1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER check oil

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again.
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
This is where you add oil if you have a 2.2L engine.
6-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the air cleaner
off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it.
Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(Three-Speed Only)
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’ in the Index. regularly reaches
90°F (32°C)
or higher.
6-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1. Pull out the dipstick. Automatic Transaxle Fluid
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the (Four-Speed Only) dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than A transaxle \
fluid leak
is the only reason for fluid loss.
one pint
(0.5 L). Don’t ove$ZZ. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your Chevrolet
dealership Service Department and have it repaired as
soon as possible. You may also have your fluid level
checked by your dealer or service center when you have your oil changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
It
is not necessary
to check the transaxle fluid level.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON@-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-I11
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty. regularly reaches 90 OF (32 O C) or higher.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to Check.”
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all the way. 0 Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
6-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you do nor use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXR0N'-111, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-I11
is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
Manual Transaxle Fluid
When to Check
A good time to have it checked is when the engine oil is
changed. However, the fluid in your manual transaxle
doesn't require changing.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at your Chevrolet dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
ITICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
manual transaxle.
Too much can mean that some
of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
1 parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transaxle fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle
is parked on a level place and the manual
transaxle is cool enough for
you to rest your fingers on
the transaxle case.
6-22

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 s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL
8 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:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
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.
6-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts.
If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use
a 50/50 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
6-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids
or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part
D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant
to petjiorrn these underhood checks at each fuel
fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the
Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
See “Tires” in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
7-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Door Locks ..................................... 2-4
Drive. Automatic Transaxle
....................... 2-22
Driver Position
................................. 1 - 14
Driving City
........................................ 4-19
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-20
In a Blizzard
................................. 4-26
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
In
the Rain .................................. 4-16
Night
...................................... 4-15
On Curves
.................................. 4-10
On Grades While Towing a Trailer
............... 4-38
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-22
On Snow and Ice
............................. 4-25
Through Water
............................... 4- 18
WetRoads
.................................. 4-16
Winter
...................................... 4-24
With a Trailer
................................ 4-36
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-3
Easy Entry Seat
................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding
........... 2.16.3.22. 6.58
Electrical System
............................... 6-58
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant
..................................... 6-25
Coolant Heater
............................... 2- 18
Coolant Level Check .......................... 7-30
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-70 Exhaust
................. 2.10.2.30.2.31.4.27. 4.36
Fuse Block
.................................. 6-62
Identification
................................ 6-57
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-30
Overheating
................................. 5-14
Running While Parked
......................... 2-31
Specifications
................................ 6-65
Starting Your
...................... 2.15.2.16. 2.17
Engineoil
.................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-16
Checking
................................... 6-13
Used
....................................... 6-16
What To Use
................................. 6-14
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Enhanced Traction System
......................... 4-8
Active Light
............................. 2.70. 4.9
Operation
.................................... 4-8
Ethanol
........................................ 6-4
ETS
.......................................... 4-8
Active Light
............................. 2.70. 4.9
Warning Light
........................... 2.69. 4.9
Exhaust. Engine
................. 2.10.2.30.4.27. 4.36
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-40
Exterior LampsLenses. Cleaning
.................. 6-52
Warning Light
........................... 2.69. 4.9
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fabric Protection
............................... 6-50
Fifth Gear. Manual Transaxle ..................... 2-25
9-4