
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SECTION 1 
BEFORE DRIVING YOUR 
CHEVROLET 
DRIVER DAILY CHECKLIST 
Be sure  you know  your vehicle and its, equipment  and how  to use  it safely. 
Before Entering the Vehicle 
1. See that  windows,  mirrors, and lights are clean and unobstructed. 
2. Check  whether  any tire is low or flat. (If any  tire looks  different  from nonnal, 
we  recommend  you check 
it with  a tire  pressure  gage.) 
3. Check that all lights  work. 
4. Look for fluid  leaks. 
5. Be sure  everything is properly  stowed. 
6. Check the area  behind  the vehicle if you  are about  to back  up. 
Before Driving Off 
1. Lock  all doors. 
2. Adjust  seat. 
3. Adjust  inside and outside  mirrors. 
4. Fasten seat belts. 
5. Check  that all the  warning  lights work as the  key is turned  to "'Start." 
6. Check all gages  (including  the fuel  gage). 
7. Release  the parking  brake (and see that  the "Brake" light  turns om. 
Seerelated topics  in this  manual, or the Maintenance Schedule folder, if problems 
are  found. 
Guard Against Theft 
For tips on how to protect your vehicle and its contents, see "Starting and 
Operating" in section 2 of this manuaL 
KEYS 
Two  different  keys are· provided  for the  locks  on your  vehicle.  The key code is 
stamped  on the "knock out" plug  in each key head. 
• Key with square  head (letter "A" or "e") -for ignition lock only. 
• Key with oval head (letter "8" or "0") ~ for all other locks., 
For vehicle  security: 
• Record  the key  code  numbers;  then knock  the plugs  out of the keys. 
• Keep  the key  codes  in a safe  place  (such  as your  wallet), NOT IN THE 
VEHICLE. 
If  the  original  keys are lost,  duplicates  can 
be made using the key  codes.  Contact 
any 
OM dealer  or a locksmith. 
If yO~i park  in an  attended  lot, leave  only your  square-head  ignition key. 
1-1   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tir,s 
When lowing  trailers using  a dead-weight  hitch,  inflate  tires  to the "Cold Tire 
Pressure" for ·'Max . Load" show n on  the  Tire Placard on the  left  front  door. 
The  allowable  passenger  and cargo  load  for this car, 
also sh o wn on· the  Tire 
Placard, is reduced  by the trailer  tongue  weight whenever the trailer is attached 
t o  the  car. 
Maintenance 
More  frequen.t  servic e is requi red  when  using your car to pull a trailer.  See Section 
A of the  Maint enance Schedule  folder for Tran saxle Fluid  and Engine Oil chang e 
requirement~ for traitering. 
Now  and then.  check  that all trailer  hitch bolts an d nuts  are tight.  Also see 
"the Maintenance  Schedule rol_def, and  the Index in this manual , for  important  facts 
o n 
belts, coo ling  system  care  and brake  adjustment. 
Break-In Schedule 
See the new car break~in instru ctions  in this manual.  Also,. we recommend  you 
drive  your new car for 
500 mil es (800 kilometer s) before  trailer tOwing. At the 
" end 
of this 500 mile (800 kilome te r)  break-in  period, avoid speeds over 50 mph (80 km/h)  and  full throttl e  start s during  the first  500 miles (800 kilometers)  of 
trailer  towing. 
If a new  engine  or  transaxle  is  ins talled  in you r car,  observe  the 
same 
care. 
CAUTIONS: 
Brakes  -To help avoid  personal  injury due to poor  braking  action: 
• Trailer brakes of adequate  size are required  on  trailer s over 450 kilograms 
(1,000  pounds) loaded  weight. 
• If you use trailer  brakes with  this car,  follow  the installation  and balan ce 
instructi ons 
of the trailer  brake maker. 
• Do nol lap into  the car's  brake  system if the trailer  brake system  uses more than 0.3 cubic  centimeter (0.02 cubic  inch) of nuid from  the ca r's master 
cylinder.  In this case, the car's  brake  fluid capacity will not be enough  to 
operate 
both the car and  trailer  brakes under all kind s, of use. 
