ABS CHEVROLET AVEO 2005 1.G Owners Manual

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-11
Passing.......................................................4-11
Loss of Control.............................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-14
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-15
City Driving..................................................4-18Freeway Driving...........................................4-19
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-20
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-21
Winter Driving..............................................4-23
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-27
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-28
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-28
Towing..........................................................4-34
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-34
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-34
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-35
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear
out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking
and longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes. ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on the instrument panel will
come on briefly when
you start your vehicle.
4-6

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help you steer around
the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
4-7

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock brakes, you can steer and brake at
the same time. However, if you do not have anti-lock
brakes, your first reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard
and hold it down — may be the wrong thing to do.Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle
cannot respond to your steering. Momentum will
carry it in whatever direction it was headed when the
wheels stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into
the very thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have anti-lock brakes, use a “squeeze”
braking technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing
pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze
the brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear
or feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If you do have
anti-lock brakes, it is different. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) on page 4-6.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
4-8

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip
and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration
skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety,
you will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored surface — and
slow down when you have any doubt.
If you have the anti-lock braking system (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you
do not have ABS, then in a braking skid, where the
wheels are no longer rolling, release enough pressure
on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This
restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down
steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the
wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.
4-13

Accelerate gently. Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and
polish the surface under the tires even more.
Unless you have the anti-lock braking system (ABS),
you will want to brake very gently, too. If you do
have ABS, seeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on
page 4-6. This system improves your vehicle’s stability
when you make a hard stop on a slippery road.
Whether you have ABS or not, you will want to begin
stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement.
Without ABS, if you feel your vehicle begin to slide, let
up on the brakes a little. Push the brake pedal down
steadily to get the most traction you can.
Remember, unless you have ABS, if you brake so hard
that your wheels stop rolling, you will just slide. Brake
so your wheels always keep rolling and you can
still steer.
•Whatever your braking system, allow greater
following distance on any slippery road.
•Watch for slippery spots. The road might be
fine until you hit a spot that is covered with ice.
On an otherwise clear road, ice patches
may appear in shaded areas where the sun
cannot reach, such as around clumps of
trees, behind buildings, or under bridges.Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass
may remain icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of you,
brake before you are on it. Try not to brake
while you are actually on the ice, and avoid sudden
steering maneuvers.
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in
a serious situation. You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near
help and you can hike through the snow. Here are some
things to do to summon help and keep yourself and
your passengers safe:
•Turn on your hazard flashers.
•Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that
you have been stopped by the snow.
•Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you do not have blankets or extra clothing, make
body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags,
rags, floor mats — anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
4-25

Do not clean your vehicle using the following cleaners
or techniques:
•Never use a knife or any other sharp object to
remove a soil from any interior surface.
•Never use a stiff brush. It can cause damage to
your vehicle’s interior surfaces.
•Never apply heavy pressure or rub aggressively
with a cleaning cloth. Use of heavy pressure
can damage your interior and does not improve the
effectiveness of soil removal.
•Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps. Avoid laundry
detergents or dishwashing soaps with degreasers.
Using too much soap will leave a residue that
leaves streaks and attracts dirt. For liquid cleaners,
about 20 drops per gallon (3.78 L) of water is a
good guide.
•Do not heavily saturate your upholstery while
cleaning.
•Damage to your vehicle’s interior may result from
the use of many organic solvents such as naptha,
alcohol, etc.
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
frequently to remove dust and loose dirt. A canister
vacuum with a beater bar in the nozzle may only be used
on floor carpet and carpeted floor mats. For soils, always
try to remove them first with plain water or club soda.
Before cleaning, gently remove as much of the soil as
possible using one of the following techniques:
•For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a paper
towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the paper towel
until no more can be removed.
•For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible and
then vacuum.
To clean, use the following instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with water or
club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub
toward the center. Continue cleaning, using a clean
area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the
cleaning cloth remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild
soap solution and repeat the cleaning process
that was used with plain water.
5-70

Fuses Usage
LTR Cigar Lighter
HORN,
REAR/FOGHorn, Rear Fog Lamps
RADIO, CLK Audio, Clock
STOP Stop Lamp
TRN/SIG Turn Signal
CLSTR,
HAZRDInstrument Panel Cluster,
Hazard Flasher
CLSTR, CLK Instrument Panel Cluster, Clock
DR/LCK Door Lock, Remote Keyless Entry
BCK/UP Back-Up Lamp
ECM, TCMEngine Control Module,
Transmission Control Module
ECM, TCMEngine Control Module,
Transmission Control Module
WPR, WSWA Wiper, Washer
DIS,
INJECTORDirect Ignition System, Injector
ENG FUSE Engine Fuse
AIRBAG Airbag
HVAC HVAC Blower
ABS Anti-lock Brake System
BLANK Not Used
BLANK Not Used
DIODE (ABS) Anti-lock Brake System DiodeFuses Usage
BLANK Not Used
BLANK Not Used
CLK, RADIO Clock, Audio
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block is located on
the driver’s side of the vehicle, near the battery.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location. To access the fuses, pull
out the top and bottom flaps to release the cover. To
reinstall the cover, push the cover until it is secure.
5-79

Fuses Usage
LOW BEAM RT Passenger’s Side Headlamp Low
ILLUM RTParking Lamp Right Side,
Illumination Circuit
LOW BEAM LT Driver’s Side Headlamp Low
ILLUM LTParking Lamp Left Side,
License Plate Lamp
INT LTS Room Lamp
BLANK Not Used
DEFOG Defogger
S/ROOF Sunroof
ILLUM LAMPS Illumination Relay
HORN Horn
HEAD LAMPS Headlamps
FUEL Fuel Pump
A/C Air Conditioning Compressor
FOG LAMPS Front Fog Lamp
HVAC
BLOWERHeating, Ventilation,
Air Conditioning Blower
ABS Anti-lock Brake System
I/P FUSE
BATT.Instrument Panel Fuse Box
COOL FAN Radiator Fan
IGN 2 Ignition 2Fuses Usage
BLANK Blank
IGN 1 Ignition 1
PWR WNDW Power Windows
SPARE Spare
Relays Usage
BLANK Not Used
COOL FAN
LOWCooling Fan Low
HEAD LAMPS
HIHeadlamp High
HEAD LAMPS
LOWHeadlamp Low
PWR WNDW Power Window
FRT FOG Fog Lamp
COOL FN
CNTRLCooling Fan Control
FUEL PUMP Fuel Pump
A/C COMPRSR Air Conditioning Compressor
COOL FAN HI Cooling Fan High
ILLUM LAMPS Illumination Lamps
BLANK Not Used
5-81

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-12
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-76
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-17
Air Conditioning..............................................3-14
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-46
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-51
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-52
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................1-50
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?....1-51
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................1-50
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-48
AM-FM Radio.................................................3-33
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-45
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-68
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-73
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-71
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-75
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-72Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-69
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-70
Finish Care.................................................5-72
Finish Damage............................................5-74
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-71
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-74
Tires..........................................................5-74
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-74
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-75
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-72
Weatherstrips..............................................5-71
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-73
Ashtrays........................................................3-13
Audio System(s).............................................3-33
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-33
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-45
Care of Your CDs........................................3-45
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-45
Radio with CD....................................3-35, 3-39
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-45
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-18
Operation...................................................2-21
1