2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO warning

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-71

Temperature – A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specied indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underination, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
If you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one
way or the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If
you notice your vehicle vibrating when driving on a
smooth road, your wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM
original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to
have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.
5-72

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your vehicle’s
hazard warning ashers. SeeHazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-6for more information.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the
vehicle.
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, you should put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire, on the
other side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.
5-76

Appearance Care
Cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic.
Other cleaning products can burst into ames if a match
is struck near them or if they get on a hot part of the
vehicle. Some are dangerous if their fumes are inhaled
in an enclosed space. When anything from a container
is used to clean the vehicle, be sure to follow the
manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. Always open
the doors or windows of the vehicle when cleaning
the inside.
Never use these to clean the vehicle:
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous — some more than
others — and they can all damage the vehicle, too.Do not use any of these products unless this manual
says you can. In many uses, these will damage
the vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its best if
it is cleaned often. Although not always visible, dust and
dirt can accumulate on your upholstery. Dirt can
damage carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.
Regular vacuuming is recommended to remove particles
from your upholstery. It is important to keep your
upholstery from becoming and remaining heavily soiled.
Soils should be removed as quickly as possible. Your
vehicle’s interior may experience extremes of heat
that could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent
cleaning. Use care because newspapers and garments
that transfer color to your home furnishings may also
transfer color to your vehicle’s interior.
5-88

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-20
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-97
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-24
Air Conditioning..............................................3-22
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-32
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-46
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-52
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-55
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-52
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-53
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-51
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-49
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-92
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.....3-93
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-35
Appearance Care............................................5-88
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-93
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-91
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-94
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-92
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-88
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-92Appearance Care (cont.)
Finish Damage............................................5-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-91
Leather......................................................5-90
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-94
Tires..........................................................5-94
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-94
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-95
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-91
Weatherstrips..............................................5-91
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-93
Ashtrays........................................................3-21
Audio System(s).............................................3-54
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-89
Backglass Antenna......................................3-92
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player................3-90
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-91
Care of Your CDs........................................3-91
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-93
Radio with Cassette.....................................3-55
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-76
Radio with CD............................................3-66
Setting the Time..........................................3-54
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-88
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-90
Vehicle Customization Settings......................3-93
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-93
1

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

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

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government...................................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps/Automatic Headlamp
System......................................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Entry Lighting.....................................3-19
Delayed Exit Lighting.......................................3-19
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-14
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp...................................................3-18
Door
Ajar Warning Message.................................3-47
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-15
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-51
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-20Driving (cont.)
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-23
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-31
Winter........................................................4-25
Dual Climate Control System............................3-22E
Easy Entry Seat............................................... 1-7
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-97
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-97
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-97
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-98
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-97
Underhood Fuse Block...............................5-101
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-97
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-24
Battery.......................................................5-48
Change Oil Message...................................3-46
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-37
Coolant......................................................5-28
Coolant Heater............................................2-19
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-36
4