service indicator CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2005 3.G Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-8
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Airbag System
.........................................1-46
Restraint System Check
............................1-55
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
OnStar
®System
......................................2-33
Storage Areas
.........................................2-35
Sunroof
..................................................2-35
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-21
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-36Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
........ 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-35
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-41
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-46
Tires
......................................................5-47
Appearance Care
.....................................5-72
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-79
Electrical System
......................................5-80
Capacities and Specications
.....................5-85
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-86
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index.................................................................1
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner ManualM

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps................................3-13
Fog Lamps..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Front Reading Lamps....................................3-16
Map Lamps.................................................3-16
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-17
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-20Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-21
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-22
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-23
Trip Odometer..............................................3-23
Tachometer.................................................3-23
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-24
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-24
Charging System Light..................................3-25
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-26
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-27
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-28
Enhanced Traction System Active Light............3-29
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-29
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-30
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-30
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-33
Passlock
®Warning Light................................3-34
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-34
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-34
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-35
Fuel Gage...................................................3-35
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp band is in OFF or in the parking
lamp position.
The parking brake is released.
The transaxle is not in PARK (P), on models with
an automatic transaxle only.
This indicator light on your
instrument panel cluster
will come on when the DRL
are on.
A ashing DRL telltale indicates a possible burned out
headlamp, or that the vehicle may need service to repair
a stuck DRL relay.When the DRL are on, your low-beam headlamps will
be on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps will not be on. Your
instrument panel will not be lit up either.
When you turn the exterior lamp band to the headlamp
position, your low-beam headlamps will come on.
The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will
also come on.
When you turn off the headlamps, the regular lamps will
go off, and the low-beam headlamps will come on at
the reduced brightness.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. The DRL will stay off until you release the
parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-14

Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
briey when you turn
your ignition on.
If this light comes on and stays on, the coolant level in
your vehicle is low. If the light is on along with an
overheat warning, you may have a serious overheating
problem. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-29.
Notice:If you operate the engine without coolant
or fail to maintain the cooling system properly,
you could damage the engine. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for
maintaining your cooling system. SeeCooling
System on page 5-25for more information.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-20for information on
what to do. Your vehicle should be serviced as soon
as possible.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (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. 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.
United StatesCanada
3-30

Service Vehicle Soon Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn on
the ignition.
It will stay on or come on if it detects a problem on the
vehicle. If this happens, see your dealer’s service
department as soon as possible.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left. When the indicator nears empty, the CHECK
GAGES light will come on. You still have about
1.5 gallons (5.7 L) of fuel left, but you should get more
soon. SeeCheck Gages Warning Light on page 3-34
earlier in this section for more information.
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 the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than the
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
ll the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back to empty when you turn
off the ignition.
For your fuel tank capacity, seeCapacities and
Specications on page 5-85.
United StatesCanada
3-35

Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle
can affect the airow around it. This may cause
wind noise and affect windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer before adding equipment to
the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of
the proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
of 87 or higher. If the octane is less than 87, you may
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. Otherwise, you might damage
your engine. A little pinging noise when you accelerate
or drive uphill is considered normal. This does not
indicate a problem exists or that a higher-octane fuel is
necessary. If you are using 87 octane or higher-octane
fuel and hear heavy knocking, your engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
It is recommended that gasoline meet specications
which were developed by automobile manufacturers
around the world and contained in the World-Wide Fuel
Charter which is available from the Alliance of Automobile
Manufacturers at www.autoalliance.org/fuel_charter.htm.
Gasoline meeting these specications could provide
improved driveability and emission control system
performance compared to other gasoline.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emission
Standards (see the underhood emission control label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specications. If this fuel is not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on and your vehicle may fail a smog-check test.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 3-30.If
this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered
by your warranty.
5-5

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
You should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. General Motors
recommends that you buy gasolines that are advertised
to help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean. If your
vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or
valves, try a different brand of gasoline.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the specications described earlier.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors does
not recommend the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on.
If this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-6

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum
brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning 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 rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not 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 rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
SeeCaliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection on
page 6-23.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Your rear drum brakes do not have wear indicators,
but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the
rear brake linings inspected immediately. 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.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-23.
5-34

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-37
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labelling, Tire Sidewall....................................5-48
Lamps
Battery Run-Down Protection.........................3-16
Exterior......................................................3-13
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Front Reading.............................................3-16
Map ..........................................................3-16
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-39
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-41
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-6
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-24
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-27
Brake System Warning.................................3-26Light (cont.)
Charging System.........................................3-25
Check Gages Warning.................................3-34
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Active Light.............................................3-29
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Warning Light..........................................3-28
Highbeam On.............................................3-34
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-30
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-30
Oil Pressure...............................................3-33
Passlock
®Warning.......................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-24
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-35
Up-Shift.....................................................3-26
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-16
Lockout Protection..........................................2-10
Locks
Door........................................................... 2-8
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-13
Loss of Control...............................................4-14
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-30
7

M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-86
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-18
At Least Once a Month................................6-18
At Least Once a Year..................................6-19
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-18
Brake System Inspection..............................6-23
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection..........6-23
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-22
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-22
Fuel System Inspection................................6-22
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-13
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-18
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-22
Part D - Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants.........................................6-24
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-26
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-6Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-22
Throttle System Inspection............................6-22
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-30
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-23
Map Lamps....................................................3-16
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Outside Breakaway Mirror.............................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-31
Outside Remote Control Mirror......................2-31
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-86
8