1981 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO air conditioning

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SECTION 2
STARTING AND OPERATING
ENGINE EXHAUST GAS CAUTION
(CARBON MONOXIDE)
Do not breathe exhaust gas because it contains carbon monoxide, which by
itself has no color or odor. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas. It can cause
unconsciousness and can be lethal.
If
at any time you think exhaust fumes are entering the vehicle, have the cause
determined and corrected
assdon.as possible. If you must drive under. lhese conditions , drive only wilh All windows fully OPEN .
To allow proper operation of your vehicle's ventilation system, keep the.air inlet grille in front of the windShield clear of snow, leaves or other obstructions at all
times.
Protect against carbon monoxide entry into 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 exhaust system and body be inspected by a competent lechniclan :
•
each time the vehicle is raised for an oil change;
• whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust system;
• whenever the exhaust system, underbody or rear of the vehicle is damaged or. becomes corroded .
See your Miiintenance Schedule folder for parts recuiring inspection.
To allow proper operation of your vehicle's ventilation system, keep the air inlet
grille
in front of the windshi~1d clear of snow, leaves or other obstructions at all
times.
Do not perk or idle this vehicle for more than 10 minutes with the ventilation
system control switch in the "off" position while the engine is running . Even
with
the ventilation system on, running the engine while parked is not recommended . Entry of carbon monoxide into the vehicle body is possible with
a
poorly repaired , damaged, or corroded exhaust system or body.
Do
not run the. engine in CONFINED areas (such as garages or next to a
building) any more than needed to move the vehicle . When Ih.e vehicle has to be stopped in an UNCONFINED area with the engine running for any more
than a few minutes, take the following stepa :
A. Adjust the heating
or cooling ' system to force outside air into the vehicle as
follows:
1. On vehicles not ecuipped wijh air condijioning, set the fan to medium or high speed and the upper control lever to any position except
"Off."
2. On vehicles ecuipped with air conditioning , set the fan to medium or
high speed and the upper control lever to any position except "Off" or
"Max., "
B . Keep the exhaust tailpipe area clear 01 snow and other material to help
reduce the
buildup 01 exhaust gases under the vehicle.

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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 • Always keep the area under the front seat clear for maximum rear seat airflow . .: ,
• For optimum driving comfort in. heating or air conditioning modes keep ", windows . closed. .
•
Clear snow and ice from the hood and air inlet in front of the windshield . This improves heater ahd defroster performance and lowers the chance of
fogging
on the inside of the windshield.
• During winter operation
run the blower on "High" for a few moments
before driving off. This helps clear the Intake ducts of snow and further
lessens the chance of fogging on the insiele of the windshield.
The following pages of this manual proviele more operating tips for getting
maximum heating
and cooling comfort. (AlsO s"" "Engine Exhaust Gas Caution (Carbon Monoxidej"at the beginning of "Starting and Operating ."
Section 2 oHhismanual.)
Lower Air Vents (Non Air Conditioned Vehicle)
Two control handles located beneath the steering colulTYl open (pull) and ciose
(full in) the
lower "ram" air vents . The amount of air discharged at these lower
outlets increases with vehicle speed. Maximum airflow can be obtained by
opening any of the side door windows slightly. If so equipped, the rear quarter SWing-out windows will optimize lower vent performance and provide maximum
airflow without opening a siele dIoor glass. In this condition, mimimum air
buffeting
and road noise is incurred .
HEATER SYSTEM (NON AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fan Lever
The fan;-lever (OFF-HI) provides speed control of the blower fan in all Air
Selector Lever positions.
Temperature Control Lever
The temperature control lever regulates the temperature of the air entering the passenger compartment in all Air Selector lever positions. Full down position
(HOT) provides maximum heat
(ambient air temperature) air.
AIR Selector Lever
• VENT --In this pOSition, minimum heat power. ventilation air is discharged
from the upper air oullets. Air quantity is
controlled by the FAN LEVER.
