check oil CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2007 6.G Owners Manual

Your vehicle has a Computer-Controlled
Cranking System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects components.
If the ignition key is turned to the START
position, and then released when the engine
begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start and the
key is held in START for many seconds,
cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent
gear damage, this system also prevents
cranking if the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped by turning
the ignition switch to the ACCESSORY or
OFF position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods
of time, by returning the key to the START
position immediately after cranking has ended,
can overheat and damage the cranking
motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow
the cranking motor to cool down.2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with too
much gasoline. Try pushing the accelerator
pedal all the way to the oor and holding
it there as you hold the key in START for
up to a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If
the vehicle starts briey but then stops again,
do the same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transaxle gently until the
oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with
the electronics in your vehicle. If you add
electrical parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine operates. Before
adding electrical equipment, check with your
dealer. If you do not, your engine might not
perform properly. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
111

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

When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on the
display. See “CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON” under
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 195. You
should change the oil as soon as possible. See
Engine Oil on page 311. In addition to the engine oil
life system monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule in this manual. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 406for more information.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE yourself
after each oil change. It will not reset itself.
Also, be careful not to reset the OIL LIFE
accidentally at any time other than when the oil
has just been changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil change. To reset the
engine oil life system, seeEngine Oil Life
System on page 314.
Units
Press the vehicle information button until UNITS
displays. This display allows you to select between
English or Metric units of measurement. Once in
this display, press the set/reset button to select
between ENGLISH or METRIC units.
Tire Pressure
The pressure for each tire can be viewed in the
DIC. The tire pressure will be shown in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
Press the vehicle information button until the
DIC displays FRONT TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ##
RIGHT ##. Press the vehicle information button
again until the DIC displays REAR TIRES
PSI (kPa) LEFT ## RIGHT ##.
If a low or high tire pressure condition is detected
by the system while driving, a message advising
you to check the pressure in a specic tire
will appear in the display. SeeInation - Tire
Pressure on page 357andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 195for more information.
If the tire pressure display shows dashes
instead of a value, there may be a problem with
your vehicle. If this consistently occurs, see
your dealer for service.
191

AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL OFF
This message displays when the automatic
headlamps are turned off. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 156for more information.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL ON
This message displays when the automatic
headlamps are turned on. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 156for more information.
BATTERY SAVER ACTIVE
This message displays when the system detects
that the battery voltage is dropping beyond a
reasonable level. The battery saver system starts
reducing certain features of the vehicle that
you may be able to notice. At the point that the
features are disabled, this message is displayed.
It means that the vehicle is trying to save the
charge in the battery.
Turn off all unnecessary accessories to allow the
battery to recharge.
The normal battery voltage range is
11.5 to 15.5 volts.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when service is required
for the vehicle. See your dealer. SeeEngine Oil on
page 311andScheduled Maintenance on
page 406for more information.
Acknowledging the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will not reset the OIL LIFE REMAINING.
That must be done at the OIL LIFE screen
under the vehicle information menu. See “Oil Life”
underDIC Operation and Displays on page 187
andEngine Oil Life System on page 314.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
This message displays when the tire pressure in
one of the tires needs to be checked. This message
also displays LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT, LEFT
REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate which tire needs
to be checked. You can receive more than one tire
pressure message at a time. To read the other
messages that may have been sent at the same
time, press the set/reset button. If a tire pressure
message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you
can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to
those shown on the Tire Loading Information Label.
196

Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
`
BAL/FADE (Balance/Fade):To adjust the
balance or fade, press this button or the tune knob
until the desired speaker control label displays.
Turn the tune knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to adjust the setting. The setting can also be
adjusted by pressing either the SEEK, FWD, or
REV buttons.
Radio Messages
Calibration Error:The audio system has been
calibrated for your vehicle from the factory.
If Calibration Error displays, it means that the radio
has not been congured properly for your vehicle
and it must be returned to your dealer for service.
Loc (Locked):This message displays while
the THEFTLOCK
®system has locked up the radio.
Take the vehicle to your dealer for service.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot
be corrected, contact your dealer.
Playing a CD (Single CD Player)
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up.
The player pulls it in and the CD should begin
playing.
If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD in the
player, it stays in the player. When the ignition or
radio is turned on, the CD starts playing where it
stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.
When a CD is inserted, the CD symbol displays.
As each new track starts to play, the track number
displays.
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm)
single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and
the smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner.
If playing a CD-R, the sound quality can be reduced
due to CD-R quality, the method of recording, the
quality of the music that has been recorded, and the
way the CD-R has been handled. There can be an
increase in skipping, difficulty in nding tracks,
and/or difficulty in loading and ejecting. If these
problems occur, check the bottom surface of the
CD. If the surface of the CD is damaged, such as
cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD will not play
properly. If the surface of the CD is soiled, seeCare
of Your CDs on page 242for more information.
216

