1984 CHEVROLET CAVALIER service

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Other Gasolinel Alcohol Blends
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing alcohol without advertising the
presence of
alcohol or giving it a special name such as gasohol. " you are not
sure whether there is alcohol in the gasoline you buy, check with the service
station operator.
DO NOT USE gasolines containing methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) that do
not
also contain cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors for methanol. Also, DO NOT USE gasolines that contain more than 5 percent methanol even if they
contain
cosolvents and corrosion inhib~ors. Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems resuHing from the use of such fuels is not the
responsibility
of Chevrolet and may not be covered under the new vehicle
warranties.
Mhough gasolines containing 5 percent or less methanol and appropriate
cosolvents and inhibitors for methanol may be suitable for use in your vehicle,
evidence of their suitability is as yet incomplete; therefore, Chevrolet cannot, at
this time, endorse their use.
NOTICE: Take care to not spill gasoline during refueling. Guolines containing alcohol can cause paint damage, whiCh may notba covered under the New Vehicle Warranty.
OPERATION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
All models are specifically bum to comply with United States Federal Regulations regarding environmental quality. To comply, unleaded fuel of
sufficient octane rating must be used. These
fuels may not be available in
other countries. "you intend to take your vehicle outside the U.S. or Canada,
contact the GM Overseas Service Section at the
following address, to find out
what you must
do in order to operate your vehicles in other countries, or for
additional information and a. copy of the applicable maintenance schedule.
General Motors Corporation, Overseas Service Section, 2-128 General Motors
Building,
Detroij, Michigan 48202, (313) 556-4862.
When
writing, please include:
•
the Vehicle Identification Number and
• the countries in which yOu plan to travel.
Before taking your vehicle to a foreign country, check to see if the proper fuel
is available. Most major oil companies or domestic auto clubs should have this
information. Foreign offices of major oil
COmpanies or auto clubs may also be
of
help.
Be aware that, use of leaded gasoline or use of fuel that has a lower octane
rating than is required by your
vehicle, will cause the emission control system to lose its effectiveness and can cause ,engine knock or serious engine
damage. Ne~her GM Overseas nor Chevrolet will be responsible for damage to
your
vehicle as a result of not USing the proper fuel.
IMPORTANT FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FUEL
ECONOMY AND HOW
TO IMPROVE IT
How you drive, where you drive, and when you drive all affect how many
miles/kilometers you can get from a galion/liter of fuel. You can save fuel if
you avoid
"Jackrabbit" starts, maintain as constant a throttle position as traffic
conditions
allow once you have reached cruising speed, and avoid sudden
stops which waste energy in the form of heat generated in braking.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine • Amount of fuel 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 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.
Oil Pressure Light
When the ignition is turned to "Run," the "Oil" warning light appears until the
engine is started. Thereafter, the light should be off unless there is insufficient
oil pressure or engine idle speed is below normal. If the light should come on
at any time while driving (other than momentarily at idle speed or after a
sudden stop), stop immediately and investigate the cause of
low oil pressure.
This could possibly be caused by low oil level in the crankcase. Engine
operation with low oil pressure will 9ause damage to the engine.
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
This light is located in the instrument cluster and is designed to come on to warn the driver that the engine coolant has overheated and immediate
action is required to correct the condition. As a check that the bulb and its
circuit are working, the light will come on during engine starting; if it does not,
have it repaired
promptly. If the light comes on at any other time, see "Engine
Cooling System Overheating" in "In Case of Emergency," Section 3 of this manual.
CAUTION: It the Engine Coolant Temperature Light shows an overheat condition or you have other reason to suspect the engine may be overheating, continued operation of the engine EVEN FOR A SHORT TIME may result in a fire and the risk of personal injury and/or severe vehicle damage. Take immediate action as outlined under "Engine Cooling System Overheating" in "In Case of Emergency," Section 3.
Generator Indicator Light
The VOLT light is designed to come on when the ignition key is in the "RUN" position, but before the engine is started. After the engine starts, the light
should go out and remain out. If the light remains· on when engine is running,
have your authorized
dealer locate and correct the trouble as soon as possible.
Shift Indicator Light
The Shift Indicator Light is covered in the "Manual Transaxle" information in
this section.
"Check Engine" Light
Most gasoline engine vehicles sold in the Unijed States (and some vehicles
sold
in Canada) have the Computer Command Control system.
