1994 CHEVROLET CAVALIER checking oil
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
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.
Page 168 of 243
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Automatic Transaxle Fluid
1 When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic
transaxle fluid level is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine when to change
your fluid. See
Scheduled Maintenance
Services
in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at your Chevrolet dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or
you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
~. , ,'
Too much or too little fluid can
damage your transaxle.
Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system, starting a fire.
Be sure to get an accurate reading
if
you check your transaxle fluid.
Wait at least
30 minutes before
checking the transaxle fluid level
if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic - especially in hot
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about 15 miles (24 lun) when outside
temperatures are above
50°F (10.C). If
it's colder than 50°F (lOOC), you may
have to drive longer.
90°F
(32°C).
weather.
To check the fluid level
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place
With your foot on the brake pedal,
the
shift lever in
P (Park).
move the shift lever through each gear
range, pausing for about three
seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in
P (Park).
Let the engine run at idle for three to
five minutes.
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
a clean rag or
paper towel.
seconds and then pull it back out
again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be in the cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range, push the dipstick back in all
the way.
Page 234 of 243
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Index
ABS (Anti-Lock Brakes) ............... 11 1
Adding
Brake Fluid
............................. 174. 199
Engine Coolant
................ 139.143. 170
Engine Oil
........................ 162,198, 199
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid
.......... 170, 199
Power Steering Fluid
...... 173,198, 199
Sound Equipment ........................... 96
Transaxle Fluid
Automatic
..................... 168,198, 199
Manual
.......................... 169,198, 199
Windshield Washer Fluid
.............. 173
Air Cleaner Filter
...................... 165, 202
Air Conditioner
.................................. 93
Alcohol. Driving Under the
Influence of
.................................... 108
Alcohol in Gasoline
......................... 155
Antenna ............................................ 105
Antifreeze ..................... 137,170,198, 199
Anti-Lock Brake System
.................. 111
Warning Light .................................. 87
Appearance Care
.............................. 187
Ashtrays & Lighter ............................ 75
Audio Systems
................................... 96
AM/FM Stereo Radio
...................... 97
AM/FM Stereo Radio with Cassette
Player
............................................ 99
AM/FM Stereo Radio with Compact
Disc Player
.................................. 101
Electrical
Equipment
........... 52.96. 195
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning
........... 192 Care
of Audio
Systems .................. 104
Radio Reception. Understanding
.. 104
Setting the Clock
............................. 97
Automatic Door Loclts
...................... 44
Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt
(see
Safety Belts)
Automatic Transaxle .......................... 53
Adding Fluid ................... 168.198. 199
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock..
........................ .54. 60
Checking Fluid
.............................. 167
Shifting
............................................ 53
Starting Your Engine ...................... 51
Battery
............................................ 176 .
Jump Starting ................................ 128
Battery Warning
........................ 130. 176
Battery Warning Light
....................... 86
Blizzard. Caught In
a ....................... 124
Block Heater. Engine
.................. 52. 165
Blowout. Tire
................................... 145
Brake Adjustment
.................................... 175
Fluid
........................................ 174. 199
Master Cylinder ............................. 174
Parking
............................................. 58
Pedal Travel .................................... 175
Rear
................................................ 175
Warning Light
.................................. 86
Wear Indicators-Front Brakes .... 175
Brake System Warning Light
............. 86
Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock ... 54. 60 Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................ 111
Bralcing ............................................. 110
Bralcing in Emergencies
................... 113
Braking Technique ........................... 110
Break-In. New Vehicle
....................... 49
Buckling
Up (see Safety Belts)
Bulb Replacement
Headlight
................................ 177, 200
Taillight
................................... 177, 200
Capacities and Specifications
........ 198
Carbon Monoxide in
Exhaust
........................... 45,47,61, 124
Cassette Tape Player (see
Audio
Systems)
Center Console Ashtray ..................... 75
Center Passenger Position
................. 29
Chains, Tire
............................... 152, 187
Changing
a Flat Tire ........................ 146
Charging System Warning Light
....... 86
“Check Engine” Light ........................ 88
“Check Gages” Light ......................... 89
Checking
Brake Fluid
.................................... 174
Engine Coolant
....................... 137, 170
Engine Oil Level
............................ 162
Hydraulic Clutch
........................... 170
