Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Vehicle Care 161
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 162
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 162
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 163
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 165
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . 169
Manual Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . 178 Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Gas Strut(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . 182
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 186
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 193
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 196
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 197
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 201
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . 203
Wheel Covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . 203
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 204
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . . 211
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
168 Vehicle Care
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system that
indicates when to change the engine oil and
filter. This is based on a combination of
factors which include engine revolutions,
engine temperature, and miles driven. 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 DIC
message comes on. Change the oil as soon
as possible within the next 1 000 km
(600 mi). It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life system may
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 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 mi)
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. Always reset the
engine oil life to 100% after every oil
change. It will not reset itself. To reset the
system:
Base Level Cluster
1. Press MENU on the turn signal lever to show Remaining Oil Life on the display.
This display shows an estimate of the
oil’s remaining useful life. If 99% is
displayed, that means that 99% of the
current oil life remains.
2. To reset the engine oil life system, press SET/CLR while the oil life display is
active. After a few seconds, the oil life
will be reset to 100%. Be careful not to
reset the oil life display accidentally at
any time other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset accurately. If the
:% CHANGE message in the DIC
comes back on when the vehicle is started,
the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
Uplevel Cluster
1. Turn the ignition on with the engine off.
2. Press MENU on the turn signal lever to enter the Vehicle Information Menu. Use
the thumbwheel to scroll through the
menu items until you reach REMAINING
OIL LIFE.
3. Press SET/CLR to reset the oil life at 100%.
4. Turn the ignition off.
The oil life system can also be reset as
follows: 1. Turn the ignition on with the engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal three times within five seconds.
The system is reset when the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message is off and the
REMAINING OIL LIFE 100% message is
displayed. If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the vehicle is
started, the engine oil life system has not
been reset. Repeat the procedure.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Vehicle Care 175
Caution (Continued)
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use
washer fluid. Water can cause the
solution to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other parts of
the washer system.
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer instructions
for adding water.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for fluid expansion if
freezing occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators
that make a high-pitched warning sound
when the brake pads are worn and new
pads are needed. The sound can come and
go or can be heard all the time when the
vehicle is moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound means
that soon the brakes will not work well.
That could lead to a crash. When the
brake wear warning sound is heard, have
the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied or lightly applied. This does not
mean something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake pulsation. When tires
are rotated, inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in the proper
sequence to torque specifications. See
Capacities and Specifications 0238.
Brake pads should be replaced as
complete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be
a sign that brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system parts with
new, approved replacement parts. If this is
not done, the brakes may not work
properly. The braking performance expected
can change in many other ways if the
wrong replacement brake parts are installed
or if parts are improperly installed.
Brake Fluid
The brake/clutch master cylinder reservoir is
filled with GM approved DOT 4 brake fluid
as indicated on the reservoir cap. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0165 for the
location of the reservoir.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
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Vehicle Care 189
FusesUsage
HVAC CNTR/ECC HVAC control module/ECC
IPC Instrument cluster
TCM Transmission control module
RDO Radio
BCM1 (AT S&S) Body control module 1 (CVT stop and start)
SBSA/RPA SBSA/Rear park assist DLC Data link connector
ESCL Electric steering column lock
SDM Sensing and diagnostic module
TRANSD DC-DC converter AQI Virtual key pass system module
ETCS Electronic toll collection system
LPM Linear power module
PEPS Passive entry/Passive start Fuses
Usage
DLIS (Non AT S&S) Discrete logic ignition
switch (non-CVT stop
and start)
FCA Forward collision alert IPC Instrument cluster
RLAD Reflected LED alert display
HLLD SW Headlamp leveling switch
FRT PWR WNDW Front power window REAR
PWR WNDW Rear power window
– –
MTA Automated manual transmission module
APO Auxiliary power outlet
S/ROOF Sunroof CGM Central gate module – –
BCM8 Body control module 8 BCM7 Body control module 7
BCM6 Body control module 6 Fuses
Usage
BCM5 Body control module 5
BCM4 Body control module 4 BCM3 Body control module 3
BCM2 (Non AT S&S) Body control module 2
(non-CVT stop and start)
BCM1 (Non AT S&S) Body control module 1
(non-CVT stop and start)
DLIS (AT S&S) Discrete logic ignition switch (CVT stop and
start)
SWC BKLT Steering wheel controls backlighting
– –
TRANS (200/ 400W)/
LOGISTICS DC DC converter/
Logistics
EXP PWR WNDW Driver express power window
BLWR Blower motor
HTD/SEAT Front heated seats
HVAC CNTR HVAC module HTD/STR Heated steering wheel
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
190 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
BCM2 (AT S&S) Body control module 2 (CVT stop and start)
Relays Usage
RLY1 Logistics
RLY2 Accessory/Retained accessory power
RLY3 Interruptible retained accessory power
RLY4 Run
Wheels 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 0131.
.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)
Warning (Continued)
.Replace any tires that have been
damaged by impacts with
potholes, curbs, etc.
