Chevrolet 1996 Cavalier Owner's Manual

11 CAVALIER

Vehicle Symbols These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle. For example, these symbols are used on an original battery: POSSIBLE A C

Illuminated Entry When you open either front door, or open a rear door, the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps will fade off a

Battery Saver Your Chevrolet is equipped with a battery saver feature designed to protect your vehicle’s battery. When any interior lamp (trunk, r

Manual Remote Control Mirror The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you can just see the side of your vehicle when you are sittin

Convex Outside Mirror Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the driver’s seat. /I\ CAU

Center Console Cupholders Open the center console lid all the way to uncover the front and rear cupholders. There is also a cupholder at t

Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter To use the lighter, just push it in all the way and let go. When it’s ready, it will pop back out by itself. I NOT

To clean the rear ashtray, open it, push down on the snuffer, and pull it out. I NOTICE: Don’t put papers and other things that burn into

Convertible Top (Option) The following steps explain the proper operation of your convertible top. NOTICE: 0 0 0 Remove any items from the converti

4. Pull the latch handle rearward away from the windshield and hold it to fully lower the convertible top. 5. Turn the latch handle up to the lo

6. From inside the vehicle, pull the tab on the rear seat 8. Install the boot side cover by inserting the tab (A) on to fold down the seat. See “Fold

0 SectiOn 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Here you’ll find information about the seats in your Chevrolet and how to use your safety belts pro

9. Attach the two snaps on the inside flap to the top of the quarter trim panel. Attach the front snap (E) first and then the rear snap (

Raising Your Convertible Top 1. Set the parking brake and shift your automatic transaxle to PARK (P) or your manual transaxle to NEUTRAL (N). 2.

t 4. Go to the rear of the vehicle. mlll the snap knobs rearward to disengage the rear center cover. Carefully tuck the center boot behind

6. Lift side cover eyelet (C) at rear of side boot cover from snap ball stud (D). Raise the back of the boot side cover to unhook the tab (A) from

12. Push the button in the latch handle and turn the handle down. Push the handle forward toward the windshield and hold it until the

Lowering the Top Manually NOTICE: Do not attempt to lower the top manually as damage to the vehicle will occur. If the top fails to raise

4. 5. 6. 7. Press the bypass switch down to the EMERGENCY OVERRIDE position. The switch is located under the shelf panel on the driver’s side i

9. Pull down on the top and turn the latch handle up to lock the convertible top. OPERATION position. 10. Press the bypass switch up to the NORMAL 1

The Instrument Panel -- Your Information System / 2-60

Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast you’re going, how much fuel you’r

Pull the lever in front of the front passenger’s seat up to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it. Then release the lever and try to

Instrument Panel Clusters UNLEADED FUEL ONLY Your Chevrolet is equipped with one of these instrument panel clusters, which include indicator war

Speedometer and Odometer Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h). Your odometer show

You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to the mileage total of the old odomet

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicatl IS This part describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will he

Air Bag Readiness Light There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the air bag’s elec

Brake System Warning Light Your Chevrolet’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can s

Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come on when you start your engine and it will stay on

The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come on for the following reasons: 0 If you turn the system off by moving the shift lever

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage \ 100 9 H TEMP Low Coolant Warning Light 1,1 If this light comes on and stays on, your system is low on coolan

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) Your Chevrolet is equipped with a computer which monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and

Release the lever to lock the seatback. fill up on the lever and the seat will go to an upright position. But don’t have a seatback reclined if your v

If the Light Is Flashing The following may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle: 0 Reduce vehicle speed. 0 Avoid hard accelerations. A

Have you recently changed brands of fuel? If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see “Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality

If you’re idling at a stop sign, the light may blink on If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a and then off. moment. T

Passlock Warning Light THEFT SYSTEM This light will come on when you turn the key towards the START position. If the light flashes, the Passlo

Fuel Gage When the ignition is on, your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have left. When the indicator nears EMPTY (E), you stil

NOTES 2-77

NOTES 2-78

0 Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems In this section you’ll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered

Fan Knob The left knob selects the force of air you want. Turn the knob clockwise to increase fan speed and counterclockwise to decrease f

