2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER check engine

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 5-47for 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.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
6-18

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-25if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transaxle vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only in
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transaxle vehicles, put the shift lever in
NEUTRAL, push the clutch down halfway and try to
start the engine. The starter should work only when
the clutch is pushed down all the way to the oor. If
the starter works when the clutch is not pushed all
the way down, your vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-25if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to RUN, but do
not start the engine. Without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out
of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
6-20

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transaxle, the ignition should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
With a manual transaxle, the ignition should turn to
LOCK only when you press the key release button.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right. It
should only lock when turned to the right.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to
PARK (P). Then release the parking brake followed
by the regular brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-21

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-69
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-70
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-71
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-20
B
Battery..........................................................5-36
Run-Down Protection...................................3-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-25
System Inspection.......................................6-23
System Warning Light..................................3-26
Brakes..........................................................5-32
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-16
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-41
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-45
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-44
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-41Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps.................................................5-42
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-45
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-44
Buying New Tires...........................................5-56
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection.............6-23
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-85
Carbon Monoxide...........2-10, 2-29, 4-24, 4-37, 4-43
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-74
Your CD Player...........................................3-70
Your CDs ...................................................3-70
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-35
Chains, Tire...................................................5-60
Charging System Light....................................3-25
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Gages Warning Light...................................3-34
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-78
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-30
2

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-13
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Door
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-13
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-15
City...........................................................4-19
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-22Driving (cont.)
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-16
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-29
Winter........................................................4-24
E
Easy Entry Seat............................................... 1-6
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-80
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-84
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-81
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-80
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-82
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-81
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-81
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Battery.......................................................5-36
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-30
Coolant......................................................5-20
Coolant Heater............................................2-19
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-29
Cooling System Inspection............................6-22
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Oil .............................................................5-13
4

Engine (cont.)
Overheating................................................5-23
Starting......................................................2-18
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-8
Active Light................................................3-29
Warning Light.............................................3-28
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-26
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage...............................................5-77
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-71
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-61
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-62
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-70
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-19
Manual Transaxle........................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-30
Windshield Washer......................................5-31Fog Lamps....................................................3-15
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-16
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-35
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
System Inspection.......................................6-22
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-84
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-81
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-82
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-81
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-34
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-29
Fuel..........................................................3-35
Speedometer..............................................3-23
Tachometer.................................................3-23
5

Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-80
Headlamps....................................................5-42
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-41
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-44
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-41
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-13
Heater...........................................................3-18
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-34
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-13
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-19
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-16
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-30
Ination -- Tire Pressure..................................5-53
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-23
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance.........................6-23
Engine Cooling System................................6-22
Exhaust System..........................................6-22
Fuel System...............................................6-22
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-22
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-22
Throttle System...........................................6-22
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-15
Cluster.......................................................3-22
Overview..................................................... 3-4
6

M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-86
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-18
At Least Once a Month................................6-18
At Least Once a Year..................................6-19
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-18
Brake System Inspection..............................6-23
Caliper/Knuckle Maintenance Inspection..........6-23
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-22
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-22
Fuel System Inspection................................6-22
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-13
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-18
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-22
Part D - Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants.........................................6-24
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-26
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-6Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-22
Throttle System Inspection............................6-22
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-30
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-23
Map Lamps....................................................3-16
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Outside Breakaway Mirror.............................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-31
Outside Remote Control Mirror......................2-31
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............5-86
8