Obey all traffic laws and do not endanger yourself,
anyone else or any property as you perform the following tests:
Return to the drivers seat and fasten the seat belt. Make sure
your passenger does the same. Note that there was a service bulletin
on the seat belts for the slackeners. If the owner/dealer doesn't
know if the SB was done, a Chevrolet dealer should be able to
find out from the VIN number. In any event, make sure you can
obtain slack on both shoulder belts.
With your foot securely on the brake, place the transmission in
a forward gear. If a manual transmission, slowly engage the clutch
and observe for a "chattering" feeling. If automatic,
observe for delayed response to being placed in gear or unusual
noises as the transmission engages. Check the transmission in
reverse for the same symptoms.
Drive the vehicle and observe for unusual sounds or lack of response.
(You will hear the ABS system cycle and see a yellow caution light
flash on 1987 and later models when you first move the car. This
is the normal testing of the system by one of the computers. If
you don't see this happen on 1987 and later models, there is something
wrong with the ABS system). Look for erratic shifting in an automatic
transmission by trying different acceleration regimes. The shifts
should be swift and sure no matter what the load on the transmission
(meaning no matter if you "get on it" or "baby
it", the transmission should perform properly.
Look for synchronizer problems in a manual transmission. The shift
points should go smoothly with no need to "double clutch"
or "coach" the transmission into changing gears. There
should be no problems with either up shifting or downshifting
and the shifter throws should be short and positive.
On a flat road, check that the vehicle rolls straight and true
without pulling to either side. (Note that the road must not have
a "crown" and must be flat in all other respects or
this test cannot be conducted). In an area where it is safe to
do so and the road is flat, accelerate to 30 MPH and apply the
brakes as in a panic stop. The car should stop straight ahead
without pulling to one side.
Accelerate again to approximately 25 MPH and make a gentle stop
listening for the shrill sound that indicates that the wear limits
on the brake pads has been exceeded.
In an area where it is safe to perform the test, accelerate to
20-25 MPH and rapidly move the steering wheel to the right and
left approximately 15 degrees. The car should respond instantly
and there should be no "slop" in the steering linkage.
(When you move the wheel even a tiny bit, the car should respond).
In an area where it is safe to do so, accelerate to 40 MPH and
move the steering wheel approximately 30 degrees first to the
right and then to the left. There should be no sway at all. The
car should track as if it were on rails. you should hear no snapping
noises or other unusual sounds. Suspect suspension problems if
the car sways or if you hear unusual noises.
In an area where it is safe to do so and while traveling at 30
MPH or greater, engage the cruise control by momentarily pressing
the "set" button on the top of the turn signal control.
The computer should capture and maintain the speed you are traveling
at the moment of engaging the system. Press the set switch again
for an instant and the speed should increase one (1) MPH. Press
the coast button for an instant (it is located at the end of the
turn signal arm) and the speed should decrease precisely one (1)
MPH. If the system works in this manner, it is working properly.
Press the clear buttons on the trip odometer and average mileage
(MPG) displays and observe that new calculations begin. To verify
that this system is working properly, when you next shut down
the engine, make a note of the readings. If they have disappeared
when you then restart the car, the Electronic Instrument Panel
definitely has problems and the repair will be expensive. |
