat the right lane as the slower-speed through lane, the middle lane as the higher-speed through lane, and the left lane as the passing lane. Before changing lanes, check your rearview mirrors. Then use your turn signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot.

If you are moving from an outside to a center lane on a freeway having more than two lanes, make sure another vehicle isn’t about to move into the same spot. Look at the vehicles two lanes over and watch for telltale signs: turn signals flashing, an increase in speed, or moving toward the edge of the lane. Be prepared to delay your move. Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night.

Leaving the Freeway When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. Dashing across lanes at the last minute is dangerous. If you miss your exit do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the next exit. At each exit point is a deceleration lane. Ideally it should be long enough for you to enter it at freeway speed (after signaling, of course) and then do your braking before moving onto the exit ramp. Unfortunately, not all deceleration lanes are long enough-some are too short for all the braking. Decide when to start braking. If you must brake on the through lane, and if there is traffic close behind you, you can allow a little

extra time and flash your brake lights (in addition to your turn signal) as extra warning that you are about to slow down and exit. The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply. The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower than you actually are. For example, 40 mph (65 km/h) might seem like only 20 mph (30 km/h). Obviously, this could lead to serious trouble on a ramp designed for 20 mph (30 km/h)!

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Your Driving and the Road

Driving a Long Distance Although most long trips today are made on freeways, there are still many made on regular highways. Long-distance driving on freeways and regular highways is the same in some ways. The trip has to be planned and the vehicle prepared, you drive at higher- than-city speeds, and there are longer turns behind the wheel. You’ll enjoy your trip more if you and your vehicle are in good shape. Here are some tips for a successful long trip.

Before Leaving on a Long Trip Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well Here rested. If you must start when you’re not fresh-such as after a day’s work-don’t plan to make too many miles that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can easily drive in. Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in Chevrolet dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help if you need it.

are some things you can check

I ’ before a trip:

Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean inside and outside? Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape? Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels? Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean? Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the recommended pressure? Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route? Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system? Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?

On the Road Unless you are the only driver, it is good to share the driving task with others. Limit turns behind the wheel to about 100 miles (160 km) or two hours at a sitting. Then, either change drivers or stop for some refreshment like coffee, tea or soft drinks and some limbering up. But do stop and move around. Eat lightly along the way. Heavier meals tend to make some people sleepy. On two-lane highways or undivided multilane highways that do not have controlled access, you’ll want to watch for some situations not usually found on freeways. Examples are: stop signs and signals, shopping centers with direct access to the highway, no passing zones and school zones, vehicles turning left and right off the road, pedestrians, cyclists, parked vehicles, and even animals.

Highway Hypnosis Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever. There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less than a second, and you could crash and be injured. What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can happen. Then here are some tips:

Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a comfortably cool interior.

Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors frequently and your instruments from time to time. This can help you avoid a fixed stare. Wear good sunglasses in bright light. Glare can cause drowsiness. But don’t wear sunglasses at night. They will drastically reduce your overall vision at the very time you need all the seeing power you have. If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.

As in any driving situation, keep pace with traffic and allow adequate following distances.

Your Driving and the Road

”- .

Hill and Mountain Roads Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling terrain. If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain roads. Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the slowing down. Don’t make your brakes do it all. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill. That way, you will slow down without excessive use of your brakes.

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If you don’t shift down, your brakes could get so hot that

they wouldn’t work well. You would then have poor braking or even none going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your engine assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.

Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down. They could get so hot that they wouldn’t work well. You could crash. Always have your engine running and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better. Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. That way, you won’t be surprised by a vehicle coming toward you in the same lane. It takes longer to pass another vehicle when you’re going uphill. You’ll want to leave extra room to pass. If a vehicle is passing you and doesn’t have enough room, slow down to make it easier for the other vehicle to get by.

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident. You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or no passing zones, a falling rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action. Winter driving can present special problems. See the Index under Winter Driving.

