check engine light CHEVROLET EPICA 2006 1.G User Guide

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This
is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following
distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary
braking. That means better braking and longer
brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel will come
on briefly when you
start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to
drive away, your ABS will check itself. You may hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that your brake
pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
4-7

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see
it or smell it, so you might not know it is in
your vehicle. Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle, especially any that
is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get
and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so
until help comes.
4-27

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
See “Adding Washer Fluid” under
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-30.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir.
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-29.
C. Engine Coolant Surge Tank.
SeeCooling System on page 5-24.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick.
See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir.
See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-31.
G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17.
H. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-34.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block.
SeeEngine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 5-79.Engine Oil
If the oil pressure light
appears on the instrument
cluster, it means you
need to check your engine
oil level right away.
For more information, seeOil Pressure Light on
page 3-43.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
5-13

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−34°F (−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
5-19

Charging System Light....................................3-35
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-40
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-11
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-73
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-34
Infants and Young Children...........................1-30
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-39
Older Children.............................................1-28
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-46
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-72
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-71
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-69
Finish Care.................................................5-71
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-68
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-70
Leather......................................................5-70
Tires..........................................................5-73Cleaning (cont.)
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-73
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-70
Weatherstrips..............................................5-70
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-72
Climate Control System...................................3-19
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-28
Automatic...................................................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-27
Clock............................................................3-18
Coinholder(s)..................................................2-34
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-10
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-67
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-22
Cooling System..............................................5-24
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-43
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-34
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
3

Engine (cont.)
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-40
Coolant......................................................5-19
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Cooling System Inspection............................6-24
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-22
Starting......................................................2-19
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-27
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage...............................................5-73
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-60
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-61
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-66Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-29
Windshield Washer......................................5-30
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-14
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage .........................................................3-45
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-46
System Inspection.......................................6-24
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-79
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-77
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-77
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-76
5

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-45
Speedometer..............................................3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specifications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-34
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-38
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-76
Headlamps....................................................5-39
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-39
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-41Headlamps (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-39
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Parking Lamps............................................5-43
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...................................................3-19, 3-22
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-44
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
Hold Mode Light.............................................3-39
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-11
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-18
Immobilizer....................................................2-16
Immobilizer Operation......................................2-16
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-30
Inflation - Tire Pressure...................................5-52
6

Light (cont.)
Safety Belt Reminder Tone...........................3-32
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light..........................................3-37
TCS Warning Light......................................3-38
Traction Control System Active......................3-38
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-38
Traction Off................................................3-39
Trunk Ajar..................................................3-44
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-16
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-29
Lockout Protection..........................................2-10
Locks
Central Door Unlocking System....................... 2-8
Door ........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door .................................................. 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-14
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-46
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-84
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-19
At Least Once a Month................................6-19
At Least Once a Year..................................6-20
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-20
Brake System Inspection..............................6-24
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-24
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-23
Fuel System Inspection................................6-24
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services..............6-19
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections.......6-23
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-25
Part E - Maintenance Record.........................6-27
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-7
8

Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-14
General Motors...........................................7-14
United States Government............................7-13
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-63
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-64
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-23
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-28
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-30
S
Safety Belt
Pretensioners..............................................1-27
Reminder Light............................................3-32
Reminder Tone............................................3-32
Safety Belts
Driver Position............................................1-15
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-15
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-14Safety Belts (cont.)
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-23
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-23
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-27
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-23
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-10
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-22
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Seats
Driver Seat Tilt Adjuster................................. 1-3
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-4
Power Seat.................................................. 1-3
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-8
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Securing a Child Restraint
Rear Seat Position......................................1-44
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-46
Selecting the Right Schedule, Maintenance.......... 6-5
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modifications......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-5
11