
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Federa1 regulations require that pumps delivering unleaded gasoline be labeled
with the word UNLEADED. Only these pumps have nozzles which fit the filler
neck of your vehicle gasoline tank.
In -the United
States, Federal law also requires that gasoline octane ratings be
posted on the pumps. The octane rating shown -is an average of Research octa!1e (R) and Motor octane(M). In most parts of the United States, you should use
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 87. However, you may use
unleaded gaSOline with an octane rating as low as 85 in thes:e high-altitude areas:
Colorado , Montana, New Mexico, Utah. Wyoming. northeastern Nevada.
southern Idaho, western South Dakota, and that part
of Texas which is directly south of New Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
lower _than staled above can cause persistent , heavy "spark knock." (''Spark knock" is a metallic rapping noise.) This
can lead to engine damage. If you detect heavy spark knock even when using
gasoline of the stated octane rating, or if you hear steady spark knock while
holding a steady speed on level roads, have your dealer correct the problem.
However. now and then you may
notice light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no cause for concern, because you get the
greatest
fuel economy benefit from the gasoline's octane rating when there is occasional light spark knock~ Using gasoline with a higher octane rating than that
which allows occasional spark knock is an unneceSsary expense.
Gasohol
Gasohol , a mixture of unlead ed gasoline and ethanol (grain alcohol), is
available in some areas. You may use gasohol in your vehicle, provided it
is
no more than 10% ethanol. 'Be: sure the gasohol has the same octane
ratings as stated above for unleaded gasoline. If drivability problems are
encountered because _of the use of gasohol, you should switch back to
unleaded gas oline.
NOTICE: Take care to not spill gasohol on painted surfaces. Gasohol can cause paint damage, which may not be covered under the New Vehicle Warranty.
OPERATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Your engin~ is designed to run on unleaded gasoline with the octane ratings given
under '''Fuel Requirements" above .
If you plan to drive your vehicle outside the United States and its jurisdictions
or Canada, there is a chance the gasolines available in some count,ries will not meet the needs of your engine. Low octane rated gasolines may cause engine knocking
or serious engine damage,: for which Chevrolet is not respon sible .
Using leaded gasoline
in-a vehicle equipped with a catalytic converter may cause
the converter to lose its effectiveness as an emission control.
It could also affect
the emission warranty.
If you must use leaded gasoline in a vehicle designed for
unleaded fuel, converter modification and different maintenance intervals will be
required.
For gasoline information and a maintenance schedule for the countries
in which you plan to travel, write to: Chevrolet Motor Division, Consumer
Relations Department, Detroit, Michigan 48202, (in Canada , write to General
Motors of Canada Limited. Customer Service Department , Oshawa, Ontario LlJ
5Z6).
When writing, please include :
• the Vehicle Identification Number and
• the countries in which you plan to travel.
2-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • This warning light docs no t do away with the need f or ~rake il),s.-pectio n and
maintenanc e. The brake fluid level must be checked regularly . See yo ur
Maint enance Schedule folder for
other brake checks.
If th e light comes on and stays o n when the ig nition key is on, after the brak e
pedal ha s been firmly pushed do wn, it may mean that there is somethin g wrong
wit'h one part of the brake system.
Wh at 10 do:
I. C heck to see that the pa rkin g brake has been released. If it has been ...
2. Pull off the road and sto p ca refully. And rememb er that:
• Stopping di stan ces may be longer .
• You may ha ve to pu sh hard er on the ped al.
• The pedal may go down farther {han no rm al.
3. Tryout the brake s by sta rrin g and stopping on the ro ad shoulder--then :
• If you judge it to be safe, drive cautiously at a safe speed to the neat est
dealer for repair , or
• Have vehicl e to w ed to dealer for repair .
Co ntinu ed dri ving with o
ut getting necessary re p a ir s co uld be dangerou s.
"EMISSIONS" INDICATOR
On so me cars, the word "EMISSIONS" is des ig ned to appear in a window in the spe ed om eter faceat certain int~rvals. This is a reminder that maintenan ce se rv ice
mu st
be performed on your ca r. One of two type s' o f se rvice is required :
• On cars equipped with the C-4 System, the oxygen sensor must be replaced with · a new sensor, or
• On
ca rs without the C -4 System, the cataly st in the catalyti c converter must
b e c han ged.