Climate Control System with Air Con g (Optiol -. . . Fan Knob The left knob selects the force of air you want. Turn the knob clockwise to incr

Head Restraints Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position reduces t

'!! FLOOR: This setting sends most of the air through the ducts near the floor. The rest comes out of the defroster and side window ve

Heating On cold days, use FLOOR with the temperature knob all the way in the red area. The system will bring in outside air, heat it and s

Ventilation Tips 0 0 0 Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or any other obstruction, such as leaves. The heater and defroster

Rear Window Defogger (Option) The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the rear window. Press the button to turn the

AM-FM Stereo (Option) Playing the Radio VOLUME-BAL-RECALL: This knob turns the system on and off and controls the volume. Turn the upper knob

4. Press and hold one of the four numbered buttons (within five seconds). 5. The sound will mute. When it returns, release the button. Whenever

AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player (Option) ... . . . . . Playing the Radio VOLUME-BAL-RECALL: This knob turns the system on and off and c

In addition to the four stations set as above, up to three additional stations may be preset on each band by pressing two adjoining buttons at t

FWD: Press and release the SEEK forward arrow and the tape will rapidly advance until you press this button again lightly. REV: Press and r

SCV Your system has a feature called Speed-Compensated-Volume (SCV). With SCV,’ your audio system adjusts to make up for road and wind noise as y

Rear Seats Folding the Rear Seat I To open the fold-down rear seat, pull forward on the seat tab. To close the seat, push the seatback up

PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 18 stations (six AM, six FM1

Adjusting the Speakers BAL: Press this button lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to move the sound to the left or right speakers. The middle p

FWD (6): Press this button to advance quickly to another part of the tape. Press the button again to return to playing speed. The radio will

Playing the Radio PWR: Press this knob to turn the system on and off. VOL: Turn the upper knob clockwise to increase volume. The faster

PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. You can set up to 18 stations (six AM, six FM1 and six FM2

Adjusting the Speakers BAL: Press this button lightly so it extends. Turn the knob to move the sound to the left or right speakers. The

use the counter reading on the display to locate a passage more easily. FWD (6): Press and hold this button to advance quickly within a tr

Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature The instructions which follow explain how to enter your secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system. It i

Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss Enter your secret code as follows; pause no more than 15 seconds between steps: 1. L

Understanding Radio Reception FM Stereo ’ FM stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 t

Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone ’ This part ,of the manual tells you how to use safety belts : properly. It also tells you some things you sho

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damage

NOTES 3-25

NOTES 3-26

0 Section 4 Your Driving and the Road I Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditi

Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the

It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) wi

The body takes about an hour to rid itself of the alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “

Control of a Vehicle You have three systems, that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accel

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather than keeping pace with

Here's how anti-lock works. Let's say the road is wet. You're driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you.

Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes. Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it's just a seat on wheel

Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. If y

ETS OFF When the transaxle shift lever is in the THIRD (3) or OVERDRIVE (Q) position and the parking brake is fully released, this warning lig

Steering Tips Driving on Curves It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on t

Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than bralung. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stop

Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder while you’re drivin

0 Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely redu

Loss of Control Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and accelerat

Driving at Night Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired -- by alco

Night Vision No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may r

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider doesn't stop. The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle,

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the

City Driving One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other d

Freeway Driving Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest of all roads.

The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance

Highway Hypnosis Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway

If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more

Winter Driving Here are some tim for winter driving: Have your uevrolet in good shape for winter. You may want to put winter emergency supp

Driving on Snow or Ice Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is s

Your anti-lock brakes improve your vehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have the anti-lock braking sy

I or the instrument panel ... I or the safety belts! Wia safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop

Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you’ve been stopped by the snow. 0 Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket aroun

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it.go a little faster than just idle. That is, push t

5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position 6. Release the parking brake. When you are finished towing, make sure you replace

Towing Your Vehicle from the Rear Loading Your Vehicle NOTICE: Do not tow your vehicle from the rear. Your vehicle could be badly damaged and

MFD BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP DATE GVWR GAWR FRT GAWR RR THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLI- CABLE U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, BUMPER, AN

A CAUTI-N: I - I Things you put inside your vehicle can strike and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in a crash. Put things in the tr

