1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER maintenance

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Cleaner
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The air cleaner is located on the driver’s side of the
engine compartment near the battery. To
check or replace the filter, remove the screws that
hold the cover on and lift the cover. Be sure to reinstall
the air cleaner filter and replace the cover tightly.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
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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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. If you have a three speed
automatic transaxle, the
handle on the transaxle
dipstick is a red ring.
Pull out the dipstick and
wipe it with a clean rag
or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it
back out again.
-1 3. Check both sides
of the dipstick,
and read the lower
level. The fluid
level must be in the
cross-hatched area.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper
fluid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area
on
the dipstick.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Fluid
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind
of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
1. Remove the dipstick by flipping the handle up and
2. Add fluid at the dipstick hole. then pulling the dipstick out.
Add only enough fluid to bring the fluid level up to
the FULL mark on the dipstick.
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
3. Push the dipstick back in all the way; then flip the
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir is
filled with hydraulic clutch fluid.
It isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your clutch fluid. Adding
fluid won’t correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the fluid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid. See
“Owner Checks and Services” and “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
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).
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.
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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.
See “Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection”
in
Section 7 of this manual under Part C “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections.”
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.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected immediately. 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.’’
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa). The purpose
of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services”
in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out
dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
( 10 000 to 13 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires
as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires” and
“Wheel Replacement” later in this section for
more information. When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact
spare tire in your tire rotation.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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 car 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
of purchase, whichever occurs
12,000 miles (20 000 km)
first.
6-55

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Refrigerant (R=134a), Air Conditioning
.............. See refrigerant
charge label under hood.
Fuel Tank ................. 15.2 gallons (57.5 L)
Tire Pressures, Sizes ........... See Tire-Loading Information label on driver’s door.
Wheel Nut Torque .......... 100 lb-ft (140 Nmm)
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be
sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in
this manual.
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used. If
you’re not sure, ask your dealer.
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Element
2.2L ....................... AC Type A- 11 72C
Engine Oil Filter
2.2L .......................... AC Type PF-47
2.4L
.......................... AC Type PF-44
Spark Plugs
2.2L ......................... AC Type 41-948
Gap:
0.050 inch (1.27 mm)
2.4L
......................... AC Type 4 1-942
Gap: 0.050 inch (1.27 mrn)
Windshield Wiper Blade (Sheppard’s Hook vpe)
Left Side ..................... 22 inches (56 cm)
Right Side.
................... 17 inches (43 cm)
2.4L
....................... AC Type A- 1172C
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