CHEVROLET SPARK 2014 3.G Owners Manual
Manufacturer: CHEVROLET, Model Year: 2014, Model line: SPARK, Model: CHEVROLET SPARK 2014 3.GPages: 362, PDF Size: 4.94 MB
Page 181 of 362

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
Climate Controls 8-1
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Maintenance
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Passenger Compartment AirFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Climate Control
Systems
The heating, cooling, and ventilation
for the vehicle can be controlled
with this system.
1. Fan Control
2. Air Conditioning
3. Recirculation
4. Temperature Control
5. Rear Window Defogger
6. Air Delivery Mode Control
A(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turning the
fan control to 0 turns the fan off. The
fan must be turned on to run the air
conditioning compressor.
Temperature Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the
temperature.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the current airflow mode.
Select from the following air delivery
modes:
Y(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets.
[(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets.
Page 182 of 362

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
8-2 Climate Controls
W(Defog):This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the floor, windshield, and
side window outlets.
0(Defrost): This mode clears the
windshield of fog or frost more
quickly. When the defrost mode is
selected, the recirculation mode is
set to outside air mode
automatically. Air is directed to the
windshield and side window outlets.
Do not drive the vehicle until all
windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning): TurnAto
the desired speed. The air
conditioning does not operate when
the fan control knob is at 0. Press
#to turn the air conditioning on
and off. When
#is pressed, an
indicator light comes on to show
that the air conditioning is on.
Using air conditioning and
recirculation together for long
periods of time may cause the air
inside the vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in the vehicle has
cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
M(Recirculation):
This mode
recirculates and helps to quickly
cool the air inside the vehicle. It can
be used to prevent outside air and
odors from entering the vehicle.
Press the button to turn the
recirculation mode on. An indicator
light comes on to show that the
recirculation is on. Press the button
again to return to outside air mode.
Using the recirculation mode for
extended periods may cause the
windows to fog. If this happens,
select the defrost mode.
Rear Window Defogger
1(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
comes on to show that the feature
is on.
The rear window defogger turns off
after about 10 minutes. It can also
be turned off by pressing
1again or by turning the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
If turned on again it runs for about
five minutes before turning off.
{Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp
object on the inside rear window
can damage the antenna or
defogger. Repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not stick anything to the rear
window.
Page 183 of 362

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
Climate Controls 8-3
Air Vents
Adjustable air vents are in the
center and on the side of the
instrument panel.
Move the slats to change the
direction of the airflow. The center
air vent does not close completely.
Press the cover of the side air vents
to open. Turn open slats clockwise
or counterclockwise to direct airflow
as needed. Close the cover to stop
the airflow.
Additional air vents are located
beneath the windshield and the
driver and passenger side door
windows, and in the footwells.
These are fixed and cannot be
adjusted.Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from air inlets at the
base of the windshield that could
block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside
of the vehicle.
Page 184 of 362

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
8-4 Climate Controls
Maintenance
Air Intake
The air intake at the base of the
windshield under the hood must be
kept clear to allow the flow of air
into the vehicle. Clear away any ice,
snow, or leaves.
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The filter removes dust, pollen, and
other airborne irritants from outside
air that is pulled into the vehicle.
The filter should be replaced as part
of routine scheduled maintenance.
SeeMaintenance Schedule on
page 11-2. To find out what type of
filter to use, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 11-13.
1. Open the glove box completely and pull it up by each side to
remove.
2. Push the two tabs upward andrelease the latches holding the
service door. Lift the
service door.
3. Remove the old air filter.
4. Install the new air filter.
5. Close the service door and latches.
6. Reinstall the glove box.
See your dealer if additional
assistance is needed.
Page 185 of 362

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-6
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-13
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-21
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . 9-23
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-26
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear VisionCamera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 9-35
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-35
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Page 186 of 362

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
9-2 Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, always
keep your eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
.Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the Infotainment section for
more information on using that
system, including pairing and using
a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the safety belt. See Safety Belts on
page 3-9.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
Page 187 of 362

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
Driving and Operating 9-3
.Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious—or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic. If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
Page 188 of 362

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
9-4 Driving and Operating
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
.Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
.Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
.The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator andthen, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
Page 189 of 362

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
Driving and Operating 9-5
.Steering or Cornering Skid—
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
.Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues
—such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
.Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep‐standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Page 190 of 362

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-5853490) -
2014 - crc - 9/3/13
9-6 Driving and Operating
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10-35.
.Turn off cruise control.
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to
your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park the vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
.Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
.Keep the interior
temperature cool.
.Keep your eyes moving —scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
.Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
(Continued)