1973 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Underinftation, incorrect toe or
camber and fast cornering produce
different types of abnormal wear
which
can be diagnosed by your
dealer.
The original equipment tires in­
corporate built-in tread wear indi­
cators to assist you in determining
when your tires have been worn
to the point of needing replace­
ment. These indicators appear
as
V2 inch wide bands when tire
tread depth
is 1/16 inch or less. When
the indicators appear in two
or more adjacent grooves, tire re­
placement due to tread wear
is
recommended.
To equalize wear, it is recom­
mended that the tires be rotated
every
6,000 miles (or sooner if ir­
regular wear develops)
as indi­
cated in either diagram below.
Upon rotation, tire pressures must
be adjusted in accordance with the
recommendations
on the tire infla­
tion placard.
II I
Vi
..
5 WHEELS 4 WHEELS
63
NOTE: It is recommended that
disc brake pads be inspected for
wear whenever tires are rotated.
Tire Damage and Repair-Tires
with cuts, splits or cracks deep
enough to expose the fabric, should
be removed from service. Bulges
usually indicate internal damage,
and the tire should be removed.
Tires with questionable damage
should be removed from the wheel
and examined by an expert.
If an air loss occurs while driv­
ing, do not attempt to drive on the
deflated tire more than
is neces­
sary to stop safely. Driving even a
short distance
can damage a tire
beyond repair.
Temporary repairs, such as
"blowout" patches or any repair
made from the outside of the tire
should not be made except in emer-

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine gencies. Such "stop-gap" devices
as plugs and aerosol-type sealants
are good for no more than
100
miles of driving at speeds not over
50 mph. A permanent vulcanized
repair, plug or patch applied from
inside the tire, should be made
as
soon as possible. Also, the instal­
lation of an inner tube in a dam­
aged tubeless tire
is not a recom ­
mended repair procedure.
Replacemeot Tires
When replacing tires, only the
size, load range, and construction
type (bias, bias-belted ,
or radial)
originally installed on your vehi­
cle are recommended.
Use of any
other tire size
or type tire may
seriously affect ride, handling ,
speedometer / odometer calibration,
vehicle ground clearance and tire clearance
to the body and chassis.
The following also should be con­
sidered when replacing tires:
• To achieve best all around vehi­
cle performance, belted-bias tires
and
bias tires should not be
mixed on the same car.
• Because of possible adverse ef­
fects on vehicle handling , do
not mix radial ply tires with
other type tires on the same
vehicle.
• It is recommended that new tires
be installed
in pairs on the same
axle.
• When replacing only one tire, it
should be paired with the tire
having the least wear, to equal­
ize braking traction.
• When replacing original tires
64
with an optional recommended
size of different diameter, the
speedometer must be recali­
brated
by installing the correct
speedometer driven gear.
Snow Tires
If you equip your vehicle with
snow tires, they should be inflated
4 psi above the recommended pres­
sures shown on the tire placard up
to a maximum of 32 psi (cold) for
load range B tires and
40 psi for
load range D tires.
It is recom ­
mended that vehicle speeds be lim­
ited to a maximum of 75 mph if
snow tires are installed.
Replacement Wheels
When replacing wheels for any
reason , care should be taken to in-

