1997 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO service indicator

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. It doesn’t lock the steering
wheel like LOCK. Use
OFF if you must have your
vehicle pushed or towed.
RUN (D): This position is where the key returns
after you
start your vehicle. With the engine off, you
can use RUN to display some of your warning and
indicator lights.
START (E): This position starts your engine.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition is in
OFF, LOCK or ACC and
the key is in the ignition.
I 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.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position
-- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Chevrolet
is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
2-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
SERVICE ENGINE
SOON
Your Chevrolet is equipped
with
a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called
OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. (In Canada,
OBD I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system
is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not
~ work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not
running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction
in one
of two ways:
Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis
and service is required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
2-54

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuel Gage

E

Your fuel gage tells you
about
how much fuel you
have left when the ignition
is on. When the indicator
nears
EMPTY (E), you still
have a little fuel left, but
you should get more soon. Here
are some things owners ask about. All these
situations are normal and do not show a problem with
your fuel gage:
0
0
0
At the service station, the pump shuts off before the
gage reads
FULL (F).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but
it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity
to
fill it.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate
that you have used your tape player for
50 hours without
resetting the tape clean timer. If this message appears
on the display, your cassette tape player needs to be
cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it
as soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and
player. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a
known good cassette to see if it
is the tape or the tape
player at fault. If this other cassette has
no improvement
in sound quality, clean the tape player. Cleaning
may be done with a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
It is normal for the cassette to eject while cleaning.
Insert the cassette at least three times to ensure
thorough cleaning. A scrubbing action cleaning
cassette is available through your Chevrolet dealership.
You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. This type
of cleaning cassette will not
eject and,
it may not clean as thoroughly as the
scrubbing type cleaner.
After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for
five seconds to reset the
CLN indicator. The radio will
display
--- to show the indicator was reset.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality
may degrade over time. Always make sure the cassette
tape is
in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your Chevrolet dealer before adding equipment to the
outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. At a minimum, it should meet specifications
ASTM D4814 in the United States and CGSB 3.5-M93
in Canada. Improved gasoline specifications have been
developed
by the American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) for better vehicle performance
and engine protection. Gasolines meeting the AAMA
specification could provide improved driveability and
emission control system protection compared to
other gasolines.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
87. If the octane is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at
87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service. But
don’t worry
if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal, and you don’t
have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated
on the underhood tune-up label), it
is designed to operate
on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels
are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on
fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check
test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Chevrolet dealer for diagnosis to determine
the cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause
of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not
be covered by your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
Your Chevrolet has front disc brakes and rear drum
brakes if it is equipped with the
3 100 engine. It has
four-wheel disc brakes if it is equipped with the
3.4L
DOHC engine.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning 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 firmly).
I
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.
I 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.
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.
If
you have rear drum brakes, they 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 Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-5
Lighter
....................................... 2-39
Air Bag Readiness
....................... 1.21. 2.47
Brake System Warning
.................... 2.48. 6.28
Change Oil Soon
............................. 2-56
Charging System
............................. 2-47
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-50
Interior
..................................... 2-34
Low Coolant Warning
.................... 2.51. 6.23
Low Oil Level Warning
................... 2.55. 6.10
Oilwarning
................................. 2-54
Safety Belt Reminder
...................... 1.8. 2.46
Security
.................................... 2-56
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-52
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-28
Cylinders
................................... 7-38
Door
........................................ 2-4
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-38
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-4
Steering Column Park Lock Check
............... 7-40
Trunk
....................................... 2-9
Loss of Control
................................ 4- 13
Low Coolant Warning Light
................. 2.53. 6.23
Low Oil Level Warning Light
................ 2.57. 6.10
Leaving
Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-23
Lights Anti-Lock Brake System Active
............. 2.50. 4.9
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2.49. 4.7
Locks
......................................... 2.4 Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-42
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-38
Maintenance. Normal Replacement
Parts ........... 6-65
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-44
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long Triphlighway
........................... 7-27
Long Tripmighway Definition
................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-37
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-41
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-42
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short Trip/City
................................ 7-7
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-5
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-52
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-54
ManualFrontSeat
............................... 1-2
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-36
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-37
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-36
Power Outside
............................... 2-36
Visorvanity
................................. 2-40
MMT
......................................... 6-3
Mode Knob. Climate Control System
................ 3-3
Mountain Roads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Alignment and Balance ........................ 6-43
Chains
..................................... 6-45
Cleaning
.................................... 6-51
Inflation
.................................... 6-38
Inflationcheck
............................... 7-37
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-39
Loading
.................................... 4-28
Pressure
.................................... 6-38
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
....... ... 5-25
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
................... 5-33
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools
................. 5-34
Temperature
................................. 6-43
Traction
.................................... 6-42
Treadwe ar
................................... 6-42
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-42
Used Replacement Wheels
...................... 6-44
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-40
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-43
When It’s Time for New
....................... 6-40
TopStrap
..................................... 1-35
TorqueLock
................................... 2-23
TowingaTrailer
................................ 4-30
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-8
Trailer
BackingUp
................................. 4-35
Brakes
..................................... 4-34
Driving
on Grades ............................ 4-36
Buying
New ................................. 6-41
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-24
Compact Spare
............................... 5-35
Torque, Wheel Nut
.............................. 5-32 Drivingwi
th ............................... 4-34
Following Distance
........................... 4-35
Making Turns
................................ 4-35
Passing
..................................... 4-35
SafetyChains
................................ 4-34
Total Weight
on Tires .......................... 4-33
Towing
..................................... 4-30
Turn Signals
................................. 4-36
Weight
..................................... 4-32
Transaxle Fluid. Automatic
....................... 6-17
Transmitters. Remote Keyless Entry
................. 2-5
Transportation. Courtesy .......................... 8-8
Trip. Before Leaving
............................ 4-21
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-45
Release. Remote
............................... 2-9
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
................... 2-27
Turn Signals When Towing
a Trailer ................ 4-36
Hitches
..................................... 4-33
Maintenance When Towing
...................... 4-37
ParkingonHills
.............................. 4-36
Tongueweight
............................... 4-32
TrUnk Lock
........................................ 2-9
TTYUsers
..................................... 8-4
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-28
Underbody Flushing Service
... ............ 7-40
Underbody Maintenance
......................... 6-53
Underhood Electrical Center
................. 6-60. 6-61
9-10