warning CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2004 User Guide

Warning Lights, Gages and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the engine
just to let you know they’re working. If you are familiar
with this section, you should not be alarmed when
this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section
that tells you what to do about it. Please follow
this manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be
costly – and even dangerous. So please get to know
your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.
Your vehicle may also have a Driver Information
Center (DIC) that works along with the warning lights
and gages. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-52.
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Tachometer
The tachometer displays
the engine speed in
thousands of revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your vehicle
could be damaged, and the damages would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not operate
the engine with the tachometer in the shaded
warning area.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON, a chime will come on
for about several seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
The 3800 V6 Engine
Shown
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Voltmeter Gage
If your vehicle is equipped
with the 3800 V6 engine it
has a voltmeter gage
that indicates battery
voltage.
If the gage reads less than 12 volts or more than
16 volts while the engine is running, and it stays there,
you may have a problem with the electrical charging
system.
Also, when your gage reads less than 11 volts or more
than 16 volts, your battery life indicator will be
illuminated in the message center. For more information
seeBattery Warning Message on page 3-45.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
The LOW BRAKE FLUID message in the message
center will also appear when there is a brake problem.
SeeLow Brake Fluid Warning Message on page 3-50.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
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This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to ON. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking brake.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-35andTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-31.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service.
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Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
If your vehicle has ABS,
the anti-lock brake system
warning light will come
on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition key
to ON.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine,
turn the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays
on when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible
and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the light still stays on, or comes
on again while you’re driving, the anti-lock brake system
needs service and you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
traction control system,
this warning light may
come on for the following
reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the TRAC OFF
button located on the center console, a chime will
sound and the warning light will come on and stay
on. To turn the system back on, press the button
again. The warning light should go off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-10for more
information.
If there’s a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on. If your
brakes begin to overheat, the traction control system
will turn off and the warning light will come on until
your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
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Message Center
The message center is located below the tachometer
gage on the instrument panel cluster. It gives you
important safety and maintenance facts.
Service Traction System Warning
Message
If your vehicle is equipped with the traction control
system and this message appears when you are driving,
there is a problem with your traction control system
and your vehicle is in need of service.
When this message is displayed, the system will not limit
wheel spin. The message will stay on for 60 seconds.
Four chimes will also be heard. Adjust your driving
accordingly.When the ignition is turned off, this message will be
displayed again for three seconds to remind you
that your traction control system is not working properly.
Be sure to have your vehicle serviced right away.
Traction Active Message
If your vehicle is equipped with the traction control
system, this message will stay on a few seconds after
the traction system stops limiting wheel spin.
This message will appear when the traction control
system is limiting wheel spin. United States
Canada
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Battery Warning Message
When the vehicle is started
this message will be
displayed for three
seconds.
If the message is displayed when the engine is running,
you may have a problem with your charging system.
If there is a problem with the charging system, four
chimes will sound when the message comes on.
The battery display will also stay on while the key is in
ON until the engine is started.
If the message stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or
some other charging system problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving with this message on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this message
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories.
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message
This message is displayed when the cooling system
temperature gets hot. A chime will sound continuously,
also.
Check the coolant temperature gage and the coolant
level. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-31,Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-38andEngine
Overheating on page 5-34for further information.
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Change Engine Oil Message
This message is displayed when the engine oil needs to
be changed. It will appear for 60 seconds.
Once the engine oil has been changed, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL message must be reset. Until it is
reset, this message will be displayed for 60 seconds
each time you start the engine. For more information on
resetting the system, see “How to Reset the Change
Engine Oil Message” underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
Low Tire Message
Your vehicle may be equipped with the tire pressure
system which monitors the ination pressure of the tires.
After the system has “learned” the tire pressure with
properly inated tires, the LOW TIRE PRESSURE
message will be displayed and four warning chimes will
sound if the tire pressure in one tire becomes 12 psi
(83 kPa) lower than the other three tires.
When you have checked the tire pressures, be sure to
reset the tire ination monitor. See “Tire Pressure
Monitor System” underTires on page 5-65. United States
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Door Ajar Warning Message
This message will appear if one of the doors is not
completely closed and the ignition is in ON.
If you are in a forward or reverse gear position you will
also hear four chimes.
Trunk Ajar Warning Message
This message will appear if the trunk is not completely
closed and the ignition is in ON.
If you are in a forward or reverse gear position you will
also hear four chimes. United States
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Security Message
This message is displayed to monitor the Passlock®
system.
If the security message is displayed continuously while
driving and stays on, there may be a problem with
the Passlock
®system. Your vehicle will not be protected
by Passlock®and you should see your dealer for
service. SeePasslock®on page 2-16for more
information.
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message
This message is displayed when the vehicle is low on
windshield washer uid.
The message is only displayed for 60 seconds at the
start of each ignition cycle. For more information
seeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-48.
When the ignition is turned off, this message will be
displayed again for three seconds to remind you
that your washer uid is low. Be sure to rell the
washer uid tank right away. United States
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