Home » Chevrolet Manuals » 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier » Manual Viewer

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 199

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Manual

Get 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier PDF manuals and user guides

View all 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier manuals

Page 199 highlights

Your vehicle can towa trailerif it is equipped with proper trailer towing equipment. To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is foryour vehicle, you should readthe information in "Weight of the Trailer" that appears later in this section. But trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in handling, durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be used properly. That's the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety and that of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before you pull a trailer. Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight. The engineis required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What's more, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements. If You Do DecideTo Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points: 0 There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you but live also where you'll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls. Don't tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles (1 600 k ) m your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged. Then, during the first 500 miles (800 k ) you m that tow a trailer, don't drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and don't make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads. 0 Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. Don't drive faster than the maximum posted speed for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h)) to save wear on your vehicle'sparts. Do not tow when the ambient temperature is above 100°F (38°C). 0 Do not tow more than 1,OOO miles (1 600 km) per year.

Section	Page
Table of Contents	3
Seats and Restraint Systems	11
Seats and Seat Controls	12
Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone	17
Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts and the Answers	22
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	23
Driver Position	23
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	31
Right Front Passenger Position	32
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)	32
Rear Seat Passengers	38
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	41
Center Passenger Position	43
Children	45
Child Restraints	47
Larger Children	55
Safety Belt Extender	58
Checking Your Restraint Systems	58
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	58
Features and Controls	59
Keys	60
Door Locks	62
Keyless Entry System (If Equipped)	64
Trunk	68
Theft	68
Passlock	69
New Vehicle "Break-In"	70
Ignition Positions	70
Starting Your Engine	72
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)	75
Automatic Transaxle Operation	76
Manual Transaxle Operation	81
Parking Brake	84
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Models Only)	85
Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle)	87
Parking Over Things That Burn	88
Engine Exhaust	88
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked (Automatic Transaxle)	89
Windows	90
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	91
Exterior Lamps	99
Interior Lamps	102
Mirrors	104
Storage Compartments	106
Sunroof (If Equipped)	109
Convertible Top (If Equipped)	109
The Instrument Panel	120
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators	125
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems	137
Comfort Controls	138
Air Conditioning	141
Heating	141
Ventilation System	142
Defogging and Defrosting Windows	143
Audio Systems	144
Setting the Clock for Systems without Automatic Tone Control	144
Setting the Clock for Systems with Automatic Tone Control	144
AM-FM Stereo	144
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player	146
AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and Automatic Tone Control	149
AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and Automatic Tone Control	153
Theft-Deterrent Feature	157
Understanding Radio Reception	159
Tips About Your Audio System	159
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	160
Care of Your Compact Discs	161
Fixed Mast Antenna	161
Your Driving and the Road	163
Defensive Driving	164
Drunken Driving	164
Control of a Vehicle	168
Braking	168
Steering	172
Off-Road Recovery	174
Passing	175
Loss of Control	176
Driving at Night	178
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	180
City Driving	183
Freeway Driving	184
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	185
Highway Hypnosis	186
Hill and Mountain Roads	186
Winter Driving	188
Recreational Vehicle Towing	193
Loading Your Vehicle	195
Towing a Trailer (Models with 2.4L Engine and 4-Speed Automatic Transaxle)	198
Towing A Trailer (Except Models with 2.4L Engine and 4-Speed Automatic Transaxle)	205
Problems on the Road	207
Hazard Warning Flashers	208
Other Warning Devices	209
Jump Starting	209
Towing Your Vehicle	214
Engine Overheating	220
If a Tire Goes Flat	228
Changing a Flat Tire	229
Compact Spare Tire	240
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	241
Service and Appearance Care	243
Fuel	245
Filling Your Tank	248
Checking Things Under the Hood	250
Engine Oil	254
Air Cleaner	259
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (Except 2.4L Code T Engine)	260
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (2.4L Code T Engine Only)	263
Manual Transaxle Fluid	264
Hydraulic Clutch	266
Engine Coolant	267
Surge Tank Pressure Cap	270
Power Steering Fluid	271
Windshield Washer Fluid	272
Brakes	273
Battery	277
Halogen Bulbs	277
Tires	282
Care of Safety Belts	294
Cleaning Tires	297
Finish Damage	298
Underbody Maintenance	298
Service Parts Identification Label	300
Electrical System	300
Air Conditioning Refrigerants	306
Maintenance Schedule	309
Introduction	310
Your Vehicle and the Environment	310
How This Section is Organized	311
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services	312
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	312
Selecting the Right Schedule	312
Part B: Owner Checks and Services	349
At Each Fuel Fill	349
At Least Once a Month	349
At Least Twice a Year	350
At Least Once a Year	351
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections	354
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection	354
Exhaust System Inspection	354
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection	354
Throttle Linkage Inspection	354
Brake System Inspection	355
Caliper Knuckle Maintenance Inspection	355
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	356
Part E: Maintenance Record	358
Customer Assistance Information	361
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	362
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	364
Chevrolet/Geo Roadside Assistance Program	365
Canadian Roadside Assistance	367
Courtesy Transportation	368
GM Participation in an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program	369
Warranty Information	370
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	370
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	371
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	371
Ordering Service and Owner Publications in Canada	371

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Your vehicle

can

tow a

trailer

if it is equipped with

proper trailer towing equipment.

identify what the

vehicle trailering capacity is

for your vehicle, you

should

read the information in

“Weight

of the Trailer”

that appears later in this section. But trailering is

different than just driving your vehicle by itself.

Trailering means changes in handling, durability and

fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct

equipment, and it has to be

used

properly.

That’s the reason for this part. In it are many

time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.

Many

of these are important for your safety and that of

your passengers.

please read this section carefully

before you

pull a trailer.

Load-pulling components such

the

engine, transaxle,

wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder

against the drag of the added

weight. The

engine

required to operate

relatively higher speeds and

under

greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the

trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing

the pulling requirements.

You

Decide

Pull

Trailer

you do, here are some important points:

There are many different laws, including speed limit

restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure

your rig will be legal, not

only

where

you

live but

also where

you’ll be driving.

good source for this

information can be state or provincial police.

Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch

dealer about sway controls.

Don’t tow a trailer at all during the

first

1,000

miles

600

km)

your

new vehicle is driven. Your engine,

axle or other parts

could be damaged.

Then, during the first

500

miles

(800

km)

that

you

tow a trailer,

don’t drive over

mph

(80

km/h)

and

don’t

make starts at full throttle. This helps your

engine and other parts of your vehicle wear

the

heavier loads.

Obey

speed limit restrictions when

towing a trailer.

Don’t drive faster than the maximum

posted

speed

for trailers (or no

than

mph

(90

km/h))

save wear

your

vehicle’s parts.

not

tow

when the ambient temperature is above

100°F

(38°C).

not

tow

than

1,OOO

miles

600

km)

per

year.