
Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-21
Performance and
Maintenance
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS warning light alerts you
to a significant loss in pressure of
one of the vehicle's tires. If the
warning light comes on, stop as
soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeVehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑12. The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected. During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver
’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑50.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays a change engine oil
light when it is necessary to change
the engine oil and filter.
Resetting the Oil Life 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.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑12.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-19
This indicates that the engine is not
receiving enough oil. The engine
could be low on oil, or could have
some other oil problem. Have it
fixed immediately by your dealer.
The oil light could also come on in
other situations:
.When the ignition is on but the
engine is not running, the light
will come on as a test to show it
is working. The light will go out
when the ignition is turned on.
If it does not come on with the
ignition on, there may be a
problem with the fuse or bulb.
Have it fixed right away.
.If the vehicle comes to a hard
stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
{WARNING
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check
the oil as soon as possible and
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule for changing engine oil.
Change Engine Oil Light
The vehicle may have an engine oil
life system that indicates when the
oil needs to be changed.
When the change engine oil light
comes on, it means that the engine
oil needs to be changed.
Once the engine oil has been
changed, the engine oil life system
must be reset. After reset, the
change engine oil light goes out.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑12, Scheduled
Maintenance on page 11‑2 and
Engine Oil on page 10‑9 for more
information.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
10-12 Vehicle Care
be used. An oil of this viscosity
grade will provide easier cold
starting for the engine at extremely
low temperatures. When selecting
an oil of the appropriate viscosity
grade, be sure to always select an
oil that meets the required
specification, dexos™. See
“Specification”in this section for
more information.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils with the dexos™
specification and displaying the
dexos™ certification mark are all
that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has the Engine Oil Life
System, a computer system that
indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light
displays. Change the oil as soon as
possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 miles). It is possible that,
if driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system might indicate that
an oil change is not necessary for
up to a year. The engine oil and
filter must be changed at least once
a year and, at this time, the system

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 (2,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
11-2 Service and Maintenance
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous. Some jobs can
cause serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if you
have the required know-how and
the proper tools and equipment.
If in doubt, see your dealer to
have a qualified technician do the
work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑5.
At your dealer, you can be certain
that you will receive the highest
level of service available. Your
dealer has specially trained
service technicians, uses genuine
replacement parts, as well as,
up‐to‐date tools and equipment
to ensure fast and accurate
diagnostics. The proper replacement parts,
fluids, and lubricants to use are
listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6 and
Maintenance Replacement Parts on
page 11‑8. We recommend the use
of genuine parts from your dealer.
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and
performance of the vehicle, it is
important that the first rotation
service for new tires be performed.
Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑54.
Scheduled
Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil
Light Displays
Change engine oil and filter. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9. An
Emission Control Service.
When the change engine oil light
displays, service is required for
the vehicle as soon as possible,
within the next 1 000 km/600 miles.
If driving under the best conditions,
the engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for more than a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system
must be reset. Your dealer has
trained service technicians who
will perform this work and reset the
system. If the engine oil life system
is reset accidentally, service the
vehicle within 5 000 km/3,000 miles
since the last service.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Aveo Owner Manual - 2011
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil
Life System on page 10‑12.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter.
Reset oil life system. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9 and
Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑12. An Emission
Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑18.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection of
hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑24.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑76. Worn
or damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 10‑30.
.Tire inflation pressures check.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑48.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑53.
.Rotate tires if necessary. See
Tire Rotation on page 10‑54.
.Fluids visual leak check (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). A leak in any
system must be repaired and
the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection. See Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 10‑16.
.Brake system inspection
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection
for damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
.Body hinges and latches, key
lock cylinders, and trunk lid
hinges and latches lubrication.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6. More
frequent lubrication may be
required when the vehicle
is exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a
clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
.Restraint system component
check. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑23.
.Fuel system inspection for
damage or leaks.