
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 The 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner’s Manual
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Seats and Restraint Systems
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the “SRS” system.
Features and Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your Chevrolet.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfo\
rt controls and how to operate your audio system.
Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road\
and how to drive under different conditions.
Problems on the Road
This section tells what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheat\
ed engine, etc.
Service and Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your Chevrolet running properly and looking good.
Maintenance Schedule
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and \
what fluids and lubricants to use.
Customer Assistance Information
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- 10.
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the name CAVALIER are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
in the
product after that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name
“General Motors of Canada Limited” for Chevrolet
Motor Division whenever
it appears in this manual.
Please keep this manual
in your Chevrolet, so it will be
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road.
If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the new
owner can use it.
Litho in U.S.A.
Part
No. 10273366 €3 €_,t Edition
ii
GM -
WE SUPPORT
VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION THROUGH
National Institute for
AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
We support voluntary
technician certification.
For Canadian Owners Who Prefer a
French Language Manual:
Aux propribtaires canadiens: Vous pouvez vous
procurer
un exemplaire de ce guide en fraqais chez
votre concessionaire ou au:
DGN Marketing Services Ltd.
1500 Bonhill Rd.
Mississauga, Ontario
L5T IC7
@Copyright General Motors Corporation
1996
All Rights Reserved

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel.
Air bags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts.
Air bags distribute the force of
the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would
not help
you in many types of collisions, including
rollovers,
rear impacts and side impacts, primarily because
an occupant’s motion
is not toward those air bags. Air
bags should never be regarded as anything more than a
supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly
that some people may not even realize the air bag
inflated. Some components of the air bag module in the
steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s bag, will
be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come
into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to
touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from
vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t
prevent the driver from seeing or from being able to
steer the vehicle, nor does
it stop people from leaving
the vehicle.
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma
or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do
so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate an air bag,
windshields
are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from the
right front passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they
inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag
system.
If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t
be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other parts.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0
0 Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information
about the air bag system. The module records
information about the readiness of the system,
when the sensors are activated and driver’s safety
belt usage at deployment.
Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service can mean that your air
bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service. Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Chevrolet
Air bags affect how your Chevrolet should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
Chevrolet dealer and the Cavalier Service Manual have
information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag
system. To purchase a service manual, see “Service and
Owner Publications’’ in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may
have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the
air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
A C.” UTION:
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery
is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured
if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person performing work for you is qualified to do
so.
The air bag system does nor need regular maintenance.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This device complies with
RSS-2 10 of Industry and
Science Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation
of the device.
This system has a range of about
3 feet (1 m) up to
30 feet (9 m). At times you may notice a decrease in
range. This is normal for any remote keyless entry
system. If the transmitter does not work or if you have
to stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter to
work, try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement or
resynchronization is necessary. See the instructions
that follow.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during rainy
or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the left or right,
hold the transmitter higher,
and try again.
If you’re still having trouble, see your Chevrolet
dealer or a qualified technician for service.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Operation
The following functions are available with the remote
keyless entry system:
LOCK: All doors will automatically lock when the
LOCK button on the transmitter is pressed. The interior
lamps stay on for two seconds after all of the doors
are closed.
UNLOCK: The driver’s door will unlock automatically
when the
UNLOCK button on the transmitter is
pressed. If the UNLOCK button is pressed again
within five seconds, all remaining doors will unlock.
The interior lamps will stay on for
40 seconds or until
the ignition is turned on.
Trunk Release: The trunk will unlock anytime the
vehicle symbol on
the transmitter is pressed and the
ignition is
off. The interior lamps will come on for
40 seconds or until the ignition switch is turned on.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Replacing the Battery in the Keyless Entry System Transmitter
To replace the battery in the transmitter:
1. Use a small coin or flathead screwdriver to separate
the bottom half from the top half of the transmitter.
2. Remove the battery and replace it with the new one.
Make sure the positive
(+) side of the battery faces
down. For battery replacement, use a 3 volt battery,
type CR2032, or equivalent.
3. Read the instructions inside the case.
4. Put the two halves back together. Make sure the
cover is on tightly,
so water won’t get in.
5. Check the operation of the transmitter with your
vehicle.
If the transmitter does not work, try
synchronizing the transmitter with the receiver.
I
~ Synchronization
Your remote Keyless Entry System is equipped with a
security system that prevents anyone from recording and
playing back your signal. The transmitter does not send
the same signal twice to the receiver. The receiver will
not respond to a signal that has been sent to
it more
than once.
To resynchronize your transmitter and receiver, follow
these directions:
1. Stand close to your vehicle,
2. Press and hold the LOCK and UNLOCK buttons on
the transmitter at the same time,
3. Hold the buttons for at least five seconds. During
this time, the doors should lock and unlock once.
This confirms the resynchronization. If the doors do
not lock and unlock, see your dealer for service.
2-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Chevrolet and open the driver’s
door, you’ll hear
a chime reminding you to remove your
key from the ignition and take it with you. Always do
this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will
your ignition.
If you have an automatic transaxle, taking
your key out also locks your transaxle. And remember
to lock the doors.
Passlock TM
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember
to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your key? What
if you
have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk
Lock the glove box. or glove box.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s. Your
vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system is
armed once the key is removed from the ignition. Passlock
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with a
valid key.
If a correct key is not used, fuel is disabled.
During normal operation, the THEFT SYSTEM light
’ will go off after the engine is started. If the engine stalls
and the
THEFT SYSTEM light flashes, wait until the
light stops flashing before trying to restart the engine.
Remember to release the key from the
START position
as
soon as the engine starts. If you are dnving and the
THEFT SYSTEM light comes on, you will be able to
restart the engine if you turn the engine
off. However,
your Passlock system is not working properly and must
be serviced by your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected
by Passlock at this time.
You may also want to check the
fuses (see “Fuses and Circuit Breakers”
in the Index).
See your Chevrolet dealer for service.
If the THEFT SYSTEM light comes on while the engine
is running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Chevrolet Roadside Assistance
Center at 1-800-CHEV-USA
(1-800-243-8872).
2-11

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. In the
OFF position, the
instrument cluster and the automatic transaxle gear shift
indicator have electrical power. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed
or towed, but never try to
push-start your vehicle.
A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver’s door when the ignition is off and
the key
is in the ignition.
RUN (D): This is an on position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in the RUN position when the
engine is running. But even when the engine is
not
running, you can use RUN to operate your electrical
power accessories, and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START
(E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the
key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN are on positions that allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such
as the radio. On manual transaxle
vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause
a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to
OFF. Don’t press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure
you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your
~ vehicle needs service.