CHEVROLET SSR 2003 1.G Owners Manual

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes will not work well. That could lead
to an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-14.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality GM brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking system — for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in — be sure you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change — for the
worse. The braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
5-35

Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When it is
time for a new battery, get one that has the replacement
number shown on the original battery’s label. We
recommend an ACDelco
®replacement battery. The
battery is located under the rear of the vehicle.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
are not careful. SeeJump Starting on page 5-36
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want use another
vehicle and some jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to follow the steps below to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.
5-36

Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put your transmission
in PARK (P) before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or in the accessory power outlets. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that aren’t needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it
could save your radio.
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and
negative (−) terminal locations on the other vehicle.
Your vehicle has a remote positive (+) jump starting
terminal and a remote negative (−) jump starting
terminal. You should always use these remote
terminals instead of the terminals on the battery.
The remote positive (+)
terminal is located in the
engine compartment
on the passenger’s side
of the vehicle.
Press inward on the tabs located on the outboard
sides of the remote positive (+) terminal cover
and pull outward to access the terminal.
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The remote negative (−) terminal is located near
the power steering uid reservoir. It is marked
“GND (−).” SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for more information on location.
You will not see the battery of your vehicle under
the hood. It is located on the rear underside of
the vehicle. You will not need to access the battery
for jump starting. The remote positive (+) terminal
is for that purpose.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you do not, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
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{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure
you badly. Keep your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they do, you could get a
shock. The vehicles could also be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one. Negative (−) will go to a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part or to a remote
negative (−) terminal if the vehicle has one.
Don’t connect positive (+) to the negative (−)or
you will get a short that would damage the battery
and maybe other parts, too. And don’t connect
the negative (−) cable to negative (−) terminal on
the dead battery because this can cause sparks.6. Connect the red
positive (+) cable to
the remote positive (+)
terminal location on
the vehicle with
the dead battery. Use
a remote positive (+)
terminal if the vehicle
has one.
7. Don’t let the other
end touch metal.
Connect it to the
positive (+) terminal
location of the vehicle
with the good
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
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8. Now connect the
negative (−) cable
to the negative (−)
terminal location of
the vehicle with
the good battery. Use
a remote negative (−)
terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Don’t let the other end of the cable touch
anything until the next step. The other end of the
negative (−) cable does not go to the dead battery.
It goes to a heavy, unpainted metal engine part
or to a remote negative (−) terminal on the vehicle
with the dead battery.9. Connect the other end
of the negative (−)
cable to the remote
negative (−) terminal,
marked GND (−),
on the vehicle with the
dead battery.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and
run the engine for a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
5-40

Notice:If the jumper cables are connected or
removed in the wrong order, electrical shorting may
occur and damage the vehicle. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always connect
and remove the jumper cables in the correct
order, making sure that the cables do not touch
each other or other metal.
A. Dead Battery or Remote Positive (+) Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) and Remote
Negative (−) Terminals
C. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote
Negative (−) Terminal (GND)To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles,
do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (−) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the other
vehicle.
5. Return the remote positive (+) terminal cover to its
original position.
Jumper Cable Removal
5-41

Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
It is not necessary to regularly check the rear axle
uid unless there is a leak in the system or you hear
an unusual noise. A uid loss in the system indicates
that you have a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.The proper level is from 0 to 3/8 inch (0 to 10 mm)
below the bottom of the ller plug hole.
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ller plug hole.
What to Use
SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-15for the type of uid to use.
Headlamp Aiming
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. If you believe your headlamps
need to be re-aimed, we recommend that you take
your vehicle to the dealer for service. However, it
is possible for you to re-aim your headlamps by following
the procedure in the service manual for your vehicle.
5-42

Bulb Replacement
For the proper types of bulbs to use, seeReplacement
Bulbs on page 5-48.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer’s service department.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or others could be injured. Be sure to
read and follow the instructions on the bulb
package.
Headlamps
To replace the headlamp bulbs, do the following:
1. Turn the front wheels as far as they will go in the
opposite direction of the bulb that is being changed.
2. Reach underneath the vehicle and locate the
headlamp door. Remove the fastener retaining
the door.
3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove
it from the headlamp assembly.
There are separate sockets for the high and
low-beam headlamps.
4. Pull the bulb socket out of the headlamp assembly.
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5. Disconnect the bulb socket from the wiring harness
and replace the unit.
6. Reinstall the bulb socket back into the headlamp
assembly by turning it clockwise.
7. Reinstall the headlamp cover and tighten the
fastener.
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps
Front Turn and Parking Lamps
To replace the front turn or parking lamp bulbs, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Locate the bar that runs across the front of the
vehicle and remove the two screws located near
the front of the hood that hold the bar in place.
3. Release the tabs that attach the bar to the
headlamps.
5-44