ignition CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2002 6.G Owner's Manual

2-34
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This position locks your front wheels. It's
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it
all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal
pushed down and the shift lever button pressed in.
Release the shift lever button. Then move the shift lever
out of PARK (P). See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º
in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see ªIf
You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.

2-37
Parking Brake
The parking brake is
located to the left of the
brake pedal, near the
driver's door.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
with your right foot and push the parking brake pedal with
your left foot. When you lift your left foot, the parking
brake pedal will follow it to the released position.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P).
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on any hill, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index. That section shows
what to do first to keep the trailer from moving.

2-38
Shifting Into PARK (P)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won't move,
even when you're on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you're pulling a trailer,
see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

Press and hold in the shift lever button located on
the left side of the shift lever.

Push the shift lever all the way toward the front
of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

2-40
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxle Operationº
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press the
shift lever button.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal until the end
of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

2-45
Flash-to-Pass Feature
With the turn signal lever in the low-beam position,
pull the lever toward you momentarily to switch to
high
-beam, (to signal you are going to pass).
If the headlamps are on, they will return to low
-beam
when the lever is released. This feature operates even if
the headlamps are off.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wipers will operate when the ignition is
in ACC or ON.WIPER: To operate the windshield wipers, turn the
band labeled WIPER, located on the multifunction lever,
upward or downward.
OFF: To stop the wipers, turn the band to OFF.
The five marks between OFF and LO are delay settings.
For a longer delay between wiping cycles, turn the band
downward. For a shorter delay between wiping cycles
turn the band upward.
LO (Low Speed): Turn the band upward to LO for
steady wiping at a low speed.
Hi (High Speed): Turn the band upward to HI for
steady wiping at high speed.
MIST: Turn the band downward to MIST for a single
wiping cycle. Hold the band at this setting until the
windshield wipers start, then release it. The windshield
wipers will stop after one wipe. If additional cycles are
needed, hold the band on MIST longer.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload. If your blades
become damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.

2-46 Windshield Washer
At the top of the multifunction lever, there's a paddle
with the windshield washer symbol and the word PUSH
on it. To spray washer fluid on the windshield, push the
paddle. The wipers will run for several sweeps and then
either stop or return to your preset speed. The ignition
key must be in ACC or ON for this to work. See
ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index.
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
United States Canada
The LOW WASHER FLUID message in the message
center will appear when the fluid level is low.
When you are low on washer fluid, the LOW WASHER
FLUID message will be illuminated in the message
center for 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, it will go out.
When the ignition is turned off, this message will appear
again for three seconds as a reminder that the fluid level
is low.
Until the fluid tank is refilled, every time you start your
vehicle, the LOW WASHER FLUID message will be
illuminated in the message center for 60 seconds and
then go out. Be sure to check the fluid level and refill
the tank right away.

2-49
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to cancel the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal.

Press CRUISE ON/OFF on the steering wheel.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamp control is located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the steering wheel.
It controls the following systems:

Headlamps

Taillamps

Parking Lamps

License Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

2-50
The exterior lamps control has three positions:
OFF: Pushing the control all the way in turns off the
exterior lamps.
Parking Lamps: Pulling the control out halfway will
turn on the parking lamps together with the following:

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Headlamps: Pulling the control all the way out turns on
the headlamps together with the previously listed lamps
and lights. See ªInterior Lampsº later in this section for
information on the instrument panel brightness control
and on the dome lamps. A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver's door when the ignition switch is
off and the headlamps are on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) /
Automatic Headlamp Control
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
DRL work, so be sure it isn't covered.
The DRL system's automatic headlamp control will
make your high
-beam headlamps come on at a reduced
brightness when the following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the exterior lamps control is off and

the gearshift is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your high
-beam
headlamps, at a reduced level of brightness, will be on.
The headlamps, taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won't be on. Your instrument panel and cluster won't
be lit up either.
When it's dark enough outside, your high
-beam
headlamps will turn off and the headlamps and parking
lamps will turn on. The other lamps that come on with
your headlamps will also come on.
When it's bright enough outside, your headlamps will
go off and your DRL will come on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-51
Delayed Headlamp Illumination
Delayed headlamp illumination provides a period of
exterior lighting as you leave the area. The feature is
activated when the headlamps are on due to the
automatic headlamp control feature described previously
in this section, and when the ignition is turned off. Your
headlamps will then remain on until the exterior lamp
control is moved from OFF to the parking lamp position
or until either a 30 second or 60 second lighting period
has ended.
If you turn off the ignition with the exterior lamp control
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the delayed
headlamp illumination cycle will not occur.
To disable the delayed headlamp illumination feature or
change the time of delay, see ªVehicle Customization
Settingsº in the Index.
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
The fog lamps button is
located on the instrument
panel next to the exterior
lamps control wheel to the
left of the steering column.
Your ignition must be ON for the fog lamps
to illuminate.
To turn the fog lamps on press the FOG button.
A light will glow in the button to let you know that
the fog lamps are on. Press the FOG button again
to turn the fog lamps off.
Your parking lamps must be on or your fog lamps
won't come on.
The fog lamps will go off whenever you change to
high
-beam headlamps. When you return to low beams,
the fog lamps will come on again.

2-52
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This feature controls the instrument panel lights
The control for this feature is located on the exterior
lamps control Your parking lamps must be on for this
feature to work. Turn the control clockwise to brighten
the lights or counterclockwise to dim them.
Courtesy Lamps
When a door is opened, the courtesy lamps
automatically come on. They make it easy for you to
enter and leave your vehicle. You can also manually turn
these lamps on by turning the exterior lamps control
clockwise all the way.
The reading lamps, located on the rearview mirror,
can be turned on or off independent of the automatic
courtesy lamps, when the doors are closed.
Illuminated Entry (If Equipped)
Your courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set
time whenever you press UNLOCK on the remote
keyless entry transmitter (if equipped).
If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it's open
and then turn off automatically about 25 seconds after
you close it. If you press UNLOCK and don't open a
door, the lamps will turn off after about 40 seconds.
Illuminated entry includes a feature called theater
dimming. With theater dimming, the lamps don't just
turn off at the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly
dim after the delay time until they go out. The delay
time is canceled if you turn the ignition key to ON or
press the power door lock switch.
When the ignition is on, illuminated entry is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps won't come on unless a
door is opened. If the ignition is on, the light will come
on only when the driver's door is opened.