1981 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO check engine

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOT1C~: Uoeonty ~ ...... hhches ....... pomiIt ' nonnoI ..,o,otlon' ..... Energy Ab8Orb4ng Bumper system, if to equipped~-For ex..".,.., • rigid fore 8nd 1ft conMction between the bumper and any other pwt Of-the c. mIIy Inc,. ... dMnege Nl the event gf I colli.lon.
TRAILER TOWING TIPS
, Getti"9
Started
Before entering traffic w~h a traile, that has electric brakes, start the vehicle
and trailer moving and apply the traile' brakes by hand to be sure the trailer brakes ' are working and the trailer eleCtrical syStem is connected ,
".d~,~!!.~!.~~,CooUng If your engine overheats "foliowthe steps under, "Engine Cooling System" in
"InCase of Emergency," Section 3 01 this manual.
Long Uphill Grades
When goingup,long grades ; you can reduce the chance of engine overheating
by dOwnshifting the transinission to a
Jower'gear range and reducing speeds to
'" '4S mph (70 km /h) or below . '. " " ,-,-."." .. ,. '
Transmission
See the method for checking the transmission fluid level in "Service and
"'~!!illl£<;': Section S of thismanuaJ.
Parking
You should not park vehicles with trailers on a grade (hill); However, If
you must park on a 'grade, these ste,PS }l1ust be fallowed:
1. Apply theregular .brakes . ,'\' y .
2, . Have someone place wheel chocks under the trailer wheels .
3. When the wheel cho cks are in place, release the regular brakes until, the
c hocks absorb the load. .
4 . Apply
the parking brake.
S . Shift the transmission to
"P"(l'ark) .
If the veh icle is parked on a .gr ad e, don 't Shift the transmission to "P "(Park )
until
the trailer wheels are chocked and tOO parking brake is set If you dO, the weight of the vehicle and trailer may put'somuch force on the parking pawl in
the transmission that it·may be hard to Shift out of "P "(Park) .
When' s tarting, after being parked On a grade :
L Apply the regular brakes and hold.
2. Start ,the engine in , "P"( Park) .
.
3 . '. Shift into gear and releas .e the parking brake ..
4. Release the regular brakes and drive until the chocks are free .
S .
Apply the regular brakes and haveanoti1er person remOve the chocks.
1-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire Inflation
Underinflation not only causes needless wear 01 the tires, but can also waste ' fuel. It's a good idea to check tire pressures often and, fO( the best fuel
eccnomy, keep your tires inflated to the highest pressures shown on the Tire
Placard on the left front door of your vehicle .
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 overcome this improper alignment which.
in turn, 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
-""'positions: .
• Accessory-You can use SO the top of the key toward you.
• Lock -Normal parking position. It locks the ignition and prevents normal use
of the steering
wheel and shift controls. The ignition key cannot be turned
to "Lock" and removed until the shift lever is moved to "P"(Park).
• Off-You
can turn off the engine without locking the steering wheel and shift controls.
• Run-Normal operating position.
• Start-Cranks the engine.
If you have trouble turning the key to uniock the ignition, first be sure the key is
pushed in
all the way . Then , try to turn the steering wheel as hard as you can
in the direction the
wheels are turned. At the same time, turn the ignition key
with as much effort as you can apply with your hand; Do not try to use a tool of
any kind to
apply more force on the lock knob, as this could break the knob .
NOncE: Do not drive through, idle or park your vehicle over combustible marla Is, .uch •• grass or leaves. They could touch the hot eJlhauat .ystem .-.cIlgnite.
Parking
When leaving your vehicle unattended :
2-6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Firmly apply the parking brake. Do not use ·the transmission as asubsmute for the parking I)rake.
•
Move the automatic transmission shift lever to "P"(Park).
•
Turn the key to "Lock ."
•
Remove the key (the · buzzer is designed to remind you).
• Lock all doors .
