
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SECTION 2
STARTING AND OPERATING
ENGINE EXHAUST GAS CAUTION
(CARBON MONOXIDE)
Do not breathe exhaust gas becau~ it contains carbon monoxide, which by itself
- has no color or odor. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas . .It can cause
un consc iousness and can
be lethal.
If at any time you think that exhaust fumes are entering the vehicle. have the cause determined and corrected as soon· as possible. If you must drive under these
conditi<:ms, drive only with ALL windows fully OPEN.
Prptect
against carbon monoxide entry ihtp the vehicle body. The best way is to
keep the engine -exhaust system, vehicle
body. and body ventilation system
properly maintained. We recommend that the exhau st system and body be "inspected by a competent mechanic: '
• each time the vehicle is raised for an oil change;
• whenever a change is noticed in the',sound ofthe~exhaust system;
• wh enever the exhaust sys.tem. underbody . or rear of the vehicle is damaged.
See your Maintenan ce Schedule fo.~4er for parts requiring inspection .
To allow proper operation of the vehicle's ventilation system, keep the air inlet
grill e
in front of the win(fshield clear of snow, leaves or other obstru ctions at all
times.
SITTING IN A PARKED VEI:iICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING FOR A LONG TIME IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
Do n ot fun , the engine in co nfined areas (such as garages or next to a building)
any more than needed to move the vehicle. When the, vehicle is stopped in an
UNCONFINED area with the engine running for any, more than a sho rt time, tak e the following steps:
A. Adju st the heating or cooling system to force outside air into the vehicle as
follows:
1. On cars not equipped with air co nditioning . se t the fan to medium or
high speed.
2. On cars equipped with air conditioning, serthe fan to medium or high
spe ed
a!1;d right hand control lever' to any position except "orr' or ·'Max."
-B. Keep the exhau st tailpipe -area clear of snow and other material to help"reduce
the buildup of exhaust gases' under the vehicle .
The ,trunk lid or hatchba ck should be closed while driving to help prevent drawing
exhaust gas into
the car. If the trunk lid or hatchback mu st' remain open for some
rea son while moving , or
if electrical wiring or other cable conn_ection s to a trai ler
_mu st pass through the sea l between the trunk lid or hatchba ck and -the body . follow
thes e precautions:
• Close all wind ows.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Off· You can turn off the engine without loc king the steering ,wheel and shirt control s o'n aut omatic tranSaxle models. or steering -wh eel only on
mariual transaxle models.
• Run· Normal operating position.
• Start -Cranks the engine:
If you have trouble turning the key to unlock the ignition. first be sure the key
i s pushed in all the way. Then try to turn the ste ering wheel as hard as you can
in the _di rec tion the Wheels are turned. At th e same time, turn the ignition key
with
as mu ch effort as you can apply with your ha nd. Do not try to use a tool
of any kind to
a_pply more force on 'the lock knob. as this could bre ak the kn.ob.
CAUTION: .on manual tranS8xle cars. if you need to turn off the engina while the car is moving. turn the key onlv to ".off." DO NOT press down on the key release lever while turning the ignition off. This will result in locking the steering wheel and If'S8 of steering control.
NOTICE: Do_.oot drive through . idle or park your vehicle over combustible materials. such as grass or lC!'aves. They could touch the hot exhaust system and Ignite.
Parking
When leaving your car unatte nded :
• Firml y appl y the park ing brake. Do n o t use th e tran saxle a 's a substitut e for (he parking brake.
• Mov e the automatic transaxle shift lever to "P"(Park) ("Rever se" for man ual
tran saxle ).
• 'Turn the key to "Lock ," On manualtransaxle cars, press,down the key release
lever a
nd turn the key to "Lock. "
•
Close all windows.
• Remove the key (the buzzer is designed to remind you).
• Lock ,,'n doors.
TURN SIGNAL AND MULTI-FUNCTION LEVER
The I urn signa l-lever on th e left side of the ste erin g column also co ntr ols headlight
l ow -beam
or high·beam. and the windshield wiper/washer .
• Turn Signal -Move the lever up to t he second stop to signal a right tum.
Move it do wn 10 the seco nd stop to sig nal a left turn . When the turn is
compleled, the signal will cancel and the lever will return to' h o rizont al.
• Lane Change Signal. In some turns. such as ch an ging lanes, the steering wheel is not turned far enou gh 10 ca nce l th e turn signal. Fo r convenience.
you
can flash Ihe turn signal by moving the lever part way (to t-he first stop) and h olding it there. The lever will re turn to horizo ntal when 'You release it.
