
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Never drive-the vehicle _with the  parking  brake set as this  -may  overheat  the 
reaf brakes reducing  their effectiveness  and causing  excessive  wear or damage, 
DISC BRAKE WEAR INDICATORS 
Front disc brakes  have built-in  wear indicators  that are designed  to make  a 
high-pitched 
squealing or cricket-like  warning sound when the brake linings  are 
worn 10 where -new  linings  are needed. The sound  will come  and go, or be heard 
all  the  time 
when the  wheels  are rolling,  and when  the brake  pedal is pu~hed down 
firmly . Expensive  damage can result 
if linings  are not  replaced  when needed. 
See also the brake  checks  listed in the  Maintenance  Schedule folder. 
CLUTCH .PEDAL 
On models equiPPed with a manual  transaxle,  a clutch  pedal is used to engage 
or  disengage  the clutch,  thereby  connecting 
or disconnecting  the engine  from the 
transaxle  and drive1ine  to the  front  wheels. -When  the pedal is fully  extended  the 
clutch 
is engaged,  driving the transaxle  arid the front  wheels. 
INSTRUMENT PANEL P.ND CONTROLS 
INSTRUMENTS 
The instruments,  gages and indicator  lights conveniently  grouped in the 
instrument  cluster are des igned  to 
tell you at a glance  many important  things about 
_the perfonnance of your vehicle _, _ The following  information will enable you to 
more  quickly -understand and properly it';:rerpretthese instruments. 
Speedometer 
The  speedometer chand  ·indicatt:5 vehicle  speed in miles  per hour  and kilometers 
per  hour. 
Odometer 
The  group  of six figures . in the  speedometer  lower center  section  indicates  the 
accumulated  mileage. 
Fuel Gage 
The fuel gagewiH register the_APPROXIMATE fuel level in the tank,  when  the 
ignition 
is in  the RUN position. 
When  the gage  registers 
EMPTY, some fuel is still available as a reserve.  When 
the  gage  registers 
FULL. some additional" fuel can"still be added  to the  tank.  The 
following  conditiqns  may be considered  normal: 
• Gas station _pump may  shut  off before  fuel gage  indicates FULL.  • 
• 
Amount of gasoline  required  for fill-up  may not exactly  correspond  to gage. 
• Needle  may not move  away  from FULL until some time after fill·up. 
• Needle  may !Dove during turns. stops and-accelerations. 
When  the ignition  switch 
is turned to the OFF position,  the needle  will not 
necessarily 
retiJrn · all the  way  to the  EMPTY  mark. 
2-15   

