2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO radiator cap

5-16
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at the
COLD mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there's one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before you do it.
CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the pressure
cap
-- even a little -- they can come out at high
speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the radiator pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and radiator
pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.

5-17 How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
NOTICE:
Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap
and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until it first
stops. (Don't press down while turning the
pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.

5-20
5. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL

coolant mixture, up to the base of the filler neck.
(See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.)
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an
air bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close the
valves after the radiator is filled.
6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.7. If you have the 3800 V6 engine, replace the
3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield.
A. Remove the oil fill tube, with cap attached, from
the valve cover.
B. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield under the
bracket on the engine.
C. Place the hole in the cover shield over the hole in
the valve cover. Install oil fill tube and cap by
twisting clockwise.
8. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the COLD mark.

5-21
9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank,
but leave the radiator pressure cap off.
10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.
12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.
13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level
in the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-18 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-21 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-24 Engine Coolant
6
-28 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-28 Power Steering Fluid
6
-29 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-31 Brakes
6
-34 Battery6
-35 Bulb Replacement
6
-41 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-42 Tires
6
-52 Appearance Care
6
-52 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-54 Care of Safety Belts
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-58 Finish Damage
6
-59 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-60 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-60 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-61 Electrical System
6
-69 Replacement Bulbs
6
-69 Capacities and Specifications
6
-70 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-27
If this LOW COOLANT
LEVEL light comes on and
stays on, it means you're
low on engine coolant.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. (See ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the engine
and radiator are hot can allow steam and scalding
liquids to blow out and burn you badly. With the
coolant recovery tank, you will almost never have
to add coolant at the radiator. Never turn the
radiator pressure cap
-- even a little -- when the
engine and radiator are hot.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
see ªCooling Systemº in the Index.

6-28
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed
to prevent coolant loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows on
the cap line up with the overflow tube on the
radiator filler neck.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is located toward the
rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger's side.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.

6-70 Engine Specifications
3400 (Code E) V6 Engine
Type LA1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement 191 CID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compression Ratio 9.5:1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-2-3-4-5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Temperature 195
F (91
C) . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower 180 @ 5200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 (Code K) V6 Engine
Type L36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement 231 CID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compression Ratio 9.4:1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-6-5-4-3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Temperature 195
F (91
C) . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower 200 @ 5200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
All Engines A1096C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
All Engines 10406026. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engine Oil Filter
All Engines PF47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery
3400 (Code E) V6 600 CCA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3800 (Code K) V6 690 CCA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator Cap
All Engines RC27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs
3400 (Code E) V6 AC Type 41
-940 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gap: 0.060 inches (1.52 mm)
3800 (Code K) V6 AC Type 41
-921 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gap: 0.060 inches (1.52 mm)
Windshield Wiper Blades
Length 22.0 inches (56.0 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Type Shepherd's Hook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase 110.5 inches (280.7 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tread Width (Front) 62.1 inches (157.6 cm). . . . . . . .
Tread Width (Rear) 61.0 inches (154.9 cm). . . . . . . .
Length 197.9 inches (502.6 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Width 72.3 inches (183.6 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Height 55.2 inches (140.3 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .