2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER check oil

Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
#Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage and the
transaxle shift linkage.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-24.
++If you drive in a highly corrosive environment,
your brake calipers may require additional inspection
and service, at every other tire rotation. See
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection on page 6-24.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.) (Also see footnote ++.)
6-7

Long Trip/Highway Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-18
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-23.
Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
#Lubricate the suspension, steering linkage and the
transaxle shift linkage.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-24.++If you drive in a highly corrosive environment, your
brake calipers may require additional inspection and
service at every other tire rotation. See Caliper/Knuckle
Maintenance Inspection on page 6-24.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs rst).(See footnote #.)
❑Inspect engine air cleaner lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An
Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-54for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.) (Also see footnote ++.)
6-13

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specied to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-20for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper uid if necessary. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-31for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
your spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-46for further details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-35for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
6-18

Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-75
Your CD Player...........................................3-68
Your CDs ...................................................3-68
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-18
CD Messages................................3-42, 3-51, 3-66
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-34
Chains, Tires..................................................5-60
Charging System Light....................................3-24
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-29
Gages Warning Light...................................3-33
Check Engine Light.........................................3-29
Checking Coolant............................................5-22
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-78
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-34
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-40
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-42Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-44
Top Strap...................................................1-38
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-37
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-68
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-16
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-73
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-75
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-78
Weatherstrips..............................................5-75
Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.....5-77
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-76
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-73
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-75
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-74
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-74
Cleaning Tires................................................5-77
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-74
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-76
Climate Control System...................................3-16
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-19
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-19
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-72
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-14
3

Driving (cont.)
Freeway.....................................................4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-22
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-16
Winter........................................................4-24
Driving on Grades...........................................4-42
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-25
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-18
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-18
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-40
E
Easy Entry Seat............................................... 1-6
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-80
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-81
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-80
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-81
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-81
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-11
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-31
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Battery.......................................................5-36Engine (cont.)
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-29
Coolant......................................................5-20
Coolant Heater............................................2-19
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-28
Cooling System Inspection............................6-23
Drive Belt Routing.......................................5-87
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-28
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-23
Starting......................................................2-18
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-84
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-18
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-43
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-18
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-8
Active Light................................................3-28
Warning Light.............................................3-27
Entry Lighting.................................................3-14
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Express-Down Window....................................2-13
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-11
5

Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-21
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-14
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-82
Interior Lamps................................................3-14
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-36
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-19
Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle).............2-18
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-11
Interior.......................................................3-14
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-12
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-14, 1-23LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-42
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running.....................................................2-26
Light
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-23
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-26
Brake System Warning.................................3-25
Charging System.........................................3-24
Check Gages Warning.................................3-33
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Active Light.............................................3-28
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Warning
Light......................................................3-27
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-29
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-29
Oil Pressure...............................................3-32
Passlock®Warning.......................................3-33
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-23
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-34
Up-Shift.....................................................3-25
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-31
Lockout Protection..........................................2-10
8

Manual Transaxle Check..................................6-19
Manual Windows............................................2-12
Map Lamps....................................................3-14
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) – Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-30
Outside Breakaway Mirror.............................2-31
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-31
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-30
Outside Remote Control Mirror......................2-30
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-86
O
Odometer......................................................3-22
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-32Older Children, Restraints................................1-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®Personal Calling.................................2-33
OnStar®Services............................................2-32
OnStar®System.............................................2-32
OnStar®Virtual Advisor....................................2-33
Opening a Rear Door When the Security
Lock is On................................................... 2-9
Operation......................................................3-16
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-5
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-19
Outside
Breakaway Mirrors.......................................2-31
Convex Mirror.............................................2-31
Power Mirrors.............................................2-30
Remote Control Mirror..................................2-30
Overseas – Customer Assistance........................ 7-4
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner’s Information........................................7-12
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-26
Shifting Out of............................................2-27
Parking
Brake........................................................2-25
Over Things That Burn.................................2-28
10

U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-22
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-57
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Up-Shift Light.................................................3-25
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-59
Using an MP3 CD..........................................3-61
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-73
Using the Rear Door Security Lock..................... 2-9
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-31
Parking Your...............................................2-27
Service Soon Light......................................3-34
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-79
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-80Vehicle Storage..............................................5-36
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-19
Visors...........................................................2-13
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-20
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-5
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-75
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-19
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-38
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-39
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-14
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-17
What to Use..........................................5-21, 5-31
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-58
Replacement...............................................5-58
When to Add Engine Oil..................................5-14
When to Change Engine Oil.............................5-16
When to Check..............................................5-54
When to Check and What to Use.....................5-20
15