2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO ABS

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how
fast you’re going, about how much fuel is in your tank and many other things you need to drive safely and
economically.
Uplevel 3400 V6 Engine Cluster: United States version with ABS and Traction Control shown, Canada similar
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Uplevel 3800 V6 Engine Cluster: United States version with ABS and Traction Control shown, Canada similar
3-29

Uplevel 3800 Supercharged V6 Engine Cluster: United States version with ABS and Traction Control shown,
Canada similar
3-30

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
If your vehicle has ABS,
the anti-lock brake system
warning light will come
on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition key
to ON.
If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on
longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn
the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on
when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn
the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you’re driving, the anti-lock brake system needs
service and you don’t have anti-lock brakes.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition key to ON. This is
normal. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
If your vehicle has the
traction control system,
this warning light may
come on for the following
reasons:
If you turn the system off by pressing the TRAC
OFF button located on the center console, a
chime will sound and the warning light will come on
and stay on. To turn the system back on, press
the button again. The warning light should go off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-9for
more information.
If there’s a brake system problem that is specically
related to traction control, the traction control
system will turn off and the warning light will come
on. If your brakes begin to overheat, the traction
control system will turn off and the warning light will
come on until your brakes cool down.
If the traction control system warning light comes on
and stays on for an extended period of time when the
system is turned on, your vehicle needs service.
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Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic and the calibration
symbol does not appear, you must manually put the
compass into the calibration mode.
Turn the ignition on and cycle the DIC to the
Compass/Temperature mode. Press the RESET button
for at least 10 seconds until the calibration symbol
appears and all segments of the compass display are
illuminated. A chime will sound to conrm that the
calibration mode is active. Release the button and
complete two or three 360° turns in an area free from
large metal objects. The calibration symbol will turn
off and the compass reading will be displayed. A chime
will sound to verify that the calibration is complete.
Error Displays

An error of the speed sensor or fuel sender will
cause -E- to be displayed.
In the absence of vehicle communications,
adash--isdisplayed.
If one of these error messages appear, see your
GM dealer.
Trip Computer
There are ve trip computer displays which may be
stepped through by pushing the MODE button.
The information will appear in the following order:
AVG ECON (Average Fuel Economy):This shows the
average fuel economy since the last reset.
INST ECON (Instantaneous Fuel Economy):This
shows fuel economy for the most recent second
of driving.
RANGE (Trip Range):This shows the estimated
distance that can be traveled with the remaining fuel.
The fuel economy used to calculate range is based
on the last few hours of driving. When in a low
fuel condition, LO is displayed.
FUEL USED (Trip Fuel Used):This shows the
accumulated fuel used since the last reset.
AVG SPEED (Average Speed):This shows the
average speed since the last reset.
Resetting the Trip Computer
Press and hold the RESET button for at least three
seconds. The reset is acknowledged with all segments
of the display lit briey and a chime. A reset can
only be done in AVG ECON, FUEL USED and AVG
SPEED displays. Each setting must be reset individually.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Steering......................................................4-11
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-16
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-17City Driving..................................................4-20
Freeway Driving...........................................4-21
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-22
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-23
Winter Driving..............................................4-25
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-30
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-30
Towing..........................................................4-35
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-35
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-35
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-37
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel will
come on briey when
you start your vehicle.
When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive
away, your anti-lock brake system will check itself.
You may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.
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If you do not have anti-lock brakes, use a “squeeze”
braking technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing
pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If you do have
anti-lock brakes, it is different. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) on page 4-7.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Traction Control System
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may
also upshift the transaxle and apply the front brakes to
limit wheel spin.This light will come on when your Traction Control
System is limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction Active
Message on page 3-43.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control Light
on page 3-41.
The Traction Control System operates in all transaxle
shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the
transaxle only as high as the shift lever position you’ve
chosen, so you should use the lower gears only
when necessary. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-20. United States
Canada
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