tow CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1984 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SECTION 1
BEFORE DRIVING YOUR CAVALIER
TRANSAXLE
While reading this manual, you will nole many references 10 Ihe "transaxle." The transaxle is a transmission and differential (axle) combined in a singl ,e unit.
To avoid confusion, the word
"transaxle" will be used throughout this manual 10 refer to bolh Ihe transmission and differenlial funclions.
DRIVER DAILY CHECKUST
Be sure you know how to use your vehicle and its equipment before operating it
Before Entering the Vehicle
1. See that windows, mirrors and lights are clean and unobstructed.
2. If any lire does not look normal, check it with a pressure gage.
3. Look for fluid leaks .
4. Be sure everything is properly stowed.
5. Check the area behind the vehicle if you are about to back up.
__ Before Driving Off
1. Lock all doors.
2. Adjust the seat and any movable head restraint
3. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
4. DO NOT allow anyone to ride where there is no seat belt ; and ALWAYS properly fasten the seat belt.
5. Check that all the warning lights work as the key is turned to "Run" or "Start"
6. Check all gages (including the fuel gage).
7 . Release the parking brake (and make sure the
"BRAKE " light turns .off).
See related topics in this manual
or the Maintenance Schedule folder H problems are found.
STOWING THINGS IN (OR ON) THE VEHICLE
CAUTION: Put luggage or cargo In the trunk, or rea' area if postible. Cargo weight,
whether In the trunk or rear area, should be located as far forward as possible. Cargo weight on the roof Shoukt be positioned .s evenly as possible. Secure all i1ems in place to help keep them -from being thrown about and injuring people during a cot"-ion or sudden maneuver. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the seetbaCks. Do not place anything on the filler panel, or any cargo cover between the rear seat~.ck and window.
GUARD AGAINST THEFT
Your new Cava~er has many features to help prevent then of the vehicle, its
equipment, and contents. But these anti-then features
depend upon you to work.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NEVER:
• Wear a shoulder belt under your arm nearest the door.
• Use a belt for more than one person at a time.
• Wear the belts twisted.
• Let the belt system become damaged by a door or seat.
• Put anything into the opening where the seat belt passes through the trim panel. (This may jam the retractor or damage the belt.)
Front Seat Lap-Shoulder Belt
1. Adjust the seat as needed and sit well back and straight up. Grasp the
latch plate and:
• Pull the belt as far as it will reach across your lap.
• Hold the latch plate at a right angle to the webbing and slide it further
(toward the front of the vehicle).
•
Then pull it across your lap and push it into the buckle until it clicks.
2. To reduce the risk of sliding under the belt during a collision, position the belt across your lap as LOW ON YOUR HIPS as pOSSible and adjust it
to a SNUG FIT by pulling the "shoulder" portion upward through the latch plate.
The shoulder portion of the belt is designed to lock only during a sudden stop or impact. At other times it should move freely.
3. If the shoulder belt is too snug:
A. Pull the shoulder belt out at least 130 millimeters (five inches) so that
when you let go, it returns to your chest.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine B. Then pull down on the shoulder beUthe teast amount needed to ease
pressure but no more than 25mm or one inch and let go.
4. To get rid of the slack in the belt, pull the belt out as you did in Step 3A above.
Keep any
shoulder belt stack to a minimum. Too much belt slack could reduce the amount of protection in an· accident because the belt is too loose to restrain you properly.
5. To unfasten the belt, push in the button in the center of the buckle. To
stow the
belt, pull it out about 180 millimeters (seven inches) and hold it
while it retracts. On four-door models, the beH should retract when the
buckle is unlatched and the door is opened. If the beH does not retract
fully,
slide the latch plate down the webbing. To help prevent damage to
the seat beH and interior trim, before closing the door be sure the belt is
fully retracted
and the latch plate is out of the way.
Rear Seat Lap Belts
To enter the rear seat in 2-door cars:
• Push the front seat belt "sleeve" rearward out of the door opening and enter the vehicle.
•
After entering, push the sleeve forward so it will be easy for the person in the front seat to reach the belt.
Rear seat lap belts next to side windows have retractors which are designed to
take up extra webbing.
1 .