• BlEND_-The AIR SELECTOR LEVER may be adjusted between VENT and HTR (heater) to obtain a variable distribution of air between the uppe r air
outlets and the floor air outlet
• HTR (Heater )--In this position , most of the .air Is delivered to the floor air
outlet with a small amount deliVered to the windshield (defroster oullets).
The air temperature is
cpntrolled by the TEMPERATURE LEVER while the
air quantity is controlled by the FAN LEVER. This position is used for most winter driving. .
• BlEND--(The AIR SELECTOR LEVER may be adjUsted between HTR
(Heater) and DEF (Defrost) pOSitions to obtain a variable distribution of air
between the floor . air outlet
and the windshield air outlets.
• DEF (Defro st)--In this position , most of the air is delivered to the windshield
• ··-.(defrjl$t"routletS) with a small amount to the floor air outlet
The windsh ield de frost i
ng and defogging system assists in providing good
visibility through designated areas Of the windshield under most inclement
weather conditions. _For immediate operation of the vehicle, the windshield
should be scraped clear.
Operate system for
30 seconds before switching to DEF. This will remove
humid air from the system and minimize
rapid fogging of the glass which can occur jf humid air i s blown onto a cool windshield.
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
This system combines heating and cooling capabilities for comfort in all
weather conditions .
During some air conditioning operating conditions , slight increases and
decreases of engine speedfpower may be noticed . This should be considered
normal as the system is designed to cycle the compressor ON and OFF to
maintain desired cooling. The reduced compressor operation should benefit
fuel economy.
Fan Lever
The Ian lever (LO-HI) provide s speed control of the blower fan in all Air Selector Lever positions except OFF.
Temperature Control Lever
The temperature control lever regulates the temperature of the air entering the
passenger compartment in ALL Air Selector Lever positions.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Selector Lever
The air selector lever regulates air flow from the heater, defroster and air
conditioning outlets. It also controls operation of the refrigeration compressor.
• OFF--In this position the blower doeS not operate . However , when the
vehicle is moving, air will enter the passenger compartment through the floor
air outlet.
• MAX (AIR COND)--Air from the p~ssengercompartment is· mixed with a
small amount of outside air, conditioned and discharged from the upper
outlets. This position with the
temperature lever in full COLD is used for
maximum cooling under conditions
of high temperatu re and humidity .
• NORM (AIR COND) --Outside air is conditioned as it passes through the
system and is discharged from the upper outlets. This position is used for
most air conditioning situations.
• BILEVEL (AIR COND)--Outside air is conditioned and directed out the upper
outlets PlUS the floor air outlet. A small amount of air also flows trom the
windshield defroster outlets.
This position provided comfort and keeps the
windshield clear under low fogging conditions .
• VENT (ECONOMY)--Outsid~,air is discharged from the upper outlets. This position is used in cool. to moderate weather when· conditioned air· is not
required. The air conditioning compressor is turned off.
• HEATER (ECONOMY)-'-Outside air is delivered from the floor air outlets
with a small amount from the windshield defroster outlets. This position is
used for most winter driving. The air conditioning compressor is turned off.
• DEF--Outside air is conditioned and delivered from the windshield defroster
outlets with a smail amount delivered from the floor air outlet. This position
is recommended for conditions
Of severe fogging and icing only.
Air Outlets
The instrument panel air outlets may be rotated or vanes turned to direct air flow in direction' desired.
For additional air flow a lap cooler is provided under the steering column. This outlet has vertical vanes and can be rotated up or down as desired . Under this
lap cooler is an outlet with a control that can
be moved to the IefI or right for
opening and closing , controlling the amount of air
to the floor from the bottom
of the outlet.
ELECTRO-CLEAR REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
The optional defogger may be turned on after the engine is running by placing
the switch (on the instrument panel) in the
ON postlion . Power is indicated by a
green light. After the defogger has operated for a short time, the system will
automatically
shut off. If further defrosting or defogging is des ired, simply
actuate the switch again.
The defogger will not function if the ignition is off.
2-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have to add coolant more than four times a year (either to the recovery
tank or to the radiator), see your dealer for a cooling system check.
NOTICE: If you use the proper quality antifreeze, there is no· need to add extra inhihitorsor additiveswtlich claim to improve-the system. They may be harmful to the proper operation of the system.