NOTICE: Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by your warranty. To pull a traile

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points: 0 There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, ha

Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total capacity weight

Hitches It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment. .Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a ’ few reasons why you’ll need the

Here Are Questions Many People Ask About Safety Belts -- and the Answers Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m we

Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want

firn Signals When Towing a Trailer The green arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly

When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you: Start your engine; Shift

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0 Section 5 Problems on the Road Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road. Hazard Warning Flashers Your

When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals won’t work. Other Warning Devices If you carry reflective triangles, you can s

2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching each other. If they are, it could cause a

Using a match near a battery can cause battery gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this, ’ and some have been blinded. Use a flash

7. Remove the red plastic cap, and connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. U

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly Adults This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety bel

~ Don’t let the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end of the negative cable doesn’t go to the dead battery. It goes to a h

Towing Your Vehicle Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing service tow your vehicle. They can provide the right equipment and k

-- IO Iontinut I I Never get under your vehicle after it has been lifted by the tow truck. Always secure the vehicle on each side with separate

Front Towing Before hooking up to a tow truck, be sure to read all the information in “Towing Your Vehicle” earlier in this section. Attach T-h

NOTICE: Do not tow with sling-type equipment or fascia/fog lamp damage will occur. Use wheel-lift or car carrier equipment. Additional ramping

Rear Towing Towing dolly required underfiont wheels when equipped with automatic transaxle or damage will occur. Attach T-hook chains on both sid

NOTICE: Do not tow your Cavalier from the rear with the front wheels on the ground or your transaxle can be damaged. Do not tow with slin

Engine Overheating You will find a coolant temperature gage and a low coolant warning light on your Chevrolet’s instrument panel. Steam from an

If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometim

If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, don't do anything else until it cools down. 2.4L Engine A. Coolant Surge Tank with

3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. 4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Don’t let it get twisted. If t

The coolant level should be at the FULL COLD line. If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pu

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at the FULL COLD mark, add a

A CAUTION: Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid like alcohol, can boil befor

tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly about one-quarter turn to the left and then stop. that to

I 4. I With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose gettin

If a Tire Goes Flr Changing a Flat Tire It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly.

need is in the t&. Turn the center retainer nut on the compact spare cover counterclockwise to remove it. Lift and remove the cover. See

Turn the wing nut counterclockwise and remove it. Then lift off the adapter and remove the spare tire. Remove the jack and wheel wrench fro

Removing the Fiat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire Remove the wheel nut caps (you may need to use the wheel wrench to loosen and remove

3. On some models, a cover plate must be removedbto find the wheel nuts. Carefully use the wedge end of the wheel wrench to pry it off. 1-1 18”

5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt. The lap part of the belt should be

I NOTICE: I I Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly positioned will damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle to fall off the jack.

6. Remove all of the wheel nuts. 7. Remove the wheel cover from the wheel, if your vehicle has them. Then remove the flat tire. 8. Remove

Never use oil or grease on stud! r nuts. If you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could fall off, causing a serious accident.

A CAU [ON: 11. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a criss-cross sequence, as shown. Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can

Storing the Flat Tire and Tools A CAUTION: Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause

oring thc “,P; e Tire and Tools Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In

Compact Spare Tire Although the compact spare tire was fully inflated when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the infla

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels too fast. The method known

NOTES 5-34

0 Section 6 Service and Appearance Care Here you will find information about the care of your Chevrolet. This section begins with service and f

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster (&Door Models) Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt . adjuster to the height that is right for you.

You can be injured and your vehicle could be damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it. 0

In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive called MMT. If you use such fuels, your emission control system performance m

Filling Your Tank Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns violently, and that can cause very bad injuries. Don't smoke if yo

A :AUTION: - If you get gasoline on yourself and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. Gasoline can spray out on you if you

Checking Things Under the Hood Hood Release 1 An electric fan under the hood can start up and injure you even when the engine is not running.

I Lift the hood, release the hood prop from its retainer and put the hood prop into the slot in the hood. Use the prop rod sleeve when handling the p

2.2L Engine (Code 4) When you open the hood, you’ll see: A. Coolant Surge Tank E. Brake Fluid Reservoir B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir F.