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine sure that the wheels are equivalent
to those removed in diameter, rim
width and off-set.
Warranty
Tires are warranted by the tire
manufacturers
as covered in · the
New Vehicle Warranty and
Policy
on Owner Service folder furnished
with your vehicle. However, for
the added convenience of own­
ers, many Chevrolet dealers are
equipped to handle tire warranty
adjustments on certain makes of
tires provided on 1973 Chevrolet
cars.
Tire Traction
A decrease in driving, corner­
ing, and braking traction occurs
when water, snow, ice, gravel,
or
other material is on the road sur- face.
Driving practices and
car
speed should be adjusted to the
road conditions.
When driving on wet
or slushy
roads, it
is possible for a wedge of
water to build up between the tire
and road surface. This phenome­
non, known as hydroplaning, may
cause partial
or complete loss of
traction, which adversely affects
vehicle control and stopping abil­
ity.
To reduce the possibility of
traction loss, the following precau­
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms
or when roads are slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing
water
or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear
indicators are visible.
65
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
For temporary assistance when
traction
is lost on ice or snow, the
use of
AC Liquid Tire Chain is
recommended.
Underbody Maintenance
The effects of salt and other
corrosive materials used for ice
and snow removal and dust con­
trol can result in accelerated rust­
ing and deterioration of under­
body components such
as brake
and fuel lines, frame, underbody
floor pan, exhaust system, brack­
ets, parking brake cables. These
corrosive effects, however,
can be
reduced by periodic flushing of the
underbody with plain water.
In
geographic areas having a heavy
concentration of such corrosive
materials, it
is recommended that

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine the complete underbody be in­
spected and flushed at least once
each year, preferably after a win­
ter's exposure. Particular attention
should be given to cleaning out
underbody members where dirt
and other foreign materials may
have collected.
If desired, your Chevrolet deal­
er can perform this service for you.
In addition, he can provide recom­
mendations on undercoating ma-terials
which will help protect
your
vehicle from corrosion.
Battery Care (Energizer)
Check fluid level monthly utiliz­
ing the level indicator cap marked
"Delco Eye". If the transparent eye
within the cap glows, fluid level
is
low. Add only colorless, odorless
drinking water or distilled water to
bring level to split ring in filler
opening.
66

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine the complete underbody be in­
spected and flushed at least once
each year, preferably after a win­
ter's exposure. Particular attention
should be given to cleaning out
underbody members where dirt
and other foreign materials may
have collected.
If desired, your Chevrolet deal­
er can perform this service for you.
In addition, he can provide recom­
mendations on undercoating ma-terials
which will help protect
your
vehicle from corrosion.
Battery Care (Energizer)
Check fluid level monthly utiliz­
ing the level indicator cap marked
"Delco Eye". If the transparent eye
within the cap glows, fluid level
is
low. Add only colorless, odorless
drinking water or distilled water to
bring level to split ring in filler
opening.
66

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine MINOR TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
II
IMPORTANT: For maximum performance and economy, keep your GM car I I I I all GM. Specify General Motors parts identified by one of these trademarks. ~ Q G
67

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The chart on the previous page, and the information on the pages which follow, contains information designed to aid the average driver to discover, and possibly correct, conditions resulting in minor
mechanical difficulties in his cor. The chart, designed to point out
possible solutions to several of the most common automotive mal­functions and point out a logical checking sequence, will lead step by step to the most likely causes and corrective procedures. If, after making the checks and adjustments suggested,' the source of the
trouble has not been found and corrected, it is strongly recom­mended that an Authorized Chevrolet Dealer inspect the vehicle and make whatever repairs or adjustments are necessary.
FUEL SYSTEM AND ENGINE
If the ignition switch will cause the engine to "turn over" or "crank" but the cor will not start,
check Steps A through D below. NOTE: If continual "f1ooding" of the carburetor is evidenced by a carburetor wet with fuel or black exhaust smoke, perform the operation suggested in par­agraph 0 only. (A) The first and most obvious, and one of the most frequently Checlcing Fuel Flow
68
overlooked, items to check when you have difficulty in starting your car is the amount of fuel in the tank. Make it a habit to check the FUEL GAUGE regularly and most especially at a time' when the engine will not start. (B) If the fuel tank is not empty, you may check further to see whether the fuel is reaching the carburetor_ Disconnect the fuel line at the carburetor and remove the center (ground the secondary coil
terminal or disconnect the primary wire from the coil to the dis­tributor at the coil) wire from the coil tower. Place a jar or cup under the open line and briefly "crank" the engine by means of the starter. If fuel spurts from the fitting, you may assume that the FUEL LINES are clear and the FUEL PUMP is operating properly. If no fuel leaves the line, either the
fuel lines or fuel pump are at fault. See your Authorized Chev­rolet Dealer. (C) Before reconnecting the fuel
line to the carburetor, remove the FUEL FILTER from the carburetor inlet and check its condition. If it appears to be clean, replace it and reconnect the fuel line. Re­place the filter if it appears to be plugged. (0) If the fuel seems to be reaching the carburetor properly, the problem may be: an EMPTY Fuel Filter
CARBURETOR BOWL caused by a "stuck shut" carburetor; a flOODED CARBURETOR caused by a "stuck open" condition and evidenced by gasoline seeping down and around outside of the carburetor; or a stuck CHOKE valve. Remove the air cleaner from
the carburetor. Check that the choke valve moves freely and is not
stuck. (Don't mistake normal spring tension for a stuck valve.) Tap the side of the carburetor sharply several times with a light tool such

