oil level CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1994 1.G Owners Manual

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c
CHECK ’
OAGES
NOLANT J

D)(8,
I
Check Gages Light
This light will come on briefly when yo1
are starting the engine. If the light
comes on and stays on while you are
driving, check your various gages to see
if they are in the warning zones.
This light will also come on when the
fuel level is low,
1 to 3 gallons (3.8 to
liters)
Oil Warning Light (2.2~ ~4 ENGINE)
If you have a low engine oil pressure
Iroblem, this light will stay on after yob
start your engine, or come on when you
ue driving. This indicates that your
mgine is not receiving enough oil. The
mgine could be low on
oil, or could haw
some other oil problem. Have it fixed
immediately.
The oil light could
also come on in two
other situations:
When the ignition is on but the engin
is not running, the light will come on
as a test to show you it is working,
but the light will go out when you
turn the ignition to
Start. If it doesn’l
come on with the ignition on, you
may have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
If you make a hard stop, the light may
come on for a moment.
This is normal.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly and is not covered by your
warranty.

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e
oil PfeSSUI'e Gage (3.7L V6 ENGINE)
The oil pressure gage shows the engine
oil presure in psi (pounds per square
inch) when the engine is running.
Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in
1tPa. Oil pressure may vary with engine
speed, outside temperature, and oil
viscosity, but readings above the red
warning zone indicate the
normal
operating range.
A reading in the red zone may be
caused by a dangerously low oil level or
other problem causing low oil pressure.
Have your vehicle serviced immediately.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is not covered by your
warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Reduce your speed according to your
speedometer, not to your sense of motion.
After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend
to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long
Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well
rested.
If you must start when you’re
not fresh
- such as after a day’s work
- don’t plan to make too many miles
that first part
of the journey. Wear
comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If
you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s
ready to
go. If it needs service, have it
done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service
experts in Chevrolet dealerships all
across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check
before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid Is the
reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have
you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a
safe, trouble-free trip.
Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as
“highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy
stretch of road with the same scenery,
along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush
of the wind against the vehicle that
can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle
can leave the road in
less than a
second,
and you could crash and be
injured.
What can you do about highway
hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well
ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road
ahead and to the. sides. Check your
rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into
a rest, service, or parking area and
take a nap, get some exercise, or both.
For safety, treat drowsiness
on the
highway as an emergency.
a

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The coolant level should be at or above
FULL COLD. If it isn’t, you may have
a leak in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
I.. ’ 138
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant isn’t
covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
coohg Sy&n (3.1 L V6 ENGINE)
When you decide it’s safe to lift the
hood, here’s what you’ll see:
(A) Coolant surge tank with pressure cap
(B) Electric engine fan
If the coolant inside the coolant surge
tank
is boiling, don’t do anything else
until it cools down.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Here you will find information
about the care of your Chevrolet
.
This part begins with service and
fuel information. and then it shows how to check important fluid and
lubricant levels
. There is also
technical information about your
vehicle. and a section devoted to
its appearance care
.
Part 6
Service and Appearance Care
Service ........................................................................\
............................................. 154
Fuel ........................................................................\
.................................................. 154
Hood Release ........................................................................\
................................... 158
Engine Oil ........................................................................\
........................................ 162
Air Cleaner ........................................................................\
...................................... 165
Automatic Transaxle Fluid ........................................................................\
............. 167
Manual Transaxle Fluid ........................................................................\
.................. 169
Power Steering Fluid ........................................................................\
....................... i73
Windshield Washer Fluid ........................................................................\
................ 173
Brakes ........................................................................\
.............................................. 174
Engine Coolant ........................................................................\
................................ 170
Battery ........................................................................\
............................................. 176
Bulb Replacement ........................................................................\
............................ 176
Loading Your Vehicle ........................................................................\
..................... 180
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ................................................................... 179
Tires ........................................................................\
................................................. 181
Appearance Care ........................................................................\
............................. 187
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .................................................................... 194
Add-on Electrical Equipment ........................................................................\
........ 195
Fuses 8I Circuit Breakers ........................................................................\
................ 195
Fluids 81 Lubricants ........................................................................\
........................ 199
Capacities 81 Specifications ........................................................................\
............ 198
Replacement Bulbs ........................................................................\
.......................... 200
Engine Specifications ........................................................................\
...................... 202
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ............................................................... f!B

