2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO maintenance

iv
Fuel
Checking Fluids and Lubricants
GM Oil Life System™
Passenger Compartment Air Filter (If Equipped)
Bulb Replacement
Windshield Wiper Blade ReplacementTires and Wheels
Appearance Care
Electrical System/Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Capacities and Specifications
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Table of Contents (cont'd)
Maintenance Schedule Service and Appearance Care
Section
7
Section
6
Scheduled Maintenance
Periodic Maintenance InspectionsRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
Maintenance Records

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NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver's or the
right front passenger's air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger's air bag. Do not open or
break the air bag coverings.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don't want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To purchase a service manual, see ªService and
Owner Publicationsº in the Index.
CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are
probably part of the air bag system. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is qualified
to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
Rear Seat Passengers
It's very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up!
Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear
seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Rear passengers who aren't safety belted can be thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others
in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system earlier in
this section.

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NOTICE:
Modifications made to the engine, transaxle,
exhaust or fuel system of your vehicle or the
replacement of the original tires with other than
those of the same Tire Performance Criteria
(TPC) can affect your vehicle's emission controls
and may cause the CHECK ENGINE light to
come on. Modifications to these systems could
lead to costly repairs not covered by your
warranty. This may also result in a failure to pass
a required Emission Inspection/Maintenance test.
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 may be 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.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:

Reducing vehicle speed.

Avoiding hard accelerations.

Avoiding steep uphill grades.

If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see ªIf the Light Is On Steadyº following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see ªIf the Light
Is On Steadyº following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.

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Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or may
begin programs to inspect the emission control equipment
on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could
prevent you from getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
CHECK ENGINE light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on
-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle still
does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, see your dealer or qualified service center
to prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Indicator/Low Oil
Pressure Light
The oil pressure
indicator tells you if
you have the correct
oil pressure in your
engine to operate
your vehicle.
3800 V6 Engine
Under normal conditions the indicator should read
slightly above the half way point between the low (L)
and high (H) settings.
If your oil pressure falls too low, the indicator will read
at the low (L) setting in the red zone. The LOW OIL
PRESSURE light will be illuminated in the message
center, also. If this occurs, you should have your vehicle
serviced immediately.

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The fuel gage, when the ignition is on, tells you about
how much fuel you have left in your tank.
The gage will first indicate empty before you are out of
fuel, and you should get more fuel as soon as possible.
Here are three situations you may experience with your
fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with the
fuel gage.

At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.

It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel 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 the tank.

The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.Message Center
The message center is located below the the tachometer
gage on the instrument panel cluster. It gives you
important safety and maintenance facts.
Modes
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
If this message appears
when you are driving,
there is a problem with
your traction control
system and your vehicle
is in need of service.
When this message is displayed, the system will not
limit wheel spin. The message will stay on for
60 seconds and then go out. Four chimes will also
be heard. Adjust your driving accordingly.

3-2
Comfort Controls
Manual Single Zone Climate Control
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. The system works best if
you keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the climate control panel
controls the fan speed. To turn the fan off, turn the knob
to OFF.
If airflow seems very low when the fan knob is turned to
the highest setting, regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter (if equipped) may need
to be replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index.Temperature Knob
The center knob on the control panel changes the
temperature of the air coming through the system.
Turn this knob toward red (clockwise) for warmer air.
Turn it toward blue (counterclockwise) for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel has several settings
to control the direction of airflow:
UPPER: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEVEL: This setting directs air two ways.
Half of the air is directed through the instrument panel
outlets. Most of the remaining air is directed through the
floor vents and a small amount to the windshield
defroster and side window outlets.
LOWER: This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The remaining air
comes out of the defroster and side window outlets.

3-4 Dual ComforTemp Climate Control
(If Equipped)
The Dual ComforTemp Climate Control system allows
the driver and passenger to maintain separate
temperature settings. The system works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the climate control panel
controls the fan speed. To turn the fan off, turn the knob
to OFF.
If the airflow seems very low when the fan is adjusted to
the highest setting regardless of the mode setting, your
passenger compartment air filter (if equipped) may need
to be replaced. See ªMaintenance Scheduleº in the Index.Driver's Temperature Lever
The lever on the left adjusts the air temperature on the
driver's side independent of the temperature set by the
passenger. Slide the lever upward to raise the temperature.
Slide the lever downward to lower the temperature.
Passenger's Temperature Lever
The lever on the right adjusts the air temperature on the
passenger's side independent of the temperature set by the
driver. Slide the lever upward to raise the temperature.
Slide the lever downward to lower the temperature.
Mode Knob
The knob on the right side of the control panel has
several settings to control the direction of airflow:
UPPER: This setting directs air through the
instrument panel outlets.
BI-LEV: This setting directs air two ways. Half of
the air is directed through the instrument panel outlets.
Most of the remaining air is directed through the floor
vents and a small amount to the windshield defroster
and side window outlets.
LOWER: This setting sends most of the air
through the ducts near the floor. The remaining air
comes out of the defroster and side window outlets.