2007 CHEVROLET AVEO Owners Manual

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
(Hatchback)
Your vehicle has a passenger airbag status
indicator.If you have a hatchback, the airbag off symbol will
be visible in the Secondary Information Center
(SIC) during the system check.
When the ignition key is turned to ON or START,
the passenger airbag status indicator will light
for several seconds as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, if the off symbol is lit on
the passenger airbag status indicator, it means
that the passenger sensing system has turned off
the right front passenger’s frontal airbag and
side impact airbag (if equipped). SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 77for more on this,
including important safety information.
United
States – HatchbackCanada – Hatchback
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If the off symbol is not lit on the passenger airbag
status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag
(if equipped) are enabled (may inflate).
{CAUTION:
If the off symbol in the passenger airbag
status indicator does not come on when
you have a rear-facing child restraint
installed in the right front passenger’s seat,
it means that the passenger sensing
system has not turned off the passenger’s
frontal airbag and side airbag (if equipped).
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the right
front passenger’s airbag or airbags inate.
This is because the back of the rear-facing
child restraint would be very close to the
inating airbag or airbags. Do not use a
rear-facing child restraint in the right front
passenger’s seat unless the airbag or
airbags have been turned off.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something may
be wrong with the airbag system. If this
ever happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front passenger’s seat
may not have the protection of the frontal
airbag and side airbag (if equipped). See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 176for
more on this, including important safety
information.
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Charging System Light
The charging system
light will come on briefly
when you turn on the
ignition, and the engine
is not running, as a
check to show you it is
working.
Then it should go out when the engine is started.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the electrical
charging system. Have it checked by your dealer.
Driving while this light is on could drain your
battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be certain to turn off all your accessories, such
as the radio and air conditioner.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
Light
Your vehicle may have
the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS).
This light will come on when the ignition is turned
to ON and may stay on for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK. If the
light comes on, 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 are driving, your vehicle needs
service. See your dealer/retailer. If the regular
brake system warning light is not on, you still have
brakes, but you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, you
do not have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem
with your regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 163.
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The ABS warning light will come on briefly when
you turn the ignition to ON. This is normal. If
the light does not come on then, have it fixed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Hold Mode Light
If your vehicle has this
feature, this light will
come on when the hold
mode is active.
If the HOLD mode light flashes, have your vehicle
checked. See “Hold Mode” underAutomatic
Transaxle Operation on page 112for additional
information on this feature.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which
monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner environment. The Check Engine light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed to
assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
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economy might not be as good, and the
engine might not run as smoothly. This could
lead to costly repairs that might not be
covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or replacement tires that do not
match your vehicle’s original tires can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 264.When the ignition is on, this light should come on
and should go out after a few seconds as a
check to show you it is working. If the light does
not come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in
one of two ways:
•Light Flashing— A misfire condition has
been detected. A misfire increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis and
service may be required.
•Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on your
vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
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If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
•Reducing vehicle speed
•Avoiding hard accelerations
•Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still flashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service as
soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission
system malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 269.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. A
loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should turn the
light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of
water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
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Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 266. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is
warmed up.) This will be detected by the system
and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the
light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
Check Engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle
would be considered not ready for inspection.
This can happen if you have recently replaced your
battery or if your battery has run down. The
diagnostic system is designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during normal driving.
This may take several days of routine driving.
If you have done this and your vehicle still does
not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, your dealer can prepare the vehicle for
inspection.
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Oil Pressure Light
If your vehicle has low
engine oil pressure, this
light will stay on after
you start your engine, or
come on when you
are driving.
This indicates that your engine is not receiving
enough oil. The engine could be low on oil,
or could have some other oil problem. Have it
fixed immediately by your dealer.
The oil light could also come on in three other
situations:
•When the ignition is on but the engine is not
running, the light will come on as a test to
show you it is working. The light will go
out when you turn the ignition on. If it does
not come on with the ignition on, you
may have a problem with the fuse or bulb.
Have it fixed right away.
•If you make a hard stop, the light may come
on for a moment. This is normal.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
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