fuel CHEVROLET SPARK 2021 User Guide

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Instruments and Controls 83
Hood Ajar Light
This light comes on when the hood is open
or not securely latched. Before driving, check
that the hood is properly closed.
Door Ajar Light
This light comes on when a door is open or
not securely latched. Before driving, check
that all doors are properly closed.
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
The DIC displays information about the
vehicle. It also displays warning messages if
a system problem is detected. All messages
appear in the DIC display in the instrument
cluster.
DIC Operation and Displays
On some models, the trip odometer reset
stem is used to operate the DIC. On other
models, the controls for the DIC are on the
turn signal lever.
DIC Buttons
1.SET/CLR: Press to set or clear the menu
item displayed.
2.
w/x: Turn the band to scroll
through the menus. 3.
MENU: Press to display the Trip/Fuel
menu and the Vehicle Information menu.
This button is also used to return to or
exit the last screen displayed on the DIC.
Vehicle Information Menu Items (Base
Level DIC)
Press MENU to view the DIC menu. Some
items display in the upper display area,
some in the lower display area, and others
use both the upper and lower display areas.
Use
w/xto scroll through the menu
items. Not all items are available on every
vehicle. The following is a list of possible
menu items:
.Remaining Oil Life
.Units
.Tire Learn
Remaining Oil Life
This menu is not available while the vehicle
is moving. This display shows an estimate of
the oil's remaining useful life. If 99
:% is
displayed, that means 99% of the current oil
life remains.
When the remaining oil life is low, the
:
% CHANGE message will appear on the
display. The oil should changed as soon as
possible. See Engine Oil0166. In addition to

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
84 Instruments and Controls
the engine oil life system monitoring the oil
life, additional maintenance is
recommended. SeeMaintenance Schedule
0 226.
Remember, the Oil Life display must be
reset after each oil change. It will not reset
itself. Also, be careful not to reset the Oil
Life display accidentally at any time other
than when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until the next
oil change. To reset the engine oil life
system, press SET/CLR while the Oil Life
display is active. See Engine Oil Life System
0 168.
Units
This menu is not available while the vehicle
is moving. Press SET/CLR while the unit
display is active and move
w/xto
change units when UNIT SET is displayed.
Press SET/CLR to confirm the setting. Select
1, 2, or 3 for the unit display. 1 is metric
units, 2 is Imperial units, and 3 is US units.
This will change the displays on the cluster
and DIC to the type of measurements
selected. Tire Learn
This display allows for matching of the
TPMS sensors. The display will show a
vehicle with the approximate pressures of all
four tires. Tire pressure is displayed in either
kilopascal (kPa) or pounds per square
inch (psi). See
Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 196 and
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation 0197.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items (Base Level DIC)
Press MENU until the Trip/Fuel menu is
displayed. Use
w/xto scroll through the
menu items. On some models, use the trip
odometer reset stem to scroll through the
menu. Not all items are available on every
vehicle. The following is a list of possible
menu items:
.Trip Odometer
.Fuel Range
.Average Vehicle Speed
.Instantaneous Fuel Economy
.Average Fuel Economy
.Timer
Trip Odometer
This display shows the current distance
traveled, in either kilometers (km) or
miles (mi), since the last reset for the trip odometer. The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing SET/CLR or pressing and
holding the trip odometer reset stem while
the trip odometer display is showing.
Fuel Range
This display shows the approximate distance
the vehicle can be driven without refueling.
The fuel range estimate is based on an
average of the vehicle's fuel economy over
recent driving history and the amount of
fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Fuel range
cannot be reset.
Average Vehicle Speed
This display shows the average speed of the
vehicle in kilometers per hour (km/h) or
miles per hour (mph). This average is
calculated based on the various vehicle
speeds recorded since the last reset of this
value. The average speed can be reset by
pressing SET/CLR or pressing and holding the
trip odometer reset stem while the Average
Vehicle Speed display is showing.
Instantaneous Fuel Economy
The instantaneous fuel economy display
shows the current fuel economy in liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles per
gallon (mpg). This number reflects only the
approximate fuel economy that the vehicle

