maintenance schedule CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2001 6.G Owners Manual

iv
Fuel
Checking Fluids and Lubricants
GM Oil Life System™
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Passenger Compartment Air Filter (If Equipped)
Brakes
Bulb Replacement
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Maintenance Schedule Service and Appearance Care
Section
7
Section
6
Scheduled Maintenance
Owner Checks and Services
Periodic Maintenance InspectionsRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
Maintenance Records Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires and Wheels
Appearance Care
Electrical System/Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

3-2
Comfort Controls
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. The system works best if
you keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the climate control panel
regulates the fan speed. To turn the fan off, turn the
knob to OFF.
If airflow seems very low when the fan knob is turned to
the highest setting, regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter (if equipped) may need
to be replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index.Temperature Knob
The center knob on the control panel changes the
temperature of the air coming through the system. Turn
this knob toward red (clockwise) for warmer air. Turn it
toward blue (counterclockwise) for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel has several settings
to control the direction of the airflow:
UPPER: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air two ways.
Half of the air is directed through the instrument panel
outlets. Most of the remaining air is directed through
the floor vents and a small amount to the windshield
defroster and side window outlets.
LOWER: This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The remaining air
comes out of the defroster and side window outlets.
The RECIRCULATION button cannot be selected in
this mode.

3-4 Dual ComforTemp
Climate Control
(If Equipped)
The Dual ComforTemp Climate Control system allows
the driver and passenger to maintain separate temperature
settings. The system works best if you keep your
windows closed while using it.
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the climate control panel
regulates the fan speed. To turn the fan off, turn the
knob to OFF.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan is adjusted to
the highest setting regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter (if equipped) may need
to be replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index.Driver's Temperature Lever
The lever on the left adjusts the air temperature on the
driver's side independent of the temperature set by the
passenger. Slide the lever upward to raise the temperature.
Slide the lever downward to lower the temperature.
Passenger's Temperature Lever
The lever on the right adjusts the air temperature on the
passenger's side independent of the temperature set by the
driver. Slide the lever upward to raise the temperature.
Slide the lever downward to lower the temperature.
Mode Knob
The knob on the right side of the control panel has
several settings to control the direction of airflow:
UPPER: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEV: This setting directs air two ways.
Half of the air is directed through the instrument panel
outlets. Most of the remaining air is directed through
the floor vents and a small amount to the windshield
defroster and side window outlets.

3-8 Ventilation System
Adjust the direction
of airflow by moving
the vents.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the air conditioning
fan is running and the OUTSIDE AIR button is pushed.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan is adjusted to
the highest setting, regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter may need to be
replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index.Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, adjust the
mode knob to LOWER and the fan to the highest
speed for a few seconds before driving off. This
helps clear the intake ducts of snow and moisture
and reduces the chance of fogging the inside of
your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

4-39 When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

Start your engine;

Shift into a gear; and

Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don't overfill),
engine oil, drive belts, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index
will help you find them quickly. If you're trailering, it's
a good idea to review this information before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.

6-20
1. Loosen the two clips on the top of the engine air
cleaner/filter housing and lift the filter cover tabs out
of the housing.
2. Push the filter cover housing toward the engine,
compressing the duct convolutes.
3. Pull out the filter.
4. Check or install a new engine air cleaner/filter.
See ªNormal Maintenance Replacement Partsº
in the Index.
5. To reinstall the cover, position the tabs through the
slots on the housing. A notch on the sides of the
filter cover will indicate the correct engagement.
Re
-clip the two clips on the top of the housing when
you are finished.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter is off, a backfire can
cause a damaging engine fire. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter in place when
you're driving.

6-21
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
(If Equipped)
The passenger compartment air filter is located
underneath the hood just below the windshield wiper
arm on the passenger's side of the vehicle (underneath
the air inlet grille).
The filter traps most of the pollen from air entering the
module. Like your engine's air cleaner/filter, it may
need to be changed periodically. For information on how
often to change the passenger compartment air filter, see
ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index.To change the passenger compartment air filter, use the
following steps:
1. Turn off the ignition when the windshield wipers are
in the up position.
2. Raise the hood.
3. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose from
the fender rail and air inlet grille.
4. Reposition the hood weatherstrip from the
passenger's side of the vehicle (peel back halfway
to center).
5. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the air deflector grille in the compartment.
8. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter.
9. Then reverse the steps to install the new air filter.
For the type of filter to use, see ªNormal Maintenance
Replacement Partsº in the Index.

6-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter
at 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be sure to
get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.

6-25 How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross
-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long
-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn't take much fluid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON
-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON

-III is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under ªHow to Check.º
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL
engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.

6-33
CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº in the Index.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.