2007 CHEVROLET AVEO brake

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 281.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 277.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 277.
D. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 299andHydraulic
Clutch on page 286.
E. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid on page 283.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 292.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 361.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 297.
I. Battery. SeeBattery on page 303.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 298.Engine Oil
If the engine oil
pressure light comes
on, check the engine oil
level right away.
The oil pressure light is on the instrument panel
cluster for sedans. SeeOil Pressure Light on
page 169. For hatchbacks, the oil pressure light is
on the Secondary Information Center (SIC).
SeeOil Pressure Light on page 184. You should
check the engine oil level regularly; this is an
added reminder.
277

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear range, pausing
for about three seconds in each range.
Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to
five minutes.Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
The automatic transaxle dipstick is located toward
the front of the engine compartment, near the
power steering fluid reservoir. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 276for more
information on location.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
2. Push the dipstick back in all the way, wait
three seconds and then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, fluid should
be between MIN and MAX mark of the hot
area of the dipstick.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
284

Hydraulic Clutch
There is one reservoir for both the brake and the
hydraulic clutch fluid. SeeBrakes on page 299
for more information.
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The master cylinder reservoir
is filled with hydraulic fluid.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often you should check the fluid level in
your master cylinder reservoir and for the proper
fluid. SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services
on page 389andPart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 396.
How to Check and Add Fluid
To check the fluid level, look on the side of the
reservoir. If the fluid reaches the MAX (A) mark on
the reservoir, the fluid level is correct. If the fluid
does not reach the MIN (B) mark on the reservoir,
then fluid needs to be added. The reservoir is
located near the back of the engine compartment
on the driver’s side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 276for
more information on location.
286

Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for uid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if it is
completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
the vehicle’s windshield washer system
and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your vehicle has
one reservoir for both
the brake and clutch
hydraulic systems. It is
filled with DOT-3
brake fluid. SeeEngine
Compartment
Overview on page 276
for the location of
the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid
level in the reservoir might go down. The first is that
the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level
during normal brake lining wear. When new linings
are put in, the fluid level goes back up. The other
reason is that fluid is leaking out of the brake or
clutch system. If it is, you should have the brake/
clutch system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later the brakes will not work well.
299

So, it is not a good idea to top off the brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak. If
you add fluid when the linings are worn, then you
will have too much fluid when you get new
brake linings. You should add or remove brake
fluid, as necessary, only when work is done on the
brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake uid, it
can spill on the engine. The uid will burn
if the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake and/or clutch
hydraulic system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 163.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brake fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 396.
Always clean the brake fluid 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 the brake
system, the brakes may not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always use the
proper brake uid.
300

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 the 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 349.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and could have
rear drum brakes or rear 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 can come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal firmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the 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 can cause
a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or
lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with the brakes.
301

Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque
specifications inCapacities and Specifications on
page 368.
If you have rear drum brakes, they do not have
wear indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake
rubbing noise, have the rear brake linings
inspected immediately. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time
the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brake pads replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 395.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, the
disc brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make
a moderate or heavier stop, then the brakes might
not adjust correctly. If you drive in that way,
then — very carefully — make a few moderate
brake stops about every 1,000 miles (1 600 km),
so the brakes will adjust properly.
If the brake pedal goes down farther than normal,
the rear drum brakes might need adjustment.
Adjust them by backing up and firmly applying the
brakes a few times.
302

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be of top quality and work
well together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested with
top-quality brake parts. When you replace parts of
the braking system — for example, when the brake
linings wear down and you need new ones put
in — be sure you get new approved replacement
parts. If you do not, the brakes might not work
properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between the front and rear brakes can
change — for the worse. The braking performance
you have come to expect can change in many other
ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery.
When it is time for a new battery, get one that has
the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 276for battery location.Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for
25 days or more, remove the black, negative (−)
cable from the battery. This will help keep
your battery from running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful. SeeJump
Starting on page 304for tips on working
around a battery without getting hurt.
303