check engine CHEVROLET CORVAIR 1986 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Highway Safety
depends on ...
1. You, the Driver
2. The Condition of Your Vehicle
3. The Traffic and Highway Conditions
••• BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND ALL THREE!
REMEMBER Proper operation, periodic
maintenance and safety inspections help
provide
...
• Economical Operation of Your Vehicle
• Safety for You and Your Passengers
• Dependable Transportation
Observe All Traffic Laws­
Make Safe Driving a Habit
2
SAFE DRIVER CHECK LIST
o BRAKES Pedal travel Fluid level
o LIGHTS Burned-out/Broken bulbs Headlamp aim
o TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD WARNING FLASHER Proper operation of lights and Dash indicators
o TIRES Check tire pressure regularly Cuts and bruises Uneven wear Remaining tread
o MAKE SAFETY BELTS A HABIT Buckle up for safety
o GLASS AND MIRRORS Cracked, broken or missing
o BE SURE YOU ARE
o OBSERVE ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS AND DRIVE ACCORDINGLY
o ADJUST SEATS AND MIRRORS FOR CLEAR VISION AND SAFE DRIVING
o LOOK AROUND BEFORE DRIVING AWAY FROM WHERE YOU ARE PARKED
o STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT Excessive play in wheel Bent wheels
o WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS Condition of wiper blades Operation of washer
o WINDSHIELD DE-ICER AND DE-FOGGER Proper operation
MENTALLY AND 0 HORN PHYSICALLY ALERT Proper operation
o EXHAUST SYSTEM CHECK For mounting, leaks, missing or damaged parts

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine All driving instruments are grouped in the instrument
cluster which
is located immediately in front of the driver
to provide quick
reading and maximum convenience and
accessibility. The TEMP-PRESS and GEN-FAN indicators
provide important information concerning the condition
of the engine and should be observed regularly during
operation of the car. The information on these pages
will help you understand the operation of these instru­
ments . The illustrations
here and on page 14 will ac­
quaint you with the instrument cluster and the instrument
panel as a whole.
FUEL GAUGE
This electrically operated
gauge indicates the amount
of fuel in the fuel tank only
when the ignition switch is
in the ON position. When
the ignition is "off", the in­
dicator pointer
will not nec­
essarily return to the empty
IE) mark, but may stop at
I
13
INSTRUMENTS
any point on the gauge. Therefore, always be sure that
the ignition switch is "on" when reading the fuel gauge.
SPEEDOMETER
Conveniently located in the instrument cluster di­
rectly ahead of the driver, the speedometer shows at a
glance the speed of the car in miles per hour. The
odometer, encircled within the speedometer dial, reg­
isters accumulated vehicle
mileage.
TEMP-PRESS AND GEN-FAN INDICATORS
These indicators provide a check on the operating
condition of the engine and the generator. Both indi­
cators
should light with the ignition switch ON before
starting the engine and should go out after the engine
is started. The lights should remain out while engine is

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine operating, except the GEN-FAN indicator rna)' flicker
when
engine is idling.
CAUTION: If either of these indicators light
while .
car is being. -driYen, immediately follow the
procedure outlined .vnder "EMERGENCY OPER­
ATING INSTRUCTIONS," so car may be driyen
to the nearest service facility.
BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT
This dual purpose indicator light operates as
follows:
With parking brake applied the red light will light
when
the ignition switch is turned on.
As a dual service brake system warning, the red
light will come on when the brake pedal is depressed
if low pressure has developed in either the front or
rear brake system. Have your authorized Chevrolet
dealer locate and correct the trouble immediately.
EMERGENCY OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
(To be followed if either
TEMP-PRESS or GEN-FAN indi­
cators
light while car is being
driven.)
1. Set heoter FAN and HEAT
controls to full "ON" positions.
14
(If equipped with air conditioning, turn air condi­
tioning
COOL switch to OFF.)
NOTE: After setting the heater controls, leave
them in that position until cause of trouble is
corrected.
2.
Stop the car a -s , soon as driving conditions permit.
furn ignition
key to OFF to stop engine but turn
key
back to·-PNso heoter blower will continue
to
cool engine.
3. Check for broken fan belt or belt off pulleys or
engine low oil level. If only GEN-FAN indicator
is lighted, belt is not broken or off pulleys and en­
gine oil level is satisfactory, car can be driven at
slow speeds; however, generator must be checked
and serviced as soon as possible.
4. If trouble is found to be a broken fan belt or belt
off pulleys, wait approximately five minutes, start
engine and drive car at no more than 25 miles per
hour until TEMP-PRESS indicator comes on, then
repeat Step 2.
NOTE: The GEN-FAN indicator will stay on until
fan
belt is installed.
5. Repeat Step 4 as necessary until facility is reached
where fan belt can be installed.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine All important driver controls have been located to
be within reach of drivers properly restrained by both
a
seat and shoulder belt, and accessible during driving
operations.
Each important
control is clearly labeled to provide
rapid identification if its function is not readily apparent.
Lighting and Signal Devices-Numerous lighting and
signal devices are provided to enable safe operation in
darkness and other conditions of reduced visibility. Head­
lamps provide the necessary general illumination ahead
of the vehicle. Parking, side marker and tail lamps iden­
tify
as near as practical the extremities of the vehicle
from the front,
rear and both sides, with color coding
which identifies front (amber) from rear (red). Taillamps
also
incorporate reflectors, to facilitate recognition of
parked or otherwise inoperative vehicles by other drivers
15
CONTROLS
GLOVE COMPARTMENT
after dark. Stop lamps give a steady warning light to
the rear of the vehicle to indicate the ~river has applied
his foot to the brake pedal with the presumed intention
of slowing or stopping the vehicle. A lamp illuminates
the rear license plate to assist in identification. Backup
lamps provide general illumination behind the vehicle
when the shift
lever is in the reverse position which also
provides a visible signal to other vehicles and pedestrians
that the vehicle is operating or about to operate in
reverse.
CAUTION: It is the owner's responsibility to check al/
lamps, signaling systems and warning lights frequently
to be sure they are working properly. Head/amp aim
should
be checked periodicol/y. It is important that any
malfunctions be corrected promptly for your safety, and
for the safety of others.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine FULLY COUNTER CLOCKWISE FOR DOME LIGHTS
LIGHTS INSTRUMENT
AND TAIL
LIGHTS
LIGHT CONTROL KNOB
TURN TO VARY BRIGHTNESS OF INSTRUMENT
PANEL LIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS
The three-position light switch is operated as shown.
The
head lamp and parking lamp circuits are protected
by a circuit breaker. An overload condition will cause
the headlights to "flicker" on and off. If this flickering
condition
is experienced, the headlamp circuit should
be checked by your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
HEADLIGHT BEAM SWITCH
,"High and "low" headlight beams are controlled
by
the floor button at your left foot. The indicator,
located
in the speedometer aial, will light up when the
high beams are in use . Always use "Iow beam" when approaching or following other cars.
DIRECTIONAL AND LANE CHANGE SIGNALS
The ignition switch must be in the "on" position in
order for the directional signals to be operational.
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The directional signal lever
is located on the left side of
the steering column imme­
diately
under the steering
wheel. The lever is moved
upward to signal a right
turn
and downward to sig­
nal a left turn. Lamps on
the front and rear of the car
transmit this signal to other
motorists and pedestrians.
In a normal turning situation such as turning a corner,
the turn signal lever is cancelled and returns to the neutral
position automatically
after the turn is completed. In
some driving situations such as changing lanes on an
expressway, the steering wheel is not turned back suffi­
ciently after completing the turn to automatically cancel
the turn signal lever. For convenience in such a turn, use
the lane change feature of this directional signal system.
This feature allows the driver to move the directional
signal lever
part way in the direction of the intended
gradual turn and hold it there. The lever returns to the
neutral or cancelled position when the driver releases his
hold on the lever.
