coolant level CHEVROLET VEGA 1976 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Generator Indicator Light
The red light will go on when
the ignition key
is in the "on" posi­
tion, but before the engine
is started.
After the engine starts, the light
should go out and remain out.
If
the light remains on when engine
is running, have your Authorized
Chevrolet Dealer locate and correct
the trouble
as soon as possible.
Temp. Pressure Indicator
Light
This indicator light is provided
in the instrument cluster to quickly
warn of an overheated engine
and/or extreme low oil pressure
or oil supply. This light will be on
when the ignition switch is turned
"ON" and should go out after the
engine
is started. Occasionally the
light may be seen to flicker momen­
tarily, but this will do no harm. Ex­
treme low oil pressure or oil supply
will prevent the electric fuel pump from
operating and under this con­
dition the engine will not run.
If the light comes on during ex­
treme driving conditions, such
as an
extended idle, turn off the air con­
ditioner (if used) and run the en­
gine slightly faster than idle speed
with the transmission in
neutral
gear. If the light does not go off
within a short period of time (1-2
minutes), then turn the engine off
until the cause of
the overheating is
corrected. Glance at the instrument
cluster frequently
as you drive to
see if this light is on.
Add Coolant Indicator Light
This indicator light is provided to
warn of a low coolant condition in
the radiator.
If coolant level is low
the yellow
"Add Coolant" warning
light will glow. Coolant level in the
coolant recovery tank, and radiator,
should be checked at the first oppor­
tunity.
If necessary add sufficient
2-15
coolant to both the radiator and
coolant recovery tank.
(See Service
and Maintenance, Section 5, for
proper procedure) .
If frequent
additions are required, see your
dealer for a complete cooling sys­
tem check.
Brake System Warning
Light
The service brake system is a dual
system designed so that one part will
provide some braking action in the
event of loss of hydraulic pressure
in the other part of the system.
If the
warning light labeled
"Brake" lo­
cated in the speedometer face comes
on and stays
on when the ignition is
on and after the brakes have been
firmly applied
it may indicate that
there
is a malfunction in one part of
the brake system.
• As a reminder, the light is de­
signed to come
on with the park­
ing brake applied and the igni­
tion on.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Attach the remammg jumper Engine Coolant
cable FIRST to the negative ter­
minal (black color,
"-" or "N")
of the OTHER vehicle's battery,
(regardless of which vehicle has
the discharged
battery) and
THEN to the negative terminal
of the battery in THIS
car-thus
taking advantage of the flame
arrestor feature on the battery in
THIS car, should a spark occur.
5. Start engine in the vehicle that is
providing the jump start (if it
was not running). Let run a few
minutes, then start the engine in Jacking Instructions
the car that has the discharged
battery.
6. Reverse the above sequence
EXACTL Y when removing the
jumper cables, taking care to re­
move the cable from
[he negative
terminal of the battery in THIS
car
as the FIRST step.
3-4
Preparation
• Park on level surface and set
parking brake firmly.
• Set automatic transmission in
park (manual transmission in
reverse).
• Activate hazard warning flasher.
Instructions
1. After removing spare wheel
and tire, jack, jack base, and
jack handle (wheel nut
wrench), proceed with chang­
ing the wheel
as follows:
2. Remove hub cap or wheel
cover with flat end of wheel
nut wrench and loosen, but do
not remove nuts, by turning
counterclockwise.
3. With column assembly seated
in base and lever in
"UP" posi­
tion, insert jack hook in bum­
per slot.
4. Base must sit flat with top of
column angled slightly away
from vehicle,
as shown in illus­
tration.
5. Always operate jack with slow

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ENGINE COOLING
SYSTEM
The recovery type cooling sys­
tem 'is standard on all Chevrolet
passenger cars. The coolant ex­
pands with rising temperature and
the overflow
is collected in the
recovery tank. When the system
temperature drops, the coolant
is
drawn back into the radiator. The
cooling system has been filled at
the factory with a high -quality, in­
hibited ,
year-around coolant that
meets the standards of General
Motor s Specification 1899-M. This
coolant solution provides freezing
protection to
-20oP (- 28 °C),
and in Canada to -35°P
(-37°C), and it has been formu­
lated to be used without replace­
ment for two years
or 30,000 miles.
After two years or
30,000 miles,
the coolant should be drained to
prevent rust
or corrosion in the
radiator and engine.
Cooling System Care
Do not remove radiator cap to
check coolant level, but check visu­
ally in the
"see thru" coolant re­
covery tank at
least as frequently
as needed. Level should be at the
"full cold" mark on the recovery
tank when the system
is cold and
at the
"full hot" mark at normal
operating temperature.