• All  brak e fluid  parts  must be able to stand 20 685 kPa (3,000  psi). The brake 
fluid  tap must be made al th e upper rear  master  cylinder port. Copper  tubing is subject  to fatigue  failure and must  no t be used. 
• Before  going down a sleep  or  long grade , reduce speed  and shift  the tran saxle 
into  a lower  gear to control  your car's  speed. 
Try not to hold  the brake  pedal 
down too long or too  often.  This could  cause the brake s to  get  hot  and  not 
work 
as well. 
Hitches -To  help avoid  personal  injury due to  sway  caused by such things as 
c rosswind
s, big  trucks  passing or road roughn ess, or due to  sepa ration of the 
trailer : 
• Keep  the trailer  tongue  load  at 10% of the  loaded  trailer weight  for 
dead-w eight hitches.  Tongue loads can be adjusted  by proper distribution of the  load in the  trailer. This can  be checked by weighing separately the  loaded 
trailer  and then  the tongue, 
• When  you remove  a frailer  hitch, be  sure  to seal any  mountin g h'oles in the 
body . This will help  prevent entry of exhaust  fumes, dirt or water. (See 
"Engine Exhaust  Gas Caution  (Carbon Monoxide) " at the  beginning of "Starting and Operating," Section  2 of this manual.) 
1-12   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE: Use only trailer hitches which permit normal operation of the Energy Absorbing Bumper System. if so equipped. For example. a rigid fore and .iUt connection between the bumper and any other part.of. the car may increase  .damage in the event of II collision. 
TRAILER TOWING TIPS 
Getting Started 
Before entering  traffic with a frailer  that has electric  brakes, start the car  and 
trailer  moving  and apply  the trailer  brakes 
by hand to be sure the trailer  brakes 
are  working  and the trailer  electrical  system 
is connected  . 
. Engine Cooling 
:
When  going up long  grades,  you, can  reduce  the chance  'of engine  overheating  by 
turning 
off the  air conditioner, if so equipped. 
Transaxle 
,See the  method  for checking  the transaxle fluid le ve l. in "Service and 
,.;.Maintenance,"  Section 5 of this manual . 
Parking 
You should  not park  cars with  trailers  on a grade (hill).  However, if you must 
park  on a grade,  these steps must be followed: 
1. Apply  the regular  brakes. 
2. Have someone  place wheel' chocks under the  trailer  wheels. 
3. When  the wheel  chocks  are in place,  release  the regular  brakes until the 
chocks  absorb the load . 
4; Apply Ihe parking  brake. 
S. Shift Ihe transaxle 10 ··P"(Park). 
If the car is parked  on a grade.  don't shift the transaxle 10 "P"(Park) until  the 
trailer  wheels 
are chocked  and the parkinghrake, is set~ If you do, the weight of . the  car  and  trailer  may put so much force on the  parking  pawl in the  transaxle 
. 
that it  may be hard  to shift  oul of "P"(Park). 
When  starting , after  being parked ' on a grade: 
(; Apply  the regular  brakes and hold. 
2 . 
Stan th e engine  in ··P"(Park) . 
-3. Shift into gear  and release  the parking  brake. 
4. Release the regular  brakes and drive  until the chock s are  free. 
5. Apply  the regular  brakes and have  your  helper  remove  the chocks. 
J.]3   
![CHEVROLET CITATION 1980 1.G Owners Manual Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SINGLE WIPE 
LOW SPEED (PULSE  WIPER) 
HIGH 
SPEED 
• Check  the washer  fluid levelregu]arly.  Do it often when  the weather 
is bad. 
• U CHEVROLET CITATION 1980 1.G Owners Manual Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SINGLE WIPE 
LOW SPEED (PULSE  WIPER) 
HIGH 
SPEED 
• Check  the washer  fluid levelregu]arly.  Do it often when  the weather 
is bad. 
• U](/manual-img/24/8083/w960_8083-24.png)
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SINGLE WIPE 
LOW SPEED (PULSE  WIPER) 
HIGH 
SPEED 
• Check  the washer  fluid levelregu]arly.  Do it often when  the weather 
is bad. 
