Chevrolet 1949 Automobile User manual

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PREPARED AND PRESENTED
BY
CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
DETROIT 2, MICHIGAN
.'
THIRD EDITION

and
on 'lour
.'
1949 Chevrolet
•

';])ear Chevrolet Owner
We are happy to place in your hands this Owner Manual
which, if you will read and study,
will acquaint you with
the Chevrolet car that you have just purchased.
The Dealer who sold and delivered this fine car to you
and
we who manufactured it are proud of the product and
have a large and willing interest in maintaining your con-
tinued satisfaction
in its operation. Careful consideration by
you of this fine product will guarantee many miles of good,
trouble-free transportation.
The purpose of this manual
is to acquaint you with your
new Chevrolet car.
It is not a book that covers all of the
mechanical features and it does not contain a lot of technical
phrases of construction. Instead, it tells where the gauges,
dials, switches and controls are located, a general outline of
where your car should be lubricated along with a mainte-
nance schedule that
will keep the car in proper operating
condition and some general information items which are of
interest
to you as a driver.
At the end of 1000 miles of driving, you should take your
car back to the·Dealer who delivered it
to you for a physical
check-up and the 1000-mile inspection service to which you
are entitled. However,
if at any time before or after this
1000-mile period your car does not perform the
way it
should, visit your Dealer who will be very glad to diagnose
the trouble and to assist and advise you in what should
be done to regain its peak performance.
CHEVROLET MOTOR CAR DIVISION
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

ConienitJ
For Your Convenience ...
Your Everyday Service
Select Your Gasoline .
Gasoline Filler Cap
..
Engine Oil .
Engine Oil Level Rod ..
Radiator Filler Cap ..
Breaking-in Period .......... ......... .
Starting Engine
Shifting Gears .
Keys and Locks
..
Sedan Rear Door Lock ..
4
11
11
11
11
12
12
13
14
15
16
16
General Information .. ................... .. 17
Use of the Jack ............................... 17
Rear Wheel Shields .. 18
Tires 18
Cleaning White Sidewall Tires .. 18
AntjrFreeze 19
Care of Chrome ... .......... ... .. ... ........... 19
Radio Controls 20
Automatic Heating Controls .. 21
Lubrication ........... ... 22-23-24-25
Lubrication Chart ............................... 26-27
Maintenance Schedule
.. ..............
28
Data ....
.................... ......29-30
L

your
Convenience
The ignition switch, located near the
lower edge of the instrument panel to
the right of the steering column is a
three position switch. There are two
"off" positions, one to the right and one
to the left of the
"on" (vertical) position and the key may be removed
in any of these positions. When the ignition is turned off by turning
switch clockwise, the key may be removed allowing ignition to be
turned
"ON" or "OFF" without use of key. When the ignition is
turned off by turning switch counterclockwise and removing the key,
the ignition
is locked "OFF" .
Starter Control
.'
The starter control is of the push button
solenoid type with the starter button
located just to the left of the instrument
cluster and directly above the throttle
knob. When starting, hold accelerator
pedal down halfway while pressingstarter
button. Should the engine be flooded,
hold the accelerator down to the toe-board and press starter button
until engine starts. Release the starter button
as soon as the engine
starts and never press the button with the engine running
or serious
damage may result.
. 4 •

The choke control knob is located to
the right of the instrument cluster and
just above the ignition switch.
To pro-
vide a richer fuel mixture to assist in
starting a cold engine and during warm
up pull choke knob out part or all
way depending upon climatic con- L
ditions. This automatically opens the throttle to provide for smooth
engine operation when choking
is required.
The throttle control knob
is located to the left of the instrument
cluster and just below the starter button. Pull control knob out to
open throttle.
A push-pull knob for headlight con-
trol is located to the'left of the starter
button and throttle control knob.
When the knob
is pushed in against
the instrument panel all lights are
"OFF". When. the knob is pulled out to the first position the parking
lights, tail and license plate lamps are turned on. When the knob
is
pulled out to the last position, the headlamps, either the country
(upper) or traffic (lower) beam dependent on the operation of the
beam selector switch located on the toe-board
by the driver's left
foot, are turned on. When using the country (upper) beam for driv-
ing, a 'red beam indicator, located directly below the numeral 50 on
the speedometer dial, lights up. Never use this beam with other cars
approaching. Instrument lights ordinarily are on when the knob
is
pulled out to either the first or second position, although they can be
dimmed or turned
off by rotating the knob to the right.
• 5 •

