ignition CHEVROLET CAMARO 2002 4.G Owner's Guide

2-48
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transmission
Operationº in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
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 OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to OFF, remove the key and release
the clutch.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index.

2-57
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Push in the set button at the end of the lever until
you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, briefly push
the button. Each time you do this, you'll go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
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 control 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 Out of Cruise Control
There are several ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal or push the clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transmission; or

move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

2-58
Exterior Lamps
The control located on the instrument panel to the left of
the steering column operates the exterior lamps.The exterior lamp control has three positions:
(Off): Turning the control to this position
turns off all the lamps except the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL).
(Parking Lamps): Turning the control to
this position turns on the parking lamps, together
with the following:

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights
(Headlamps): Turning the control to this position
turns on your headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
Headlamps on Reminder
If you turn the ignition to OFF and leave the lamps on,
you will hear a chime, lasting up to five seconds. If the
lamps are still on when you open the driver's door, the
chime will sound again.

2-59
Daytime Running Lamps / 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
automatically turns the headlamps on, so be sure it
isn't covered.
The DRL system will not activate if the parking brake is
engaged prior to turning the ignition on.The DRL system will make your front turn signal lamps
come on when the following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the exterior lamp control is off,

the parking brake is released, and

it is bright enough outside.
When the DRL are on, only your front turn signal lamps
will be on. The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps
won't be on. Your instrument panel won't be lit up
either. When you use your turn signals, the front turn
signal and the taillamp on the desired side will flash.
When it's dark enough outside, your front turn signal
lamps will go out and your headlamps will come on.
The other lamps will also come on.
When it's bright enough outside, the regular lamps will
go off, and your front turn signal lamps will come on.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.

2-61
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering column.
Move the thumbwheel up or down to brighten or dim
the lights. If you move the thumbwheel all the way up,
your courtesy lamps will come on.
Courtesy Lamps
When either door is opened, several interior lamps go
on. These lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it easier
for you to enter and leave your vehicle.
Courtesy lamps include two map lamps on the inside
rearview mirror and other lamps throughout the interior
of your vehicle.
To prevent battery rundown, your interior lamps will be
disabled about 10 minutes after the ignition is turned to
OFF. The 10
-minute timer will be restarted if you do
any of the following:

Turn the ignition on.

Open either door.

Press any button on your remote keyless entry
transmitter (option).

Turn the interior lamps from off to on.

Open the hatch.

2-62 Delayed Illumination
With delayed illumination, the courtesy lamps will come
on and stay on for 25 seconds after you enter the vehicle
and close the door. They will also stay on for five
seconds after you exit the vehicle and close the doors.
Delayed illumination will be shortened if the ignition is
turned to RUN or if the power locks are activated. To
turn this feature on or off, see ªFeature Customizationº
in the Index.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition to help you see
while exiting the vehicle. To turn this feature on or off,
see ªFeature Customizationº in the Index.
Front Map Lamps
Your inside rearview mirror includes two map lamps.
Each lamp has its own switch. Use the switch closest to
the lamp to turn it on. The lamps will also come on
when a door is opened.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
An inside rearview mirror is attached to your
windshield. The mirror pivots so that you can adjust it.
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving. Pull
the tab for night driving to reduce glare. Push the tab for
daytime driving.

2-75
Convertible Top (If Equipped)
The following procedures explain the proper operation
of your convertible top.
Lowering Your Convertible Top
NOTICE:
Don't leave your convertible out with the top
down for any long periods of time. The sun and
the rain can damage your seat material and other
things inside your vehicle.
1. It is recommended that you park on a level surface.
Set the parking brake firmly. Shift an automatic
transmission into PARK (P) or a manual
transmission into REVERSE (R).
2. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
3. Lower both sun visors.
NOTICE:
Raising or lowering the top while the vehicle
is in motion can cause damage to the top or
top mechanism.
NOTICE:
Don't lower the top if it is damp or wet. When
the top is down, trapped water can cause stains,
mildew and damage to the inside of your vehicle.
Be sure to dry off the top before you lower it.

2-80 Raising Your Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake
firmly. If you have an automatic transmission, shift
into PARK (P). If you have a manual transmission,
shift into REVERSE (R).
2. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN (or RAP
must be active).
3. Lower both sun visors and lower both windows at
least 3 inches (8 cm). If the boot cover is in place, it
must be removed first.
NOTICE:
Raising or lowering the top while the vehicle is in
motion can cause serious damage to the top or
top mechanism.
4. Push and hold the
up arrow on the top
part of the convertible
TOP switch.
5. Pull down on the latches and align the top so the pins
are aligned with the holes in the windshield header.

2-87
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG or the air bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag's electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the air bag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air
bag system, see ªAir Bagº in the Index.
United States Canada
This light will come on when you start your vehicle, and
it will flash for a few seconds. Then the light should go
out. This means the system is ready.If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.

2-88 Voltmeter
You can read the battery
voltage on your voltmeter.
If it reads less than 11 volts
or more than 16 volts while
your engine is running, and
it stays there, you may have
a problem with the
electrical charging system.
Have it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone could drain your battery.
If you idle your engine for a while, the voltmeter reading
might move into the low voltage zone (indicated by red dots).
If the reading stays in the low voltage zone while you are
driving, you may have a problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked. While the voltmeter reads in the
low voltage zone, your battery may not be able to power
certain electrical accessories, like ABS. (If this happens, the
ABS INOP light will come on. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.)
If you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone, turn off all your accessories,
including your air conditioning and audio system.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn't come on then, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.