steering CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2001 3.G Owner's Manual

4-32 Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
4-Speed Automatic and 5-Speed Manual
Transaxle (Without a Dolly)
You may tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground if you have a four
-speed automatic or a
five
-speed manual transaxle. Follow these steps:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF to unlock the
steering wheel.
3. Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Release the parking brake.
NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
65 mph (110 km/h), or your vehicle could be
badly damaged.

4-40 Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal
longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if
possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn 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 dealer. The 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 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.

5-18
5. Then replace the
pressure cap. Be
sure the pressure
cap is hand
-tight.
Check the level in the surge tank when the cooling
system has cooled down. If the coolant isn't at the
proper level, repeat Steps 1 to 3 and reinstall the
pressure cap or see your dealer.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.

5-30
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº can
help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear
(or with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If
that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section 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 part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-7 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-19 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(Three
-Speed Only)
6
-22 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(Four
-Speed Only)
6
-23 Manual Transaxle Fluid
6
-23 Hydraulic Clutch
6
-24 Engine Coolant
6
-27 Surge Tank Pressure Cap6
-28 Power Steering Fluid
6
-29 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-30 Brakes
6
-34 Battery
6
-34 Bulb Replacement
6
-42 Tires
6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-51 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-53 Care of Safety Belts
6
-54 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-59 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-60 Electrical System
6
-64 Replacement Bulbs
6
-65 Capacities and Specifications
6
-66 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 engine (Code 4), you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap/Dipstick
D. Brake Fluid ReservoirE. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
Reservoir (If Equipped)
F. Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Dipstick (If Equipped)G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
H. Battery
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-11
When you open the hood on the 2.4L L4 engine (Code T), you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
C. Engine Oil DipstickD. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
Reservoir (If Equipped)G. Battery
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-28
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then remove
the cap again and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark.
If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level
up to the mark.
The level should be at the ªCº mark. If necessary, add
only enough fluid to bring the level up to the mark.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-7
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See ªOwner Checks and Servicesº and ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspectionsº following.
Footnotes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.# Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage and the
transaxle shift linkage.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See ªBrake System Inspectionº under
ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspectionsº in Part C of
this schedule.
++ If you drive in a highly corrosive environment,
your brake calipers may require additional
inspection and service, at every other tire rotation.
See ªCaliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspectionº under
ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspectionsº in Part C of
this schedule.

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
7-21
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after 150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See ªOwner Checks and Servicesº and ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspectionsº following.
Footnotes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.# Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage and the
transaxle shift linkage.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See ªBrake System Inspectionº under
ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspectionsº in Part C of
this schedule.
++ If you drive in a highly corrosive environment,
your brake calipers may require additional
inspection and service, at every other tire rotation.
See ªCaliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspectionº under
ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspectionsº in Part C of
this schedule.