1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER warning

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NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because
you keep driving with no coolant,
your vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From your
Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see
or hear no steam, the problem may not
be too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
If you get the overheat warning with no
sign
of steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the
Off.
highest fan speed and open the
windows as necessary.
3.
Try to keep your engine under load
(in
a drive gear where the engine
runs slower).
If you no longer have the overheat
warning, you can drive. Just
to be safe,
drive slower for about ten minutes.
If
the warning doesn’t come back on, you
can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign
of steam, you can
idle the engine for two or three minutes
while you’re parked, to see if the
warning stops. But then, if you still
have the warning, TURN
OFF THE
ENGINE AND
GET EVERYONE OUT
OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down.
You may decide not
to lift the hood but
to get service help right away.
hdirtg system (2.2L L4 ENGINE)
When you decide it’s safe to lift the
hood, here’s what you’ll see:
(A) Coolant recovery tank
(B) Radiator pressure cap
(C) Electric engine fan
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, don’t do anything else
until
it cools down. I37

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I NOTICE: I
In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts. Use the
recommended coolant. When
the coolant in the coolant
recovery tank is at or above the FULL
COLD mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues,
there's one more thing you can try.
You
can add the proper coolant mix directly
to the radiator but be sure the cooling
system
is cool before you do it.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Problems on the Road
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will
create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering
wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, then gently brake to
a stop
well out
of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like a skid and may require
the same correction you’d use in a skid.
In any rear blowout, remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal. Get the
vehicle under control by steering the
way
you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can
still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well
off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next section shows
how to use your jacking equipment to
change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and
wheel damage by driving slowly to a
level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers. The
following steps will tell you how to
use the jack and change a tire.
The equipment you’ll need
is in the
trunk
or rear area.

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Engine Oil
If the oil warning light on the
instrument panel comes on, it means
you need to check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see
Engine Oil Warning Light in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
every time you get fuel. In order to get
an accurate reading, the oil must be
warm and the vehicle must be on level
ground.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a
few minutes to drain back into the oil
pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might
not show the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push it back
in all the way. Remove it again, keeping
the tip lower, and check the level.
2.2L L4: Checking Engine Oil
3.1 L V6: Checking Engine Oil
When to Add Oi/
If the oil is at or below the ADD line,
then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This
section explains what kind of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity, see
Capacities
and Specifications
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your
engine has
so much oil that the oil
level gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could
be damaged.
Just
fill it enough to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.

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An engine coolant heater can be a big
help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see
Engine
Coolant Heater
in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil
contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your
skin and could even
cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin
and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
throw away clothing or rags containing
used engine oil. (See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of
oil products.) Used oil
can be a real threat.,t.o the
environment. If you change your
own
oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t
ever dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash, pouring it
on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of
water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to
a place that collects used oil.
If you
have a problem properly disposing of
your used oil, ask your dealer, a service
station or a local recycling center for
help.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to replace the air filter.
See
Scheduled Maintenance Services in
the
Index.
-
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire
can cause a damaging engine fire.
And,
dirt can easily get into your
engine, which will damage
it.
Always have the air cleaner in place
when you’re driving.
I

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170
I Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch
in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master
cylinder reservoir is filled with hydraulic
clutch fluid.
It isn’t
a good idea to “top off” your
clutch fluid. Adding fluid won’t correct
a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often
you should check
the fluid level in your clutch master
cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid. See
Owner Checks and
Services
and Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
in the Index.
How to Check
You do not need to check the fluid level
unless you suspect a clutch problem.
To
check the fluid level, take the cap off. If
the fluid reaches the step inside the
reservoir, the fluid level is correct.
I Engine Coolunt
The following explains your cooling
system and how
to add coolant when it
is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see
Engine
Overheating
in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Chevrolet will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
(-37°C).
(128°C).
temperature.
should.
What to Use
Use a mixture
of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification
1825-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled
coolant conforming to GM Specification
1825-M with
a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you
don’t need to add anything else.

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NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer
fluid, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-
use washer fluid. Water can cause
the solution to freeze and damage
your washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well
as
washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only %
full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could
damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in
your windshield washer. It can
damage your washer system and
paint.
I Brakes
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is
filled with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the
brake fluid level in your master cylinder
might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear.
When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is
that fluid is leaking out of the brake
system.
If it is, you should have your
brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner or later your brakes won’t
work well,
or won’t work at all. So, it
isn’t a good idea to “top off” your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid won’t correct a
leak.
If you add fluid when your linings
are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings.
You should add (or remove) brake
fluid, as necessary, only when work
is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls
to a low
level, your brake warning light will
come on. See
Brake System Warning
Light in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid
- such as Delco
Supreme
11@ (GM Part No.1052535).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only, and always clean the
brake fluid reservoir cap before
removing it.
I
NOTICE:
DOT-5 silicone brake fluid can
Don’t let someone put in the
damage your vehicle. Don’t
use it.
wrong kind of fluid. For example,
just
a few drops of mineral-based
oil, such as engine
oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts
so badly that they’ll
have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so
be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
OF immediately. See Appearance
Cave
in the Index.
II
Brake Wear
Your Chevrolet has front disc brakes
and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when
~ the
b&e..p@dsa .ve,
worn and new‘
pads are needed: .The ‘
sound may come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
may cause
a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with your brakes. Your
rear drum brakes don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear
brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake
linings inspected.
Also, the rear brake
drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When
you have the front brakes replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there
is
a rapid increase in pedal travel. This
could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake
stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear. If
you rarely make a moderate or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust
correctly.
If you drive in that way, then
- very carefully - make a few
moderate brake stops about every
1,000
miles (1600 lun), so your brakes will
adjust properly.