Chevrolet El Camino 1983 User manual

1983 Chevrolet Owner 's Manual
Contains Important Operating
Safety & Maintenance Instructions .
Keep With Car At All Times .

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CHEVROLET'S COMMITMENT TO YOU ...
Everything possible has been done to assure your satiSfaction with your new EI
Camino.
Your Chevrolet dealer also wants you to be completely satisfied and invites
you to return for all of your service needs.
Should you encounter a problem that is not resolved, talk to a member of
dealer management. If the problem perSists. follow the additional steps outlined
in "Owner Assistance ," Section 6 of this manual.
We thank you for choosing a Chevrolet product
Chevrolet Motor Division
General-Motors COrporation
30007 Van Dyke
Warren, Michigan 48090

IITRODUCTION
'"
ThIs manUa l -has beei; -prepared to :. iK:quaint you · With the opeJation and
ma Intenance of your -- 1983 .B Ca-nioo, !JIld to provide important -saI8ty
Information. It is sLiwlemented by Q Maintenance Schedule and. a Warranty
InformatiOn folder . W!it · .urge you ', to re&ct' aU -these poblicatiOOs carefully . .
Following the reoort1niell!1aliOns wI!r~ ' assure the !host.enjoyable, safe arid
troublefree operation of yourVehicIe. . '
SPECIAL'NOTE TO CANADIAN OWNERS
Some vehicles sold i~Canacla " haVe Ihft Co~ ~mmand Control system,
~Ie others do nOf If a " CHE¢K .-Et.GNE" light comes on ruring engine
starting. your vehicle does .haVe this sys1em. For those veIW:tes sold In
canada which do not have the Computer Command Control system.. please
refer 10 the Canadian Owner's Manual Supp!emeot supplied with your vehicle
tor Information on engine starting ', speCifications. etc. The "CHECK ENGIrE"
~ht is covered . in "lnstruJneflt Panel." Section :, 2 of this manu8l .
. .- .,' . -
FRENCIf OWNER'S IIANUAL----'
If preferred , a French Owner 's ManwlJ can be obtained either frtwn your deraIar
or by writing to Gene1a1 ; ~otors of Canada ~. Techl"!ical Publicalions
Department. D:jhawa, Ontario L1J 5Z6. . .
" ' ." .
Aux proprietafres ~
Vous pouvez VOIJ$ pl'0CISeI'" yo e~e de oa Quide en ~ chez votre
concessiomaire
ou au Sarvice ~ pubGcations techniques . General Motors du
Canada Lirnitge"Oshawa."ontarld: l1J $6. ' ...,'
Gil CONTllUOUS PROTECTION PLAN
Cm1llnUOliS
Plott' etlon
PI.1n [jJ
For added rnedNinic.I -: and .litctricIII proteCtion ' ~ 'and .iter the new
- vehicle wan .... ie&, c:ooakler the GM ContInuous Prolection "..,. The Plan
Is an optional service ageement wNc/i covers repairs to certain ma;or ·vetlicle
components, provides -rental ,' car. allowances, towing and road service
'aIIowances, and many other fGah:Jres which e(lhance own~ both during .
and after the warranty. it OOV9rSyour vehicle 101:.36 months: or 36,000 miles
( 60 000 kilOl'nelers in canada): Whichever comes f nt, or for 48 months or
50 , 000 miles (80 OQO kiIornetefs) depend i ng on Which 01 the tour P\ans you
p..wchase. Ask yotM' dear for details. You can IUchase the PIal for up to6
months and/or 6,000 mites (10 000 kbneters) from U"le date your new vehicle
was put in deaier s9rvi~ or.delivered to you 'as a ' new vehicle , whichever
oocurredfirsl " " ',' . "",,' .. '
FOR CONTINU IN G SATISFACTION. KEEP YOUR . GM CAR ALL GM.
~=~~~.~~~O" 't§j~~BY ON' OF '"ESE

SYMBOL CHART
Some of th e fo ll ow illg sy mbols are .used to Identify COl)tr ols an d displays ..
o n . V~{ v ehicle ,.' . . '- . -' .
II::i. ~ . ".
~-- . ~. ,~ -- .'
,,_ .
§O
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.. ....... .:
.........
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..... -, . K
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1$83 EL C~MINO
OWNER'S MANUAL
This manual should be eonsJdered a permanent part ·of this vehicle. It
should stay with the vehicle when sold. to provide the next owner
with impo~a . nt operating, saf~~y ~ and maintenance Information..
All information, illustratiQns and 3.p _ecificlJtion_s in this'manu,,/' .re
bued on the - latest product inlormstlDn available at the time of
pilnt/ng. We reserv, the "",t , lo ml!*e cha, nges at Bny time without
notice , For vehicles sold ffl Canlld. ; . substitute the nllme "Gf JnfH8/
Motors of ~an-'HI. Limit.d " wherever the name .Chevro/flt Moto" Di-
vision apPears in th ls·rn.-.niJal.: - -
.' Table of ContentS
Section
.. ,'
Pa ..
Before D rMn~ Your Et Ca min o , .. :. . •.. . .... . ... . ... . ... • •....... .. 1-1
2 Starting and OperaUng .'.' ............. • ... .•• .... • ......•.. ... 2·1
Steering Column Controls . .. .. ... ..... . .• . ... 2--9
'Floor Controls ' ... .": ........ ....... .. ..• . .. . •, ... .. • .... ..... 2·20
Instrument Panel
..•.... . ....•.........• • ... . . ... . .•• •....... 2-22
Qther Co ntro ls and Features . ............ . ... . ............... 2-35
3 In Case of Emergency .. ..
4 Appearan ce and Care
.. .. 3-1
4·'
5 Service and Mairi ' te r ~nce .. ... .••. .. .•.... . .... •.. ... ... .....• ..... 5-1
6 Owner Assislanc~ . ,~ : ' ...... . . .. .. , ...•... : .. . ...... .. ...... _ .... .... 6- 1
,.
7 S pecifica~ i ons ....... . ...................• , .. .... . .. .... • ...•..• . .7-1
a Servioo:Station Information, Service Manuals. Index .
... . ..... .... . 8- 1
,.'
. , '.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON
VEHICLE.·LOADING
Ovwloodlng
CAUTION: n. U)OC IPO I~,* of , "fOUl ~ _ deIitiIned to prO¥Ide .. V,fAeloIr
..... the ¥'IhiI;at .. - nOt ro.t.r In ._ of ..... the G.o.rVehitlt w.ww: -' Rating
(GVWR)
Of ... _unum frvnI Mel re!fII' Or-. Ant weiliht RIiti,. ( ~~I ~ n-
rating..,. .... 011 the v.niCIe ~ 1.8~110catH on ' 'MtM!' 1M left door ' 1Mctt ·
'. :Pc-t' OI'on lhelllftdoor,,-"'.tto ,ttiactriv.: ' ,' .. "' . .. .
ov.r~ c.n ,....,.. ... - k.rM ' ~ ' ~ ..' conti'OI '..... ,.,..... iniury. · e\~ b)' cautin; .
........ olllent ...... !If by IIffieetiftg wtWc" MndIing. • Wi! IItIo' 1IhOrtetI the .emee .. of
,vw...-clt .
Your dealer can advise you ' of ' me proper ' IOadng condi t ions for your , vehicle .,
Using selected heavier suspension components for added dLKability does not
increase 8IlY of the weight ratings shown oo . ~ Vehicle Certification ~
lOADED-:-MAXIMUM GVWR : 4500 lBS.
FRONT GAWR , 202 3 l8S .
REAR GAWR, 2477 lBS.
Fr1)fI' C".b
1838 1 1M.. R ea r Cu rb
hon"Cargo Reg. Cargo
& Pa n. Load ~ & Po •. Load ~
2013 lb.. 2'137, lbs.
TOTAL WItGHT AT GaOUNO 4450 laS .
C..,b weig h' eq uol, ,"- weight of 'he ......i <l. witloovt dr~ .
pa ue nglN <)' <<>'110, but i ndud e. fuel & ~Ionl .
Maximum Front And Rear Axle Weight8
The we9rt of the ccwgo load must be propefiy dstributed over both the ... ont
and rear axles . The Cer1ificatioO label showS the maximum we6ght that the
front axle can CA!JIrY (front GAWR) . It also shows the maximum weight that the
rear axle can carry (rear GAWR) . The GVWR is the maxinun permissable
k:laded weight of th9 vehicle and takes into accoun t the capabitities of th e
engine. Ifansmission, frame. springs, brake, axles and tires. Acruel lOads at the
front' and the rear axles can only be detemined by weifIJIng the vehicie. This
can be done at tJV1Way Weigh s&ations 01' other such ptaces. See you' CIeeMr
ior help . The cargo load shouk:I be . cISrided on both sides of the center1ine
as equally as J)08:8ibIe.
().1

Eflect on W..,.,ty
Your new vehicle warranty doeS not aAlIY to 8I'rf pert of yolK vehiCle ' '' which
has been subject to misuse." Any pe,t which fails b9ca"se of .overlpadingh8$
been subjected
10 misuse., . .~, - - -. -
Certification ubel
Your Certification label showS the GVWR and the froot ' and rear GAWRs for
your vehicle.
Gross Vehide Weight (G¥W), is :tl)e
and all items addocfto it after it has
winches, booms , esc .:the aivet'
~~~~'I: The ,GWlITUSt not
of the . originallY equipped,vehide
' ~::~ ' : This Include bodies.
o Ioad·the vehicle is
~~~~:: ~ rear gross
The tires 00 your vehide Will pefbm ~ at aI norma,IloadB when i1IIatQd .as
reoommended . on the Tlfe Placard ordhe Ieft ,door of your vehle • .
If the tires ar ~ ~her than : Ioa!:t~~ B JoI .' ~ ~d bact i~ _ f:Or metr ~ ~
size tires). the load range will awea'"- aI1er thie wei size stated 00 ' the. T.-e
Placard. For example, 8R78-13/C is a load range C tire. - .
Vf ttC Lf CAP ACl TV -......... COlO T IR[ PfiESSII'IE -
-' '''' "'~ .. ~.,. ' -' .., -
MA l( , [ -
L OA D
.' ~
1
,, · "'u , __ • __
" ~ ~;;;;':~'f
,
CAUTJON: -· Twi fttiI~ " ~ noI ' beuMd.o '*'Y' ...... . ~pet".inc:. ..
et-.ts ia nai: dMign.d hi ~ ........... en_ ~ ... dwIge" __ ~...,
r'Hulting from ~ .... 1I'IItaIIIMon . A " ~~ ;. ~ __ ...... 1Itrwing_
root, floor _.,d .~, and dn9Ied 10 bit II'IOUnCItd on .net _111M "- .. '*9D __
of'~"b)' .. u_. -. "-,,
0-2