Parking on Hills Hills and mountains mean spectacular scenery. But please be careful where you stop if you decide to look at the view or take pictures. Look for pull-offs or parking areas provided for scenic viewing. Another part of this manual tells how to use your parking brake (see the Index under Parking Brake). But on a mountain or steep hill, you can do one more thing. You can turn your front wheels to keep your vehicle from rolling downhill or out into traffic. Here’s how :

Parking Downhill Turn your wheels to the right. You don’t have to jam your tires against the curb, if there is a curb. A gentle contact is all you need.

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Your Driving and the Road

i.

Parking on HiNs (COM:) Parking Uphill If there is a curb, turn your wheels to the left if the curb is at the right side of your vehicle.

If you’re going uphill on a one-way street and you’re parking on the left side, your wheels should point to the right.

If there is no curb when you’re parking uphill, turn the wheels to the right. If there is no curb when you’re parking uphill on the left side of a one-way street, your wheels should be turned to the left.

Winter Driving Here are some tips for winter driving:

Have your Chevrolet in good shape for winter. Be sure your engine coolant mix is correct. Snow tires can help in loose snow, but they may give you less traction on ice than regular tires. If you do not expect to be driving in deep snow, but may have to travel over ice, you may not want to switch to snow tires at all.

Torque Lock (AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE) If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your transaxle into P (Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of P (Park). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, always be sure to shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To find out how, see the Index under Shiftirtg Into P (Park), When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of P (Park) before you release the parking brake. If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the transaxle, so you can pull the shift lever out of P (Park).

You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your trunk or rear area. Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle.

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Your Driving and the Road

Driving on Snow or /ce Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very careful. What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the least traction of all. You can get “wet ice” when it’s about freezing (32°F; OOC) and freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there.

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I58

Whatever the condition-smooth ice, packed, blowing or loose snow-drive with caution. Accelerate gently. Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface under the tires even more. Your anti-lock brakes inlprove your ability to make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have the anti- lock braking system, you’ll want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See the Index under Anti-Lock Bruke System.

Allow greater following distance on any slippery road.

9 Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around clumps of trees, behind buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.

If You’re Caught in a Blizzard If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a serious situation. You should probably stay with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help and you can hike through the snow. Here are some things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your passengers safe:

Turn on your hazard flashers. Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you’ve been stopped by the snow.

Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you. If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor mats-anything you can wrap around yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm. You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.

-C

Snow can trap exhaust gases L under your vehicle. This can

cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you. You can’t see it or smell it, so you might not know it was in your vehicle. Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is bloclng your exhaust pipe. And check around again from time to time to be sure snow doesn’t collect there. Open a window just a little on the side of the vehicle that’s away from the wind. This will help keep CO out.

Your Driving and the Road

lf bu're Caught in a B l i n d (CONT)

Run your engine only as long as you must, This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel it keeps for the heat that you get and the battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with your headlights. Let the heater run for a while.

Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half-hour or so until help comes.

If You're Stuck in Deep Snow This manual explains how to get the vehicle out of deep snow without damaging it. See the Index under Rocking Your Ehicle.

Towing a nailer Your Cavalier is neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer.

Notes

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Part 5 Problems on the Road

H e r e you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.

Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jumpstarting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 4 Towing Your Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169 Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,174 If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184 ChangingaFlatTire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 ComDact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191 . . . . . . .192 If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Problems on the Road

-<.'

X600!

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 lights will flash on and off.

Jump Starling If your battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your Chevrolet. But please follow the steps here to do it safely.

Move the switch to the right to make your front and rear turn signal lights flash on and off. Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in. To turn off the flashers, move the switch to the left. When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals won't work. 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.

Batteries can hurt you. They - b can be dangerous because: They contain acid that can burn you. They contain gas that can explode or ignite. They contain enough electricity to burn you.

If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all of these things can hurt you.

your

Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage to your vehicle that wouldn’t be wered by warranty. Trying to st pushing or pulling it could damage your vehicle, even if you have a manual transaxle. And if you ha--- an automatic transaxle, it won’t start that way.

your Chevrolet by

To Jump Start Your Chevrolet: 1. Check the other vehicle. It must have

a 12-volt battery with a negative ground system. NOTICE If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.

