mirror CHEVROLET METRO 1999 2.G Owners Manual

2-
yellowblue
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

yellowblue
2-28
When you turn off the headlamp switch, the regular
lamps will go off and your low
-beam headlamps will
come on at the reduced brightness of DRL.
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.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This knob controls the
brightness of your
instrument panel lights.
Turn the knob clockwise to
brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to
dim them.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp is located between the sun visors on
the two
-door model, and in the center of the roof on
the four
-door model. The dome lamp has a
three
-position switch.
OFF: The lamp stays off even when the driver's door
is open.
CENTER: The lamp comes on when the driver's door
is opened.
ON: The lamp comes on and stays on whether or not a
door is open.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
An inside rearview mirror is attached above your
windshield. The mirror has a pivot so that you can adjust
it up and down or side to side.
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving. Pull
the tab toward you for night driving to reduce glare.
Push the tab away from you for daytime driving.

yellowblue
2-29 Outside Manual Adjust Mirror
Adjust the outside mirrors by hand so that you can just
see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
Manual Remote Control Mirror
The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you
can just see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting
in a comfortable driving position.
Adjust the driver's side outside mirror with the control
lever on the driver's door. To adjust your passenger's
side mirror, sit in the driver's seat and have a passenger
adjust the mirror for you.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch toward you.
Always keep the glove box door closed while driving.
Door Storage Pocket
Your driver and passenger doors have a
storage compartment.

yellowblue
4-13

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass
while you're awaiting an opportunity. For one thing,
following too closely reduces your area of vision,
especially if you're following a larger vehicle. Also,
you won't have adequate space if the vehicle ahead
suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a
reasonable distance.

When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up,
start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don't
get too close. Time your move so you will be
increasing speed as the time comes to move into the
other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a
ªrunning startº that more than makes up for the
distance you would lose by dropping back. And if
something happens to cause you to cancel your pass,
you need only slow down and drop back again and
wait for another opportunity.

If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait
your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying to
pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle.
Remember to glance over your shoulder and check
the blind spot.
Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and
start your left lane change signal before moving out
of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough
ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your
inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal
and move back into the right lane. (Remember that
your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you
just passed may seem to be farther away from you
than it really is.)

Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on
two
-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the
next vehicle.

Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly.
Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may
be slowing down or starting to turn.

If you're being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you
can ease a little to the right.

yellowblue
4-14
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and
constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, yourvehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow down
when you have any doubt.
If you have the anti
-lock braking system, remember: It
helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti
-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are
no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes
to get the wheels rolling again. This restores steering
control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you
have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are rolling,
you will have steering control.

yellowblue
4-15
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One
reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired
-- by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively.

Don't drink and drive.

Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.

Since you can't see as well, you may need to slow
down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.

Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.

In remote areas, watch for animals.

If you're tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.

yellowblue
4-21
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too
-fast or
too
-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it's slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there isn't another vehicle in your
ªblindº spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.

yellowblue
4-23
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as ªhighway hypnosisº?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don't let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the
road in less than a second, and you could crash and
be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:

Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.

Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to
the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.

If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service
or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or
both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as
an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in flat or rolling terrain.

yellowblue
9-2
Brakes, Anti-Lock 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking in Emergencies 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-In, New Vehicle 2-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI 2-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BTSI Check 7-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-34, 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp 6-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dome Lamp 6-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Parking 6-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Sidemarker 6-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Turn Signal 6-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Combination Lamp 6-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Parking Lamp 6-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Sidemarker 6-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canadian Roadside Assistance 8-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacities and Specifications 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide 2-22, 2-23, 4-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo Cover 2-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Deck Service 7-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cassette Tape Player Care 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification Label 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chains, Tire 6-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charging System Light 2-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Your Restraint Systems 1-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chemical Paint Spotting 6-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Restraints 1-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Rear Seat Position 1-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position 1-43 . . . . . . . . . .
Top Strap 1-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Where to Put 1-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cigarette Lighter 2
-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breakers and Fuses 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaner, Air 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Exterior Lamps/Lenses 6
-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fabric/Carpet 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glass 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside of Your Vehicle 6-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument Panel 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Plastic Components 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside of Your Vehicle 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special Problems 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stains 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield and Wiper Blades 6-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate Control System 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting the 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch Adjustment 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort Controls 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Care 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Disc Player Care 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact Spare Tire 5-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control, Loss of 4-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control of a Vehicle 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convex Outside Mirror 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant 6-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Tank 5-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System 5-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Transportation 8-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cupholder 2-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users 8-4 . . . . . . . . .
Customer Assistance Information 8-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer Satisfaction Procedure 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

yellowblue
9-4
Filter, Air 6-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Care 6-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finish Damage 6-53 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First Gear, Manual Transaxle 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flashers, Hazard Warning 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flash-to-Pass Feature 2-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat Tire, Changing 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid Capacities 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid Level Check 7-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluids and Lubricants 7-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Folding Rear Seatback 1-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Foreign Countries, Fuel 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth Gear, Manual Transaxle 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
French Language Manual ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 6
-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling a Portable Fuel Container 6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Filling Your Tank 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gage 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Foreign Countries 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses and Circuit Breakers 6-57 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature 2-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 2-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GAWR 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gear Positions 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic Transaxle 2-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual Transaxle 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove Box 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross Axle Weight Rating 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 4-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Guide en Fran†ais ii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR 4
-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Halogen Bulbs 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Halogen Capsule Lamps 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hatchback Lid Release 2-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard Warning Flashers 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlamps 2-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aiming 6-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement 6-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High/Low Beam Changer 2-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
On Reminder 2-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heating 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High-Beam Headlamps 2-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Highway Hypnosis 4-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hill and Mountain Roads 4-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hood
Checking Things Under 6
-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Latch Operation Check 7-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prop 6-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Release 6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn 2-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hydroplaning 4-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition Automatic Transaxle Lock Check 7-41 . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition Positions 2-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation, Tire 6-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror 2-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspections
Brake System 7
-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch Release Arm Play 7-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling System 7-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exhaust Systems 7-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot 7-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal 7-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .