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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine d> The 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ............................................................. 1-1
Features and Controls
.................................................................. 2-1
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
..................................................... 3-1
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the air bag system.
This section explains how
to start and operate your Chevrolet.
This section tells
you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how lo operate your
audio system.
Here
you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
This section tells you what
to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a tlat tire or overheated
engine, etc.
Here
the manual tells you how to keep your Chevrolet running properly and looking good.
This section tells you when
to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how
to contact Chevrolet for assistance and how to get service and owner publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-8.
Index ........................................................................\
........ 9-1
Here‘s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
YourDrivingandtheRoad .............................................................. 4-1
ProblemsontheRoad .................................................................. 5-1
ServiceandAppearanceCare ............................................................ 6-1
Maintenanceschedule
.................................................................. 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
........................................................ 8-1
i
Page 70 of 340

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather,
0°F (- 1 S’C) or colder,
the engine coolant
heater can help. You’ll
get easier starting and
better
fuel economy
during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 1 10-volt AC outlet.
’ .A CAUTION:
1 - - -+* ,
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach,
use a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord
rated for
at least 15 amps.
4.
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to store
the cord
as it was before to keep it away from moving
engine parts. If you don’t, it could be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to
list everything here, we ask that you contact
your Chevrolet dealer in
the area where you’ll be
parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best
advice for that particular area.
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Page 74 of 340

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than
SECOND (2). You can
use it
on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
shift lever
is put in FIRST (l), the transaxle won’t shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
I NOTICE:
~~~~~ ~
If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a solid
object.
You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Pa
To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal
down
with your right foot.
Push down the parking
brake pedal
with your
left foot.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down
with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal
with your left ,foot. When you lift your left
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow
it to the
released position.
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Page 75 of 340
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your
rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep
the trailer from moving.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
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. ~. - -
Page 77 of 340

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Console Shift
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) position like this:
set the parking brake.
Hold in the button on the
lever, and push the lever all
the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
I , 4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire.
You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in
PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into the PARK
(P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift lever away from PARK
(P)
without first pulling it toward you (or, if you have the
console shift lever, without first pushing the button). If
you can,
it means that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked
into PARK
(P).
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Page 94 of 340
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ashtrays and Lighter
The center front ashtray may be on the instrument panel
or
on the console. To iemove the instrument panel
ashtray, open it, push down on the locking tab and pull
out the ashtray.
For the console ashtray, open the lid and lift out
the
ashtray’using the snuffer.
Your vehicle may have a rear ashtray.
To remove the
rear ashtray, open it, push down on the snuffer and pull
the ashtray out.
NOTICE:
Don’t put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtrays.
If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating.
If you do, it won’t be able to
back away
from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make
it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
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Page 104 of 340

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
LOW
TRAC
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid a braking skid,
the anti-lock brake system
active light will come on.
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
This light tells you that
your engine coolant has
overheated or your radiator
HOT
cooling fan is not working.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this light comes
on, so adjust your driving accordingly. The light will
stay on for a few seconds after the system stops
adjusting brake pressure.
The anti-lock brake system active light also comes on
briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
there
to tell you when the system is active. If
you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions,
you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon
as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
Page 105 of 340
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
-loo @ 260
You have a gage that
shows the engine coolant
temperature.
If the gage
pointer moves into the red area, your engine is too hot!
That reading means the same thing as the warning light.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop your
vehicle and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road”, this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
Low Coolant Warning Light
LOW
If this light comes on, your
system is low on coolant
and the engine
may
overheat. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index and
have your vehicle serviced
as soon as
you can.
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