2008 CHEVROLET AVEO Owners Manual

4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the Maximum Load amount
equals 1400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be
five 150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs (295 kg).
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, the
load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed nor intended
to tow a trailer.Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight or Maximum
Load, for Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant
and Cargo Weight=700 lbs (317 kg)
Example 1
4-23

Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight or Maximum
Load for Example 2=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×5=750 lbs (340 kg)
CAvailable
Cargo Weight=250 lbs (113 kg)Item Description Total
AVehicle Capacity
Weight or Maximum
Load for Example 3=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 200 lbs
(91 kg)×5=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
CAvailable
Cargo Weight=0 lbs (0 kg)
Refer to your vehicle’s Tire and Loading
Information label for specific information about
your vehicle’s capacity weight and seating
positions. The combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo should never exceed your
vehicle’s maximum load weight.
Example 2Example 3
4-24

Certication Label
A vehicle specific Certification label is attached to
the center pillar (B-pillar), below the driver’s door
latch. This label tells you the gross weight capacity
of your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never
exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front
or rear axle.
Label Example - United States
Label Example - Canada
4-25

And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out. See “Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit” earlier in this section.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control and
crash. Also, overloading can shorten the
life of your vehicle.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
4-26

Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-8.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle, such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of recreational
vehicle towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing
your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground)
and “dolly towing” (towing your vehicle with two wheels
on the ground and two wheels up on a device known
as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
•What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
•How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
•Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer/retailer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
•Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you
will want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to
be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip
on page 4-12.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Do not tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all
four wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must
be towed, you should use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing”
that follows for more information.
4-27

Dolly Towing
Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear with the
front wheels on the ground could cause transmission
damage. Do not tow the vehicle from the rear with
the front wheels on the road.
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P)
or a manual transmission in NEUTRAL (N).3. Set the parking brake and remove the key.
4. For an automatic transmission, insert the key
into the shift-lock release slot. SeeShifting
Out of PARK (P) on page 2-28.
5. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
6. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
7. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
Do not use your vehicle to tow a trailer. The vehicle
is not designed or intended for such a use. Towing
a trailer can adversely affect handling, durability
and fuel economy.
4-28

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-17
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-21
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-21
Engine Coolant.............................................5-22
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-25
Engine Overheating.......................................5-25
Cooling System............................................5-26Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-30
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31
Brakes........................................................5-32
Battery........................................................5-35
Jump Starting...............................................5-36
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-40
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-41
Halogen Bulbs
..............................................5-41
Headlamps (Hatchback).................................5-41
Headlamps (Sedan)......................................5-42
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
(Hatchback)..............................................5-43
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps (Sedan).....5-44
Turn Signal Lamps (Side)..............................5-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Sedan)...................................................5-46
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-47
License Plate Lamp......................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-50
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-51
Tire Terminology and Definitions.....................5-54
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-58
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-60
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-61
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-63
Buying New Tires.........................................5-64
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-65
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-66
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-67
Wheel Replacement......................................5-67
Tire Chains..................................................5-69
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-69
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-70
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-71
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire..........................................5-73
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-78
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-78
Appearance Care............................................5-79
Interior Cleaning...........................................5-79
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-80
Leather.......................................................5-81
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces................................5-82
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-82
Weatherstrips...............................................5-82
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-83
Finish Care..................................................5-83Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-84
Aluminum Wheels.........................................5-85
Tires...........................................................5-85
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-85
Finish Damage.............................................5-86
Underbody Maintenance................................5-86
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-86
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-87
Vehicle Identication......................................5-88
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).................5-88
Service Parts Identification Label.....................5-88
Electrical System............................................5-88
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-88
Headlamp Wiring..........................................5-89
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-89
Power Windows and Other
Power Options..........................................5-89
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-89
Instrument Panel Fuse Block..........................5-90
Engine Compartment Fuse Block....................5-94
Capacities and Specications..........................5-99
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........5-100
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........5-100
Engine Drive Belt Routing............................5-101
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2