CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1999 5.G Owners Manual

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6-33
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the
Maintenance Schedule.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to be
replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.

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6-34 Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes
if it is equipped with the 3100 engine. It has four
-wheel
disc brakes if it is equipped with the 3800 engine.
Disc brake pads have built
-in wear indicators that make a
high
-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn
and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they don't have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or
changing. When you have the front brake pads replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of this
manual under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance
Inspections.º

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6-35 Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top
-quality GM brake
parts. When you replace parts of your braking system
--
for example, when your brake linings wear down and
you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new
approved GM replacement parts. If you don't, your
brakes may no longer work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you've come to expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with an ACDelco Freedom

battery. When it's time for a new battery, we recommend
an ACDelco Freedom battery. Get one that has the
replacement number shown on the original battery's label.
Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, remove the black, negative (
-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.

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6-36
Bulb Replacement
In this section you'll find directions for changing the
bulbs in some of the lamps on your vehicle. See
ªReplacement Bulbsº in the Index to find the type of
bulb you should use.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Press and turn the bulb a quarter
-turn
(counterclockwise for the driver's side; clockwise for
the passenger's side) and remove it from the
retaining ring by gently pulling it back and away
from the headlamp.
3. Remove the electrical connector from the bulb by
raising the lock tab and pulling the connector away
from the bulb's base.
4. Install the electrical connector to the bulb.
5. Install the new bulb by inserting the smallest tab on
the bulb base into the matching notch in the retaining
ring. Turn the bulb a quarter
-turn clockwise until
it stops.
6. Close the hood.

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6-37 Front Park and Turn Signal Lamp
1. Open the hood. There is one flap on each side of
the radiator.
2. Open the flap by lifting the tab.

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6-38
3. Position the radiator air side baffle aside and remove
the two fasteners. Remove the snap screw from
the fascia.4. Slide the headlamp assembly inboard to release the
mounting tabs and gently pull the inside of the
assembly away from the vehicle.
5. Push the tab on the bulb socket and turn it
counterclockwise. Pull the socket out of the assembly.
6. Remove the bulb from the socket by pulling it out.
Do not twist the bulb.
7. Push in the new bulb.
8. Reverse Steps 1 through 4 to replace the assembly.

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6-39 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
To reach the center high-mounted stoplamp, you must
go through the trunk.
1. Open the trunk lid. Locate the stoplamp behind the
rear seats, in front of the trunk hinges.
2. Turn the socket counterclockwise until it stops and
pull the bulb and socket out of the assembly.
3. Push in the bulb, turn it counterclockwise and pull it
out of the socket.4. Push the new bulb into the socket and turn
it clockwise.
5. Replace the bulb and socket in the assembly.
Tail/Stop/Turn Signal Lamp
1. Open the trunk. Remove the convenience net if you
have one. Unhook the net from the upper wing nut.
2. Remove the upper
convenience net wing
nut, if equipped.
3. Pull the carpet away from the rear of the vehicle.
4. Unscrew the two remaining wing nuts.
5. Pull the assembly from the body carefully.

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6-40
6. To remove a socket, press the tab, turn the socket
counterclockwise and pull it out.
7. Pull the bulb out. Do not twist it.
8. Push the new bulb into the socket.
9. Replace the socket in the assembly.
10. Tighten the socket by turning it clockwise.
11. Install the assembly and the two lower wing nuts.
12. Replace the carpeting.
13. Replace the upper (convenience net) wing nut,
if equipped.
14. Replace the convenience net, if equipped.Back-Up Lamp
1. Open the trunk. The back-up lamp bulbs are in the
rear of the trunk lid.
2. Press the tab on the
socket, turn the socket
counterclockwise and
pull it out.
3. To remove the bulb, pull it out of the socket. Do not
twist the bulb.
4. Push the new bulb into the socket.
5. Reverse Steps 1 and 2 to replace the socket.

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6-41 Dome Lamp
1. Grasp the front and rear center of the dome lamp
cover at the same time. Then squeeze and pull
downward. (To help pry the sides loose, a
screwdriver may be used as an aid during
this procedure.)
2. Remove the old bulb from the small prongs
extending from the dome lamp base plate; hook the
new bulb onto the prongs.
3. To replace the bulb cover, center it over the base
plate, making sure both the cover and the base plate
line up properly. Snap the cover firmly into place.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in
this section, contact your Chevrolet dealer
service department.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
1. Turn on the wipers to the low wipe setting.
2. Turn off the ignition while the wipers are at the
outer positions of the wiper pattern. The blades are
more accessible for removal/replacement while in
this position.
3. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.

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6-42
4. While holding the wiper arm away from the glass,
push the release clip from under the blade
connecting point and pull the blade assembly down
toward the glass to remove it from the wiper arm.
5. Push the new wiper blade securely on the wiper arm
until you hear the release clip ªclickº into place.
For wiper blade replacement length and type, see
ªNormal Maintenance Replacement Partsº in the Index.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Chevrolet Warranty booklet for details.
CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.

Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air
-out and a serious
accident. See ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.

Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.

Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut,
punctured or broken by a sudden impact
--
such as when you hit a pothole. Keep tires
at the recommended pressure.

Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.