1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER Owners Manual

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TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
When It’s Time for New Tires
3ne way to tell when it’s time for new
;ires is to check the treadwear
ndicators, which will appear when your
;ires have only
%Z inch (1.6 mm) or less
If tread remaining.
llou need a new tire if:
m You can see the indicators at three or
m You can see cord or fabric showing
B The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut
more places
around the tire.
through the tire’s rubber.
or snagged deep enough
to show cord
or fabric.
B The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other
damage that can’t be repaired well
because of the size or location of the
damaEe.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires
you need,
look at the Tire-Loading
Information label.
The tires installed on your vehicle when
it was new had a Tire Performance
Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
number on each tire’s sidewall. When
you get new tires, get ones with that
same TPC Spec number. That way, your
vehicle will continue to have tires that
are designed to give proper endurance,
handling, speed rating, traction, ride
and other things during normal service
on your vehicle. If your tires have an all-
season tread design, the TPC number
will be followed by a
“MS” (for mud
and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those
not having a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size, load range,
speed rating and construction type
(bias, bias-belted or radial) as your
original tires.

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The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature
performance. (This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States.)
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, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half (1 Yz)
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 significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction-A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest are: A,
B, and C. They represent
the tire’s ability 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: The traction grade assigned to
this tire
is based on braking (straight-
ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest),
B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation
of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions 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 Federal 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
this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
These grades are molded on the
sidewalls of passenger car tires.
While the tires available as standard or
optional equipment
on General Motors
vehicles may vary with respect to these
grades, all such tires meet General
Motors performance standards and
have been approved for use on General
Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P
Metric) tires must conform to Federal
safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
1

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Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were
aligned and balanced carefully at the
factory
to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have
your wheels aligned again. However, if
you notice unusual tire wear or your
vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need
to be reset. If you
notice your vehicle vibrating when
driving on
a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked
or badly rusted.
If wheel nuts keep
coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If
the wheel leaks air, replace it (except
some aluminum wheels, which can
sometimes be repaired). See your
Chevrolet dealer if any
of these
conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel
you need.
Each new wheel should have the same
load carrying capacity, diameter, width,
offset, and be mounted the same way as
the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your
wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts,
replace them only with new
GM
original equipment parts. This way, you
will be sure
to have the right wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your
Chevrolet model.
I NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer/odometer
calibration, headlight aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance,
and tire or tire chain clearance to
the body and chassis.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Used Replacement Wheels Tire Chains . ..
NOTICE:
If your Chevrolet has P195/70R14,
P195/65R15 or P205/60R15 size
tires, don’t use tire chains; they can
damage your vehicle. If you have
other tires, use tire chains only
where legal and only when you
must. Use only
SAE Class “S” type
chains that are the proper size for
your tires. Install them on the front
tires and tighten them as tightly as
possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly
and follow
the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop
and retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it stops.
Driving too fast with chains on will
damage your vehicle.
Uppearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be
hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can
burst into flame
if you strike a match or
get them on a hot part of the vehicle.
Some are dangerous
if you breathe their
fumes in a closed space. When you use
anything from a container to clean your
Chevrolet, be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. And always open your
doors or windows when you’re cleaning
the inside.
I87