TURN SIGNAL AND HEADLIGHT BEAM LEVER
The turn signal lever on the left side of the steering column also controls
headlight low-beam and high-beam and the optional Cruise Control. (For Cruise Control operation, see page 2-12.)
• Turn Signal -Move the lever up to the second stop to signal a right turn.
Move it down to the second stop to signal a left turn. When the turn is
completed, the signal will cancel and the lever will return to horizontal.
• Lane Change Signal -In some turns, such as changing lanes, the steering wheel is not turned far enough to cancel the turn signal . ·For convenience,
you can flash the turn signal by moving the lever part way (to the first stop)
and holding it there. The lever will return to horizontal when you release it.
TURN SIGNAL MOVE UPWARD -R.H. TURN MOVE DOWNWARD -l.H. TURN
I LANE CHANGE I MOVE UPWARD TO
HEADLIGHT BEAM CHANGER (HEADUGHTS ON)
PUtl LEVER TQWARDYOU
l$T STOP-CHANGE FROM LEFT TO 'RIGHT lANE
MOVE DOWNWARD TO 1ST STOP-CHANGE FROM RIGHT TO LEFT LANE
A green light on the instrument panel is designed to flash to tell, you that the
lront and rear turn signal lights are working . If the light stays on, but does not
flash, check for burned-out turn signal bulbs.
If the green light does not come on when you move the lever, check the fuse and indicator bulb. However, if
you ordered a traiter towing option in which extra wiring was added to attach
the
trailer lighting, a different type'of flasher was installed. In tliis case, the
green light will continue to flash even if a turn signal bulb bUrns out. Therefore ,
you must
regularly look at the front and rear turn signal lights to be sure they
are working.
• Headlight Beam Changer -With the headlights on, pull the lever toward
you until you hear a click, then release it. The lights will change from Iow­
beamto high-beam or from high-beam to low-beam . When the hig~-beams
are on, a blue light will appear on the instrument panel.
CORNERING UGHTS
The front fender cornering lights operate in conjunction with the turn signals.
When the turn signal is operating in either direction, and the headlights or
parking
lights are on, the corresponding cornering light emits a steady
sideward beam to provide additional illumination .
2-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine STARTING THE ENGINE
For vehicles sold in Canada which do NOT. have the. Computer Command
Control system, pleru;e refer to the Owner's Manual Supplement supplied with
your
vehicle for engine starting procedures . (If a "Check Engine" light comes
on during engine starting, your
vehicle does have the Computer Command
Control system.)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2 . Move
the transmission shill 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 re-start
the engine while the vehicle is moving, move the shift lever to "N ." )
3 . Start the engine .as outlined below for different conditions . Be sure to
follow the instructions which apply to your engine . (The Engine Code is the
8th digit on the
VIN plate at the lower left side of your windshield . See
. "SpeCifications" .Section 7 oUhis manual for more details.) "~" ...
NOTICE: Do not crank the engine 'or more than about 15 seconcls at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again. Thla will hetp prevent damage to the starter.
• COLD ENGINE
•
All Engines -Press the accelerator pedal to the floor and slowly
release it. With your foot 011 the pedat, crank the engine by turning
the ignition key to "Start." Release the key when the engine starts.
If the engine does not start or starts, but fails to run, repeat this
procedure
.
• .• • .
,., .•..• ·Whe!\. '.he engine is running smoothly (about 30 seconds), you can reduce
the engine
idle speed by pressing clown onthe.accelerator · pedal. then slowly releasing ~. .
NOTICE : If the engine runS a long time (S minutes or more) without pressing down the accelerator pedal, overheating OOl,lkf'C;.auM : damage -to 'the engine and exhaust system. ' I, .
Do not Ie.Y~ yoot vehicle ,unattended with the engine . running. H the engine should overllut, you would not be there to I'NCt to the temperatwe wwnlng light Of gaga. This
could reaun if! costly damage to your vehicle and Ita contents.