The synchro-mesh transmission selector
lever
is mounted at the upper end of the
steering column beneath the steering
wheel. Lift the knob and move down-
ward to engage
low gear or upward to
engage reverse. Depress the knob and
move it upward to engage second gear
or downward to engage high
gear.
Operation
The hand brake lever operates inde-
pendently of the regular foot operated
braking system and applies brake pres-
sure to the rear wheels only. The
horizontal L-shaped handle
is conveni-
ently located below the instrument panel
to the right of the steering column.
To apply brake, pull handle
straight back.
To re lease, simply rotate handle clockwise and it will
return to its normal position.
q So ,-
-.Tront eat
The adjustment of the front seat is accom-
plished
by a fingertip control lever located
at the left side end of the seat frame. A light
downward push releases the seat allowing
the seat assembly to be moved backward
or
forward until the position is comfortable. Releasing pressure on the
lever locks the seat in the selected position.
. 6 •

An all weather ventilating system which permits controlled ventila-
tion even under adverse weather conditions when windows must be
closed
is a feature of your new Chevrolet. Outside air now enters
through the radiator grille at the front of the car and
is delivered into
the body by an air duct extending from the radiator grille to the body
dash on each side of the car. Air volume
is controlled hy means of a
butterfly valve mounted in each of the air duct lines. These valves
'-.- .
are individually operated by knobs mounted just below the center
of the instrument panel. Either the right
or left hand ventilator may
be opened individually,
or both valves opened as desired.
NOTE: To keep out offensive odors and exhaust gases when traveling
in congested traffic or when parked behind a car having its motor
running, shut the outside air intake valves by pushing vent knobs in.
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide. See Note on page 14.
The windshield wiper control knob is located to the right of the
instrument cluster and above the choke control button. The wind-
shield wipers are operated by turning this knob clockwise. A Chevrolet
windshield washer may be installed to assist in cleaning windshield
while driving when it may become smeared from road spray of
passing cars.
To operate washer, tum wiper control knob counter-
clockwise and water
will be sprayed on the windshield to assist
the wipers
in cleaning.
.'
A drawer type ash tray and a cigarette
lighter centered below it are conveniently
grouped together beneath the clock and
just to the right of the radio grille on
Deluxe models. The lighter
is operated by pushing it in and when
heated it
will click out for use. The ash receiver has a cigarette
snuffer which
is depressed for removal and emptying.
• 7 •

The hood lock is released by a knob under the left side of the instru-
ment panel. Pulling on the knob releases the lock. allowing the hood
to raise sufficiently to enable release of safety catch located .under
forepart of hood nose.
(lEove Box
The glove box is located at the extreme
right of the instrument panel and
is
equipped with a key lock mounted on
the upper edge of the door.
If locked,
insert key
in lock, tum one quarter tum and depress lock cylinder
to open. An automatic light provides illumination of interior on all
Deluxe models.
When Chevrolet cars are equipped with
radios, the controls are neatly and con-
veniently located just to the left of the
radio grille. Two sets are used, one
having two control knobs and the other
having two control knobs plus
five selector buttons for rapid station
tuning. The right control knob
on both sets is the "ON" and "OFF"
and volume control with a tone control ring directly behind it. The
left control knob
is for manual tuning. On sets equipped with five
selector buttons depress anyone of the buttons for station selection
or tune manually.
A rear view mirror
is located near the top of the windshield division
moulding except on convertibles, and may be rotated on
its mount-
ing to accommodate all drivers and seat positions.
• 8 •

Sun visors are designed so as to enable them to be moved in and out
on their support rods
as well as revolved to the side except on con-
vertibles to better shut
off the glare from the sun.
Speedometer
The speedometer located in the center
of the instrument cluster is centered in
front of the driver and has the ammeter,
gasoline, water temperature and oil pres-
sure gauges arranged in a semi-circle
around it. The speedometer is of the circular type and registers both
speed and cumulative mileage.
The gasoline gauge indicates the amount of fuel
in the tank only when
the ignition switch
is turned "ON."
.'
This gauge indicates the amount of electrical current that is supplied
to
or withdrawn from the storage battery. Unless the battery is fully
charged, the pointer should bear toward the + (plus) side when the
car
is operated 15 to 20 miles per hour. The gauge pointer should
bear toward the -(minus) side only when engine
is idling or when
accessories are being used with the engine shut
off .
• 9 •

