2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE check engine

Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-45
California Fuel
Requirements
If the vehicle is certified to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specifications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California Emissions
Standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specifications, but emission
control system performance might
be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog‐check test.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5‑13. If this occurs, return to
your authorized dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition
is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign
Countries
Never use leaded gasoline or any
other fuel not recommended in the
previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an
auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
Fuel Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines
in the United States are now
required to contain additives that
help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing the
emission control system to work
properly. In most cases, nothing
should have to be added to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of
additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean
and avoid problems due to dirty
injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline. Look for the
TOP TIER label on the fuel pump to
ensure gasoline meets enhanced
detergency standards developed by
the auto companies. A list of
marketers providing TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline can be found at
www.toptiergas.com.
For customers who do not use TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline regularly,
one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel
tank at every engine oil change, can
help clean deposits from fuel
injectors and intake valves. GM Fuel
System Treatment PLUS is the only
gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors. It is available at
your dealer.

Black plate (49,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-49
.For information on equipment to
tow a trailer, see“Towing
Equipment.”
For information on towing a disabled
vehicle, see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑83. For information on
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle such as a motor home, see
Recreational Vehicle Towing on
page 10‑84.
Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips
{WARNING
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well —or even at all.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
The driver and passengers could
be seriously injured. The vehicle
may also be damaged; the
resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Pull a trailer only if all the steps in
this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.
The vehicle can tow a trailer if
it is equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment. To identify the
trailering capacity of the vehicle,
see Trailer Towing (Fuel Economy
Model) on page 9‑53 orTrailer
Towing (Except Fuel Economy
Model) on page 9‑53. Trailering
changes handling, acceleration,
braking, durability, and fuel
economy. With the added weight, the engine,
transmission, wheel assemblies,
and tires are forced to work harder
and under greater loads. The trailer
also adds wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
For safe trailering, correctly use the
proper trailering equipment.
The following information has
important trailering tips and rules for
your safety and that of your
passengers. Read this section
carefully before pulling a trailer.
Pulling a Trailer
Here are some important points:
.There are many laws, including
speed limit restrictions that apply
to trailering. Check for legal
requirements with state or
provincial police.
.Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 1 600 km (1,000 mi) the
new vehicle is driven. The
engine or other parts could be
damaged.

Black plate (51,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-51
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal. Do this so
the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees,
or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel
flash whenever signaling a turn or
lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also flash, telling
other drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes, or stopping. When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument panel flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may
think other drivers are seeing the
signal when they are not. It is
important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gear before starting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the
transmission is not shifted down, the
brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission can tow in
D (Drive) but M (Manual Mode)
is recommended. Shift the
transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is better not to
use the highest gear.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. For vehicles with manual
transmissions, let the engine run
while parked, preferably on level
ground, with the transmission out of
gear and the parking brake applied,
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, see
Engine Overheating
on page 10‑19.

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
9-52 Driving and Operating
Parking on Hills
{WARNING
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift into P (Park) yet for
vehicles with an automatic
transmission, or into gear for
vehicles with a manual
transmission. Turn the wheels
into the curb if facing downhill or
into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the brake pedal
until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift
into P (Park) for vehicles with an
automatic transmission or into
gear for vehicles with a manual
transmission.
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
1.1. Start the engine.
1.2. Shift into a gear.
1.3. Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See this
manual's Maintenance Schedule or
Index for more information. Things
that are especially important in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission fluid, engine oil, axle
lubricant, belts, cooling system, and
brake system. It is a good idea to
inspect these before and during
the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. See Engine Overheating
on page 10‑19.

Black plate (55,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-55
Towing Equipment
Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment.
See your dealer or a hitch dealer
for assistance.
.The rear bumper on the vehicle
is not intended for hitches. Do
not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that
does not attach to the bumper.
.Will any holes be made in the
body of the vehicle when the
trailer hitch is installed? If there
are, seal the holes when the
hitch is removed. If the holes are
not sealed, dirt, water, and
deadly carbon monoxide (CO)
from the exhaust can get into the
vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust on
page 9‑27.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the
vehicle and the trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue of
the trailer to help prevent the tongue
from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch.
Leave enough slack so the rig can
turn. Never allow safety chains to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its own
brakes? Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes
so they are installed, adjusted, and
maintained properly.
Because the vehicle has antilock
brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's
brake system. If this is done, both
brake systems will not work well,
or at all.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
Notice: Do not add anything
electrical to the vehicle unless
you check with your dealer first.
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle and the
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty. Some
add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from
working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12‐volt battery, even if
the vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑30 andAdding
Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 3‑31.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-12
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13 Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-14
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-19
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-26
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-27
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-27
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . 10-31
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-34
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-7
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑14.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System on page 10‑16.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑9. E. Remote Negative (-) Terminal.
See Jump Starting on
page 10‑80.
F. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on page 10‑22 andHydraulic
Clutch on page 10‑14.
G. Battery on page 10‑25 (Under
Cover).
H. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10‑16. I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal.
See Jump Starting on
page 10‑80.
J. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑36.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑22.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-9
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑14.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
C. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10‑16.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When
to Add Engine Oil” under
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
E. Remote Negative (-) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑80.
F. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes
on page 10‑22 andHydraulic
Clutch on page 10‑14. G.
Battery on page 10‑25 (Under
Cover).
H. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10‑16.
I. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting on
page 10‑80.
J. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑36.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑22.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10‑12.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.