Safety regulations
Exhaust gases are toxic! If you need to start the engine in a garage or other room, ensure good ventilation or be sure to open the gate.
When starting to repair or service electrical equipment, first be sure to disconnect the wire from the negative terminal of the battery.
When performing electric welding work, disconnect the wires from the battery and generator, as well as the wiring harness blocks from the electronic engine control unit!
Warning: If your vehicle is equipped with a coded audio system, disconnecting the battery cable will disable the audio system and you will need to enter the code to turn it back on. The audio system code is on the card supplied with your vehicle.
When coasting, do not turn off the ignition, otherwise the anti-theft device in the ignition switch may be activated, blocking the steering column shaft. Your car may become uncontrollable!
Gasoline, antifreeze and antifreeze are toxic, so take precautions when filling your vehicle with technical fluids.
The exhaust system contains a catalytic converter. When the engine is running, it heats up to a temperature of over 600°C, so to avoid a fire when parking, make sure there is no dry grass or flammable materials under the car.
It is prohibited to operate the vehicle with the emergency oil pressure drop indicator on: it should go off briefly (no more than 2 sec) light up only when the engine is started. This also applies to the low battery indicator, as sometimes the reason for its lighting up can be a short circuit in the wiring, leading to a fire in the engine compartment of the car.
Do not work under a car raised with a jack. Be sure to place reliable supports under the body.
Smoking and using open flames when refueling and servicing the vehicle are prohibited.
It is prohibited to check the operation of the generator by disconnecting the wires from the battery, and the functionality of the ignition system "for a spark".
When jacking up the vehicle, be sure to engage the parking brake and place suitable chocks under the wheels on the opposite side.
Operating recommendations
Maintenance and repair of the vehicle during the warranty period must be carried out only at service stations with a mandatory note about the work performed in the service book coupons, otherwise you will lose the warranty on the vehicle.
It should be borne in mind that even cars of the same model, released almost simultaneously, have individual characteristics of behavior on the road. It is recommended to use the full speed and dynamic capabilities of the car as you get used to it, understand its character and only after the car has passed the first 2000-3000 km in compliance with the restrictions.
Before driving, warm up the engine at idle speed, since running an unheated engine at high speeds reduces its service life. When turning on the starter, the control lever of the manual transmission should be in the neutral position, the selector lever of the automatic transmission - in the "N" (neutral) or "P" (parking) position.
Do not allow the engine to operate at a crankshaft speed at which the tachometer needle is in the red zone of the scale.
It is prohibited to start the car from a standstill "on the starter". You can only move from a standstill in first gear with the parking brake lever fully lowered, smoothly releasing the clutch pedal.
Do not exceed the load capacity standards specified in the vehicle's technical specifications: overloading leads to increased wear of tires and suspension parts, and loss of directional stability.
Avoid driving on roads with poor quality of pavement at high speeds. "Breakdowns" of the suspension, which, as a rule, accompany driving in such modes, lead to damage and deformation of the chassis units of the car. In this case, damage and deformation of the body may occur.
Check the air pressure in your tires regularly: low pressure leads to intensive tire wear. A difference in tire pressure of 0.2-0.3 kgf/cm² leads to deterioration in vehicle control.
Regularly check the condition of the rubber protective boots of the ball joints, constant velocity joints and steering rod joints. Damaged boots should be replaced, as water and dirt will quickly put the mechanisms out of order.
For refueling, use fuels, lubricants and operating fluids recommended by the manufacturer.
Regularly check the condition of the battery terminals and the fastening of the wires on them. Loose fastening or oxidation of the terminals can damage the electronic devices of the car.
Remember that the battery terminals have different diameters: the positive terminal is larger than the negative one. Make sure that the wires are connected in accordance with the polarity indicated on their tips and terminals.
When charging the battery directly on the vehicle from an external power source, be sure to disconnect it from the generator (remove the positive terminal from the battery).
Do not violate the deadlines for inspection and maintenance work. Perform all work in full.
Traffic safety recommendations
Driving style and the comfort of the driver's seat affect the level of safety, so do the following:
- always wear a seat belt, even if you drive in the city;
- make sure all passengers, even those in the back seats, are wearing seat belts. Passengers who are not wearing seat belts put themselves, the driver, and other passengers at risk in the event of an accident;
Warning: Airbags do not replace seat belts. Moreover, when the vehicle is moving, the driver and front passenger must be fastened with seat belts, since in the event of a traffic accident, an airbag that has deployed itself can cause serious injury to a person not wearing a seat belt.
- for transporting children under 12 years of age, use special child seats in which the child is securely fastened relative to the seat, and the seat relative to the car;
Warning: Never install a child seat in the front seat unless the vehicle has a provision for disabling the front passenger airbag. If the vehicle has side airbags, then the child seat may only be installed in the rear seat.
- adjust the driver's seat so that all controls are within easy reach;
- adjust the steering wheel position so that all instruments in the instrument cluster are visible and your hands on the steering wheel are in the most comfortable position;
- make sure all pedals move freely;
- do not drive while intoxicated. The use of alcohol, drugs and some medications negatively affects the senses, the speed of a person's reaction, his driving abilities, increases the risk of creating an emergency situation and getting injured;
- don't drive if you feel tired. Stop often to rest (at least every two hours);
- drive at a speed appropriate to the traffic volume, weather and road conditions. Remember: the car's controllability and braking qualities largely depend on the tires' grip on the road surface. Road sections with freshly laid asphalt are very dangerous. On a wet road, aquaplaning may occur, in which case a complete loss of control is possible;
- observe the traffic rules.
[The original article can be found on the resource: «chevyman.ru»]