Power Steering Fluid
..................... 173
Safety Belt Systems
......................... 40
Transaxle Fluid
Automatic
.................................... 167
Manual
................................ ,. ........ 169
233
Page 236 of 243
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Temperature Warning
Engine Exhaust Gage (see
Coolant)
Dangerous Gas
in .......... 45.47.61. 124
Parking with the Engine
Running
.................................... 59. 61
Engine Identification
....................... 194
Engine Oil
........................................ 162
Additives
........................................ 164
Check Oil Light
............................... 89
Checking &Adding
........ 162.198. 199
Crankcase Capacity
....................... 198
Disposing of Used Oil
................... 165
Energy Conserving
........................ 164
Filter
....................................... 164. 202
Pressure Gage
.................................. 90
Starburst
........................................ 163
Warning Light
.................................. 89
When to Change
............................ 164
Engine Overheating
......................... 136
Engine Specifications ....................... 202
Engine. Starting
................................. 51
Automatic Transaxle
....................... 51
Manual Transaxle
............................ 51
Ethanol in Gasoline
......................... 155
Expectant Mothers. Use
of Safety
Belts
................................................. 24
Extender. Safety Belt
......................... 40
Exterior Appearance
Expressway Driving
......................... 120
(see Appearance
Care)
Fabric Cleaning
Fan Warnings
....... 129.130.137.138. 159
Filling the Fuel Tank
................. 156. 198
Filter. Oil
................................... 164, 202
Finish Care
....................................... 19 1
Finish Damage ................................. 193
Flashers, Hazard Warning
............... 128
Flash-To-Pass
..................................... 66
Flat Tire
............................................ 145
Flooded Engine
.................................. 51
Fluid Brake
....................................... 174, 199
Capacities
...................................... 198
Hydraulic Clutch
.................... 170. 199
Power Steering
................ 173,198, 199
Transaxle Automatic
..................... 167,198, 199
Manual
.......................... 169,198, 199
Windshield Washer
................ 177, 199
Fluids
& Lubricants ......................... 199
Foreign Material
............................... 192
Freeway Driving
............................... 120
French Language Manual
.................... 2
Fuel
................................................... 154
Alcohol in Fuel
.............................. 155
Capacity
.................................. 156, 198
Exhaust Warnings
.......... 45,47,61, 124
Filling Your Tank
................... 156, 198
Fuels with Alcohol
........................ 155
(see
Appearance
Care)
Folding Rear Seats ............................. 15
Gage ................................................. 84
In Foreign Countries ..................... 156
Requirements
................................. 154
Fuse Usage
....................................... 196
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ................ 195
Gages Coolant Temperature
...................... 85
Fuel .................................................. 84
Oil Pressure
..................................... 90
Tachometer
...................................... 83
Gasoline ........................................... 154
Gasoline Tank, Filling Your
..... 156, 198
Gas Station Information
.................. 240
Gear Positions
Gearshift Lever
Glove Box
........................................... 47
Graphic Equalizer (see
Audio Systems)
Halogen Bulbs ........................ 176, 200
Head Restraints
.................................. 13
Headlight & Taillight, Removing and
(see
Shifting
the Transaxle)
(see Shifting the Transaxle)
Hazard Warning Flashers ................ 128
Replacing
................................ 177, 200
Headlights
.......................................... 65
Flash-To-Pass
.................................. 66
High-Low Beam Changer
............... 66
Replacement Bulb
.................. 177, 200
Wiring
............................................ 197
Heater (see
Comfort Controls) 235 1 . .
Page 237 of 243
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Heater. Engine Block .................. 52. 165
High Beams ........................................ 66
Highway Hypnosis
........................... 121
Hill and Mountain Roads
................ 122
Hood Release
................................... 158
Warning. Overheated Engine
........ 159
Horn
................................................... 63
Hot Engine. Safety Warnings
.. 138. 139.
140.143.144.159.171. 172
How to Use Manual ............................. 6
Hydraulic Clutch
....................... 170. 199
Hydroplaning
................................... 1 19
Identification Number. Vehicle
...... 194
If You're Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or
Ignition Idling Your Engine
........................ 59. 61
Snow .............................................. 152
Key
................................................... 48
Key Release Button
......................... 51
Positions
.......................................... 50
Illuminated Entry System
.................. 45
Indicator Lights (see
Warning Lights)
Infant Restraint (see Child Restraints)
Inflation. Tires .................................. 182
Inside Rearview Mirror
...................... 72
Instrument Panel
............................... 81
Instrument Panel Clusters ............. 82. 83
Instrument Panel Intensity
Control
.......................................... 67
Instrument Panel Warning Lights 84
ittent Windshield Wipers 69
.....
.'95iP ........
