Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-56
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-29
OnStar
žSystem
......................................2-34
HomeLinkžTransmitter
.............................2-35
Storage Areas
.........................................2-39
Sunroof
..................................................2-40
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-41
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
.........3-30
Message Center
.......................................3-44
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-52Trip Computer
.........................................3-55
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-56
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-29
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-53
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-54
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-58
Tires
......................................................5-59
Appearance Care
.....................................5-82
Vehicle Identi®cation
.................................5-90
Electrical System
......................................5-90
Capacities and Speci®cations
.....................5-98
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
....5-100
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Owner ManualM
Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-9
Lockout Protection........................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-10
Trunk..........................................................2-10
Windows........................................................2-12
Power Windows............................................2-13
Sun Visors...................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-14
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-14
Passlock
ž....................................................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-16
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-16
Ignition Positions..........................................2-17
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-18
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-20
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-21
Parking Brake..............................................2-24
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-25
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-27Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-27
Engine Exhaust............................................2-28
Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked...............................................2-28
Mirrors...........................................................2-29
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-29
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
ž..............2-30
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-31
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž...................................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-33
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-33
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-34
OnStar
žSystem.............................................2-34
HomeLinkžTransmitter...................................2-35
Programming the HomeLinkžTransmitter.........2-36
Storage Areas................................................2-39
Glove Box...................................................2-39
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-39
Rear Storage Area........................................2-39
Convenience Net..........................................2-40
Sunroof.........................................................2-40
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-41
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Express-Down Window
The driver's window switch has an express-down
feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of
the switch and the driver's window will open a small
amount. If the rear of the switch is pressed down all the
way, the window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front
of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold
the front of the switch.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also move them from side to side. The visors
also have extenders that you can pull out for added
coverage.
Visor Vanity Mirrors
Open the cover on the top of the sun visor to expose
the vanity mirror.
If your vehicle has the lighted vanity mirrors, the lamps
come on when you open the cover.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have the optional content
theft-deterrent alarm system.
With this system, a light on the radio will ¯ash.
This light reminds you to activate the theft-deterrent
system. Here's how to do it:
1. Open the door.
2. Lock the door with the power door lock switch or
the remote keyless entry transmitter. The light on
the radio should come on and stay on. If you
are using the remote keyless entry transmitter, the
door does not need to be open.
3. Close all doors. The light on the radio will slowly
¯ash once the system is armed.
2-14
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-25.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a trailer,
also see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-34.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, pull the
lever at the bottom of the mirror toward you (to the night
position). To return the mirror back to the day position,
push the lever away from you.
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it
on and off.
2-29
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
ž
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a lever
located at the bottom of the mirror between the
two lamps. It is used to change the mirror from day to
night position. To reduce glare from headlamps
behind you while driving at night, pull the lever toward
you. To return the mirror to the day position, return
the lever to its original position.
There are two map lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it
on and off.There are also three OnStar
žbuttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
ž. SeeOnStaržSystem on page 2-34for
more information about the services OnStaržprovides.
2-30
Automatic Dimming Rearview MirrorYour vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror. Push the center button below
the mirror to turn this feature on. The mirror will
darken gradually to reduce glare from headlamps behind
you. This may take a few moments. The mirror will
lighten whenever you shift to REVERSE (R).
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on
and off.
One photocell on the front of the mirror senses when it
is becoming dark outside. Another photocell, facing
rearward, senses headlamps behind you. To turn the
automatic dimming feature off, press the center
button again.
To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally
clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner.
2-31
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
ž
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror with the OnStaržSystem.
Press the button located below the mirror, on the far left,
for up to three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature off and on. While turned on, this mirror functions
exactly like the automatic dimming mirror described
previously.
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it
on and off.There are also three OnStar
žbuttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
ž. SeeOnStaržSystem on page 2-34for more
information about the service OnStaržprovides.
2-32
Outside Power Mirrors
The outside power mirror
controls are located near
the driver's side window,
on the armrest.
Use the selector switch located above the four-way
control panel to choose either the left or right outside
mirror. Then press any of the four arrows located on the
control pad to move each mirror in the desired direction.
Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of your
vehicle and the area beside and behind your vehicle.
Heated Outside Mirrors
If your vehicle has this feature, the surface of the
outside mirrors will heat when the rear window defogger
is activated.
Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
2-33