::Jempel'alul'e 3nJicalol'
This gauge indicates the approximate temperature of the coolant cir-
culating through the cooling system. The pointer should register
within a 140-180 degree range except during long continuous driving
in warm weather. Should the pointer enter the red zone, the engine
should be stopped and the cause investigated immediately.
The oil pressure gauge should always indicate pressure while the
engine
is running. If no pressure is indicated, stop the engine imme-
diately and have the cause investigated.
A door hold-open device
is incorporated
in each door. When a door
is fully
opened this device prevents it from
closing of
its own weight while entering
or leaving the car. Doors may
be closed
e.asily from the hold-open position
by a firm push or pull, no release
is required. .•
The ventilators, front and rear, are operated directly by a combined
lock and pull-to handle located
on the base of the ventilator frame.
A spring loaded pawl makes the lock positive and theft resistant,
while a spring loaded friction device in the ventilator lower pivot
holds the ventilator open to any position selected.
• 10 •

The Chevrolet engine is primarily designed to operate satisfactorily
on the so-called "regular" grades of
ga solines. Premium grades of
fuel, with their higher anti-knock qualities, may be used, but little is
gained
in performance or economy as the compression ratio of the
engine is not high enough to demand.the use of premium fuel.
The gasoline filler cap is located under the
spring loaded lid in the left rear fender ex- .
cept on Station Wagon which has an exposed
cap. Should you wish to take extra pre-
caution against theft of fuel a locking cap
is
available as an accessory from your Dealer.
Use of the proper engine oil is of great importance in obtaining maxi-
mum performance and satisfaction from your car and in the selection
of the proper brand of oil
it is essential to consider the reputation
of the refiner or marketer.
• 11 •

There are three types of oils available for use in automobile engines;
these are Regular, Premium and Heavy Duty oils. For maximum
piotection.of your Chevrolet engine under all driving conditions, it
is
recommended that Premium or Heavy Duty oils be used. The Regu-
lar type oils may be used under moderate
or light driving conditions.
The oil level rod
is a bayonet type indica-
tor located on the right side of the crank-
case. This rod
is marked "Full" and "Add
Oil" and these notations have broad arrows
pointing to the level lines. Check oil level
each time
gas is purchased and maintain level between these two
lines. Fill or add oil through filler cap llole on top of valve cover.
Avoid overfilling
as this will cause the oil to foam.
The radiator filler cap
is located under the hood. The coolant should
be checked every time gasoline is purchased and kept to a le~el one
inch below the filler neck. The filler neck is so designed that a pres-
sure cap may be instatled if owner so desires.
• 12 •

Your Chevrolet car has been designed to furnish you many thousands
of miles of motoring pleasure.
In order to maintain
its high standard of performance and efficiency,
special care should be given for the first two thousand miles
as to
the speed at which the car
is driven and·also to lubrication.
The crankcase
of the engine in this vehicle as received by you is filled
with a light body "breaking-in" oil. Use this oil only during the
breaking-in schedule shown below.
It should not be used after com-
pletion
of the breaking-in schedule.
Check the oil frequently during the first 500 miles and at the
end of 500 miles, drain the crankcase-while hot -and refill
-using the gra4~ of oil recommended in "Engine Lubrication."
To properly break-in the moving parts of the engine do not drive
faster than:
40 miles per hour for the first 100 miles
50 miles per hour for the next 200 miles
60 miles per hour for the next 200 miles
Continuous driving at high speeds should not be attempted until the
vehicle has been driven 2,000 miles.
• 13 •