A green light in the instrument cluster flashes to
indicate
proper operation of the front and rear signal
lamps.
If the indicator light remains on and does not
flash, check for a burned-out
signal lamp bulb. If the
indicator fails to light when the lever is moved, check
the fuse and indicator bulb.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the system is not functioning properly, a legal hand
signal should be given, since failure to indicate a turn
is considered a moving traffic violation in many states.
Always signal for a turn
at a reasonable distance before actu 'ally making it.
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
In the event your car is
disabled or you stop for
any reason on the highway,
the
hazard warning system
which flashes all four turn
signals should
be used to
warn
other drivers that your
vehicle
is a traffic hazard.
The system is activated by
pushing
in on the button
located just
below the steer­
ing wheel on the right side
of the steering column. Use this system only when your
vehicle
is a traffic hazard.
FOOT CONTROLS Foot controls consist of the dimmer switch (the op­
eration of which is covered on page 16), the clutch
pedal (manual transmissions only), the brake pedal and
the accelerator pedal.
CLUTCH PEDAL The operation of the clutch pedal has been fully
covered under
"Driving with the Manual Transmissions"
on
page 9. Its operation is the same whether your car
is equipped with the 3-speed or the 4-speed transmission. Excessive
clutch
wear can be caused by letting up the
clutch abruptly
rather than smoothly, and by "riding" the
clutch-that is, letting your foot rest on the clutch pedal
while driving .
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT
Clutch adjustment should be checked and adjusted
periodically as necessary to compensate for clutch facing
wear. To check, depress pedal.by hand until resistance
is felt. Free travel of pedal should be approximately
one-inch;
if very little or no free play is evident, clutch
adjustment
is required.
BRAKES
The service brake system is designed for braking per­
formance under a wide range of driving conditions
even when the vehicle
is loaded to its full rated vehicle
load. Driving through deep water may affect brake per­
formance. To assure normal operation after being wet­
ted, service brakes must be dried. To dry them quickly,
lightly
apply the brakes while maintaining a slow for"
ward speed with an assured clear distance ahead until
brake performance re'turns to normal.
Brake System Warning Light
The service brake system is designed so that in the
event of a hydraulic fluid leak,
in one-half of the sys­
tem, the other half still provides some braking action.
A dual purpose brake system warning light is
located at the extreme left side of the instrument panel.
When the parking brake is applied and the ignition
17 .

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine the rubber in the wiper blades. Check the blades periodi­
cally and replace them whenever they show signs of
streaky or otherwise poor wiping action.
Pressing
once on the windshield wiper and washer
knob will cause the washer to squirt a measured amount
of water or other cleaning agent onto the glass and will
at the same time turn on the wiper. The wiper must
then
be manually turned off, when the washing process
is completed.
Water or cleaning agent needed for operation of
the windshield washers is carried in a plastic water jar
attached to the dash panel withiri the luggage compart­
ment. Keep the
washer jar Ailed to a level 2 inches below
the top of
the jar.
CAUTION: Be sure to have the fluid level in the washer
reservoir
checked regularly, with special attention to
keeping the reservoir fil/ed during periods of heavy use.
GM Washer Solvent should be used as directed to pre­
vent freezing
damage and for better cleaning of the
windshield under
aI/ conditions. Do not use radiator anti­
freeze as this will cause paint damage.
In the winter, fill the washer jar only % full to allow
for expansion if the solution freezes. In freezing weather,
pre-warm the windshield using the heater defrosters before using the washers.
DIRECT AIR HEATER THe Direct Air Heater uses engine cooling air to
heat the interior of the car.
Operation of the controls is
given below.
FAN-Controls blower speed.
Blower must not be op­
erated unless HEAT lever
is depressed.
HEAT=Controls the amount
of hot air to the system.
NOTE: When shutting off the above control lever, pull fully up until the lever snaps into the latch position.
