1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIER check engine light

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most
of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. At the entrance, mere
1s usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway.
If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic.
Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often
as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate
if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
4-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
’
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be
sure the battery has enough water. You don’t
need
to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
installed in every new
GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care
of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas could
be
present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn
you.
Don’t get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
6. Check that ,the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive
(+) will go to
positive
(+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-)
or a metal engine part. Don’t connect positive (+) to
negative
(-) or you’ll get a short that would damage
the battery and maybe other parts, too.
a JTION: I
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once
the engines are running.
5-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If the CHECK OIL light on
the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away.
For more
information,
see “Check Oil
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.
Check the
oil here if you
have a 2.2L engine. Check the
oil here if you have a
2.4L engine, the
dipstick’s handle will be a yellow ring.
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles ( 166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
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.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Chevrolet will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37OC).
e Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
e Help keep the proper engine temperature.
e Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
6-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Chevrolet
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working
as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your Chevrolet, see “Servicing
Your
Air Bag-Equipped Chevrolet” in the Index.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by fuses. Should your
headlamps fail to function have your headlamp system
checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuse
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit breaker
and a fuse.
If the motor overheats due to heavy snow, etc., the
wiper will stop until the moIor cools. If the overload is caused
by some electrical problem,
have it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem
is fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible thermal links. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band
is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick some feature of your vehicle that
you can get along without -- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its fuse if it is the correct amperage.
Replace
it as soon as you can.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the
instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment
fuse block.
6-53

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Compartment Fuse Block
J
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver’s side of the engine compartment. Lift off the cover
to check the fuses.
Fuse
IGN
BATT
1
BATT 2
ABS
Usage
Ignition Switch Circuits
Power ACC/Stoplamp Circuits Lighting Circuits
Electronic Variable Orifice
Steering, Anti-Lock Brake System
COOLING
FAN Engine Cooling Fan
BLO Heater and A/C Blower
PCM Powertrain Control Module
A/C A/C Compressor
(2.4L Engine)
ABS/EVO Anti-Lock Brake System
6-56

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
perfoJmance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your vehicle,
make sure they are the proper ones, as shown in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pe$orrn these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary.
See ‘Engine Oil”
in the Index for further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mix if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if necessary.
See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The
air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
7-38

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 9 Index
Adapter Kits. CD .............................. 3-16
AirBag
....................................... 1-19
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-23
How it Works
................................ 1-21
Location
.................................... 1-21
Readiness Light
......................... 1.20. 2.66
Servicing
................................... 1-24
What Makes
it Inflate .......................... 1-22
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-23
When Should
it Inflate ......................... 1-22
Air Cleaner
.................................... 6- 15
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-4
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-41
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-49
Antenna. Fixed
................................. 3-24
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.68. 4.6
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
Anti.Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-20
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-22
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-5 1
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-58
Appearancecare
............................... 6-43
Arbitration Program .............................. 8-7
Audio Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-23
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-7
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-29
Automatic Overdrive
............................ 2-19
Automatic Transaxle Check
...................................... 7-39
Fluid
.................................. 6.17. 6.19
Operation
................................... 2-16
Park Mechanism Check
........................ 7-41
Shifting
..................................... 2-16
Startine Your Engine
.......................... 2-12
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-47
Battery
...................................... 6.3 1
Charging System Light ........................ 2-66
Jump Starting
................................. 5-2
Replacement. Keyless Entry
..................... 2-6
Saver
...................................... 2-43
Warnings
.................................... 5-2
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-7
9-1