2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO service indicator

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work properly.
In most cases, you should not have to add anything to
your fuel. However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations. To help
keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean, or if your
vehicle experiences problems due to dirty injectors or
valves, look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Also, your GM dealer has additives
that will help correct and prevent most deposit-related
problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area. General Motors recommends that you use
these gasolines if they comply with the specications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other
fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must not be used
in vehicles that were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
recommends against the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs and
the performance of the emission control system may be
affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If
this occurs, return to your authorized GM dealer for
service.
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
The 8th digit of your vehicle identication number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
engine. You will nd the VIN at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identication Number
(VIN) on page 5-93.
If your vehicle has the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code K only),
you may use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol
fuel containing up to 85% ethanol (E85); also seeFuel on
page 5-4. In all other engines, including the 3.5L V6 (VIN
Code N), use only regular unleaded gasoline.
Only vehicles that have the 3.5L V6 engine (VIN Code K)
may use 85% ethanol fuel (E85). General Motors
encourages the use of E85 in vehicles that are designed
to use it. The ethanol in E85 is a “renewable” fuel,
meaning it is made from renewable sources such as corn
and other crops.
5-6

Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake
uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-89.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving,
except when you are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
5-41

When a low tire pressure condition is detected, the
TPMS will illuminate the low tire pressure warning
symbol on the instrument panel cluster, and at the same
time a message to check the pressure in a specic
tire will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
display. The low tire pressure warning symbol on
the instrument panel cluster and the check tire pressure
message will appear at each ignition cycle until the
tires are inated to the correct ination pressure. Using
the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and details about the
DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-40andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-46.
The tire pressure warning light may come on in cool
weather when the vehicle is rst started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This may be an early
indicator that the air pressure in the tire(s) are getting
low and need to be inated to the proper pressure.
A tire and Loading Information label, attached to your
vehicle, shows the size of your vehicle’s original
equipment tires and the correct ination pressure for
your vehicle’s tires when they are cold. SeeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-29, for an example of the
tire information label and its location on your vehicle.
Also seeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-60.Your vehicle’s TPMS system can warn you about a low
tire pressure condition but it does not replace normal
tire maintenance. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-66andTires on page 5-54.
Notice:Do not use a tire sealant if your vehicle
has Tire Pressure Monitors. The liquid sealant can
damage the tire pressure monitor sensors.
The TPMS will not function properly if one or more of
the TPMS sensors are missing or inoperable. If the
system detects a missing or inoperable sensor, an error
message SERVICE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM will be
shown on the DIC display. If you have replaced a
tire/wheel assembly without transferring the TPMS
sensors, the error message will be displayed. Once
you re-install the TPMS sensors, the error message
should go off. See your GM dealer for service if
all TPMS sensors are installed and the error message
comes on and stays on.
5-63

M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-14
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-13
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-34
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Passenger Seat.................................... 1-2Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-46
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-30
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®.....2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-30
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-30
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-31
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-13
8

O
Odometer......................................................3-26
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-17
Pressure Light.............................................3-37
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-20
Older Children, Restraints................................1-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-32
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outlet(s), Accessory Power...............................3-17
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-32
Heated Mirrors............................................2-32
Power Mirrors.............................................2-31
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..........................................5-31
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage...............................................5-91
Parade Dimming.............................................3-17
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-26
Shifting Out of............................................2-27
Parking
Brake........................................................2-25
Over Things That Burn.................................2-28
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-23
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-62
Passing.........................................................4-13
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-16
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-16
Power
Accessory Outlet(s)......................................3-17
Door Locks.................................................2-10
Electrical System.........................................5-94
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-19
Seat............................................................ 1-2
Steering Fluid.............................................5-38
Windows....................................................2-14
Pressure Cap.................................................5-28
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-28
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock...............2-11
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