oil change CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1973 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Detroit, Michigan 48202 (or in
Canada by writing to General
Moto rs of Canada Limited,
Owner
Relations Department , Oshawa,
Ontario) .
To assist in attaining good han­
dling of the car-trailer combina­
tion, it
is important that the trailer
tongue load be maintained at ap­
proximately
10% of the loaded
trailer weight. Tongue loads can be
adjusted by proper distribution of
the load in the trailer, and can be
checked by weighing separately the
loaded trailer and then the tongue.
When towing trailers, tires
should be inflated to the highest inflation
pressures shown on the
placard affixed to the left front
door . The allowable passenger and
cargo load, also shown on the same
placard ,
is reduced by an amount
equal to
the trailer tongue load on
the trailer hitch.
Maintenance
More frequent vehicle mainte­
nance
is required when using your
car to pull a trailer. Change the:
• Automatic transmission fluid
each
12 ,000 miles ,
• Rear axle fluid each 12,000
miles,
• Engine oil each 60 days or 3,000
12
miles , whichever occurs first.
• Positive crankcase ventilation
valve each 12 months or
12,000
miles, whichever occurs first.
Break-in Schedule
In addition to the new ca r
break-in instructions in this man­
ual, it
is recommended that your
new Monte Carlo be operated for
500 miles before trailer towing. If
it is necessary to tow during this
period , avoid speeds over
50 MPH
and full throttle starts. The same
precautions should be observed
whenever a new engine, transmis­
sion or axle
is installed in your car.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine STARTING AND OPERATING
Engine Exhaust Gas Caution (Carbon Monoxide)
Allold inhaling exhaust gases because
they contain carbon monoxide, which by
Itsell is colorless and odorless. Carbon
monoxide is a dangerous gas that can cause unconsciousness and is potentially
lethal.
II at any time you suspect that exhaust fumes are entering the passenger com­partment, have the cause determined and corrected as soon as possible. II you must
drive under these conditions, drive only
with
all windows fully open.
The best protection against carbon
mon­oxide entry into the car body is a properly
maintained exhaust system, car body and body ventilation system. It is recom­mended that the exhaust system and body
be inspected by a competent mechanic:
• Each time the IIehicie is raised for oil change. > •
Wheneller a change
is noticed In the
sound of the exhaust system.
• Wheneller the exhaust system, under­
body or rear of the vehicle is damaged.
See your Maintenance Schedule folder
for inspection procedure.
To allow proper operation of the car's
IIentilation system, keep front ventilation
inlet
grille clear of snow, leaves or other obstruction at all times.
SITTING IN A PARKED CAR WITH
ENGINE RUNNING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
Do
not run engine in confined areas such as garages any more than needed to mOlle IIehicle In or out of area. When IIe­hlcle is stopped In an UNCONFINED area with the engine running for any more than a short period, adJust heating or cooling system to force outside air Into car as follows:
14
1. On cars not equipped with air condi­
tioning, set fan to medium or high
speed and upper control leller to any
position except OFF.
2. On cars equipped with manual air conditioning, set fan to medium or high speed, upper control lever to any
position except OFF, and lower con­trol lever to any position except ex­treme left COLD.
The trunk lid should be closed while
drilling to help prellent inadllertently draw­Ing exhaust gases Into the car. If Is unwise to drive at high speeds for long durations
with the trunk lid open. Howeller, If lor some reason the trunk must remain open lor a period while mOiling, or electrical wiring or other cable connections to a trailer must pass through the seal between
trunk lid and body, the lol/owlng precau­
tions should be observed:
• Close all windows.
• Ad/ust heating or cooling system to
force outside air into car as described In items 1 and 2 abolle but with Ian set at high speed.
• On cars equipped with outside aIr IIents In or under Instrument panel, open IIents lully.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine leaded or low-lead gasolines are
not available, gasolines containing
more than 0.5 grams per gallon
may be used.
In states using the Gasoline Per­
formance and Information
System
of fuel designation, unleaded or
low-lead fuels having an anti-knock
designation of
"2" or higher are
recommended.
Gas Cap-The fuel tank filler cap
has a new two-step removal and
installation procedure plus a
pressure-vacuum safety relief.
valve. It is equipped with a double
set of locking tangs.
To remove:
• Rotate cap one-half tum coun­
terclockwise to clear the first set
of tangs from the slots inside
the filler neck.
This, will allow
any residual pressure to escape.
• Pull the cap outward and rotate
one-quarter
tum counterclock­
wise to clear second set of tangs
and remove the cap.
