1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Owners Manual

Electrical Equipment ........... 52.96. 195 Engine Coolant ................ 139.143. 170 Engine Oil ........................ 162,198, 199 Hydraulic Clutch Fluid .......... 170, 199 Power Steering Fluid ...... 173,198, 199 Sound Equipment ........................... 96 Transaxle Fluid Automatic ..................... 168,198, 199 Manual .......................... 169,198, 199 Windshield Washer Fluid .............. 173 Air Cleaner Filter ...................... 165, 202 Air Conditioner .................................. 93 Alcohol. Driving Under the Influence of .................................... 108 Alcohol in Gasoline ......................... 155 Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning ........... 192 Antenna ............................................ 105 Antifreeze ..................... 137,170,198, 199 Anti-Lock Brake System .................. 111 Warning Light .................................. 87 Appearance Care .............................. 187 Ashtrays & Lighter ............................ 75 Audio Systems ................................... 96 AM/FM Stereo Radio ...................... 97 AM/FM Stereo Radio with Cassette

Player ............................................

AM/FM Stereo Radio with Compact

Disc Player ..................................

101

99

Care of Audio Systems .................. 104 Radio Reception. Understanding .. 104 Setting the Clock ............................. 97 Automatic Door Loclts ...................... 44 Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt (see Safety Belts) Automatic Transaxle .......................... 53 Adding Fluid ................... 168.198. 199 Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock.. ........................ .54. 60 Checking Fluid .............................. 167 Shifting ............................................ 53 Starting Your Engine ...................... 51

Battery ............................................

176 Jump Starting ................................ 128 Battery Warning ........................ 130. 176 Battery Warning Light ....................... 86 Blizzard. Caught In a ....................... 124 Block Heater. Engine .................. 52. 165 Blowout. Tire ................................... 145 Brake Adjustment .................................... 175 Fluid ........................................ 174. 199 Master Cylinder ............................. 174 Parking ............................................. 58 Pedal Travel .................................... 175 Rear ................................................ 175 Warning Light .................................. 86 Wear Indicators-Front Brakes .... 175 ............. 86 Brake System Warning Light Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock ... 54. 60

Brakes. Anti-Lock ............................ 111 Bralcing ............................................. 110 Bralcing in Emergencies ................... 113 Braking Technique ........................... 110 Break-In. New Vehicle ....................... 49 Buckling Up (see Safety Belts) Bulb Replacement Headlight ................................ 177, 200 Taillight ................................... 177, 200

45,47,61, 124

Capacities and Specifications ........ 198 Carbon Monoxide in Exhaust ........................... Cassette Tape Player (see Audio Systems) Center Console Ashtray ..................... 75 Center Passenger Position ................. 29 Chains, Tire ............................... 152, 187 Changing a Flat Tire ........................ 146 Charging System Warning Light ....... 86 “Check Engine” Light ........................ 88 “Check Gages” Light ......................... 89 Checking Brake Fluid .................................... 174 Engine Coolant ....................... 137, 170 Engine Oil Level ............................ 162 Hydraulic Clutch ........................... 170 Power Steering Fluid ..................... 173 Safety Belt Systems ......................... 40 Transaxle Fluid Automatic .................................... 167 ,. ........ 169 Manual ................................ 233

Checking Things Under the Hood .. 157 Chemical Paint Spotting .................. 193 Child Restraints .................................. 31 Children and Safety Belts ............. 30. 38 Cigarette Lighter ................................ 75 Circuit Breakers & Fuses ................ 195 City Driving., .................................... 119 Cleaner. Air ............................... 165. 202 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels ......................... 192 Antenna ......................................... 105 Bumpers ......................................... 191 Cassette Player .............................. 104 Compact Discs ............................... 105 Cupholder ...................................... 190 Fabric ............................................. 188 Glass .............................................. 190 Inside of Your Chevrolet ............... 188 Instrument Panel ........................... 190 Outside of Your Chevrolet ............ 191 Safety Belts .................................... 190 Scotchgard TM Fabric Protection ... 189 Special Problems ........................... 189 Textured-Surface Bumper Covers 191 Underbody Maintenance ............... 193 Vinyl ............................................... 190 Warnings ........... 188,189,190,191, 192 Waxing ........................................... 191 Weatherstrips ................................. 192 White Sidewall Tires ..................... 192 Windshield and Wiper Blades ....... 190 Climate Control System ..................... 92 234