DEF-Diverts heated air to the defroster outlets.
The windshield defrosting
and defogging system
assists
in providing good visibility through desig­
nated areas of the windshield under most inclement
weather conditions. For immediate operation of the
vehicle, the windshield should
be scraped clear.
OPERATION FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT
• MINIMUM HEAT REQUIREMENTS-During spring and
fall in areas where climatic conditions are less severe,
depress the HEAT lever only as required for your
comfort.
NOTE: In Dir~ct Air Heauirs vapor m.ay collectwhen vehicle stands for long periods, keep the HEAT lever in OFF position for the first few ml!lutes of engine operatIon. This will reduce the tendency for moisture to condense on windshield. 011 spilled on engine shroudIng may cause odor in passenger compartment. To avoid discomfort, the cause of any odor should be traced and promptly corrected.
19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine deflect or collapse under certain impacts. The soft vinyl
cover over the mirror support base further protects the occupants.
CAUTION: It is important that the driver check the
mirrors
for proper positioning, and that he make frequent
use of the mirrors to be constantly aware of the rearward
aspect
of his total driving situation.
The windshield wiper arms and blades, inside wind­
shield moldings,
horn and steering wheel ornamentation,
inside rearview mirror frame and mounting bracket
incorporate low-gloss finishes. This reduces annoying
glare in the driver's forward field of view and provides
a
safer, more comfortable driving environment.
FOLDING REAR SEAT
The folding rear seat-back, standard equipment on
Monza,
optional on all other Corvair models except
convertible, quickly and easily folds forward and down to provide additional
cargo space.
To lower the folding seat­
back:
• Pull on each end of the seatback to unlock.
• Swing
the seatback for­ward and down.
To raise the seatback:
• Lift the seat back and slam firmly into place. FOLDING REAR SEAT
27
CONVERTIBLE
Operating the Folding Top
CAUTION: Prior to raising or lowering the folding
top, the
car must be at a complete stop and the
sunvisors turned down. Also, when lowering the top,
make certain the top is thoroughly dry and that
there are
no items stored in the top well.
When the folding top is to be lowered, the locking
handles located at the front of the side rails near the
windshield header must be rotated inboard. On conver­
tibles
equipped with a power operated top, the top
control switch may then be actuated until the top is fully
lowered.
On convertibles that are equipped with a
manually operated top, grasp the under side of the side
rail rearward of the locking handles and lift rail upward
and rotate rearward until top is fully lowered. Also, with
the manual top, downward pressure must then be exerted
to each side rail until catch clip located at top of quar­
ter trim panel snaps onto the e.nd of the side rail.
When raising the power operated top, actuate the
control switch until top rests on windshield heater.
In raising the manually operated top, the catch clips
must first
be disehgaged from the right and left side
rails. The raising of the top can be completed by grasp-

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ENGINE OIL REQUIREMENTS
Engine Oil Recommendations
Use only "first line" oils which, according to the
label on the can, are (1) intended for service MS, and
(2) pass car makers' tests
(including
General Motors
Standard GM 6041-M. The
oil
change interval, as rec­
ommended in this section on
oils,
is based on the regular
use of oil of this quality of
engine oil. The majority of
the suitable oils currently
available are multi-viscosity
(e.g., 10W-30) products.
NOTE: Non-detergent and
other low quality oils are
specifically not recommended. The use of proper engine
oils and oil change intervals are your best assurance of
continued reliability and performance from your Corvair
engine.
The use of "break-in" oils, "tune-up" compounds,
"frictIon-reducing" compounds, etc., in your Corvair
engine are not recommended. However, there are
additive supplements available that can be helpful
under certain conditIons. For example, if higher deter­
gency is required to reduce varnish and sludge deposits,
a thoroughly tested
and approved concentrate-"High
Detergency Concentrate" * -is available at your Corvair 'or "Engine Oil Supplement"'
33
dealer who can advise you regarding its use.
NOTE: When checking or adding oil, be care­
ful to avoid spilling or dropping oil onto the
engine shrouding .
