1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER coolant temperature

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
I
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. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and 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.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your Chevrolet may be equipped with a three-speed
automatic
or a four-speed automatic transaxle. The
shift lever is located on the console between the seats.
There are six different positions for the shift lever on the
three-speed automatic and seven positions for the
four-speed automatic transaxles. While PARK
(P),
REVERSE (R) and NEUTRAL (N) operate identically
for both transaxles, the forward gear positions represent
different gearing and operation.
See “Forward Gears
(3-Speed)” or “Forward-Gears (4-Speed)” later in
this section.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Enhanced Traction System Active Light
LOW
TRAC
When your Enhanced
Traction System is limiting
wheel spin, this light will
come on. Slippery road
conditions may exist if the
Enhanced Traction System active light comes on,
so
adjust your driving
accordingly.
The light will stay
on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The Enhanced Traction 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.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
9
H
TEMP
Your vehicle is equipped with one of these gages. With
the ignition in the
RUN position, this gage shows the
engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red
area, your engine
is too hot! 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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Conditioning (If Equipped)
On very hot days, open the windows long enough to let hot,
inside
air escape. This reduces the time it takes for your
vehicle to cool down, which should help fuel economy.
For quick cool-down on very hot days, use
MAX with
the temperature knob all the way in the blue area.
If this
setting is used for long periods
of time, the air in your
vehicle may become too dry.
For normal cooling on hot days, use
VENT with the
temperature knob in the blue area and the
A/C button
pushed in. The system will bring in outside air and
cool it.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
You can use
BI-LEVEL with the temperature knob in
the middle and the A/C button pushed
in. The system
will bring
in outside air and direct slightly warmer air to
your lower body. You may notice this temperature
difference more at some times than others.
Heating
On cold days, use FLOOR with the temperature knob all
the way in the red area. The system will bring in outside
air, heat it and send it
to the floor ducts.
Your vehicle has heat ducts that are directed toward
the rear seat. Keep the area under the front seats clear
of obstructions
so the heated air can reach the rear
seat passengers.
If your vehicle has an engine coolant heater, you can
use
it to help your system provide warm air faster when it’s
cold outside
(0°F (-18°C) or lower). An engine
coolant heater warms the coolant your engine and
heating system use to provide heat. See “Engine
Coolant Heater” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving On Grades
NOTICE:
Do not tow on steep, continuous grades exceeding
6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than normal
engine and transaxle temperatures may result
and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops are very important to allow the engine and transaxle
to
cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
Pay particular attention
to the engine coolant gage. If the
indicator is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning
(if you have this option)
to reduce engine load (see
“Engine Overheating” in the Index).
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle
and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how
to do it:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet.
Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
When
the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and then shift
to PARK (P).
Release the regular brakes.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overh - -rting
YOU will find a coolant temperature gage and a low coolant
warning light on your Chevrolet’s instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it, Just turn it
off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be
badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine
is cool.
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 DEX-COOL@ engine coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs first,
if you add only DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant.
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 DEX-COOL@ coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
I
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than
DEX-COOL’ is added
to the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months, whichever
occurs
first. Damage caused by the use of coolant
other than
DEX-COOL@ is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine
is cool.
~~
A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn
if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant
on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your surge tank cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
When you replace your surge tank pressure cap,
a
GM cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat
is recommended.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving City
........................................ 4-21
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-22
InaBlizzard
................................. 4-28
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
In the Rain
.................................. 4- 18
Night
...................................... 4-16
OnCurves
.................................. 4-10
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-42
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-27
Throughwater
............................... 4-20
WetRoads
.................................. 4-18
Winter
...................................... 4-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-40
DrunkenDriving
................................ 4-2
Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding ...... 2-15.2-16.3-23. 6-58
Electrical System
............................... 6-58
Engine
.................................. 6-10. 6-11
Coolant
..................................... 6-25
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 17
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-41
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-72
Exhaust
..................................... 2-30
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-62
Identification
................................ 6-58
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-41
Overheating
................................. 5-14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-31 Specifications
................................ 6-64
Starting Your
...................... 2.14.2.15. 2.16
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-16
Checking
................................... 6-13
Used
....................................... 6-16
What
To Use ................................. 6-14
When to Change
.............................. 6-16
Enhanced Traction System Operation
................ 4-9
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
......... 2.72. 4.9
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
....... 2.71. 4.9
Ethanol
........................................ 6-5
ETS Active Light ........................... 2.72. 4.9
ETS Warning Light
......................... 2.71. 4.9
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-30
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fifth Gear. Manual Transaxle
..................... 2-24
Filling Your Tank ................................ 6-6
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-17
Finishcare
.................................... 6-53
Finish Damage
................................. 6-56
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
.............. 2.21. 2.23
First Gear. Manual Transaxle
...................... 2-24
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-23
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-48
FOgLmps
.................................... 2-43
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
Fourth Gear. Manual Transaxle .................... 2-24
French Language Manual
11 1. ...........................
Front Reading Lamps ............................ 2-45