1980 CHEVROLET CITATION flat tire

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 Air Conditioner
If your vehicle has an optional air cOnditioner , use the "Economy;' (" Vent" or
"Heater") position s whenever possible, The air conditioner compr essor is not on in these positions and the reduced engine load can improve fuel eco nomy.
Engine Maintenance
An engine that is properly maintained wjJl provide better fuel economy than .one
thai is not . One misfirin g spa rk plu g will cut fuel economy quite a bit , and will
make a difference in the amount of pollution _emitted fro m your vehicle .
Excess Weight
Fuel economy is related to the work the engine must do. The heavier the load,
the more fuel
it takes to run your vehicle. Keep weight to a minimum by taking o~t any luggage or cargo when it is not needed. .
Tire Inflation
Underinflation not only causes needLess wear of the tires, but can also waste fuel. It's a good idea to check tire pressures often and, for the best fuel econ omy, keep
your tires inflated to the highest
pr~suresshown on the Tire Placard on'the left
front doo r of your car.
Wheel Alignment
Improper toe alignment will cause the tires to roll at an angle, which will result
in faster tire wear.
It takes power to ove rcome this improper alignment which,
in tum, wastes fuel.
STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS
ANTI-THEFT STEERING COLUMN LOCK
The anti-theft lock (ignition) on the right side of the steering column has five
positi on
s:
TO REMOVE KEY, DEPRESS KEY \&!;;>. RELEASE LEVER
-~ I
~~~ --WHILE TURNING KEY TO LOCK POSITION
.. ~'-KEY RELEASE "..~ LEVER
• Accessory -You ca n use some elec trical a ccessories when the e ngin e is not
running.
To engage this position, push in the square-head key and tum the
top of the key towards you.
• Lock -Norm al parking position. It 'locks the ignition and prev en ts normal
use
of the steering wheel on all models, and the shift controls on automatic
transaxl e model
s. The ignition key canno t be turned to "Lock" and removed
until the shift lever is mo ved to "P "( Park) on automatic transaxle mode1s .
If you have a manual transaxle model, the ignition key cannot be turned to
"Lock" without pressing down the key release leve r.
2-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I COMPACT SPAul
*( ~
Y' v.
~
I ~-C( -"""-c I NO SPARE I • G@1J;"~j ((?)lie, __ ,". ::..-_~.c_
1. PARK ON lEVEL SURFACE AND SET PARKING BRAKE FIRMLY. 2. SET AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN "PARK" (MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE). ~ ($
~~~~?~;y,
3. TURN ON THE HAZARD WARNING FLASHER. 4. REMOVE JACKING TOOLS AND SPARE TIRE FROM STOWAGE AREA. 5. BLOCK FRONT AND REAR OF WHeEL ON THE SAME SIDE AS WHEEL BEING REMOVED BEFO OPERATING JACK. 6. LOOSEN, BUT DO NOT REMOVI:, WHEEL NUTS BY TURNING WRENCH COUNTERCLOCKWISE. (IF EQUIPPED WITH CHROME CAPPED WHEEL NUTS, NUTS MAY BE DAMAGED IF WHEEL NUT WRENCH IS NOT FULLY SEATED ON NUT). 7. WITH THE COLUMN SEATED INTHE JACK BASE AND THE LEVER IN "UP" POSITION, INSERT TH JACK HOOK IN THE BUMPER SLOT. 8. THE JACK BASE MUST SIT FLAT WITH THE TOP OF THE COLUMN ANGLED SLIGHTLY AWAY
I
FROM THE VEHICLE. ~---'-_ 'g. OPERATE JACK WITH SLOW, SMOOTH MOTION. iir~f~~_-'-'10. RAISE VEHICLE SO INFLATED SPARE TIRE WILL '0 --=-==!.~' 'J: JUST CLEAR SURFACE. FLEXIBLE BODY MAY DEFORM DURING JACKING.
;\;'2, 'ift;" "~~t. "-', ~ ~R;;'OWN"
11. INSTALL WHEEL AND REPLACE WHEEL NUTS WITH CONE SHAPED END TOWARD WHEEL. THEN. SLIGHTLY TIGHTEN EACH NUT. WHEEL MUST BE SEATED ON HUB. 12. PLACE LEVER IN ··DOWN"POSITlON. 13. LOWER VEHICLE. AND FULLY TIGHTEN WHEEL NUTS IN A CRISS-CROSS SEQUENCE BY WRENCH CLOCKWISE.

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 4. Lubricate hood hin 'ges.
5. Make hood -hinge and la tc h mechanism functiona l ch eck. to assure the
asse mbly
is working correctly.
Air Conditioning
Periodi cally have your Dealer check your Air Conditi oning system to be sure there
ha s been no loss in cooling output. See your Dealer immediat~ly if you suspect
the system
is not performing as it should.
Your car's air con dition ing'syste m will not operate below ambient temperatures of ~I"C (3(JF) regardless of co ntrol position.
TIRES
The tites ins tall ed on-your. vehicle are engineered to provide a proper balance of
these performa nce characteristics ~nder normal driving conditions.
• Endura nce
• Handlin g
• Noise
• Ride
• Road Hazard Resista nce
• Rolling Resistance
• Tractio n
• Tread Mileage
Thi s section contains some tips on how you can get the most benefit
from these
tire
s.
Vehicle Loading
-The tires on yo ur vehicl e -wil) perform well at aU normal loads w hen inflated
as recommended on the Tire Placa rd (located on the left front d -odr of your
vehicle) . Do not load your vehicle beyond the load limit s (total kilograms
or pounds) shown on the Tire Plac ard. The pla card tells you the design
limit s 'of' the vehicle, not just 'of the tires. Luggage tacks do not increase the maxim um vehicle load limits shown on the Tire Placard.
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::;: ( ) "" II''--.-,----.. -,--"-~--_-_--.-_-, .-,-_--_--'...J.J
TIRE PLACARD
If tire s are other -than standard load range (metric size tires), the load range
will
appear after the tire size stated on the Tire Placard . For example , , PI8S j80R 13/EL is an extra load tange (metric size) tire.
5-10
.'