2.4L Engine (Code T) When you open the hood, you’ll see: I A. Coolant Surge Tank B. Engine Oil Fill Cap C. Engine Oil Dipstick D. Power Steering Fluid

Engine Oil CHECK OIL If the CHECK OIL light on the instrument panel comes on, it means you need to check your engine oil level right away

Checking Engine Oil Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping

@ What's wrong with this? A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won't give nearly as much protection this way. A CAUTION: You can be seri

This is where you add oil if you have a 2.2L engine. This is where you add oil if you have a 2.4L engine. Just fill it enough to put the

What Kind of Oil to Use Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol indicates that t

As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F (-18OC) or above. These nu

What to Do with Used Oil Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could even

To check or replace the filter, remove the screws that hold the cover on and lift the cover. Be sure to reinstall the air cleaner filter and rep

Automatic Transaxle Fluid (Except 2.4L Code T Engine) When to Check and ~ anee A good time to check your automauc transaxle fluid level is

Checking the Fluid Level 0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine . With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever 0 With your foo

How to Add Fluid Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the I

How to Check Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at your Chevrolet dealership Service Depar

3. Check both sides of the dipstick and read the lower level. The fluid level must be between the ADD and FULL marks. (Note: Fluid may appear

@ What’s wrong with this? A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. A CAUTION: . -. You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the

When to Check and What to Use Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often you should check the fluid level in your clutch master cylinde

NOTICE: When adding coolant it is important that you use DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) coolant meeting GM Specification 6277M. If sil

NOTICE: If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The repair cost wouldn't be covered by your warran

When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If this light comes on, it means you’re low on engine coolan

Thermostat Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the flow of coolant through

Windshield Washer Fluid What to Use When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be

Brakes Brake Fluid Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled with DOT-3 brake fluid. So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’’ your brak

What to Add When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake fluid -- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a

Brake Wear Your Chevrolet has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched

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

@ What’s wrong with this? A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times. You can be seriously

Vehicle Storage If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more, take off the black, negative (-) cable from the battery. This will hel

1. Remove the first bolt and carefully pry up the shield that covers the headlamp assembly. Be careful not to break the fasteners that hold the shie

.. . 4. Disconnect the bulb base from the socket by lifting the plastic locking tab. 5. Snap a new bulb into the socket. 6. Replace the bulb assembly

3. To remove the bulb, pull it out. 4. Push in new bulb. 5. Reverse all steps to replace the taillamp assembly. Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement Rep

Tires We don’t make tires. Your new Chevrolet comes with high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have quest

Inflation -- Tire Pressure The Tire-Loading Information label which is on the rear edge of the driver’s door shows the correct inflation pres

Tire Inspection and Rotation 1 Tires should be inspected every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10 000 to 13 000 km) for any signs of unusual wear. If unus

When It’s Time for New Tires One way to tell when it’s time for new tires is to check the treadwear indicators, which will appear when your

Uniform Tire Quality Grading The following information relates to the system developed by the United States National Highway Traffic Safe

Temperature - A, B, C The temperature grades are A (the highest), €3, and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and i

Q." What's wrong with this? A: The belt is twisted across the body. ~ You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash,

Used Replacement Wheels Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could affect the brakin

Tire Chains NOTICE: If your Chevrolet has P195/65R15 or P205/55R16 size tires, don’t use tire chains. They can damage your vehicle. If you have ot

Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can. In many uses, these will damage your vehicle: 0 . Alcohol Laundry Soap 0 Bleach Reducing Agent

Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all. Some spots and stains will clean off b

0 If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, treat the area with a waterbaking soda solution: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1

Glass Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal tobacco smoke and d

soft, clean chamois or a 100% cotton towel to avoid surface scratches and water spotting. High pressure car washes may cause water to enter your v

To protect the convertible top: 0 After you wash the vehicle, make sure the top is completely dry before you lower it. 0 Don’t get any clea

Finish Damage Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode quickly

Appearance Care Materials Chart 1052929 16 02. (0.473 L) Wheel Cleaner Spray on wheel cleaner 1052930 8 oz. (0.237 L) Capture Dry Spot Remove

. Your Chevrolet has two air bags -- one air bag for the driver and another air bag for the right front passenger. Here are the most important thin,gs

