2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER warning

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-9
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-49
Restraint System Check
............................1-58
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-17
Mirrors
....................................................2-32
OnStar
žSystem
......................................2-34
Storage Areas
.........................................2-35
Sunroof
..................................................2-36
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-17
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-21
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-36Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-30
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under
the Hood
.............................................5-10
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-50
Tires
......................................................5-51
Appearance Care
.....................................5-71
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-79
Electrical System
......................................5-80
Capacities and Speci®cations
.....................5-85
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-86
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-9
INDEX................................................................1
2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner ManualM

Safety Warnings and Symbols
You will ®nd a number of safety cautions in this book.
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about
things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the
warning.
{CAUTION:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don't, you
or others could be hurt.You will also ®nd a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means ªDon't,º
ªDon't do thisº or ªDon't let
this happen.º
iii

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will ®nd these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You'll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a speci®c component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help ®guring out a speci®c name of a
component, gage or indicator, reference the following
topics:
·Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
·Features and Controls in Section 2
·Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
·Climate Controls in Section 3
·Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
·Audio System(s) in Section 3
·Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

B (LOCK):This position locks your steering wheel,
ignition, shift lever and transaxle. This is the only
position from which you can remove the key. A warning
chime will sound if you open the driver's door when
the ignition is in LOCK and the key is in the ignition.
{CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and
result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle.
This could cause a collision. If you need to
turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to OFF. Don't press the key
release button while the vehicle is moving.
Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
can't turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the steering
wheel left and right while you turn the key hard.
Turn the key only with your hand. Using a tool
to force it could break the key or the ignition switch.
If none of these works, then your vehicle needs
service.C (OFF):This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send power to any
accessories. Use this position if your vehicle must
be pushed or towed, but never try to push-start your
vehicle. A warning chime will sound if you open
the driver's door when the ignition is in OFF and the key
is in the ignition.
D (RUN):This is the position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in RUN when the engine
is running. But even when the engine is not running,
you can use RUN to operate your electrical accessories,
and to display some instrument panel warning lights.
E (START):This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to RUN for normal driving.
Even if the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and
RUN allow you to operate electrical accessories,
such as the radio.
2-18

Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Don't shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
Up-Shift Light
If you have a manual
transaxle, you may have
an up-shift light. This
light will show you when to
shift to the next higher
gear for the best fuel
economy.
When this light comes on, you can shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road and traffic conditions let you.
For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift
when the light comes on.While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on
and off if you quickly change the position of the
accelerator. Ignore the light when you downshift.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the bucket
seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light will come on. United States Only
Manual shown, Automatic similar
2-26

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-3
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-4
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-16
Climate Controls............................................3-17
Climate Control System.................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-20
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-21
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-22
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-23
Tachometer.................................................3-23
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-24
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-24
Charging System Light..................................3-25
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-26
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-27
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-28
Enhanced Traction System Active Light............3-29
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-29
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-30Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-30
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-33
Passlock
žWarning Light................................3-34
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-34
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-35
Fuel Gage...................................................3-35
Audio System(s).............................................3-36
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-36
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS).........................................3-36
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-37
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-39
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-49
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-63
Personal Choice Radio Controls......................3-75
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non RDS Radios).......3-76
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios).............3-76
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-76
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-77
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-78
Care of Your CD Player................................3-78
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-78
XMŸ Satellite Radio Antenna System
(United States Only)..................................3-79
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-79
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

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

The hazard warning
¯asher switch is located on
the top of the steering
column.
Your hazard warning ¯ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
Move the switch to the right to make the front and rear
turn signal lamps ¯ash on and off. Move the switch
to the left to turn the ¯ashers off.When the hazard warning ¯ashers are on, your turn
signals won't work. Make sure the hazard warning
¯asher switch is all the way to the left for normal turn
signal operation.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry re¯ective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your
vehicle.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the center of your
steering wheel near the horn symbols.
3-4