95 97

Ventilation ....................................... Clock. Setting the ............................... Clutch, Hydraulic Adding Fluid ........................... 170, 199 Checking Fluid .............................. 170 Comfort Controls Air Conditioning System ................. 93 Compact Disc Player (see Audio Systems) Compact Spare Tire ......................... 151 Control of a Vehicle ......................... 110 Convenience Net ................................ 49 Convex Outside Mirror ...................... 73 Coolant ............................................. 170 Checking & Adding ........ 137,140,143, 170,198, 217 Low Coolant Warning Light ........... 85 Proper Mixture to Use .... 139,143, 170 Safety Warnings About ......... 138, 139, 140,143,144,159,171, 172 Temperature Gage ........................... 85 Cruise Control .................................... 70 Cup Holder ......................................... 74 Curves, Driving on ........................... 113 Customer Assistance Information ... 22 1 Daytime Running Lights ................. 65 Dead Battery: What to Do ............... 128 Defects, Safety (see Safety Defects) Defensive Driving ............................ 108 Defogger, Rear Window ..................... 95 Defogging Your Windows ...... .92,94, 95 Defrosting ................................. 92,94, 95

Dome Light ........................................ 67 Door Locks ......................................... 43 Downshifting ......................... 55.57. 122 . . .............................................. Driver Position ................................... 21 107 Drnmg At Night ......................................... 117 City ................................................. 119 Controlling a Slid ......................... 116 Defensively .................................... 108 Drunken ......................................... 108 Freeway .......................................... 120 Hill and Mountain ......................... 122 In a Foreign Country ..................... 156 In the Rain ..................................... 118 Long Distance ............................... 121 Loss of Control .............................. 116 On Curves ...................................... 113 Passing ........................................... 115 Through Deep Standing Water ....... 52 Winter Driving ............................... 123 .............................. 108

E Drunken Driving

15

asy-Entry Seat ............................... Electrical Equipment, Adding ... 52,96, 195 Emergencies, Braking ...................... 113 Emergencies on the Road ................ 127 Emergencies, Steering in ................. 114 Emergency Starting .......................... 128 Emergency Towing .......................... 132 Engine Block Heater ................... 52, 165 Engine Coolant Heater ............... 52, 165 Engine Coolant (see Coolant)

Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Gage (see Coolant) Engine Exhaust Dangerous Gas in .......... 45.47.61. 124 Parking with the Engine Running .................................... 59. 61 Engine Identification ....................... 194 Engine Oil ........................................ 162 Additives ........................................ 164 Check Oil Light ............................... 89 Checking &Adding ........ 162.198. 199 Crankcase Capacity ....................... 198 Disposing of Used Oil ................... 165 Energy Conserving ........................ 164 Filter ....................................... 164. 202 Pressure Gage .................................. 90 Starburst ........................................ 163 Warning Light .................................. 89 When to Change ............................ 164 Engine Overheating ......................... 136 Engine Specifications ....................... 202 Engine. Starting ................................. 51 Automatic Transaxle ....................... 51 Manual Transaxle ............................ 51 Ethanol in Gasoline ......................... 155 Expectant Mothers. Use of Safety Belts ................................................. Expressway Driving ......................... Extender. Safety Belt ......................... Exterior Appearance

24 120 40

(see Appearance Care)

(see Appearance Care)