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) r - Dl I1 11111111 1111 111 111111 111 111111II 111111111111 111111111 111 0 SAMPLE4UXTM072675 L A This is the

Electrical System Add-on Electrical Equipment NOTICE: Don’t add anything electrical to your Chevrolet unless you check with your dealer f

Instrument Panel Fuse Block The fuse panel is located under the left end of the instrument panel. To open, push the tab on the access door to the

Fuse Usage WIPER Windshield Wipers, Windshield Washers ERLS Automatic Transaxle, Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock, A/C Compressor, Cruise Cont

Engine Compartment Fuse Block J The engine compartment fuse block is located on the driver’s side of the engine compartment. Lift off the

Replacement Bulbs OUTSIDE LAMPS BULB Back-up Lamps ... 3057 Front Parkingnurn Signal Lamps Base Model ...

Capacities and Specifications Engine Crankcase ... Automatic Transaxle (4-Speed Automatic Transaxle Not Owner

2.2L Engine Specifications VIN Engine Code ... Type ... Horsepower ...

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts Air Cleaner Element 2.2L ... AC Type A-1172C 2.4L ... AC Type A-117

0 Section 7 Maintenance Schedule I I IMPORTANT. KEEP ENGINE OIL AT THE PROPER LEVEL AND CHANGE AS RECOMMENDED This section covers the maintenance

0 The 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner’s Manual SeatsandRestraintSystems ... 1-1 This sectio

I A CAUTION: Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating air bag, it could serio

How This Section is Organized The remainder of this section is divided into five parts: ‘(Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows what to have

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services Using Your Maintenance Schedule We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle in good wor

Maintenance Schedule I Short Trip/City Definition ~~ I Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any one of these conditions is true for

Maintenance Schedule Long Trip/Highway Definition h Long TriplHighway Intervals Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of LIIG conditions f

I Short .Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles (166 000 km) should be performed after 10

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emi

~ __ ~ 'bhort Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 12,000 Miles (20 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every, 3 months, whichever-occurs firs

1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 18,000 Miles (30 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An E

[ --Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule I ~~ ~~ ~ 24,000 Miles (40 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever o

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 30,000 Miles (50 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occws first). An E

How the Air Bag System Works Where is the air bag? .. The right front passenger's air bag is in the instrument panel on the passenger&apos

I I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule b 33,000 Miles (55 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An E

I 3 I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 39,000 Miles (65 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs firs

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 45,000 Miles (75 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An E

[ Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 50,000 Miles (83 000 km) 0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 51,000 Miles (85 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 57,000 Miles (95 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An E

r I 1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 60,000 MiZes (100 000 km) (Continued) 0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage * or leaks. I

I Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule I 66,000 Miles (110 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 ‘months, whichever occurs firs

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 72,000 Miles (120 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 78,000 Miles (130 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Em

I, - Don’t put anything on, or attach anything to, the steering wheel or instrument panel. Also, don’t put anything (such as pets or o

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedu el 84,000 Miles (140 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). A

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule 90,000 Miles (150 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).

Short TriplCity Maintenance Schedule 93,000 Miles (155 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An Emiss

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 99,000 Miles (165 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first). An

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I 100,000 Miles (I 66 000 km) (Continued) 0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is m

Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles (166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000

I Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule I 15,000 Miles (25 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An

Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule 30,000 Miles (50 000 km) Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An Emissi

1 Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule -I 37,500 Miles (62 500 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs fi

Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule 50,000 Miles (83 000 km) Cl Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under o

How does an air bag restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wh

I Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule 52,500 Miles (87 500 km} 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An E

may Maintenance Schedule 0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for any damage. Replace parts as needed. An

75,000 Miles (125 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An Emission Control Sewice. c] Lubricate

I Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule 90,000 Miles (150 000 km) 0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). An Em

I Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule 97,500 Miles (162 500 km) c] Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first)

-4 ,L.ong Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule I 0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or mo

Part B: Owner Checks and Services Listed below are owner checks and services which should be performed at the intervals specified to help

Manual Transaxle Check Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See “Manual Transaxle” in the Index. A fluid loss may indicate a

