heating CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2004 User Guide

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-18
Supercharger Oil..........................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-26
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-28
Engine Coolant.............................................5-31
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-34
Engine Overheating.......................................5-34
Cooling System............................................5-37Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-47
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-48
Brakes........................................................5-50
Battery........................................................5-53
Jump Starting...............................................5-54
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-60
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-60
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-60
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-60
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps.....................................5-62
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-63
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-63
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-64
Tires..............................................................5-65
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-72
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-73
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-76
Buying New Tires.........................................5-76
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-77
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-79
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than DEXRON®-III may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use DEXRON
®-III labeled automatic
transaxle uid.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as described
under “How to Check” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to
your radiator, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-34.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-31

Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank
is located between the
power steering uid
reservoir and the
underhood fuse block in
the engine compartment
on the passenger’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more
information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the COLD
mark or a little higher. When your engine is warm,
the level should be up to the HOT mark or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the coolant recovery tank,but be
careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-34.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
{CAUTION:
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. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-37.
5-33

Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overow tube on the radiator
ller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side, near
the diagonal cross brace. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage and a warning
message about a hot engine on your instrument
panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-38andHot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message on page 3-45.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. The low coolant light may come on
and the temperature gage will indicate an overheat
condition exists. Driving extended miles (km) and/or
towing a trailer in the overheat protection mode should
be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the
oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18.
5-34

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
See “Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” underEngine Overheating on page 5-34
for information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
Notice:If your engine catches re because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. See “Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode” underEngine Overheating on
page 5-34for information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.
5-35

{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level
should be at or above
the COLD mark on
the coolant recovery tank.
To check the coolant
level, look for the COLD
mark on the side of
the coolant recovery tank
that faces the engine.Check to make sure that the coolant level is up to the
COLD ll level on the side of the coolant recovery tank.
If it isn’t, you may have a leak at the pressure cap or
in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump
or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
5-38

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer’s booklet
included with your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual.
{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a
serious accident. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
5-65

Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-20
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-20
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-42
Dual Climate Control System............................3-21
E
Easy Entry Seat............................................... 1-7
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-103
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-104
Headlamp Wiring.......................................5-103
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-103
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-103
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-12
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs.................................3-41
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-26
Battery.......................................................5-53
Change Oil Message...................................3-47
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-39
Coolant......................................................5-31
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-38
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12Engine (cont.)
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Low Oil Level Message................................3-46
Oil .............................................................5-18
Overheating................................................5-34
Starting......................................................2-18
Supercharger Oil.........................................5-24
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-45
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-39
Event Data Records (EDR)..............................7-10
EXIT (Exit Feature
Customization Mode)....................................2-50
Express-Down Window....................................2-14
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-26
Finding a Program Type (PTY)
Station (RDS and XM™)..............3-60, 3-71, 3-82
Finding a Station............................3-58, 3-69, 3-80
Finish Care....................................................5-98
Finish Damage...............................................5-99
5

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-60
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamp Wiring...........................................5-103
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-60
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-60
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-60
Heated Outside Mirrors....................................2-33
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heating.........................................................3-23
Highbeam Out Warning Message......................3-51
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-41
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-36
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-36
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message........3-45
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-39How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-42
How to Add Fluid............................................5-30
How to Check........................................5-28, 5-73
How to Check and Add Oil...............................5-25
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-48
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-26
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
Hydroplaning..................................................4-20
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-36
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-35
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-40
If the Light Is on Steady..................................3-40
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-28
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-39
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
Illumination on Remote Activation........................ 2-6
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-31
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-72
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-29
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-16
7