
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1973
MONTE CARLO
OWNER'S
MANUAL
CHEVROLET MOTOR
DIVISION
GENERAL MOTORS
CORPORATION DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48202
All information, illustrations and specifications contained in this manual are based on the latest product
information available at the time of publication. The right is reserved to make changes at any time without notice.
For vehicles sold in
Canada, substitute the name
General Motors of Canada, wherever the name
Chevrolet Motor Division appears in this manual.
ST 307-73
© GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION 1973
Section
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Table of Contents
Page
' Before Driving Your Monte Carlo.. .................... . .. 3
Starting and Operating . . . .
.. . . . .. . . . . .. . . ... . . . .. .. . . . . .. 14
Steering Column Controls .................. ; . . . . . . . . . .. 15
Starting Engine .............................. '. . . . .. 15
Floor Controls ............................ ; . . . . . . . . . . .. 23
Instrument Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. 25
Other Controls and Features ............................ , 40
In Case of Emergency .................................... 41
Appearance Care ........................................ , 46
Service and Maintenance ................................ , 50
Minor Trouble Shooting .................................. 67
Specifications, Owner Assistance, Service Manuals,
Index,
Gas Station Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 71
1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine YOUR CAR'S FIRST
FEW HUNDRED MILES OF DRIVING
You can operate your new car
from its very first mile without ad
hering to a formal
"break-in" sched
ule. However, during the first
few
hundred miles of driving you can,
by observing a
few simple precau
tions, add to the future performance
and economy of your car.
It is recommended that your
speed during the first 500 miles
be confined to a maximum of
60
M.P.H., but do not drive for ex
tended periods at
anyone constant
speed, either fast
or slow. Dur
ing this period, avoid full throttle
starts and, if possible, avoid hard
stops especially during the first
200
miles of operation since brake mis-
2
use during this period will destroy
much future brake efficiency.
Always drive at moderate speed
until the engine has completely
warmed up.
If you plan to use your new car
for trailer hauling see additional
information on page 11.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine your foot from the accelerator.
If control button is not fully de
pressed, when changing speed
setting,
. the car will resume your
previously selected speed.
To disengage system, lightly de
press brake pedal or fully de
press the control button.
Horn
The hom on your Monte Carlo
is actuated · by firmly pressing on
the pad in the center of the steering
wheel. As a good motorist, use of the
horn should be kept at a minimum.
However, acquaint yourself
as soon
as possible with this function of
your car, should it ever become
necessary to give a warning to a
pedestrian
or another motorist.
Holding Car on an Upgrade
When stopped on an upgrade,
maintain your position by apply
ing the brakes. Never hold the
car in place by accelerating en-gine
with transmission in gear.
This could cause damage by over
heating the transmission (auto
matic)
or clutch (manual).
Parking Your Car
Always engage the parking
brake and place the automatic
transmission selector lever in
"Park" position when leaving your
car unattended. Also with auto
matic transmissions, never park
for prolonged periods with engine
idling and transmission in gear,
especially if your car
is equipped
with air conditioning. This prac
tice
is detrimental to the trans
mission, due to overheating.
NOTE: For operation of hazard flasher, see page 41, in Section "In Case of Emergency."
22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Stopping distances may be
greater.
• Greater pedal effort may be
required .
• Pedal travel may be greater.
3.
Tryout braking operation by
starting and stopping on road
shoulder -then:
• If you judge such operation
to be safe , proceed cautious
ly
at a s afe speed to nearest
dealer for repair.
• Or have car towed to dealer
for repair.
Continued operation of the car
in this condition
is dangerous.
Headlight Beam Indicator
Light
The headlights of your car have
high and low beams to provide
ybu
with proper night-time visibility
for most driving conditons . The
"low" beams are used during most
city driving. The "high" beams are especially
useful when driving
on
dark roads since they provide ex
cellent long range illumination.
The headlight beam indicator will
be on whenever the high beams
or
"brights" are in use. The Headlight
Beam Switch controls the headlight
beams (see
Page 24).
Light Switch
The three position light switch controls
the headlights, taillights,
parking lights, side marker lights,
instrument lights and dome lights
as shown. The headlamp circuit
is protected by a circuit breaker in
the light switch. An overload on
the breaker will cause the lamps to
"flicker" on and off. If this condi
tion develops, have your headlamp
wiring checked immediately.