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine LUGGAGE/CARGO LOAO CAPACITY
Maximum Luggage Compartment Load
Coupe 155 Pounds/70.2 Kilograms
Sedan 142 Pounds/64.5 Kilograms
NOTICE: Total combined weight of luggage compartment
load, luggage rack load (when-equipped) •. and passengers must not exceed the vehicle capacity weight (shown on the Tire Placard lOcated on the.left front door).
Inflation Pressure
The: cold inflation pressures listed on the Tire Placard provide for the best balance
of tire life, riding comfort. and vehicle handling under normal driving conditions.
If only one inflation pressure is recommended on the Tire Placard, this pressure
should be used for aU vehicle loading conditions. If your vehicle has two inflation
pressures listed on the placard, the "Max LDad" pressures can be used any time,
but must be used when you carry more passengers and cargo than is allowed in
the "Optional Pressures" section. The "Optional Pressures" can be used in lightly
loaded conditions by
'those who prefer the utmost in comfort. In all loading
conditions, use of the "Max Load" pressures will result in improved fuel economy.
Incorrect tire inflation pressures
can have adverse effects on tire life and_vehicle performance. Too Iowan" air pressure·"causes increased tire flexing and heat
build-up. This weakens the tire and increases the chance of damage or failure. It
can result in tire overloading, abnormal tire wear, adverse vehicle handling, and
reduced fuel mileage. 'I'oohigh
an air pressure can result in abnormal wear, harsh
ride, and also increase the chance of dar:nage from road hazards.
Tire inflation pressures should be checked (this includes the spare tire, unless it
is a stowaway spare) and whenever your vehicle is serviced. Always checJ<.,tire
inflation pressures when tires are "cold."
1. The "cold" tire inflation pressure applies to the tire pressure when a vehicle
has
not· been driven more than-one mile (1.6 kilometers) after sitting for three
hours or more.
2. It is normal for tire pressures to increase 30 to 60 kilopascals (4 to 8 pounds
per square inch)
or more when the tires become hot from driving. Do not "bleed" or reduce tire inflation pressures after driving your vehicle. Bleeding
reduces the
"cold" inflation pressure and increase tire flexing, which can
result in tire damage and failure.
3. FOr sustained driving at speeds of 75 mph to 85 mph (120 km/h to 140 km/h),in countries where such speeds are permitted by law, cold
inflation pressures must be increased
30 kPa (4 psi) above the cold inflation
pressures stated on the Tire Placard up to the maximum for each load
range stated in
the_ chart below.
Sustained speeds of 75 mph to 85 mph (120 km/h to 140 km/h) ARE
NOT ADVISED when the 30 kPa (4 psi) adjustment would require pressures greater than the maximum for each load range stated on the chart. Sustained
driving at speeds over 85 mph (140 km/h), where permitted by law. IS NOT ADVISED unless your vehicle is equipped with special high speed tires
available from many tire dealers.
4. Forproper inflation pressures when towing trailers, see page 1-11 in this
manuat
5-11

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine STANDARD EXTRA B C o
TIRE LOAD AND INFLATION PRESSURES
TIRE LOAD RANGE
-(METRIC SIZETIREI -(METRIC SIZETIREI -(ALPHA-NUMERIC SIZE TIREI -(ALPHA-NUMERIC SIZE TIREI -(ALPHA-NUMERIC SIZE TIREI
MAXIMUM COLD INFLATION PRESSURE
240 Ic.Pa 280 kPa 2211 kP. 250 kP, 275 kP,
(35 psi I (41";1 (J2 psil ( 36 psil (40 p.iI
TIRE LOAD RANGE IS MOLDED ON TIRE. (SEE ILLUSTRATION ON PAGES-leFOR LOCATION ON THE TIRE SIOEWALU.
5. Always use a tire pressure gage (we suggest you purchase a quality pocket
type gage) when checking inflation pressures. Visual inspection of tires for
inflation pressures is nol enough, especially with radial tires. Underinflated
radial tires may look like correctly inflated radial tires.
If the inflation
pressure on a tire
is often ·low, have your dealer correct the cause.
, I PROPERlY INFlATED 1MPR0PERl Y INFlATED
l~_~~_~) y RADIAl. TIRE
6. Be sure to put the tire inflation valve caps, if so equipped. back on. This will help keep dirt and-moisture from getting into the valve core which could cause
a leak.
7 .
If an air loss occurs while driving. do not drive on the flat tire more than
is needed to stop safely . Driving even a short distance _on a flat tire can damage
a tire and wheel beyond repair.
Inspection and Rotation
Front and rear tires perform different jobs and can wear differently depending
on the types
of roads driven, your driving habits, etc.
For longer tire life, you should inspect and rotate your tires as recommended in
Section A
of the Maintenance Schedule folder. Many car and tire dealers will perform -a free lire inspection to look for uneven or abnormal tire wear (usually
the result of wrong inflation pressures, lack of regular rotation, improper wheel
alignment, tires out
of balance, or poor driving habits).
After rotation, adjust the front and rear tire pressures (see
"Tire Placard") and be sure to check wheel nut tightness. (Wheel nulS should also be tightened at
certain intervals ; see the
hIn Case of Emergency" section, page 3-6, for further
information.)
5-12