GM Chevrolet 1946 User manual

CARS
www.PlandeGraissage.org

OWN ER'SMA NUAl _·
1946
PASSEnGER CARS
THIRD EDITION
Allyone desirous of having additional mechanical
information covering the design . and construction
of
the 1946 Chevrolet passenger car should address
thei~ request to the Service and Mechanical Depart.
ment at the addresi{shown below.
CHEVR0 LET m0 TO R 0IV IS Ion
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
DETROIT 2, MICHIGAN
www.PlandeGraissage.org

2-
lU~_ '
lHI nO' 0RT0 FRI Enos HIP
vou have purchased a new Chevrolet car, and that
·< 1 purchase means a great'deal to you, to your Chev-
rolet d~al~r, and to Chevrolet.
. .
To you, it rn..eans possession' of a fine motor car. To
your Chevrolet dealer, it means an opportunity-and
an obligation-to help you realize true satisfaction
with your investment. And to Chevrolet, it means a
large and willing interest in maintaining your con-
tinued satisfaction, for the entire Chevrolet organiza-
tion desires not merely to _ ~"ke sales, but also to
make friends.
Our interest in you, as a Chevrolet owner, and in your
car,' as a Chevrolet product, will continue during all
the months and years that you drive your Chevrolet.
We want to make Chevrolet ownership the most
pleasant ~~tor car experience- you have ever enjoyed.
We ask you to read these pages carefully. They are the
key to abetter and mutu~l understanding, and will
open the door of friendship . bet~~en you, your Chev-
rolet dealer, and Chevrolet.
www.PlandeGraissage.org

GEnERAL ' InFORmATIOn
MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY
It is expressly agreed· that there are no . warranties, e;p~~;~~d& '.~.
implied, made by either the Dealer or the Man~f~ct\iter6n ellev- '. .
rolet motor vehicles, chassis or parts furnished hereui1~r, except
the Manufacturer's warranty against defective m. aterialsorwork- ·
.
manship as follows: . .
"The Manufacturer warrants eachnew m~~or v~hicie,including
all equipment or accessories (except tires) supplied by th'eManu-
facturer, chassis or part manufactured by..it to be free from
defects in material and workmanship under normal use and
service, its obligation under this warranty being limited to mak-
ing good at its factory any part or parts thereof which shaU,
within ninety (90) days after delivery of such vehicle to the
original purchaser or before such vehicle has been driven
4,CXXl miles, whichever event shall first occur, be returned to it ,
with transportation charges prepaid and which its examination
" . ~ .... ,: ~
shall disclose to its satisf¥.oh to have been thus defective; this
warranty being expressly in lieu of ·all other warranties, ex-
'. pressed or implied, and .all other obligations or li'abilities on
its part, and it neither assumes nor authorizes any other person
to assume for it any other liability in connection with the sale
of its vehicles.
"This warranty shall not apply to any vehicle which shall have
been repaired or altered outside of an authorized Chevrolet
Service Station in any way so as in the judgment of the Manu-
facturer to affect its stability and reliability, nor which has been
subject to misuse, negligence or accident."
* * *
The Manufacturer has reserved the right to make changes in
design or add any improvements on motor vehicles and chassis at
any time without incurring any obligation to ·install
motor vehicles and chassis previously purchased.
• 3
..
www.PlandeGraissage.org

TIRE WARRANTY
The tires that came with your car are guaranteed by the tire
manufacturer, or his agent, according to the standard Tire Manu-
facturer's Warranty.
OWNER SERVICE POLICY
The Chevrolet dealer agrees to promptly perform and fulfill
all
of the terms and conditions of the "Owner Service Policy" .
whi~h was given to you at the time you took delivery of your new
Chevrolet car.
REPAIR PARTS
Genuine Chevrolet parts manufactured to the same rigid
specifications as the parts used in the original assembly of the
car, are carried in stock by Authorized Chevrolet Service Stations.
Use only Genuine Chevrolet parts for replacement purposes,
because they are better . They aresold at uniform prices through-
out the United States. Printed price lists published by the Chev-
rolet Motor Division are open to the inspection of owners at any
Authorized Chevrolet Dealer's establishment.
SERVICE CHARGES
Charges prevailing at Authorh~ ff Chevrolet Service Stations
are based on Flat Rate schedules furnished by the Chevrolet
Motor Division. These Flat Rates are based on the use of methods
and tools approved by the Chevrolet Motor Division, assuring
the highest quality of work at the lowest possible price consistent
with this quality.
Protect your investment by having your replacement repair
and maintenance work done by an Authorized Chevrolet Service
Station, which has all the necessary tools and the factory-trained
men.
GENUINE CHEVROLET ACCESSORIES
The materials used in the manufacture of these accessories
are of the highest and finest quality.
These accessories will appeal to every discriminating Chev-
'·· ., rolet buyer. They offer him the opportunity to show his indi-
vid!1ality
in the selection of added touches of refinement and
• luxury for his car.
, .Th~Yarecarried in stock by all Chevrolet Dealers.
4 • t
··"
",
www.PlandeGraissage.org

