coolant temperature CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1998 3.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. On
vehicles
with a 2.2L engine, the electrical cord is
located near the engine oil dipstick.
On vehicles
with a
2.4L engine, the electrical cord is located in
front of the engine coolant surge tank on the
passenger’s side.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet.
Pluggmg me cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends
on the outside temperature, the
kind
of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you
the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your vehicle may be equipped with a three-speed
automatic or a four-speed automatic transaxle. The shift
lever is located on the console between the seats.
There are six different positions for the shift lever on
the three-speed automatic and seven positions for the
four-speed automatic transaxles. While PARK
(P),
REVERSE (R) and NEUTRAL (N) operate identically
for both transaxles, the forward gear positions represent
different gearing and operation. See “Forward Gears
(3-Speed)” or “Forward Gears (4-Speed)” later
in this section.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Enhanced Traction System Active Light Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
When your Enhanced
Traction System is limiting
wheel spin, this light will
LOW
TRAC
come on.
Slippery road conditions may exist
if the Enhanced
Traction System active light comes on,
so adjust your
driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes
on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be
there to tell you when the system is active.
9
H
TEMP
Your vehicle is equipped with one of these gages.
With the ignition in
RUN, this gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
is too hot! It means that your engine coolant has
overheated. If you have been operating your vehicle
under normal driving conditions, you should pull off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon
as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Heating
On cold days, use FLOOR with the temperature knob all
the way in the red area. The system will bring in outside
air, heat it and send it to the floor ducts.
Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward
the rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats clear
of obstructions
so the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s
cold outside
(0°F (-18°C) or lower). An engine coolant
heater warms the coolant your engine and heating
system use to provide heat. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling
is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Your vehicle also has
the
flow-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside
air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
fan is running. Ventilation
Tips
Keep the hood and
front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction, such as leaves. The heater and
defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of
fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the
mode knob to
FLOOR and the fan to the highest
speed for a few moments before driving
off. This
helps clear the intake ducts of snow and moisture
and reduces the chance
of fogging the inside of
your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air circulate throughout
your vehicle.
3-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Wrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your Chevrolet dealer. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever
you signal a turn
or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash
for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they
are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
NOTICE:
Do not tow on steep continuous grades exceeding
6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than normal
engine and transaxle temperatures may result
and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important
to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade.
If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the indicator
is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning (if you
have this option) to reduce engine load (see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index).
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a low
coolant warning light on your vehicle’s instrument
panel. See “Engine Coolant Temperature Gage” and
“Low Coolant Warning Light’’ in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay
away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign
of steam or coolant before you
open the hood,
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine
if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged, The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
5-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL
8 engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
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.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
6-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
I’
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your surge tank cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
When you replace your surge tank pressure cap, a GM
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an ACDelco
thermostat is recommended.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating
your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled
WASHER FLUID
ONLY.
Add washer fluid until the
tank is full.
NOTICE:
0 When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
0 Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
three-quarters full when
it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank
if it is
completely full.
0 Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer.
It can damage
your washer system and paint.
0 Fill your washer fluid tank only

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
IO0,OOO Miles (I66 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires (except 2.4L Code T engine).
0 Replace spark plugs.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
An Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly r\
eaches 90°F
(32 O C) or higher.
I DATE I
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid and
filter do not require changing.
Manual transaxle fluid doesn’t require change.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine Coolant” in the Index
for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck.\
Pressure test
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
7-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule 1 I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0
0
Inspect spark plug wires (except 2.4L Code T engine).
An Emission Control Service.
Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid
and filter
do not require changing.
Manual transaxle fluid doesn’t require change.
90°F (32°C) or higher.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first).
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE I
DATE I ~~~
I MILEAGE 1 SERVICEDBY: I
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