CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 2004 Owners Manual

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running,
be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your parking
brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you’ve moved
the shift lever into the PARK (P) position, hold the regular
brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it toward
you (or, if you have the console shift lever, without rst
pushing the button). If you can, it means that the shift
lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-26.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of Park (P)
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. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-21.
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. Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press
the shift lever button.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal until the end of
Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle xed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
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{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can not see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-29

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 4-26.
{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 2-26.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-38.
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Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Adjust all the mirrors so you can see clearly when you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
To reduce glare from headlamps behind you, pull the
lever at the bottom of the mirror toward you (to the night
position). To return the mirror back to the day position,
push the lever away from you.
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on
and off.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a lever
located at the bottom of the mirror between the two
lamps. It is used to change the mirror from day to night
position. To reduce glare from headlamps behind
you while driving at night, pull the lever toward you.
To return the mirror to the day position, return the lever
to its original position.There are two map lamps located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to turn it
on and off.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-34for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
2-31

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror. Push the center button below
the mirror to turn this feature on. The mirror will
darken gradually to reduce glare from headlamps behind
you. This may take a few moments. The mirror will
lighten whenever you shift to REVERSE (R).There are two lamps located on the bottom of the mirror.
Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on and off.
One photocell on the front of the mirror senses when it is
becoming dark outside. Another photocell, facing
rearward, senses headlamps behind you. To turn the
automatic dimming feature off, press the center
button again.
To keep the photocells operating well, occasionally
clean them with a cotton swab and glass cleaner.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
Your vehicle may be equipped with an automatic
dimming rearview mirror with the OnStar®System.
Press the button located below the mirror, on the far left,
for up to three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature off and on. While turned on, this mirror functions
exactly like the automatic dimming mirror described
previously.
There are two lamps located on the bottom of the mirror.
Press the button next to each lamp to turn it on and off.
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There are also three OnStar®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-34for more
information about the service OnStar®provides.
Outside Power Mirrors
The outside power mirror
controls are located near
the driver’s side window,
on the armrest.
Use the selector switch located above the four-way
control panel to choose either the left or right outside
mirror. Then press any of the four arrows located on the
control pad to move each mirror in the desired
direction.
Adjust each mirror so you can see the side of your
vehicle and the area beside and behind your vehicle.
Heated Outside Mirrors
If your vehicle has this feature, the surface of the
outside mirrors will heat when the rear window defogger
is activated.
2-33

Outside Convex 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.
Outside Heated Mirrors
If your vehicle has this option, the surface of both
outside mirrors will heat when you activate the rear
window defogger. See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Dual Climate Control System on page 3-20.
OnStar®System
OnStar®uses global positioning system (GPS) satellite
technology, wireless communications, and call centers
to provide you with a wide range of safety, security,
information and convenience services.
A complete OnStar
®user’s guide and the terms and
conditions of the OnStar®Subscription Service
Agreement are included in your vehicle’s glove box
literature. For more information, visit www.onstar.com,
contact OnStar
®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827),
or press the blue OnStar®button to speak to an
OnStar®advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A completed Subscription Service Agreement is required
prior to delivery of OnStar
®services and prepaid
calling minutes are also required for OnStar®Personal
Calling and OnStar®Virtual Advisor use. Terms and
conditions of the Subscription Service Agreement can be
found at www.onstar.com.
2-34

OnStar®Services
One of the following plans is normally included for a
specic duration with each vehicle equipped with
OnStar
®. You can upgrade or extend your OnStar®
service plan to meet your needs.
Safe and Sound Plan

Automatic Notication of Air Bag Deployment
Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Assistance
AccidentAssist
Remote Door Unlock
Remote Diagnostics
Online Concierge
Directions and Connections Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan services
Route Support
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
Luxury and Leisure Plan

All Directions and Connections Plan services
Personal Concierge
OnStar®Personal Calling
With OnStar®Personal Calling, you have a safer way to
stay connected while driving. It’s a hands-free wireless
phone that’s integrated into your vehicle. You can place
calls nationwide using voice-activated dialing with no
contracts and no additional roaming charges. To nd out
more about OnStar
®Personal Calling, refer to the
OnStar®user’s guide in your vehicle’s glove box, or call
OnStar®at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
With OnStar®Virtual Advisor you can listen to the news,
entertainment and informative topics, such as traffic
and weather reports. You are able to listen and reply to
your e-mail through your vehicle’s speakers.
2-35

HomeLink®Transmitter
HomeLink®, a combined universal transmitter and
receiver, provides a way to replace up to three
hand-held transmitters used to activate devices such as
gate operators, garage door openers, entry door
locks, security systems and home lighting. Additional
HomeLink
®information can be found on the internet at
www.homelink.com or by calling 1-800-355-3515.
If your vehicle is equipped with the HomeLink
®
Transmitter, it complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of the
device.
Changes and modications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization
to use this equipment.
Programming the HomeLink®
Transmitter
Do not use the HomeLink®Transmitter with any garage
door opener that does not have the “stop and reverse”
feature. This includes any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982. If you have a newer
garage door opener with rolling codes, please be
sure to follow steps 6 through 8 to complete the
programming of your HomeLink
®Transmitter.
Read the instructions completely before attempting to
program the HomeLink
®Transmitter. Because of
the steps involved, it may be helpful to have another
person available to assist you in programming the
transmitter.
2-36