Vehicles with the Computer Command Control system include a "CHECK
ENGINE" light
on the instrument panel designed to indicate the need for
system service. It will 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.)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Have the system repaired n the "CHECK ENGINE" light does not come on during engine starting. If the light comes on, either intermittently or
continuously while driving, service to the Computer Command Control system
is required. AHhough in most cases the vehicle is drivable, and does not
require towing, see your authorized
dealer as soon as possible for service of
the system.
Continued driving without having the Computer
Command Control system serviced could cause damage to the emission control system. It could also affect fuel economy and drivability.
See also "Computer Command Control system" in Section 5 of this manual.
Brake System Warning Light
The regular braking system is a dual system designed so that one part will
provide some braking if there is a
loss of hydraulic pressure in the other part of
the system. The system has a
"BRAKE" warning light located in the
instrument panel. The "BRAKE" light is designed to come on briefly during
engine starting so you can check that the bulb is okay. To serve as a reminder,
the
light should stay on when the parking brake is not fully released and the
ignition is
on. Have the system repaired if the light does not come on when it should. This warning light does not do away with the need for brake inspection
and maintenaflce. The brakelluid level must be checked regularly. See your
Maintenance Schedule folder for other brake checks.
I! the light remains on aller engine start up or comes on during operation of the vehicle, it may mean that there is something wrong with part of the brake
system.
What
to do:
1. Check to see that the parking brake has been released. I! it has been:
2. Pull off the road and stop carefully. 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. Tryout the brakes by starting and stopping on the road shoulder--then:
• I! you judge it to be safe, drive cautiously at a safe speed to the
nearest dealer for repair. Or,
• Have vehicle towed to the nearest dealer for repair.
Continued driving without getting necessary repairs
could be dangerous.
Tachometer
The optional tachometer indicates the speed of the engine in revolutions per
minute. The indicated number, times
100, gives the engine speed. Operating
the engine with the tachometer reading in the color-coded high-speed area
could lead to serious engine damage.
Voltmeter
When the engine is operating, the voltmeter indicates the electrical system
voltage. During minimum electrical load, the pointer will read to the right of the
center.
As the electrical load is increased, or in stop-and-go driving, the pointer
will rotate to the Ieli. A meter reading continuously in the left or right zone
indicates
an electrical system failure. Cause of the failure should be determined and corrected.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When installing the cover,oo sure the handle is on top. Standing at either side, grasp one end of the roller and place the opposite end into the mounting
bracket on
the far side . Push the roller toward the inserted end to shorten it
and slide the near end into the slot of the other bracket so it snaps in place.
Pull on each end of the cover to 00 sure it is fully seated. The cover can be left
rolled
up when not needed .
CAUTION: To help keep u.., cargo cover from being thrown .,.a,oot and jnjlM'ing people during a collision or sudden maneuver:
• Be sure _the cover is installed according to these Instructions.
• WMn not-instalted, stow, the cover behind the front seats as shown.
• Remove and stow the roiler when a top-strap equipped child restraint is placed In the rear seat.
ROOF CARRIER (STAnON WAGON ONLY)
The optional roof luggage carrier is designed to allow loading of items onto the
roof
' of your car. The carrier does not increase the total Ioad-carrying capacity
of the car, shown oppoSite "Max Load " on the TIre Placard on the driver's
door. Be sure the
total weight of the cargo on the roof, plus the weight of the
cargo and passengers inside
the car, plus the tongue load of any trailer you
are towing, does not exceed this· "Max Load" vehicle capacity weight. See "Tires" in "Service and Maintenance," Section 5 for more information on
vehicle loading. If needed, see "Trailer Towing" in "Starting and. Operating,"
Section 2 .
NOnce: To hetp avOid damage to the car, do not exceect 70 kilograms (150 pounds) cargo weight on the roof. Position the cargo on the luggage carrier as evenly as possible. If carrying long items , never exceed car length emUasten loads eacurely at the front and rear of the car, as well as to the luggage ~rier.
The carrier consists of: five roof slats attached to the top of the car, two
crossrails with knobs at each end that allow the crossrails to 00 adjusted or removed, and six adjustable tie-downs.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine coolant level in the see-through recovery tank. The coolant level should be at
or above the
"FULL HOT" mark on the recovery tank.