• To install, reverse this pro­
cedure.
NOTE: If this cap requires a re­
placement, only a cap with these
same features should be used. Fail­
ure to use the correct cap can
result in a serious malfunction of
the system. Correct replacement
caps may be obtained from
your
authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
Engine Oil and Filter
Recommendations
• Use only SE engine oil.
• Change oil each 4 months or
6,000 miles. If more than 6,000
miles are driven in a 4-month
period, change oil each
6,000
miles.
• Change oil each 2 months or
3,000 miles, whichever occurs
51
first, under the following con­
ditions:
- driving in dusty conditions
- trailer pulling
- extensive idling
- short-trip operation
at freez-
ing temperatures (engine not
thoroughly warmed-up).
• Operation in dust storms may
require an immediate oil change.
• Replace the oil filter at the first
oil change, and every second oil
change thereafter.
AC oil filters
provide excellent engine pro­
tection.
See your Chevrolet dealer for
advice
on the frequency of oil and
filter changes under unusual driv­
ing conditions.
The above recommendations
apply to the first change as well as
subsequent oil changes. The oil
change interval for your Monte
Carlo engine
is based on the use of

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SE oils and quality oil filters. Oil
change intervals longer than those
listed above will seriously reduce
engine life and may affect Chevro­
let's obligation under the provisions
of the New Vehicle Warranty.
A high quality
SE oil was in­
stalled in your engine at the factory.
It is not necessary to change this
facory-installed oil prior
to the rec­
ommended normal change period.
However, check the oil level more
NOTE: Non-detergent and other
low quality oils are specifically not
recommended.
Only the use of SE
engine oils and proper oil and filter
change intervals assure you of con­
tinued proper lubrication of your
Chevrolet engine.
frequently during the break-in pe­
riod since higher oil consumption
is normal until the piston rings be­
come seated.
Recommended Viscosity
Select the proper viscosity from the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY NUMBER
I ,.
.... ~.-."'). ... .II ••• :.; I
-30 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE, OF.
NOTE: SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is recommended for all seasons in
vehicles normally operated in Canada.
SAE 5W-20 oils are not recom­
mended for sustained high-speed driving.
SAE 30 oils may be used at temperatures above 40oP.
The proper oil viscosity helps
assure good cold and hot starting.
NOTE: The oil gauge rod is also
marked,
"Use SE Engine Oil" as
a reminder to use only SE oils.
52
Checking Oil Level
The engine oil should be main­
tained at proper level. The best
time to check it
is before operating
the engine or
as the last step in
a fuel stop. This will allow the
oil accumulation in the engine to

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine same as standard axle but use only
the special positraction lubricant
available from your Chevrolet
Dealer.
Manual Transmissions
3-Speed -Every 6,000 miles or
4 months-Check at operating tem­
perature and
fill as necessary to
level of filler plug hole with SAE
80
or SAE 90 GL-5 Gear Lubri­
cant.
(For vehicles normally operated in
Canada use
SAE 80 GL-5 Gear
Lubricant.)
If temperatures below 32°F. are
expected, use
SAE 80 GL-5 Gear
Lubricant only.
Clutch Cross-Shaft -Every
36,000 miles or sooner if necessary
-Remove the plug, install a lubri­
cation fitting and lubricate with
water resistant
EP Chassis Lubri­
cant which meets GM Specific
a-
tion 6031M.
Automatic Transmissions
Fluid Recommendations
Use only automatic transmission
fluids identified with the mark
DEXRON ®. These fluids have been
specially formulated and tested for
use in your automatic transmission,
and are available from your Chev­
rolet dealer or local service station.
Check the fluid level at each
engine oil change period. To make
an accurate fluid level check:
1. Drive car several miles, making
frequent starts and stops,
to
bring transmission up to normal
operating temperature (approxi­
mately
180-190° F).
2. Park car on a level surface.
3. Place selector level in "PARK"
and leave engine running.
4. Remove dipstick and wipe clean.
54
5. Reinsert dipstick until cap seats.
6. Remove dipstick and note read­
ing.
If fluid level is at or below the
ADD mark, add sufficient fluid
to
raise the level to the FULL mark.
One pint raises the level from ADD
to FULL.
Do not overfill.
Under normal driving condi­
tions, the transmission fluid should
be changed every
24,000 miles.
If your car is driven extensively
in heavy city traffic during hot
weather, or
is used to pull a
trailer, {change fluid every
12,000
miles. Likewise, operators of cars
in commercial use (such
as taxicab,
limousine or patrol car service)
where the engine idles for long
periods, should change fluid every
12,000 miles.
Changing Fluid -Remove fluid
from the transmission sump and

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake linings should be periodi­
cally inspected for wear by a quali­
fied technician. The frequency of
this inspection depends upon driv­
ing conditions such
as traffic or
terrain, and also the driving tech­
niques of individual owners. Your
Chevrolet Dealer
is best qualified
to advise you
as to how often this
inspection should be performed.
When replacement
is required,
specify GM and Delco parts.
Master
Cylinder - Every 6,000
miles or 4 months -Check fluid
level in each reservoir and maintain
~ " below lowest edge of each filler opening
with Delco, Supreme No.
11 or DOT-3 Hydraulic Brake
Fluid.
Parking Brake
Pulley, Cables
and Linkage -Every 6,000 miles
or 4 months-Apply water resistant
EP Chassis Lubricant which meets
GM Specification 6031 M, to park­
ing brake cable at cable guides and
at all operating links and levers.
Power
Steering System
Check the fluid level in the
pump reservoir at each oil change
period. Add GM Power Steering
Fluid (or
DEXRON® Automatic
Transmission Fluid)
as necessary
to bring level into proper range on
filler cap indicator depending upon
fluid temperature.
If at operating temperature (ap­
proximately
150 °F - hot to the
56
"HOT" MARK
"COLD" MARK
touch), fluid should be between
"HOT" and "COLD" marks. If at
room temperature (approximately
70°F), fluid should be between
"ADD" and "COLD" marks. Fluid
does not require periodic changing.
Hood
Latches
Every 4 months or 6,000 miles,
whichever occurs first, lubricate

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine hood latch assembly and hood
hinge assembly as follows:
1. Wipe off any accumulation of
dirt or contamination on latch
parts.
2. Apply Lubriplate or equivalent
to latch pilot bolts and latch
locking plate.
3. Apply light engine oil to all
pivot points in release mecha­
nism, as well
as primary and
secondary latch mechanisms.
4. Lubricate hood hinges.
5. Make hood hinge and latch
mechanism functional check to
assure the assembly
is working
correctly.
Air Conditioning
Have your Chevrolet Dealer
check your Air Conditioning
sys­
tem at some time during the winter
months to be sure there has been no
loss in cooling output. During
NOTE: On vehicles equipped with
a
Pour Season Air Conditioning
System, the system will not operate
below ambient temperatures of
300P. regardless of control posi­
tion.
the summer,
see your Chevrolet
Dealer immediately if you suspect
the system
is not performing as it
should .
Cooling System Care
Check the coolant level at each
engine oil change.
Engine Cooling System
The recovery type cooling sys­
tem is standard on all Chevrolet
passenger cars and
is designed to
maintain the engine at proper op-
57
erating temperatures. The recovery
tank collects coolant that expands
with rising temperature that would
otherwi se overflow from the sys­
tem. When the system temperature
drops, the coolant
is drawn from
the recovery tank back into the
radiator by the suction created by
coolant contraction. The cooling
system has been filled at the factory
with a high-quality , inhibited, year­
around coolant that meets the stan­
dards of General Motors Specifica­
tion 1899-M. This coolant solution
provides freezing protection to
-20oP (-32° P in Canada), and
it has been formulated to be used
for two full calendar years or
24,000 miles, whichever first oc­
curs, of normal operation without
replacement.
Cooling System Care
Check the coolant level in the
'see thru' coolant recovery tank

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine and in the radiator at least as fre­
quently
as engine oil changes.
NOTE: Do not remove radiator
cap when coolant
is hot and under
pressure.
Level should be at the
"FULL
COLD"
mark on the recovery tank
and at the bottom of the radiator
filler neck when the system
is cold.
During normal warm weather op­
eration the coolant should be at
the
"FULL HOT" mark on the re­
covery tank.
If the recovery tank is
empty or coolant is below the
"FULL COLD" mark the radiator
level should be checked and cool­
ant added to the radiator and re­
covery tank
as needed. Use a 50/50
mixture of high-quality ethylene gly­
col antifreeze and water for coolant
additions.
If regular additions are
required see your dealer for a cool­
ing system check.
NOTE: If recommended quaIily
antifreeze is used, supplemental in­
hibitors or additives claiming to
provide increased capability are
not necessary. They may be detri­
mental
to the efficient operation of
the system, and represent an un­
necessary operating expense.
