trailer CHEVROLET EPICA 2004 1.G Owners Manual

When trying to start the vehicle, if the engine does
not start and the security light continues flashing, the
key may have a damaged transponder. Turn the ignition
off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to
be undamaged, try another key. At this time, you may
also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-79. If the engine still does not start
with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the first key may be faulty. See your
dealer who can service the theft-deterrent system to
have a new key made.
Up to four keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
If you lose or damage your keys, only a GM dealer
can service the theft-deterrent system to have new
keys made.
If you are ever driving and the security light comes on
and stays on, you will be able to restart your engine
if you turn it off. The theft-deterrent system, however,
is not working properly and must be serviced by
your dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by the
theft-deterrent system at this time.
In an emergency, contact Chevrolet Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 7-6.Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one speed — fast or
slow — for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-35for
more information.
2-18

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-29.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the climate control fan is at the highest
setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-24.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not 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 will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-27.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-35.
2-30

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-8
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-14
Driving at Night............................................4-15
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-16
City Driving..................................................4-19Freeway Driving...........................................4-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-21
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-22
Winter Driving..............................................4-24
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-28
Towing..........................................................4-29
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-29
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-29
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-31
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-35
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear.
By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward and
reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion that
may free your vehicle. If that does not get you out after a
few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do need
to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another vehicle
for recreational purposes (such as behind a motorhome),
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing” following.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle
behind another vehicle, such as behind a motorhome.
The two most common types of recreational vehicle
towing are known as “dinghy towing” (towing your vehicle
with all four wheels on the ground) and “dolly towing”
(towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
•What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
•How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
•Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
•Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you
will want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to
be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip
on page 4-21.
4-29

{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn,
or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as you
can. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down unless
you need to.
Towing a Trailer
Do not use your vehicle to tow a trailer. The vehicle is
not designed or intended for such a use. Towing a trailer
can adversely affect handling, durability and fuel
economy.
4-35

Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your
engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:
•Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is
particularly important when outside temperatures
are below freezing.
•Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
•You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
•The vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
taxi or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months — whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months — whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine
under highway conditions will cause engine oil to
break down slower.
5-16

Long Trip/Highway Denition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of
the conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break
down slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection. Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Replacement. Drive Belts Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement. Fuel Filter Replacement. Spark Plug
Replacement. Cooling System Service. EVAP System
Service. PCV System Service. Brake Fluid Change
(or 24 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle.
SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-18
andPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-22.
Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-23.
6-6

T
Tachometer....................................................3-32
Taillamps
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps......5-46
TCS Active Light.............................................3-38
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-37
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-58
Theft-Deterrent System....................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-15
Immobilizer.................................................2-17
Immobilizer Operation...................................2-17
Throttle System Inspection...............................6-23
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-7
Tire Inflation Check.........................................6-18
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-48
Tire Size.......................................................5-50
Tire Terminology and Definitions........................5-50
Tires.............................................................5-48
Buying New Tires........................................5-56
Chains.......................................................5-60
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-62
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-61
Inflation - Tire Pressure................................5-53
Inspection and Rotation................................5-54
Spare Tire..................................................5-68
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-57
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-58Tires (cont.)
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-59
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-55
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Top Strap......................................................1-37
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-39
Torque Lock...................................................2-28
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-29
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-29
Traction
Control System Active Light..........................3-38
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light.......................3-37
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-12
Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Odometer................................................3-32
Trunk............................................................2-11
Trunk Ajar Light..............................................3-47
Trunk Lamp...................................................3-16
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer.............................3-55
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
14