radiator CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2004 User Guide

Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
See “Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” in the Index for information on driving to
a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean,
drinkable waterand DEX-COOL
®engine coolant at
the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-31for more information.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
5-39

The coolant recovery tank is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at the
COLD mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before you do it.
5-40

{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the radiator
pressure cap — even a little — they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
5-41

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
Notice:Your engine has a specic radiator ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
The radiator pressure cap is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle, near the diagonal cross brace. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until
it rst stops. (Don’t press down while turning the
pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
5-42

5. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ller
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-31for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an
air bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise,
close the valves after the radiator is lled.
6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.7. If you have the 3800 V6 engine, replace the
3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield.
7.1. Remove the oil ll tube, with cap attached,
from the valve cover.
7.2. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield
under the bracket on the engine.
7.3. Place the hole in the cover shield over the
hole in the valve cover. Install oil ll tube
and cap by twisting clockwise.
8. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the COLD mark.
9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank,
but leave the radiator pressure cap off.
5-45

10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ller neck.12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to ow out of the
ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the arrow on the pressure cap lines up like this.
13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
5-46

Service25,000
(41 500)50,000
(83 000)75,000
(125 000)100,000
(166 000)125,000
(207 500)150,000
(240 000)
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark
plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.•
Engine cooling system service
(or every 5 years, whichever occurs
rst).An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (i).•
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.•
Maintenance Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers,
parking brake, etc.(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chang, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
ttings and clamps; replace with genuine GM parts as
needed. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test
of the cooling system and pressure cap and cleaning the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
6-7

(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace blade inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken air bag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced. (The air
bag system does not need regular maintenance.)
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the body doors,
hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release
pawl, rear compartment, glove box door, console
door and any folding seat hardware. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them last longer, seal
better and not stick or squeak.
(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the
lter may require replacement more often.(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-31for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(l)For supercharged engines onl: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper supercharger
oil as needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs
rst). See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
6-8

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-60
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamp Wiring...........................................5-103
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-60
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-60
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-60
Heated Outside Mirrors....................................2-33
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heating.........................................................3-23
Highbeam Out Warning Message......................3-51
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-41
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-36
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-36
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning Message........3-45
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-39How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-42
How to Add Fluid............................................5-30
How to Check........................................5-28, 5-73
How to Check and Add Oil...............................5-25
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-48
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-26
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
Hydroplaning..................................................4-20
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-36
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-35
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-40
If the Light Is on Steady..................................3-40
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-28
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-39
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
Illumination on Remote Activation........................ 2-6
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-31
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-72
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-29
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-16
7

Power (cont.)
Six-Way Seats.............................................. 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-47
Windows....................................................2-14
Power Steering...............................................4-12
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-9
Programmable Modes....................................... 2-9
Programming Mode.........................................2-42
Programming the HomeLink
®Transmitter...........2-36
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-15
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-34
Radio Data System (RDS)...............3-56, 3-67, 3-78
Radio Messages.............................3-61, 3-72, 3-83
Radios..........................................................3-55
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-93
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-95
Care of Your CDs........................................3-94
Radio with Cassette.....................................3-56
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-78
Radio with CD............................................3-67
Setting the Time..........................................3-55
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-91Radios (cont.)
Understanding Reception..............................3-93
RDS Messages..............................3-60, 3-71, 3-82
Reading Lamps..............................................3-18
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-26
Rear Seat Passenger Positions.........................1-23
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-23
Rear Storage Area..........................................2-40
Rear Window Defogger....................................3-25
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-32
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®.....................................................2-32
Rearview Mirror with OnStar®...........................2-31
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-31
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-31
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Remote Trunk Release....................................2-11
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire.............................................5-86
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-83
Removing the Wheel Covers and the Wheel Nut
Caps.........................................................5-85
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-63
Replacing Brake System Parts..........................5-53
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash.....1-58
11