2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO fuel additives

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-17
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Pressure Cap...............................................5-28
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-31
Cooling System............................................5-31
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-38
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-39
Brakes........................................................5-40
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-48
Taillamps, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps........5-50
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-52
Tires..............................................................5-54
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-55
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-60
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-62
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-66
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-67
Buying New Tires.........................................5-68
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Gasoline Octane
For all vehicles except those with the 5.3L V8 engine
(VIN Code C), use regular unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is
less than 87, you may notice an audible knocking noise
when you drive, commonly referred to as spark knock.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
as soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking,
your engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code C), use
premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 91 or higher. You may also use regular unleaded
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but your vehicle’s
acceleration may be slightly reduced, and you may notice
a slight audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as
spark knock. If the octane is less than 87, you may notice
a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs,
use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you might damage your engine.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and
you hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
General Motors recommends against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-6
for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance may be affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp may turn on and your vehicle may fail a
smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-34. If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
5-5

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

Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/infrastructure/locator.html)
that can help you nd E85 fuel. Those stations that do
have E85 should have a label indicating ethanol
content. Do not use the fuel if the ethanol content is
greaterthan 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM
Specication D 5798.
To ensure quick starts in the wintertime, the E85 fuel
must be formulated properly for your climate according
to ASTM specication D 5798. If you have trouble
starting on E85, it may be because your E85 fuel is not
properly formulated for your climate. If this happens,
switching to gasoline or adding gasoline to your fuel tank
may improve starting. Your vehicle is designed to
accommodate a mixture of gasoline and E85 fuel. For
good starting and heater efficiency below 32°F (0°C), the
fuel mix in the fuel tank should contain no more than
70% ethanol.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you
will need to rell your fuel tank more often when
using E85 than when you are using gasoline.Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and may harm your fuel system. Damage
caused by additives would not be covered by
your new vehicle warranty. Do not use additives
with E85 fuel.
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.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-7

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlet(s)...............................3-17
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-68
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-94
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-28
Readiness Light..........................................3-27
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-54
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-68
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-60
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-62
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-67
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-60
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-61
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-59
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-56Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-85
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-85
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-32
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-90
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-88
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-92
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-89
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-85
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-87
Finish Care.................................................5-89
Finish Damage............................................5-91
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-88
Leather......................................................5-87
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-91
Tires..........................................................5-91
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-91
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-92
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-89
Weatherstrips..............................................5-88
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-90
Ashtray(s)......................................................3-18
1

Engine (cont.)
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-33
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-28
Oil .............................................................5-17
Oil Life System...........................................5-20
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-31
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-19
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finish Damage...............................................5-91
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-74
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-74
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-83
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-38
Windshield Washer......................................5-39Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-38
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-15
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-9
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage .........................................................3-38
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-95
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-97
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-94
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-33
Fuel..........................................................3-38
Speedometer..............................................3-26
Tachometer.................................................3-26
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-34
5