In either case, see yo ur Chl!~rolet dealer fo r se rvice when the "EMISSIONS "
indicat or appears. .
F or more information , see
"C-4 (Computer Contr olled Catalytic Conv erte r)
Syste m " and "Catalyti c Co nverter," both in "Service and Maintenance," Section
5 of thi s manual.
"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT
If yo ur car has the C-4 System, a "CHECK ENGINE" light on the instrum ent
panel is des ig ned t o come on
during engine starting to le t y ou know th e bulb is
w orkin g. (The light will sla y o n a short time after th e e ngine s tarts .) If th e light
c o m es on whil e
drivin g, se rv ic e to the emi ssion contr ol sy stem may be re quired . Sc:e your Chevrolet deal er as soo n as: possible fo r an in spec tion of the sy ste m .
COlltinu ed driving without having [he C-4System serviced could eventually cause
d am age to the emission control system. It could also affect fuel economy and
driv ability.
See also '; C-4 (Comput er Co ntrolled Catalytic Converter) System" in ;'Ser vic e a nd
Mainte n ance, " Section 5 o f this manual.
Tachometer
The opti onal Tachomet ers indi cat e the speed of th e e ngin e in revoluti ons pe r minute. The indicated number, tim es ](x>o .. gives the engine s peed. Operatil.lg th e
engine w ith the tachom ete r r eading in the color- coded high ~peed area could lead to s~rious engine damage. The re are two tachom .e ter s us ed in the car depending on the e ngine option install ed in your car.
2-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • pull over-to a 'safe p'late and stop (he car:-=Set the parking brake and shift to "P"(Park) (with a manual transaxle. shift to Neutral first, then set the parking
brake).
• DON'T TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND DON'T INCREASE THE ENGINE SPEED~ Let the engin e run at normal idle speed for two or three
minutes.
If the
''TEMP'' light still doesn't go off (or the gage needle doesn't start to drop) , NOW TURN OFF THE ENGINE and proceed as follows.
CAUTION: Keep henda, tools end clothing awey from'the engine COOling fen to help prevent personal Injury. This fen ia electric end can come on whether or not the eR8ine is runnirl'jJ. The fan Cen etert eutomatically in reapon .. to a heet ~, wrth the ignitkNl in ~Run."
• Lift the engine hood. Look at the coolant level.in the "see through " coolant
recovery tank. The coolant level should be at or above the "Fun Hot" mark
o n the tank.
If it looks like the coolant is boiling, wait until it stops before
proceeding You should :not need to remove the radiator cap to check the
coolant level and it can be dangerous if the coolant is still hot. See the
following Caution.
CAUTION: To help avoid the dange, of being burned:
• cia not remove the coolent recov.ry tank cap while the coolant is boiling.. and
• cia not remove the .rad~:_c.p white the engine end radiator are atill hot.
Scelding fluid and ateam can be blow, Qut under presau,.. If either cap ia taken off too soon.
• If the coolant level is low:
• look for leak s at the radiator hoses and connectio ns, heater hoses and
connections. radiator, and water pump.
See that the water pump belts
are not
brok~ or otT the pulleys and that the fan runs when the engine is running and theUTEMP" light ison (or the gage needle is in the
warning zone).
• add coolant to the recovery tank.
If the level in the recovery tank is at the correct level and the "TEMP" light (gage) still comes on, air may be-trappedin the, cooling system . This may prevent coolant
from returning to the radiator.
In this case. you may have to add coolant directly
to th e radiator.
See "Coolant Replacement" in "Service and Maintenance," Section 5 of this manual. Follow steps I and 10 for the correct way to remove
the radiator cap and add coolant to the radiator.
After the "TEMP" light is out (or the gage needle is out of the warning zone).
resume driving
at a reduced speed. Return to normal driving after about ten
minutes if the light does not come back on (or the gage needle does not go back
into the warning
~one).
J.4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine JACKING
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury:
• Follow all jackin g and stowag e instructions.
• Use jack only fo r liftin g this venicle du -rin g wheel c h a ng e.
• Nev er ge t ben eath th e vehiCle, start or run en g in e while vehicle is supported b y jac k.
• Always securely res tow spare tire (o r flat tire ) an d all jackin g equipment.
Wheel Nut Torque
CAUTION: As soon as possible after Installing 8 wheel-and at the intervals shown on the chart-in the Maintenance Schedule foldet-han 8 m.chanic tighten whe&l nuta with II torque wrench to the specifications shown in "SpeCifications ," Section 7 of this manual. Wheel nuts should be tightened alternately and evenly to the correct torque. Never us. oil or grease on studs or nuts. Improperly tightened wheel nuts could eventually allow the wheel to come off while the vehicle is moving, possibty causing loss of control.IAlso see the Caution in "Service and Maintenance," Seetion 5 of this manual regarding the danger of mixing metric and customary fasteners.)
Stowage of Tire and Jack
CAUTION:·AlwaYs MOurely restow the spare tire assembty (or flat tire). all jacking equipment. and the cover, using the means provided. When driving the car with the compact spare installed and the reer seat folded down, stow the wheel cover flat on the rear floor behind the-right front seat. When the rear seat is up (or If It does not fold), stow the wheel cover in the trunk area. This will help keep such things from being thrown about and injuring peopla In the car in an accident.
Compact Spare
The compa ct sp are is des ig ned to save space in yo ur trunk, and its lighler weig ht
m ak es
it easi er to in stall if a flat tire occurs. The light~r weig ht als o helps improve fuel eco no my.
If you have a flat tire, follow the jack ing in struction s in this manual while keeping
t h ese point s in min d:
• Chec k inflati on press ure as soo n as practical after in sta llin g the s pa re ( use of a pocke t type: high pressure inflatio n gage is adv ised) and adjust to 415
k Pa (60 psi). The tire pressur e sh o uld be checked at least monthl y and kept at 415 kPa (60 ps i) while the tire is s tored.
• Co ntinuou s use at spe eds over 50 mph (80 km/h) is not re c omme nded .
NOTICE: Because this tire is amaUer than the standar d tire, vehicle ground clearance is reduced, Avoid driving over obstacles, and do not take your car U,rough an automatic car wash whila the spare is installed. The car may get caught possibly resulting in property damage.
• A trea d life of up to 3,000 mil es (4 800 kilomet ers) ca n b e expe cted, depe nding
on roa d condi tions and you r
driv ing habits . T o co nserve tire t read life. return the spar e to the sto rage area as soo n as the sta nd ard tir e ca n be repa ir ed -or
r
epl ac ed .
• Beca use the co mpac t spare was spec ifica lly designe d for your car, it s hould
no t be used on any other vehicle.
3-6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CLEANING WHITE SIDEWALL TIRES
UseGM White Sidewall Tire Cleaner or a tire cleaner which will not harm wheel
aluminum trim. A stitT brush may
be used with the cleaner.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Generally, your vehicle has been designed and built to resist corrosion. Special
materials and protective finishes were applied to most parts of your vehicle when it was built to belp maintain good looks, strength and reliable operation. However,
some parts which are normally not visible (such as certain parts
under the vehicle and under the hood) are strong enough so that surface rust will not affect their
reliability.
So corrosion protection is not needed or used on these parts. By
omitting unneeded fust protection on such parts and applying extra protection where it is needed most, best value is assured for the vehicle buyer.
SHEET METAL DAMAGE
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair or replacement. make
sure·
the body repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or replaced so that corrosion protection is restored. (Also see "Finish Damage" in
this section.)
UNDERBODY MAINTENANCE
Corrosive materials used for ice and· snow removal and dust control can collect
on the underbody. If these materials are-not removed. accelerated corrosion (rust)
can
occur on underbody parts such as fuel lines. frame, floor pan. and exhaust
system even though they have been provided with corrosion protection.
At least every spring. flush these materials from the underbooy with plain water.
Take care to clean well any areas where mud and other debris can collect.
Sediment packed in closed areas
of the frame should . be loosened before being
flushed.
If desired. your authorized dealer can perform this service for you.
4-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 5
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
CAUTION: As with any machine, take care when making any check, doing any maintenance. or making any repair. t6ayoid being injured. Note that some of the materials in this vehicle may be hazardous if used, serviced, or handled improperly. Improper or incomplete serVice could also lead to the vehicle itself not working properly which may result in personal injury, or damage to the vehicle or its equipment. If you have any question about carrying out some service, have the service done by 8 skilled mechanic.
REPLACEMENT FASTENERS
During car maintenance, any fasteners used to replace older ones must have the
same measurements and strength as those removed, whether metric or customary. (The numbers on the heads of metric bolts and on the surfaces of metric nuts show
their strength. Customary bolts use radial lines to show this, while most customary
nuts
do not have strength markings.) Fasteners taken from the car should be saved
for re-use in the same spot when possible. Where a fastener cannot be used again,
take care to choose a replacement that matches the old one.
For information and help, see your Chevrolet dealer.
CAUTION: This vehicle is primarily dimensioned in the metric system, Most fasteners are i'neti'icand many lire vary closein dimension to well-known customary fasteners in the inch system. Mismatched or incorrect fasteners can result in damage to the car or possibly personal injury.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
For owner convenience , a separate folder has been provided with your vehicle
which contains a complete maintenance schedule. It also briefly describes the
safety, emission control, lubrication and general service your vehicle requires.
The Maintenance Schedule folder is supplemented by this section of the Owner's
Manual, as well as a Warranty Information folder also furnished with your vehicle.
Read all three publications for a full understanding
of your vehicle's maintenance
needs.
You can get a replacement Maintenance Schedule from your dealer or send the VIN(or serial) number of your vehicle to Consumer Relations, Chevrolet Central
Office, Chevrolet Motor Division, Detroit, Michigan 48202.
Fuel Cap
The fuel tank filler cap has a "screw-on ratcheting type" feature. To·remove:
•
Rotate cap counterclockwise to clear the inside of the filler neck. This
will allow any residual pressure
to escape.
• To install, reverse this procedure and tighten cap securely until a "ratcheting", clicking sound is heard indicating cap is on properly.
NOTICE: If you need to replace the fuel cap, use only a cap with these same features as specified for your model. An incorrect fuel cap can result in a serious malfunction of the fuel system or emission control system. You can get a correct replacement cap from your dealer.
5-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CATALYTIC CONVERTER
. The catalytic converter is an emission control device added to the
exhaust system to reduce exhaust gas pollutants. The converter
contains a ceramic material coated with noble metal catalysts. To prevent
contamination of the cata lysts,
unle~ded gasoline must be used. Unleaded gasoline
also reduc es combustion chamber deposits and exhaust system corrosion.
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded gasoline. Use
of leaded gasoline will cause the converter to lose its effectiveness for emission control. On some engines, the catalyst must be changed at cer tain inter vals in orde r for
the emissio n control system to continue to operat e properly. The change intervals
are speci fied in Section C of the Maintenance Schedule folder.
On cars that require this catalyst change, the word "EMISSION" will
appear on an indicator in the speedometer face at the specified change
in terval
s. This is a reminder that the cata lyst must be changed. (If the indicator does not appear, your car does not need this catalyst change).
Your Chevrolet deale r will perform the lirst cataly st cha nge at no charge, whether yO'u are the first owner or a subsequent owner. As part of this service, the indicator
should be reset to appear
at the next specified chang e interval. To help prevent
damage:
1. Keep your engine properly maintained. Engine malfunctions involving th e electrical, carburetion or ignition systems may result in unusually high
conve rter and exhaust system temperatures .
Do not keep driving your vehicle if you detect engine misfire. noticeable loss of
perform,8nce. or other unusual operating conditions. Instead, have it serviced promptly. A properly ···maintained engine will he lp avoid
malfunction s that could damage the converter.
It will also help provide good
emissio.n cq!).,trol and gasoline economy. See the Maintenance Schedule folder
for inform ation on inspecting a
nd maintaining the engi ne. exhaust system.
and other compone nts.
2 .
Do not drive through, idle, or park your vehicle over combustibl e materials,
s u ch as grass
or leaves. They could 'touch the hot exhaust system and ignite.
3. Do n o t push or tow this vehicle 10 stan it. This cou ld damage (he converter.
Disregarding this information could damage the catalytic converter, the vehicle,
or nearby property.