Fabric Cleaning Fan Warnings ....... 129.130.137.138. 159 Filling the Fuel Tank ................. 156. 198 Filter. Oil ................................... 164, 202 Finish Care ....................................... 19 1 Finish Damage ................................. 193 Flashers, Hazard Warning ............... 128 Flash-To-Pass ..................................... 66 Flat Tire ............................................ 145 Flooded Engine .................................. 51 Fluid Brake ....................................... 174, 199 Capacities ...................................... 198 Hydraulic Clutch .................... 170. 199 Power Steering ................ 173,198, 199 Transaxle Automatic ..................... 167,198, 199 Manual .......................... 169,198, 199 Windshield Washer ................ 177, 199 Fluids & Lubricants ......................... 199 Folding Rear Seats ............................. 15 Foreign Material ............................... 192 Freeway Driving ............................... 120 French Language Manual .................... 2 Fuel ................................................... 154 Alcohol in Fuel .............................. 155 Capacity .................................. 156, 198 Exhaust Warnings .......... 45,47,61, 124 Filling Your Tank ................... 156, 198 Fuels with Alcohol ........................ 155

Gage ................................................. 84 In Foreign Countries ..................... 156 Requirements ................................. 154 Fuse Usage ....................................... 196 Fuses & Circuit Breakers ................ 195

Gages Coolant Temperature ...................... 85 Fuel .................................................. 84 Oil Pressure ..................................... 90 Tachometer ...................................... 83 Gasoline ........................................... 154 Gasoline Tank, Filling Your ..... 156, 198 Gas Station Information .................. 240 Gear Positions (see Shifting the Transaxle)

(see Shifting the Transaxle)

Gearshift Lever Glove Box ........................................... 47 Graphic Equalizer (see Audio Systems)

Halogen Bulbs ........................ 176, 200 Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 128 Head Restraints .................................. 13 Headlight & Taillight, Removing and Replacing ................................ 177, 200 Headlights .......................................... 65 Flash-To-Pass .................................. 66 High-Low Beam Changer ............... 66 Replacement Bulb .................. 177, 200 Wiring ............................................ 197 Heater (see Comfort Controls) 235 1

. .

Heater. Engine Block .................. 52. 165 High Beams ........................................ 66 Highway Hypnosis ........................... 121 Hill and Mountain Roads ................ 122 Hood Release ................................... 158 Warning. Overheated Engine ........ 159 Horn ................................................... 63 Hot Engine. Safety Warnings .. 138. 139. 140.143.144.159.171. 172 How to Use Manual ............................. Hydraulic Clutch ....................... 170. 199 Hydroplaning ................................... 1 19 Identification Number. Vehicle ...... 194 Idling Your Engine ........................ 59. 61 If You're Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .............................................. 152 Ignition Key ................................................... 48 Key Release Button ......................... 51 Positions .......................................... 50 Illuminated Entry System .................. 45 Indicator Lights (see Warning Lights) Infant Restraint (see Child Restraints) Inflation. Tires .................................. 182 Inside Rearview Mirror ...................... 72 Instrument Panel ............................... 81 Instrument Panel Clusters ............. 82. 83 Instrument Panel Intensity 67 84 69

Instrument Panel Warning Lights .'95iP

Control ..........................................

ittent Windshield Wipers

..... ........

Jack. Tire ........................................ Jump Starting ................................... K e y Release Button .......................... 51 Keys .................................................... 42

146 128

L a n e Change Indicator .................... 64 Lap-Shoulder Safety Belt ................... 21 Front ........................................... 20, 25 Rear .................................................. 26 Use by Children .......................... 30'38 Latches, Seatback .............................. 14 Liftgate Ajar Light ......................................... 88 Lock ................................................. 46 Lock Release .................................... 47 Safety Warning ................................ 47 Lighter ................................................ 75 Lights Daytime Running Lights ................. 65 Dome/Map ...................................... 67 Flash-To-Pass .................................. 66 Headlights ........................................ 65 Instrument Panel Intensity Control .. 67 Rear Compartment .......................... 68 Removing & Replacing Bulbs .. 177, 200 Replacement Bulbs ........................ 200 Taillights ................................. 177, 200 Turn Signal ...................................... 64 Warning Lights ................................ 84 Loading Your Vehicle ................. 79, 180

