service CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1981 4.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A WORD TO MONTE CARLO OWNERS
This man ual has been prepared to acquaint -you with the operation an"d main~
tenance of your 1981 Monte Carlo, and to provide important safety informa­
tion, It is supplemented by a Maintenance Schedule and two Warranty Informa ­tion folders. We ur ge you to·read these four publication s carefully. Follow the
recommendations to he lp assure the most enjoyable, safe and troublefree opera­
ti on of your vehicle .
While reading this manual, you will notice that specifications are given in both metric and customary measures. Where precise.--accuracy is not needed, some
conversions have been rounded to even numbers for your handy use.
When it comes to service, remember that your Chevrolet dealer knows your
vehicle best and ' is int eres te d in your complete satisfaction.
Fotadded mechanIcal and electrical protection beyond the end of the New
Vehicle
and Pow er Protection Plus Limited Warranty, consider the GM Con­
tinuous Protection Plan. The Plan is an optional service agreeO"lent which covers
repairs to specified major vehicle-components, provides rental car allowances,
towing and road service allowances, and many other features which enhance
ownership
both during and after the warranty. It cover~ your car for a total
of 36 month, or 36,000 mile, (50 000 kilometers in Canada) , whichever comes
first or for 48 months, 50,000 miles depending upon which of the four Plans
offered is purchased. Be sure to discuss the GM Continuous Protection Plan with your dealer, if you haven't already done so. The ~an is available to you for
up
to 6 months and/or 6,000 odometer miles from the date your new car was
put in dealer service or delivered to you as a new vehicle.
To help dealers handle you r needs, Chevrolet ha s a number of Zone Offices throughout the country. If you have a problem that has not been handled to
your satisfaction, follow the steps in "Owner Assistance." Section 6 of this
manual.
We thank you for choosing a Chevrolet product, and want to assure you of our
continuing interest in your motoring pleasure and satisfaction.
NOTE TO CANADIAN OWNERS:
Some cars sold in Canada have the Computer Command Control system, while
others do not. If a " CHECK ENGINE" light comes on during engine starting,
your car does have this system. For those cars sold
in Canada which DO NOT
HAVE the Computer Command Control system or are equipped with the
optional diesel engine, please refer to the Owner' s Manual Supplement supplied
with your car for information on engine starting, specifications, etc. The
"CHECK ENGINE" light is described in the Instrument Panel se ction of the
Owner's Manual.
If preferred , a French Owner's Manual can be obtained either from yollr dealer or by writing to General 'Motors of Canada Limited, Technical Publication s
Department ,
Oshawa. Ontario L lJ 526,'
Aux proprietaires canadiens
Vous pouvez vous pro curer un exemplaire de ce
guide en francais chez votre
concessionnair e au au "Service des publication s techniques, General Motors
du Canada Limitee. Oshawa.
Ontario L lJ 5Z6.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1981 MONTE CARLO
OWNER'S MANUAL
THIS MANUAL SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A PERMANENT PART OF THIS CAR. IT
SHOULD STAY WITH THE CAR WHEN SOLD, TO PROVIDE THE NEXT OWNER WITH IMPORTANT OPERATING, SAFETY, AND MAINTENANCE INFORMATION.
CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION 30007 VAN DYKE WARREN, MICHIGAN 48090
All information, illustrations and specifications in this manual are based on the latest product information available at the time of printing. The fight isresefVedto 'make changes at any time without notice.
For cars sold in Canada, substitute the name General Motors of Canada Limited wherever the nameChevro/et Motor Division appears in this manual.
Table of Contents
Section
1 Before Driving Your Monte Carlo.
2 Starting and Operatin.~.
Steering Column Controls
Floor Controls
Instrument PaneL.
Other Controls and Features.
3 In Case 01 Emergency .~
4 Appearance Care
5 Service and Maintenance.
6 Owner Assistance.
Page
'·f
2·'
.. 2·6
.... 2·13
2-16
. 2-30
4·'
5·'
6·'
7 Specifications,·Service Manoals; Index, Service Station Information. . .............................• ·7·1
CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION
FOR CONTINUING SATISFACTION, KEEP YOUR GM CAR ALL GM. GENERAL MOTORS PARTS ARE IDENTIFIED BY ONE OF THESE
TRADEMARKS:
lSJ~~ ,~"_~~'~M"~~

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE: 00 not adjust a manually operated driver'. seat while· the vehicle is moving. The seat could move suddenly and unexpectecily and could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
After adjusting a manually operated seat, push forward and rearward on the
seat to be sure the seat adjusters have latched. Take the vehicle to your dealer
for service
if you find that either seat adjuster does not latch.
Front Seatback Latches
Vehicles with folding front seats have inertial seatback latches. The latches are
designed to prevent forward movement of the front seatback only during a
sudden slowing of the vehicle.
Normally, the seatback can be tilted forward
without unlatching,
to get in or out of the rear seat. But when the vehicle is "nose down," such as on a very steep hill, the inertial latch may keep the
seatback from being moved forward.
If this happens, there is a latch release
lever at the bottom, on the outboard side or in the center rear of each front
seatback.
Pull rearward slightly on the seatback while pulling up on the
seatback latch release lever. This will release the latch
and let the seatback be
mOVed forward.
The latch release lever must be in the "down" position for the inertial latch to
work properly during a sudden slowing of the vehicle. Check now
and then to
see if each seatback latch release lever moves
up and down freely. If the lever
does not move
freely, take the vehicle to your dealer for service. There is no convenient owner test of the inertial seatback latch. If you suspect the latch is
not working, ask your dealer to inspect
it.
Keep seat belt webbing and hardware clear of seat parts when you tilt fOlding
seats forward or rearward. This helps prevent damage to these belt systems.
Power Operated Front Seats (optional)
The six-way power seat control switch is located on the driver's seat left side
panel. •
The seat can be operated as follows:
1-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine -_. .••.• ,-.1., ...... ,.,--.-
Restraint Of Pregnant Women
General Motors urges that pregnant women use a lap-shoulder belt whenever one is present. This will help lessen the chance of a pregnant woman and her
unborn
chil .d being injured andlor will help reduce the severity of their injury in an acc ident. The tap belt should be used alone if a shoulder ben is not present
7: such as in a rear ·seat. In eitlJer case, the lap belt should be worn as low and snug over th.(hips a! f possible , as advised for regular seat belt use (see
the .preced i
ng instructions) .
SEAT BELT LIGHT/BUZZER REMINDER
,.".,." ·;t "W h'eii '1hI>'key ·is .turned to "AUn" or "Start ," a remi!)der IightilLdesigned to
corne
on for four to eight secondS,." is to remind riders to fasten their seat
. belts.
•
If the driver's seat belt has not been buCkled. before turning the key to "Aun " or "Start ", a b uzzeri. diiSigned to sOund for four to eight seconds
(or
until buckled) as a reminder.
~ the seat belt or reminder system does not work as descri~. see your dealer
tor service.
Lap Belts For Rear Seat (And Center Front Seat) Passengers
• Aear seat lap belts next to side windows have retractors which are
designed to take . up extra webbing.
• In a single motion, pull the rear seat outboard lap ben across your lap lar enough to push the latch plate Into the buckle, until it clicks . If the belt is
not
pulled outter enough to reach the buckle , let the lap belt rewind fully
into its retractor . This .unlocks it so the belt can be pulled out to the proper
length .
• These belts should be positioned , worn and released as described -above under "Front Seal LapoShouider Belt ." After fastening , check that the belt
is
SNUG by pulling the belt firmly across your lap toward the lap belt retractor . This will allow the retractor to take up slack.