Tw o green lights_ o n the instrum ent panel are des igned to nas h 10 tell you that
th e front and rear turn
sign al light s are working. If the light stays on, but does
not flash, check for bur ned- out turn signal bulbs. If Ihe green light does not com e
all when yo u m ove the leve r. c _h ec k the fuse and indicator . bulb. However, iryou
ordered a ,tra iler towing optio n in which extra wiring waS added to attach the
trailer lighting, a different type
of flasher was installed . In this case , the gree n light will co ntinu e 10 flas h even if a turn sig nal bulb burns out. Therefore, you must
regularly look at the front and
rear turn signal light s 10 be sure they are working.
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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 (
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine USE Tlltst: SAE VISCOSITY GItotoDH
I , , , cl.
*
::0';'~ ,.,..~,: , , , ,
I
lOW , , , ,
,
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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE: You cannot read the correct fluid level if you have just driven the car for a long time at high speed, in city traffic in hot weather, or if the car has been pulling a trailer. Wait. until the fluid has cooled down (about 30 minutes).
Remove the dipstick located on the driver's side forward of the cowl. Carefully
touch the wet end of the dipstick to find out if the fluid is cool, warm or hot. Wipe
it clean and push it back in until the cap seats. Pull
out the dipstick and read the
fluid level.
• If it felt cool or warm (about room temperature), the level should be
between the dimples above the "Full" mark.
• If it was too hot to hold. the level should be at or in the hatched area.
Add just enough DEXRON-®n fluid to fill the transaxle. It takes only 0.5 liter
(one pint)to raise the level from "Add" to "Full" with a hot transaxle.
Do not overfill the transaxle. Overfilling can cause foaming and loss of fluid, which
could result in transaxle damage.
Automatic Transaxle Drain Intervals
Change the transmission fluid and change the filter (or clean the screen) as
outlined in Section
A of the Maintenance Schedule folder.
ELECTRIC FAN
CAUTION: Keep hands, tools, and clothing away from the angine cooling fan to help prevent personal injury. This fan is electric and can come on whether or not the engine is running. The fan can start automatically in response to a heat sensor when the ignition is in the "Run" position.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
The coolant recovery system is standard. The coolant in the radiator expands with
heat, and the overflow collects in the recovery tank. When the system cools down,
the coolant
is drawn back into the radiator.
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a quality coolant that meets
GM Specification 1899-M. The cooling system is designed to use coolant (a mixture
of water and ethylene glycol antifreeze) rather than plain water. The coolant
solution should be used year round. It has many advantages, such as:
• provides freezing protection down to _37°C, (-34°P)
•
provides boiling protection up to 128QC, (262°P)
•
protects against rust and corrosion in the cooling system,
• maintains the proper engine temperature for efficient operation and emission
control, and
• allows proper operation of the coolant temperature light (or gage).
See Section A of the Maintenance Schedule folder to find out when the coolant
must
be replaced.
COOLING SYSTEM CARE
Check the cooling system at regular intervals, such as during fuel stops. You
usually do not need to remove the radiator cap to check the coolant level. Lift
the engine hood and look at the "see through" coolant recovery tank. When the
engine
is cold, the coolant level -should be at or slightly above the "Full Cold"
mark on the tank. When the engine has fully warmed up, the level should be at ')r slightly below the "Full Hot" mark on the tank. If the coolant level is low,
5-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CAUTION: If the air cleaner is removed during repair or maintenance, be sure to . put It back on correctly. If the air cleaner is not correctly installed, there could be II fire In the engine compartment (if there should happen to be a backfire), or other engine malfunction.
Power Steering System
Check the 'fluid level in the power steering pump at each engine oil change. Add GM :Power Steering Fluid, (Part Number GM 1050017) as needed:
, • Ifnuid is warmed up (abo ut 66°C or lSO"F --hot to the to uch), the fluid level
should be between the "Hot" and "Cold" marks on the filler cap indicat or.
• If cool (about 21°C or 70° F), the fluid level should be between the "Add" and "Cold" marks.
This fluid
does not need ' periodic changing.
Freedom Battery
Your new vehicle has a Delco FREEDOM battery. It needs no periodic
maint enance . Its
lOp is permanently sealed (except for two small vent holes) and
has no filler caps. You will never have to add water. .
The hydrometer (test indicat or) in the top of the battery provides information for
testing purposes only.
For full power needs at repla cement time, a Delco battery with ,the same catalog
number as shown on the original banery's label
is recommended.
CAUTION: FoUow the precautions listed in the Jump Starting Cautton {see the "'n Case of Emergency''' section o"f this manual, when working on or near the battery.
Personal injury (particularly to eyes) or property damage may result from battery explosion, battery acid, or electric.1 (short circuit) burns.
Hood latches and Hood Hinge
At the interval shown in the Maintenance Schedule lubricate hood latch assembly
and hood hinge assembly as follows :
1 . Wipe off any accumulation
of dir.t or contamination on latch parts.
2. Apply Lubriplate or equivalent to latch pilaf bolts and latch loc king
plate .
3. Apply light engine oil to all pivot points in release mechanism, as well
as primary
and secondary latch mechanisms.
5-9