219 203

Locks .................................................. 43 Long Distance Driving ..................... 121 Low Battery ...................................... 128 Low Oil Pressure Warning ................ 89 Luggage Carrier .................................. 79 Maintenance Record ..................... Maintenance Schedule ..................... Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) ...................... 88 Manual Front Seat ............................. 12 Manual Sunroof ................................. 75 Manual Transaxle Adding Fluid ................... 169,198, 199 Checking Fluid .............................. 169 Shifting ............................................ 56 Starting Your Engine ...................... 51 Master Cylinder. Brake .................... 174 Methanol in Gasoline ...................... 155 Mileage Indicator (see Odometer G Speedometer) Mirrors Convex Outside ............................... 73 Inside Manual Day/Night ............... 72 Manual Adjust ................................. 72 Manual Remote Control .................. 73 Mountain Driving ............................ 122

N e w Vehicle Break-In Requirements ................................... Night Driving ...................................

49 117

Octane Requirements (see Fuel Requirements) Odometer & Speedometer ................. 82 Oil. Engine ....................................... 162 Pressure Gage .................................. 90 Quality ........................................... 163 Starburst ........................................ 163 Thickness ....................................... 163 Used Oil ......................................... 165 When to Add ................................. 162 When to Change ............................ 164 Oil Warning Light .............................. 89 Operation of Lights ............................ 64 Outside Rearview Mirrors ................. 73 Overheated Engine .......................... 136 Overheated Engine Coolant Warning Gage ................................................. 85 Owner Checks & Services ............... 212 Owner’s Manual. How to Use ............. 6 paint Spotting. Chemical ................ 193 Park. Shifting Into ........................ 51. 58 Parking Over Things That Burn ................... 60 Torque Lock .................................... 59 With the Engine Running ..... 54.59. 61 Parking Brake ..................................... 58 Passenger Belts (see Safety Belts) Passing ........................................ 72. 115 Periodic Maintenance Inspections .....................................

2 16

Polishing and Waxing (see Appearance Care) Power Door Locks ................. i. ........ ;. 44 Power Steering Fluid ......... 173,198, 199 Power Windows ................................. 62 Power Window Lock-out Switch ...... 62 Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts During .............................................. 24 Problems on the Road ...................... 127 Publications (see Service Publications)

172

Radiator Overheating (see Overheated Engine) Radiator Pressure Cap ..................... Radio (see Audio Systems) Reading Light ..................................... 67 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ...... 27 Rear Seat, Split Fold-Down ............... 15 Rearview Mirrors ............................... 72 Rear Window Defogger ...................... 95 Reclining Seatbacks ........................... 12 Recommended Fluids & Lubricants ....................................... 217 Recreational Towing ........................ 125 Replacement Bulbs .......................... 200 Replacement Fuses .......................... 196 Replacement Parts ........................... 202 Replacement, Windshield Wiper ..... 179 Replacing Safety Belts ....................... 40 Replacing Tires ................................. 184 Replacing Wheels ............................. 186 Reporting Safety Defects ................. 224

Restraints. Child ................................. 31 Roads. Hill and Mountain ............... 122 Rocking Your Vehicle ................. 54. 152 Roof Luggage Carrier ......................... 79 Rotation. Tire ................................... 183

S afety Belts .......................................

17 Adults .............................................. 20 Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt ......... 21 Care ................................................ 190 Center Passenger Position .............. 29 Checking .......................................... 40 Children ...................................... 3 0, 38 Child Restraints ............................... 31 Child Restraints-How to Install Them ............................................. 32 Child Restraints, Where to Put .. 31, 35 Cleaning ......................................... 190 Comfort Guides, Rear ..................... 27 Driver Position ................................ 21 Extender ........................................... 40 How to Wear ................................... 20 Passenger Belts ................................ 25 Pregnancy, Use During ................... 24 Questions & Answers .................... 19,23,24,39, 40 Rear Safety Belts ............................. 26 Rear Seat Passengers ...................... 25 Replacement .................................... 40 Right Front, Adult Passenger .......... 25 Smaller Children and Babies .......... 30 Top Strap ......................................... 32 237

Index Torn ................................................. 40 Twisted ............................................ 24 Vehicles First Sold in Canada ......... 20 Warning Light ............................. 17. 20 Why You Should Wear Safety Belts ............................................... 18 Safety Defects. Reporting ................ 224 Scheduled Maintenance Services .... 205 Seat Belts (see Safety Belts) Seat Controls Easy-Entry ....................................... 15 Head Restraints ............................... 13 Manual 4-Way Adjustable ............... 14 Manual Front Seat .......................... 12 Manual Reclining Seatbaclc ............ 12 Seat. Split Fold-Down Rear ............ 15 Seats. Split Folding. Rear Wagon ... 15 Seatbaclc Latches ............................. 14 Service Parts Identification Label ... 194 Service Publications ......................... 227 Service Station Information ............ 240 Setting the Clock ................................ 97 Setting the Trip Odometer ................ 83 Shift Light ..................................... 57. 87 Shifting Into P (Park) ........................ 58 Shifting Out of P (Park) .................... 60 Shifting the Transaxle Automatic Transaxle ....................... 53 Manual Transaxle ............................ 56 Signaling Turns .................................. 64 Skidding ........................................... 116 238 Snow or Ice. Driving On ................. 123

a m I

Snowstorm. If You’re Caught in a .. 124 Sound Equipment. Adding ................ 96 Sound Systems (see Audio Systems) Spare Tire. Compact ........................ 151 Specifications and Capacities .......... 198 Speed Control (see Cruise Control) Speedometer & Odometer ................. 82 Trip Odometer ................................. 83 Stains. Removing .....?....................... 189 Starting Your Engine ......................... 5 1 Automatic Transaxle ....................... 53 Manual Transaxle ............................ 56 Starting Your Vehicle if the Battery is Dead (see Jump Starting ) Steering In Emergencies .............................. Off-Road Recovery ........................ Tips ................................................ Steering Wheel, Tilt ........................... Stereo Sound Systems (see Audio Systems) Storing Your Vehicle ....................... 176 Stuck, If You Are ............................. 152 Sunroof ............................................... 75 Sun Visors .......................................... 74

T achometer ......................................

83 Taillight Bulb Replacement ...... 177, 200 Tape Player (see Audio Systems) Technical Facts & Specifications Bulbs ..............................................

114 1 14 113 63

200

Electrical Equipment. Add-on ............................. 52.96. 195 Fluid Capacities & Types ....... 198. 199 Fuses & Circuit Breakers .............. 195 Service Parts Identification Label .. 194 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .......................................... 194 Temperature Gage ............................. 85 Theft ................................................... 47 Thermostat ....................................... 172 Tilt Steering Wheel ............................ 63 Time. Setting the ................................ 97 Tires .................................................. 181 Buying New ................................... 184 Chains ..................................... 152. 187 Flat. Changing ............................... 146 Inflation ......................................... 182 Inspection & Rotation .................. 183 Loading .......................................... 182 Pressure ......................................... 182 Quality Grading ............................. 185 Spare. Compact ............................. 151 Tread Wear Indicators .................. 184 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ....................................... 186 Wheel Replacement ....................... 186 When to Replace Wheels ............... 186 Winter Driving and Tires ....... 123. 187 Top Strap ............................................ 32 Torque Lock ....................................... 59 Towing a Trailer ............................... 126 Towing Your Vehicle ................ 125. 132

-a n r T 7 ILO

. - .

