CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1973 2.G Owner's Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving with Manual Transmissions
The 3-speed manual trans­
mission shift positions follow the
standard pattern shown on illus­
tration. Depress the clutch pedal
fully before attempting to shift
to
a different gear, then release the
pedal to move in that gear.
For
normal accelerations, shift into sec­
ond gear at
20 mph; into third gear
at
30 mph; and, on 4-speed models,
into fourth gear at
40 mph.
This transmission, being fully
synchronized, may be downshifted
into 1 st gear
at any speed below
20 m.p.h. Shift into Reverse gear
only after the car has stopped.
Always depress and release the
clutch pedal fully when shifting. Also,
shift into
"Reverse" be­
fore shutting
off engine. This will
permit the ignition key to be
turned to the
"Lock" position.
Good Driving Practice-On cars
19
equipped with manual transmis­
sions, use second gear at slow
speed s less than
30 m.p .h. when
driving in stop-and-go traffic; for
improved vehicle performance dur­
ing acceleration; and when de­
s cending steep hills.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Turn Signal and Lane
. Change Features
The tum signal lever is located
on the left side of the steering
column immediately under the
steering wheel. The lever
is moved
upward to signal a right
tum and
downward to signal a left tum.
Lamps on the front and rear of
the car transmit this signal to
other motorists and pedestrians.
The ignition switch must be in the
"ON" position in order for the
turn signals to be operational. This
feature prevents battery drain if
the lever
is left in an "ON" posi­
tion when your car
is not in use.
In a normal turning situation
such
as turning a comer, the
signal
is cancelled automatically
after the tum
is completed. How­
ever, in some driving maneuvers
such
as changing lanes on an
expressway, the steering wheel
is
not turned back sufficiently after completing
the
tum to automatic­
ally cancel the turn signal.
For
convenience in such maneuvers,
the driver can flash the
tum
signals by moving the tum signal
lever part way (to the first stop)
and holding it there. The lever
returns to the neutral
or cancelled
position when the driver releases
his hold on the lever.
20
A green light on the instrument
cluster flashes to indicate proper
operation of the front and rear
tum signal lamps. If the indicator
lamp remains on and does not
flash, check for a defective 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 Power Steering
If the steering system power as­
sist fails due to some malfunction,
or because the engine has stalled,
the car can still be steered. How­
ever, much greater effort
is re­
quired, particularly in sharp turns.
Tilt Steering Wheel
The tilt steering wheel (optional
equipment) can be tilted up above
normal position to provide addi­
tional room for entrance and exit as
well
as selected driving posi­
tions below normal height. This
permits individual selection of the
most natural position for all driv­
ing conditions.
On long trips the
steering wheel position can be
changed to minimize tension and
fatigue.
The tilt mechanism
is operated
by lifting up on the small control
lever
on the left side of the
steering column just below the
directional signal, moving the
steering wheel to the selected
position, and releasing the lever.
Cruise-Master
The optional Cruise Master Sys­
tem provides automatic speed con­
trol for
your comfort when driving
on freeways, turnpikes, or other
non-congested highways.
To engage the Cruise Master,
proceed
as follows:
21
• Accelerate to desired crUIsmg
speed and partially depress and
release the control button at the
end of the turn signal lever.
• Remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal and desired
speed will automatically be
maintained.
• To change automatic speed set­
ting , press control button until
it bottoms and hold until de­
sired speed
is attained.
• Before releasing control button,
hesitate at the partially de­
pressed position, then remove

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine your foot from the accelerator.
If control button is not fully de­
pressed, when changing speed
setting,
. the car will resume your
previously selected speed.
To disengage system, lightly de­
press brake pedal or fully de­
press the control button.
Horn
The hom on your Monte Carlo
is actuated · by firmly pressing on
the pad in the center of the steering
wheel. As a good motorist, use of the
horn should be kept at a minimum.
However, acquaint yourself
as soon
as possible with this function of
your car, should it ever become
necessary to give a warning to a
pedestrian
or another motorist.
Holding Car on an Upgrade
When stopped on an upgrade,
maintain your position by apply­
ing the brakes. Never hold the
car in place by accelerating en-gine
with transmission in gear.