• Lap belts at center seats also should be positioned, worn and released as described above : however, they do not have retractors . They should be
adjusted to a SNUG FIT by pulling on the end of the belt coming from the
adjustable latch plate.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2, Never leta child stand ,or kneel on any seat Children who can sit up by
themselves should
be placed on a sealand restrained with the seat belts
provided, When children ride in a rear seat, .they should be restrained with
a lap
belt, When child(en ride in the front seat, they should wear both lap
and shoulder belt If the .shoulder beH irritates the neck or face due to .the child's size, this may be r.educed by placing the child closer to the center
of the
vehicle , If irritalior Is not reduced, place the child in the rear seat
3, General Motors ~iseS that childr"", be restrained properly when riding ,
However. unusual cond~ions may prevent use of restraints. and require
that a small child
stand, If that ~s.lhe'Child should stand on the floor , behind the'driver's seat This will help reduce the chance and/or \he
severity of injury in case of a frontal collision, --'-'-'''"''''''''i''':>' ~7','" ,,.' ;.,,~"".'. _ .. .. ,
TRAILER TOWING
This car is designed and intended to be used mainly to carry people, Towing a
trailer will affect handling , durability and economy , Your safety and satisfaction
depend :,upoQ proper use of correct llqUipmenl. Also , you should avoiq
overloads
and other abusive use,
' The '
!1'lIiximum 1000000trailet: weight youe;mpull with your vehicle depends ,on what special equipffienrfi'as been installed on il,. We do not recommend towing
any
trailer more than 450 kilograms (1.000 pounds) gross trailer weight unless your vehicle has the required 'equipment
.. .... ~ ' °' -"""''1111'''.''-'' .. J~._ .. _ '."'-:,_, :" .,', .... ,,', , ,'" :', : ' . .. ....... :.' .... " ..... : .. , :"',' "'." ,: ",' ,i,.:." .... __ .. -:,:· .. ,,' .. _." . .'~:.,:;.,~')ff';:.' CAUTION: Do not .. try to tow .. • nv:,,. tr-I.-'r ,mqrtt:,_lt)arr ' 2 '2., Idfogranl( (5,000 Pounds) WPU trliler,we~t IlC) 'In.tter what trailer toWing -'equiprrient is instelled. Trai" over iMM maximum-~_iir:nlt.,-c:OuId teriously affect ~ __ vehk:"'. pertormence ; -_durability and
handling, ~_~kf l'esuh. in personal i~~;_-_, ;""_~ ':~.,,:.:.
Information ,on trailer towing ability, speciateq(Jipn1ent required, and optional
equipment available should.be obtained from your dealer . Ask for the trailering
~rocliure, Or, write: Consum~r Helations Department Chevrolet Motor Divfsion,
Warren , Michigan 48090. (In Canada, write to General Motors of Canada
limited , Customer Services Department, Oshilwa , Ontario L IJ 5Z6),
Tires
When towing trailers be sure your tires areprope,ly inflated'to 'the inflation
,
pressure shown 'on the .. Tire Placard on \he driver's door , The allowable
passenger . and cargo load for this vehicle, also.shown on the Tire Placard , is
reduced by the traiter tongue weight whenever . the trailer is attached to the
'v~hicle, See "Service arid Maintenance," Section 5, for more tire informatlon ,
Maintenance
More' frequent service is required when using your vehicle to pull a traileL See
Section A of the Maintenance Schedule folder for Automatic Transmission Fluid , Engine Oil, and Hear Axle Ltibricantchange requirements for. trailering ,
Now and \hen, check that all trailer hitch bolts and nuts are tight Also see the
Maintenance Schedule
foider, and the Index in this manual, for important facts
on belts, cooling system care and brake adjustment.
1-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOT1C~: Uoeonty ~ ...... hhches ....... pomiIt ' nonnoI ..,o,otlon' ..... Energy Ab8Orb4ng Bumper system, if to equipped~-For ex..".,.., • rigid fore 8nd 1ft conMction between the bumper and any other pwt Of-the c. mIIy Inc,. ... dMnege Nl the event gf I colli.lon.