. Trailer Towing .................................. hnsaxle. Automatic (see Automatic Transaxle) rransaxle. Manual (see Manual Transaxle) rransmission. Automatic (see Automatic Transaxle) Transmission. Manual (see Manual Transaxle) Trip Odometer ................................... 83 Trunk ............................................. 45. 46 Trunk Cargo Anchors ........................ 49 Trunk Convenience Net .................... 49 Trunk/Liftgate Release. Lockout .. 46. 47

Light Turn Signal Indicator ......................... 64 Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever ...... 63 Cruise Control ................................. 70 Headlight High/Low Beam ............. 66 Turn & Lane Change Indicator ...... 64 Unleaded Gasoline ......................... 154 Upholstery Care ............................... 188 Upshift Indicator Light ................. 57. 87 Urban Driving .................................. 119

Vehicle Damage Warnings .................. 8 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ............................................. 194 Vehicle Loading .......................... 79. 180 ................................ 176 Vehicle Storage Vehicles First Sold in Canada ........... 20 Ventilation .......................... 92.93.95. 96 VIN ................................................... 194 Visor Vanity Mirror ........................... 74

Ajar

Wagon Folding Rear Seats .......................... 15 ........................... Liftgate 88 Liftgate Lock ................................... 46 Liftgate Release Button ................... 47 Rear Compartment Light ................ 68 Roof Luggage Carrier ...................... 79 Taillight Bulb Replacement ... 177. 200 Warning Flashers. Hazard ............... 128 Warning Lights ................................... 84 Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 87 Battery ............................................. 86 Brake ................................................ 86 Charging System ............................. 86 Check Coolant ................................. 85 Check Engine ................................... 88 Check Gages .................................... 89 Check Oil ......................................... 89

88 85 89 17. 20 57. 87 69. 173

Liftgate Ajar ..................................... Low Coolant .................................... .................................................... Oil Safety Belt .................................. Upshift Indicator ........................ Washer. Windshield .................... Weight Gross Axle Rating (GAWR) ......... 180 Gross Vehicle Rating (GVWR) ..... 180 q e e l Alignment and Tire Balance .. 186 Wheel Covers. How to Remove ....... 149 Wheel Nuts ....................................... 149 Wheel Nut Torque .................... 151. 198 Wheel Replacement ......................... 186 Windows Power ........................................ Standard .......................................... Windshield Washer ..................... Windshield Wipers ...................... Cleaning ......................................... Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement .................................. 179 Winter Driving ................................. 123 Driving On Snow or Ice ................ 123 If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Deep Snow .................................... 124. 152 If You’re Caught in a Blizzard ...... 124 Wrecker Towing ............................... 132

62. 197 62 69. 173 68. 197 190

Service Station Information

Windshield Washer Fluid See Page 173

Battery The Delco Freedom03 battery needs no water. See Page 176 Transaxle Fluid Automatic: See Page 167 Manual: See Page 169

Cold Tire Pressure See Tire-Loading Information label on the driver’s door. See Page 182 Spare Tire Pressure Compact Spare: 60 psi (420 1tPa) See Page 151

Hood Release See Page 158 Cooling System Check and add coolant at the coolant recovery or coolant surge tank. The fluid should be at or slightly above the FULL COLD mark. See Page 170

Engine Oil See Page 162

Fuel Capacity: 15.2 U.S. Gal. (57.5 L) Use unleaded gas only, 87 octane or higher. See Page 154

WE SUPPORT

VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION THROUGH

National Institute for

AUTOMOTIVE

SERVICE

EXCELLENCE

..

I994 Owner’s Manual Supplement

This information replaces the air conditioning refrigerant specifications on page 198 of the 1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner’s Manual.

If your Cavalier has air conditioning, the system could be filled with R-12 or R-134a refrigerant. These refrigerants are not interchangeable. If service is required, please refer to the refrigerant charge label under the hood for refrigerant charge type and quantity.