mileage CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1981 4.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine DISC BRAKE WEAR INDICATORS
Front disc brakes have bum-in we .ar indicators which are desigled to make a
high-pitched squeating or
cricket·tike warning sound when the brake pads are
worn to where new pads are needed . The sound will come
and go. or be heard
all the time when the wheels are rolling, but will stop when the brake pedal is
pushed down
firmly. Expensive damage can result if pads are not replaced When needed .
See also the brake checks listed in the Maintenance Schedule folder.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
INSTRUMENTS
The instruments . gages and indicator lights convenienlly grouped in the
instrument cluster are designed to tell you at a glance many important things
about the perform ance of your
vehicle. The following information will enabl e
you to more quickly understand and properly interpret these instruments.
Speedometer
The speedometer hand indicates vehicle speed in miles per hour and
kilometers per hour.
Odometer
The group of six figures in the, speedometer lower center sectiori indicates the
accumulated mileage.
Trip Odometer (optional)
The trip odometer may be reset to zero by turning stem to. the right This
instrument may be used to 1TI<\':!1 .. aPC~rately record trip mileages 'or kilometers .
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage will register the APPROXIMATE fuel level in the tank. when the
ignition is in the
RUN position .
When the
gage registers EMPTY. some fuel is still available as a reserve .
When the gage registers FULL. some
additional fuel can still be added to the
tank. The following conditions maybe considered normal:
•
Gas station pump may shut off before fuel gage indicates FULL
• Amount of gasoline reqUired ior fill~up may not exaclly correspond to gage.
• Needle
may not move awa y from FULL until some time aiter fill·up .
• Needle
may move during turns. stops and accelerations.
When the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, the needle will not
necessarily return all the way·to the EMPTY mark.
2·15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Choosing Oil Viscosity
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) has an effect on fuel economy. Lower viscosity engine oils can provide· better fuel economy; however, higher temperature
weather cOl1ditions. require· higher viscosity .engine. oils· for satisfactory
lubrication.
It is recommended that you select an oil not only of the proper quality and
viscosity, but also. a fuel-saving product.· These oils can be found in Chevrolet dealer serviGe departments, service stati()ns and other retail stores. They are
identified by words such as: "Energy Conserving," "Energy Saving," "Conserves Gasoline," "Gas Saving," "Gasoline Saving," "Friction
Reducing," "Improved Gasoline Mileage," "Improved Fuel Economy" or "Fuel
Saving."
The following chart lists the engine oil viscosities recommended for the
tE3lT1per~ture range you·. expecLbefore your next oil change. For temperatures
above -18'C '(O'F), SAE 10W-30 is the preferred viscosity grade. If cold­weather starting problems are encountered at temperatures below -18'C
(O'F), SAE 5W-30 viscosity oils m?-y be required.
Change Intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your engine are based on the use of SF-quality oils and high-quality filters such as AC oil filters. Using oils other
than
SF-quality, or oil and/or filter change intervals longer than recommended, could reduce engine life.
Damage to engines due to improper maintenance or use of incorrect oil quality
'andl0r"'vi$9()~ity}s .~ot covered by the Chevrolet new car warranties.
Your engine WEIS filled with a high-quality engine oil when it was built. You do
not have to change this oil before the first recommended change
interval.
•
Severe Service-Change the oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles (4 800
kilometers) or three months (whichevefcbmes first) if one or more of the following "severe service" conditions is often encountered:
• Driving in dusty areas.
• Towing a trailer.
• Frequent idling or idling for long periods.
• Oriving 4 miles (6 kilometers) or less in freezing weather.
• Change the oil and oil filter as soon as possible after driving in a dust storm.
~ Norma! Service-If your engine is not a turbo-charged engine and your
normal driving does not include one of the above "severe service" conditions, change the oil every 7,500 miles (12 000 kilometers) or 12
months, whichever comes first. Change the oil
filter at the first oil change,
then every other
oil change, if mileage (7,500 miles or 12 000 kilometers)
determines when you change the oil. If time (12 months) determines when
you change the oil, change the filter with every oil change.
• If you have a turbocharged engine, it is VERY IMPORTANT to change the
oil and oil filter EVERY 3,000 miles (4 800 kilometers).
5-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CAUTION: Before installing wheels, remove any· buildup of corrosion on the wheel mounting surface .and brake drum or brakedilic mounting surface, by scraping and wire
brushing. Installing wheels without good metaHo-metal contact at the mounting surfaces
can cause wheel nuts to loosen, which can . later allow a wheel to come off while the vehicle is moving, possibly causing loss of control. (Also see the "Wheel Nut Torque"
Caution in "In Case of Emergency," Section 3 of this manual, on page 3·7.)
-'-:'O'rt-
P<1 ~ELRo:t 4 WHEHROTATION PREFERRED ·OPTIONAl
DO NOT INCLUDE "TEMPORARY USE ONLY· SPARE TIRE IN ROTATION
• THE OPTIONAL 'X' ROTATION PATTERN FOR RADIALS IS ACCEPTABLE WHEN REQUIRED FOR MORE UNIFORM TIRE WEAR
Alignment and Balance
Proper wheel alignment· improves tire tread. mileage. Your vehicle's suspension
parts should be inspected often and aligned when needed. (See the Maintenance Schedule Folder for more information.) Ball joints have built-in wear indicators and some movement in the joints is normal. Improper
alignrnentwill not cause the vehicle to vibrate. However, improper ~Iignment can cause:
• the tires to roll at an angle, which will result in faster tire wear;
• your tires to wear unevenly;
• your vehicle to "pull" to the left or right. .
