Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A WORD TO MONTE CARLO OWNERS
This man ual has been prepared to acquaint -you with the operation an"d main~
tenance of your 1981 Monte Carlo, and to provide important safety informa
tion, It is supplemented by a Maintenance Schedule and two Warranty Informa tion folders. We ur ge you to·read these four publication s carefully. Follow the
recommendations to he lp assure the most enjoyable, safe and troublefree opera
ti on of your vehicle .
While reading this manual, you will notice that specifications are given in both metric and customary measures. Where precise.--accuracy is not needed, some
conversions have been rounded to even numbers for your handy use.
When it comes to service, remember that your Chevrolet dealer knows your
vehicle best and ' is int eres te d in your complete satisfaction.
Fotadded mechanIcal and electrical protection beyond the end of the New
Vehicle
and Pow er Protection Plus Limited Warranty, consider the GM Con
tinuous Protection Plan. The Plan is an optional service agreeO"lent which covers
repairs to specified major vehicle-components, provides rental car allowances,
towing and road service allowances, and many other features which enhance
ownership
both during and after the warranty. It cover~ your car for a total
of 36 month, or 36,000 mile, (50 000 kilometers in Canada) , whichever comes
first or for 48 months, 50,000 miles depending upon which of the four Plans
offered is purchased. Be sure to discuss the GM Continuous Protection Plan with your dealer, if you haven't already done so. The ~an is available to you for
up
to 6 months and/or 6,000 odometer miles from the date your new car was
put in dealer service or delivered to you as a new vehicle.
To help dealers handle you r needs, Chevrolet ha s a number of Zone Offices throughout the country. If you have a problem that has not been handled to
your satisfaction, follow the steps in "Owner Assistance." Section 6 of this
manual.
We thank you for choosing a Chevrolet product, and want to assure you of our
continuing interest in your motoring pleasure and satisfaction.
NOTE TO CANADIAN OWNERS:
Some cars sold in Canada have the Computer Command Control system, while
others do not. If a " CHECK ENGINE" light comes on during engine starting,
your car does have this system. For those cars sold
in Canada which DO NOT
HAVE the Computer Command Control system or are equipped with the
optional diesel engine, please refer to the Owner' s Manual Supplement supplied
with your car for information on engine starting, specifications, etc. The
"CHECK ENGINE" light is described in the Instrument Panel se ction of the
Owner's Manual.
If preferred , a French Owner's Manual can be obtained either from yollr dealer or by writing to General 'Motors of Canada Limited, Technical Publication s
Department ,
Oshawa. Ontario L lJ 526,'
Aux proprietaires canadiens
Vous pouvez vous pro curer un exemplaire de ce
guide en francais chez votre
concessionnair e au au "Service des publication s techniques, General Motors
du Canada Limitee. Oshawa.
Ontario L lJ 5Z6.
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 When replacing tires with those not having a TPC Spec. No., you should use
the same size,
load range, and constructiontype (bias, bias-bened, or radial)
as the original tires on your
vehicle . Although ~ is not generaly recommended ,
some alpha-size and metric-size tires can be interchanged. (For size
equivalency, contact your Chevrolet
dealer or a tire dealer) . A different size or
type of tire may affect ride,
handling, speedometer /odometer calibration,
vehicle ground clearance , and tire or tire chain clearance to the body or
chassis .
II replacing only a single tire, it should be paired on the same axle with the least worn tire of the other three.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
The following information relates to the tire grading system developed by the
National Highway Traffic Safety' Adminlslration which will grade tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
TREADWEAR
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified government test
course . For example, the tire graded 150 would wear one and a haij (1-1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the. actual conditions of their _ use , however ,
and may depart significanlly from the norm due to variations in driving habits , service practices and. differences in road characteristics and climate.
TRACTION -A, B,C
. T~~tr~ction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B, and C. They represent
the ' fiie'sability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete . A
tire marked C may have poor traction performance .
Warning: Thetr.ction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and· doellnot include cornerillg (turning) tractlon.
TEMPERATURE -A, B, C
The ·temperature grades are A (the highest), B, andC, representing the tire's
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditio 'ns on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained 'high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure .
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federat Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109 . Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The
temperature grade for Ihis tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinllaiion, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible lire failure.
5-16
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A wheel of the wrong size or type may adversely affect wheel and bearing life,
brake coo~ng, speedometer /odometer calibration, stopping abiUty, 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 treated harshly or have very high mileage, and could fail
without warning.
You can get wheels from your dealer.
CAUTION: Before installing whee .. , remove any buildup of corrOsion on the wheel mounting surfaee, and brake drum or brake disc mounllng surface, by scraping and wire brushing. Installing wheels without good metal-to-metal corrtact at the. mounting surfaces can cause wheel nuts to loosen, which can lirter allow • wheel to come off while the vehicle is moving, poJ$ibly cau~ng loss _otCQlltroi . lAIIo ~ the " Wheel Nut Torque " Caution in "In Case of Emergency ," Section 3 01 thi& manual
Warranty
Tires are warranted by the tire manufacturers. Warranty information is included in the manufacturer 's warranty folder furnished with your vehicle .
5-18
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ~_ fOIl a/or OdIe) ... .. 2·17 Engine -T""1* .... -(tOn... . ..... -2·17 FASTEN SEAT BELTS._ .......... -1·5 GEN (Electrical Sysl.m) . . ........ 2·17 Hazard War'rWIg Flasher . . ........ . 3·1 Headlight Circuit breaker.. . 2·~.7·3 HeedigtIf SWi1ch ••...• _ ..... ......•..•...• 2·7. 2.21
HeadIirj1ts On Reminder .. . ....... 2-21 Hi!tI·Beam rdcaIor .. . ....... 2·21 t-K>T. . ...........•.• _ .. ....... ....... 2-'17 Instrumenl Panel... ...... 2.15 Interior .... 01.. (PresstMe) .. ... .
--
....• . '2-30 2·19 ...... 2·14 Seal Bell FIerrindBf.. 1·8 Switch Headlights ................. ......... 2·21 TEMP (Teq)8falU'e). . ...... 2,19 LJmited·SIp Oift«enIiaI.. . ........ _5--5
""'" DOOr, . • ... ... ... 1,2 ._ .... . 2·16 GloVe Box .. 19ni1ion .. .... ............. ....... .......... _ .. 2--6 Keys ,.,
Theft Protection .... ..... ..... .........• ............. 2:2 Tn,ri:. -Powcw I\aIease .. ... 2·22 Low Seat. Child & ""8111.. . ... _. HI _ Luggage /Cargo Capacity. ; ..... ,. ..... 5-11 Mainlen
5-3. 7·1 ................ 2·19 . ................. 2·17 . ........ 5- ,3
Turbo Chaoge Interval .... ........... 2·33. 5-4 01.. Ught . . .......... .... 2-17 Openings. Roof ....... ... .. : ..... (See " Roofs") Opening 'The Hood (tnside Back Cover) Trunk ..... 2-22 Windows 1-2 Operating SpeecI$ . New car . __ -2-2 OperMing rIPS Fuel Economy .. : .... : ..... . __ ... 2"" Trailer Towing.. 1-12 Transmission .. . .... ...... 2-9 V...tilaeion Sys&em.. . ...... 2-22 Openllion ., Foreign Countries .. 2-4 Outside AIIarYiew Minor. _. . 1·3 Overheating" Engine 3-3 'Oversees Operation .. 2-4
............. Pwting Brake Pa1cing Lights ... PCII Valv. & Filter ...
... 2·. . 2·14 ... 1·. .... 7·2 Pat.1 Travel, Brake ............................ 2,14 Poishing ' & Waxing.. .. ....... ..... .......... 4-4 PoIUion ~ .... (see "Emission ConIrol")
""-~ ... Brakft: .. Door LockS .. Seett ...
.............. .......... 2-25 . .................. 2 ·14 ' ·2 .................. . 1-3 --.g ........................... . .., 2-11 2·22 Trunk Refease-.. WIfIdOoWs .. .... '·3 Pressur •• Oil GagII... .. ..... ..... ...... 2·19 L911... ............................ .. .... 2·17 Pr ....... e. ne Innation .. . So-I 2 P\..tse ""* .. 2·20 I!'ushing to Start.. . .... ..... ............. .... 5-2 ........ Andfreaze (Coolant). .. 5-6 CAp. Pressure ... . ................... ....... 5-8 o.ddng l..IMI' ... _....... ......... 5-6 0vemee8ing .... 3·3 Tha-mostat... .. 5·8 Aldol & Antennas... .. ...... 2-26 • 2~29 ..... wndoW Defogger ... . ................... .... 2-25
--I.irJWted.SIip ...... ....... 2-30. 5-9 MainTenance. ... 5·5 Stanc*d . .. 5-9 Tra iletlng.. 1·12 ReaMew Mirrors 1 -3 Aeco-v Tn. Coolant ... __ .-.................. 5·6 -.. Hood .: ' .. .' ... ' (Inside Back Cover) Seatbac k Latch 1-4 Trunk ... .. .... 2-22 Reminder Lights .......... ....... {See "L ights ") Replacomenl fastlilOef s. . .. 5· 1 Reptacement Maint9l1anc; e Schedule. .,' 5· t Reptacement Owner's Manua:.. (See Older Form) Replacement Parts.. . ....... ..... ... , ..•. 5-1 ReWaints ... Rests. Head . {See "Seal Sells") ..... 1-5 .. , 3 -9 Rocking Car When Stuc k ... RooIs C.rying cargo On .. SunrOQll ...... v-.nyt ...... ____ .... _ ......
'·2 . ..... 2 ·30 ______ ..... ...... 4-4 AotiMiOn. Tire .......... ........... .............. ..... 5·13 Ruslprooting.. .. ........ 4-5 Rust Protection SaMIy Belts .. .....
........ 4-5 .. {See "Seal 8eIts .. )
_ .............. , .. . .. .... '·4 1 ·10 CtIiIcI ...... .................. .. ~ .. . .............. ... ... 1,3 Heet RMltaints ............................... " 1-5 laIcl'lM ..
.... -
. . ..... .... .......... .. 1-4
c. ................................ .. • ... 0&-3 1·10 Child Reser ..... .
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine -. lap/ShOulder ..• light/Buzzer Reminder .. Pregn!lll1 Women ..
1-10 ,., ,.,
,.,
Rear Seal.. SeIr·~stiOg BrakE!S .. SENSOR Indicator:
......... 1-8. 1-9
Sensor, Oxygen .. serviCe & Maintenance Service Station Information .. CoVer)
_ 2-14 5·3 '·3 5·' (Irisioo' Back
ShOOt Metal Damage". Shoulder Belts .. Sidemarker ,lights.
4·5 (See "Seat Betts")
Signals. Turn .. Slippefy Surfaces, Driving On .. Snow Chains
Snow Tires _. Sounds (Buzzers. Tones,elc.) Disc Brake Wear Indicator.
Headlights On .. Key Reminder. Seal Bell Spare Tire
"""-Jacking Stowage Spark Plugs Sound Systems (Radios): Speakers .. Spatilicatlons
Speed,CrUise Control .. S~. New Car Break-In. Speedometer & Odometer Spot Cleaning Stainless Steel Protection. stains. RemOval' 01".,.; Starter Salety Switch Starting Emergency (Jump. Starting). Engine Fails to Start Gasoline Engine. Pushing to Start. Steering Column Controls Column lock. Power .. Wheel, Till Stereo. Radios & Tape Systems 2·29 Stowage 0( Tire & Jacl< Stowing Things In (Or (0) Gat StucfI. Car, Freeing. Sunrool ................... . Suspension Ball Joints Tachometer Tape Systems, Stereo T ernpei'ature Gage T~ature light Thefmostat
2-26,
7-4 2·' 2·' 5-15
5-15
2-15
2-21
. 2-7 ,.,
3-8 3·5 3·' 7-2
2-26 2-27
,., 2-12 2-2 2-15 4·2 4·4 4-3 2·'
3-, 2·' 2"8 5·2
2·6 2·6 2-11
2-11
2-28,
3·' '·2 3·' 2·30
5-10 2-18 2-27
2-19
2-17 5·' Tilt-Away Steering Whee! 2-11 TipS. Operating (See "Operating TIPS" TlreS) Air Pressure. 5-11
7·9
ChainS ..
-. Cleoning. 5-15 3-4,3-5,
U .; _ ... 4 .... 3·6 """-' -.. H..,·_ .. . ............. _ ..... _ ...... 5-12
Inflation Pressure. Load Capacity .. Load Range .. Overseas Use. Placatd .. PreSsur&,·Ait.,
Replacement WhOOIs .. Stowage .. Trailer Towing. Top Care, Vinyt .. Towing OisablOO Vehicle .. To start .. Trailaring .. Transmission
........ 3-4,3-5, 3-6 5-12 5-11 5-11 . ............. ; ... 2-4 . .......... _ ... 5-11 5-12 5-17 3~5. 3-6,3-7 1-12 ...
,., .._ .... : .. 3-9 1-12
Automatic .. (See ,'Automatic TransmiSSion") Transmitter, Mobile Radio .. Trip Odometer .• ... T,,... Driving With Trunk Open ......... 2-2 Key. 1-1 Release, power .................... 2·22 Turbochafgef Oil Change_. 3-33 Turbocharger Power ...... ....... , ........... 2-32 Tum Signals.. . .... 2-7 Unleaded Gasoline (See "Fuel") Upholstery Care _. . 4-I
Vehicle Identification Number 7-5 Vehicle Loading.. 5·11
Ventilation System.. 2-22 Vents, Outside Ail".. 2-22 VIN 7-5 Vinyl
Fabric Care Root Care .. Vollmeter ..
... 4-2 4-4 2-19
Warning Flasher, Hazard Warning. Lights .. '-3-1 (See "lights-:) (See WarrantY folder) Warranty Washers,· Windshield
Washing Car. Waxing & Polishing . Wear Indicators, Disc Brake
Weight, Load Carr'iiog. Wheel Changing Wheel Nut Torque
Whgels, Replacement
Wheal, Till Steering.
Windows Manual.
Pow~ Rear, Defogger .. Windshield
2-19
. .............. 4-4 ...... 4-4 ........ 2-15 5-11 3-5 . . 3-6 3-7, 7-2 5-17 2-11
Defrosting & Defogging ..... , ............. 2-25
Washer Use in Cold Weather .. 2·20 2-19 2-19 Washer Fluid .. Wipers & Washers
Wrecker Towing
Zone Offices .. ................. 3-9 6-2, 6-3