2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO key

Battery Warning Message
When the vehicle is
started this message will be
displayed for
three seconds.
If the message is displayed when the engine is running,
you may have a problem with your charging system.
If there is a problem with the charging system,
four chimes will sound when the message comes on.
The battery display will also stay on while the key
is in ON until the engine is started.
If the message stays on after starting the engine it could
indicate a problem with the generator drive belt, or
some other charging system problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving with this message on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this message
displayed, it helps to turn off all your accessories.
Hot Coolant Temperature Warning
Message
This message is displayed when the cooling
system temperature gets hot. A chime will sound
continuously, also.
Check the coolant temperature gage and the coolant
level. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-28,Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-36andEngine
Overheating on page 5-31for further information.
United StatesCanada
3-44

Police records show that almost half of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than
16,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol, with more than
300,000 people injured.
Many adults — by some estimates, nearly half the adult
population — choose never to drink alcohol, so they
never drive after drinking. For persons under 21,
it is against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol.
There are good medical, psychological and
developmental reasons for these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive. But what if people do? How much is “too
much” if someone plans to drive? It is a lot less
than many might think. Although it depends on each
person and situation, here is some general information
on the problem.The Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of someone
who is drinking depends upon four things:
The amount of alcohol consumed
The drinker’s body weight
The amount of food that is consumed before and
during drinking
The length of time it has taken the drinker to
consume the alcohol
According to the American Medical Association, a 180 lb
(82 kg) person who drinks three 12 ounce (355 ml)
bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC
of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the
same BAC by drinking three 4 ounce (120 ml) glasses
of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1-1/2 ounces
(45 ml) of liquors like whiskey, gin, or vodka.
4-3

Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you’ll
want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be
towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-22.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
you should use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing” following for
more information.
Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on the dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
5. Release the parking brake.
4-37

How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to a
CHANGE ENGINE OIL message being turned on, reset
the system.
After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message, use
one of the following procedures:
Using the Radio
1. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON, with the radio off.
2. Press and hold the TUNE DISP knob on the
radio for at least ve seconds until SETTINGS
is displayed.
3. Press the SEEK PSCAN up or down arrow to scroll
through the main menu.
4. Scroll until OIL LIFE appears on the display.
5. Press the 1 PREV or 2 NEXT buttons to enter the
submenu. RESET will be displayed.6. Press the TUNE DISP knob to reset. A chime will
be heard to verify the new setting and DONE will
be displayed for one second.
7. Once the indicator has been reset, scroll until EXIT
appears on the display.
8. Press the TUNE DISP knob to exit programming. A
chime will be heard to verify the exit.
9. Turn the key to OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes back on
when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
Using the Accelerator Pedal
1. Turn the ignition to ON, with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal slowly
three times within ve seconds. If the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL message ashes, the system is reset.
However, if it stays on, it did not reset. Repeat
the procedure.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes back on
when you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
5-22

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering uid
reservoir is located toward
the rear of the engine
compartment on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir
location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the uid level on
the dipstick.
When the 3400 V6 engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the H (Hot) mark. When it is cold, the
level should be at the C (Cold) mark. If the uid is at the
ADD mark, you should add uid.
For the 3800 V6 engine, the level should be at the HOT
mark when the engine compartment is hot. If the uid
is at the ADD mark, you should add uid.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the proper
uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-43

Fuses Usage
RH HTD ST Passenger Heated Seat
PWR DROP Accommodated Device
B/U LP Back-Up Lamps
DIC/RKEDriver Information Center, Remote
Keyless Entry, HVAC
TRK/ROOF
BRPTrunk Lamps, Headliner Lamps
HVAC BLO HVAC Blower Relay
Fuses Usage
I/P BRPInstrument Panel Footwell Lamps,
Glovebox Lamps
HTD MIR Heated Mirrors
BRK SW Brake Switch
HAZ SW Hazard Switch
REAR PRK LP Rear Parking Lamps
AUX PWR Accessory Power Outlet (Battery)
C/LTR Cigarette Lighter
RADIORadio, Radio Amplier, Remote
Digital Radio Receiver
FRT PARK LPFront Parking Lamps,
Instrumentation Lighting
Relays Usage
PARK LP
RELAYParking Lamp Relay
BACK UP LP
RELAYBack-up Lamps Relay
BATT RUN
DOWN
PROTECTION
RELAYBattery Run Down Protection Relay
REAR DEFOG
RELAYRear Defogger Relay, Heated Mirror
Relay
5-100

(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

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to OFF in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to OFF only when the shift
lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in OFF.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
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.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service is
required.
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.
6-11