SECTION 1.
BEFOAEDRIVINGYOUR
EL CAMINO,
DRIVER DAILY CHECKUST
. -'.
Be sure yoo know y6ur vehicle and lis equi~em and hOw to use itsalely.
" }' . -.
· Bel"", . EnIering .the Vehicle .,
1. ' See thatwindows. mirrors and ligh1sare clean and unobstructed.
2. Ch~ whether . 1iDy tire is ' ~ ' arllSt . .(If My tire looks ditta ' rent .from
nornlil. ,checkifwilh a tire pr ' esSure gage .) " ' .... '
3. L;)ok " for IUd "leaks ::' ;c', /_, >: ',t' . ,"
4. DO. NOT allow 8IlyoM to ride where thete '- no seal beIt. .. MId
A~WA YS pro.,.rly fasten the seal ben.
5. Ch ' 6ck the area behind the vehk:~ if you are about to back up.
~ Pr~~ ' O'f, ,:.~-.·,:-· '.,.r' ', .. : •. ,~ .. \..'-" ":;":. .l:
-: ~.,
1. lock aH doors . .. ",,'. ,? .:, .
2. t-dJust" lhe-sEiat and, fi - soeqUi~, movable ~ headrestr~ts . .'
3. Adjuat I nside and outside mirrors.
4. DO,' NQT .-qw anyone 10 r~ wtwr. ~ is no .... bieft, Mel
ALWAYS ",_rly - . \!lO'oOoI bell. . '..,.-., -
5. Check that all the w~ing iiQirts wOrk as the key is turned to "start."
6. Ch8ck "all gages (nclUding the fuel gage):
· 7. FI4:Itease the parking 'brake (and see : lhat the " BRAKE" light tutnS"otf). .
See - ret8tecf 'lopcs In ' tfj9 " rMnuci. Oi)tie Mainierieoce . SchEdJIe ~ : .if
·' probl9ms are foUnd. ., " . " " .' .' ',' ~
. ,",
GUARD AGAINST THEFT
Your new EI camino has many leaues 10 ~ prevent theft of the VeAcle
itself, its eqJipment,' arl(fits.oontents: But these ant~theft featu"es depend
upon you . to work.
The time to be molt on guard Is when .. . .vlng~ ·vehicle: .:'
• FYk in a lighr.d ipot ..".. you can. ~ fully cJoM all wJndowa.
• Be SlJfe to tum YQUI"steeI'ing Wheel _- ~ tp one side or Ihft other to hefp
prevent lOWing oUm vehicle from the r~ar .'
• ~k the stee:ripg coh:"mnand:take the kays;
.. Turn the key to 'tOCk" arid remove the key . ThIs IQckS the i!:,ritlon
and both steering Mel shift controls . .
• . If you must 11folaV~ akey:, w.ilh ~ the vehlae•. leave ,the . square- heacUey
only. Take .the oval-haad key with, YOl! . This will help prevent unWNlted
entry .. irlto . yO.,W ,. ~Ie at a)!lter . dale .: ~ Of InlP Your ' gIoye box {if
iocked}- -, _, .
• Fully ckiee an Wlndoft and IocII: alI-ctoor..
• KeeP ~ , t"'" miY , appHf to ~ of value out of ~ and locked up
Wtwnpouibtt. ' ," . ,'" ':, 1-1 .. , .-

~ The glove box offen • place to.hide smell .itema .nd. if Ioc:nd.
protect. even bMter. .
Remember to ' carry ",, · .Xlra key to the,door· in .your wallet- 0( purse; so -you
can get back in easily it, you f()(get and lock yourk~ys In the vehlde. OM's anti-
theft features make re-entry purposely diflicutt without a key.
KEYS
Two different keys are prQ\lided for the locks on your vehicle.,The key code is
stamped on the "knock-oul" plug In each key head.
• Key with square 'heed - -lor ignition·Iockooly.,
• Key wtth oval heed -lor al lother locks.
" IDENTIFYIN~
IGNITION LOCK
F()( vehicle security:
DOOR LOCKS lit
ALL OTHER LOCKS
• Record the key oode numbers. then knock the plugS" out of the keys.
.. ,
• Keep the key codes in a safe place (sucO_as your wallet). NOT .... THE
VEHICLE.
If the original keys are lost . dupli~ . can , '?e made using the key codes.
Sian'1*! on the key Is a letter, indicati'lg tfw:I proper key bin needed If
dJpIical:es are required . Contact fnI GM deaIef Or a ioct(srnjth .
• you park in an attended lot, leave oriy your square--head igni60n key. It' ••
good Idea to carry .n .xtra key to the door In your w ..... or' pur .. ,
should you KCidentaUy , lock your· r.1ar keys in. the veh6c ... To help
protect your vehicle ' and its contents against theft, General Motors has
designed in anti ·theft features __ which wouId " also make _ it inconvenient Mel
possibly expensive to en~er the .vehicle if you lYe ~~ out. " "
DOOR LOCKS . "
The doors' can be locked from the 'lnside by depresslng!he 'passenger QUiW"d
.' door lock _button located 0r'I the upper door panel. The doors can be locked
from the: oulSida by depfessing the door kx:k butIon Mel closing the door.
The doors can alSo be locked byusing the oval-head key.
Al l models have as a"standwd satetY feature overriding dOor 'locks. When the
doors. are locked. the door . latctl ~ is Inoperative, preventing
'-ertont -'09 01 the _ by "..",..".". 01 the inside _ ,
Power Door 'Locks' ".
The optionally available power door locks ' 8IJOw You iO kICk ' or unlOck your
doors by operating the switch marked LOCK located on either door panel. The
automatic k':IcIOOg mecharism doeS not interfere with rnanuaI operation of MY
door loCk button. The doors will not unlOCk or open with the inside door
'-2