CAUTION: Keep hand., toots and clothing -away from the engine COOling fa", to help prevent personIl intUry. lhiIlan is electric and can come on whether Or not the engine Is rUnning. 111. tan can start automatically In .respon .. to a heat sensor when the ignition Is in "Run."
Make sure the water pu"",, belts are not broken, or off the pulleys , and that the fan runs when the engine is running and there is an indication on the instrument panel of an overheat condition.
If the coolant level in the recovery tank is low, look for leaks at the radiator
hoses and connections, heater hoses and connections, radiator I and water pump. If you find major leaks, or spot other problems that may have caused
the engine to overheat,
do not run the engine untilthese problems have been
corrected. If you do not find a leak or other problem, caretully add coolant to
the recovery tank. (Coolant is a mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water; see "Engine Cooling System" in "'Service and Maintenance," Section 5, for the proper antifreeze and mixture.) .
CAUTION: Under: some:' conditione, the ethylen~ glycol In engine coolant Is . combustible. -To help avoid being burned, DO NOT spill antifreeze or coolant on the exhauat system or hot engine parts..
If the coolant level in the recovery tank is at the correct level but there is still
an indication on the instrument panel of an overheat condition:
•
You may add coolant directly to the radiator. YOU MUST LET ENGINE COOL FIRST. See "Coolant Replacement" under "Engine Cooling
System"
in Section 5, "Service and Maintenance" in this manual. Follow steps t through 3 for the correct way to remove the radiator
cap
and add coolant.
Once the Engine Coolant Temperature light has gone out (or the Engine Coolant Temperature gage no longer signals an overheat condition), you can
resume
driving at a reduced speed. Return to normal driving after about ten
minutes If the light does not come back on (or the gage pointer does not again
show
ao overheat condition).
tf no cause for the overheat condition was found, see a qualified service technician.
JACKING
CAUTION
To help avoid personal injury:
• FollOW all jacking and stowage instructions .
• Use jack only for lifting this vehicle during wheel change.
• Never get beneath the vehicle, start or run engine while vehicle is
supported by jack.
• Always securely restow spare tire (or flat tire) and all jacking equipment.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine TOWING
Proper equipment must be used to prevent damage to vehicles during any
towing . State (provincial in
Canada) and local laws which apply to vehicles in .'
tow must be foltowed. Gel detailed towing instructions from your dealer.
Your vehicle, if equipped with
an automatic transaxle, may be towed on alt four
wheels at speeds less than
35 mph (55 km/h) for distances up to 50 miles (80
kilometers). These speed and distance restrictions do not apply if your vehicle
has a manual transaxle . The driveline and steering must be normalty operable.
For such towing, the steering must
be unlocked, transaxle in neutral and the
parking brake released.
Connect to main structural parts of the vehicle. Do NOT attach to bumpers or brackets. Remember also that power assist for
brakes
and steering wilt not be available when the engine is off.
n the vehicle is to be towed by a wrecker , use only equipment designed for this
purpose, following
the instructions of the wrecker manufacturer . Towing on the rear wheels is preferred because of the front-wheel drive. However, if
necessary, your vehicle may be towed backwards on the front drive wheels at speeds up to 35 mph (55 km/h) for distances of 50 miles (80 kilometers) if it is
equipped with
an automatic transaxle. These speed and distance restrictions do not apply ij your vehicle has a manual transaxle. Severe damage to the
transaxle may result
II speeder distance ~m~s are exceeded.
A safety chain system must
be used. for alt towing .
FREEING VEHICLE FROM SAND, MUD, SNOW OR ICE
n your vehicle gets stuck in sand, mUd, snow or ice, shift the transaxle from a
forward range to reverse in a repeat pattern.
(On manual transaxle models, shift the Ifansaxle from First or Second to Reverse .) Apply a tight pressure to
the accelerator pedal
while the transaxle is in gear. Remove your foot from the
accelerator while shifting.
Do not race the engine. For best traction, avoid
spinning the wheels. Incorrect rocking of your' vehicle while it is stuck may
resuh in damage to vehicle components.
CAUTION: Do ............ -.. _ IN. 35 ""'" ,55 Om/h). _ In)ufy .... .-nave (including tire, vehicle body parte. and/or tr.., .. xle failure) mIIy mutt from exCQ:live wheel spinning.
If the vehicle remains stuck after several rocking attempts, seek other
assistance. Also
see the Notice under "Automatic Transaxles" in "Starting and
Operating", Section 2 01 this manual .