• Use a nuid such as OM Optikleen  to  help  prevent  freezing  damage, and for better  cleaning. 
• Do not use radiator antifreeze in the 'windshield  washer; ifcould cause 
paint damage . 
• In cold weather, warm the windshield with the defroster before using the washer-to help prevent Icing that my block 
the driver's vision. 
STARTING THE ENGINE 
I. 
2. 
Apply the parking brake. . . 
Automatic Trl!nsaxl..: Move the transaxle shift lever to "P"(Park) or "N" (Neutral) "P" Preferred). A starter safety device is 
designed  to keep  the starter  from operating if the shift  lever is in any  drive position. (If you  need to fe-start  the  engine  while the car is moving . move 
the  shift  lever  to "N.") 
Manuel Transaxle· Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the transaxle to Neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor while you are s tarting ,the engine. A  starter  safety  device l,s d esigned to keep  the starter 
from  operating if the clutch  pedal is not fully  depres sed. 
3. Sta'rt  the  engine  as outlined  below for different  conditions. 
NOTICE: 00 not crenk the engil'. for more than 15 seconds at e time. Walt 10 to 15 seconds before trYiog  agein. 
• COLD ENGINE: 
• 
L·4 Engine Press the accelerator pedal to the floor and ·i slowly release It. With your foot off the pedal; crank the engine 
by turning  the ignition  key to "Start ."  Release the  key  when  the engine 
sta rts. 
If the  engine  starts, but  fails  to run,  repeat  this procedure. • 
•  V-6 Engine: Press the accelerator pedal to the floor twice and slowly release it. With your foot off the pedal. crank the engine  by turning  the ignition  key to 'Stan". Release  key when  engine 
s tarts. 
If the  engine  starts, but fails  to run,  repeat this procedure but press 
the  accelerat or  pedal  only 
ONCE to the  floor . :When the e ngine is 
running  smoothly  (about 30 seconds), you_ can  reduce  the engine  idle speecf by press ing  down  slightly  on the  accelerator  pedal. then slowly 
releasing  it. 
2-8   

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 • To lessen the chance of an explosion,  never expose  a battery to open flames 
or electric sparks.  Also do not smoke near a ,battery. Batteries give off a  gas which is flammable and  explosive. 
• To lessen the risk of injury incase an explosion  does occur, wear eye protection or shield your eyes when working near  any battery.  Do not lean over a battery. 
• Do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, fabrics, or painted surfaces 
because battery fluid is a  corrOsiVe acid. Flush any contacted area with water immediately a,nd thoroughly.  Also get medical help if eyes are affected. 
• To lessen the riskofa short circuit. remove  rings, metal watch bands  and otl:ler metal jewelry. Also do not allow metal tools to contact at the same time the positive battery terminal (or any metal  connected to this terminal)  and any other metal em either "ehicle. Make certain when attaching the jumper cable clamps rothe positive terminals of the batteries that neither clamp contacts any other metal. 
•  This 
vehicle  has a 12 volt battery and  a negative  ground electrical  system. Make sure that the other vehicle als~ has a 12 volt battery and that the negative terminal, is .'grounc::ted(attached to a metal, part of the vehicle). Its owner's manual may give you that information, If unsure of the other vehicle's voltage  (or if the voltage and/or ground on the other vehicle are different from your vehicle). do not try to jump startas personal injury or severe damage to electrical and electronic parts may result. 
• If the discharged battery has filler caps. check the fluid level.  ( 00 not check with an Op~tn flame and db not smoke .) Add clear drinking water to the proper  level if low, and replace  the caps before jump starting. 
I. Position, the vehicle with'the  good (charged)ba,.ttery so that  the jump starting 
cables  will reach. 
Do not let the vehicles t"ouch. 
2. Turn off all electric  motors and accessories  in both vehicles. Turn off all lights 
except  those needed  to protect the vehicles  or light up the  work  area. Turn 
off the  ignition,  apply the parking  brake firmly,  and shift  the automatic transaxleto "p"o.?ark) (manual  transaxle  to "N"(Neutral) in both vE-hicles. 