This could cause damage by over­
heating the transmission (auto­
matic)
or clutch (manual).
Parking Your Car
Always engage the parking
brake and place the automatic
transmission selector lever in
"Park" position when leaving your
car unattended. Also with auto­
matic transmissions, never park
for prolonged periods with engine
idling and transmission in gear,
especially if your car
is equipped
with air conditioning. This prac­
tice
is detrimental to the trans­
mission, due to overheating.
NOTE: For operation of hazard flasher, see page 41, in Section "In Case of Emergency."
22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine FLOOR CONTROLS
Braking System
The service brake system is de­
signed for braking performance
under a wide range of driving con­
ditions even when the vehicle
is
loaded to its full rated vehicle load.
Power Brakes
• On cars with power brakes if
power assist to the brakes
is
interrupted due to a stalled en­
gine
or some malfunction, two
or more brake applications can
be made using reverse power.
• If the brake pedal is held down ,
the system
is designed to bring
the car to a full stop on reserve
power. However, the reserve
power
is partially depleted each
time the brake pedal
is applied
and released.
• When reserve power is ex- hausted,
the vehicle can still be
stopped by applying greater
force to the pedal.
Parking Brake
• To set parking brake, fully de­
press foot pedal at far left side.
• For maximum holding power,
depress regular brake pedal with
the other foot at the same time.
• To release parking brake, pull
"BRAKE RELEASE" lever on
lower left instrument panel.
• As a reminder, the brake system
warning light
is designed to glow
whenever the parking brake con­
trol
is not fully released, and the
ignition
is on.
• Never drive car with parking
brake set
as this may overheat
or otherwise damage rear brakes.
23
Clutch Adjustment
Clut8h adjustment should be
checked and adjusted periodically
as necessary to compensate for
clutch facing wear.
To check, de­
press pedal by hand until resist­
ance
is felt. Free travel of pedal
should be approximately one inch;
if very little
or no free travel is
evident, clutch adjustment is re­
quired.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTE: "Riding the brake" by rest­
ing your foot on the brake pedal
when not intending to brake can
cause abnormally high brake tem­
peratures, excessive lining wear
and possible damage to the brakes.
REMINDER: Brake linings should
be inspected for wear by a quali­
fied mechanic at least once a year
or every 12 ,000 miles, whichever
occurs first. (Disc brake pads
should
be visually inspected for
wear each time the wheels and
tires are rotated at
6,000 mile in­
tervals.) More frequent inspec­
tions should be made if driving
conditions in your area, such as a
traffic or terrain, or techniques of
individual drivers result in frequent
brake applications. Your Chevro­
let dealer
is best qualified to advise
you as to how often this inspection
should be performed. When brakes require
relining, use those Genuine
General Motors
Parts specified
for your car, and Delco Brake fluid
as required .
Automatic Brake Adjusters
• Brakes on this car (except for
the parking brake) are self­
adjusting, designed to eliminate
periodic brake adjustments.
• Drum brake adjustment is made
automatically
as the brakes are
applied while
car is moving
backwards.
• Disc brake adjustment is made
automatically with each brake
application.
• If excess brake pedal travel de­
velops, drive alternately back­
ward and forward several
times and apply brakes firmly
in each direction.
• See your dealer if normal pedal
24
travel is not restored, or if there
is a rapid increase in pedal
travel, which could be a sign of
other brake trouble.
Headlight Beam Switch
"High" and "low" headlight
beams are controlled by the floor
button at your left foot. The indi­
cator, located between the fuel
gauge and the speedometer dial
will light
up when the high beam~
are in use.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
o STANDARD
o OPTIONAL
1. Fuel Gauge 7. GloveBox 13. Cigarette Lighter
2. Warn ing Lights 8. Windshield Wiper-Washer Control
14. Radio and Controls 3. Speedometer 9. Light Switch 15. Vent Control 4. Hi Beam Indicator 10. Rear Window Defogger Switch 16. Parking Brake Release 5. Odometer 11. Heater or optional Air Conditioner Control 6. Clock 12. Ash Tray
25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Instruments
The instruments, gauges and
indicator lights conveniently
grouped in the instrument cluster
Fuel Gauge
This electrically operated gauge
registers correctly when the igni­
tion switch
is in the "on" position.