In a single motion pull the rear seat outboard lap belt across your lap enough to push the latch plate into the buckle, until it clicks. If the webbing
locks before the latch plate reaches the buckle, let it rewind fully into its
retractor to
unlock it so the belt can be pulled out to the proper length.
2. These belts should be positioned, worn, and released as described under
"Front Seat Lap-Shoulder Belt." Adjust the beH to a SNUG FIT by pulling
it firmly across your lap toward the retractor, so it can take up slack.
3. The lap belt at the center seat also should be positioned, worn, and
released as described above; however, it does not have a retractor. Adjust it to a SNUG FIT by pulling on the end of the beH coming from the latch
plate.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving with the trunk lid, hatchback or liftgate on station wagon models open is not recommended. Under some conditions, exhaust gases may be drawn
into the vehicle. If the trunk lid, hatchback or liftback must remain open for
some reason while moving, or if electrical wiring or other cable connections to a trailer must pass through the seal between the trunk lid, hatchback or liftback
and the body, follow these precautions:
• Close all windows.
• Adjust the heating or cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle as
described abcve, but set the fan to high speed.
• On vehicles with outside air vents in or under the instrument panel, open the vents fully.
NEW VEHICLE "BREAK-IN" PERIOD
You can drive your new vehicle from its very first mile/kilometer without
following a formal "break-in" schedule. However, there are things you can do during the first few hundred miles/kilometers of driving that will add to the
future performance and economy of your vehicle.
We recommend you limit your speed during the first 500 miles (800 kilometers)
to a maximum of 55 mph (90 km/h); but do not drive for long periods at any
one constant speed, either fast or slow. During this time, avoid full throttle
starts and, if possible, avoid hard stops especially during the first 200 miles (320 kilometers) of driving.
Always drive at moderate speed until the engine has completely warmed up.
I! you plan to use your new vehicle for trailer towing, see the following.
TRAILER TOWING
This car is designed and intended to be used mainly to carry people. Towing a
trailer
will affect handling, durability and economy. Your safety and satisfaction
depend upon proper use of correct equipment. Also, you should avoid
overloads and other abusive use.
The maximum loaded trailer weight you can pull with your vehicle depends on
your intended use
and what special equipment has been installed on it.
Information on trailer towing ability, special equipment required, and optional
equipment available should be obtained from your dealer. Ask for the trailering brochure. Or, write: Consumer Relations Department, Chevrolet Motor
Division, Warren, Michigan 48090.
(In Canada, write to General Motors of
Canada Limited, Customer Services Department, Oshawa, Ontario L lJ 5Z6.)
Tires
When towing trailers, be sure your tires are properly inflated to the inflation pressure shown on the Tire Placard on the driver's door.
The allowable passenger and cargo load for this vehicle, also shown on the
Tire
Placard, is reduced by the trailer tongue weight whenever the trailer is
attached to the vehicle. See "Service and Maintenance," Section 5 for more tire information.
Maintenance
More frequent service is required when using your vehicle to pull a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule folder for Automatic Transaxle Fluid and Engine Oil change requirements for trailering.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Now and then, check that all trailer hitch bolts and nuts are tight. Also see the
Maintenance
Schedule folder, and thelndax in this manual , for important facts
on
belts , cooling system care and brake ~tment.
Break-In Schedule
See the new vehicle break-in information in this manual. Also, we recommend
you drive your new vehicle for 500 miles (800 kilometers) before trailer towing.
At the end of this 500 mile (800 kilometer) break-in period, avoid speeds over
50 mph (80 km/h) and full throttle starts during the first 500 miles (800 kilometers) of trailer towing .
CAUTION:
BRAKES-To help avoid personal injury due to poor braking action :
•
Trailer brakes of adequate size are required on trailers more than 450
kilograms (1,000 pounds) loaded weight.
• If you use trailer brakes with this vehicle, follow the instailation and balance instructions of the trailer brake manufacturer.
• Do not tap into the vehicle's brake system iUhe trailer brake system uses
more than 0.3 cubic centimeter (0.02 cubic inches) 01 fluid from the
vehicle 's
mast.". cyllnd<1r .. , In this case, the vehicle's brake fluid capacity will not be enough to operate both thevehicte and trailer brakes under all kinds
of use.
