2009 CHEVROLET AVEO automatic transmission

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s
speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake
or shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed
down. When the brakes are applied the cruise control
turns off.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal, or press the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission.
PressI/Oon the cruise control pad.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp band has three positions:
3(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps, together
with the following:
Taillamps
License Plate Lamp
Instrument Panel Lights
Parking Lamps
The headlamps automatically turn off when the ignition
key is turned to LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY.Uplevel shown, Base similar
3-13

Instrument Panel Cluster
The instrument panel cluster is designed to show how the vehicle is running. It indicates how fast the vehicle is
going, how much fuel is being used, and many other things needed to drive safely and economically.
The vehicle’s instrument panel cluster includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained on the following
pages.
United States Manual Transmission shown, Canada and Automatic Transmission similar
3-24

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF or 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 driving, the vehicle needs service. See your
dealer/retailer. If the regular brake system warning
light is not on, the brakes will still work, but the antilock
brakes will not work. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, the antilock brakes will not
work and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.The ABS warning light will come on briey when the
ignition is turned to ON/RUN. This is normal. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem.
Hold Mode Light
If the vehicle has this
feature, this light comes on
when the hold mode is
active.
If the HOLD mode light ashes, have the vehicle
checked. See “Hold Mode” underAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-22for more
information.
3-30

Dolly Towing From the Front
The vehicle can be towed from the front using a dolly.
To tow the vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.3. Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in N (Neutral).
4. Set the parking brake and remove the key.
5. For an automatic transmission, insert the key into
the shift-lock release slot and shift to N (Neutral).
SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-30.
6. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for
towing.
7. Release the parking brake.
4-26

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................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
the Vehicle.................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-11
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-16
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-23
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-23
Cooling System............................................5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25Engine Overheating.......................................5-30
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-32
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-33
Brakes........................................................5-34
Battery........................................................5-37
Jump Starting...............................................5-38
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-43
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs
..............................................5-43
Headlamps..................................................5-44
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Hatchback)..............................................5-47
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Sedan)...................................................5-47
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps...................5-48
License Plate Lamp......................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Tires..............................................................5-51
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-52
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-54
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-59
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Engine Compartment Overview
Automatic Transmission shown, Manual Transmission similar
5-14

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-19.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
C. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-34andHydraulic Clutch on
page 5-23.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-24.
E.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-89.
F.Battery on page 5-37.G. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-33.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-16.
I. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-21.
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-32.
5-15

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Check the automatic transmission uid level at least
twice a year. Add uid if needed. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealer/retailer 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
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission 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.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 158°F to 176°F
(70°C to 80°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 the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in P (Park).
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 P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three to ve minutes.
5-21