2004 CHEVROLET CLASSIC headlamp

You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or even several
seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When
you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver
who does not lower the high beams, or a vehicle with
misaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid
staring directly into the approaching headlamps.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep
your eyes moving; that way, it is easier to pick out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from
night blindness — the inability to see in dim light — and
are not even aware of it.Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you can not stop, accelerate or turn as well
because your tire-to-road traction is not as good as on
dry roads. And, if your tires do not have much tread
left, you will get even less traction. It is always wise to
go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while
you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when
your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement.
4-15

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can not see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
4-27

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 Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
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...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-17
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-19
Engine Coolant.............................................5-19
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-22
Engine Overheating.......................................5-22
Cooling System............................................5-25
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-32Brakes........................................................5-34
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-45
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-45
Headlamps..................................................5-45
Front Turn Signal Lamps...............................5-47
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-47
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-51
Tires..............................................................5-52
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-59
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-60
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-62
Buying New Tires.........................................5-62
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-63
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-65
Wheel Replacement......................................5-65
Tire Chains..................................................5-66
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-67
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-68
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-79
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Appearance Care............................................5-80
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.................5-80
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-83
Weatherstrips...............................................5-83
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-83
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-85
Finish Damage.............................................5-85
Underbody Maintenance................................5-86
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-86
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-86
Vehicle Identication......................................5-88
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).................5-88
Service Parts Identification Label.....................5-88Electrical System............................................5-89
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-89
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-89
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-89
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-89
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-90
Capacities and Specications..........................5-95
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..........5-96
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Bulb Replacement
For bulb types, seeReplacement Bulbs on page 5-50.
For any bulb changing procedures not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or others could be injured. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions on the bulb
package.
Headlamps
A. Front Turn Signal
B. High-Beam Headlamp
C. Low-Beam Headlamp
5-45

Front Turn Signal Lamps
1. Remove the headlamp assembly as described in
Bulb Replacement on page 5-45.
2. Once it has been removed, press the tab on the
white socket while twisting it less than one-quarter
turn counterclockwise and pull it out.3. Remove the old bulb and replace it with a new one.
4. Turn the socket back into place.
5. Return the lamp assembly to its original position.
Be sure to line up the holes in the lamp assembly
to the round ends of the mounting pins.
6. Press down on the two latches to hook in the lamp
assembly.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
1. Open the trunk and locate the CHMSL housing on
the underside of the rear window shelf.
2. Twist the socket one-quarter turn counterclockwise
to remove it.
3. Gently remove burned out bulb and replace with a
new one.
4. Turn the socket back into place.
5. Close the trunk.
5-47

6. Carefully remove the backplate by gently pulling up
on the two upper and two lower tabs.
7. Gently wiggle the bulb to remove it from the socket.
Replace the bulb.
8. Reverse the steps to reassemble the backplate and
attach the taillamp assembly to the vehicle. Make
sure that all four tabs of the backplate are securely
fastened to the taillamp assembly before reinstalling
it on the vehicle.
9. When securing the lamp assembly back into place,
align the assembly so that the trunk lid doesn’t
contact it.
10. Close the trunk.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-Up/Rear Turn 3156
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(Interior Mounted)912
Front Parking/Turn 3157A or 3157NA
Front Sidemarker 24
High-Beam Headlamp 9005
Low-Beam Headlamp 9006
Tail/Stoplamp 3057
For any bulb not listed here, contact your dealer.
5-50

Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are
not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-68for more
information.
5-65