2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER ECU

{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle ± like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else ± they will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they'll keep going.
{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
·Put things in the trunk or rear area of your
vehicle. In a trunk, put them as far forward
as you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly. If you have fold-down rear seats,
you'll ®nd four anchors on the back wall of
your trunk. You can use these anchors to
tie down lighter loads. They're not strong
enough for heavy things, however, so put
them as far forward as you can in the
trunk or rear area.
·Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
·Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.
·When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
·Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
4-33

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal
longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal ¯asher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will ¯ash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
¯ash, telling other drivers you're about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ¯ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It's
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
4-38

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has P195/65R15 or P205/55R16
size tires, don't use tire chains, there's not
enough clearance.
Tire chains used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can cause damage
to the brakes, suspension or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire chains
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction device only if its
manufacturer recommends it for use on your
vehicle and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer's
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
instructions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or remove the
device if it's contacting your vehicle, and don't
spin your wheels.
If you do ®nd traction devices that will ®t,
install them on the front tires.
Notice:If your vehicle has a tire size other than
P195/65R15 or P205/55R16 size tires, use tire chains
only where legal and only when you must. Use
only SAE Class ªSº type chains that are the proper
size for your tires. Install them on the front tires
and tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the
chain manufacturer's instructions. If you can hear
the chains contacting your vehicle, stop and
retighten them. If the contact continues, slow down
until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning the
wheels with chains on will damage your vehicle.
5-59

Don't try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won't ®t. Store the wheel cover in the trunk
until you have the ¯at tire repaired or replaced.
Notice:Wheel covers won't ®t on your compact
spare. If you try to put a wheel cover on your
compact spare, you could damage the cover or the
spare.
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
{CAUTION:
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the
passenger compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision,
loose equipment could strike someone. Store
all these in the proper place.A. Wrench
B. Jack
C. Flat Road Tire
D. Adapter
E. ExtensionF. Wing Bolt
(Extension
Installed)
G. Cover
H. Nut
Store the ¯at tire in the compact spare tire compartment
and secure the adapter, extension (aluminum wheel
only) and wing bolt. Store the jack and wheel wrench in
the foam tray.
5-68

Automatic Transaxle........................................2-19
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Backing Up....................................................4-38
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-15
Battery..........................................................5-39
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-20
Brake Fluid....................................................5-35
Brake Wear...................................................5-37
Brake............................................................2-26
Parking......................................................2-26
System Inspection.......................................6-24
System Warning Light..................................3-26
Brakes..........................................................5-35
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-45
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-49
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
Headlamps.................................................5-45Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-49
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-55C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Caliper/Knuckle MaintenanceInspection.............6-24
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Canceling the Rear Door Security Lock............... 2-9
Capacities and Speci®cations............................5-85
Carbon Monoxide...........4-24, 4-34, 4-40, 2-10, 2-30
Care of.........................................................5-74
Safety Belts................................................5-74
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-77
Your CD Player...........................................3-78
Your CDs ...................................................3-78
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-72
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-19
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-73
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-35
Chains, Tires..................................................5-59
Charging System Light....................................3-25
Check Engine Light.........................................3-30
2

Checking Coolant............................................5-23
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-14
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-58
Check...........................................................3-30
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Gages Warning Light...................................3-34
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-77
Child Restraints..............................................1-35
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-41
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-46
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-40
Top Strap...................................................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-79
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-16
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-76
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-75
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-71
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-73Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-73
Cleaning the Top of the
Instrument Panel.........................................5-73
Cleaning Tires................................................5-77
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-73
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-76
Cleaning........................................................5-71
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-71
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-74
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-77
Weatherstrips..............................................5-74
Climate Control System...................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-20
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-21
Compact Disc Messages.................3-48, 3-63, 3-75
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-70
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-15
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-36
Coolant.........................................................3-29
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-29
Heater, Engine............................................2-21
Low Warning Light.......................................3-30
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-24
Cooling System..............................................5-27
Cruise Control.................................................. 3-8
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-35
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-11
3

Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-7
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone
(TTY) Users.............................................. 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-10
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government.................................... 7-9
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-10
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-18
Dinghy Towing................................................4-31
Disarming the System.....................................2-15
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-31
Door............................................................... 2-7
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9Door (cont.)
Driver............................................................1-14
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-14
Driving on Grades...........................................4-39
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-25
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-18
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-18
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-37
Driving..........................................................4-15
At Night.....................................................4-15
City...........................................................4-19
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-22
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-16
Winter........................................................4-24E
Easy Entry Seat............................................... 1-7
Electrical System............................................5-80
Add-On Equipment......................................5-80
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-81
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-81
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-81
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-81
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-12
4

I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-26
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-25
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-31
If the Light Is on Steady..................................3-32
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-29
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-35
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-27
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-22
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-52
Inspection......................................................6-24
Brake System.............................................6-24
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance.........................6-24
Engine Cooling System................................6-23
Exhaust System..........................................6-23
Fuel System...............................................6-23
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-23
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-23
Throttle System...........................................6-23
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-14
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-82
Instrument Panel.............................................3-22
Cluster.......................................................3-22
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Interior Lamps................................................3-14
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-40
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-20
Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle).............2-19
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-12
Lamps...........................................................3-12
Exterior......................................................3-12
Interior.......................................................3-14
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-15, 1-23
LATCH System...............................................1-41
Child Restraints...........................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-43
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-28
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-10
7