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Problems on the Road

Jump Starting (CONT:) 2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching each other. If they are, it could cause a ground connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to start your Chevrolet, and the bad grounding could damage the electrical systems.

I A You could be injured if the

vehicles roll. Set the parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an automatic transaxle in P (Park) or a manual transaxle in N (Neutral).

3. Turn off the ignition on both

vehicles. Turn off all lights that aren’t needed, and radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it could save your radio!

If you leave your radio on, it could be badly damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by you- warranty.

4. Open the hoods and locate the

batteries. I 1 An electric fan can start up

even when the engine is not running and can injure you. Keep

I I

Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on each battery.

Using a match near a battery can cause battery gas to

explode. People have been hurt doing this, and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if you need more light. Be sure the batteries have enough water. You don’t need to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery installed in every new GM vehicle. But if a battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take care of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas could be present. Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you. Don’t get it on you. If you accidentally get it in your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with water and get medical help immediately.

5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or missing insulation. If they do, you could get a shock. The vehicles could be damaged, too.

Before you connect the cables, here are some things you should know. Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-) or a metal engine part. Don’t connect (+) to (-) or you’ll get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts, too.

4 Fans or other moving engine

parts can injure you badly.

Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engines are running.

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Problems on the Road

Jump Starting (conrr.) 6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to

the positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.

7. Don’t let the other end touch metal.

Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle has one.

6. Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the good battery’s negative (-) terminal.

Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end of the negative cable doesn’t go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy unpainted metal part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery.

9. Attach the cable at least 18 inches

(45 cm) away from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that move. The electrical connection is just as good there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the battery is much less.

10. Now start the vehicle with the good

battery and run the engine for a while.

1 1. Try to start the vehicle with the

dead battery.

If it won’t start after a few tries, it probablv needs service.

12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent electrical shorting. Take care that they don't touch each other or any other metal.

Towing Your Chevrolet Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing service tow your Chevrolet. The usual towing equipment is: (A) Sling-type tow truck (B) Wheel-lift tow truck (C) Car carrier If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these instructions and illustrations may not be correct. Before you do anything, turn on the hazard warning flashers.

When you call, tell the towing service: That your vehicle can only be towed with certain equipment, as described later in this section. That your vehicle has front-wheel drive. The make, model, and year of your vehicle. Whether you can still move the shift lever. If there was an accident, what was damaged.

When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator know that this manual contains detailed towing instructions and illustrations. The operator may want to see them.

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Problems on the Road

bwing Your Chevrolet (CONI)

the ignition key off. The steering wheel should be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping device designed for towing service. Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock for this. The transaxle should be in Neutral, and the parking brake released. Don’t have your vehicle towed on the front wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the front wheels, don’t go more than 35 mph (56 km/h) or farther than 50 miles (80 km) or your transaxle will be damaged. If these limits must be exceeded, then the front wheels have to be supported on a dolly.

To help avoid injury to you or

lers:

a Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is being towed. a Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds. * Never tow with damaged parts not fully secured. * Never get under your vehicle after it has been lifted by the tow truck. * Always use separate safety chains on each side when towing a vehicle. Never use “J” hooks. Use T- hooks instead.

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p-AU I IUN

A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t properly

secured. This can cause a collision, serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or steel cables before it is transported. Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps, canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp edges underneath the towed vehicle.

I

D m

When using wheel-lift equipmen1 towing over rough surfaces can damage a vehicle. To help avoid this, install a towing dolly beneath the wheels that would otherwise be on the ground during the tow. This will increase clearance between the wheel-lift equipment and the underbody of the towed vehicle.

Towing from the Front- Vehicle Hook-Up Before hooking up to a tow truck, be sure to read all the information in Towing Your Chevrolet earlier in this section. 1. Attach T-hook chains into the slots in

the bottom of the floor pan, just behind the front wheels, on both sides.

