check engine light CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997 5.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust. If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling
discs.
Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge
of the hole and the outer edge.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The fixed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should
ever become
slightly bent, you can straighten it out by hand.
If the
mast is badly bent, as it might be by vandals, you should
replace it.
Check every once in a while
to be sure the mast is still
tightened to the fender.
3-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Here are some tips on night driving.
0 Drive defensively.
0 Don’t dnnk and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow
glare from
headlamps behind you.
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
0 Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only
so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
0 If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
Night Vision
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as
we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old
driver may require at least twice as much light to
see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your night
vision. For example, if you spend the day
in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will
have less trouble adjusting to night. But
if you’re
driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on
glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot
of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you
are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who
doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring
directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean
-- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim,
so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness
-- the inability to see in dim light -- and
aren’t
even aware of it.
4-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You’ll 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’ll save time and energy. (See the
next part, “Freeway Driving.”)
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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At the entrance, there
is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay\
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
4-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
1-
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight
if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don’t
need to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
installed in every new
GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid
is there. If it is low, add water to take
care
of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on you.
If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
6. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too. Before you
connect
the cabies, here are some things you should
know. Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and
negative
(-) will go to negative (-) or a metal engine
part. Don’t connect positive
(+) to negative (-) or
you’ll get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts, too.
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engines are running.
5-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you
fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed.
This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in
the Index.
I NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer
can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type,
it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel
tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp”
in
the Index.
Checking Things Under the Hood
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine
is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
I I
6-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If your vehicle is equipped with the
3 100 engine, you
have a
CHECK
OIL light on the
instrument panel.
If
the CHECK OIL light on the instrument panel comes
on,
it means you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For
more information, see “Check Oil
Light” in the Index. You should check your engine oil
level regularly; this is
an added reminder. It’s a good idea to check your engine
oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reachng, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
2.4L Engine 3100 Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is yellow.
The engine oil dipstick on the 2.4L engine is located on
the rear of the engine.
The engine oil dipstick
on the 3 100 engine is located on
the front
of the engine.
6-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also
look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in the Index.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges and latches, including
those for the hood and trunk lid. Part
D tells you what to
use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
7-3s

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-46
Adding Equipment to Your Vehicle
.................. 6-3
Adjuster. Seat
.............................. 1.2. 1-47
AirBag
....................................... 1-21
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-25
How it Works
................................ 1-23
Location
.................................... 1-23
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2.54
Servicing
................................... 1-27
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-25
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-24
Air Bag Readiness Light
.................... 1.22. 2.54
Air Cleaner
.................................... 6- 17
Air Conditioning ................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-62
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-42
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-50
Antenna. Fixed
................................. 3-24
Antifreeze
..................................... 6- 18
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.56. 4.7
Brakes
................................. 2.56. 4.7
Anti.Theft. Radio
.............................. 3- 19 Appearancecare
............................... 6-44
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-52
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Audio Equipment. Adding
......... 2-1 5.2.16.3.22. 6.54
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-7
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-28
Automatic Light Control
......................... 2-37
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
....................................... 6-18
Operation
................................... 2-18
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-40
Shifting
..................................... 2-19
Ashtray
....................................... 2-44
Backing Up with a Trailer
....................... 4-37
Battery
....................................... 6-28
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Keyless Entry System
............... 2-8
Saver
...................................... 2-39
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
.................... 4-21
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
9-1
..

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-28
Fluid
....................................... 6-24
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-24
Parking
..................................... 2-22
Pedal Travel
................................. 6-28
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-28
System Warning Light
.................... 2.55. 6.25
Trailer
...................................... 4-36
Transaxle Shift Interlock
.................. 2.25. 7.39
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-39
Wear
....................................... 6-27
Brakes. Anti-Lock
.......................... 2.56. 4.7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking in Emergencies
........................... 4-9
Break.In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 13
BTSICheck
................................... 7-39
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-29
Back-up Lamp
.............................. 6-32
CHMSL
.................................... 6-32
Dome Lamp
................................. 6-34
Headlamps
.................................. 6-29
Taillamp
.................................... 6-32
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-7
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-61
Carbon Monoxide
............... 2.10.2.26.4.27. 4.36
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-37
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3.9. 3. 18
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-23
CD Adapter Kit
................................ 3- 13
CDPlayer
..................................... 3-14
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3- 19
BTSI
.................................... 2.25. 7.39
Center Console Storage Area
...................... 2-42
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-32
Center Rear Passenger Position
.................... 1-33
Certification Label
.............................. 4-31
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-36
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-43
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-20
Charging System Indicator Light
Check Engine Light
............................
Check Oil Light ........................... 2-61
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................
Chemical Paint Spotting .........................
Child Restraints ...............................
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position ..........
YY ..................
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position .......... 1-40
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-42
TopStrap
................................... 1-37
Where to Put
................................ 1-36
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-55
Cleaner. Air ................................... 6-17
Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-50
Exterior LampsLenses
........................ 6-49
Fabric
...................................... 6-45
Glass
....................................... 6-47
Inside
of Your Chevrolet ....................... 6-44
Instrumentpanel
............................. 6-47
Outside of Your Chevrolet
...................... 6-48
Special Problems
............................. 6-46
Stains
...................................... 6-46
Tires
....................................... 6-50
Vinyl
....................................... 6-46
Wheels
..................................... 6-50
Windshield and
Wiper Blades ................... 6-48
Cleaning
...................................... 6-44 2-54
2-57
6-12 1-47
6-51
1-35
1-38
9-2