Chevrolet 1957 User manual

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C ontents
of your 1957 Owner s M anual
Page
Instruments and Controls. . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . 2
Features. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . • . . • . . . . . . 5
Operating Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7
Breaking In Period ...... , ..... _. _. . . . . . . . . .. 7
Gasoline and Oil. ........ . ... ... , . . . . . . . . .. 8
Starling the Engine...... .... ................ 8
Shift Lever...... ... ... .. ........ .. . ... .. ... 9
Driving with $ynchro.Mesh ............. . ,. ... 9
Driving
with Overdrive ........ , . • . . . . . ...... 10
Driving with Powerglide ..................... 11
Driving with Turboglide ...................... 13
Parking .................. ............... .. 14
Slation Wagon and Convertible Information ...... 15
Accessories and Options ....................... 16
tv\aintenonce and Lubrication ............. . ..... 21
Specificotions ................................ 30
Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. 32
Owner Service Policy ......................... 33
All information contained in this booklet is baJed on lhe lattJt product
information available at the time of printing. The right is rmrved
to make changtJ at any time without notice.

CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION
GE~ER"L MOTORS CORPOR"TIO~
DETROIT Z. MICHIG"~
PART NUMBER 3738038

Instruments
and
Controls
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
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Your driving instruments are grouped directly in front of the steering
wheel for quick, easy viewing. The wide hood over the entire dash
panel shields the instruments from glare and, at night, keeps reflections
of the panel lights from striking the windshield and disrupting your
vision.
SPEEDOMETER- Dominating the instrument cluster is the speed-
ometer which registers the speed of the car in miles per hour as well as
accumulated mileage.
FUEL GAUGE - Electrically operated, the fuel gauge operates
only while the ignition switch is turned on, returning to the empty
mark
when the ignition is turned off.
TEMPERATURE GAUGE-Showing the engine coolant tem-
perature, the needle will normally register near the center of the
dial spread. Very hot weather, long hard driving or prolonged idling
may cause higher than normal indications. Should the needle move to
the H (HOD end of the dial, stop the engine until the cause of the
overheating is determined.
2

OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR-This indicator will show a red
light when oil pressure is low. If light remains on while engine is
operating, shut off engine until couse is determined. Flickering of this
indicator light when engine is idling is normal.
GENERATOR INDICATOR-Shows a red signal light when the
generator is not chorging. If the light is continually on while driving,
the cause of the discharge must be found ond corrected quickly.
TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHTS- These lights indicate
the direction of turn being signaled by the exterior turn signals.
BRIGHT HEADLIGHT BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT -This
indicator shows red to worn you thaI your headlights are on ··bright".
Remember to ··dim·· the lights with the headlight dimmer switch when
approaching oncoming corso
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER
QUADRANT-For explanation, see pages 11 and 13.
KEY STARTER
The key storter and ignition switch has four
positions, as shown. The key is required only
when turning the switch to or from LOCK
position. To operote, turn switch to START
until engine storts, then release. The switch will
return to ON position.
LIGHT CONTROL KNOB
Pull the knob out to first stop to illuminate parking, tail, license and
instrument lights. Regulate the latter by turning knob. Turn knob all the
way counterclockwise, past the slight resistance to light the dome lights.
Pull all the way out for headlights.
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Start wiper by turning knob clockwise. Full
clockwise turn provides fast wiper action.
Turning knob counterclockwi~e provides slower
speed and a full counterclockwise turns wipers
off. The windshield washer, on optional
accessory, is operated by pressing the button
in the center of the knob. This squirts water on
the
windshield and automatically wipes it
clean and dry.
3

PARKING BRAKE
Th e pa rk ing brake operates independently
of the service brakes. To operate, pull
straight back on the "1" shaped handle. To
release, lurn handle slightly and push in to
normal position.
TURN SIGNAL LEVER
Pull down on the lever to signal a left turn;
push up to signal a right lurn. Flashing lights
on the instrument panel indicate direction
of lurn being signaled by outside lights,
front and rear. The lever automatically
re tu rns to neutral when turn is completed.
Safety hint; a blinking left turn signal while
you 're changing a Act tire will serve as a
caution signal to warn oncoming drivers.
HEADLIGHT
DIMMER SWITCH
Headlight beams are raised or lowered
through use of this foot switch. Bright beam
position is indicated by a red ligh t on t he
speedometer face.
REAR SEAT SPEAKER SWITCH
The switch for the accessory rear seat speaker, if installed, is located
to the ri ght of the cigare!le lighter. It permits selection of either or
bo th front and rear seat speakers.
4

