ignition CHEVROLET METRO 1999 2.G Owners Manual

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1-27 Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don't want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have information about
servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To
purchase a service manual, see ªService and Owner
Publicationsº in the Index.CAUTION:
For up to 15 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

2-
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2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Keys
2
-4 Door Locks
2
-7 Hatchback/Trunk Lid
2
-8 Theft
2
-9 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-10 Ignition Positions
2
-11 Starting Your Engine
2
-13 Automatic Transaxle Operation
2
-16 Manual Transaxle Operation
2
-18 Parking Brake
2
-19 Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
-21 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
2
-21 Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle
Models Only)
2
-22 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-22 Engine Exhaust
2
-23 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
(Automatic Transaxle)
2
-23 Windows
2
-24 Horn
2
-24 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-27 Exterior Lamps
2
-28 Interior Lamps
2
-28 Mirrors
2
-29 Storage Compartments
2
-31 Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
2
-31 Sun Visors
2
-32 The Instrument Panel -- Your
Information System
2
-34 Instrument Panel Cluster
2
-37 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

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2-2
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate controls or even make the
vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.

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2-3
One key is used for the
ignition, the doors and all
other locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer removes
the metal plate from the key ring and gives it to the
first owner.
The metal plate has a code on it that tells your dealer or
a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
code in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be able
to have new ones made easily using this code.If you need a new key, contact your Chevrolet dealer
who can obtain the correct key code. In an emergency,
call the Chevrolet Roadside Assistance Program at
1
-800-CHEV-USA
(1-800-243-8872). In Canada
call 1
-800-268-6800.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of features that can
help prevent theft. However, you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in. So be sure you have an
extra key.

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2-9 Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a tone reminding you to remove your key from
the ignition and take it with you. Always do this. Your
steering wheel will be locked, and so will your ignition. If
you take the key with you, and you have an automatic
transaxle, it will be locked. And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your key?

If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your trunk or
glove box. Be sure to close and lock the storage area.

Close all windows.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Don't drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full
-throttle starts.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren't 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.

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2-10
Ignition Positions
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate controls or even make the
vehicle move. Don't leave the keys in the vehicle
with children.
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn the
switch to four positions.
LOCK (A): This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and automatic transaxle. Press in on the key as you turn
it toward you to LOCK.If you have an automatic transaxle, the ignition switch
can't be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is in the
PARK (P) position.
ACC (ACCESSORY) (B): In this position, you can
operate some of your electrical power accessories. It
unlocks the steering wheel and ignition. Use this
position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed.
ON (C): This is the position to which the switch returns
after you start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in the ON position when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not running, you
can use ON to operate your electrical power accessories
(including the heater) and to display some instrument
panel warning lights.
START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
Note that even if the engine is not running, ACC and
ON are on positions that allow you to operate your
electrical accessories, such as the radio.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver's door
when the ignition is in ACC or LOCK and the key is in
the ignition.

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2-11
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 ACC. Don't push the key in 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.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your Chevrolet
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if
the clutch pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a
safety feature.

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2-12 Starting Your Engine
For cold and warm engines --
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within three seconds, push the
accelerator pedal one
-third of the way down and
hold it there while you turn your key to START.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and release
the pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to
help avoid draining your battery or damaging
your starter.3. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.

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2-14
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has a Brake
-Transaxle
Shift Interlock (BTSI). You have to fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in ON. 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. 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.
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.

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Parking Brake
The parking brake is located between the seats. To set
the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and pull
up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on, the
brake system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press the
release button. Hold the release button in as you move
the lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.