When the ignition switch
is turned
"off", the needle will not neces­
sarily return to the empty mark
but may stop at any point on dial. are
designed to tell you at a
glance many important things
about the performance of your
car. The foIlowing information
Oil Pressure Indicator Light
This light will be on when the
ignition switch
is turned on and
s hould
go out after the engine is
started. OccasionaIly the light may
be seen to flicker momentarily,
but this will do no harm. How­
ever , if the light remains on during
26
will enable you to more quickly
understand and properly interpret
these instruments .
normal driving speeds the engine
should be stopped until the cause
of the trouble ca n be located and
corrected. Driving the
car with
low oil pressure can cause serious
engine damage.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Generator Indicator Light
This light provides a quick
check on the generating system
of your car. The red light will
go on when the ignition key
is
in the "on" position, but before
the engine
is started. After the
engine starts, the light should go
out and remain out.
If the light
remains on when engine
is run­
ning , have your Authorized Chev­
rolet Dealer locate and correct
the trouble
as soon as possible.
Engine Temperature
Indicator Light
This indicator light is provided
in the
instrument cluster to
quickly warn of an overheated
engine. With the ignition switch
in the
START position, the red
TEMP indicator will light to let
you know that it
is operating
properly. When the engine
is started, the red
light will go out immediately.
It will light up at no other time
unless for some reason the engine
reaches a dangerously high oper­
ating temperature.
If the red light
should come on, the engine must
be stopped until the cause of the
overheating
is corrected. Glance
at instrument cluster frequently
as
you drive to see if this light is on.
Brake System Warning Light
The service brake system is
designed so that half of the brake
system will provide some braking
action in the event of a hydraulic
leak in the other half of the
sys­
tem. If the warning light located
below the fuel gauge glows con­
tinuously when the ignition
is on
and after the brakes have been
firmly applied, it may indicate that
there
is a malfunction in one half
of the brake hydraulic system.
27
• As a check on bulb condition
the light should glow with the
parking brake applied and the
ignition on. (Light
is also a
reminder to release parking
brake) .
• Have system repaired if light
does not come on during check.
• This warning light is not a sub­
stitute for the visual check of
brake fluid level required
as
part of normal maintenance.
If the light glows red:
• The parking brake control is not
fully released or,
• The service brake system is
partially inoperative
What to do:
1. Check that the parking brake
is released. If it is ...
2. Pull off the road and stop,
carefully- remembering that:

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Stopping distances may be
greater.
• Greater pedal effort may be
required .
• Pedal travel may be greater.
3.
Tryout braking operation by
starting and stopping on road
shoulder -then:
• If you judge such operation
to be safe , proceed cautious
ly
at a s afe speed to nearest
dealer for repair.
• Or have car towed to dealer
for repair.
Continued operation of the car
in this condition
is dangerous.
Headlight Beam Indicator
Light
The headlights of your car have
high and low beams to provide
ybu
with proper night-time visibility
for most driving conditons . The
"low" beams are used during most
city driving. The "high" beams are especially
useful when driving
on
dark roads since they provide ex­
cellent long range illumination.
The headlight beam indicator will
be on whenever the high beams
or
"brights" are in use. The Headlight
Beam Switch controls the headlight
beams (see
Page 24).
Light Switch
The three position light switch controls
the headlights, taillights,
parking lights, side marker lights,
instrument lights and dome lights
as shown. The headlamp circuit
is protected by a circuit breaker in
the light switch. An overload on
the breaker will cause the lamps to
"flicker" on and off. If this condi­
tion develops, have your headlamp
wiring checked immediately.
PARKING LAMPS MARKER LAMPS TAIL AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS
--,---.---~------ -- --------
TURN KNOB TO VARY INSTRUMENT LIGHTS fULLY COUNTER CLOCKWISE fOR DOME LIGHTS
28
HEADLIGHTS PARKING LAMPS MARKER LAMPS
•