wheel CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2000 6.G User Guide

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PARK (P): This 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.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it
all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal
pushed down. Release the shift lever button. Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P). 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 ªIf
You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.

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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.
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (
): This position is
for normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

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

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly, or
if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND (2) when you are driving less
than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (
) for higher speeds.

2-30
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
shift lever is 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.
Parking Brake
The parking brake is located
to the left of the regular
brake pedal, near the
driver's door.
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking brake
pedal with your left foot.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow it to the
released position.
A warning chime will sound if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the shift lever is not in PARK (P).

2-36
Windows
Power Windows
Switches located on the driver's door armrest control each
of the windows when the ignition is in ON, ACC, or when
retained accessory power (RAP) is active. In addition, the
passenger's door has a switch for its own window.
The driver's window switch has an express
-down
feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of
the switch, and the driver's window will open a small
amount. If the rear of the switch is fully pressed, the
window will go all the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the front
of the switch. To raise the window, press and hold the
front of the switch.
Horn
Press anywhere near the horn symbols on your steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.

2-37
Tilt Wheel Adjustable
Steering Column
Use the lever located on the
left side of the steering
column to adjust the
steering wheel.
You can raise the steering wheel to the highest level to
give your legs more room when you exit and enter the
vehicle, or you can lower it so that you're more
comfortable while driving.
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 into place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:

Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator

Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer

Flash
-to-Pass

2-40
CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
The LOW WASHER
FLUID message in the
message center will appear
when the fluid level is low.
The light will also be lit for sixty seconds when you
start your vehicle as a test to show you the light is
working properly.
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, 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 traction control
system (optional) begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. (See ªTraction Control
Systemº in the Index.) When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, you may turn the cruise control back on.

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Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
1. Press the cruise control
ON button on the
steering wheel to
turn it on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.3. Press the SET button on your steering wheel and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator.
The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on after the cruise control has been set to the
desired speed.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it.
Once you're going about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
press the RES button on
your steering wheel. You'll
go right back up to your
chosen speed and stay there.

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Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the SET button on the steering wheel, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal. You'll
now cruise at the higher speed.

Press the ACC button on the steering wheel. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want and then
release the button. (To increase your speed in very
small amounts, press the ACC button briefly and
then release it. Each time you do this, your vehicle
will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you set the
cruise control speed by pressing the SET button on the
steering wheel.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Press the COAST button on the steering wheel until
you reach the lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, press the COAST
button on the steering wheel briefly. Each time you do
this, you'll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to cancel the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal,

Press the OFF button on the steering wheel.
Erasing Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

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The main components of your instrument panel are:
A. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
B. Multifunction Lever (behind steering wheel)
C. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped)
D. Hazard Switch
E. Audio System
F. Climate Controls
G. Automatic Transaxle Shift Lever
H. Ignition Switch
I. Steering Wheel Cruise Control Switches
(If Equipped)
J. Hood Release
K. Remote Trunk Release
L. Lamp Controls

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The fuel gage, when the ignition is on, tells you about
how much fuel you have left in your tank.
The gage will first indicate empty before you are out of
fuel, and you should get more fuel as soon as possible.
Here are three situations you may experience with your
fuel gage. None of these indicate a problem with the
fuel gage.

At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.

It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took
a little more or less than half the tank's capacity to
fill the tank.

The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.Message Center
The message center is located below the the tachometer
gage on the instrument panel cluster. It gives you
important safety and maintenance facts.
Modes
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
If this message appears
when you are driving,
there is a problem with
your traction control
system and your vehicle
is in need of service.
When this message is displayed, the system will not
limit wheel spin. The message will stay on for
60 seconds and then go out. Four chimes will also
be heard. Adjust your driving accordingly.