Do not tow with sling-type equipment or fascia damage will occur. Use wheel lift or car carrier equipment. Additional ramping may be required for car carrier equipment. Use safety chains and wheel straps.

Problems on the Road

Towing from the Front- Vehicle Hook-Up (CONT.) 2. Attach a separate safety chain around

the outboard end of each lower control arm.

Towing from the Rear- Vehicle Hook-Up Before hooking up to a tow truck, be sure to read all the information in Towing Your Chevrolet earlier in this section. Also be sure to use the proper hook-up for your particular vehicle. All Models: 1. Attach T-hook chains on both sides in

the slotted holes in the bottom of the frame rail just ahead of the rear wheels.

2. Position lower sling crossbar directly

under the rear bumper.

I 72

2-24 Model:

All Models:

3. Attach a separate safety chain to each side of the axle inboard of the spring.

NOTICE m e n using.w~&l-lift equipment, towing over rough surfices can damage a vehicle. To help avoid this, install a towing dolly beneath the wheels that would otherwise be on the ground during the tow. This will increase clearance between the wheel-lift equipment and the underbody of the towed vehicle.

Problems on the Road

If No S t e m is Coming from Your Engine: If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you: Climb a long hill on a hot day. Stop after high speed driving. Idle for long periods in traffic.

Engine Overheating You will find a coolant temperature gage on your Chevrclet's instrument panel.

If your engine catches fire because you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be badly damaged. The costly repairs w o u f ~ , ~ not be covered by your warranty. <*

.>* i

= = 174

If Steam is Corning from Your Engine

A Steam from an overheated

engine can burn you badly,

even if you just open the hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before opening the hood. If you keep driving when your engine is overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so: 1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it

off.

2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the

highest fan speed and open the window as necessary.

3. Try to keep your engine under load

(in a drive gear where the engine runs slower).

If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive normally. If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.

If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine for two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if the warning stops. But then, if you still have the warning, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND GET EVERYONE OUT OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down. You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away. If you have a 2.2L L4 engine, your engine coolant system will have a coolant recovery tank. If you have a 3.1L V6 engine, your engine coolant system will have a coolant surge tank. There are important differences between these two cooling systems. Read this section carefully.

Cooling System-2.2L LA Engine When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what you’ll see: (A) Coolant recovery tank (B) Radiator pressure cap (C) Electric engine fan

a An electric fan under the hood L can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric h.

If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling, don’t do anything else until it cools down.

I75

Problems on the Road

Engine Overheating (CONT.) The coolant level should be at or above FULL COLD. If it isn't, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.

I I

Heater and radiator hoses, and L other engine parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you do, you can be burned. Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could cause an engine fire, and you could be burned. Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.

Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.

I . . I76

Cooling System-3.1L V6 Engine When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what you'll see: (A) Coolant surge tank with pressure cap (B) Electric engine fan

An electric fan under the hood L can start up even when the engine is not running and can injl away h m any underhood electric f8n. I you. Keep hands, clothing and tows

If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, don't do anything else until it cools down.

The coolant level should be at or above FULL COLD. If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.

’

- b other engine parts, can be , Heater and radiator hoses, and very hot. Don’t touch them. If you do, you can be burned. Don’t run the engine if there is a leak. If you run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could cause an engine fire, and you could be burned. Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.

Both Engines: If there seems to be no leak, check to see if the electric engine fan is running. If the engine is overheating, the fan should be running. If it isn’t, your vehicle needs service.

I77 I . .

Problems on the Road

In cold weather, water can freezt and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts Ise the recommended coolant.

Engine Overheating (CONT.) How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank (or the Coolant Surge Tank): If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at or above FULL COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) and a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank (or coolant surge tank). If you have the coolant surge tank, be sure the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool before you do it. See How To Add Coolant to the 2.2L L4 Engirze at the Radiator or How to Add Coolant to the 3.1L V4 Engine ut the Coolant Surge Tank later in this section.

