engine CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2007 6.G Owner's Guide

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 does not 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. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 177and
Towing Your Vehicle on page 282.
{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.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle is
equipped with anti-lock
brakes, the anti-lock
brake system warning
light should come on for
a few seconds when
you turn the ignition
key to RUN.
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 are 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 are driving, the anti-lock brake system needs
service and you do not have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should
come on briey when you turn the ignition
key to RUN. This is normal. If the light does not
come on then, have it xed so it will be ready
to warn you if there is a problem.
178

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
For vehicles equipped
with the traction control
system, this warning
light should come
on briey when the
engine is started.
If the warning light does not come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem. If it stays on, or comes on when you are
driving, there may be a problem with your traction
control system and your vehicle may need service.
When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 254for more information.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning
light will come on when
the engine has
overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and turn off
the engine as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 323for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on could cause your
vehicle to overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 323. Your vehicle could be damaged,
and it might not be covered by your warranty.
Never drive with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on.
This light will also come on when starting your
vehicle. If it doesn’t, have your vehicle serviced.
179

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves towards the “H”
(United States) or the shaded in thermostat
(Canada), it means that your engine coolant has
overheated. If you have been operating your
vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should
pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off
the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 323for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light comes on
briey when you turn
the ignition to RUN.
This light will also come on when one or more of
your tires are signicantly underinated.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will accompany
the light. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 195for more information.
Stop and check your tires as soon as it is safe to do
so. If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 349for more information.
United StatesCanada
180

This light will ash for approximately 60 seconds
and then stay on if a problem is detected with
the Tire Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 358
for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is
required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent.This may prevent more serious damage to your
vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your
service technician in correctly diagnosing any
malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle
with this light on, after awhile, your emission
controls may not work as well, your fuel
economy may not be as good, and your engine
may not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that may not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 296.
181

This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 303.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the
light off.
182

Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 298. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is
warmed up.) This will be detected by the system
and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed to
evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection for
lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
183

Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
This light tells you if
there could be a
problem with your
engine oil pressure.The light goes on when you turn your key to RUN or
START. It goes off once you start your engine. That
is a check to be sure the light works. If it does not
come on, be sure to have it xed so it will be there
to warn you if something goes wrong.
When the light comes on and stays on, it means
that oil is not owing through your engine properly.
You could be low on oil and you might have
some other system problem.
Security Light
For information
regarding this light, see
Theft-Deterrent
Systems on page 105.
184

Here are four things that some owners ask
about. None of these show a problem with your
fuel gage:
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than
the gage indicated. For example, the gage
may have indicated the tank was half full, but
it actually took a little more or less than
half the tank’s capacity to ll the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a
corner or speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back to empty when you
turn off the ignition.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
All messages will appear in the DIC display
located below the speedometer in the instrument
panel cluster. The DIC buttons are located on
the instrument panel, to the right of the instrument
panel cluster.The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. After a
short delay, the DIC will display the information
that was last displayed before the engine was
turned off.
The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle system
information, and warning messages if a system
problem is detected. The bottom line of the
DIC shows the shift lever position indicator. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 113
for more information.
If your vehicle has these features, the DIC also
displays the compass direction and the outside air
temperature when viewing the trip and fuel
information. The compass direction appears on
the top right corner of the DIC display. The outside
air temperature automatically appears in the
bottom right corner of the DIC display. If there is a
problem with the system that controls the
temperature display, the numbers will be replaced
with dashes. If this occurs, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
The DIC also allows some features to be
customized. SeeDIC Vehicle Customization on
page 203for more information.
186

Fuel Range
Press the trip/fuel button until FUEL RANGE
displays. This display shows the approximate
number of remaining miles (mi) or kilometers (km)
the vehicle can be driven without refueling.
The fuel range estimate is based on an average of
the vehicle’s fuel economy over recent driving
history and the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank. This estimate will change if driving conditions
change. For example, if driving in traffic and making
frequent stops, this display may read one number,
but if the vehicle is driven on a freeway, the number
may change even though the same amount of fuel
is in the fuel tank. This is because different driving
conditions produce different fuel economies.
Generally, freeway driving produces better fuel
economy than city driving.
If your vehicle is low on fuel, the FUEL LEVEL
LOW message will be displayed. See “FUEL
LEVEL LOW” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 195for more information.
Average Economy
Press the trip/fuel button until AVG ECONOMY
displays. This display shows the approximate
average miles per gallon (mpg) or liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km). This number is
calculated based on the number of mpg (L/100 km)
recorded since the last time this menu item was
reset. To reset AVG ECONOMY, press and hold
the set/reset button. The display will return to zero.
Instantaneous Economy and Active Fuel
Management™ Indicator
Press the trip/fuel button until INST ECONOMY
displays. If your vehicle has the Active Fuel
Management™ feature, INST ECONOMY
8CYL MODE will display on vehicles with a
V8 engine or INST ECONOMY 6CYL MODE will
display on vehicles with a V6 engine. This display
shows the current fuel economy at a particular
moment and will change frequently as driving
conditions change. This display shows the
instantaneous fuel economy in miles per gallon
(mpg) or liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km).
Unlike average economy, this screen cannot
be reset.
189

If your vehicle has the Active Fuel Management™
feature, an Active Fuel Management™ indicator
will display on the right side of the DIC, while INST
ECONOMY displays on the left side. Active Fuel
Management™ allows the engine to operate
on either all or half of its cylinders, depending on
your driving demands.
For vehicles with a V8 engine, when Active Fuel
Management™ is active, 4CYL MODE will display.
When Active Fuel Management™ is inactive,
8CYL MODE will display.
For vehicles with a V6 engine, when Active Fuel
Management™ is active, 3CYL MODE will display.
When Active Fuel Management™ is inactive,
6CYL MODE will display.
SeeActive Fuel Management™ (5.3L V8 Engine)
on page 113for more information.Average Speed
Press the trip/fuel button until AVERAGE SPEED
displays. This display shows the average speed of
the vehicle in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per
hour (km/h). This average is calculated based on
the various vehicle speeds recorded since the last
reset of this value. To reset the value, press and
hold the set/reset button. The display will return
to zero.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.
Vehicle Information Menu Items
T
(Vehicle Information):Press this button to
scroll through the following menu items:
Oil Life
Press the vehicle information button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays. This display shows an
estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life. If you
see 99% OIL LIFE REMAINING on the display,
that means 99% of the current oil life remains.
The engine oil life system will alert you to change
the oil on a schedule consistent with your
driving conditions.
190