Extended Vehicle Storage
If you plan to store your vehicle over an extended period of time, certain steps
should
be taken to give it maximum protection. It is recommended that you
write the Consumer Relations Department , Chevrolet Motor Division, Warren,
Michigan 48090,
(in Canada, write to General Motors of canada Um~ed,
Customer Services Departmeht, Oshawa, Ontario L 1 J5Z6) for detailed
instructions on how to prepare your vehicle for storage .
3-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cleaning White Sidewall Tires
Use GM White Sidewall Tire Cleaner or a tire cleaner which will not harm aluminum wheel trim. A stiff brush may be used with the cleaner.
CORROSION PROTECTION
'four vehicle has been designed and built to resist corrosion. Special materials and protective finishes were used on most parts of your vehicle when it was
built to help maintain good looks, strength and reliable operation. However,
some parts which normally are not visible (such as certain parts under the
vehicle and under the hood) are such that surface rust will not affect their reliability. So, corrosion protection is not needed or used on these parts.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to the parts
repaired or replaced so that corrosion protection is restored. (Also see "Finish Damage" which follows.)
Foreign Material Deposits
Calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, and other foreign matter
may damage vehicle finishes if left on painted surfaces.
Prompt washing may not completely remove all of these deposits. Other cleaners may be needed. When using chemical cleaners, be sure they are safe
for use on painted surfaces.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish should be repaired
promptly. Bare metal will corrode quickly and may develop into a major repair
expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up materials available from your dealer or other service outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be
corrected in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Corrosive materials used for ice and snow removal and dust control can collect on the underbody. If these materials are not removed, accelerated corrosion
(rust) can occur on underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, and
exhaust system even though they have been provided with corrosion
protection.
At
least every spring, flush these materials from the underbody with plain
water. Take care to clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect.
Sediment packed in closed areas of the frame should be loosened before being flushed. If desired, your authorized dealer can do this service for you.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SECTION 5
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Your authorized dealer has factory trained technicians and Genuine GM Parts
to service your vehicle properly_ For expert advice and quality service, see your authorized dealer.
CAUTION: As with any machine, take care when making any check, doing any maintenance, or making any repair, to avoid being injured. Some of the MATERIALS in this vehicle may also be hazardous if used, serviced, or handled improperly. Improper or incomplete service can affect the vehicle itself which may in turn result in personal
injury, or damage to the vehicle or its equipment. H you have ANY question about carrying out some service, have the work done by a skilled technician.
REPLACEMENT FASTENERS
During vehicle maintenance, any fasteners used to replace older ones must
have the same measurements and strength as those removed, whether metric or customary. (The numbers on the heads of rnetric bons and on the surfaces
of metric nuts show their strength. Customary bolts use radial lines to show
this,
while most customary nuts do not have strength markings.) Fasteners
taken from the vehicle should be saved for re-use in the same spot when
possible. Where a fastener cannot be used again, take care to choose a
replacement that matches the old one. For information and help, see your
authorized dealer.
CAUTION: This vehicle is primarily dimensioned In the metric system. Most fasteners
are metric and many are very close in dimension to well· known customary fasteners in the inch system. Mismatched or incorrect fasteners can result in damage to the vehicle or possibly personal injury.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
For owner convenience, a separate folder ,has. bee" providef;1 with your vehicle which outlines the maintenance your vehicle requires. The Maintenance
Schedule folder is supplemented by this section of the Owner's Manual.
Read this publication for a full understanding of your vehicle's maintenance
needs.
If you need a replacement Maintenance Schedule, see your dealer or contact the . Consumer . Aelations Representative, . Chevrolet Central Office,
Chevrolet Motor Division, Warren, MichigarL4809ll-13t~2-550Q1 (In Canada, contact the Customer Services Representative, General MotorsoT---­
Canada LId., Oshawa, Ontario, L1J 5Z6; 416/644-6624).
FUEL CAP
The fuel cap is located behind a hinged door on the right'rear fender. For your
convenience there
is a fuel cap hanger located on the filler door.
The
fuel tank filler cap has a "s£rew-on ratcheting type" feature.
• To remove -rotate cap counterclockwise to clear the inside of the filler
neck. This will allow any residual pressure to escape.
• To install - reverse this procedure and tighten cap securely until a
"ratcheting",
clicking sound is heard indicating cap is on properly.
5-1