
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. 
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~ 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. 
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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). 
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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.