1976 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Supplemental Engine 011
Additives·
The regular use of sUpplemental
additives is specific ally not recom­
mended
and will increase operat­
ing costs . However , supplemental
additives are avail able that can ef­
fectively and economicall y solve
certain specific problems without
c ausing other difficulties . F
or ex­
ample , if higher detergen cy i s re­
quired to reduce varnish and sludge
deposit
s. resulting from some un­
usual operational difficulty, a thor­
oughly te sted and approved addi­
tive-"G.M. Super Engine Oil Sup­
plement "
-is availabl e at your Chev­
r olet dealer.
In the event of an
operation al problem, consult your
dealer for advice before using sup­
plemental additives.
Air Cleaner
When replacement of Air Cleaner
filter element
is ne cessary , an AC
ACron air filter element is recom­
mended ,
Drive Belts
Every 12 mOJ.1ths or 15,000
mil es-inspect drive belts for wear ,
fraying,
qracking, and tension. Belts
which
are in poor condition should
be replaced immediately .
Check tension by applying mod­
erate thumb pressure midway be­
tween
pUlle y s. If the center-to ,
center distance between pulleys is
5-4
13 to 16 inches, the belt should de­
flect Y
2inch. If the center -to-center
distance
is 7 to 10 inches, the belt
should
deflect .v.. inch. Loose belts
should be retensioned
.to give the
correct deflection.
>-~-7"TO'O"---1/4" DEFLECTION
I ... '3"TO"" I r-m"DEFLECTI~

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TRANSMISSION ITEMS
Automatic Transmission­
Fluid Level
Recommendations
Use automatic transmission
fluids identified with the mark
DEXRON®-II available from your
Chevrolet dealer
or local service
station.
Check the fluid level
at each en­
gine oil change period.
Automatic transmissions are
fre­
quently overfill¢ level
is checked when the fluid is
cold and the dipsick indicates fluid
should be added. However, the low
reading may
be normal since the
fluid level will rise as the fluid tem­
perature increases. A level change
of over
% inch will occur as fluid
temperature rises from
60° F. to
180° F. (16° C. to 82° C.)
Overfilling can cause foaming
and loss of fluid through the vent.
(650 -8S"F.) (18" _29°C.) COOL HOT
WARM
NOTE, DO NOT OVERFill. It takes only one pint to raise level from ADD to FULL with a hot transmission.
Slippage and transmission failure
can result.
Fluid level too low can cause
slipping, particularly when the
transmission is cold or the car is
on a hill.
Check the transmission fluid
level with the
engine running, the
shift lever
in Park, and the car
level.
Remove the dipstick and touch
the transmission
end of the dipstick
5-5
L.
NOTE: lithe vehicle has recently
been operated for an extended
period at high speed or in city
traffic
in hot weather or the vehi­
cle is being used to pull a trailer,
an accurate fluid level cannot be
determined until the fluid has
cooled down-usually apout 30
minutes after the vehicle has been
parked.)
cautiously to find out if the fluid is
cool, warm or hot.
Wipe it clean and re-insert until
cap seats. Remove dipstick and
note reading.
• If the fluid feels cool, about room
temperature
(65° F. to 85° F.)
or (18° C. to 29° C.), the level
should
be 1;8 to % inch below
the
"ADD" mark The dipstick
has two dimples below the
"ADD" mark to show this range.
"'j' S' ~ c· "

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • If it feels warm, the level should
. be close to the "AilD" mark
(either slightly above or below) .
• If it feels hot (cannot be held
comfortably) the level . should be
between the "ADD" and
"FULL" marks.
NOTE: DO NOT OVERFILL. It
takes only one pint to raise level
from ADD to
FULL with a hot
transmission.
Automatic Transmlssion­
Drain
Intervals
The transmission operating tem-perature
resulting from the type of
driving
conditions under which
your vehicle
is used is the main
consideration in establi shing the
proper frequency of transmission
fluid changes.
If you do not use your vehicle
under severe conditions, change the
fluid and filter every
60,000 miles.
Refer to section
6, "Specifications",
for required fluid quantities.
If the vehicle is usually driven
under one or more of the follow­
ing conditions
-considered severe
transmission service
-change. the
transmission fluid and filter every
15,000 miles.
5-6
• In heavy city traffic .
• Where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90
0P (32°C)
for extended periods.
• In very hilly or mountainous
areas.
• Frequent trailer pulling .
• Commercial uses, such as taxi,
police
car or delivery service.
Transmission Shift Linkage
Every 7,500 miles or 6 months
lubric ate shift linkage with water
resistant
EP chassis Illbricant which
mee
ts GM specification 6031 M.

