CHEVROLET C/K 2003 Owners Manual

2-56
Rear Axle Differential Lock Control
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has a
controlled traction or
locking differential axle,
the switch is located in the
center of the instrument
panel. You'll see this
control on single rear
axle vehicles.If you're approaching a slippery surface where it looks
like one or even both wheels may start to slip, you can
press the bottom of this switch. It locks your rear
differential so that power is transmitted equally to both
rear wheels.
Let up on the accelerator before you turn on your rear
axle differential lock.
NOTICE:
Activating the rear-axle differential lock when
the rear wheels are actually spinning freely, as
they might on ice or snow, can cause you to lose
control of the vehicle. It can also damage the axle.
Turn on this control only when the wheels are not
spinning freely.

2-57
Trailer Brake Hand Control Valve
(Option)
If your vehicle has this feature, it is located near the
center console on the floor.
This feature lets you apply the trailer brakes without
applying the tractor brakes. You can apply the trailer
brakes a little, or apply them all the way, if needed.
Press the trailer brake hand control valve downward to
apply the trailer brakes. Pull the hand control valve
upward to release the trailer brakes.
Use this control only when you're driving. Don't use it
for parking or to hold the rig on a hill.
CAUTION:
Using the trailer brake hand control for parking or
for holding the vehicle on a hill may not keep the
vehicle from rolling. This can happen if someone
hits the valve by accident, or if air pressure bleeds
from the system. If the vehicle rolls, you or others
could be injured. To park the vehicle or hold it on
a hill, use the parking brake properly.
Exterior Lamps
The control located to the left of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.

2-58
The exterior lamp control has four positions:
OFF: Turning the control to this position turns off all
lamps except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
(Parking Lamps): Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps, together with the
following:

Marker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
You can switch your headlamps from low to high
beam by pulling the turn signal/multifunction lever
toward you. Pull the lever toward you again to return
to low beam.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have
an electrical overload, your headlamps will flicker on
and off. Have your headlamp wiring checked right away
if this ever happens.
Headlamps On Reminder (If Equipped)
If you have this system, a tone will sound when your
headlamps and/or parking lamps are turned on and your
ignition is in LOCK or ACCESSORY.
Daytime Running Lamps
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.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come
on at reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:

The ignition is on,

the exterior lamp control is off, and

the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.

2-59
When it begins to get dark,
your DRL indicator light is
a reminder to turn the
headlamps on. The other
lamps that come on with
your headlamps, will also
come on.
When you turn the headlamps off, the regular lamps will
go off, and your low
-beam headlamps will change to the
reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. The DRL will stay off until you release the
parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Marker Lamp Defeat Switch
If your vehicle has this feature, you can manually blink
the marker and clearance lamps.
The marker lamp
defeat switch is located
in the instrument panel
switchbank.
Press and hold the bottom of the switch to turn off
the marker and clearance lamps. When you release
the switch, the marker and clearance lamps will come
back on.

2-60
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located to the right of
the exterior lamp control.
Turn the thumbwheel up to brighten the lights. When the
thumbwheel is moved to the first position, the radio
display and transmission selection display will go to full
intensity. The instrument panel cluster will also be dimly
lit. Moving the thumbwheel up to the next position will
activate the interior dome lamps.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open a door.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by moving the
thumbwheel, located to the right of the exterior lamp
control, all the way up to the second position. In this
position, the dome lamps will remain on whether a door
is open or closed.
You can use the dome override button to set the dome
lamps to automatically come on when a door is open, or
to remain off.
The dome override button is located below the exterior
lamp control.
If the dome override button is pushed in, the dome
lamps will not come on. Use this feature when you want
to leave your door(s) open for an extended period of
time and do not want to run the battery down.
If the dome override button is in the out position, the
interior lamps will work as usual.

