1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM Owners Manual

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.
I NOTICE:
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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.
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.
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section 7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Tra
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign
of brake trouble.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate
or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust
correctly. If you drive in that way, then
-- very
carefully
-- make a few moderate brake stops about
every
1,000 miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will
adjust properly.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come to expect can change
in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Chevrolet has an ACDelco Freedom@
battery.
You never have to add water to one of these.
When it’s time for a new battery, we recommend
an ACDelco Freedom battery. Get one that has
the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative
(-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See
“Jump Starting’’ in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
1
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Bulb Replacement
See “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index to check the size
and type
of bulb you need to use.
H-’-;er Sulbs
-
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps/Sidemarker/Turn Signal Lamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Remove the screw near
the top outside
of the
headlamp assembly.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Remove the bolt (A) near the top inside of the
headlamp assembly.
Remove the bolt
(B) near the top outside of the
headlamp assembly.
Remove the headlamp assembly by pulling up and out.
Remove the electrical connector from the back
of
the assembly.
Pry back the rubber covering from the back of
the assembly.
8. Press down and move the metal retainer away from
you and then lift the metal retainer to the right.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 9. Pull the bulb socket out of the housing. 10. Remove the front sidemarker assembly by
pulling forward.
11. Turn the lamp socket to the left.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Combination Lamps
The combination lamp assembly includes the
taillamp/stoplamp, turn signal and sidemarker bulbs.
12. Push and turn to the left to remove the bulb.
13. Reverse the steps with a new bulb assembly.
A. Back-up Lamps
B. Turn Signal Lamps
C. Stoplamp/Taillamp
D. Rear Sidemarker
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To replace the rear combination lamps:
1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the three plastic screws.
3. Pull back the access panel.
4. Turn the bulb socket to the left and pull it out.
5. To remove the tail/stop or turn signal lamps, turn the
bulb socket in, to remove it from the housing. Then
push in and turn the bulb to the left.
6. To remove the sidemarker socket, turn it to the left to
remove the housing. Then pull the bulb straight out from the socket.
7. Reverse the steps to install a new bulb.
Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service, see
your Chevrolet Warranty booklet for details.
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are dangerous.
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Overloading your tires can cause
overheating
as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and
a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger
as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinflated
tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by
a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires
at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your
tread
is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ~ Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is in your
glove compartment, shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold”
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three
hours or driven no more than
1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation
is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
I NOTICE: (Continued) I
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
0 Needless damage from road hazards.
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 Wa).
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.
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