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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 dOllected in the
recovery tank.
When the system
temperature drops, the coolant is
drawn back
intocthe 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
Motors Specification I
899"M. This
coolant solution provides freezing
protection
to -20oP (-28°C),
and in Canada to _35°P
( -37°C), and it h~s 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 coolantlevel , but
checkvisu­
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" roark at Iiormal
operating temperature. Add'~ 501
50 mixture of high-quality ethylene
glycol antifreeze and
waler for
coolant additions.
If frequent addi­
tionsare 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
, properpresslire holding capacity
(15 psi).
Ifreqitired, use cap
designed by
AC for coolant re­
co~ery 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
, qcire 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. Rem()ve radiator cap when en­
gineis 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
OM 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.
I
O. With engine idlil)g, 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-20op (-2S0C) or
below to ensure pro;tection against
corrosion and loss
of coolant
from boiling even though freezing '
temperatures are not expected.
• Add ethylene glycol base coolant
that meets
GM Specification
IS99-M when coolant additions
are required because of coolant
loss
Or to provide additional pro"
tection against freezing at tem_
peratures lower than _20oP,
(-2S0C),' and in Canada to
_35°P ( -3JOC).
NOTE: AlcOhol Or methanol base
coolants or plain water are not
recommended for your vehicle at
any time.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator cap, a 15 lb. pres­
sure type, must be installed tightly,
otherwise coolant may be lost and
damage
, to engine may result from
overheating. Radiator pressure caps
should
be chef'ked 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
arid is designed for
continuous use through both winter
and
s ·ummer. 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 SOW or
SAE SOW-90 GL-5 Gear Lubricant.
cant.
(Por vehicles operated in
Canada, use
SAE SOW Gear Lubri­
cant.)
Posilraction -Drain and refill
after
the first 15,000 miles then
maintain same
as standard axle but
use only the special positraclion lu-·
bricant available from yo ur Chev­
roletDealer , part number 1051022.
Rear Universal Joint Fitting
-Except Wagons
Every 6 months or 7,500 miles­
lubricate universal joint with water
resistant
EP Chassis Lubricant
Part number 1050679 which meets
GM Specification 6040M.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front suspension
Every 6 months or 7,500 miles
Lubricat~ fittings with water re­
sistant EP Chassis Lubricant which
meets
GM Specification6031M.
NOTE: , Ball joints should not be
lubricated unless their temperature
is
+10° F (- 12 °C), or higher.
During cold weather, they should
be allowed to
warm up as necessary
before being
l\lbricated.
Steering Linkage
Every six months or 7,500 miles,
lubri cate fittings with water
resist­
ant EP Chassis Lubricant which
meets GM Specification
6031M.
Power Steering System
Check the fluid level in the pump
reservoir at each oil change period.
Add GM
Power Steering Fluid
(or Automatic Transmission Fluid
DEXRON"-II) as necessary to
bririg level into proper range on
filler cap indicator depending upon
fluid temperature.
If at operating temperature (ap­
proximately 150°F, 66°C-hot to
the touch), fluid should be between
"HOT" and "COLD" marks. If at
room temperature (approximately
70°F, 22°C), fluid should be be­
tween "ADD " and "COLD " marks.
Fluid does not require periodic
changing.
5-10
"HOT" MARK
''COL~'' MARK
\::::j. __ "ADD"

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front Wheel Bearings
Every 30,000 miles-clean and
repack with
a. high melting point
wheel bearing lubricant.
Use wheel
bearing lubricant GM Part No.
1051344 or equivalent. This
is a
premium high
~elting point lubri­
cant. When replacement is neces­
sary specify Delco parts.
Brakes
Brake linings should be periodi­
cally inspected for wear
by a quali­
fied technician. The frequency of
this inspection depends upon
driv­
ing conditions such as traffic or
terrain, and also the driving tech­
niques of individual owners .. Your
Chevrolet Dealer is best qualified
to advise you
as to how often this
inspection should be performed.
When replacement is required,
specify
GM and Delco parts.
REMINDER: The front disc
brakes have a built-in wear indica­
tor
thatis designed to make a high
frequency , squealing
or cricket-like
warning
sOl!l1d when the linings are
worn to where replacement is re­
quired. The sound will occur inter­
mittently or continuously when
wheels are rolling, but will
dis­
appear when the brake pedal is
firmly applied. Also see the brake
checks listed. in the Maintenance
Schedule folder.
5-11
Master Cylinder-Every 6 months
or
7,500 miles -Check fluid level
in each reservoir and maintain
14" below lowest edge-of each filler
opening with Delco Supreme No.
liar DOT-3 hydraulic brake fluid.
11." BELOW
TOP EDGE .k:::O"',
Parking Brake Pulley, Cables
and Linkage-Every 6 months or
7
,500 miles -Apply water resis­
tant EP Chassis Lubricant which
meets GM Specification 6031M, to
parking brake cahle at cable guides
and at all operating links and levers.