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Engine Oil
If the oil warning light on the
instrument panel comes on, it means
you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see
Engine Oil Warning Light in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
every time you get fuel. In order to get
an accurate reading, the oil must be
warm and the vehicle must be on level
ground.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a
few minutes to drain back into the oil
pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might
not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
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 lower, and check the level.
2.2L L4: Checking Engine Oil
3.1 L V6: Checking Engine Oil
When to Add Oi/
If the oil is at or below the ADD line,
then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This
section explains what kind of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity, see
Capacities
and Specifications
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your
engine has
so much oil that the oil
level gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could
be damaged.
Just
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I.
Service & Appearance Care
use SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F
(-18°C) or above. These numbers on an
oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as SAE 1OW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
If you cannot find oils with the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should look for and use
oils containing the following three things:
SH or SG
“SH” or “SG” must be on the oil
container, either by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such
as “SWCD,” “SH,SG,CD,” “SG/CD,” etc.
These letters show American Petroleum Institute (API) levels of quality.
SAE 5W-30
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the
container will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included
in a doughnut shaped logo (symbol) on
most containers.
If you cannot find oils
with the “starburst” symbol, you should
look for oils with the doughnut shaped
symbol, containing the three things
noted above.
I64
NOTICE:
’ If you use oils that do not have
either the “starburst” symbol or an
API
SH or SG designation, you can
cause engine damage not covered
by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
€ngine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your
Chevrolet dealer is ready to advise
if
you think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oi/
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than 10 miles (16
km) .
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as in door-to-door delivery, or in
stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
oil and filter every 3,000 miles (5 000
km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first.
If none of them is true, change the oil
every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12
months
- whichever comes first.
Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Automatic Transaxle Fluid
1 When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic
transaxle fluid level is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See
Scheduled Maintenance
Services
in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at your Chevrolet 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, 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
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about 15 miles (24 lun) when outside
temperatures are above
50°F (10.C). If
it's colder than 50°F (lOOC), you may
have to drive longer.
90°F
(32°C).
weather.
To check the fluid level
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
With your foot on the brake pedal,
the
shift lever in
P (Park).
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three
seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in
P (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three to
five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
a clean rag or
paper towel.
seconds and then pull it back out
again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be in the cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range, push the dipstick back in all
the way.

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When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when
the engine oil is changed. However, the
fluid in your manual transaxle doesn't
require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Chevrolet 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,
starting a fire. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid. Check
the fluid level only when your
engine is off, the vehicle is parked on a
level place and the transaxle is cool
enough for you to rest your fingers on
the transaxle case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. The manual transaxle dipstick is
located below the brake master cylinder
near the rear of the transaxle case.
Flip the handle up and then pull out
the dipstick and clean it with a rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way and
remove it.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be between the
ADD and FULL
marks. (Note: Fluid may appear at
the bottom of the dipstick even when
the fluid level is several pints low.)
4. If the fluid level is where it should be,
push the dipstick back in all the way
and flip the handle down.
If the fluid
level is low, add more fluid as
described in the next steps.
How to Add Fluid
Here's how to add fluid. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
in the Index.
1. Remove the dipstick.
2. Add fluid at the dipstick hole. Add
only enough fluid to bring the fluid
level up to the
FULL mark on the
dipstick.
3. Push the dipstick back in all the way;
then flip the handle down
to lock the
dipstick in place.

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170
I Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch
in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master
cylinder reservoir is filled with hydraulic
clutch fluid.
It isn’t
a good idea to “top off” your
clutch fluid. Adding fluid won’t correct
a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often
you should check
the fluid level in your clutch master
cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid. See
Owner Checks and
Services
and Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
in the Index.
How to Check
You do not need to check the fluid level
unless you suspect a clutch problem.
To
check the fluid level, take the cap off. If
the fluid reaches the step inside the
reservoir, the fluid level is correct.
I Engine Coolunt
The following explains your cooling
system and how
to add coolant when it
is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see
Engine
Overheating
in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Chevrolet will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
(-37°C).
(128°C).
temperature.
should.
What to Use
Use a mixture
of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification
1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled
coolant conforming to GM Specification
1825-M with
a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you
don’t need to add anything else.