3. Jumper Cable Connection Instructions (See illustration) . 
• Connect the first jumper cable  from the positive" +" (red) terininal  on 
one  battery  to the  positive "+" (red) terminal on the other battery. 
Never, connect "+" (red)  to "~" (black), or '\" to "+". 
• Next,  connect  one end of the second  cable to the  grounded  negative "." 
(black) tenninal of the good  (charged)  battery. 
• Lastly, connect  the othetend of the second jumper cable  to a solid, 
stationary,  metallic point on the  engine of the vehicle with  the discharged 
battery  but at a 
point away from the battery --450 millimeters  (18 '1 
inches) or more from the battery if possible. Do not connect  it to or attach  it near  pulleys,  fans, or other  parts that will move wHen the engine 
is started. Don't touctt hot manifolds  as they _can cause  severe  burns. If hot or moving  parts can be avoided,  the MOUNTING BRACKETS for 
the  Delcotron  generator, 
or the air conditioner  compressor, ,generally 
make a good  point for-this final  ground  attachment.  Take care that the 
jtimper  cable does 
hot contact moving parts on or near  the generator 
or  compressor.) 
4. Start the  engine of the vehicle with the  good  (charged)  battery and run the 
engine  at a moderate  speed. 
3-2   

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 USE Tlltst: SAE VISCOSITY GItotoDH 
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I I I  I , . , " • '" ,~, ." ., , " " " ~ lVitPl .... 1Ul:( lAN<* YOU ElU'EClltfOll( NUT OIl CHANG( 
NOTICE: 00 NOT USE SA~ 5W-2 0 OilS fOA CONTINUOUS HIGH-SPEEQ  OAIVING. 1,iW-30 OILS MAY III USED .. 4.CYIJNO!!R AND 2.lIll1AE VII EItClMES UP TO 104)
the oil level  at regular  intervals  (such as every 'o ther  fuel stop) and  keep it above 
th e "Add" line. Rem ember,  your engine  may use more oil when it is new . 
• The best time  to  check  the engine  oil level is when  the oil is warm,  such  as 
during  a fuel stop. First,  wait  about  5 minutes  for the  oil to drain back  to 
the  oil pan,  Then,  pull out the dipstick,  wipe 
it clean, and push  it back  down 
all  the  way . Now , pull  out.th e dipstick  and look  at the oil-level  on the  dipstick. 
Some 
dipSlicks  have "Add" and "Full" lines , Others are  marked "Add! Qt" 
and "Operaling  Range." In all cases, keep the oil level above the 
"Add" line. Push· the dipstick  back down  all the  way  after  taking  the 
reading. _  A ·dd oil , if needed. 
• If you  check  the oil level  when  the oil is cold, do no t  run  the engine  first. The cold  oil wilJ not drain  back to the  pan  fast enough  to give  a true  oil level. 
Engine Oil Additives 
There  are many extra engine  oil additives  (or helpers)  for sale.  Your  engine should 
not  need  these  extra additives if you use SE-quality or SF·quality engine  oil and 
change 
it as  suggested. If you  think  your engine  has .an oil-related  problem, talk 
to  your  authorized  dealer. 
If needed, your dealer  can provide  you with  a tested 
and  approved  oil additive  called "GM Engine Oil Supplement." 
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID RECOMMENDATIONS 
Use the Proper Fluid Use only automatic  transmission  fluid labe led DEXRON-®II. You  can buy  this 
fluid  from  your Chevrolet  dealer or 
othe~,'service outlets. 
Check the Fluid Level with care Check  the automatic  transmission  fluid level at each engine  oil change.  Before 
checking  the fluid  level,  set the  parking  brake and then  start  the engine.  AppJy 
the  regular  brakes and then 
'mov e the shift lever  through  all of the gear  ranges, 
ending  in 
"P '·(Park).  You must check  the fluid  level with the engine  funning  at 
slow idle and  the car  level. 
I-c ..... --=---=..,~ ..... B9"""5IL.u;~~"-·, __ .........,; ..... _·F_%¥-W+--T -l{ 
COOL OR WARM -j ""I ,~-
5-4