2007 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO maintenance

Service and Appearance Care
.................. 293
Service
................................................. 296
Fuel
...................................................... 298
Checking Things Under the Hood
......... 306
Headlamp Aiming
................................. 342
Bulb Replacement
................................ 342
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.... 347
Tires
..................................................... 349
Appearance Care
.................................. 385
Vehicle Identication
............................. 394Electrical System
.................................. 395
Capacities and Specications
................ 400
Maintenance Schedule
.............................. 403
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 404
Customer Assistance Information
............. 421
Customer Assistance and Information
..... 422
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 440
Index
.......................................................... 443
2

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in
several places around your vehicle. You do
not want the system to inate while someone is
working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the
service manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase
a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 441.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
82

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 388.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a
belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers,
and have them repaired or replaced. The airbag
system does not need regular maintenance.Notice:If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag, or an airbag covering (if equipped) on
a seatback, the airbag may not work properly.
You may have to replace the airbag module
in the steering wheel, both the airbag module
and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag, or both the
airbag module and the seatback for seating
positions with a side impact airbag
(if equipped.) Do not open or break the
airbag coverings.
84

Manual Operation
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to direct the airow inside of the vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the
following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to
the instrument panel outlets and the other half
to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to
the oor outlets, with some of the air directed
to the windshield and side window outlets. In this
mode, the system will automatically select
Outside Air.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. For more information, see
“Defogging and Defrosting” later in this section.
By positioning the right knob between two modes,
a combination of those two modes is selected.
The air conditioning compressor will operate
unless the outside temperature is 40°F (4°C)
or below.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan
speed. If the airow seems low when the fan
is at the highest setting, the passenger
compartment air lter may need to be replaced.
For more information, seePassenger
Compartment Air Filter on page 169and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 406.
Single Zone
165

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
<:The rear window defogger will turn off
automatically after it has been activated for
10 minutes. It can be turned off manually, by
pressing the button again or by turning the ignition
to the OFF position. If additional window clearing
is required, the rear window defogger can be
turned on again for additional window clearing. The
length of defogger operation will increase if the
vehicle is being driven.
If your vehicle has heated outside rearview
mirrors, the mirrors will heat to help clear fog or
frost from the surface of the mirror when the
rear window defog button is pressed. SeeOutside
Power Mirrors on page 124.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows
are clear.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the
inside of the rear window. If you do, you could
cut or damage the warming grid, and the repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal
or anything similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the knob located below or to the side of the
outlet, to change the direction of the air ow.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the
air inlets at the base of the windshield that
may block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air inside your
vehicle more effectively.
If the airow seems low when the fan is at the
highest setting, the passenger compartment air
lter, if equipped, may need to replaced. For
more information, seePassenger Compartment
Air Filter on page 169andScheduled
Maintenance on page 406.
168

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
This vehicle has a passenger compartment
particulate air lter. It is located in the engine
compartment, on the passenger’s side, under
the air inlet grille.
The lter traps most of the pollen from air entering
the climate control system. Like the engine’s air
cleaner/lter, it may need to be changed
periodically to ensure system performance. For
information on how often to change the passenger
compartment air lter, seeScheduled Maintenance
on page 406.
To change the passenger compartment air lter,
use the following steps:
1. Turn off the ignition when the windshield
wipers are in the up position.
2. Raise the vehicle hood.
3. Disconnect the windshield washer pump hose
from the fender rail and air inlet grille.
4. Peel back the hood weatherstrip from the
passenger’s side of the vehicle halfway
to center.5. Remove the air inlet grille retainers.
6. Remove the air inlet grille.
7. Remove the water deector plate.
8. Remove the old passenger compartment
air lter.
9. Reverse the steps to install the new air lter.
For best climate control system performance,
be sure to re-install the air lter.
For the type of lter to use, seeNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 416.
169

This light will ash for approximately 60 seconds
and then stay on if a problem is detected with
the Tire Pressure Monitor system.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 358
for more information.
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, your emission
controls may not work as well, your fuel
economy may not be as good, and your engine
may not run as smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that may not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) 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 296.
181

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.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 298. 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, misring, 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 x 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.
183