Jack. Tire ........................................ 146
Key Release Button .......................... 51
Jump Starting
................................... 128
Keys
.................................................... 42
Lap-Shoulder Safety Belt
................... 21
Use by Children
.......................... 30'38
Latches, Seatback
.............................. 14
Liftgate
Lane
Change Indicator
.................... 64
Front
........................................... 20, 25
Rear .................................................. 26
Ajar Light
......................................... 88
Lock ................................................. 46
Lock Release
.................................... 47
Safety Warning
................................ 47
Lighter
................................................ 75
Lights Daytime Running Lights
................. 65
Dome/Map ...................................... 67
Flash-To-Pass
.................................. 66
Headlights
........................................ 65
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
.. 67
Rear Compartment
.......................... 68
Removing & Replacing Bulbs .. 177, 200
Replacement Bulbs
........................ 200
Taillights
................................. 177, 200
Turn Signal
...................................... 64
Warning Lights
................................ 84
Loading Your Vehicle
................. 79, 180 Locks
.................................................. 43
Long Distance Driving
..................... 121
Low Battery
...................................... 128
Low Oil Pressure Warning
................ 89
Maintenance Record ..................... 219
Maintenance Schedule
..................... 203
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
...................... 88
Manual Front Seat ............................. 12
Manual Sunroof
................................. 75
Manual Transaxle
Luggage
Carrier
.................................. 79
Adding Fluid
................... 169,198, 199
Checking Fluid
.............................. 169
Shifting
............................................ 56
Starting Your Engine
...................... 51
Master Cylinder. Brake
.................... 174
Methanol in Gasoline
...................... 155
Mileage Indicator
Mirrors (see
Odometer G Speedometer)
Convex
Outside ............................... 73
Inside Manual Day/Night
............... 72
Manual Adjust
................................. 72
Manual Remote Control
.................. 73
Mountain Driving
............................ 122
New Vehicle Break-In
Requirements
................................... 49
Night Driving ................................... 117
Page 238 of 243
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Octane Requirements
Odometer
& Speedometer ................. 82
(see
Fuel
Requirements)
Oil. Engine ....................................... 162
Pressure Gage
.................................. 90
Quality
........................................... 163
Starburst
........................................ 163
Thickness
....................................... 163
Used Oil
......................................... 165
When
to Add ................................. 162
When to Change
............................ 164
Oil Warning Light
.............................. 89
Operation of Lights
............................ 64
Outside Rearview Mirrors
................. 73
Overheated Engine
.......................... 136
Overheated Engine Coolant Warning Gage
................................................. 85
Owner Checks & Services ............... 212
Owner’s Manual. How to Use
............. 6
paint Spotting. Chemical
................ 193
Park. Shifting Into
........................ 51. 58
Parking
Over Things That Burn
................... 60
With the Engine Running
..... 54.59. 61
Passing
........................................ 72. 115
Inspections
..................................... 2 16
Torque
Lock
.................................... 59
Parking Brake
..................................... 58
Passenger Belts (see Safety Belts)
Periodic Maintenance Polishing
and Waxing
Power Door Locks
................. i. ........ ;. 44
Power Steering Fluid
......... 173,198, 199
Power Windows
................................. 62
Power Window Lock-out Switch
...... 62
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts
During
.............................................. 24
Problems on the Road
...................... 127
Publications (see
Service Publications)
Radiator Overheating
(see
Overheated Engine)
Radiator Pressure Cap ..................... 172
Radio (see
Audio Systems)
Reading Light ..................................... 67
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides
...... 27
Rear Seat, Split Fold-Down
............... 15
Rearview Mirrors ............................... 72
(see
Appearance
Care)
Rear Window Defogger ...................... 95
Reclining Seatbacks
........................... 12
Recreational Towing
........................ 125
Recommended Fluids
&
Lubricants ....................................... 217
Replacement Bulbs
.......................... 200
Replacement Fuses
.......................... 196
Replacement Parts
........................... 202
Replacement, Windshield Wiper
..... 179
Replacing Safety Belts
....................... 40
Replacing Tires
................................. 184
Reporting Safety Defects
................. 224
Replacing Wheels
............................. 186
Restraints. Child ................................. 31
Roads. Hill and Mountain
............... 122
Rocking Your Vehicle
................. 54. 152
Rotation. Tire
................................... 183
Roof Luggage
Carrier
......................... 79
S afety Belts ....................................... 17
Adults .............................................. 20
Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt
......... 21
Care
................................................ 190
Center Passenger Position
.............. 29
Checking
.......................................... 40
Children
...................................... 3 0, 38
Child Restraints
............................... 31
Child Restraints-How to Install
Them
............................................. 32
Child Restraints, Where to Put
.. 31, 35
Cleaning
......................................... 190
Comfort Guides, Rear
..................... 27
Driver Position
................................ 21
Extender
........................................... 40
How to Wear ................................... 20
Passenger Belts
................................ 25
Pregnancy, Use During
................... 24
Questions
&
Answers .................... 19,23,24,39, 40
Rear Safety Belts ............................. 26
Rear Seat Passengers
...................... 25
Right Front, Adult Passenger
.......... 25
Smaller Children and Babies
.......... 30
Replacement .................................... 40
Top Strap
......................................... 32
237