warning light CHEVROLET EPICA 2005 1.G Owner's Manual

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in
one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is
standing on the road. If you can see reflections
from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and
raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there could
be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If
you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through owing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can
be carried away. As little as six inches of
owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
•Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
•Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-46.
4-18

City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You will want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
•Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into
an unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
•Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and energy.
SeeFreeway Driving on page 4-20.
•Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic
light is there because the corner is busy enough
to need it. When a light turns green, and just before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles
that have not cleared the intersection or may
be running the red light.
4-19

Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
•Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.
•You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your trunk.
Also seeTires on page 5-46.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a
supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter
outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red
cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And,
if you will be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet, or a couple of
burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
4-24

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. If a
leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Have your dealer or service center change both the fluid
and filter every 50,000 miles (83 000 km) 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.
•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.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than ESSO LT71141 or TOTAL ATF H50235
may damage your vehicle, and the damages may not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
ESSO LT71141 or TOTAL ATF H50235 labeled
automatic transaxle uid.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-22.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and proper
coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to−22°F (−30°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 268°F (131°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
5-19

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your master cylinder
reservoir is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is
that fluid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake fluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-36.
5-31

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc 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 firmly.
{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 first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
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 specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-24.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
5-33

Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the Unites States National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, which grades tires by treadwear,
traction and temperature performance. (This applies
only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver
or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1
1⁄2) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction — AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-57

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-17
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-63
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-76
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-17
Air Conditioning......................................3-19, 3-22
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-34
Readiness Light..........................................3-33
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-49
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-63
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-56
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-58
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-62
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................1-55
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?.....1-56
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................1-54
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-52
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-62
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-37
Appearance Care............................................5-68
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-72
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-74
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-71Appearance Care (cont.)
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-68
Finish Care.................................................5-71
Finish Damage............................................5-73
Glass Surfaces............................................5-70
Instrument Panel.........................................5-70
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-70
Leather......................................................5-70
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-73
Tires..........................................................5-73
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-73
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-74
Vinyl..........................................................5-70
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-71
Weatherstrips..............................................5-71
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-72
Ashtrays........................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-47
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-61
Backglass Antenna......................................3-62
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-62
Care of Your CDs........................................3-61
Radio with CD....................................3-48, 3-51
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer..........................3-58
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-61
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-22
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-20
1

B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-62
Battery..........................................................5-34
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver......................3-15
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-7
Parking......................................................2-24
System Inspection.......................................6-24
System Warning Light..................................3-36
Brakes..........................................................5-31
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-7
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-39
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-42
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-41
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-39
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-39
Headlamps.................................................5-40
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-44
Buying New Tires...........................................5-56
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specifications............................5-83
Carbon Monoxide...................2-10, 2-27, 4-24, 4-35
Care of
Your CD Player...........................................3-62
Your CDs ...................................................3-61
CD Changer, Trunk-Mounted............................3-58
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-32
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-42
Chains, Tire...................................................5-59
Charging System Light....................................3-35
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-11
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-74
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-34
Infants and Young Children...........................1-30
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-39
Older Children.............................................1-28
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-42
2

FFilter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage...............................................5-73
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-60
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-61
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-67
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-29
Windshield Washer......................................5-30
Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-46
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-6
Low Warning Light.......................................3-47
System Inspection.......................................6-23
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-79
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-77
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-77
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-76G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-46
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specifications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-31
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-5
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-39
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-76
Headlamps....................................................5-40
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-39
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-7
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-41
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-39
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-7
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
5