Add a 50/
50
mixture of high-quality ethylene
glycol antifreeze and water for
coolant additions.
If frequent addi­
tions are required, see
your' dealer
for a cooling system check.
NOTE: If recommended quality
antifreeze
is used, supplemental in­
hibitors or additives claiming to
provide increased capability are not
necessary. They may be detrimen­
tal to the efficient operation of the
system, and represent an unneces­
sary operating expense.
5-7
The cooling system should be
serviced every year as follows:
1. Wash radiator cap and filler neck
with clean water.
2. Check coolant for proper level
and freeze protection.
3 . Test system and radiator cap for
proper pressure holding capacity
(15 psi). If required, use cap
designed by
AC for coolant re­
covery systems, and specified for
your model.
4. Tighten hose clamps and inspect
all hoses. Replace hoses if swol­
len, checked or otherwise deteri­
orated.
5 . Clean frontal area of radiator
core and air conditioning con­
denser.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Every two years or 30,000 miles,
whichever occurs first, the cooling
system should be· flushed and re­
filled using
the following recom­
mended procedure:
1. Remove radiator cap when en­
gine
is cool:
• Rotate cap slowly counter­
clockwise to detent
(Do not
press down while rotating.)
• Wait until residual pressure
(indicated by a hissing
sound) is relieved, then press
down on cap and continue
to rotate counterclockwise.
2.
Run engine, with radiator cap
removed, until upper radiator
hose
is hot (indicates thermo­
stat
is open). 3.
Stop engine
and open radiator
valve to drain coolant. (Opera­
tion may be speeded by remov­
ing drain plugs in the block.)
4. Close valve (install block drain
plugs, if removed) and add
sufficient water to
fill system.
5. Repeat steps 1, 2, 3, and 4, a
sufficient number of times until
the drained liquid is nearly
colorless.
6. Allow system to drain com­
pletely and then close radiator
drain valve tightly. (Install
block drain plugs, if removed.)
7. Remove recovery cap leaving
hoses in place. Remove coolant
recovery tank,. empty fluid,
scrub and clean bottom and
sides of tank with detergent and
water, flush well with clean
water, drain and reinstall.
5-8
8. Add sufficient ethylene glycol
coolant, meeting
GM Specifica­
tion 1899-M, to provide the re­
quired freezing and corrosion
protection-at least a 50 per­
cent solution
-34°F, -37°C.
Fill radiator to the base of the
radiator filler neck and bring
level of coolant in the recovery
tank to the
"FULL HOT"
mark. Reinstall recovery tank
cap.
9.
Run engine, with radiator cap
removed, until radiator upper
hose becomes hot.
10. With engine idling, add coolant
to radiator until level reaches
bottom of filler neck; install cap
making certain arrows line up
with overflow tube.
It is the owner's responsibility to:
• Maintain cooling system freeze

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine protection at -20o
P (-28°C) or
below to ensure protection against
corrosion
and · loss of coolant
from boiling even though freezing
temperatures are not expected.
• Add ethylene glycol base coolant
that meets
GM Specification
1899-M when coolant additions
are required because of coolant
loss
or to provide additional pro­
tection against freezing at tem­
peratures lower than -20oP
(-28°C), and in Canada to
-35°P (-37°C).
NOTE: Alcohol or methanol base
coolants or plain water are not
recommended for your vehicle at
any time.
Your vehicle, if equipped with
standard 4-cylinder engine, has
an aluminum cylinder block.
When adding anti-freeze, rust
inhibitors, or cleaners, make
certain they are safe for
use
with aluminum components.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator cap, a 15 lb. pres­
sure type, must be installed tightly,
otherwise coolant may be lost and
damage
t6 engine may result from
overheating. Radiator pressure caps
should be checked periodically for
proper operation.
If replacement is
required specify AC.
Thermostat
The cooling system is protected
and controlled by a thermostat that
maintains a satisfactory engine
operating temperature. This
ther­
mostat is installed in the engine
coolant outlet and
is designed for
continuous use through both winter
and summer. When replacement
is
necessary, Delco parts are recom­
mended.
5-9
CHASSIS ITEMS
Rear Axle Lubricant
Standard -Every 6 months or
7,500 miles, whichever occurs first,
check lubricant level and add
lubri­
cant, if necessary, to fill to level of
filler plug hole.
Use SAE 80W or
SAE80W-90GL-5 Gear Lubricant.
cant.
(Por vehicles operated in
Canada, use
SAE 80W Gear Lubri­
cant.)
Positraction -Drain aJ,ld refill
after the first 15,000 miles then
maintain same
as standard axle but
use only the special positraction lu­
bricant available from your Chev­
rolet Dealer, part number 1051022.