1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER brake

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transaxle
is
cool enough for you to rest your fingers on the
transaxle case.
Then, follow these steps:
The manual transaxle
dipstick is located
below the brake master
cylinder, near the rear
of the transaxle case.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and
2. Push it back in all the way and remove it.
clean it
with a rag or paper towel.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be between the
ADD and
FULL marks. (Note: Fluid may appear at the bottom
of the dipstick even when the fluid level is several
pints low.)
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
dipstick back in all the way
and flip the handle
down.
If the fluid level is low, add more fluid as
described in the next steps.
6-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is here.
It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir 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 b: * ‘lyd ; system. ..
A CAUTION:
have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at
all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. 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. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
0 If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
6-32
~.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 waming sound when the brake pads are 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 fiiy).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
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.
See “CaliperKnuckle Maintenance Inspection”
in
Section 7 of this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.”
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to
GM specifications.
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 brake pads replaced, have the rear brakes
inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7
of this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.’’

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
(1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
6-34
-~ .. ~

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous.
It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make
you lose control. You could have a
collision in which you or others could be injured.
Always use the correct wheel, wheel bolts and
wheel nuts for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how
far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your Chevrolet has P195/65R15 or P205/55R16
size tires, don’t use tire chains. They can damage
your vehicle because there
is not enough clearance.
NOTICE: (Continued)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The fuse panel is located under the left end of the
instrument panel.
To open, push the tab on the access
door to the left and pull the door forward. Make
sure to
insert the tabs when replacing the cover.
Fuse
TURN-B/U
F/P-INJ
CLUSTER
CLS/PCM
RR DFOG
02 HTR
Usage
Exterior Lamps, Back-up Lamps
Fuel Pump, Fuel Injectors
Instrument Cluster, Anti-Lock Brake System
Instrument Cluster, Powertrain Control Module, Daytime
Running Lights
Rear Window Defogger
Multiport Fuel Injection

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuse
WIPER
ERLS
AIR BAG
EXT LAMP
PWR ACC
HVAC
RADIO
ALARM
CRUISE
L HDLP
CIG
Usage
Windshield Wipers,
Windshield Washers
Automatic Transaxle, Brake
Transaxle Shift Interlock, A/C
Compressor, Cruise Control,
Multiport Fuel Injection
Supplemental Inflatable
Restraint System
Exterior Lamps, Instrument
Panel Lights
Power Door Locks, Convertible
Top (Convertible Model)
Heater and A/C Control,
Anti-lock Brake System,
Engine Cooling Fan
Radio, Remote Keyless Entry
Alarm Module
- Interior Lamps,
Warning Chimes
Cruise Control
Left Headlamp Cigarette Lighter,
Horn, Interior
Lamps, Diagnostic Connector
Fuse
INST LPS
STOP HAZ
PWR WIN- DOW
PCM/IGN
INT LAMP
FOG LAMP
IGN
R HDLP
Usage
Instrument Panel Lights,
Warning Chimes
Exterior Lamps, Anti-Lock
Brake System, Cruise Control,
Turn Signals
Power Windows, Power Sunroof,
Convertible Top Controls
(Convertible Model)
(Circuit Breaker)
Powertrain Control Module
Alarm Module: Illuminated Entry,
Warning Chimes, Overhead
Lamps, Mapmeading Lamps,
Glove Box Lamp, Trunk Lamp,
Radio, Power Mirrors, Remote
Keyless Entry
Fog Lamps
(2-24 Only)
Engine Ignition
Right Headlamp
6-61