2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index if necessary) and the regular brake. NOTE: Do not use the accelera

:.. Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P) Mechanism Check When you are doing this check, your vehicle could begin to move. You or others co

0 ,e Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which records information about the air bag system. The module records

Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections Listed below are inspections and services which should be performed at least twice a year (for i

Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number or specification may be obtained

I USAGE Manual Transaxle Shift Linkage Clutch Linkage Pivot Points Chassis Lubrication Windshield Washer Solvent FLUID/LUBRICANT Chassis lubrican

Part E: Maintenance Record Any additional information from “Owner Checks and Services” or “Periodic Maintenance” can be added on After

I 3 Maintenance Record ODOMETER DATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SERVICED BY READING 7-46

Maintenance Record ODOMETER DATE READING SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED 7-47

Maintenance Record ODOMETER SERVICED BY MAINTENANCE PERFORMED 7-48

0 Section 8 Customer Assistance Information Here you will fiid out how to contact Chevrolet if you need assistance. This section also tells

have with your vehicle can be handled by your selling or servicing dealer. Your dealer has the facility, trained technicians, specia

ror prompt assistance, please have the following information available to give the Customer Assistance Representative: Your name, address, hom

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to

Chevrolet Roadside Assistance Program To enhance Chevrolet’s strong commitment to customer satisfaction, Chevrolet is excited to announce

0 FREE Locksmith/Key Service (when keys are lost on the road or locked inside) 0 FREE Flat Tire Service (spare installed on the road)

Canadian Roadside Assistance Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere in Cana

GM Participation in BBB AUTO LINE - Alternative Dispute Resolution Program* *This program may not be available in all states, depending on stat

To file a claim, you will be asked to provide your name and address, your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and a statement of t

’ REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS TO THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect,

Service Manuals Service manuals contain diagnostic and repair information for all chassis and body systems. They may be useful for owners

NOTES 8-11

NOTES 8-12

0 Section 9 Index Adapter Kits. CD ... 3-16 AirBag ... 1-19 How Does it Restrain ..

I \ Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions Lap-Shoulder Belt The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to wear on

Better Business Bureau Mediation ... 8-7 Brake Adjustment ... 6-3 1 Master Cylinder ...

Inside of Your Chevrolet ... 6-44 Instrument Panel ... 6-46 Outside of Your Chevrolet ...

Driving City ... 4-20 Defensive ... 4- 1 Drunken ...

Finish Damage ... 6-50 First Gear. Automatic Transaxle ... 2.18. 2.20 First Gear. Manual Transaxle ..

Ignition Switch ... 2-10 Illuminated Entry ... 2-42 Inflation. Tire ...

Oil Pressure Warning ... 2-73 Passlock Warning ... 2-75 Safety Belt Reminder ...

Odometer ... 2-63 Odometer. Trip ... 2-64 Off-Road Recovery ...

Replacement Bulbs ... 6-57 Parts ... 6-60 Wheel ...

Second Gear. Automatic Transaxle ... 2- 18. 2. 19 Second Gear. Manual Transaxle ... 2-21 Security System ...

THEFTLOCK” ... 3-20 Thermostat ... 6-26 Third Gear. Automatic Transaxle ...

a If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the lat

Transmitters. Keyless Entry ... 2-5 Transportation. Courtesy ... 8-6 Trip Odometer ...

The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the str

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults Rear shoulder belt comf

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem, CHEVROLET, the Chevrolet Emblem and the name CAVALIER are registered trademarks of General Motors Corporat

2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide over the belt, and in

4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as described in “Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions’’ earlier in this section. Make sure

Lap Belt When you sit in the center seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no retractor. To make the belt longer, tilt

Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! That includes infants and all children smaller than adult size. In fact, the law in

A Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby doesn't weigh much -- until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so C

Child Restraints Be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets Fed

Top Strap If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored. If you have a convertible, don’t use a restraint like that

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position’ You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if th

5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had

Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Rear Seat Position You’ll be using the lap belt. See the earlier part about the top strap if the chil

The dynamic William C. “Billy” Durant shifted gears from making carriages to making cars, forming half the team that gave birth to Chevrolet. Lo

5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be. able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 6

Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why: A child in a rear-facing

5. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had

Larger Children Children who have outgrown child restraints should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. If you have the choice, a child should si

I A CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing-the same belt. The belt can’t properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two

Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat ‘that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears

Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to f

NOTES 1-47

NOTES

a Section 2 Features and Controls Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your Chevrolet, and information on

I In 1932 Chevrolet introduced the Synchro-Mesh transmission and . oflered a host of accessories -- including such niceties as a clock? I The legac

One key is for the ignition, the doors and all other locks. When a new Chevrolet is delivered, the dealer removes the key tag from the key, and

Door Lo -‘IS Unlocked doors can be dangerous. Passengers -- especially children -- can easily open the doors and fall out. When a door is locked

Power Door Locks (Option) 1 You can lock or unlock all doors of your vehicle from the driver or passenger door lock switch. Push the lower port

the rear door from the inside. You should let adults and older children know how to cancel the locks. To cancel the rear door lock: 1. Unlock t

0 Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be See your Chevrolet dealer or a qualified technician blocking the signal. for service. Chang

Replacing the Batteries in the Keyless Entry System Transmitter 1. Pop the cover off by inserting a coin or similar object in the slot be

Remote Trunk Release (Option) Pull upward on the remote release handle, located on the floor near the left side of the driver’s seat, to

Passlock TM Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock theft-deterrent system. Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system is

Ignition Switch A E With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn the switch to five positions. ACCESSORY (A): An on position

On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key to LOCK will lock the steering column and result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. T

I The 1957 Chevy started a romance with the American public -- and was powered by an available fuel-injected V8. legendary 327 V8. Your new Chevrole

Starting Your Engine Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number for your

briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds. This clears the extra gasoline from

NOTICE: Your engine is designed to work with the electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical parts or accessories, you could change the way

Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause

Automatic Transaxle Operation Your Chevrolet may be equipped with a three-speed automatic or a four-speed automatic transaxle. The shift lever i

PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best position to use when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily. I

A CAUTION: Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is “racing” (running at high speed) is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly

lever is put in FIRST (l), the transaxle won’t shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough. NOTICE: If your front wheels c

FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power (but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in dee

1 3 5 2 4 R This is your shift pattern. Here’s how to operate your transaxle: FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into HRST (1). Then, slo

How to Use This Manual Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. This will help yo

I j Shift Speeds /r\ CAUTION: r If you skip more than one gear when you downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle. And you could in

Parking Brake To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on, the brake sys

1 Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle Models Only) 1. Hold the brake pedal down and-set the parking brake. D It can be dangerous to ge

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Auton~ ~ tic Transaxle “del 3nly) It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the engine ru

Shifting Out of PARK (P) (Automatic Transaxle) Your Chevrolet has a brake-transaxle shift interlock. You have to fully appZy your regular brakes befo

Parking Over Things That Burn Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park over papers, leave

Running Your Engine While You’re Parked (Automatic Transaxle) It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, her

Windows On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window crank to open and close each window. Power Windows (Option) The driver’s window s

Tilt Steering Wheel (Option) I Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel before you dr

Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two downward (for left) positions. These positions

Vehicle Damage Warnings In the notice area, we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would Bu

Headlamp HighlLow Beam Changer To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high to low, pull the turn signal lever all the way towa

For a single wiper cycle, press the stalk down until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers will stop after one cycle. For more cycl

Windshield Washer Driving without washer fluid is dangerous. A bad mud splash can block your vision. You could collide with another vehicle.

Cruise Control (Option) With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the acceler

I A CAUTION: - - If you leave your cruise control switch on when you’re not using cruise, you might hit a button and go into cruise when

Resuming a Set Speed Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then you apply the brake or clutch pedal. This, of cours

Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control There are two ways to reduce your speed while using cruise control: 0 Push in the button at the end

Lamps The band on the turn signal/multifunction lever controls your vehicle’s lamps. PARKING LAMPS pf This position will turn on the followi

Daytime Running Lamps Daytime Running Lamps (Dm) can make it easier for others to see the front of your vehicle during the day. DRL can be

Fog Lamps (224 Model) Fog lamps will go off whenever the high-beam headlamps come on. When the high beams go off, the fog lamps will come on