Features
KEYS AND LOCKS
A single key will operate all locks on your Chevrolet: ignition, glove
box, doors and trunk. Doors may be locked from inside by pushing
down door locking button; from outside by pushing inside locking
bullan down and holding outside door push button in while dosing
door . On all lour door sedans, the rear door handle will be
inoperative when the inside locking bullan is depressed, on important
feature when small children ride in the back seal. Record the numbers
of your keys and then remove the "knock-ouf' plug .
ASH TRAY
The lill type ash tray, located 01 the base of
the dash panel to the left of the glove
compartment, is removed for cleaning by
depressing the
circular snuffer, 01 the top of
the troy, and removing the entire assembly.
CIGARETTE LIGHTER
The cigarelte lighter, regular equipment
on
all Bel Air and "Two-Ten" models, is
merely pushed in when needed. When hot,
it automatically clicks out, ready for use.
GL OVE COMPARTMENT
Centrally located, the glove compartment is opened by pressing
the push bulton on the
door . lock , if desired, with the ignition key.
Bel Air and "Two-Ten " models have on automatic compartment light.
EL ECTRIC CLOCK
Regular equipment in the Bel Air models and available for installation
in other models, the Chevrolet electric clock offers both accuracy and
pleasing appearance. To set: pull out and turn the small knab at the
bottom
of the face of the clock. If clock runs fast or slow: rolate the
small screw, located at the lOp of face of clock, as indicated. Turn only
a small amount each time and then observe clock for several days If
more adjustment is necessary, repoot the same procedure.
"

SUN VISORS
SEAT ADJUSTER
Press down on the seat adiuster lever on
the left of the Iront seat to unlock seat
and allow adjustment 10 the front or rear.
As seat slides forward it tilts as well as
slides, so the driver becomes more erect
as he moves forward. On power seats,
a switch replaces the adjustment lever.
Two sun visors on Bel Air and "Two-Ten" models and a single visor
on the
"One-Fifty" model are designed 10 provide 0 wide range of
positions to shut off glare from the sun.
DOOR VENTI PANES
Front door ventipanes are crank operated and are locked by a sliding
bolt.
HOOD RELEASE
The hood release latch is locat ed
at the front of the hood and to the
right of center as you face the car.
Pull the
release up and the counter-
balanced hood will raise and re-
mom open.
GAS CAP
The gas cap is located behind the
hinged door in the left rear fender,
just
above the tail light.
RE AR COMPARTME NT
The counterbalanced lid locks when pushed shut and moy be opened
wi th the ignition key. The spare tire and car jack are stowed at the
right side
of the compartment. On station wagon and sedan delivery
models, the tail gate is unlocked with the ignition key and the spare
tire and jack are located in a weI! in the floor.
A IR INT AKES
The gril!e screen over the top of each
headlight conceals the air intake for
ventilation, heating and air condi-
tioning.
8

Operating
Instructions
BREAKING· IN PERIOD
During your first few hundred miles of driving, you can, by observing
a few simple precautions, contribule greatly to a longer life for your
cor and odd much 10 ils future performance and economy of operation .
Sound design and precision manufacturing methods will permit you 10
operate your new Chevrolet in a normal manner from ils first mile on
without following a formal "break-in" schedule. However, a few
simple precautions during t he firs! few hundred miles of driving will
assure proper "mating" of all moving parIs in ,he engine, transmission
and reafoxle.
II is recommended that your speed for the first 500 miles be confined
10 a moximum of 60 M.P. H., but do nol drive for extended periods at
anyone conslonl speed, either slow or fosl. During this period ovoid
full throttle "jock rabbit" starts and quick, abrupt stops.
After 500 miles your Chevrolet may be coiled upon to deliver any
speed you desire, within local regulations, for as long as yov wish.
It is best, however, to always drive 01 a reasonable speed until the
engine has warmed up.
Be particularly careful to maintain the proper oil level in the crankcase.
When delivered to you, your Chevrolet engine is filled with a light
body, heavy duty oil containing an additive to prevent scuffing of the
moHog pmiS. USE THIS OIL DURING ONLY THE FIRST 1()()() MILES
OF DRIVING. Check the oil level frequently. If, during this period, it
becomes necessary to
add oil, use one 01 the "light body" oils de-
scribed on page 25. At the end of 1000 miles, drain the oil from the
engine (when hot) and replace the oil filter element (if so equipped)
and refill with an oil of the viscosity number and type suggested on
page 25. Use of the proper engine oil is of greal importance in
assuring maximum
performance and economy.
The
rear axle of your Chevrolet is also filled with a special lubricant
and should be drained and refilled, see page 29, after the first 1000
miles of driving.
7
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