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Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
- some
more than others
- and they can all
damage your vehicle, too.
NOTICE:
Don’t use any of these unless this
manual says
you can. In many uses,
these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your
Chevrolet
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of
dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl or
leather with
a clean, damp cloth.
Your Chevrolet dealer has two GM
cleaners, a solvent-type spot lifter and a
foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well.
Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the
cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can -
before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and
change to a clean area often.
A soft
brush may be used
if stains are
stubborn.
ventilated area only. If you use them,
don’t saturate the stained area.
If a ring forms after spot cleaning,
clean the entire area immediately or it
will set.
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on
Fabric
Vacuum and brush the area to remove
Always clean a whole trim panel or
any
loose dirt.
section. Mask surrounding trim along
stitch or welt lines.
,
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner
following the directions on the
container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section,
use a sponge to remove the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet
sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly
damp paper towel or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with a blow
dryer or a heat lamp.
sponge.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Be careful with a hair dryer or heat
lamp. You could scorch the fabric.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on
Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type
cleaner at all. Some spots and stains
will clean off better with just water and
mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
Gently scrape excess soil from the
trim material with a clean, dull knife
or scraper. Use very little cleaner,
light pressure and clean cloths
(preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning
should start at the outside of the
stain, “feathering” toward the center.
Keep changing to a clean section of
the cloth.
When you clean a stain from fabric,
immediately dry the area with an air
hose, hair dryer, or heat lamp to help
prevent a cleaning ring. (See the
previous NOTICE.)
Fabric hotection
Your Chevrolet has upholstery that has
been treated with Scotchgard’” Fabric
Protector, a 3M product. ScotchgardTM
protects fabrics by repelling oil and
water, which are the carriers of most
stains. Even with this protection, you
still need to clean your upholstery often
to keep it looking new.
Further information on cleaning is
available by calling 1-800-433-3296 (in
Minnesota, 1-800-642-6167).
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Such as grease, oil, butter, margarine,
shoe polish, coffee with cream, chewing
gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable oils,
wax crayon, tar and asphalt.
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Follow the solvent-type instructions
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and
described earlier.
asphalt will stain if left on a vehicle
seat fabric. They should be removed
as soon as possible. Be careful,
because the cleaner will dissolve them
and may cause them to spread.
Non-Greasy Stains
Such as catsup, coffee (black), egg,
fruit,
fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, wine,
vomit, urine and blood.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
sponge the soiled area with cool
water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-
type instructions described earlier.
If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit
or urine, treat the area with a
.
waterhaking soda solution: 1
teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1
cup (250 ml) of lukewarm water.
If needed, clean lightly with solvent-
type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Such as candy, ice cream, mayonnaise,
chili sauce and unknown stains.
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then
clean with cool water and allow to
dry-
If a stain remains, clean it with
solvent-type cleaner.
189 I

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190
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to
remove dirt.
You may have to do it
more than once.
polish will stain if you don’t get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a
solvent-type vinyl cleaner.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe
Cleaning the Top of the
Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean
the top surfaces of the instrument
panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield and even make it
difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
1 Ckaning the Cupholder
If beverages get spilled on your
cupholder, it may become difficult to
operate. The slider mechanism can
become clogged with pop, coffee, etc.
To clean and return the cupholder to normal
operation, simply spray
a water-
based cleaner (such as Glass Plus@ or
Windex@) on the tracks of the slider
mechanism, and then slide the
cupholder in and out until normal
operation
is regained. Hold a paper
towel under the cupholder to catch any
excess cleaner which could drip on your
carpet or seats.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM
Glass Cleaner
(GM Part No. 1050427)
or a liquid household glass cleaner will
remove normal tobacco smoke and dust
films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass,
because they may cause scratches.
Avoid placing decals
on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be
scraped
off later. If abrasive cleaners are
used on the inside of the rear window,
an electric defogger element may be
damaged. Any temporary license should
not be attached across the defogger grid.
I Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper
Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using
the windshield washer, or if the wiper
blade chatters when running, wax or
other material may be on the blade
or
windshield.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Clean the outside of the windshield
with GM Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami
Powder@ (GM Part
No. 1050011). The
windshield is clean
if beads do not form
when you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously
with a cloth soaked in full strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse
the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a
regular basis and replaced when worn.
Cleuning tbe Outside of Your
Chevrolet
The paint finish on your vehicle
provides beauty, depth of color, gloss
retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s
finish is to keep it clean by washing it
often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct
rays
of the sun. Don’t use strong soaps
or chemical detergents. Use liquid hand,
dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps. Don’t
usecleaning
8 @o&-that
contain acid
or abrasives. 31 cleaning
agents should be flushed promptly and
not allowed to dry on the surface, or
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or a 100% cotton
towel to avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause
water to enter your vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of
your Chevrolet may be necessary to
remove residue from the paint finish.
You can get GM approved cleaning
products from your dealer.
Your Chevrolet has a ‘Lbasecoat/clearcoat”
paint finish. The clearcoat gives more
depth and gloss to the colored basecoat.
Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or
aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat. paint finish may
dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
Rxtured-Surjace Bumper
Covers
WL AND RS MODELS)
Cleaning with a brush, a soft terry cloth
or a commercial car wash is
recommended for normal dirt. Never
use a wire brush or abrasives.
Avoid applying wax or polish to the
textured-surface bumper covers.
To
remove wax, a commercially available
wax solvent should be used. Tar and Oil
Remover (GM Part
No.1050172) is also
recommended. It’s also recommended
for cleaning difficult
soils like road tar
and oil.
Also recommended are solvent-
type fabric cleaners such as GM
Part
No. 1050214.
191 ...