BREAHlnG-ln PERIOD
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 lubri-
action.
To properly break in the moving parts of the car, 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 high speed driving should not be attempted
until the car has been driven 2000 miles.
See that your car is lubricated at regular intervals in accord-
ance with the recommendations under "General Lubrication."
WAY S T oJ'av E GA SAn 0 0IL
How many miles do you get to the gallon? Unless you are the
exception, you can get still greater mileage. And without cost!
Just eliminate a few of the faults which most of us have and which
tend to waste gasoline and oil. Some of the most coinmon ones
are listed here. Study them~ Correct them and you'll save on
fuel bills.
Quick Get-Aways are thrills that cost money. Tramping
suddenly on the accelerator, or pumping it,
feeds
your motOr more gasoline that it can use. Quick get-aways,
too, waste gasoline by carrying you too far in second gear. Get
away easily and smoothly to save gasoline. Slip into high gear at
20 to 25 miles per hour.
Sudden Stops are sometimes necessary, but always use extra
gasoline. Stopping gradually, with the engine
braking, saves gas money-and brake lining, too.
-5
. ;
www.PlandeGraissage.org

lire, more than dangerous. At 70 miles per hour
< .. ,' yourmotor us.es almost twice as much gasoline, to
gq ~ otie , rtllle,as it does at 20 milespei: hour. Economical cruising
speeas are30to45 M).H.
: S~ftTites are hlj.rd on you t g~soline bill. They mean more road '
friction. This gives your motor unnecessary work to
go and mal<es it use extra gas. Keep the extra money in your pocket
by keeping your tires inflated to the recommended pressures.
Parking in the ' Sun wastes gasoline. Park your car in the shade,
if you can, so that the hot sun will not
evaporate gas from your tank.
An . Idling Motor is a useless expense. Turn it off while
you ~re waiting at the ' curb for a friend,
or at a train crossing.
, An I"efficient Carburetor is an efficient gasoline waster. Have
, , yours ch~cked at least twice a year
(for summer and ~ winterdriving) to be sure it is properly adjusted,
that the octane selector is properly set, and that the sediment
bulb 'is dean.
Cheap lubrication is a waste ofm'oiiey. Use oil of good quality
, and of the g rade specified by the manufac-
turer. Have your car well gr~ased every thousand miles.
One Faulty or Dirty Spqrk Plug may waste much of your
," .
" gasohne .
"
--. .
',' An Over-Full Crankcase wastes oil and does not ~ive you better
, , lubrication, despite theories you may
have heard. Keep your oil level within < the limits marked on the
<< oHgau~e rod in the crankcase.
to Obtain Maximum Efficiency and greatest gas mileage, have
;" " . a complete motor tune-up per-
,~ formed every 5,009 miles or at least twice a year.
www.PlandeGraissage.org

