towing CHEVROLET METRO 1999 2.G User Guide

5-
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5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-3 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-8 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-8 Engine Overheating5
-11 Cooling System
5
-18 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-19 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-30 Compact Spare Tire
5
-31 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

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5-8
Towing Your Vehicle
CAUTION:
To help avoid serious personal injury to you
or others:

Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.

Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.

Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.

Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.

Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.

Use only the correct hooks.
NOTICE:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid
damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas
of the vehicle.
With current trends in automotive styles and design, it is
essential that the correct towing equipment is used to
tow a vehicle. Your vehicle can be towed with wheel
-lift
or car carrier equipment.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle's instrument panel. See ªEngine Coolant
Temperature Gageº in the Index.

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5-31
If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you don't want to spin your
wheels too fast. The method known as ªrockingº can
help you get out when you're stuck, but you must
use caution.
CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can
overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transaxle back and
forth, you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see ªTire Chainsº in the Index.
Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear (or
with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you will
cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If
that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.

Scheduled Maintenance
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7-6
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Camshaft Timing
Belt Inspection. Brake Fluid Service. Spark Plug Wire
Replacement (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
first). Wiring Harness and Connectors Inspection (or
every 60 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Fuel Filter
Replacement. Camshaft Timing Belt Replacement.
Every 120,000 Miles (200 000 km): Evaporative
Emissions Canister Air Suction Filter Replacement
(or every 120 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Long Trip/Highway Definition
Follow this scheduled maintenance only if none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance is true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down slower.

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8-6
Chevrolet Roadside Assistance Program
To enhance Chevrolet's strong commitment to customer
satisfaction, Chevrolet is excited to announce the
establishment of the Chevrolet Roadside Assistance
Center. As the owner of a 1999 Chevrolet, membership
in Roadside Assistance is free.
Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year, by calling 1
-800-CHEV-USA (243-8872).
This toll-free number will provide you over
-the-phone
roadside assistance with minor mechanical problems. If your problem cannot be resolved over the
phone, our advisors have access to a nationwide network
of dealer recommended service providers. Roadside
membership is free; however some services may incur costs.
Roadside offers two levels of service to the customer,
Basic Care and Courtesy Care:

Toll
-free number, 1-800-CHEV-USA (243-8872)

Free towing for warranty repairs

Basic over
-the-phone technical advice

Available dealer services at reasonable costs (i.e.,
wrecker services, locksmith/key service, glass
repair, etc.)
ROADSIDE Courtesy Care PROVIDES:

Roadside Basic Care services (as outlined previously)
Plus:

FREE Non
-Warranty Towing (to the closest dealer
from a legal roadway)

FREE Locksmith/Key Service (when keys are lost
on the road or locked inside)

FREE Flat Tire Service (spare installed on the road)

FREE Jump Start (at home or on the road)

FREE Fuel Delivery ($5 of fuel delivered on
the road)

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9-7
Power
Door Locks 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Fluid 6-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts 1-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Problems on the Road 5-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publications, Service and Owner 8-11, 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator 5-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator Pressure Cap 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio Reception 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radios
AM
-FM Stereo 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player 3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Player 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rain, Driving In 4-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear
Door Security Locks 2
-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat Passengers 1-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Window Defogger 3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Washer 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rearview Mirrors 2-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside Day/Night 2-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Adjust 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Remote Control 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reclining Front Seatbacks 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants 7-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Tank, Coolant 5-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recreational Vehicle Towing 4-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refrigerants, Air Conditioning 6-60, 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Lid Release 2-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Replacement
Bulbs 6
-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts 6-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Safety Belts 1-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reporting Safety Defects 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restraints
Checking 1
-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child 1-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Parts After a Crash 1-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Check 7-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reverse
Automatic Transaxle 2
-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Transaxle 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Right Front Passenger Position 1-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Roadside Assistance 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Roadside Assistance, Canadian 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rocking Your Vehicle 5-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rotation, Tires 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belt Extender 1-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety Belts 1-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adults 1-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Care 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Children 1-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver Position 1-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Extender 1-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to Wear Properly 1-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Incorrect Usage 1-16, 1-17, 1-18, 1-19, 1-46, 1-47 . . . . .
Lap-Shoulder 1-14, 1-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Larger Children 1-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Questions and Answers 1-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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9-9
Tachometer 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tape Player Care 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft 2-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Gear, Manual Transaxle 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time, Setting the 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Chains 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Loading 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire-Loading Information Label 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Buying New 6-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare 5-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 6-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation Check 7-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection and Rotation 6-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pressure 6-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storing the Flat 5-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storing the Spare 5-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Traction 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treadwear 6-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uniform Quality Grading 6-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear Indicators 6-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Replacement 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When It's Time for New 6-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Torque Lock 2
-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Torque, Wheel Nut 5-27, 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing
Recreational Vehicle 4
-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer Towing 4-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transaxle Fluid
Automatic 6
-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual 6-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transportation, Courtesy 8-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trip Odometer 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TTY Users 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals 2-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever 2-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Underbody Flushing Service 7-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Underbody Maintenance 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle
Control 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control, Loss of 4-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Damage Warnings vii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions 6
-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Identification Number 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Storage 6-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ventilation System 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Visors, Sun 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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9-10
Warning Devices 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators 2-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warranty Information 8-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washer Fluid, Windshield 6-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washing Your Vehicle 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weatherstrips 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel
Alignment 6
-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nut Torque 5-27, 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement 6-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wrench 5-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows 2-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Windshield Washer 2
-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid 2-26, 6-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid Level Check 7-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper 2-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check 7-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 2-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter Driving 4-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper Blades, Cleaning 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wrecker Towing 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wrench, Wheel 5-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .