2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO coolant level

{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-34.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:The radiator cap on your vehicle is a
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap line
up with the overow tube on the radiator ller neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle, near the diagonal cross brace. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage and a warning
message about a hot engine on your instrument
panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage
on page 3-36andHot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message on page 3-44.
5-31

{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. The
vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant recovery tank is located in the rear of the
engine compartment on the passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12.
To check the coolant level, look for the COLD mark on
the side of the coolant recovery tank that faces the
engine. When the engine is cold, the coolant level
should be at or above the COLD mark on the coolant
recovery tank. If it is not, you may have a leak at
the pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
5-35

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®engine
coolant at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-28.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at the
COLD mark, start your vehicle.
5-37

10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ller neck.
12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to ow out of the
ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the arrow on the pressure cap lines up properly.
13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
5-42

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-18. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-21.An Emission Control
Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (k).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-24.See footnote (m).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-68and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month on
page 6-9.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Check transaxle uid level and add uid as needed.•
Replace passenger compartment air lter (if equipped).See footnote (g).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (j).•
6-5

(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all 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.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the body doors, hood,
secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor, release pawl, rear
compartment, glove box door, console door, and any
folding seat hardware. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean
cloth will make them last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the
lter may require replacement more often.
(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-28for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)Check throttle system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high effort
or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or
cruise control cables.
(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(l)For supercharged engines only: Check the
supercharger oil level and add the proper supercharger
oil as needed (or every 36 months, whichever occurs
rst). See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
(m)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(n)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
6-8

Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist
you with these checks and services.
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
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important 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 5-18for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-28for 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.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they
are inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-59for further
details. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-76.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-68.
6-9

Child Restraints (cont.)
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-39
Older Children.............................................1-27
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-44
Top Strap...................................................1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-38
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-36
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-93
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-21
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-93
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-92
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-92
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-88
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-91
Leather......................................................5-90
Tires..........................................................5-94
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-91
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91Cleaning (cont.)
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-93
Climate Control System
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-25
Dual..........................................................3-22
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-25
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-24
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-87
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-14
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-37
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-36
Heater, Engine............................................2-19
Hot Temperature Warning Message................3-44
Cooling System..............................................5-34
Courtesy Lamps.............................................3-18
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-41
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY)
Users....................................................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
3