, The followi'ng table will i ndica te some of t he things which . sho~;d ' be done atr~u~~ P "::: 7;;~ _
mileage interv als to ass ure your receiving the maximum, not only in performance, but in "' },! ~ 1
economy. ' ~ ~~;;"E ;~
____ ..,.... __ ......, ___ -,- ___ "i- __ --,_=--'+ __ -.,...-_....;.,-----+....;.,-"- ' '''' '.;'.~ ''' 1
Mileage LC~ ~i~s~~e C~ijge Cki~n ~~:~k g~~ ~e ~~~~ t . E~~r;e I~~~~!ie;~~~~ >:"·:', ? J
* t Cleaner Plugs Tires Absorbers Dealer Bea rin gs '· --- : <:: 1
----'-- 1 ---- - - ------ - - _ __ _. __ _ _ __ __ _. ____ . _ ,_' _ ~, .' - ~;-~~? ~
500
•
"----1- - - - - .- - -- -- ---- -- - - '- - -. ___ ' _' _ _ . '_,_ '_.
1000
•
- -- - ---- --- ----- - - ---- -- ---- --------- -- -
2000
• • •
- - - - 1 -- - -- -- . ---- . - . ------------- , --
3000
• • •
---- 'I-- - - ------ --- -- -- - ~ ------ --
4000
• • •
-~--I--------- · ------ ,-. ----~------ -'-- - .. -
5000
• • • •
_- - -1---- ----- - - - - - - - - -- - -- --- - -
6000
• • • • •
7000 •
----1 --- - -- - - -- - --------------- _· _-
8000
• • •
-I:: .! .1.· · -. -.- .. .
- - -. -----------. -- - . ~ ' '=:c--- - - . - --'-- .- - --. ---
11000 • . ....
- - -- 1 --- -- - - - - ------- - -- - --- - - --
12000
• • • • •
- -- -1--- --- -- -- - -- - -- - ----- - - ---
13000 •
14000 • . ' • I
15000 -. - - - , ,- -1-.-1---;--' - .-1-. --- .- -- '
* For complete instructions, see' Chart on pages 56 and 57.
t Felr complete recommendations on changin g ail and the prop er grade of oil to lise
see pages 45 to 52.
The following operations should be done as indicated:-
Check Check Air Change Re ar Change Add Anti- Flush Coo l-
Period Battery
In Tires Axle Lub, Trans . Lub. Freeze
ing'Sy · ste m
Weekly • •
..
, ;
Spring
• • .:'
Fall • • • e
y-?
, .
~~_ ;::v .
. .. / .
:~
www.PlandeGraissage.org

SAFETY BUILT In YOUR CAR
Your Chevrolet has be en designed and built to give you
many thousands of miles of driv ing pleasure and comfort.
The body is of all-steel construction, well , insulated against
heat and sound. The interior appointments have been made to '
assure comfort and saf ety. The adjustable front seat, safety
glass, controlled ventilation, and recessed control knobs on the
instrument panel are examples of this safety in design.
The headlights are controlled by the left foot when changing
from the upper to the lower beam, which leaves the right foot
, and both hands free to control the car. Always use the low beam
when approaching and passing another car .
,
The hydraulic brakes are the safest and most dependable sys-
tem of brakes ev er used, exerting equal brake pressure on all
four wheels.
The hand brake lever, under the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel, is easily reached.
HIGHWAY SAFETY
One of the most important aspects of motoring these days
is
motoring safety. Safety campaigns are constantly being held
in the major cities. Many states now have compulsory inspec-
tion laws. Various commissions have been appointed to study
, the problem and make further recommendations to legislative _
bodies. .'
The primary responsibility for traffic safety lies with the motor
car driver.
The most competent driver always keeps in mind the other
fellow. Always signal the ot , her driver to let him.know when you
are goin~ to stop, make a turn, or pull away from the curb. Proper
signaling will do away with one of the most dangerous traffic
h~zards-the sudden, unexpected move.
" _, The State Highway Departments, Automobile Clubs, and .
car ~anufacturers work together in designating highways through
' '';''' ' ' y~",ious types, of road , markers to make driv ,ing safer.
' :- ~;~
8 • ;' "
www.PlandeGraissage.org

You, th~ driver, should always obey these markers. Extra
care should be used at night-particularly when driving over
strange roads. Be constantly alert and drive courteously.
Downhill When driving down a steep grade, it is advisable
to shift into second gear and sometimes into first
gear. This will allow the motor to act as a brake on the car and
will not only assist materially in keeping the car under control,
but also reduce tht;. wear on brake shoe facings and brake drums.
Uphln When driving up a steep grade, it is advisable to shift
into second gear. This will avoid placing, undue strain
on the motor and clutch and is also more economkal on the
gasoline.
Overtaking and passing a car on a hill or curve is dangerous
as you cannot ,see another car approaching.
Starting on a Hill When it is necessary to start your car on a
hill,
you will find it much easier if, before
starting, you set the hand brake lever to keep the car from rolling
backward. Put the shifting lever in first speed, gradually release
the clutch, press down th~~J;elerator, and when the car starts
to move forward, or the engine starts to labor, slowly release the
hand brake lever.
Curves When approaching a curve, do not cross over the
center of the road to pass a car ahead of you. Before
entering a curve,"slow
down to a safe speed and make the turn
into the curve at the extreme right side.
Slippery Roads When starting on ice or slippery pavement,
it is safer to have the shifting lever in either
second or high gear to reduce the . tendency of the rear wheels to
spin. In starting in deep snow, always use first speed and accelerate
the engine slowly.
Tire Blow-Out
Do not jam on the brakes. Hold the car as
steady as possible until it slows down to a
moderate speed, and then gradually apply the brakes.
.,,---- ,'-- ·9
-~/ ~ '
www.PlandeGraissage.org