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine as a screwdriver handle or pliers. Replace the oir cleaner and attempt to start the engine in the normal manner. (E) If the car will start but stalls when hot or has a rough idle, you can suspect a faulty IDLE ADJUSTMENT, a malfunctioning AUTOMATIC CHOKE or an extremely dirty and blocked AIR CLEANER ELEMENT. Replace paper element air cleaner if necessary. Idle adjustment or automatic choke service (other than that outlined in paragraph 0 above) should be performed by your Chevrolet
Dealer. If the above Fuel System checks and the checks suggested under
the Electrical System following do not correct the malfunction, it is recommended that you turn to your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer
for further checks, adjustments or repairs. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM If when the ignition key is turned to "Start", the engine will not turn' over, yOu have good reason to suspect electrical trouble. NOTE: Never'remove Delcotron bat lead without first disconnecting battery ground cable. IF) When there is no response at all to attempts to start the car,
check the obvious-your AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER must be in Neutral or Park position (manual transmission
must have clutch depressed all the way to floor) before the engine
can be starfed. Turning the IGNITION SWITCH rapidly back and forth several times will sometimes correct a poor internal switch
contact.
(GI The BATTERY may be discharged. If so, lights will be dim and the horn will have a poor tone if it will blow at all.
Usually a garage recharge will be necessary to return the battery to operation. Occasionally, however, a long drive will recharge the battery. . , •
NOTE: If the baHery is determined to be dead, and for no apparent reason, have your :Aflthori~ed Chevrolet Dealer check the baHery, the GENERATOR and the VOLTAGE REGULATOR.
GENERATOR trouble shqiJld already have been indicated by
69
the generator indicator light on the instrument panel.
POOR BATTERY CONNECTIONS may be suspected if the car has operated properly a short time before and now not even the horn will operate. Check both ends of both battery cables. If the con­nections are corroded, a car may sometimes be restored to opera­tion by removing all cable ends, scraping all contacting surfaces
clean with a pen knife, and reassembling. If the cables are broken,
they must be replaced. The power supply should now be restored unless-the battery is dead.
(HI If, however, the lights and horn work properly but the starter will still not turn over, check the STARTER connections. A "click" from the starter solenoid indicates that the wiring to the starter is properly installed. If the wiring seems to be clean and tightly in­stalled, the trouble is probably in the starter itself and should be referred to your Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
When the engine will "turn over" but will not start, the following
items may be checked along with the Fuel Systems Checks listed previously.
(II With a clean dry cloth wipe the ce-amic portions of the spark plugs dry. In particularly damp or rainy weather dampness may be the cause of not starting, espe­
cially when the engine is cold.
(JI Check the cables at the top
of the distributor and coil as well as each spark plug cable for
tightness.
(KI If the car will still not start,
check for spark at the spark plugs in the following manner: Pull one of the spark plug
wires off its spark plug. Insert a
short piece of bare wire (such as Distributor and Coli Cables