Playing a CD(s) (Six-Disc CD Player)
LOAD^:Press this button to load CDs into the
CD player. This CD player holds up to six CDs.
To insert one CD, do the following:
1. Press and release the load button.
2. Wait for the message to insert the disc.
3. Load a CD. Insert the CD partway into the slot,
label side up. The player pulls the CD in.
To insert multiple CDs, do the following:
1. Press and hold the load button for
two seconds. A beep sounds and Load All
Discs displays.
2. Follow the displayed instruction on when to
insert the discs. The CD player takes up to
six CDs.
3. Press the Load button again to cancel loading
more CDs.
If the ignition or radio is turned off, with a CD in the
player, it stays in the player. When the ignition or
radio is turned on, the CD starts playing where it
stopped, if it was the last selected audio source.When a CD is inserted, the CD symbol displays
on the CD. As each new track starts to play,
the track number displays.
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm)
single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs
and the smaller CDs are loaded in the same
manner.
If playing a CD-R, the sound quality can be
reduced due to CD-R quality, the method of
recording, the quality of the music that has been
recorded, and the way the CD-R has been
handled. There can be an increase in skipping,
difficulty in nding tracks, and/or difficulty in loading
and ejecting. If these problems occur, check the
bottom surface of the CD. If the surface of the CD
is damaged, such as cracked, broken, or
scratched, the CD will not play properly. If the
surface of the CD is soiled, seeCare of Your CDs
on page 242for more information.
If there is no apparent damage, try a known
good CD.
227

File System and Naming
The song name that displays is the song name
that is contained in the ID3 tag. If the song name is
not present in the ID3 tag, then the radio displays
the le name without the extension (such
as .mp3) as the track name.
Track names longer than 32 characters or
four pages are shortened. The display does not
show parts of words on the last page of text
and the extension of the lename is not displayed.
Preprogrammed Playlists
Preprogrammed playlists that were created using
WinAmp™, MusicMatch™, or Real Jukebox™
software can be accessed, however, you do not
have playlist editing capability using the radio.
These playlists are treated as special folders
containing compressed audio song les.
Playing an MP3
Insert a CD-R partway into the slot (Single CD
Player), or press the load button and wait for the
message to insert disc (Six-Disc CD Player),
label side up. The player pulls it in, and the CD-R
should begin playing.If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD-R in
the player it stays in the player. When the
ignition or radio is turned on, the CD-R starts to
play where it stopped, if it was the last selected
audio source.
As each new track starts to play, the track number
and song title displays.
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm)
single CD-Rs with an adapter ring. Full-size
CD-Rs and the smaller CD-Rs are loaded in the
same manner.
If playing a CD-R, the sound quality can be
reduced due to CD-R quality, the method of
recording, the quality of the music that has been
recorded, and the way the CD-R has been
handled. There can be an increase in skipping,
difficulty in nding tracks, and/or difficulty in loading
and ejecting. If these problems occur, check the
bottom surface of the CD. If the surface of the CD
is damaged, such as cracked, broken, or
scratched, the CD will not play properly. If the
surface of the CD is soiled, seeCare of Your CDs
on page 242for more information.
234

Once you are moving on the freeway, make
certain you allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your
exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and
back up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite
sharply. The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce
your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any
distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think
you are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested.
If you must start when you are not fresh — such
as after a day’s work — do not plan to make
too many miles that rst part of the journey.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will nd experienced and able service experts
in GM dealerships all across North America. They
will be ready and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
267

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 uid (don’t overll), engine oil,
drive belts, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you nd 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. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 323.
291

Service........................................................ 296
Accessories and Modications................... 296
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 297
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 297
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 298
Fuel............................................................. 298
Gasoline Octane........................................ 298
Gasoline Specications.............................. 299
California Fuel........................................... 299
Additives................................................... 300
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)............................ 301
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 302
Filling the Tank......................................... 303
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 305Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 306
Hood Release........................................... 307
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 308
Engine Oil................................................. 311
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 314
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 316
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 317
Engine Coolant.......................................... 320
Pressure Cap............................................ 323
Engine Overheating................................... 323
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 325
Cooling System......................................... 326
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 331
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 332
Brakes...................................................... 333
Battery...................................................... 336
Jump Starting............................................ 337
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
293