C-4 (COMPUTER CONTROLLED CATALYTIC CONVERTER)
SYSTEM If your new car was purchased in California, it has a special emission control
system, called
the C-4 (Computer Co ntrolled Catalytic Converter) System. The C4 System monitors the exhaust stream with an oxygen sensor. Based 4
on senso r signals, the electr onic control module adjusts the carburetor
air~fuel ratio as needed. It is very important to use only unleaded gasoline
in cars with
the C-4 System. Leaded gasoline will damage the oxygen
sensor. which may affect emission
control, fuel economy and drivability.
Some cars equipped with the C-4 System need an oxygen sensOr change
at the intervals specified in Section C of the Maintenance Schedule folder.
On these cars, an oxyge n sensor maintenance reminder is included in the
instrument paneL The word "EMISSIONS" is designed to appear in a
window in the speedometer face at the intervals outlined in the Maintenance
Schedule folder. The "EMISSIONS " indicator is a reminder that the oxygen
sensor must be repl aced with a new sensor.
Such replacement is necessary
in order to maintain the correct operation of the emiss ion control system.
The indicator must be reset as part of this service.
5-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine On all C-4 cars, a "CHECK ENGINE" light on the instrument panel is
designed to come on during engine starting , to let you know the bulb is working. (The light will stay on a short time after the engine starts.) If the light comes on while driving, service to the emission control system
may be required. See your Chevrolet dealer' as soon as possible for an inspection of the system. Continued driving without having the C-4 System serviced _ could eventually
cause damage
to the emission control system . It could also affect fuel
e conomy and drivabili -ty.
ENGINE OIL AND FILTER RECOMMENDATIONS • Engine oils' are labeled on 'the containers with various API (American
Petroleum Institute) designations 6f quality. Use engine oils that are labeled
5E or SE/CC. Do not use oils labeled only SA, 5B, 5C, SD, CA, CB, CC or CD; _or oils with the combination label SE and CD (SE/CD). Higher
quality oils labeled SF will be introduced soon (late 1979, or 1980). These SF oils are preferred and should be used when available.
• The oil and filter change intervals for your engine are based on the use of SE-quality or SF-quality oils and ,high- quality filters such as AC oil filters. Using oils other than SE-quality or SF-quality oils, or oil change intervals
longer than recommended. could reduce -engine life and might affect your
warranty.
• Your engine was filled with a high·quality engine oil when it was built. You do ,not have to change this oil before the suggested change period.
•
If your normal driving does nQt include one or more of the four "severe service" conditions listed below. change the oil every 7,500 miles (12 000 ' kilometers) or 12 months, whichever comes first. Change the oillilter at the
first oil change. then every second oil change, if mileage (7,500 miles or 12
000. kilom~ters) determines .w ,hen you change the oil. If _time (12 months)
determines when you change the oil, change the filter with every oil change.
• Change the oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles (4 800 kilometers) , or three
months if you often drive under one or more of these 'severe service·,~.
conditions: • Driving in dusty areas
• Towing ,3 trailer
• Frequent idling or idling for long periods
• Driving 4 miles (6 kilometers) br'less in freezing weather,o~other short trips in cold weather, where the engine does not thoTough ,ly warm up.
• Change the oil and oil filter as soon as -possible after driving in a dust
storm.
Oil Viscosity
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) has an effect on fuel economy. Lowec viscosity
engine oils can provide increased , fuel " economy; however, higher temperature
weather conditions require higher viscosity engine oils for satisf~ctory lubrication.
To. get the best fuel economy with your-1980 Chevrolet, -iou should use -,, ' .
fuel. 'saviiJ.&:_engine oil ohhe_ proper viscosity. These oils call_ be found. in serviCe
stations and other retail stores. They are-identified by words such as: "Energy Saving," "Conserves Gasoline," "Gas Saving," "Gasoline Saving," '''Friction
Reducing," "Improved Gasoline Mileage" or "Fuel Saving."
The following chart lists the engine ' oil viscosities recommended for the
temperature range you expect before the next oil change. For lemperalures above ,_18°C (O"F),SAE lOW-30 is -the preferred viscosity grade. Ircold-weather starting
problems
are encountered at temperatures below -lSoC (
5-3