brake CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2000 3.G Owner's Manual

2-41 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.
The DRL system will make your high and low
-beam
headlamps come on at a reduced brightness in
daylight when:

The ignition is on with the engine running,

the headlamp switch is OFF,

the parking brake is released, and

the transaxle is not in PARK (P) on models with an
automatic transaxle only.
This indicator light on
your instrument panel
cluster will come on
when the DRL are on.A flashing DRL telltale indicates a possible burned out
headlamp, or that the vehicle may need service to repair
a stuck DRL relay.
When the DRL are on, your high and low
-beam
headlamps will be on at a reduced brightness. The
taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When you turn on the headlamp switch, your high and
low
-beam headlamps will go out, and your low-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that come
on with your headlamps will also come on.
When you turn off the headlamp switch, the regular
lamps will go off, and your high and low
-beam
headlamps will come on to the reduced brightness.
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.

2-48
Convertible Top (If Equipped)
The following steps explain the proper operation of your
convertible top.
NOTICE:

Remove any items from the convertible top
storage area before you lower the top. Even
small items in the storage area can damage
the top or other parts of the system.

Don't raise or lower the convertible top
when the temperature is below 20F (
-7C).
The cold can cause cracks and other damage
to the top as it is being lowered or raised.

Don't raise or lower the convertible top
while the vehicle is moving. The wind could
damage the top. Bring the vehicle to a
complete stop before attempting to raise or
lower the top. Always make sure that the top
is securely latched before driving the vehicle.
Lowering Your Convertible Top
1. Set the parking brake and shift your automatic
transaxle to PARK (P) or your manual transaxle to
NEUTRAL (N).
2. Turn the ignition to RUN.
3. Lower the side door windows completely to avoid
wear to the weatherstrips.
4. Push the button in the latch handle and turn the
handle down to unhook the latch pins from the holes
over the windshield.

2-52
6. Go to the rear of the vehicle. Place the boot center
cover along the trunk lid opening. Align one snap
on the corner of the boot to the ball stud and push
forward. Repeat for other snap.
7. Close the trunk lid.
8. Raise the rear seatback to the up position. Push the
seat back to make sure it is latched.
Removing the Three Piece Boot
1. Set the parking brake and shift your automatic
transaxle to PARK (P) or your manual transaxle to
NEUTRAL (N).
2. Open the trunk and leave it open.
3. From inside the vehicle, fold down the rear seatback.
See ªFold
-Down Rear Seatº in the Index.

2-56 Removing the One Piece Boot
1. Set the parking brake and shift your automatic
transaxle to PARK (P) or your manual transaxle to
NEUTRAL (N).
2. Open the trunk and leave it open.
3. From inside the vehicle, fold down the rear seatback.
See ªFold
-Down Rear Seatº in the Index.
4. Gently pull the boot flap away from the rear
seat striker.
The one piece boot is detached the same as the
three piece boot at the quarter trim panel and the
trunk lid opening.
5. Store boot in the trunk.
6. Close the trunk.
7. Raise the rear seatback to the up position. Push the
seat back to make sure it is latched. Ensure that the
rear safety belts do not become trapped behind the
rear seats.
Raising the Convertible Top
1. Set the parking brake and shift your automatic
transaxle to PARK (P) or your manual transaxle to
NEUTRAL (N).
2. Turn the ignition to RUN.
3. Lower the door windows completely to avoid wear
to the weatherstrips.
4. Push the button in the latch handle and rotate the
handle down.

2-58
1. Set the parking brake and shift your automatic
transaxle to PARK (P) or your manual transaxle to
NEUTRAL (N). Turn the engine off.
2. Push the button in the latch handle and rotate the
handle down.
3. Open the trunk.
Convertible Bypass Switch4. Press the bypass switch down to the EMERGENCY
OVERRIDE position. The switch is located under
the shelf panel on the driver's side in the trunk.
5. Remove the top boot as described in Steps 1 through 9
in ªRemoving the Bootº earlier in this section.
6. Lower the door windows completely. If the power
windows do not work, leave the doors open.
7. Position one person on each side of the vehicle.
Carefully lift the top by grasping the front corners
of the top, not the linkage.
NOTICE:
Do not attempt to force the top up if it does
not move freely. The top or its linkage can be
damaged. Make sure both sides are being lifted
together to avoid twisting. See your dealer if you
still can't move the top easily.

2-61
The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Instrument Panel Intensity Control
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
C. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
D. Ignition Switch
E. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls
F. Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power Outlet
G. Audio SystemH. Climate Controls and Rear Window Defogger
I. Shift Lever
J. Parking Brake Lever
K. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever (If Equipped)
L. Hood Release Lever
M. Fuse Panel

2-67 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.If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See ªTowing Your Vehicleº
in the Index.)
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.

2-68 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come on when you start
your engine and it will
stay on for three seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if
the light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is
also on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light
(If Equipped)
United States Canada
With the Enhanced Traction System (ETS), this warning
light should come on briefly as you start the engine.
If the warning light doesn't come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.
If the warning light stays on, or comes on when you're
driving, there may be a problem with your Enhanced
Traction System and your vehicle may need service.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.

2-69
The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by moving the shift lever
to FIRST (1) or SECOND (2), the warning light will
come on and stay on. To turn the system back on,
move the shift lever back to a position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2). The warning light
should go off. (See ªEnhanced Traction Systemº
in the Index for more information.)

The warning light will come on when you set your
parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully.
If the transaxle shift lever is in any position other
than FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and the warning
light stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means there's a problem with the system.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off
and the warning light will come on.
If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of time when the
transaxle shift lever is in any position other than FIRST
(1) or SECOND (2) your vehicle needs service.
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
United States Canada
When your Enhanced Traction System is limiting wheel
spin, this light will come on. Slippery road conditions
may exist if the Enhanced Traction System active light
comes on, so adjust your driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it
will be there to tell you when the system is active.

4-2
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up. (See ªSafety Beltsº in the Index.)Defensive driving really means ªbe ready for anything.º
On city streets, rural roads or freeways, it means
ªalways expect the unexpected.º
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear
-end collisions are about the most preventable
of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough
following distance. It's the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle in front of you is going to
brake or turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate on
the driving task. Anything that distracts from the
driving task
-- such as concentrating on a cellular
telephone call, reading, or reaching for something on
the floor
-- makes proper defensive driving more
difficult and can even cause a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do things like this, or
pull off the road in a safe place to do them yourself.
These simple defensive driving techniques could save
your life.