.Improperly repaired tires can cause
a crash. Only the dealer or an
authorized tire service center
should repair, replace, dismount,
and mount the tires.
.Do not spin the tires in excess of
56 km/h (35 mph) on slippery
surfaces such as snow, mud, ice,
etc. Excessive spinning may cause
the tires to explode.
All-Season Tires
This vehicle may come with all-season tires.
These tires are designed to provide good
overall performance on most road surfaces
and weather conditions. Original equipment
tires designed to GM's specific tire
performance criteria have a TPC specification
code molded onto the sidewall. Original
equipment all-season tires can be identified
by the last two characters of this TPC code,
which will be “MS.”
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2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Vehicle Care 191
Consider installing winter tires on the
vehicle if frequent driving on snow or
ice-covered roads is expected. All-season tires
provide adequate performance for most
winter driving conditions, but they may not
offer the same level of traction or
performance as winter tires on snow or
ice-covered roads. SeeWinter Tires0191.
Winter Tires
This vehicle was not originally equipped
with winter tires. Winter tires are designed
for increased traction on snow and
ice-covered roads. Consider installing winter
tires on the vehicle if frequent driving on ice
or snow covered roads is expected. See your
dealer for details regarding winter tire
availability and proper tire selection. Also,
see Buying New Tires 0202.
With winter tires, there may be decreased
dry road traction, increased road noise, and
shorter tread life. After changing to winter
tires, be alert for changes in vehicle
handling and braking.
If using winter tires:
.Use tires of the same brand and tread
type on all four wheel positions.
.Use only radial ply tires of the same size,
load range, and speed rating as the
original equipment tires.
Winter tires with the same speed rating as
the original equipment tires may not be
available for H, V, W, Y, and ZR speed rated
tires. If winter tires with a lower speed
rating are chosen, never exceed the tire's
maximum speed capability.
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is
molded into its sidewall. The examples
show a typical passenger vehicle tire
and a compact spare tire sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
(1) Tire Size:The tire size is a
combination of letters and numbers
used to define a particular tire's width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. See the “Tire
Size” illustration in this section.
(2) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specification)
:Original equipment tires
designed to GM's specific tire
performance criteria have a TPC
specification code molded onto the
sidewall. GM's TPC specifications meet
or exceed all federal safety guidelines.
(3) DOT (Department of
Transportation)
:The Department of
Transportation (DOT) code indicates that
the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards.
DOT Tire Date of Manufacture
:The last
four digits of the TIN indicate the tire
manufactured date. The first two digits
represent the week and the last two
digits, the year. For example, the third
week of the year 2020 would have a
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Vehicle Care 193
and service description. The letter“T”as
the first character in the tire size means
the tire is for temporary use only.
(7) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specification)
:Original equipment tires
designed to GM's specific tire
performance criteria have a TPC
specification code molded onto the
sidewall. GM's TPC specifications meet
or exceed all federal safety guidelines.
Tire Designations
Tire Size
The example shows a typical passenger
vehicle tire size.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
(1) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The
United States version of a metric tire
sizing system. The letter "P" as the first
character in the tire size means a passenger vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire and Rim
Association.
(2) Tire Width
:The 3-digit number
indicates the tire section width in
millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(3) Aspect Ratio
:A 2-digit number that
indicates the tire height-to-width
measurements. For example, if the tire
size aspect ratio is 75, as shown in
item (3) of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire's sidewall is
75 percent as high as it is wide.
(4) Construction Code
:A letter code is
used to indicate the type of ply
construction in the tire. The letter "R"
means radial ply construction; the letter
"D" means diagonal or bias ply
construction.
(5) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of the
wheel in inches.
(6) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load index and
speed rating of the tire. The load index
represents the load carrying capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a tire is
certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside
the tire pressing outward on each
square inch of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in kPa (kilopascal) or psi
(pounds per square inch).
Accessory Weight
:The combined
weight of optional accessories. Some
examples of optional accessories are
automatic transmission, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship of a
tire's height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of cords
between the plies and the tread. Cords
may be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
Bead
:The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that hold
the tire onto the rim.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Vehicle Care 197
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale when one or more
of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance, and
it is the driver's responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation
has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale
will flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated. Thissequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction
exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for
a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement
or alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation 0197.
See Radio Frequency Statement 0248.
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). The TPMS is
designed to warn the driver when a low tire
pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors are
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire and
wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors monitor the air pressure in the tires and transmit the
tire pressure readings to a receiver located
in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition is
detected, the TPMS illuminates the low tire
pressure warning light located on the
instrument cluster. 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. See
Vehicle Load Limits
0 131.
A message to check the pressure in a
specific tire may display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC warning
message, if equipped, come on at each
ignition cycle until the tires are inflated to
the correct inflation pressure. Using the DIC,
it may be possible to view the tire pressure
levels. For additional information and details
about the DIC operation and displays, see
Driver Information Center (DIC) 083.