2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO brake fluid

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the uid
could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust
system parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle uid.Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to
drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
5-26

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the
brake uid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the uid level goes back up. The other reason is
that uid is leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system xed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much uid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake uid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-34.
5-45

What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake
uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind of
uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeAppearance
Care on page 5-88.
5-46

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. GM
Goodwrench
®oil meets all the
requirements for your vehicle. To
determine the proper viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine, seeEngine
Oil on page 5-18.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-28.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid. Look for
“Approved for the H-Specication”
on the label.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
SuperchargerSupercharger Oil (GM Part No.
U.S. 12345982, in Canada
10953513). SeeSupercharger Oil
on page 5-23.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease (GM
Part No. U.S. 12345579, in
Canada 992887).
6-12

Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-26
Operation...................................................2-20
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-92
Battery..........................................................5-48
Run-Down Protection...................................3-20
Battery Warning Message................................3-44
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Low Fluid Warning Message.........................3-49
Parking......................................................2-23
System Warning Light..................................3-34
Brakes..........................................................5-45
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-16
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-54
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-57
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-54
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-54
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-55Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-57
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Sidemarker Lamps...................................5-56
Buying New Tires...........................................5-70C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-103
Carbon Monoxide...................2-10, 2-26, 4-25, 4-38
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-91
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-90
Your CD Player...........................................3-91
Your CDs ...................................................3-91
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-36
Chains, Tire...................................................5-74
Change Engine Oil Message............................3-46
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-37
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-94
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-33
Infants and Young Children...........................1-29
2

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-49
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Labelling, Tire Sidewall....................................5-60
Lamps
Battery Run-Down Protection.........................3-20
Courtesy....................................................3-18
Dome........................................................3-18
Exterior......................................................3-13
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Interior.......................................................3-16
Reading.....................................................3-19
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-39
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-41
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-6Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-35
Brake System Warning.................................3-34
Cruise Control.............................................3-41
Highbeam On.............................................3-41
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-37
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-32
TCS Warning Light......................................3-35
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-35
Lighting
Delayed Entry.............................................3-19
Delayed Exit...............................................3-19
Entry.........................................................3-18
Parade Dimming..........................................3-19
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-31
Lockout Protection..........................................2-10
Locks
Door........................................................... 2-8
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door.................................................. 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Loss of Control...............................................4-15
Low Brake Fluid Warning Message....................3-49
Low Engine Oil Level Message.........................3-45
Low Fuel Warning Message.............................3-49
7

Low Oil Pressure Message...............................3-45
Low Tire Message..........................................3-46
Low Washer Fluid Warning Message.................3-48
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-37
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2Message
Battery Warning..........................................3-44
Center.......................................................3-42
Change Engine Oil......................................3-46
Door Ajar Warning.......................................3-47
Highbeam Out Warning................................3-50
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning..................3-44
Low Brake Fluid Warning..............................3-49
Low Engine Oil Level...................................3-45
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-49
Low Oil Pressure.........................................3-45
Low Tire .....................................................3-46
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-48
Security.....................................................3-48
Service Traction System Warning...................3-43
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-50
Traction Active............................................3-43
Trunk Ajar Warning......................................3-47
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-28
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-29
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-28
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-28
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-30
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-30
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-29
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
8

N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-16
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
O
Odometer......................................................3-31
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-31
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-18
Engine Oil Pressure Gage............................3-40
Pressure Message.......................................3-45
Supercharger, Engine...................................5-23
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-21
Older Children, Restraints................................1-27
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-30
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-25
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-30
Heated Mirrors............................................2-30
Power Mirrors.............................................2-29
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode.....5-33
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Parade Dimming.............................................3-19
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-24
Shifting Out of............................................2-25
Parking
Brake........................................................2-23
Over Things That Burn.................................2-26
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-25
Passing.........................................................4-13
Passlock
®......................................................2-15
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-20
Door Locks.................................................. 2-9
Electrical System.........................................5-97
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-17
Six-Way Seats.............................................. 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-43
Windows....................................................2-13
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-9
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-13
9