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Instruments and Controls 85
has right now and changes frequently as
driving conditions change. This display
cannot be reset.
Average Fuel Economy
This display shows the approximate average
liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles
per gallon (mpg). This number is calculated
based on the number of L/100 km (mpg)
recorded since the last time this menu item
was reset. This number reflects only the
approximate average fuel economy that the
vehicle has right now, and will change as
driving conditions change. The fuel economy
can be reset by pressing SET/CLR or pressing
and holding the trip odometer reset stem
while the Average Fuel Economy display is
showing.
Timer
Available on some vehicles, this display can
be used as a timer. To start the timer, press
SET/CLR while Timer is displayed. The
display will show the amount of time that
has passed since the timer was last reset,
not including time the ignition is off. Time
will continue to be counted as long as the
ignition is on, even if another display is
being shown on the DIC. The timer will
record up to 9 hours, 59 minutes, and
59 seconds (9:59:59) after which the displaywill return to zero. To stop the timer, press
SET/CLR briefly while Timer is displayed. To
reset the timer to zero, press and hold
SET/CLR.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items (Uplevel DIC)
Press MENU until the Trip/Fuel menu is
displayed. Use
w/xto scroll through the
menu items. Not all items are available on
every vehicle. The following is a list of
possible menu items:
.Digital Speedometer
.Trip 1
.Trip 2
.Fuel Range
.Instantaneous Fuel Economy
.Average Fuel Economy
.Average Vehicle Speed
.Timer
Digital Speedometer
The digital speedometer, available on some
vehicles, shows how fast the vehicle is
moving in either kilometers per hour (km/h)
or miles per hour (mph). The speedometer
cannot be reset. Trip 1 and Trip 2
This display shows the current distance
traveled, in either kilometers (km) or
miles (mi), since the last reset for the trip
odometer. The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing SET/CLR while the trip
odometer display is showing.
Fuel Range
This display shows the approximate distance
the vehicle can be driven without refueling.
The fuel range estimate is based on an
average of the vehicle's fuel economy over
recent driving history and the amount of
fuel remaining in the fuel tank. Fuel range
cannot be reset.
Instantaneous Fuel Economy
The instantaneous fuel economy display
shows the current fuel economy in liters per
100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles per
gallon (mpg). This number reflects only the
approximate fuel economy that the vehicle
has right now and changes frequently as
driving conditions change. Unlike average
economy, this display cannot be reset.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
86 Instruments and Controls
Average Fuel Economy
This display shows the approximate average
liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) or miles
per gallon (mpg). This number is calculated
based on the number of L/100 km (mpg)
recorded since the last time this menu item
was reset. This number reflects only the
approximate average fuel economy that the
vehicle has right now, and will change as
driving conditions change. The fuel economy
can be reset by pressing SET/CLR while the
Average Fuel Economy display is showing.
Average Vehicle Speed
This display shows the average speed of the
vehicle in kilometers per hour (km/h) or
miles per hour (mph). This average is
calculated based on the various vehicle
speeds recorded since the last reset of this
value. The average speed can be reset by
pressing SET/CLR while the Average Vehicle
Speed display is showing.
Timer
Available on some vehicles, this display can
be used as a timer. To start the timer, press
SET/CLR while Timer is displayed. The
display will show the amount of time that
has passed since the timer was last reset,
not including time the ignition is off. Timewill continue to be counted as long as the
ignition is on, even if another display is
being shown on the DIC. The timer will
record up to 99 hours, 59 minutes, and
59 seconds (99:59:59) after which the
display will return to zero. To stop the
timer, press SET/CLR briefly while Timer is
displayed. To reset the timer to zero, press
and hold SET/CLR.
Vehicle Information Menu Items
(Uplevel DIC)
Press MENU on the turn signal lever until
Vehicle Information menu is displayed. Use
w/xto scroll through the following
possible menu items:
.Display Units
.Tire Pressure
.Remaining Oil Life
Display Units
Move
w/xto switch between metric or
US when the Unit display is active. Press
SET/CLR to confirm the setting. This will
change the displays on the cluster and DIC
to either metric or English (US)
measurements. Tire Pressure
The display will show a vehicle with the
approximate pressures of all four tires. Tire
pressure is displayed in either
kilopascal (kPa) or pounds per square
inch (psi). See
Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 196 and
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation 0197.
Remaining Oil Life
This menu is not available while the vehicle
is moving. This display shows an estimate of
the oil's remaining useful life. If REMAINING
OIL LIFE 99 % is displayed, that means 99%
of the current oil life remains.
When the remaining oil life is low, the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will
appear on the display. The oil should
changed as soon as possible. See Engine Oil
0 166. In addition to the engine oil life
system monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended. See
Maintenance Schedule 0226.
Remember, the Oil Life display must be
reset after each oil change. It will not reset
itself. Also, be careful not to reset the Oil
Life display accidentally at any time other
than when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until the next

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
124 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 125
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Ignition Positions (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . 134
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . 136
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 140
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Parking (Manual Transmission) . . . . . . . . . 141
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 142
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 142
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 146
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic StabilityControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . 155
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . 156
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 160
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . 160

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Driving and Operating 125
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
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, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.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 and the
navigation system, if equipped, 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 seat belt. See
Seat Belts 030.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
130 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the
vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to
get inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on
the vehicle side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0142. To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
0
147.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
overheat, causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and
reverse directions causes a rocking motion
that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see Towing the
Vehicle 0213.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Driving and Operating 133
Example 3
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 3 = 453 kg (1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant Weight @ 91 kg
(200 lbs) × 5 = 453 kg (1,000 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight =
0 kg (0 lbs).
Refer to the vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information label for specific
information about the vehicle's capacity
weight and seating positions. The
combined weight of the driver,
passengers, and cargo should never
exceed the vehicle's capacity weight. Certification Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification label is
attached to the vehicle's center pillar
(B-pillar). The label may show the gross
weight capacity of the vehicle, called
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and
cargo.
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo area of the
vehicle. In the cargo area, put
them as far forward as possible.
Try to spread the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so
that some of them are above the
tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat folded down
unless needed.

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
Driving and Operating 139
from the engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide easier
starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below−18 °C or 0 °F. Vehicles with an
engine heater should be plugged in at least
four hours before starting.
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block heater
while the vehicle is parked in a garage or
under a carport. Property damage or
personal injury may result. Always park
the vehicle in a clear open area away
from buildings or structures.
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. The cord is in the driver side of the
engine compartment, near the engine
coolant surge tank. It is shipped from the
factory with a tie holding it in place. Use
care in removing the tie so that the cord
is not damaged.
Check the heater cord for damage. If it is
damaged, do not use it. See your dealer
for a replacement. Inspect the cord for
damage yearly.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord or an
extension cord can damage the cord and
may result in overheating and fire.
.Plug the cord into a three-prong
electrical utility receptacle that is
protected by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded outlet could
cause an electric shock.
.Use a weatherproof, heavy-duty,
15 amp-rated extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the recommended
extension cord in good operating
condition, or using a damaged heater
(Continued)

Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-14622955) -
2021 - CRC - 8/17/20
142 Driving and Operating
Parking over Things That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch hot
exhaust parts under the vehicle and
ignite. Do not park over papers, leaves,
dry grass, or other things that can burn.
Extended Parking
It is best not to park with the vehicle
running. If the vehicle is left running, be
sure it will not move and there is adequate
ventilation. SeeShifting Into Park 0140 and
Engine Exhaust 0142.
If the vehicle is left parked and running with
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
outside the vehicle, it will continue to run
for up to half an hour.
If the vehicle is left parked and running with
the RKE transmitter inside the vehicle, it will
continue to run for up to an hour.
The vehicle could turn off sooner if it is
parked on a hill, due to lack of
available fuel. Automatic Transmission
The timer will reset if the vehicle is taken
out of P (Park) while it is running.
Manual Transmission
The timer will reset if vehicle speed exceeds
4 km/h (2.5 mph).
Engine Exhaust
{
Warning
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide
(CO), which cannot be seen or smelled.
Exposure to CO can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas with poor
ventilation (parking garages, tunnels,
deep snow that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or sounds strange
or different.
.The exhaust system leaks due to
corrosion or damage. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.The vehicle exhaust system has been
modified, damaged, or improperly
repaired.
.There are holes or openings in the
vehicle body from damage or
aftermarket modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if it is
suspected that exhaust is coming into the
vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the engine
running in an enclosed area such as a
garage or a building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine
running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine running,
follow the proper steps to be sure the
vehicle will not move. See Shifting Into Park
0 140 and