Warning - Carton monoxide
Never start or run an engine in a closed garage. Avoid inhaling
gases when any concentration of these is present in the air, i. e.,
in a garage, in congested traffic, or when stopped closely behind
a vehicle with its motor running. Exhaust gases
may have strong
odors which normally should give warning
of their presence.
However, the exhaust gases from some vehicles may not be
noticeable under certain conditions and the senses of people
react differently. Exhaust gases contain a percentage
of carbon
monoxide which is a poisonous gas that,
by itself, is tasteless,
colorless and odorless. .
:10 Start the E:ngine
1. Before starting engine make sure transmission shift lever is in
neutral position.
2. Depress the clutch pedal.
3. Turn
"ON" the ignition switc h.
4. Hold accelerator pedal down halfway and press in on the starter
button until the engine starts. Then release the button.
NOTE: Do not pump the accelerator pedal before or during
the use
oj the starter as this will cause difficult starting.
5. Under cold starting conditions pull the choke button out
part or
all the way depending on climatic conditions. If the engine is
warm or during summer weather it is not generally necessary to
use the choke
at .all.
eA UTlON: When starting a cold engine, it will be noted
that the oil pressure gauge in th e instrument cluster will reg-
ister a high pressure. A
flow engine to idle until engine warms
up and pressures will not be affected by changes in engine
speed.
6.
In case the engine becomes overchoked or flooded at any time, be
sure the choke button
is all the way in then pre ss the foot accel-
erator down fully and operate starter continuously until engine
starts. This will eliminate further choking.
If it becomes desirable
to again choke the carburetor for starting
foUow the procedure in
step 5.
• 14 •

The gearshift lever, mounted on the steer-
ing column,
may be placed in anyone
of five positions -neutral, reverse, first,
second or third. The operation of the
gearshift lever
in engaging the gears
consecutively is as follows:
I. See that gearshift lever is in neutral position
up and down).
2. With clutch pedal depressed start engine.
(iever may
be raised
3. First speed-Depress clutch pedal and raise lever toward steering
wheel and then move downward until it
is fully engaged in first
gear location; then gradually release clutch pedal.
4. Second
speed-Depress clutch pedal, push lever upwards, causing
lever to cross through neutral moving away from steering wheel
and engage second gear position. Release clutch pedal.
5. Third
speed-Depress clutch pedal, pull lever downward until
lever has reached the end of its travel into third gear position.
Release clutch pedal.
6.
Reverse- With car at a standstill, depress clutch pedal, raise lever,
and push upward to engage reverse.
"
, 15 •
,,-

Two identical keys are furnished with the car which operate the front
b- doors, the ignition switch, the glove compartment and trunk locks.
As a protection against unauthorized persons securing keys, the key
number does not appear either
on the key or the face of the locks, but
on a smal! metal insert fastened
in the key. Mark this key number on
your Certificate of Title or Bill of Sale
as soon as you take delivery of
the car, and have y
our dealer knock the number insert out of the keys.
To lock the doors from inside, push down the locking button located
on the bottom of the window opening of each door. To lock the car
from outside, either of two ways may be used.
I. With the door open push down the in-
side locking button and push the out-
side handle push button in while closing
the door.
2. With the door closed, insert key in the lock of the front door
handle and give the key a quarter of a turn.
A safety feature
is incorporated in the rear door locks of all four-
door sedans for the convenience of owners who have small children.
This door lock incorporates a means of shifting the remote control
link lever to provide free-wheeling on the inside
or remote control
door handle at the option of the owner. With the remote control
link lever set in the free-wheeling position the rear doors cannot be
opened from inside unless the locking button is "UP."
AI! four-door sedans have this lever set for positive action on these
handles.
To change to free-wheeling use a pointed tool through the
clearance hole
in the face of the door lock pillar, engage the tab in
the remote control lever link and trip the lever to the " UP" position
to engage the intermittent lever.
NOTE: The tool can be made up
from an ice pick.
• 16 •
•

•
•
I. Set parking brake and block wheel opposite one to be removed.
2.
If rear wheel is to be removed, remove wheel shield on DeLuxe
Models. Remove hub cap and loosen wheel nuts.
3. Place jack base on ground so that upright column is on the outside
of the bumper face bar.
4. Draw jack body up to allow bumper to rest in jack seat and
position
as shown.
5. Move lever on side of jack housing to "UP" position, insert jack
handle and raise jack until tire clears ground.
6. Remove wheel nuts and remove wheel.
7. In replacing either front or rear wheels, tighten wheel nuts snugly,
shift lever on jack housing to "DOWN" position and lower jack
until wheel touches ground. Then make certain that all nuts are
drawn up tight, replace hub cap and remove jack.
8. If rear wheel shi1!ld was removed, replace wheel shield.