Recommended Oil Viscosity: The following chart will
serve
as a guide in selecting the proper oil viscosity.
The
proper viscosity helps assure good cold starting
by reducing friction and thus increasing cranking speed.
ANTICIPATED RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY OIL
TEMP. SINGLE VISCOSITY MULTI-VISCOSITY Above Freezing (+32° F.) SAE-20W SAE-10W-30 Below Freezing and Above 0° F. SAE-10W SAE-10W-30 Below 0° F. SAE-5W SAE-5W-20
NOTE: When changing oi/ consider the anticipoted temperatures for the next 4 months.
SAE 5W and 5W·20 oils are not recommended for sustained high speed driving.
SAE 30 and SAE· 20W-40 oils may be used at temperatures above 90°F. SAE 5W-30 oils may be used at temperatures be/ow 32°F . SAE IOW-40 oils may be used at temperatures between 0 and 90~F.
Checking Oil Level: The engine oil should be main­
tained at proper level. The best time to check it is
before operating the engine or as the last step in a
fuel stop.
This will allow the oil accumulation in the
engine to drain back to the crankcase. To ch~eck the

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine level, remove the oil gauge rod (dip stick), wipe it
clean and reinsert it firmly for an accurate reading.
The oil level should be maintained in the safety margin,
neither going above the FULL line nor below the ADD
mark. Reseat the gauge firmly after taking the reading.
DO NOT OVERFilL.
COOLING SYSTEM CARE
The engine fan belt should be checked for tightness
at regular intervals. When a new belt is needed use only
the approved premium belt available from your Chev­
rolet dealer. If any other belt is installed, replace with
recommended belt when possible.
Watch the TEMP-PRESS and GEN-FAN indicators on the
instrument
panel for signs of overheating.
Air inlet louvers, located in the panel below the rear
window, supply air for engine combustion and cooling
and for the Direct Air Heater. Make sure the louvers are
never sealed or blocked.
TIRES
The factory installed tires on your car are selected
to provide the best all around tire performance for all
normal operation. When inflated as recommended in
the
tire inflation pressure table they have the load
carrying capacity to operate satisfactorily at all loads
up to and including the specified full rated load, at all
normal highway speeds.
RECOMMENDED TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES Pounds per Square I nch (Cool)
MODELS TIRE PLY
1 TO 6 PASSENGERS Standard
Coupe + 200 LBS. LUGGAGE 4-Ply Rating-2 Ply (1100 LBS. LOAD)
1 TO 5 PASSENGERS Monza
Coupe -+ 200 LBS. LUGGAGE 4-Ply Rating-2 Ply (950 LBS. LOAD)
1 TO 5 PASSENGERS Monza Convertible -+ 200 LBS. LUGGAGE 4-Ply Rating-2 Ply (950 LBS. LOAD)
1. Tire inflation pressures
may increase as much as six (6) pounds per square
inch (PSI) when hot. 2. For continuous high speed operation (over 75 MPH) increase tire inflation pressures four (4) pounds per square inch over the recommended pressures up to a maximum of 32 pounds per square inch cool for 4-ply rating tires.
When the 4 psi pressure adjustment for sustained high speed with maximum vehicle load would require inflation pressures above the maximum allowable, speed must be limited to 75 miles per hour.
34
STANDARD INFLATION PRESSURE FOR TIRE USAGE ALL LOADS INCLUDING FULL RATED
FRONT REAR
7.00-13-15 28
7.00-13· 15 26
7.00-13· 15 28
3. Cool tire inflation pressure: after vehicle has been inoperative for three (3)
hours or more or driven less than one (1) mile. Hot tire inflation pressure:
after vehicle has been driven ten (10) miles or more at 60-70 mph. 4. Vehicles with luggage racks do not have a load limit greater than specified. 5. When towi ng trai lers, the allowable passenger and cargo load must be reduced by an amount equal to the trailer tongue load on the trailer hitch.