Cooling' System Service
The cooling system should be serviced at the intervals specified in Section A of
the Maintenance Schedule folder as follows:
1. Wash the radiator cap and filler neck with clean water. See step 1 of "Coolant Replacement" for the proper way to remove the radiator cap.
2. Check the coolant level in the radiator and have it tested for freeze
protection.
Add ethylene glycol antifreeze, if needed, to maintain freeze
protection at-3JOC (~$4°f).
3. Have the cooling system and radiator cap tested for a pressure capacity of 105. kPa (15psi). (The pressure cantle anywhere from 95 kPa, or 14 psi,
to 120
kPa, or 18 psi.) If a replacement cap is needed, use an AC cap, or
an equivalent cap, designed fof coolant recovery systems and specffied for
your model.
4. Tighten all radiator hose clamps ang heater hose clamps and inspect all
hoses. Replace the hOSes if they are swollen, "checked" or otherwise worn.
NOTICE: Take care when tightening the hose clamps at the radiator. Overtightening could bend or collapse the radiator fittings.
5. Clean the front of the radiator core and air conditioning condenser to
remove dirt and other objects. Also clean the auxiliary engine oil andlor
transmission fluid cooler if the vehicle has them.
Coolant Replacernent
At the intervals specffied in Section A of the Maintenance Schedule folder, flush
9r1d refill the cooling system as follows:
1. Remove the radiator cap when the engine is cool:
•
Turn the cap slowly to the left until it reaches a "stop." Do not press
down while turning the
cap.
• Wait until any remaining pressure (indicated by a hissing sound) is
relieved, then press down on the cap and continue turning it to the left.
CAUTION: To help avoid the dangarm being burned. donotrem_ove the radiator cap While the engine' and radiator are. still. hot. Scaldingftukland steam ean be blown out under ~re It the cap is taken off too SOOf1.
2. When the cap is removed, run the engine until the upper rad.iator hose is
hot.
(ThiS shows that th~ thermostat is open and the coolant is flowing
through the system.)
3. Stop the engine. Open Ihe,actialor drain valVE! to drain the coolant. Drainage may be speeded by removing the drain plugs in the block, ff so
equipped.
5-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Conditioning
Your vehicle's air conditioning system will not operate below ambient
temperatures of 4'C (40"F) regardless of control position. .
See your
dealer immediately H you suspect the system is not performing as it
should.
TIRES
CAUTION: T~\'reduce the 'risk of lose ~VehiCIe control and Person.1 injury:
• TTres MUST BE prOperly Inflated, .nd your vehicle MUST NOT BE overkMtded (see 1M r.e PtacM'.d _1Oc_.c:t on the driver's door).
• Voui" vehicle MUST NOT BE operated cti, lpeedsfaster than 85 mph (140 ~m/h) unless it Is equipped with poIi~ pursuit tires or equivalent high-speed capability ti,es.-regardhtss 01 the ~ speed lmtt.
For more Safety InfOrmation. ~ the rest or this " TIre" section.
The tires installed on your vehicle are engineered to provide a proper balance
of these performance characteristics under normal driving conditions.
• Endurance
• Handling
• Noise
• Ride
• Road Hazard Resistance
• Rolling Resi.stance
• Traction
• Tread Mile'age"' •... .... <.
This section has some tips on how you can get the most benem from these tires. '
Vehicle Loading
The tires on your vehicle will perform well at all normal loads when inflated as
recommended on the . Tire Placard (located on the driver's door of your vehicle) . Do not load your vehicle beyond the load Umits (total kilograms or
pounds) shown
on the·TIre Placard . The placard. tells you the design limits of
the vehicle, not
Just of the tires.
VEt«:lf CAP.l.CIl" DCGuI' ... " ,COLO Tff\E ffiESSURE ... _, ,., " •... 10'" ,_, "' ...
SPAR{ HR£
",,! " 1-::.:::(' 1 • SEE O~ S ~ANu ... i. FOR "'OI)IJ lQtjA,l INf-QAMATioN
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