service indicator CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1997 3.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. In the
OFF position, the
instrument cluster and the automatic transaxle gear shift
indicator have electrical power. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed
or towed, but never try to
push-start your vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver’s door when the ignition is off and
the key
is in the ignition.
RUN (D): This is an on position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in the RUN position when the
engine is running. But even when the engine is
not
running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical
power accessories, and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START
(E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the
key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such
as the radio. On manual transaxle
vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause
a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to
OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure
you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your
~ vehicle needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Coolant Warning Light
If this light comes on and
stays on, your system is low
on coolant and the engine
may overheat.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
CHECK
Your Chevrolet is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition
and emission
control systems.
See the Index under “Engine Coolant’’ and have your
vehicle serviced as soon as
you can.
This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of
the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada,
OBD I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The CHECK ENGINE light
comes on to indicate that there
is a problem and service
is required, Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
2-73

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuel Gage
E‘
I
When the ignition is on,
your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you
have left.
When the indicator nears
EMPTY (E), you still have a
little fuel left, but you should get more soon. Here are four things that some owners ask about. None
of these show
a problem with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas
pump shuts off before
0 It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
the gage reads
FULL (F).
gage indicated. For example, the gage
may have
indicated the tank was half full, but
it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to fill
the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
The gage doesn’t go back to EMPTY (E) when you
speed up.
turn off the ignition.
For your fuel tank capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored
in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat.
If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate
that you have
used your tape player for 50 hours without
resetting the tape clean timer.
If this message appears on
the display, your cassette tape player needs to be
cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean
it as
soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and
player. If you notice a reduction in sound quality,
try a
known good cassette to see if it is the tape or the tape
player at fault. If this other cassette has
no improvement
in sound quality, clean the tape player.
Cleaning may be done with a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs
of the cleaner cassette turn.
A scrubbing action cleaning cassette is available through
your Chevrolet dealership. When using a cleaning
cassette,
it is normal for the cassette to eject while
cleaning because your unit is equipped with
a cut tape
detection feature and some cleaning cassettes may appear as
a broken tape. If the cleaning cassette
is
ejected immediately from the tape player, you will need
to override the cut tape feature.
To temporarily override this feature for vehicles with
Automatic Tone Control (for one insertion), follow
these steps:
Turn the ignition on.
Turn the radio off.
Press and hold TAPE AUX until the tape symbol
flashes on the display. (For vehicles without
Automatic Tone Control, press both
SEEK arrows.)
Insert the cleaning cassette. (Insert the cassette at
least three times to ensure thorough cleaning.)
Eject the cleaning cassette.
When the cleaning cassette has been ejected, the broken
tape detection feature is active again.
After
you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for
five seconds to reset
the CLN indicator. The radio will
display
--- to show the indicator was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure
the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Be sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane is
less than
87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But
don’t worry if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up
a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have
a problem.
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications.
If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn on and/or
your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test.
If this occurs, return to your
authorized Chevrolet dealer for diagnosis to determine
the cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for
low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains MMT, General Motors does not recommend
the
use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected.
The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may
turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
Chevrolet dealer for service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
Your Chevrolet has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched waming 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 fiiy).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t 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.
See “CaliperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection”
in
Section 7 of this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.”
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires
are removed for rotation or changing. When you
have the front brake pads replaced, have the rear brakes
inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7
of this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.’’

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance. Underbody ......................... 6-56
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-43
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-73
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Lumbar Support
.......................... 1-3
Manual Remote Control Mirror .................... 2-47
Manual Transaxle Check
...................................... 7-42
Fluid
....................................... 6-22
Gear Positions
............................... 2-23
Operation
................................... 2-23
Shifting
..................................... 2-23
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-14
Methanol
...................................... 6-5
Mirrors
....................................... 2-46
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-48
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-46
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-47
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-47
MountainRoads
................................ 4-24
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-33
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
.................... 2-20
Neutral. Manual Transaxle
........................ 2-24
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-12
Nightvision
................................... 4-17
Odometer
.................................... 2-66
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-66
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 12
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-12
Oil Pressure Warning Light
....................... 2-76
Overdrive. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-22 Overheating Engine
............................. 5-14
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-41
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8-12
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-56
Park
Automatic -:ansaxle
.......................... 2-19
Shifting Into
................................. 2-27
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-29
Parking AtNight
.................................... 2-11
Brake
...................................... 2-26
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-45
Lots
....................................... 2-11
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-30
With a Trailer
................................ 4-42
Your Vehicle. Manual Transaxle
................. 2-29
Passenger Position
.................... 1-22. 1-28. 1-33
Passing
....................................... 4-13
With a Trailer ................................ 4-40
Passlock
” .................................... 2-11
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-46
Power
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses
................................ 6-59
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-47
Steering
............................... 4.10. 6.29
Windows
................................... 2-32
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-21
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................... 8-12
Passlock”
Warning Light
........................ 2-77
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-29
9-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TrunkLock .................................... 2-10
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-34
Turn SignalMultifunction Lever
................... 2-33
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-41
Underbody Flushing Service
..................... 7-45
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-56
Up-Shift Light
............................ 2.25. 2.77
Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-6
Damage Warnings vi1
Dimensions
................................. 6-65
Identification Number
......................... 6-58
Loading
.................................... 4-33
Storage
..................................... 6-35
Ventilation System
............................... 3-6
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-50
Warning Devices
............................... 5-3
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators
............... 2-67
Washer Fluid. Windshield
........................ 6-30
.. ..............................
Washing Your Vehicle ...........................
Weatherstrips ..................................
Wheel
Alignment
..................................
Replacement .................................
Used Replacement ............................
Wrench .....................................
Windows .....................................
Auto-Down .................................
Power ......................................
Windshield Washer .............................
Fluid .................................. 2-37.
Fluid Level Check
............................
Windshield Wiper ..............................
Bladecheck .................................
Blade Replacement ...........................
Fuse .......................................
Winter Driving .................................
Wiring. Headlamp ..............................
WreckerTowing ................................
Wrench. Wheel .................................
Nut Torque ............................. 5-31.
6-53 6-53
6-46
6-63
6-46
6-47
5-25
2-32 2-32
2-32
2-37
6-30
7-41 2-35
6-40
6-59
4-26
6-59
.5-8
5-25 7-42
9-11
~~