1997 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
U
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection. Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
Cleaning Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part
No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films
on
interior glass.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners are used on the inside
of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the
Windshield and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or if the wiper blade chatters when running,
wax, sap or other material may be on the blade
or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with
GM
Windshield Cleaner, Bon Ami@ Powder (non-scratching
glass cleaning powder), GM Part
No. 105001 1. The
windshield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse
it with water.
Grime from
the windshield will stick to the wiper blades
and affect their performance. Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full-strength
windshield washer solvent. Then
rinse the blade
with water.
Check the wiper blades and clean them as necessary;
replace blades that look worn.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may be required. (See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cleaning the Outside of Your
Chevrolet
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to
keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or
cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based, or
that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and not allowed
to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a
soft, clean chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior LampsLenses
Use lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth and a liquid
hand, dish or vehicle washing (mild detergent) soap to
clean exterior lamps and lenses. Follow instructions under
“Washing Your Vehicle.”
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Chevrolet
by hand may be necessary to remove residue from the
paint finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning
products from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and
Materials” in the Index.)
Your Chevrolet has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat
paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatklearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as
soon as possible. If
necessary, use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces
to remove foreign matter.
6-51

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your Chevrolet garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
(If - quipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean towel. A wax
may then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface
of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes on them because you could
damage the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic vehicle
wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes.
These brushes can also damage the surface of
these wheels.
Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the paint
finish.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair
or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas
of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect
on the underbody. If these are
not removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor
pan and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from
the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
Chevrolet will repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km)
of purchase, whichever occurs first.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER USAGE DESCRIPTION SIZE
994954 Exterior Polish Polishing Cloth - Wax Treated 23 in. x 25 in.
105OO04
Removes rust and corrosion
Chrome Cleaner and Polish
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1050173 Also removes old waxes and polishes Tar and Road Oil Remover \
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1050172 Shines vehicle without scratching
Chamois 2.75
sq. ft.
I 1050174 I 16 oz. (0.473 L) I White Sidewall Tire Cleaner I Removes soil and black marks I
1050200
Spot and stain removal
Vinyl Cleaner
32
oz. (0.946 L)
1050214 Exterior cleaner
and polish
Magic Mirror Cleaner Polish
1
gal. (3.785 L)
I 1050427 I 23 oz. (0.680L) I Glass Cleaner I Cleans grease, grime and smoke film I
I
1052870 I 16 oz. (0.473 L) I Wash and Wax Concentrate I Exterior wash I
1052918""
Attracts and absorbs soils
Capture Dry Spot Remover 8
oz. (0.237 L) 1052930 Spray on wheel cleaner Wheel Cleaner
16
oz. (0.473 L)
1052929 Cleans vinyl, cloth, tires and mats Multi-Purpose Powdered Clean\
er
16
oz. (0.473 L) 1052925 Protects vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor All
TM Protector 8 oz. (0.237 L)
12345002"" Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor All TM Cleaner 16 oz. (0.473 L)
12345725
Spot cleans paint and gives
high luster Finish Enhancer 16 oz. (0.473 L) 12377966 Protects finish and removes
fine scratches Cleaning
Wax
16
oz. (0.473 L) 12377964 Shines tires Silicone Tire Shine
12
oz. (0.354 L)
See your General Motors Parts Department for these products. **Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
See "Fluids and Lubricants" in the Index.
6-54

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help
you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
bl SAMPLE4UXVM072675 kl I Service Parts Identification Label
ENGINEA97 f ASSEMBLY You’ll find this label on your spare tire cover. It’s very
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
0 your VIN,
This is the legal identifier for your Chevrolet.
It appears the model designation,
on a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side. You can
see it if you look through the 0 paint information and
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
0 a list of all production options and special
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts equipment.
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Be sure that this label is
not removed from the vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Chevrolet
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment
can keep other components from working as
they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical
to your Chevrolet, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Chevrolet” in the Index.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in
the underhood electrical center. An electrical overload
will cause the lamps
to go on and off, or in some cases
to remain off. If this happens, have your headlamp
system checked right away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse.
If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If
the overload is caused by some electrica
have it fixed. 1 problem.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem
is fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers,
and fusible thermal links in the wiring itself. This
greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by
electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical size
and rating.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
Some fuses are in a fuse
block on the passenger’s
i side of the instrument panel.
Pull off the cover labeled
FUSES to expose the fuses.
Additional fuses are in the underhood electrical centers
on the right and left sides of the engine compartment.