• Warm Engine
• All -Do not press clown the accelerator pedal. With your foot off
the
pedal , crank the engine by turning the ignition key to "Start." II the
engine
does not start after 3 seconds of cranking, press clown the
accelerator pedal to 1 /3 of its. travel while cranking. Release the key
(and accelerator pedal) when the enginjl starts.
• Very Cold We'lther (Below -1S"C Or O"F Or After Vehicle Has Been Standing Idle Several Days) • Before cranking the engine, fully depress
and release the accelerator
pedal one or . two times more than stated for
your engine under
"Cold Engine" .starting. Then, with your foot-oil the
accelerator pedal, crank the engine by turning the ignition key to "Start." Release the key when the engine starts.
4 .
Apply the regular brakes and shift into. the proper gear. Release the
parking brake and
drive off.
2-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine DISC BRAKE WEAR INDICATORS
Front disc brakes have bum-in we .ar indicators which are desigled to make a
high-pitched squeating or
cricket·tike warning sound when the brake pads are
worn to where new pads are needed . The sound will come
and go. or be heard
all the time when the wheels are rolling, but will stop when the brake pedal is
pushed down
firmly. Expensive damage can result if pads are not replaced When needed .
See also the brake checks listed in the Maintenance Schedule folder.
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROLS
INSTRUMENTS
The instruments . gages and indicator lights convenienlly grouped in the
instrument cluster are designed to tell you at a glance many important things
about the perform ance of your
vehicle. The following information will enabl e
you to more quickly understand and properly interpret these instruments.
Speedometer
The speedometer hand indicates vehicle speed in miles per hour and
kilometers per hour.
Odometer
The group of six figures in the, speedometer lower center sectiori indicates the
accumulated mileage.
Trip Odometer (optional)
The trip odometer may be reset to zero by turning stem to. the right This
instrument may be used to 1TI<\':!1 .. aPC~rately record trip mileages 'or kilometers .
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage will 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 conditions maybe considered normal:
•
Gas station pump may shut off before fuel gage indicates FULL
• Amount of gasoline reqUired ior fill~up may not exaclly correspond to gage.
• Needle
may not move awa y from FULL until some time aiter fill·up .
• Needle
may move during turns. stops and accelerations.
When the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position, the needle will not
necessarily return all the way·to the EMPTY mark.
2·15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ~
OSTANDARD OOPTIONAL
'"
OPTIONAL
r , ).
1. Fuel Gage 2. Warning Lights 3. Speedometer 4. Hi-Beam Indicotor 5, Odometer 6. Clock 7. Glove Box 8. Wind'shield Wip.r Control 9. Light Switch
10. Rea r Window Defogger Switch 11. Heater and Optionol Air Conditioning Control
m
12. Ashtray 13. Cigarette lighter U. Radio and Control. 1.5. Turn Signal Indicator 16. Tachometer 17, Warning Gages
18. Shift Indicator
19. Check Engine 20 . R.H . Outside Remote Mirror

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Oil! Choke Indicator Light
This light will come on to prov~ a "bulb check", when the ignition is turnee
on, but should go out after the engine is startee. If light fails to come on with
ignition turnee on,
it could indicate a bumee -out bulb , a defective electric
choke heater circuit or a
blown instrument lamp fuse. Have system repairee if
light
does not come on during check.
Occasionally, this light may flicker . momentarily while the engine is running but
this will· not harm ,the ' system. However, if the ,light remains on during normal
engine operation , the engine shoutd be stopped until the cause of the
trouble can be Iocatee .andcorrectee. The source of the troubte could be any of the following.
•
Loss of engine oil pressure.
• Blown "Choke Heater" or Gage fuse.
• Loss of electric choke heater vo~age.
NOTICE: Continuing to run the engine with an illuminated oil/choke pressure light can cause serious damage to the engine or unusually high exhaust system temp*'ratures which could resuh in serious d8mage to the vehicte.