Proper tire balancing provides the best riding comfort and helps reduce tire
tread· wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause annoying vibration and uneven tire wear such as cupping and flat spots.
Traction
Driving, cornering, and braking traction are reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. Adjust driving practices and vehicle speed to road conditions.
When driving on wet or slushy roads,a wedge of water can build up between
the tire and road. This is known as hydroplaning, and may cause partial or complete loss of traction, vehicle control, and stopping ability.
To reduce
the chance of traction loss, follow these tips:
1. Slowdown during rainstorms or when roads are slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when the tread wear indicators are showing.
4. Keep the tires properly inflated.
5-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A wheel of the wrong size or type may adversely affect wheel and bearing life,
brake coo~ng, speedometer /odometer calibration, stopping abiUty, headlight
aim , bumper height, vehicle ground clearance , and tire or tire chain clearance
to
.the body and chassis. Replacement with USed. wheels is not advised: they
may have been treated harshly or have very high mileage, and could fail
without warning.
You can get wheels from your dealer.
CAUTION: Before installing whee .. , remove any buildup of corrOsion on the wheel mounting surfaee, and brake drum or brake disc mounllng surface, by scraping and wire brushing. Installing wheels without good metal-to-metal corrtact at the. mounting surfaces can cause wheel nuts to loosen, which can lirter allow • wheel to come off while the vehicle is moving, poJ$ibly cau~ng loss _otCQlltroi . lAIIo ~ the " Wheel Nut Torque " Caution in "In Case of Emergency ," Section 3 01 thi& manual
Warranty
Tires are warranted by the tire manufacturers. Warranty information is included in the manufacturer 's warranty folder furnished with your vehicle .
5-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SECTION 6
OWNER ASSISTANCE
Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your dealer and to us. Normally, any problems with the sales transaction or the operation of your car
will be handled by your dealer's Sales or Service departments. Sometimes, however, despite the best intentions of all concerned, misunderstandings can
occur. If your problem has not been handled to your satisfaction, we suggest
you follow these steps:
STEP ONE -Discuss your problem with a member of dealership
management. Complaints can often be quickly resolved at that level. If the
problem has already been reviewed with the Sales or Service manager, contact
the owner of the
dealership or the General Manager.
STEP TWO -Contact the Chevrolet Zone Office closest to you. (Zone offices are listed on the following pages.) In Canada, contact the General Motors Zone Office. If your problem cannot .be quickly resolved by the
dealership without further help, contact the Zone's Consumer Relations
Department, and provide them with:
• Your name, address and telephone number
• Vehicle Identification Number (This is available frornthe car registration or title, or the plate attached to the left top Of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
• Dealer's name and location.
• Vehicle's delivery date and present mileage.
• Nature of problem.
A convenient'formf~~your useis"il1clud8d in this section.
STEP THREE ~ Contact the Consumer Relations Representative,
Chevrolet Central Office, Chevrolet Motor Division, Warren, Michigan
48090 (313-492-5500). (In Canada, contact the Customer Services
Representative,
General Motors of Canada Ltd .. Oshawa, Ontario, L lJ 5Z6; 416/644-6624). The representative will review all the facts involved. Then, if it
is
felt some further action can be taken, the zone will be so instructed. In any
case, your contact will be acknowledged providing Chevrolet's position in the
matter.
When contacting the Zone or Central Office, please bear in mind that your
problem will likely be resolved in the dealerShip, using the dealer's facilities,
equipment and personnel. So it is suggested that you follow the above steps in
sequence when you have a problem.
Your purchase of a Chevrolet product is greatly appreciated by both your
dealer and Chevrolet. We want to help you any way we can to make sure you
are completely satisfied with your vehicle.
6-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have discussed a problem with your dealership manage­
ment and have not been able to resolve it. let us know . Here
is a convenient form you may wish ~o use to contact the Zone Offiee_ After completing this form, mail it to: OFFICE OF CON­
SUMER
REu TIONS, CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION_ Make
sure you address it to the Zone Office closest to you_ (See
Zone Office addresses on previous pages_) r---------__ - ----------------
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(WI her.,)
NAME:
ADDRESS, ________ ~~~~--~---- ---------
ctTV: ~ ___ ~ ____ STATE, _____ _
ZIP : _ _ ~
PHONE ~UM8EA IDU~ING DAY):
VEHICLE IOENnFICAnON NUMBER:
DEALER'S NAME: _-'--___ -' __ .. ".:: ',, :;.- :..' ______ _'__,....~~-'---____
CITY, ___ --_~~--~---------'----~
DAJE PURCHA$£O : ________ ~ __ _
PRESENT MILEAGE: __ ~ __
. .."I~ f~-"" tOMM£NTS"5:~""'''"" I]
I I I I I I
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~G.ED _________________ _
OATE __________ _
6-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OPERA TlNG RECORD
DATE MILEAGE' GASOLINE OIL REPAlRS ..
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