low oil pressure CHEVROLET PRIZM 1998 3.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Pressure Light
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine or come on when
you are driving.
This indicates that there is not enough oil pressure
to keep your engine properly lubricated and cool.
The engine could be low on
oil, or have some other
oil related problem. Have it fixed right away.
The oil light could also come on in three
other situations.
When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light will come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when you turn the
ignition to STMT.
If it doesn’t come on with the
ignition on, you may have a problem with the fuse
or bulb. Have it fixed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, the
light may blink on and
off. This is normal.
If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This
is normal.
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered
by
your warranty.
2-52

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first 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’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
Chevrolet dealerships all across North America.
They’ll 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 inflated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s 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?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway
hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the
wheel? Call
it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness,
or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery,
along with the hum of the tires on
the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Don’t let it happen to you!
If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road in
less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
4-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light
on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away. Turn off
the engine and give the oil
a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan.
If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
For more information,
see “Engine Oil Pressure Light”
in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this
is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must
be on level ground.
. .. .,
The engine oil dipstick
is located in the center of
the engine compartment.
The dipstick handle
is a
yellow loop.
6-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at
the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perjimn these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant”
in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer
tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the
Index for further details.
Hood Latch Operation Check
Pull the primary hood latch release handle inside the
vehicle. The secondary latch should keep the hood from opening all the way when
the primary latch is released.
Make sure
the hood closes firmly. See “Hood Release”
in the Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See “Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
7-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engineoil .................................... 6-12
Additives
6- 15
Checking ................................... 6-12
Used
....................................... 6-16
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Pressure Light
............................... 2-52
What Kind to Use
............................. 6-14
When to Change
.............................. 6-15
Ethanol
........................................ 6-5
Exhaust, Engine
............. 2-9,2-24,4-27,4-33, 7-42
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-32
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-45
Fabric Protection
............................... 6-46
~ Fifth Gear, Manual Transaxle ..................... 2-18
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
.................... 6-8
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-6
Filter, Air
................................ 6-16, 6-60
Finish Damage
................................. 6-50
First Gear, Manual Transaxle ...................... 2- 18
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flash-to-Pass Feature ........................... 2-28
Flat Tire, Changing
............................. 5-23
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-59
Fluid Level Check
.............................. 7-38
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-44
Folding Rear Seatback
............................ 1-5
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-5
Fourth Gear, Manual Transaxle .................... 2-18
French Language Manual
........................... ii
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .......... 6-33
...................................
Finishcare .................................... 6-49
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
.......................................... Fuel 6-3 Canada ...................................... 6-3
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
.................. 6-8
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-6
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Remote Door Release
........................... 6-6
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-54
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-49
GAWR
....................................... 4-29
Gear Positions, Manual Transaxle
.................. 2-18
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-29
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-29
....................................... Gage 2-54
Fuel
....................................... 2-54
GloveBox
.................................... 2-37
Guide en Frangais
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-29
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-33
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints ................................. 1-4
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-33
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-28
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-22
Hitches, Trailer
................................. 4-33
Headlamps
.................................... 2-32
OnReminder
................................ 2-33
Heating
........................................ 3-3
High-BeamHeadlamps
.......................... 2-28
9-4