oil dipstick CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2001 3.G Owners Manual

For
a More
Detailed Look at
What's Under the Hood
See Section 6
Service Station Guide
Oil Viscosity
Engine Oil
See Section 6
Cooling System
See Section 5
Hood Release
See Section 6
Windshield Washer
Fluid
See Section 6
Spare Tire Pressure
See Section 5
Battery
See Section 6
Tire Pressure
See Section 6
2.4L Engine Oil
Dipstick

See Section 6
2.2L Engine Oil
Dipstick

See Section 6
Fuel
Use unleaded only.
See Section 6
for octane ratings.

2-24 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. On
vehicles with a 2.2L L4 engine, the electrical cord is
located near the engine oil dipstick. On vehicles with
a 2.4L L4 engine, the electrical cord is located in
front of the engine coolant surge tank on the
passenger's side.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your vehicle may be equipped with a three-speed
automatic or a four
-speed automatic transaxle. The shift
lever is located on the console between the seats.
There are six different positions for the shift lever on
the three
-speed automatic and seven positions for the
four
-speed automatic transaxles. While PARK (P),
REVERSE (R) and NEUTRAL (N) operate identically
for both transaxles, the forward gear positions represent
different gearing and operation. See ªForward Gears
(3
-Speed)º or ªForward Gears (4-Speed)º later in
this section.

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 engine (Code 4), you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap/Dipstick
D. Brake Fluid ReservoirE. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
Reservoir (If Equipped)
F. Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
H. Battery
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-11
When you open the hood on the 2.4L L4 engine (Code T), you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
C. Engine Oil DipstickD. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
Reservoir (If Equipped)G. Battery
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-13
2.4L L4 Engine
Check the oil here if you have a 2.4L engine. The dipstick's
handle will be a yellow ring. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for more information on location.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
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 down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD 1 QT. mark, then you'll
need to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities and Specificationsº in
the Index.

6-14
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
This is where you add oil if you have a 2.2L engine.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
This is where you add oil if you have a 2.4L engine.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you're through.

6-19
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(Three
-Speed Only)
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.