2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO check engine

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-44.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-48.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-48.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Upper)” underUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-101.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Lower)” underUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-101.
F. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-31.
G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-34.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-43.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-34.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Engine Coolant Air Bleed Valves (underneath engine
shield). See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator”
underCooling System on page 5-34.
M. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-26.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-45.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-24.
5-13

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-44.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-48.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-48.
D. Upper Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Upper)” underUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-101.
E. Lower Underhood Fuse Block. See “Underhood
Fuse Block (Lower)” underUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-101.
F. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-31.
G. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-34.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (low in engine
compartment). SeePower Steering Fluid on
page 5-43.I. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-34.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
L. Engine Coolant Air Bleed Valves (underneath engine
shield). See “How to Add Coolant to the Radiator”
underCooling System on page 5-34.
M. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-26.
N. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-45.
O. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-24.
5-15

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-44.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-48.
C. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-48.
D. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse Block
on page 5-101.
E. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure Cap
on page 5-31.
F. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-34.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (below generator).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-43.H. Electric Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-34.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
J. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-18.
K. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transaxle Fluid
on page 5-26.
L. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-45.
M. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-24.
5-17

Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
3400 V6 Engine
3800 V6 Engine
5-18

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will
come on. SeeChange Engine Oil Message on
page 3-46. Change your oil as soon as possible within
the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if
you are driving under the best conditions, the oil
life system may not indicate that an oil change is
necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer has
GM-trained service people who will perform this
work using genuine GM parts and reset the system. It is
also important to check your oil regularly and keep it
at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
5-21

What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your dealer, a
service station or a local recycling center for help.
Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically qualied and have the proper
tools, you should let your dealer perform this
maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or every
36 months, whichever occurs rst.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Use only the recommended supercharger oil. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
How to Check and Add Oil
{CAUTION:
If you remove the supercharger oil ll plug
while the engine is hot, pressure may cause
hot oil to blow out of the oil ll hole. You may
be burned. Do not remove the plug until the
engine cools.
5-23

Park the vehicle on a level
surface. Check oil only
when the engine is
cold. Allow the engine to
cool two to three hours
after running.
1. Clean the area around the oil ll plug before
removing it.
2. Remove the oil ll plug.
3. The oil level is correct when it just reaches the
bottom of the threads of the inspection hole.
4. Replace the oil plug with the O-ring in place.
Tighten to 88 lb-in (10Y).Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. If you
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter
at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt, a
new lter is required.
5-24

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