2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER hood release

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Fog Lamp Button
B. Instrument Panel Brightness Control
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
F. Ignition Switch
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls
H. Cigarette Lighter
I. Audio System
J. Climate Controls and Rear Window Defogger
K. Fuse Panel
L. Remote Trunk Release Button
M. Hood Release Lever
N. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever
O. Parking Brake Lever
P. Accessory Power Outlet
Q. Shift LeverHazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ¯ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ¯ash on and off.
3-3

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-5
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under
the Hood....................................................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-20
Manual Transaxle Fluid..................................5-20
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-22
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-24
Engine Overheating.......................................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-27Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-33
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-39
Jump Starting...............................................5-40
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-45
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-45
Headlamps..................................................5-45
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-47
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps...................5-48
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Tires..............................................................5-51
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure................................5-52
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-53
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-54
Buying New Tires.........................................5-55
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-56
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-57
Wheel Replacement......................................5-57
Tire Chains..................................................5-59
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-60
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-61
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-70
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a ®re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake ¯uid, windshield washer and
other ¯uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following.
1. Pull the handle located
inside the vehicle on
the driver's side under
the instrument panel.
5-10

2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and lift up on the
secondary hood release lever. The secondary hood
release lever is located near the front center of
the hood toward the driver's side.3. Lift the hood, release
the hood prop from its
retainer and put the
hood prop into the slot
in the hood marked
by an arrow. Use
the prop rod sleeve
when handling
the hood prop.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ®ller caps
are on properly. Then lift the hood to relieve
pressure on the hood prop. Remove the hood prop
from the slot in the hood and return the prop to
its retainer. Lower the hood 8 to 10 inches (20 to
25 cm) above the vehicle and release it to latch
fully. Check to make sure the hood is closed and
repeat the process if necessary.
5-11

Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-74.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-25.
Manual Transaxle Check
It is not necessary to check the transaxle ¯uid level.
Check for leaks. A ¯uid leak is the only reason for ¯uid
loss. Have the system inspected and repaired if
needed.
Automatic Transaxle Inspection
It is not necessary to check the transaxle ¯uid level. A
transaxle ¯uid leak is the only reason for ¯uid loss.
Check for leaks. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Hydraulic Clutch System Check
Check the ¯uid level in the clutch reservoir. SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 5-21. A ¯uid loss in this
system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired at once.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
speci®ed in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood latch assemblies, secondary latch,
pivots, spring anchor, release pawl, hood and body door
hinges, rear compartment and any folding seat
hardware. Part D tells you what to use. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a corrosive
environment.
6-20

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part
No. U.S. 12345579, in Canada
10953014, or equivalent).
6-26

Fuel (cont.)
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-35
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
System Inspection.......................................6-23
Fuses...........................................................5-81
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-81
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-81
G
Gage............................................................3-34
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-29
Fuel..........................................................3-35
Speedometer..............................................3-23
Tachometer.................................................3-23
Gasoline......................................................... 5-4
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-3
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-81
Headlamps....................................................5-45
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-45
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
Hitches..........................................................4-37
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-4
How the System Alarm is Activated...................2-15
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank . . 5-29
How to Check and Add Fluid............................5-21
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-33
How to Check................................................5-52
How to Detect a Tamper Condition....................2-16
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-19
How to Turn Off the System Alarm....................2-16
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydraulic Clutch System Check........................6-20
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-21
Hydroplaning..................................................4-18
6