A Adding only plain water to

your cooling system can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the proper cool an^ mix. With plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning, Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use a 50150 mix of clean water and a proper antifreeze.

m m m I 78

A You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.

When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank (or coolant surge tank) is at or above FULL COLD, start your vehicle. If the overheat warning continues, there's one more thing you can try if you have a 2.2L L4 engine. You can add the proper coolant mix directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is cool before you do it.

A Steam and scalding liquids

from a hot cooling system can blow out and burn you badly. They are under pressure, and if you turn the radiator (or coolant surge tank) pressure cap-even a little-they can come out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling system, including the radiator (or coolant surge tank) pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and radiator (or coolant surge tank) pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.

I 79 I . .

Problems on the Road

2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, as you turn it.

but now push down Remove the pressure cap.

3. Fill the radiator with the proper mix,

up to the base of the filler neck.

Engine Overheating (CONE) How to Add Coolant to the 2.2L LA Engine at the Radiator: 1. You can remove the radiator pressure

cap when the cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops. (Don’t press down while turning the pressure cap.)

If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.

= = 180

4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to

FULL COLD.

5. Put the cap back on the coolant

recovery tank, but leave the radiator pressure cap off.

6. Start the engine and let it run until

you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine fan.

7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add more of the proper mix through the filler neck until the level reaches the base of the filler neck.

I81

Problems on the Road

Engine Overheating (CONT) 8. Then replace the pressure cap. Be

sure the arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.

2. Then keep turning the pressure cap,

but now push down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.

How to Add Coolant to the 3.lL V6 Engine at the Coolant Surge Tank: 1. You can remove the coolant surge

tank pressure cap when the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops. (Don’t press down while turning the pressure cap.)

If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mix, up to FULL COLD.

5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be

sure the arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine fan.

By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add more of the proper mix to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches FULL COLD.

I83 ...

Problems on the Road

Zf a Tire Goes Flat

It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” 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, 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. If your tire goes flat, the next section 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.

I 84

1

Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle can slip off the jack and roll over you or other people. You and they could be badly injured. Find

a level place to change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle from moving: 1. Set the parking brake firmly. 2. Put the shift lever in P (Park). 3. Shift a manual transaxle to 1 (First) or R (Reverse).

I 4. Turn off the engine.

To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move, you can put chocks at the front and rear of the tire farthest away from the one being changed. That would be the tire on the other side of the vehicle, at the opposite end.

The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and change a tire. The eqclipment you’ll need is in the trunk or rear area.

I85

Problems on the R

Changing a Flat Tire (CONT:) 1 . Pull the carpeting from the floor of the trunk or rear area.

2. Turn the center retainer nut on the

compact spare tire housing counterclockwise to remove it, then lift the tire cover. You will find the jacking instructions label on the underside of the tire cover.

3. If your vehicle is equipped with a

spare tire housing lid hook, pull the front of the lid up and hook it to the rear upper edge of the trunk.

... I a6

4. Remove the wing bolt securing the

compact spare tire, spacer and wheel wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Then lift off the spacer and remove the spare tire.

5. Remove the bolt securing the jack by

turning it counterclockwise. Then remove the jack.

6. Remove the band around the jack. Turn the jack handle clockwise to raise the jack head a few inches.

For 2-24 Models: On 2-24 models, a cover plate must be removed to find the wheel nuts. Remove the cover plate using the flat end of a wheel wrench.

7. Using the wheel wrench, remove the

plastic cap nuts and loosen all the wheel nuts. Don’t remove the wheel nuts yet.

I87

Problems on the Road

Changing a Flat Tire (CONT.) 8. Position the jack under the vehicle.

Raise the jack head until it fits firmly into the notch in the vehicle’s frame nearest the flat tire. Do not raise the vehicle yet. Put the compact spare tire near you.

Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly positioned will damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall off the jack. Be sure to fit the jack lift head into the proper location before raising your vehicle.

Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is dangerous. If I could be badly injured or killed. the vehicie slips off the jack, you Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.

II NOTICE

9. Raise the vehicle by rotating the

wheel wrench clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there is enough room for the spare tire to fit.

1 0. Remove all of the wheel nuts and, if

you have a wheel cover, use your fingers to carefully pry the wheel cover from the wheel. Then take off the flat tire.

I88

L l

X5076

Rust or dirt on the wheel, or \ on the parts to which it is fastened, can make the 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 the 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.

1 1. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces or spare wheel.

1 2. Place the spare on the wheel

mounting surface. CAUTION

A Never use oil or grease on

studs or nuts. If you do, the

nuts might come loose. Your wheel could fall off, causing a serious accident.

13. Replace the wheel nuts with the

rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand until the wheel is held against the hub.

I89

Problems on the Road

Changing a Flat Tire (CONT) 14. Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.

15. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a

criss-cross sequence, as shown.

Incorrect wheel nuts or

1 L improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose and even come off. This could lead to an accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have to replace them, be sure to get the right kind. Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 100 pound-feet (140 Nom).

Don’t try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare tire. It won’t fit. Store the wheel cover and plastic cap nuts in the trunk or rear area until you have the flat tire repaired or replaced.

16. Store the flat tire in the compact

spare tire compartment, and secure with the wing bolt and extension. Store the jack and wheel wrench in their compartment, also.

M U I IVN

Storing a jack, a tire, or other :quipment 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.

The compact spare is for temporary use only. Replace the compact spare tire with a full-size tire as soon as you can. See Compact Spare Tire next in this section.

Compact Spare Tire Although the compact spare was fully inflated when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 60 psi (420 Wa). The compact spare is made to go up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can finish your trip and have your full-size tire repaired or replaced where you want. Of course, it’s best to replace your spare with a full-size tire as soon as you can. Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in case you need it again. Your anti-lock brake system warning light may come on when you are driving with a compact spare. See the Index under Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.

191

Problems on the Road

Compact Spare Tire (CONT.)

Tire spare. chains

won't

them=!

fit your Using

your vehicle and destroy the chains""'" too. Don't use tire chains on your compact spare.

Don't use your compact spare on some other vehicle. And don't mix your compact spare or wheel with other wheels or tires. They won't fit. Keep your spare and its wheel together.

I92

;$ compact

lf You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, lce or Snow What you don't want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels. The method known as "rocking" can help 'you get out when you're stuck, but you must use caution.

If you let your tires spin at

- high speed, they can explode and you or others could be injured. And, the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can overheat. That could cause an engine compartment fire or other damage. When you’re stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t spin the wheels above 35 mph (56 h / h ) as shown on the speedometer.

Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels too fast while shifting your transa: back and forth, you can destroy

your transaxle. -

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out: First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a forward gear, or with a manual transaxle, between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) gear and R (Reverse), spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see the Index under Towing Your Chevrolet.

I93

Notes

194

.....

\ .................................. -- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ . . . .

. . . . . . . I . .

&5

H e r e you wit1 find information about the care of your Chevrolet . This part begins with service and fuel information. and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels . There is also technical information about your vehicle. and a section devoted to its appearance care .

Part 6 Service & Appearance Care

Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 HoodRelease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 EngineOil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Aircleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Transaxle Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Windshield Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 BulbReplacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Loading Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Appearancecare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 Add-on Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Fuses & Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Capacities & Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Fluids & Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Engine Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 I95

Service & Appearance Care

Service Your Chevrolet dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people. We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM. Genuine GM parts have one of these marks.

Doing Your Own Service Work If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll want to get the proper Chevrolet Service Manual. It tells you much more about how to service your Chevrolet than this manual can. To order the proper service manual, see the Index under Service Publications. You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the date of any service work you perfom. See the Index under Maintenance Record.

196

--

to do service work on a

A You can be injured if you try vemcle without knowing enough about it. * Be s u e you have sufficient knowledge, experience, aud the proper replacement parts and tools befare you attempt any vehicle maintenance task. Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and other Edsteners. “English” and “metric” fhsteflers can be easily confbsed. If you use the m n g fasteners, parts can later break or fhll off. You

If you try to do your own servic work without knowing enough abot it, your vehicle could be damaged.

Fuel Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher. It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in the U.S. and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels should have the proper additives, so you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the right kind of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck. Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.

If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you still hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But don’t worry if you hear a little pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal, and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means you have a problem. Fuel Capacity: 15.2 U.S. Gallons (57.5 L). Use unleaded fuel only.

I97

Service & Appearance Care

Fuel (CONTI What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen, such as MTBE or alcohol?

MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether? Fuel that is no more than 15 % MTBE is fine for your vehicle. Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel that is no more than 10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle. Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.

I98

Fuel that is more than 5 % methanol is bad for your vehicle. Don’t use it. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel system and also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t be covered under your warranty. And even at 5 % or less, there must be “cosolvents” and corrosion preventers in th

these problems. - -

he1 to :lp avoid

Gasolines for Cleaner Air Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system. That helps keep your engine in tune and your emission control system working properly. It’s good for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air. Many gasolines are now blended with materials called oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use gasolines with these blending materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the country that have high carbon monoxide levels.

In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the country that have high ozone levels. You should ask your service station operators if their gasolines contain detergents and oxygenates, and if they have been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.

Fuels in Foreign Countries If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful, your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system can corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will be damaged. All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.

To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil company that does business in the country where you’ll be driving. You can also write us at the following address for advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

General Motors of Canada Ltd. International Export P.O. Box 828 Oshawa, Ontario LEX 7Ni, Canada

Sales

I99

Service & Appearance Care

Gasoline vapor is highly

Filling Your lank I 4Knu l”’” - flammable. It bums violently, and that can cause very bad injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re ar gasoline or refueling your hicle. Keep sparks, flames, and loking materials away from

,,soline.

The cap is behind a hinged door on the right side of your vehicle. To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left (counterclockwise).

. . I

2 0 0

rhile refueling, hang the cap inside the le1 door.

If you get gasoline on you and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.

{hen you put the cap back on, turn it to le right until you hear a clicking noise.

Checking Things Under the Hood

The following sections tell you how to check fluids, lubricants and important parts underhood.

Hood Release To open the hood, first pull the HOOD handle inside the vehicle.

Then go to the front of the vehicle and release the secondary hood release.

20 I

Service & Appearance Care

Hood Release (CONI) Lift the hood, release the hood prop from its retainer and put the hood prop into the slot in the hood.

An electric fan under the hood can start up and injure you

even when the engine is not running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan.

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Things that burn can get on L hot engine parts and start a me. These include liquids like gasoline, oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.

lefore closing the hood, be sure all the iller caps are on properly. Then lift the fi ood to relieve pressure on the hood rop. Remove the hood prop from the lot in the hood and return the prop to S: :s retainer. Then just let the hood down it nd close it firmly.

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2.21 L4 Engine (CODE 4) When you open the hood, you’ll see: 1. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank 2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 3. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick

(if equipped)

4. Brake Fluid Reservoir 5. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir

(if equipped)

6. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir 7. Battery 8. Air Cleaner 9. Engine Oil Dipstick IO. Engine Oil Fill Cap 1 1. Radiator Pressure Cap

203

Service & Appearance Care

' 3.11 V6 Engine (CODE T)

1 When you open the hood, you'll see:

1. Coolant Surge Tank 2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 3. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick

(if equipped)

4. Brake Fluid Reservoir 5. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir

(if equipped)

6. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir 7. Battery 8. Air Cleaner 9. Engine Oil Fill Cap 10. Engine Oil Dipstick

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Engine Oil It’s a good idea to check your engine oil level every time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground. Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.

To Check Engine Oil: Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.