2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO cooling

Lockout Protection
To protect you from locking your key in the vehicle, this
feature stops the power door locks from locking while
the key is in the ignition and a door is open.
If a power lock switch is pressed while a door is open
and the key is in the ignition, both doors will lock
and then the driver's door will unlock. A chime will sound
continuously until both doors are closed.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your keys, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
Trunk
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. If you must drive with the trunk lid open
or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk lid:
·Make sure all other windows are shut.
·Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See ªClimate Control
Systemº in the Index.
·If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
2-10

Climate Controls
Dual Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
defrost, defog and ventilation for your vehicle.
Directing the Air¯ow
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the air¯ow inside of your vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode allows for approximately a
50/50 split of air to the instrument panel outlets and
to the ¯oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
¯oor outlets, with some of the air directed to the
windshield and side window outlets. In this mode, the
system will automatically select Outside Air.
The mode knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For information on defogging and
defrosting, see ªDefogging and Defrostingº later in this
section.
It should be noted, that the air conditioning compressor
will be engaged unless the outside temperature is
40É F (4ÉC) or below. Recirculation cannot be selected
when in Floor Mode.
3-22

Cooling
On hot days, open the windows to let hot air escape;
then close them. This helps to reduce the time it takes
for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps the system
to operate more efficiently.
#A/C (Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn
the air-conditioning system on or off. When the system is
on, an indicator light will come on and the system will
begin to cool and dehumidify the air inside of your
vehicle. During daylight hours, you may have to adjust
the instrument panel brightness control to the highest
setting in order to see the indicator light. See
Interior
Lamps on page 3-17for more information.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
The Air Conditioning System removes moisture from the
air, so you may notice a small amount of water
dripping underneath your vehicle when idling or after
turning off the engine.For quicker cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select A/C.
3. Select the recirculation mode.
4. Select the coolest temperature for both zones.
5. Select the highest fan speeds.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this, after the air inside of your vehicle
has cooled, switch to Outside Air.
On cool, but sunny days, the sun may warm the upper
part of your body, but the lower part may not be
warm enough. To remedy this, do the following:
1. Select the bi-level mode.
2. Select A/C.
3. Select the temperature.
4. Select the fan speed.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
3-25

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<(REAR):Press this button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light in the button
will come on to let you know that the rear window
defogger is activated. During daylight hours, you may
have to adjust the instrument panel brightness control to
the highest setting in order to see the indicator light.
See
Interior Lamps on page 3-17for more information.
The rear window defogger will turn off approximately
20 minutes after the button is pressed. If turned on
again, the defogger will run for the same amount of time.
The defogger can also be turned off by pressing the
button again or by turning off the engine.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview mirrors, the
Rear Window Defogger also warms the heated
driver's and passenger's outside rearview mirrors to
help clear them of ice, snow and condensation.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Notice:Don't use a razor blade or something
else sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you
do, you could cut or damage the defogger and
the repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape,
a decal or anything similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
The ¯ow through ventilation system on your vehicle
allows outside air to enter your vehicle when it is moving.
Outside air will also enter your vehicle when the
air-conditioning compressor is running and even in small
amounts when the recirculation mode is activated.
Use the control located
below or to the side of the
vent, to change the
direction of the air ¯owing
through them or to shut
them off.
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select outside air mode.
3. Select the temperature.
4. Select the fan speed.
3-27

Engine Coolant Temperature GageThis gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard your vehicle is
working. During the majority of the operation, the
gage will read 210ÉF (100ÉC) or less.
If you are pulling a load or going up hills, it is normal for
the temperature to ¯uctuate and approach the 250ÉF
(122ÉC) mark. When the gage reads greater than 250ÉF
(122ÉC), the HOT COOLANT TEMP light will be
illuminated in the message center and a chime will
sound continuously. If the gage reaches the 260ÉF
(125ÉC) mark, it indicates that the cooling system is
working beyond its capacity.
See
Engine Overheating on page 5-29.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
United States-3400 V6
Engine ClusterUnited States-3800 V6
Engine Cluster
Canada-3400 V6 Engine
ClusterCanada-3800 V6 Engine
ClusterUnited StatesCanada
3-38

Hot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message
This message is displayed when the cooling
system temperature gets hot. A chime will sound
continuously, also.
Check the coolant temperature gage and the coolant
level. See
Engine Coolant on page 5-26,Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-38andEngine
Overheating on page 5-29for further information.
Low Oil Pressure Message
This message is displayed when the engine oil pressure
is low. A chime will sound continuously, also. See Oil
Pressure Indicator Light on page 3-42. United States
Canada
United StatesCanada
3-46

Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway
hypnosisº? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel?
Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't
let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road in
less than a second,and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
·Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
·Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
·If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in ¯at or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
·Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all ¯uid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transaxle. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
4-22

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
·start your engine,
·shift into a gear, and
·release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle ¯uid (don't over®ll),
engine oil, drive belts, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and the
Index will help you ®nd them quickly. If you're trailering,
it's a good idea to review this information before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-29.
4-40