
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-28
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-46
Restraint System Check
............................1-55
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
...........2-18
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
Storage Areas
.........................................2-33
Sunroof
..................................................2-35
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-30
Secondary Information Center (SIC)
............3-46
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-48Driving 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
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-40
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-41
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-47
Tires
......................................................5-48
Appearance Care
.....................................5-68
Vehicle Identification
.................................5-77
Electrical System
......................................5-78
Capacities and Specifications
.....................5-85
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-11
Index................................................................ 1
2004 Chevrolet Epica Owner ManualM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find 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 specific component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific 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

Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving your vehicle, take your keys. All of
the doors, except for the driver’s door, can be locked
from the outside by pushing down the door lock and then
closing the door. The driver’s door can only be locked
from the outside by using the key or the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Trunk
To unlock the trunk from the outside, insert the key and
turn the trunk lock cylinder or use the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
When closing the trunk, close from the center to ensure
it fully latches. Although you may use one hand to
unlock the trunk, it is recommended that two hands on
the upper surface be used to close the 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 not 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 Climate Control
System in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-29.
2-11

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-29.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the climate control fan is at the highest
setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-24.
{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 will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-35.
2-30

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.
Outside Heated Mirrors
When you operate the rear window defogger, the heated
driver’s and passenger’s outside power mirrors are
warmed to help clear them of ice and snow. See “Rear
Window and Outside Mirror Defogger” underClimate
Control System on page 3-18orAutomatic Climate
Control System on page 3-22for more information.
Storage Areas
Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling the bottom of the handle
upward. Close the glove box with a firm push.
Cupholder(s)
The cupholders are located in the center console and in
the rear seat center armrest. To use the front cupholder,
pull up on the edge of the opening. To use the rear
cupholder, pull down the rear seat center armrest.
Coinholder(s)
Your vehicle has a coinholder located to the left of
the steering wheel on the instrument panel. There is
also a card holder located at the top of the coinholder.
To use these feature, pull out the coinholder drawer.
2-33

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Windshield Wiper Lever...................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-17
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-18
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-30
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-31
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-32
Trip Odometer..............................................3-32Tachometer.................................................3-32
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-33
Safety Belt Reminder Tone............................3-33
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-33
Charging System Light..................................3-34
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-35
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-36
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...........................................3-36
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-37
Traction Control System Active Light...............3-38
Hold Mode Light...........................................3-38
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-39
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-39
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-42
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-43
Daytime Running Lamps
Indicator Light...........................................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-44
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-45
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are
the following:
A. Air Outlet. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-28.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-31.
C. Digital Clock and Secondary Information Center.
SeeClock on page 3-46andSecondary
Information Center (SIC) on page 3-46.
D. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
E. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-18.
F. Outside Power Mirror Control. SeeOutside
Power Mirrors on page 2-32.G. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel.
See “Instrument Panel Brightness” underInterior
Lamps on page 3-15.
H. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-11.
I. Coinholder. SeeCoinholder(s) on page 2-33.
J. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
K. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-48.
L. Cigarette Lighter and Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and
Cigarette Lighter on page 3-18.
M. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-33.
3-5

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
The front ashtray and cigarette lighter are located at
the lower part of the center instrument panel, behind a
cover. Press in the cover and it will automatically open.
To remove the front ashtray for cleaning, pull the bin
out. To replace, press the bin back into place.
The rear ashtray is located at the rear of the center
console. To remove the rear ashtray, press in the
retaining spring and pull the bin out. To replace the rear
ashtray, insert the bottom tabs first and then press in
the retaining spring and push the ashtray closed.
Notice:If you put papers or other ammable items
in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
The cigarette lighter is located to the right of the front
ashtray. To use it, turn the ignition to ACC or ON, push
the cigarette lighter in all the way and let go. When it
is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
Your vehicle may have a manual climate control system.
With this system you can control the heating, cooling and
ventilation for your vehicle.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
In any setting other than off, the fan will run continuously
with the ignition on. The fan must be on in order for
the air conditioning compressor to run.
0 (Off):To turn the fan off, turn the knob all the way
counterclockwise to the off position.
3-18