warning light CHEVROLET AVEO 2002 Service Owner's Manual

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You will 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. 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 will save time and energy.
SeeFreeway Driving on page 4-20.
•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.
4-19

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
•Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
•You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Also seeTires on page 5-51.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.
4-24

Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-25.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and proper
coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to−22°F (−30°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 268°F (131°C)
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
What to Use
Use a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand coolant
that meets GM Specification 1825M, which will not
damage aluminum parts. You can also use a recycled
coolant conforming to GM Specification 1825M with a
complete coolant flush and refill. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
For protection in extremely cold weather conditions,
use a 40/60 mixture of clean, drinkable water and proper
coolant.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and the proper coolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you do not
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
5-23

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your vehicle has one reservoir for both the brake and
clutch hydraulic systems. It is filled with DOT-3
brake fluid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-14for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out of the brake or clutch system. If it is,
you should have your brake/clutch system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later your brakes will not
work well, or will not work at all.
So, it is not a good idea to “top off” your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake fluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-20.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-26.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
5-36

{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. See
Appearance Care on page 5-76.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving, except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal firmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes will not work well. That could lead
to an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
5-37

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-63

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-11
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-35
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-84
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-35, 3-37
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-50
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-56
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-58
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-55
What Will You See After an
Air Bag Inflates?......................................1-56
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-55
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-53
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)......... 7-9
AM ...............................................................3-43
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-34
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-44
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-27Appearance Care............................................5-76
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-79
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-82
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-76
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-79
Finish Damage............................................5-81
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-81
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-82
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-82
Weatherstrips..............................................5-79
Arming the System.........................................2-15
Ashtrays........................................................3-12
Audio System(s).............................................3-34
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-34
Backglass Antenna......................................3-44
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-44
Care of Your CDs........................................3-44
Radio with CD............................................3-36
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-43
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-43
Automatic Transaxle........................................2-20
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-22
Automatic Transaxle Inspection.........................6-20
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-22
1

B
Backglass Antenna.........................................3-44
Battery..........................................................5-39
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-21
Brake
Parking......................................................2-28
System Inspection.......................................6-25
System Warning Light..................................3-20
Brake Fluid....................................................5-36
Brake Wear...................................................5-37
Brakes..........................................................5-36
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-45
Fog Lamps.................................................5-48
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-46
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-45
Headlamps.................................................5-46
Sidemarker Lamps...............................5-48, 5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-49
Turn Signal Lamps......................................5-47
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Canceling the Rear Door Security Lock............... 2-9
Capacities and Specifications............................5-91
Carbon Monoxide...........4-24, 4-37, 2-10, 2-12, 2-32
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-79
Your CD Player...........................................3-44
Your CDs ...................................................3-44
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-19
CD Messages................................................3-42
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts.....1-26
Chains, Tires..................................................5-66
Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-28
Check Engine Light.........................................3-28
Checking Coolant............................................5-24
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-11
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-58
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-82
2

Engine (cont.)
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-21
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-21
Cooling System Inspection............................6-25
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-32
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-25
Starting......................................................2-20
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-87
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-19
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-19
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exterior Lamps................................................. 3-8
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a Station....................................3-34, 3-36
Finish Care....................................................5-80
Finish Damage...............................................5-81
Five-Speed....................................................2-26
Flash-to-Pass Feature....................................... 3-6Flat Tire........................................................5-66
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-67
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-21
Manual Transaxle........................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
FM ...............................................................3-43
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-32
Fog Lamps...............................................3-6, 3-9
Folding the Seatback..................................1-6, 1-8
Footnotes................................................6-7, 6-14
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-22
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-23
System Inspection.......................................6-25
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-85
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-84
5

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-21
Fuel..........................................................3-22
Speedometer..............................................3-19
Tachometer.................................................3-19
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specifications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-36
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-3
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-45
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-84
Headlamps....................................................5-46
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-45
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-46
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45Headlamps (cont.)
Sidemarker Lamps...............................5-48, 5-49
Turn Signal Lamps......................................5-47
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-22
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
Hold Mode.....................................................2-25
Hold Mode Features........................................2-25
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-11
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-4
How the System Alarm is Activated...................2-16
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................5-30
How to Check................................................5-59
How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-22
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-34
How to Detect a Tamper Condition....................2-16
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-20
How to Turn Off the System Alarm....................2-16
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-22
Hydraulic Clutch System Check........................6-20
Hydroplaning..................................................4-18
6