
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-13
must be reset. Your dealer has
trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to check
the oil regularly over the course of
an oil drain interval and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 miles)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN,with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times
within five seconds.
3. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF. If the change engine oil light comes
back on when the vehicle is started,
the engine oil life system has not
reset. Repeat the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
When to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Check the automatic transmission
fluid level at least twice a year. Add
fluid if needed. See
Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be a
little difficult, it may be decided to
have this done at the dealer service
department.
If not taken to the dealer, be sure to
follow all the instructions here, or a
false reading on the dipstick could
result. Notice:
Too much or too little
fluid can damage the
transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could
come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts,
starting a fire. Too little fluid
could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if checking the
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before
checking the transmission fluid level
if the vehicle has been driven:
.When outside temperatures are
above 32°C (90°F).
.At high speed for quite a while.
.In heavy traffic —especially in
hot weather.
To get the right reading, the fluid
should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 70°C to 80°C
(158°F to 176°F).

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
10-14 Vehicle Care
Get the vehicle warmed up by
driving about 24 km (15 miles) when
outside temperatures are above
10°C (50°F). If it is colder than
10°C (50°F), you may have to
drive longer.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a levelplace. 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 five minutes. Then, without shutting off the
engine, follow these steps:
1. Locate the automatic
transmission dipstick which is
located toward the front of the
engine compartment, near the
power steering fluid reservoir.
See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑8 for more
information on location.
2. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
3. Push the dipstick back in all the way, wait three seconds, and
then pull it back out again.
4. Check both sides of the dipstick.The fluid should be between the
MIN (A) and MAX (B) mark of
the hot area of the dipstick. 5. If the fluid level is in the
acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine what kind of
transmission fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6.
If the fluid level is low, add only
enough of the proper fluid to bring
the level into the area between the
two dimples in the hot range on the
dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add
enough fluid at the dipstick hole
to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much fluid,
generally less than 0.5 L (1 pint).
Do not overfill.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-15
Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑6.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under
“How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid” earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back
in all the way.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the
only reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer service department and have
it repaired as soon as possible. See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6
for the
proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
There is one reservoir for both the
brake and the hydraulic clutch fluid.
See Brakes on page 10‑24 for more
information.
The hydraulic clutch linkage in the
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 to check the
fluid level in the master cylinder
reservoir and for the proper fluid.
See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2 andRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11‑6.
How to Check and Add Fluid
The reservoir is located near the
back of the engine compartment on
the driver side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8 for more information on
location.
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.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
10-18 Vehicle Care
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle
is filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑21.
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:.Gives freezing protection down
to
−37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice: If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-19
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or
additives are used in the vehicle
cooling system, the vehicle
could be damaged. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine
coolant listed in this manual for
the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6 for
more information.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not between
the Minimum and Maximum marks,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling system is
cool before this is done. See
Engine
Coolant on page 10‑18 for more
information.
The engine coolant surge tank is
located in the rear of the engine
compartment on the driver side
of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8 for more information on
location.
{WARNING
Turning the surge tank pressure
cap when the engine and radiator
are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and
burn you badly. Never turn the
surge tank pressure cap —even a
little —when the engine and
radiator are hot.
When the engine is cold, the coolant
level should be between the
Maximum (A) and Minimum (B)
marks on the coolant surge tank.
The level rises at engine operation
temperature and drops again when
the engine cools down.
The coolant should be between the
Maximum (A) and Minimum (B)
marks, when the engine is cold. If it
is not, there could be a leak in the
cooling system.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-21
3. Fill the coolant surge tankwith the proper mixture to the
Maximum mark on the coolant
surge tank. Wait about
5 minutes, then check to see if
the level is below the mark. If the
level is below the Maximum
mark, add additional coolant to
bring the level up to the mark.
Repeat this procedure until the
level remains constant at the
Maximum mark for at least
five minutes. 4. With the coolant surge tank
pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
upper radiator hose can be felt
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant surge tank
may be lower. If the level is
lower than the Maximum mark,
add more of the proper mixture
to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the mark.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Notice: If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to
warn of the engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge on the instrument panel
cluster. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 5‑11.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program on
page 13‑6.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
10-22 Vehicle Care
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice: If the engine catches fire
because of being driven with no
coolant, the vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.If Steam is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day
.Stops after high-speed driving
.Idles for long periods in traffic
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off, if equipped.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. If in a traffic jam, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) while stopped.
If it is safe to do so, pull off
the road, shift to P (Park) or
N (Neutral) and let the
engine idle.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-23
If the temperature overheat gauge
is no longer in the overheat zone
or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slowly
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine
until it cools down.Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
located toward the front of the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 10‑8 for reservoir location.
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
there is a leak suspected in the
system or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power
Steering Fluid
Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
The level should be above the MIN
mark on the reservoir. If the level
drops below the MIN mark, add
power steering fluid. Do not overfill
the reservoir and remember to
replace the cap tightly when finished
and clean up any spilled fluid.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, see Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6. Always
use the proper fluid. Failure to use
the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.