wheel CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2000 3.G User Guide

2-15
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition, you can turn the
switch to five positions.
ACCESSORY (A): In this position, you can operate
your electrical power accessories. Press in the ignition
switch as you turn it toward you.LOCK (B): This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition,
shift lever and transaxle.
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed, but never try to
push
-start your vehicle. A warning chime will sound
if you open the driver's door when the ignition is off
and the key is in the ignition.
RUN (D): This is the position the switch returns to,
after you start your engine and release the switch.
The switch stays in RUN when the engine is running.
But even when the engine is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical power accessories, and
to display some instrument panel warning lights.
START (E): This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to RUN for normal driving.
Even if the engine is not running, the positions
ACCESSORY and RUN allow you to operate
electrical accessories, such as the radio.

2-16
CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to OFF. Don't press the key release button while
the vehicle is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle)
The ignition key cannot
be removed from the
ignition unless the key
release button is used.
To remove the key, turn the key to OFF. While pressing
the key release button in, turn the key to LOCK. Pull the
key straight out.
Retained Accessory Power
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio to
continue to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to OFF.
Your radio will work when the ignition key is in RUN or
ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from RUN to OFF,
the radio will continue to work for up to 10 minutes or
until the driver's door is opened.

2-21
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your vehicle may be equipped with a three-speed
automatic transaxle or a four
-speed automatic
transaxle. The shift lever is located on the console
between the seats.
There are six different positions for the shift lever on
the three
-speed automatic and seven positions for the
four
-speed automatic transaxles. While PARK (P),
REVERSE (R) and NEUTRAL (N) operate identically
for both transaxles, the forward gear positions represent
different gearing and operation. See ªForward Gears
(3
-Speed)º or ªForward-Gears (4-Speed)º later in
this section.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.

2-22
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has a automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. 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 also release the shift lever button on floor shift
console models as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
(Press the shift lever button before moving the shift
lever.) 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
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn't connect with the wheels. To restart when
you're already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also,
use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Note that a 3
-speed transaxle cannot be towed with all
four wheels on the ground.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed)
is dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people
or objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

2-23 Forward Gears (3-Speed)
DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles
(40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h), or
you can damage your transaxle. Use DRIVE (D)
as much as possible. Don't shift into SECOND (2)
unless you are going slower than 65 mph
(105 km/h), or you can damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the selector lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle
won't shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against a
solid object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don't hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.
Forward Gears (4-Speed)
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for
normal driving with the four
-speed automatic transaxle.
If you need more power for passing, and you're:

Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator all the way down.

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THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than 25 miles
(40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h), or you
can damage your transaxle. Use AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) or THIRD (3) as much as
possible. Don't shift into SECOND (2) unless you
are going slower than 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the selector lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle
won't shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your front wheels can't rotate, don't try to drive.
This might happen if you were stuck in very deep
sand or mud or were up against a solid object.
You could damage your transaxle. Also, if you
stop when going uphill, don't hold your vehicle
there with only the accelerator pedal. This could
overheat and damage the transaxle. Use your
brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold your vehicle
in position on a hill.

2-33
To lower the window, press and hold the rear of the
switch. To raise the window, press and hold the
switch forward.
Auto Down Window
The driver's window switch has an auto
-down feature.
The driver's window can be opened to the desired
amount by pushing the rear of the switch to the first
detent. For the auto
-down feature, push the rear of
the switch all the way down. The window will continue
going down until fully opened.
To stop the window while it is lowering, briefly press
the switch forward, then release.
Lockout Switch
Four
-door models also have a lockout switch. Press
the lockout switch to disable the rear passenger's power
window switches. This will prevent rear passengers
from opening and closing the windows. The driver
can still control all windows with the switch in the
lock position.
Press the lockout switch again to enable the passenger's
window switches.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the center of your
steering wheel near the horn symbols.
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive. You can also raise it to the
highest level to give your legs more room when you
exit and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel in place.

2-37 Cruise Control (If Equipped)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, or the clutch pedal if you
have a manual transaxle, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where
you can't drive safely at a steady speed.
So, don't use your cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
enhanced traction system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
(See ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in the Index.)
When road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may turn the cruise control back on.

2-42 Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
Use your fog lamps for
better vision in foggy or
misty conditions. The
switch for your fog lamps
is next to the instrument
panel intensity control.
Push the top of the switch to turn the fog lamps on.
Push the top of the switch again to turn the fog
lamps off.
When using fog lamps, the parking lamps or low
-beam
headlamps must be on.
A light on the switch will come on when the fog lamps
are actually on. Fog lamps will go off whenever the
high
-beam headlamps come on. When the high beams
go off, the fog lamps will come on again.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
You can brighten or dim
the instrument panel lights
by turning the thumbwheel
up or down.
Turn the thumbwheel up all the way to turn on the
interior courtesy lamps.
Illuminated Entry
When you open either front door or open a rear door, the
lamps inside your vehicle will go on. In addition, if your
vehicle is equipped with remote keyless entry, the light
will come on when the remote keyless entry UNLOCK
button is pressed.

2-47
To clean the rear ashtray, open it, push down on the
snuffer, and pull it out.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or other smoking
materials could set them on fire, causing damage.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also swing them to the side.
Accessory Power Outlet (If Equipped)
The accessory power outlet is located on the instrument
panel to the right of the steering wheel. Just remove the
plug from the outlet and follow the proper installation
instructions that are included with any electrical
equipment you install.
These circuits are protected by a fuse and have
maximum current levels.
Sunroof (If Equipped)
Press and release the
rear of the switch and the
glass panel will open to
the vent position.
Open the sunshade by hand when using the
vent position.
Press and release the rear of the switch again to open
the glass panel and the sunshade. Press the front of the
switch to stop the panel in any position.
Press and hold the front of the switch to close the glass
panel. The sunshade can only be closed by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be opened or closed if
your vehicle has an electrical failure.