• All brake fluid parts must be able to stand 20 650 kPa (3,000 psi) . The
brake fluid tap must be made at the upper rear master cylinder port.
Copper tubing is subject to fatigue failure and must not be used.
HITCHES-To help avoid personal injury due to sway caused by such things as
crosswinds, large trucks passing or road roughness , or due to separation of
the trailer :
• A properly installed and adjusted (1) frame mounted, weight-dstribut ing hitch and (2) sway control witheoough capacity are required for trailers
more than 900 kilograms (2,000 pounds) loaded weight.
• Keep the trailer tongue load at 10 percent of the loaded trailer weight for
dead-weight hitches and 12 percent for weight-distributing hitches. Tongue
loads can be adjusted by proper distribution of the load in the trailer. This
can
be checked by weighing separately the loaded trailer and then the
tongue .
• Do not use axle-mounted Mches. They can damage the axle housing , wheel bearings , wheels or tires.
• Do not allow steel hitch parts to be in direct contact with aluminum bumper
parts, if so equipped. When steel and aluminum are in contact, a galvanic
reaction (a form of corrosion) can occur which will progressively lessen the
strength of the contacting metals to the point
of failure. An organic
compound or paint should
be used as a barrier on the contacting surfaces
and on the attaching fasteners.
• When you remove a trailer hitch, be sure to seal any mounting holes in the body. This will help prevent entry 01 exhaust fumes, "Engine Exhaust Gas caution (Carbon Monoxide) " at the begiming of
"Starting and Operating ," Section 2 ollhis manual.)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NonCE: Use only trailer hitches which permit normal operation of the Energy
Absorbing Bumper system, If so equipped. For example, a rigid fore and aft connection between the bumper and any other part of-the vehicle may increase damage in the event of a collision.
TRAILER TOWING TIPS
Getting Started
Before entering traffic with a trailer that has electric brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and apply the trailer brakes by hand to be sure the trailer
brakes are working and the trailer electrical system is connected.
Engine Cooling
If your engine overheats, follow the steps under "Engine Cooling System
Overheating" in "In Case of Emergency," Section 3 of this manual.
Long Uphill Grades
When going up long grades, you can reduce the chance 01 engine overheating
by turning off the air conditioner, if so equipped.
Down Steep Or Long Grades
Before going down a steep or long grade, reduce speed and shift the transaxle
into a lower gear to help control your vehicle's speed. Try not to hold the brake pedal down too long or too often. This could cause the brakes to overheat and
reduce brake effectiveness.
Transaxle
See the method for checking the transaxle fluid level in "Service and
Maintenance,"
Section 5 of this manual.
Parkin!!
You should not park vehicles with trailers on a grade (hill). However, if you
must park on a grade, these steps must be followed:
1. Apply the regular brakes.
2. Have someone place wheel chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transaxle to "P"(Park),
If the vehicle is parked on a grade, don't shift the transaxle to "P"(Park) until the trailer wheels are chocked and the parking brake is set. If you do, the
weight of the
vehicle and trailer may put so much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle that it may be hard to shift out of "P"(Park).
When starting, after being parked
on a grade:
1. Apply the regular brakes and hold.
2. Start the engine in "P"(Park).
3. Shift into gear and release the parking brake.
4. Release the regular brakes and drive until the chocks are free.
5. Apply the regular brakes and have someone remove the chocks.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Lane Change Signal -In some turns, such as changing lanes, the steering wheel tS not turned far enough to cancel the turn signal. For convenience, you can flash the turn signal by moving the lever part way (to the first stop)
and holding it there. The lever will return to horizontal when you release it.
A green light on the instrument panel is designed to flash to tell you that the
front
and rear turn signal lights are working. If the light stays on, but does not flash, check for burned-out turn signal bulbs. If the green light does not come
on when
you move the lever, check the fuse and indicator bulb.
However, if you ordered a trailertowing·optiOil.·in which extra wiring was added to attach the trailer lighting, a different type of flasher was installed. In this
case, the green light will continue to flash even if a turn signal bulb burns out.
Therefore, you must regularly look at the front
and rear turn signal lights to be
sure they are working.
• Headlight Beam Changer -With the headlights on, pull the lever toward you until you hear a click, then release it. The lights will change from Iow­
beam to high-beam or from high-beam to low-beam. When the high-beams
are
on, a light will appear on the instrument panel.
HEADLIGHT BEAM CHANGER
(HEADLIGHTS ON)
PULL LEVER
TOWARD YOU
• Standard Windshield Wiper -The standard Windshield wiper system
con
ols are on the band marked "WIPER" on the turn signal lever.
• For a single wiping cycle, turn the band toward you. Hold it there until
the wipers begin
Wiping, then release.it. The wipers will stop after one
cycle. For several cycles, hold the band in place as long as needed.
• For steady wiping at low speed, turn the band away from you to the
first stop. For high-speed wiping, turn the band to the next stop. Turn
the band back to
"OFF" to turn off the wipers.
• Delay Windshield Wiper -The optional delay windshield wiper system lets you vary the wiper speed from a 16-second delay between sweeps up to
the normal
low and high speeds of the standard wiper.
• The Delay wipers work the same as the standard wipers, except for the
delay feature. To use the wipers with a delay between sweeps, turn the
band on the turn signal lever to
"ON."
• Turn the "Delay" band away from you to control the amount of delay. The
wipers will move more often the closer the band is to "LO." Turn it fully to
the first stop for steady wiping at
low speed.
• Windshield Washer -To spray washer fluid on the windshield, pUSh the "paddle" on top of the turn signal lever. (This will also turn on the low~ speed wipers.) The spray will continue as long as you hold in the paddle.
After using the windshield washer
on the standard wiper system, turn the band
back to "OFF" to turn off the wipers.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Apply the regular brakes and shift into the proper gear. Release the
parking brake and drive oft.
IF ENGINE FAILS TO START AFTER NORMAL STARTING
PROCEDURE
1. If you tried the Cold or Warm Engine starting procedure and the engine still
does not start, push down the accelerator pedal to the floor and hold it
there while cranking the engine. This should clear the engine
~ II is flooded.
2. If the engine has been flooded with too much fuel, it may start to run but
not have enough power to keep running .
In that case, continue cranking
with the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor until the engine clears itseW of excess gasoline and runs smoothly . (But, do not crank more than
15 seconds at a time or you could damage the starter .)
GaSOline Engine Block Heater
The optional gasoline engine block heater is designed to warm the block area
for improved cold weather starting.
II can also help reduce fuel consumption
when a cold engine is warming up.
To use
the block heater:
1 . Open the
hood. '~".
2. Unwrap the electrical cord which is stowed In the engine compartment.
(After using the block heater, be SUre to properly restow the cord , to help
keep it away from moving engine parts.)
3. Plug the cord into any three-prong, 11 O-voll outlet (normal household
current).
NOTICE: • the cord i, too ahort, use a ~avy·duty, three-prong extension corel Do not use an extension cord such .. you would uae for • t.np because the cord rnIIY
--Outside temperature, oil viscosity, etc. will affect how tong the block~ heater should remain plugged .in . Contact your authorized dealer for advice 'jot the
conditions in your area.
TRANSAXLE
DESCENDING A GRADE
CAunON: To reduce the risk of personaJ injUry. before going down 8 .steep or long Wade reduce speed and shift the transaxte -into second or low gear to help control your speed. (00 this with EITHER an automatic or manual transax)e.) Do not hold the brake ~I down too Iorig or too otten white going down • steep or long grade. This COUld ceu" the brakes to get hot and not work as well. As • result, the vehicle will not slow down at the usual r.t.~ Failure to u.ke these steps could r8l,,1t in. Iou of vehicle control.
DRIVING ON. SUPPERY SURFACES
While driving on a slippery surface avoid sudden acceleration, or engine
braking actions (due to shifting to a lower gear), which could cause the wheels
to skid . Skid correction is called for at these times.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES
Automatic Iransaxles replace the standard clutch and Iransaxle . After starting
the engine with the selector lever in "N" (Neutral) or "P" (Park) posnion,
select the range desired (see table) and depress the accelerator. A gradual start with a steady increase in ac ce lerator pressure will result in best possible
fuel economy. Rapid acceleration for fast starts will result in greater fuel consumption.
