tire type CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1995 3.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loss of Control
Let’s review what driving experts say about what
happens when
the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer
and constantly seek an escape route or area
of less
danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited
to existing conditions, and by not
“overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always
possible.
The three types
of skids correspond to your Chevrolet’s
three control systems. In the braking skid your wheels
aren’t rolling.
In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in
a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And
in the acceleration skid too
much throttle causes
the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way
you want the
vehicle
to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten
out. Always be ready for a
second skid if
it occurs.
Of course, traction
is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is
on the road. For safety, you’ll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving
on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may
not realize the surfxe is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow
on the road to make a “mirrored surface”
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps
avoid
only the braking skid.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer weight
(B). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately,
to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these
numbers on the Certification label at the rear edge
of the
driver’s door or see “Loading Your Vehicle’’ in
the Index.
Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight
of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by, and rough roads are
a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules
to follow:
0 Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If
you do,
then be sure
to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch.
If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt
and water
can, too.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches
to them. Use only a frame-mounted hitch that does not
attach to
the bumper.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross
the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains
to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be sure to read
and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes
so
you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain them
properly. Because you have anti-lock brakes, do
not try
to tap into your vehicle’s brake system. If you do, both
brake systems won’t work well, or at all.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing Your Vehicle
B
C
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Chevrolet. The usual towing
equipment
is:
(A) Sling-type tow truck
(B) Wheel-lift tow truck
(C) Car carrier
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels,
these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before
you do anything, turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
When you call, tell
the towing service:
That your vehicle cannot be towed with sling-type
equipment.
That your vehicle cannot be towed from the rear with
the front wheels on the ground.
That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
The make, model, and year of your vehicle.
0 Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives,
let the tow operator
know that
this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want
to
see them.
5-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label which is on the rear
edge
of the driver’s door shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires, when they’re cold. “Cold”
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven
no more than a mile.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation) you can
get:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE:
(Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
0 Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire.
It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. Simply looking at the tires will not tell
you the
pressure, especially if you have radial tires
-- which
may look properly inflated even if they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back
on. They help prevent leaks by keeping
out dirt and
moisture.
6-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at
the Tire-Loading Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had
a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When you get new tires,
get ones with that same
TPC Spec number. That way,
your vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed
to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating,
traction, ride and other things during normal service on
your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS”
(for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a
TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating and construction type (bias,
bias-belted
or radial) as your original tires.
6-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Temperature - A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire hilure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Wdrning: The temperature grade for this tire
is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or
in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
These grades are molded on the sidewalls of passenger
car tires. While the tires
available as standard
or optional
equipment
on General Motors vehicles may vary with
respect to these grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and
have been approved
for use
on General Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P Metric) tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements
in addition to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the hctory to give
you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if
you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
6-39

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Used Replacement Wheels Tire Chains
I NOTICE:
If your Chevrolet has P195/65R15 or P205/55R16
size tires, don’t use tire chains; they can damage
your vehicle.
If you have other tires, use tire chains only where
legal and only when you must. Use only
SAE
Class “S” type chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them on the front tires and
tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop and
retighten them.
If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning
the wheels with chains on
will damage your
vehicle.
6-41

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame
if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When
you use anything from a container to clean your
Chevrolet, be sure
to follow the manufacturer’s
warnings and instructions. And always open
your doors
or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
0 Paint Thinner
Turpentine
0 Lacquer Thinner
0 Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous -- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Chevrolet
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your Chevrolet dealer has two
GM cleaners, a
solvent-type spot lifter and a foam-type powdered
cleaner. They will clean normal spots
and stains very
well.
Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
0 Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
often.
A soft brush may be used if stains are stubborn.
only. If you use
them, don‘t saturate the stained area.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or
it will set.
6-42

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road
oil and tar, tree sap. bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc. can
damage your vehicle's finish
if they remain on painted
surfaces.
Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfices
to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Chevrolet garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning Your Convertible Top
Your convertible top should be cleaned often. If you use
an automatic car
wash, use one with water jets and
hanging cloths.
When you hand wash the top,
do it in partial shade. Use
a mild soap, lukewarm water and
a soft sponge. A
chamois or cloth may leave lint on the top, and a brush
can chate the tllreads
in the top fabric. Don't use
detergents, harsh cleaners, solvents or bleaching agents. When you
clean the top, put one hand under it
to
support it. Wet the entire vehicle and wilsh the top
evenly to avoid spots or rings. Let the soap remain
on
the fabric for a few minutes. When the top is really dirty,
use a mild foam-type cleaner. Thoroughly rinse the
entire vehicle,
then let the top dry in direct sunlight.
To protect the convertible top:
0 After you wash the vehicle, make sure the top is
completely
dry before you lower it.
0 Don't get any cleaner on the vehicle's painted finish:
it could leave streaks.
0 It' you decide to go through an automatic car wash,
ask the manager
if the equipment could damage your
top. Before entering
a car wash, set the climate
control
to VENT and the fan control to the highest
speed. This
will help to prevent water under high
pressure
from entering around the convertible top.
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