Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
Instruments and Controls 95
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0177.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the vehicle.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light goes off.
Caution
The engine coolant temperature
warning light indicates that the
vehicle has overheated. Driving
with this light on can damage the
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
engine and it may not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. See
Engine Overheating0211.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine has overheated.
If this happens, pull over and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
See Engine Overheating 0211.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS. When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. Stop as soon as possible,
and inflate the tires to the pressure
value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Tire
Pressure 0238.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0240.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
154 Driving and Operating
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering assist. Always
have the engine running and the
vehicle in gear. .
Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, crash).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick. .
Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0177.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0175.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise
clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
Driving and Operating 167
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.. Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an
electric shock.
. Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
it overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric
shock, and injury.
. Do not operate the vehicle
with the heater cord
permanently attached to the
vehicle. Possible heater
cord and thermostat
damage could occur.
. While in use, do not let the
heater cord touch vehicle
parts or sharp edges. Never
close the hood on the
heater cord.
. Before starting the vehicle,
unplug the cord, reattach
the cover to the plug, and
securely fasten the cord.
Keep the cord away from
any moving parts.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine
parts. The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
Some vehicle accessories may be
used after the ignition is turned off.
The power windows and sunroof,
if equipped, will continue to work for
up to 10 minutes or until any door is
opened.
The infotainment system will
continue to work for 10 minutes,
until the driver door is opened,
or until the ignition is turned on or
placed in ACC/ACCESSORY.
Shifting Into Park
1. Hold the brake pedal down and
set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake 0176.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
196 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 197
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . . 198
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 204
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 206
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 207
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 211
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Battery - North America . . . . . . 215
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 216
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 217
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 218
Windshield Replacement . . . . . 219
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 224
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 225
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 226
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 233
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Wheel Covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
208 Vehicle Care
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can
start up even when the engine is
not running and can cause injury.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
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 0211.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an 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. This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
Vehicle Care 209
.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
Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
It is normal to see coolant moving in
the upper coolant hose return line
when the engine is running.
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. See
Engine
Overheating 0211.
The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the driver
side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0201.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is not at the
indicated level mark, add a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL coolant. Be sure
the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
Vehicle Care 211
6. Verify coolant level after theengine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.
If the coolant still is not at the
proper level when the system
cools down again, see your
dealer.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and 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. See
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light 095.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0 295. If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
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.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to 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.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
Vehicle Care 231
RelaysUsage
RLY1 Logistics
RLY2 Accessory/ Retained
accessory power
RLY3 Interruptible retained accessory
power
RLY4 RunWheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. See
the warranty manual for
information regarding the tire
warranty and where to get
service. For additional
information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{Warning
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much
flexing. There could be a
blowout and a serious
crash. See Vehicle Load
Limits 0156.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Underinflated tires pose
the same danger as
overloaded tires. The
resulting crash could
cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently
to maintain the
recommended pressure.
Tire pressure should be
checked when the tires
are cold.
.Overinflated tires are
more likely to be cut,
punctured, or broken by
a sudden impact —such
as when hitting a pothole.
Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
.Worn or old tires can
cause a crash. If the
tread is badly worn,
replace them.
(Continued)