2-61 Illuminated Entry
The delayed illumination feature will allow you to enter
or exit your vehicle with the lights on for about 20
seconds, after the door is closed or the ignition is cycled.
Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has reading lamps, press the button next
to the lamp to turn the lamp on or off.
Mirrors
Inside Rearview Mirror (If Equipped)
Pull the tab under the mirror toward you to reduce glare
from headlamps behind you after dark. Push the tab
away from you to restore the mirror to the daytime
position.
Outside Rearview Mirrors
Adjust the outside rearview mirrors so you can see a
little of the side of your vehicle, and the area beside
your vehicle from a comfortable driving position. Some
mirrors can be folded in to enter narrow passageways.

2-62
Power Outside Rearview Mirrors (If Equipped)
If you have power outside rearview mirrors, they can be
adjusted from inside the vehicle.
The control for this
feature is located on
the driver's door.
Select the mirror you want to move by turning the
switch clockwise to adjust the passenger's side mirror,
or counterclockwise to adjust the driver's side mirror.
The center position is neutral.
Then, adjust the mirror by pressing the outer arrows on
the switch until the mirror is in the desired position.Heated Outside Rearview Mirrors (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has this feature, your outside rearview
mirrors can be defrosted.The switch is for this
feature is located in the
instrument panel
switchbank.
Press the bottom of the switch to turn the heated outside
rearview mirrors on. The switch indicator light will be
come on and stay on whenever the heated outside
rearview mirrors are activated.
Your rear window defogger will also come on each
time this feature is activated. If your vehicle has a rear
window defogger, See ªRear Window Defoggerº in
the index.

2-63 Convex Outside Mirrors
Your vehicle has convex mirrors on the lower quarter of
both the driver's and passenger's side rearview mirrors.
A convex mirror's surface is curved so you can see more
from the driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right or left lane,
you could hit a vehicle. Check your regular
outside mirrors (or your inside mirror, if you
have one) before changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Your vehicle includes a number of storage
compartments for storage of often
-used items.
Some vehicles have storage areas in the instrument
panel. Use these spaces for items such as gloves or
small books. Another small storage area may be
located overhead. This area can be used to store
your sunglasses.
Some vehicles have a storage area behind the rear seat.
Other models may have more storage areas underneath
the front passenger's bench seat.
All models have storage pockets and cupholders on each
of the doors. Some models may have additional
cupholders in the center floor console.
All models also have storage compartments located
beneath the floorboard on both sides of the vehicle.

2-64 Center Console Storage (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a center console compartment
between the bucket or suspension seats.
The back of your center bench seat may also fold
forward to reveal a console compartment.
The release strap for the
center console is located
between the center seat
and passenger's seat.To expose the center console storage compartment,
pull the strap to release the seatback. Then fold the
seatback forward.
To open the center console storage compartment,
Press the release button and lift the lid rearward.
With the lid closed, it can be used as a clipboard to
hold papers in place.
Before returning the seatback to the upright position,
make sure the console is snapped shut. Lift the seatback
all the way up until it clicks. Push and pull on the
seatback to make sure the seat is locked in place.

2-65
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle has an ashtray and a cigarette lighter
located in the center floor console. To open the
removeable ashtray, flip open the top.
NOTICE:
If you store paper or other things that burn in your
ashtrays, they could be set on fire by cigarettes or
other smoking materials. That could cause a fire
and possibly damage your vehicle. Do not store
papers and other things that burn in your ashtrays.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way and let
it go. When it's ready, it will pop back out by itself.
NOTICE:
Holding a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it's heating can make it overload, damaging
the lighter and the heating element. Just push the
lighter all the way in and let it go. When it's
done, it will pop back out by itself.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them out to block glare from the side.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets, you can plug in
auxiliary electrical equipment such as a cellular
telephone or CB radio.
The accessory power outlets are located on the
passenger's side of the instrument panel.
To use an outlet, pull the cover down. When not using it,
always cover the outlet with the protective cap.
These circuits are protected by a fuse and have
maximum current levels.
NOTICE:
When using the accessory power outlets,
maximum load of any electrical equipment
should not exceed 14 amps. Be sure to turn off
any electrical equipment when not in use.
Leaving electrical equipment on for extended
periods can drain the battery.