PARKING LAMPS MARKER LAMPS TAIL AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS
--,---.---~------ -- --------
TURN KNOB TO VARY INSTRUMENT LIGHTS fULLY COUNTER CLOCKWISE fOR DOME LIGHTS
28
HEADLIGHTS PARKING LAMPS MARKER LAMPS
•

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine _ '\' ' 2
1
5 , / '/ ,
[ e /~
O'v RPM !lOa -"-50
Optional Instrument and
Gauges
Tachometer
The optional Tachometer indi
cates the speed of the engine in
revolutions per minute. The yellow
area on the face of the tachometer
indicates the highest recommended
engine rpm. Engine operation
causing tachometer indications in
Engine Temperature Gauge
This optional gauge indicates
coolant temperature which will
vary with air temperature and op
erating conditions. The ignition
switch must be on for accurate
readings. Hard driving
or pro
longed idling in very hot weather
29
or above the red area can lead to
serious engine damage. Function
of the oil pressure light if
so
equipped is described on page 26.
When the ignition switch key
is
turned to the OFF position, the
pointer may not necessarily return
'
to the 0 RPM position. For the
tachometer
to register 0 RPM the
key must be in the
ON position
and engine not running.
will cause the pointer to move
beyond the center of the band.
Should pointer move to the line at
the
"H" end of the band, stop
engine
or reduce speed to permit
engine to cool. With Air Injection
Reactor System, the needle will
frequently move beyond the center
of the band.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
The time or mileage intervals
on the following
pages are in
tended as a guide for establishing
regular maintenance and lubrica
tion periods for your car. Sus
tained heavy duty or high speed
operations
or operation under
adverse conditions may necessi
tate more frequent servicing.
To
determine specific recommenda
tions for conditions under which
Fuel
Requirements
Your Monte Carlo is designed
to operate
on a good quality fuel
of approximately
91 Research Oc
tane Number or higher , commonly
sold in the United States and
Canada.
Use of a fuel which is too
low in anti-knock quality will re- you
use your car, consult your
Authorized Chevrolet Dealer.
Maintenance Schedule
For owner convenience, a sepa
rate maintenance folder has been
provided with your car which con
tains a complete schedule and
brief explanation of the safety,
suIt in
"spark knock", a metallic
rapping noise generated during the
combustion process. It should be
noted that Research Octane Num
ber does not completely describe
fuel octane quality. Therefore , if
you hear knock in your engine you
may wish to try a different gaso
line.
If knocking persists consult
your authorized Chevrolet dealer.
In any case, continuous
or exces-
50
emission control, lubrication and
general maintenance it requires.
The maintenance folder informa
tion
is supplemented by this sec
tion of the Owner 's Manual,
as
well as the separate emission con
trol systems folder also furnished
with your car. Read all three pub
lications for a full understanding
of vehicle maintenance require
ments.
sive knocking may result in engine
damage and constitutes misuse of
the engine for which Chevrolet
Motor Division
is not responsible
under the terms of the New Ve
hicle Warranty.
General Motors recommends the
use of unleaded or low-lead
(0 to
0.5 grams per gallon) gasolines
to minimize emissions of hydro
carbons and particulates.
If un-

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 SPECIFICATION
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
Car-Stamped on Vehicle Identification Plate attached at left of instrument panel.
Engine-Stamped on boss on block .
8 -Cylinder-On right side of block at front.
Body-S tamped o n plate attached to cowl panel.
DIMENSIONS
MONTE
CARLO
O ve rall length
2-Door Coupe ...
.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211.5"
Width ... ......... ......... ............ . . 77.6"
Wheelbase ............................... 116.0"
BATTERY RATING
350 VB engine equipped vehicles-12 volt, 66 plate, 2900 watts '
454 VB and Heavy Duty-12 volt, 90 plate, 3750 watts'
' Cranking
powe r at O°F.
CAPACITIES
Gasoline Tank (approx.) ....... . B Cylinder
Oil change only ... ... .... .... . Oil and Filter change .......... .
U.S. Measure
22 gal.
4 qt. 5 qt.
Imperial Measure
18% gal.
3% qt. 4% qt.
71
Cooling System: ...... 350 v-a
u.s. Measure (qts.) 16*
Imperial Measure (qts.) 13.25*
454 v-a
23*
19.25*
'with air cond o add 1 qt. U.S. meas. (% qt. Imperial meas.)
Thermostat
All engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 195°
Radiator Pressure Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15 lb.
Air Condit ioning System
Compressor oil (525 vis .) .............. ... .... 11 oz.
Refrigerant-R-12 Four Seasons ........................ 3 lb. 12 oz.
Turbo Hydramatic 350 ........... .......... .. ... ........ . . 400 .. ................... .. ... .... .. .. .
TURN SIGNAL FLASHER:
Imperial U. S. Measure Measure
10.0 qts. 11.0 qts. 8.25 qts. 9.25 qts.
Type ................................... Capacity All ..... ..... ........................ 3 lamp (ll)
Hazard Warning Flasher, All .. , ............... . 4 lamp
TIRE INFORMATION
Complete
tire information will be found on pages 60 through 65.
I