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   

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. 
COI.DJIU ... nWb. .n, ... ~ ... .""". .. .. 
~LC-----------·--t,M.~ro""'''~,."."''~. 1 F"HEca.~Y 
I 
::;: ( ) "" 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 CAUTION: BefOf"e Installing wheels. remo';.'~-~y build.up of corrosion on the wheel mOOnti_ng surfllce.and brake .drum or disc mounting surface by scrllping and wire brushing~-Installing ~h •• ls without good metal·to-metal contact at the mounting surfaces can cause whe.lnuts to loosen. which can later allow a wheel to c;ome off while the vehicle is moving. possibly causing loss of control. 
FRONT 
4 WHEEl ROTATION 
ROTATION· RADIAL "00 .at induM-'''tm,erMY use Daly" sure tire in rotation . 
Alignment and B.alance 
Proper  wheel alignment  improves tire tread  mileage . Your vehicle's  suspension 
. parts should be inspected often  and aligned  when needed. (See the Maintenance 
Schedule  Folder  for m ore information.)  Ball joints  have built-in  wear indicators, 
and some  movem ent  in th~ joint s is  normal. ' Improper alignment  will not cause 
the 
vehicle  to vibrate.  However,  improper  toe alignment  will cause  the tires  to roll 
at  an  angle  which  will  result  in faster  tire wear. Incorrect  caster or  camber 
alignment  will cause  your tires to wear  unevenly,  and  can  cause  the vehicle  to 
"pull" to the  left  or right. 
Proper tire  balan cing  provides  the best  riding  comfort  and helps  reduce  tire tread 
wear.  Out--of-balan ce tires -can .cause  annoying vibration and  uneven  tire wear  such 
as  cupping  and 
flat  spots. 
Traction 
A  decrease in driving. cornerin g,  and  braking  traction  occurs  when  water,  snow, 
ice,  gravel , 
or other  material is on the  road.  Driving  practices  and vehicle speed 
should be adjusted  to the  road condition~. 
When  driving  on wet or  slushy  roads,  a wedge -of water can build up between  the 
tire and  road.  This is known  as hydroplaning,  and may  cause  partial or  complete 
l oss 
of traction,  vehicle control,  and stopping  ability. 
To reduce the  chance  of traction loss,  follow  these tips: 
I. Slow down  during  rainstorms or when roads are Slu shy . 
2. Slow down  if road  has standing  water or-pUddles. 
3. Replace  tires when  tread wear indicators  are showing. 
4 .  Keep  tires  properly inflated. 
If your vehicle  has TPC radial.tires (see "Tire  Replacement" in  this  section),  your 
lir es  were  design ed  to 
provide _ better snow  tracti on  than  -bias or bias-belled tires 
without snow treads. However , iF . yo u use conventional  snow tires. be sure  they 
are  the same  size. loa d range,  and construction  type (bias,  bias belted, 
or radial) 
as  your  other  tire
s. 
5-13   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To help you detect  this, -your  tires have  bui1t-in  tread wear indicato .fS that 
appear  between  the tread  grooves when the tread is 1.6 millimeters  (2/32 
inch) 
or less . When  the indicators  appear in two or more adjacent  grooves 
at 
three _ spots  around  the tire,  the tire  should be replaced . 
LOAD lANal 
''-----7.cONSTll"UCtlON IXAMI'U 1 .. 1 
2.  The  tread or sidewall is cracked,  cut, or snagged deep enough  to expose  the 
cord 
or fabric. 
3 .  Your tire  has a bump . bulge. or split. 
4 .  The  tire has a puncture . cut , 
or other  injury  that can't be correctly  repaired 
because  of the  size 
or location of the  injury  . 
. Wheel Replacement 
Damaged  wheels must be replaced . For example.  replace wheels if they  are bent . 
cracked . 
or heavily rusted or if wheel  nuts often  become -loose . Also  replace  wheels 
that  leak  air (except  someaJuminum  wheels which can be repaired;.-see your 
authorized  dealer). 
Do  not  use bent  wheels  which have been straightened,  and do not  use inner  tubes 
in leaking  wheels designed  for tubeless tires. Such  wheels  may have  structural 
damage  and could fail without  warning. When  replacing  wheels for any  reason, 
the  new  wheels  should 
be equal in load limit, diameter,  width, offset, and mounting 
configurations  to those  originally  installed on your  vehicle. 
A  wheel 
of the  wrong  size. or  type  may adversely  affect wheel  and. bearing  life, 
brake  cooling,  speedometer/odometer  calibration,· stopping  ability, . headlight  aim, 
bumper  height, vehicle ground  clearance,  and tire 
or tire chain  clearance  to the body and chassis.  Replacement  with used wheels  is  not advised:  they ·may have 
been subjected  to harsh  treatment or very high  mileage  and could  fail wjthout 
warning . 
You can get wheels  from your dealer. 
Warranty 
Tires  are warranted by the tire  manufacturers.  Warranty information is included 
in the manufacturer's  warranty folder furnished  with your  vehicle. 
5-16   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SECTION 6 
OWNER ASSISTANCE 
Your satisfaction  and goodwill  are important to your  dealer  and to us. Normally, 
any  problems  with the sales  transaction  or the-operation of your car will be 
handled by your  dealer's Sales or Service departments.  Sometimes, however, 
despite  the best  intentions  of all  concerned,  misunderstandings  can occur. 
If your 
problem  has not been  handled  to your  satisfaction, we suggest  you follow  these 
steps: 
STEP ONE -Discuss your problem with a member of dealership management. Complaints  can often  be quickly  resolved  at that  level. If the 
problem  has already  been reviewed  with the Sales or Service  manager,  contact the 
owner 
of the  dealership or t~e General  Manager. 
STEP TWO -Contact the Chevrolet Zone Office closest to you_ (Zone offices are listed on the following pages.) IIi Canada, contact the General 
Motors  Zone Office. If your problem  cannot be quickly  resolved  by the  dealership 
without  further help, contact  the Zone's  Consumer  Relations Department,  and 
provide  them with: 
• Your  name,  address  and telephone ~umber 
• Vehicle  Identification  Number (This is available  from the car registration or title, or the plate  attached  to the  left  top of the instrument 
panel 
and visible  through  the windshield.) 
• Dealer's  name and location 
• Vehicle's  delivery date and present  mileage 
• Nature of problem 
A  convenient  form for your  use 
is included in this section. 
STEP THREE  -Contact the Consumer Relations Representative, Chevrolet Central Office, Chevrolet Motor Division, Detroit, 
Michigan 48202 (313-556-S219)_ (In Canada, contact the Customer 
Services ~epresentative. General· Motors of Canada Ltd .• Oshawa. Ontario, L1 J SZ6; 416/644-6624)_ The representative  will review  all the 
facts involved.  Then, if it is felt some  further  action can be taken,  the zone  will 
be  so instructed.  In any  case,  your contact  will be acknowledged  providing 
Chevrolet's  position 
in the matter. 
When  contacting  the Zone  or Central 
Office, please  bear in mind  that your 
problem  will likely  be resolved  in the  dealership,  using the deaLer's  facilities, 
equipment  and personnel. 
So it is suggested  that you follow  the above  steps in 
sequence  when you have  a problem. 
Your  purchase 
of a Chevrolet  product is greatly appreciated by both your  dealer 
and  Chevrolet.  We want  to help  you 
any way we can to make  sure you are 
completely  satisfied with your  car. 
6-1   

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have discussed a problem with your dealership manage
ment and have not been able t.o resolve it. let us know. Here 
is a  convenient  form you may wish to use to contact  the Zone 
Office. After completing  this form,  mail it to: OFFICE OF CON
SUMER  RELATIONS,  CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION. Make 
sure  you address it to the Zone  Office closest  to you . (See 
Zone  Office addresses on 'previous pages.) r---------------------------I  kUf  hIHH) 
NAME: 
ADDRESS: _ _ ______________ _ 
CITY: ________ STAT. , _____ _ 
ZI': __ _ 
PHONE NUMBER (DURING DAY): 
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 
DEALER'S NAME: ______________ _ 
CITY, _ _ _ -'-_____________ _ 
DATE PURCHASED: __________ ___ _ 
PRESENT MILEAGE: ____ --'-
Ie 1 1 COMMENTS: 
I] 
I I I 
I 
I 
I I r I I I r 
I I 
I 
I 
~GNED_~ _ ________ __ 
DATE ____________ _