2007 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO check engine

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 394.
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 298.Inall
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.Many service stations will not have an 85% ethanol
fuel (E85) pump available. The U. S. Department
of Energy has an alternative fuels website
(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 greater than 85%.
At a minimum, E85 should meet ASTM
Specication D 5798. By denition, this means
that fuel labeled E85 will have an ethanol content
between 70% and 85%. Filling the fuel tank
with fuel mixtures that do not meet ASTM
specications can affect driveability and could
cause the check engine light to come on.
301

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start
up and injure you even when the engine
is not running. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 332.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 336.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 397.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 337.
E. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underCooling System on page 326.
F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 323.
G. Power Steering Fluid Cap. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 331.H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 311.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 311.
J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 317.
K. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 333.
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 316.
309

A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 332.
B. Battery. SeeBattery on page 336.
C. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 397.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 337.
E. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 323.
F. Power Steering Fluid Cap. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 331.
G. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 311.
H. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 311.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid on page 317.
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 333.
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 316.
L. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underCooling System on page 326.Engine Oil
If the ENGINE OIL LOW ADD OIL message
appears in the Driver Information Center (DIC),
it means you need to check the engine oil
level right away. For more information, see
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 195.
You should check the engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 308
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
311

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will
provide easier cold starting and better protection
for the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will come on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 195. Change your oil as
soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer
has GM-trained service people who will perform
this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system. It is also important to check your oil
regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed.
314

{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/
lter off can cause you or others to be
burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the
air; it helps to stop ames if the engine
backres. If it is not there and the engine
backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on
the engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter
in place when you are driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed
inAdditional Required Services on page 409,
and be sure to use the transaxle uid listed
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 415.
317

How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the dealership
service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or you could get a false reading
on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can
damage the transaxle. Too much can mean that
some of the uid could come out and fall on
hot engine or exhaust system parts, starting a
re. Too little uid could cause the transaxle to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading
if you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transaxle uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above
90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.To get the right reading, the uid should be
at normal operating temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are
above 50°F (10°C). If it is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
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
ve minutes.
318

Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
The transaxle uid
dipstick handle is the
black loop with this
symbol on it. It is
located near the
rear of the engine
compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 308for more information on location.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read
the lower level. The uid level must be in
the cross-hatched area.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
V6 Engines5.3L V8 Engine
319