check engine CHEVROLET SPARK 2017 4.G User Guide

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
Instruments and Controls 119
LEFT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message will display when the
driver side rear door is open. Close
the door completely.
PASSENGER DOOR OPEN
This message will display when the
front passenger door is open. Close
the door completely.
RIGHT REAR DOOR OPEN
This message will display when the
passenger side rear door is open.
Close the door completely.
TRUNK OPEN
This message will display when the
trunk is open. Close the trunk
completely.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
A/C OFF DUE TO HIGH
ENGINE TEMP
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hotengine, the air conditioning
compressor automatically turns off.
When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor turns back
on. You can continue to drive the
vehicle.
If this message continues to appear,
have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible to avoid
damage to the engine.
ENGINE OVERHEATED
—
IDLE ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is too
hot. Stop and allow the vehicle to
idle until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED —
STOP ENGINE
This message displays and a
continuous chime sounds if the
engine cooling system reaches
unsafe temperatures for operation.
Stop and turn off the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so to avoid
severe damage. This message
clears when the engine has cooled
to a safe operating temperature.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the
engine oil needs to be changed.
When the engine oil is changed, be
sure to reset the Oil Life System.
See Engine Oil Life System 0215,
Driver Information Center (DIC)
0 112, Engine Oil 0213, and
Maintenance Schedule 0281.
ENGINE OIL HOT, IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays when the
engine oil temperature is too hot.
Stop and allow the vehicle to idle
until it cools down.
OIL PRESSURE LOW— STOP
ENGINE
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. Stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible
and do not operate it until the cause
of the low oil pressure has been
corrected. Check the oil as soon as
possible and have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
170 Driving and Operating
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0240.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident). .
Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0191.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
Driving and Operating 181
STOP button, 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
button, and the accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly 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
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up in
cold weather conditions at or below
−18 °C or 0 °F. Vehicles with an
engine heater should be plugged in
at least four hours before starting.1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is
located in the driver side of the
engine compartment, near the
engine coolant surge tank. It is
shipped from the factory with a
tie holding it in place. Use care
in removing the tie so that the
cord is not damaged.
Check the heater cord for
damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.
. Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an
electric shock.
. Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make
(Continued)

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
Driving and Operating 191
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck 0172
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated.
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
202 Driving and Operating
posted octane rating of less than 87,
as this may cause engine knock and
will lower fuel economy.
Prohibited Fuels
Caution
Do not use fuels with any of the
following conditions; doing so
may damage the vehicle and void
its warranty:. For vehicles which are not
FlexFuel, fuel labeled
greater than 15% ethanol by
volume, such as mid-level
ethanol blends (16 –50%
ethanol), E85, or FlexFuel.
. Fuel with any amount of
methanol, methylal, and
aniline. These fuels can
corrode metal fuel system
parts or damage plastic and
rubber parts.
. Fuel containing metals such
as methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
(MMT), which can damage
the emissions control
system and spark plugs.
. Fuel with a posted octane
rating of less than the
recommended fuel. Using
this fuel will lower fuel
economy and performance,
and may decrease the life of
the emissions catalyst.
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance may be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehicle may not pass a smog-check test.
See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0103. If this
occurs, return to your authorized
dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is
caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs may not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico post
fuel octane ratings in anti-knock
index (AKI). For fuel not to use in a
foreign country, see “Prohibited
Fuels” inFuel 0201.
Fuel Additives
To keep fuel systems clean, TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline is
recommended. See Fuel0201.
If TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is
not available, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment Cleaner added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help. GM Fuel System
Treatment Cleaner is the only

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
204 Driving and Operating
To remove the fuel cap, turn it
slowly counterclockwise.
{Warning
Overfilling the fuel tank by more
than three clicks of a standard fill
nozzle may cause:. Vehicle performance issues,
including engine stalling and
damage to the fuel system.
. Fuel spills.
. Potential fuel fires.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the
nozzle. Clean fuel from painted
surfaces as soon as possible. See
Exterior Care 0271.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks. Make sure
the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if
the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0103.
Push the fuel door closed until it
latches.
{Warning
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel by
shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Caution
If a new fuel cap is needed, be
sure to get the right type of cap
from your dealer. The wrong type
of fuel cap may not fit properly,
may cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to light, and could
damage the fuel tank and
emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0103.
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container
{Warning
Filling a portable fuel container
while it is in the vehicle can cause
fuel vapors that can ignite either
by static electricity or other
means. You or others could be
badly burned and the vehicle
could be damaged. Always:
. Use approved fuel
containers.
. Remove the container from
the vehicle, trunk, or pickup
bed before filling.
. Place the container on the
ground.
. Place the nozzle inside the
fill opening of the container
before dispensing fuel, and
keep it in contact with the fill
opening until filling is
complete.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
Driving and Operating 205
Warning (Continued)
.Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light
matches, or use lighters
while pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light)
0 103. A device connected to the
DLC —such as an aftermarket
fleet or driver-behavior tracking
device —may interfere with
vehicle systems. This could affect
vehicle operation and cause a
crash. Such devices may also
access information stored in the
vehicle’s systems.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
Vehicle Care 207
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 208
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 208
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 215
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 217
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 218
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 223
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Battery - North America . . . . . . 226
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 227
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 228
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 228
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Fog Lamps (Canada Only) . . . 232
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 234
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 235
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 235 Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 242
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Wheel Covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 258

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
Vehicle Care 211
3. Lift the hood and release thehood prop rod from the prop
rod retainer, which is under
the hood.
4. Securely place the hood prop rod into the hood prop rod
holder, at the rear passenger
side of the engine
compartment. To close the hood:
1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on
properly. Then, lift the hood to
relieve pressure on the hood
prop rod. Remove the hood
prop rod from the prop rod
holder in the rear passenger
side of the engine compartment
and secure it to the retainer on
the underside of the hood. The
prop rod must click into place
when returning it to the retainer
to prevent hood damage.
2. Lower the hood above the vehicle and release it so it fully
latches. Check to make sure
the hood is closed and repeat
the process if necessary.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-9956101) -
2017 - crc - 4/25/16
Vehicle Care 213
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0218.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0213.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0213.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System 0219.
5. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0225 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0217.
6. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0219.
7. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer
Fluid 0224.
8. Battery - North America 0226.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0236.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0215.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly
(every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0
212 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.