P -(PARK)
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE - 3 SPEED
This position is used to lock the transaxle
when the vehicle
is parked or wlVle starting
the engine. Never move the shift
lever to Park
until your vehicle is fully stopped . Use this.
position together with the parking brake.
R - (REVERSE) This position
is used fot backing the vehicle.
" Bring your vehicle to a complete stop before
shifting to Reverse .
N - (NEUTRAL)
This is the out-of.gear position. You may restart
a stalled engine while the vehicle
is still moving
with the selector
"in Neutral. This position is also used when towing the vehicle. See the "In Case of Emergency" section for towing facts.
D
- " (DRIVE) Use this position for all normal forward driving.
Forced downshifts -with the selector in "D"
you can get an automatic downshift at speeds
under
3S mph (60 km/h) by pressing Ihe accel· erator pedal approximately halfway to the 1I00r.
You
will also get a forced downshift at speeds
above 35 mph
(60 km/h) by pressing the
pedal all the way to the 1I00r . This will give
you increased acceleration for passing maneuvers.
2 - (LOW2) This range is used when extra performance is
required for hill climbing or it can also be used to provide "engine braking" to slow the vehicle
when going down medium grades. The shift lever may'be moved from "D" to "2n(and vice
versa) under most driving conditions.
1 - (LOWl) This position
is used to provide maximum engine
braking
when driving down very sharp grades
or when maximum performance is required
to
climb a steep hill or run through deep snow or
mud. You may shift into 1 at any speed but the
transaxle " will not lock into Low until vehicle
speed
is under 40 mphl.60 km/h).
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine For the best compromise between vehicle pertormance and fuel economy ,
upshift the transaxle as recommended in the chart.
Shift at the highest vehicle speed listed unless you have reached cruising
speed. (Cruising speed is a relatively steady speed whi ch includes slight variations in speed to allow for road andtrattic conditions.) For cruise , use the
highest gear for that speed.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE RECOMMENDED SH IFT SPEEDS IN MPH (Km/h) Engine$ & Accelera tion Shift S lllee! Crl.liM Shift S eed Trltn$ilxles 1 to 2 2to 3 3 to 4 4to 5 1102 2103 3104 4105 2 .0LUI E ng. Code P IS ,S 4. 20 ·25 "40 4-",,,", 124) (40) 164) (32401 (43.64) (M I9 ) 4.tOAxle 2.0L L4 EI1Q. Code P IS 26 4. 4S 20·25 27-40 35-45 5-Speed (24) (40) (64)
(72) 132·40) 143-64) (56-12) (MY7) 3.83 Axle
If vehicle speed drops below 20 mph (30 km/h) , or if the engine is not running .
smoothly , you should downshift to thE. next lowest gear. You may need to
downshift two or more gears to keep the engine running smoolhly or for
satisfactory performance .
Upshift Indicator Ught
H your vehicle has a manual transaxle. there may or may not be a "SHIFr" light · on the instrument panel. After the engine is warmed up, this light Will
corne on if you can get better fuel economy by shifting to the next higher gear
H conditions permit. !)est fuel economy can be achieved by acceleratingslQwly .
and shifting to the next higher gear when the "SHFT" light comes on.
Sale operation 01 the vehicle mayrsquire shifting differently lhan indicated by
the
"SHFT" light to adept to weather. rDild . or
affle conditions .. The ·"SHIFT '·
light should be ignored when downshifting or when hardaccelerallon Is required for satisfactory performance.
Downshifting one or more gears may be required to keep the engine .running
smoothly or
to maintain satisfactory performance ;
POWER STEERING
N the power steering assist system goes out because the engine has stopped
or the assist system has failed. the vehicle.can still be steered . However ; much greater effort Is needed . especially in sharp turns or at low speeds;
nL T STEERING WHEEL
The optional lilt steering wheel can be tilted up above normal position to
provide additional roorn for entrance and exit as
well as selected driving
positions
below normai height. The tilt control lever is located on the left side
of the steering column just behind the turn signal lever. To operate pull the
lever towards you and move the steering wheel to your· desired position then release the lever. This permits individual selection of Ihe mostcornfortable
positions for all driving cond itions . On longer trips the steering wheel position may be changed to help minimize tension and fatigue.
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