2018 CHEVROLET SPARK tow

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348464) -
2018 - crc - 9/19/17
Driving and Operating 207
Warning (Continued)
.Fill the container no more
than 95% full to allow for
expansion.
. Do not smoke, light
matches, or use lighters
while pumping fuel.
. Avoid using cell phones or
other electronic devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC)
is used for vehicle service
and Emission Inspection/
Maintenance testing. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) 0105.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348464) -
2018 - crc - 9/19/17
210 Vehicle Care
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 267
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0228
and Jump Starting - North America
0 268 and the back cover.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348464) -
2018 - crc - 9/19/17
212 Vehicle Care
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records0296.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle
inside the vehicle. It is on the
lower left side of the instrument
panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle
and move the secondary hood
release lever toward the right
side of the vehicle.
3. Lift the hood and release thehood prop rod from the prop
rod retainer, which is under
the hood.
4. Securely place the hood prop rod into the hood prop rod
holder, at the rear passenger
side of the engine
compartment.
To close the hood:
1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on
properly. Then, lift the hood to
relieve pressure on the hood
prop rod. Remove the hood
prop rod from the prop rod

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348464) -
2018 - crc - 9/19/17
Vehicle Care 215
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0219.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0215.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0215.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 220.
5. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0226 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0219.
6. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0220.
7. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 225.
8. Battery - North America 0228.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0237.
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:
.
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 0217.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0214 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348464) -
2018 - crc - 9/19/17
216 Vehicle Care
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See“Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0298.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the cross-hatched
area that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged. You should drain
out the excess oil or limit driving
of the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 214 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range, between the cross-hatched
areas. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0294.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348464) -
2018 - crc - 9/19/17
Vehicle Care 255
the tires have been rotated.
SeeTire Pressure 0249 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0172.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation 0251.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications 0298.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to
tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when
the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in)
or less of tread remaining.
See Tire Inspection 0254 andTire
Rotation 0254.
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies to the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple factors
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. GM recommends that
tires, including the spare if
equipped, be replaced after six
years, regardless of tread wear. The
tire manufacture date is the last four
digits of the DOT Tire Identification
Number (TIN) which is molded into
one side of the tire sidewall. The
first two digits represent the week
(01–52) and the last two digits, the
year. For example, the third week of
the year 2010 would have a
four-digit DOT date of 0310.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348464) -
2018 - crc - 9/19/17
Vehicle Care 261
Warning (Continued)
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while driving, especially if the tires
are maintained properly. SeeTires
0 242. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if there ever is a blowout, here
are a few tips about what to expect
and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire
creates a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop, well off the
road, if possible.
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction as
used in a skid. Stop pressing the
accelerator pedal and steer to
straighten the vehicle. It may be
very bumpy and noisy. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road,
if possible.
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers 0130.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11348464) -
2018 - crc - 9/19/17
Vehicle Care 263
2. Screwdriver
3. Tow Eye
4. Screwdriver Handle
5. Jack Handle Extension
To access the spare tire and tools:1. Open the liftgate. See Liftgate
0 38.
2. Lift the trim cover.
3. Remove the jack, tools, and spare tire.
4. Place them near the tire being changed.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check beforeproceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat 0261.
2. If there is a wheel cover, remove the wheel nut caps to
access the wheel nuts.
3. Turn the wheel wrenchcounterclockwise to loosen the
wheel nuts. Do not remove
them yet.
4. Place the jack at the positionmarked with a half circle.
5. Attach the jack handleextension to the jack by sliding
the hook through the end of
the jack.
6. Turn the wheel wrench clockwise until the lift head is
firmly contacting the proper
lifting point nearest the flat tire.