check engine CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2005 3.G Owner's Guide

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid
reservoir is located toward
the front of the engine
compartment on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Then remove the cap again and look at the uid
level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the “C” mark. If necessary, add
only enough uid to bring the level up to the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-24.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-30

{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go
to positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal
if the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−)oryou
will get a short that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts too. And do not connect the
negative (−) cable to the negative (−) terminal on
the dead battery because this can cause sparks.6. Remove the terminal
cover and connect
the red positive (+)
cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the dead
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
7. Do not let the other end touch metal. Connect it
to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the vehicle
has one.
8. Now connect the black negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal of the good battery. Use a
remote negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Do not let the other end touch anything until the
next step. The other end of the negative (−) cable
does notgo to the dead battery. It goes to a
heavy, unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal on the vehicle with the
dead battery.
5-39

Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver’s side of the vehicle. Lift off the cover to check
the fuses. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
Fuses Usage
IGN Ignition Switch Circuits
BATT 1Exterior lamps, Power Outlet,
Horn, Audio Amplier
BATT 2Rear Defogger, Starter, Power
Locks, Stoplamps
Fuses Usage
ABS Anti-Lock Brake System
COOLING FAN Engine Cooling Fan
PCM/HVACPowertrain Control Module,
Heater and A/C Blower
CRNK Starter
BLO Heater and A/C Blower
PCM Powertrain Control Module
A/C A/C Compressor
A/C A/C Compressor
FUEL PUMP Fuel Pump
CRANK Starter
COOLING FAN Engine Cooling Fan
HEATER
BLOWERHeater and A/C Blower
5-84

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-24for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 1.5 lbs 0.68 kg
Cooling System 8.6 quarts 8.2 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.0 quarts 3.8 L
Fuel Tank 14.1 gallons 53.4 L
Transaxle, Automatic (Complete Overhaul) 9.5 quarts 9.0 L
Transaxle, Manual (Complete Drain and Rell) 1.8 quarts 1.7 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 ft lb 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck uid level after lling.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transaxle Spark Plug Gap
2.2L L4 (L61) F Automatic and Manual 0.042 inches (1.06 mm)
5-85

Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
How This Section is Organized.........................6-3
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services...........6-4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-4
Selecting the Right Schedule...........................6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance..............6-6
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance......6-13
Part B: Owner Checks and Services................6-18
At Each Fuel Fill..........................................6-18
At Least Once a Month.................................6-18At Least Twice a Year...................................6-18
At Least Once a Year...................................6-19
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections.........6-22
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection............................6-22
Exhaust System Inspection............................6-22
Fuel System Inspection..................................6-22
Engine Cooling System Inspection...................6-22
Throttle System Inspection.............................6-22
Brake System Inspection................................6-23
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection...........6-23
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants......6-24
Part E: Maintenance Record...........................6-26
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
6-1

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended uids and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. Any damage caused by failure to
follow scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper
uid levels or the wrong tire ination can increase
the level of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect
our environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
6-2

Long Trip/Highway Denition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of
the conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break
down slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
rst). Chassis Lubrication (or 12 months, whichever
occurs rst). Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
rst). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-18
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-22.
6-6

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 Brake System Inspection on page 6-23.
++If you drive in a highly corrosive environment,
your brake calipers may require additional inspection
and service, at every other tire rotation. See
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection on page 6-23.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.) (Also see footnote ++.)
6-7

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
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 uid and lter do not require changing.
Manual transaxle uid does not require changing.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, ush and rell cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs rst).
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-20for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-18
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-22.
6-13

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 Brake System Inspection on page 6-23.
++If you drive in a highly corrosive environment,
your brake calipers may require additional inspection
and service at every other tire rotation. See
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection on page 6-23.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.) (Also see footnote ++.)
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
6-14