TRAILER TOWING TIPS
, Getti"9
Started
Before entering traffic w~h a traile, that has electric brakes, start the vehicle
and trailer moving and apply the traile' brakes by hand to be sure the trailer brakes ' are working and the trailer eleCtrical syStem is connected ,
".d~,~!!.~!.~~,CooUng If your engine overheats "foliowthe steps under, "Engine Cooling System" in
"InCase of Emergency," Section 3 01 this manual.
Long Uphill Grades
When goingup,long grades ; you can reduce the chance of engine overheating
by dOwnshifting the transinission to a
Jower'gear range and reducing speeds to
'" '4S mph (70 km /h) or below . '. " " ,-,-."." .. ,. '
Transmission
See the method for checking the transmission fluid level in "Service and
"'~!!illl£<;': Section S of thismanuaJ.
Parking
You should not park vehicles with trailers on a grade (hill); However, If
you must park on a 'grade, these ste,PS }l1ust be fallowed:
1. Apply theregular .brakes . ,'\' y .
2, . Have someone place wheel chocks under the trailer wheels .
3. When the wheel cho cks are in place, release the regular brakes until, the
c hocks absorb the load. .
4 . Apply
the parking brake.
S . Shift the transmission to
"P"(l'ark) .
If the veh icle is parked on a .gr ad e, don 't Shift the transmission to "P "(Park )
until
the trailer wheels are chocked and tOO parking brake is set If you dO, the weight of the vehicle and trailer may put'somuch force on the parking pawl in
the transmission that it·may be hard to Shift out of "P "(Park) .
When' s tarting, after being parked On a grade :
L Apply the regular brakes and hold.
2. Start ,the engine in , "P"( Park) .
.
3 . '. Shift into gear and releas .e the parking brake ..
4. Release the regular brakes and drive until the chocks are free .
S .
Apply the regular brakes and haveanoti1er person remOve the chocks.
1-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Your engine is designed to use only unleaded gasoline . Unleaded gasoline must be uSed for the emission control system to operate properly . Its use will
also reduce spark
plug fouling, exhaust .system corrosion and engine oil deterioration.
Using
leaded gaso~ne can damage the emission control system and could
result
in loss of warranty coverage. The effectiveness of the catalyst in the
catalytic converter decreases after use of as little as one tank of leaded
gasoline.
Also, your vehicle may have the "Computer Command Control" system, which includes an oxygen sensor. Leaded gasoline will damage the
sensor,
and attect emissioncont(ols. (For more information, see "Computer
Command Control
System" in "Service and Maintenance,"Section 5 of this manual. Federal regulations require that pumps delivering unleaded-gasoline
be labeled with the word UNLEADED. Only these pumps have nozzles whichftl the filler neck of your vehicle's gasoline tank.
In the United States, Federal law also requires that gasoline octane ratings be
posted on the pumps. The octane rating shown is an average of Research
octane (R) and Moto< octane (M). In most parts of the United States , you
should use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87. However,
you may use unleaded gasoline with an Q!;tane rating as low as 85 in these
. high -altitude areas: Coloraclo , Montana, New Mexico , Utah , Wyoming,
northeastern Nevada, southern Idaho, western South Dakota, and that part of
Texas which is directly south of New Mexico .
Using unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating lower than stated above can
cause persistent, heavy
"spark knock." (" Spark knock" is a metallic rapping
noise.) " severe, this can
lead to engine darnage. " you detect heavy spark knock even ",hery using gasoline of the stated octane rating, 0<. if you hear steady spark knoo~ 'wfiil.)' Holding a' steady speed on level roads, have your
dealer correct the
problem . Failure to take steps to stop such knocking is
misuse
of the vehicle, for which Chevrolet is not responsible . However, now and then you may notice light spark knock for a short time while accelerating
or driving
up hills : This is no cause fo< concern, because you get the greatest
fuel economy
benem from the gasoline's octane rating when there is
occasional light spark knock. Using .gasoline with a higher .octane rating than
that which
allows occasional spark knock is an unnecessary expense.