Every year, the cooling system
should be serviced
as follows:
1 . Wash radiator cap and filler
neck with clean water.
2. Check coolant for proper
level and freeze protection.
3. Pressure test system and radi­
ator cap for proper pressure
holding capacity (15 psi).
If
replacement of cap is re­
quired, use the special AC
cap designed for coolant re­
covery systems, specified for
your car model.
4. Tighten hose clamps and in­
spect all hoses. Replace hoses
58
whenever swollen, checked or
otherwise deteriorated.
5. Clean frontal area of radiator
core and air conditioning
condenser.
Every two years or
24,000 miles,
whichever first occurs, the cooling
system should be flushed and re­
filled using the following recom­
mended procedure:
1. Run engine, with radiator cap
removed, until normal operat­
ing temperature
is reached
and upper radiator hose
is hot
(indicates thermostat
is open.)
2. Stop engine and open radiator
drain valve to drain coolant.
(To speed this operation, the
drain plugs in the block can
also be removed.)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Maintain cooling system freeze
protection at
.;...200 F or below
to ensure protection against
corrosion and loss of coolant
from boiling , even though freez­
ing temperatures are not
ex­
pected.
• Add ethylene glycol base cool­
ant that meets GM Specification
1899-M when coolant additions
are required because of coolant
loss or to provide additional
protection against freezing at
temperatures lower than
_200 F
(_320 F in Canada).
NOTE: Alcohol or methanol base
coolants or plain water are not
recommended for your Monte
Carlo at any time.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator cap, a 15 lb. pres­
sure type, must be installed tightly,
otherwise coolant may be lost and
damage to engine may result from
overheating. Radiator pressure caps
should be checked periodically for
proper operation.
If replacement is
required specify AC.
Thermostat
The cooling system is protected
and controlled by a thermostat in­
stalled in the engine coolant outlet
to maintain a satisfactory operating
temperature of the engine. This
thermostat
is designed for continu­
ous use through both winter and
summer and need not be changed
seasonally . When replacement
is
necessary, Delco parts are recom­
mended.
60
Tires
The factory installed tires on
your car
as shown on the following
Tire Usage chart are designed to
provide the best all around per­
formance for normal vehicle op­
eration. When inflated
as recom­
mended on the tire pressure plac­
ard, located on the left door of
your vehicle, they have the load
carrying capacity to operate satis­
factorily at all normal highway
speeds.
Tire Care
Tires should be checked regu­
larly for proper inflation pressure,
wear, and damage. The following
information will assist you in prop­
erly caring for your tires:

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SPECIFICATION
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Car-Stamped on Vehicle Identification Plate attached at left of instrument panel.
Engine-Stamped on boss on block .
8 -Cylinder-On right side of block at front.
Body-S tamped o n plate attached to cowl panel.
DIMENSIONS
MONTE
CARLO
O ve rall length
2-Door Coupe ...
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211.5"
Width ... ......... ......... ............ . . 77.6"
Wheelbase ............................... 116.0"
BATTERY RATING
350 VB engine equipped vehicles-12 volt, 66 plate, 2900 watts '
454 VB and Heavy Duty-12 volt, 90 plate, 3750 watts'
' Cranking
powe r at O°F.
CAPACITIES
Gasoline Tank (approx.) ....... . B Cylinder
Oil change only ... ... .... .... . Oil and Filter change .......... .
U.S. Measure
22 gal.
4 qt. 5 qt.
Imperial Measure
18% gal.
3% qt. 4% qt.
71
Cooling System: ...... 350 v-a
u.s. Measure (qts.) 16*
Imperial Measure (qts.) 13.25*
454 v-a
23*
19.25*
'with air cond o add 1 qt. U.S. meas. (% qt. Imperial meas.)
Thermostat
All engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 195°
Radiator Pressure Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15 lb.
Air Condit ioning System
Compressor oil (525 vis .) .............. ... .... 11 oz.
Refrigerant-R-12 Four Seasons ........................ 3 lb. 12 oz.
Turbo Hydramatic 350 ........... .......... .. ... ........ . . 400 .. ................... .. ... .... .. .. .
TURN SIGNAL FLASHER:
Imperial U. S. Measure Measure
10.0 qts. 11.0 qts. 8.25 qts. 9.25 qts.
Type ................................... Capacity All ..... ..... ........................ 3 lamp (ll)
Hazard Warning Flasher, All .. , ............... . 4 lamp
TIRE INFORMATION
Complete
tire information will be found on pages 60 through 65.
I