Choke Warning Indicator Light
On some vehicles equippec with tlie optional .Oil pressure gage, an amber
choke warning indicator
-light replaces the red oil pressure ' indicator light in the
instrument cluster. If this light comes on, indicating loss of electric choke
heater voltage , have your authorizee
Oealer locate and correct the trouble as
soon as possible.
Generator Indicator Light
The red .light VOLT is designee to come on when the ignition.key is in the "run " pos~ion,bul t>efiJrethe 'engine;;, startee. After the engine starts, the
light should go out and remain oul.
H the light remains on when engine is
running , have your Authorized Dealer locate and correct ' the trouble as soon as
possible .
Engine Temperature Indicator Light
This indicator light is providee .in the instrument cluster to. quickly warn of an
overheated engine. 'With the ignition in the START position, the ree TEMP
indicator (hot light) will light to
let you know that it is operating properly.
When the engine is starlee,
the ree light will go out immediately. tt will light up
at no other time unless for some
reason the engine reaches a dangerously
high operating temperature. Glance .at the instrument cluster freqtJentiyas you
drive, if this light is on see
"Engine Cooing System" on page 3,3.
Brake System Warning Light
The regular braking system is a dual system designee so that one part will
provide some braking action
n there is a loss of hydraulic pressure in the other
part of the system. The system has a "Brake" warning Ught Iocatee in the
instrument · panel.
• To serve as a reminder, the "6RAKE" light is designee to stay on when
the parking brake is not fully released and the ignition key is on.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine "
• The lighl is also designed to come oi, briefly during engine starting so you . can check that the bulb is okay .
• Have the system repaired ifth'e light .d~es· not .come on during engine
. starting or when th.e Parking brake is set.
•
This warning light does not do away with the heed for brake inspection and
maintenance. The brake fluid level must be checked regularly . See your
Maintenance
Schedule folder for other brake checks.
If the light 'comes on andstavson when the ignition key is on, after the brake pedal has been firmly pushed down, it may mean that there is somelhing
'
wrongwith I?"" of the br"kesyjitem.
What to do:
1. Check to see that the parking brake hec been released . If it has been ..
2. Pull off the road and stop carefully, And remember that:
" .• " Stopping ,distances may be longer.
•
You may have to push harder on the pedal.
•
The pedal may go down farther than normal.
3, Try out the brakes by starting and stopping on the road shoulder--then:
• If you judge it to be safe, drive cautiously at a safe speed to the .near,est dealer for ,repair, or
• Have vooicle t6w~ to the nearest dealer for repair.
Continued driving without getting necessary repairs could be dangerous .
"'''''''~''., ENGINE" LIGHT
All gasoline"~~gine VehiCles sold in ttwl,lnited States (aridsorne ' vehidle. sok:!
in Canada) have the Computer Command Control sYstem, (canadian owners
should
also ' read the Nole on the. inside front cover of this manual. )
If your vehicle has thElCoTP\Jter :,eommand:'ContrOI-system, ,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
Computer , Command
Control system may be required , Although. the. v.ehicle
may still be drivable, see , your Chevrolet dealer as soon as possible . for an inspection of the system , (Some vehicles sold in Canada, DO NOT HAVE the
Computer Command Controtsystem ,
ILyeur vehicle does not have a "Check
Engine " light, then it does not have the Computer Command Control system,)
Continued, driving without having the Computer Command Control system
serviced
could cause damegeto' the emission control system, It could also affect fuel economy and drivability, .
See also "Computer
Command Control' system" in "Service and Maintenance," Section: 5 of this manual.
Tachometer
The optional tachometer i. ndicates the speed of the engine in revolutions per
minute, The' indicated num,ber, times 100, gives the engine speed, Operating
the engine
with. the tachometer . reading .in the colQr-coded high-speed area could lead to seriOUS engine damage,