Gasohol
Gasohol, a mixture of unleaded gasoline and ethanol (grain alcohol), is
available in some areas , You may use gasohol in yourvehicle ,provided it is no
more than 10% ethanoL Be sure the gasohol has octane ratings no lower than
those stated above for unleaded
gasoline . Some vehicles using gasohol could run leaner . Most drivers will not notice a difference, but some may. In such
cases your authorized dealer can make c.ertain adjustments, provided they are
not in violation of the Federal
Clean Air Act. " you. are still not satisfied with gaSOhol performance , you may prefer to uSe unleaded gasoline. •
NOTICE: ,Take care to not spiH gasohol on painted surfaces. Gasohol can cause paint damage, which may not be covered und~r the new vehicle warranty.
2·3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OPERATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
All models which have the Computer Command Control system, (see "Service
and Maintenance," Section 5), are designed
to use unleaded gasoline as
specified under
"Fuel Requirements" in this section of the manual. Therefore,
these cars are not intended for use in areas where unleaded gasoline is
not readily available,
There also is a chance the gasolines available in some countries will not meet the needs of your gasoline engine even if it is not equipped with the Computer
Command Control system; Low~octane-ratedgasolines may cause engine pre­
ignition and serious engine damage, for which Chevrolet is not responsible.
In either case (with or without the Computer Command Control system), the
use of leaded gasoline will cause the emission control system to lose its
effectiveness.
It could also affect coverage· under the emission warranty. In
case of emergency, leaded gasoline may be used in your vehicle if unleaded gasoline is not available, but it should not be used exclusively. If you must use
leaded gasoline exclusively
in a vehicle designed for unleaded gasoline,
different maintenance intervals will be required. For additional information and
a copy of the maintenance schedule write to: Chevrolet Motor Division, Consumer Relations Department, Warren, Michigan 48090, (in Canada, write
to General Motors of Canada Limited, Customer Service Department, Oshawa,
Ontario
L 1J 5Z6).
When writing, please
include:
•
the Vehicle Identification Number and
• the countries in which you plan to travel.
Tires
If you plan to use your vehicle in countries where speeds over 75 mph (120
km/h) are allowed, see lIem3 on page 5-12.
IMPORTANT FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FUEL
ECONOMY AND HOW
TO IMPROVE IT
How you drive, where you drive and when you drive all affect how many miles/
kilometers you can get from a galion/liter of fuel. The careful attention you give
your vehicle as far as maintenance and repairs are concerned
will also help
fuel economy.
Fuel Selection
Use only unleaded gasoline meeting the octane ratings given under "Fuel Requirements" in "Starting and Operating," Section 2 of this manual.
Unleaded gasoline must be used. for the. emission control ,system to operate
properly. Leaded gasoline will damage the Computer Command Control system
oxygen sensor and affect emission control. Using leaded gasoline can also
damage other parts of the emission control system and
CQuld result in 19s8 of
emission warranty coverage.
"Jackrabbit" Starts
You can save fuel (and prolong engine and tire life) by avoiding fast starts
away from lights and stop signs.
2-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine "
• The lighl is also designed to come oi, briefly during engine starting so you . can check that the bulb is okay .
• Have the system repaired ifth'e light .d~es· not .come on during engine
. starting or when th.e Parking brake is set.
•
This warning light does not do away with the heed for brake inspection and
maintenance. The brake fluid level must be checked regularly . See your
Maintenance
Schedule folder for other brake checks.
If the light 'comes on andstavson when the ignition key is on, after the brake pedal has been firmly pushed down, it may mean that there is somelhing
'
wrongwith I?"" of the br"kesyjitem.
What to do:
1. Check to see that the parking brake hec been released . If it has been ..
2. Pull off the road and stop carefully, And remember that:
" .• " Stopping ,distances may be longer.
•
You may have to push harder on the pedal.
•
The pedal may go down farther than normal.
3, Try out the brakes by starting and stopping on the road shoulder--then:
• If you judge it to be safe, drive cautiously at a safe speed to the .near,est dealer for ,repair, or
• Have vooicle t6w~ to the nearest dealer for repair.
Continued driving without getting necessary repairs could be dangerous .
"'''''''~''., ENGINE" LIGHT
All gasoline"~~gine VehiCles sold in ttwl,lnited States (aridsorne ' vehidle. sok:!
in Canada) have the Computer Command Control sYstem, (canadian owners
should
also ' read the Nole on the. inside front cover of this manual. )
If your vehicle has thElCoTP\Jter :,eommand:'ContrOI-system, ,a , "CHECK
ENGINE" light
on the instrument panel is designed to come on during engine
starting to let you know the bulb is working ; (The light will stay on a short time .
after
the engine starts,) If the light comes on while driving, service to the
Computer , Command
Control system may be required , Although. the. v.ehicle
may still be drivable, see , your Chevrolet dealer as soon as possible . for an inspection of the system , (Some vehicles sold in Canada, DO NOT HAVE the
Computer Command Controtsystem ,
ILyeur vehicle does not have a "Check
Engine " light, then it does not have the Computer Command Control system,)
Continued, driving without having the Computer Command Control system
serviced
could cause damegeto' the emission control system, It could also affect fuel economy and drivability, .
See also "Computer
Command Control' system" in "Service and Maintenance," Section: 5 of this manual.
Tachometer
The optional tachometer i. ndicates the speed of the engine in revolutions per
minute, The' indicated num,ber, times 100, gives the engine speed, Operating
the engine
with. the tachometer . reading .in the colQr-coded high-speed area could lead to seriOUS engine damage,

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Chevrolet's turbocharger incUles a "TlI'bo Control Center," which is an
electronic,
closed- loop, high energy spark control system that permits the use
of today's compression ratios with unleaded fuels. It works to control spark and
provide
good driveability. H automatically compensates for fuel octane,
atmospheric conditions,
load, and .other driving conditions, by continually monitoring engine detonation and adjusting the spark.
Are There Any Tricks To Driving A Turbocharged V-61
No, riot at all. Starting procedures are as covered on Page 2-8.
As with any normal engine, the turbocharged engine should not be run at
excessive
RPM immediately upon starting or shut down abruptly after running
at high
speeds.
Trailer
Towing: It should be noted that the Turbo V-6 engine uses advanced
electronic technology to provide a combination of performance and fuel
economy under most operating conditions, including driving in high-altitude
areas . Uke 'most V-6 engines, ~is su~abIe for pul~ng light-dutytrailers up to
450 kilograms (1,000 pounds) gross weight. However, the system was not
engineered for the rigors of towing
heavytraii for
specffic recommendations) .
Don't Attempt Do-tt-Yourself Fixes: The turbocharger has but a handful of
parts, but since it is precision-manufactured with some tolerances as fine as
1/1 ,000,000 of an inch, maintenance and repairs should be done by an
authorized Chevrolet dealer or other qualified service outlet which
regularly
does such servk:e.
Catch Trouble Before . It Becomes Major: The turbocharger is an integral part
of your engine and not ar\'add-on .device.1f you spot an oil leak or hear an
unusual sound coming from the turbocharger , take it
In for service immediately .
The trouble may be simple to correct, but if allowed to continue, may
necessitate a more costly repair.
Normaf Scheduled Maintenance -
with Two Exceptions: The recommended
maintenance for the turbocharged
V -6 engine is shown in the General Motors
Maintenance
Schedule found in the glove compartment of your Chevrolet. The
turbocharged engine requires basically the same maintenance as a regular V-6
with two ",xceptions :
Engine Oil Change -every 3,000 miles.
Oil Filter Change -every 3,000 miles .
2-33