trailer CHEVROLET SSR 2004 1.G Owner's Manual

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
Under normal conditions, use DRIVE (D) to tow a trailer.
You may want to shift the transmission to THIRD (3)
or, if necessary, a lower gear if the transmission shifts
too often under heavy loads or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the transmission in PARK (P) for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat
warning, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-26.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet. Then turn your wheels into the
curb if facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Release the regular brakes.
4-50

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual. If you’re trailering, it’s a
good idea to review these sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
The trailer wiring is a four-wire harness assembly. The
wires are blunted and taped to the wiring harness.
The harness and wiring are stored under the vehicle on
the driver’s side. The harness has no connector and
should be wired by a qualied electrical technician. The
technician can use the following color code chart
when connecting the wiring harness to your trailer.
Black: Ground wire.
Yellow: Left turn lamps.
Dark Green: Right turn lamps.
Brown: Parking lamps.
Securely attach the harness to the trailer, then tape or
strap it to your vehicle’s frame rail. Be sure you
leave it loose enough so the wiring doesn’t bend or
break, but not so loose that it drags on the ground. Store
the harness in its original place. Wrap the harness
together and tie it neatly so it won’t be damaged.
4-51

To inspect or replace the lter, do the following:
1. Remove the two bolts on the engine air cleaner/lter
and lift off the cover.
2. Twist out the old engine air cleaner/lter and
replace it, if necessary.
3. Reinstall the cover.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air, it helps
to stop ame if the engine backres. If it is not
there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/ lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change the
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the uid and lter at the rst oil change
after 25,000 miles (41 500 km) if the vehicle is mainly
driven under one or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher
In hilly or mountainous terrain
When doing frequent trailer towing
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid and lter at the rst oil
change after 50,000 miles (83 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
5-20

How to Check the Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be difficult, you may choose
to have this done at the dealership service department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C)
At high speed for quite a while
In heavy traffic — especially in hot weather
While pulling a trailer
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C). If your vehicle has the auxiliary gage
package, you can check the transmission uid
temperature. SeeAuxiliary Gage Package on page 3-41
for more information.Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above
50°F (10°C). If it’s colder than 50°F (10°C), drive the
vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes.
A cold uid check can be made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off,
but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for ve minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (10°C), you
may have to idle the engine longer. Should the uid
level be low during this cold check, you must check the
uid hot before adding uid. Checking the uid hot
will give you a more accurate reading of the uid level.
Checking the Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
5-21

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. See “Driving on Grades” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-39.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you’re parked. If you still have
the warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-27

Fuses Usage
28 Roof Door Module
29 Blank
31 Truck Body Controller
32 Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
33 Windshield Wipers
34 Stoplamps
35 Blank
36Climate Control System, Driver’s
Door Unlock
37 Front Parking Lamps
38 Driver’s Side Turn Signal
39 Climate Control System
40 Truck Body Controller
41 Radio
42 Trailer Parking Lamps
43 Passenger’s Side Turn Signal
44 Blank
46 Accessory Power Outlets
47 Ignition
48 BlankFuses Usage
49 Blank
50 Truck Body Controller, Ignition
51 Brakes
52 Blank
Relays Usage
18 Locks
24 Unlock
30 Parking Lamps
45Rear Window Defogger, Outside
Power Heated Mirrors
Circuit
BreakersUsage
01 Roof & Door Module
02 Roof Pump
08 Power Seats
5-86

(g)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-23for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
6-9

Driving On Grades..........................................4-50
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-19
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-19
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-48
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-35
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-83
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-84
Headlamps.................................................5-83
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-83
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-83
Emergency Cargo Cover Release Handle...........2-34
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs.................................3-35
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-19
Battery.......................................................5-36
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-37
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-32
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-32
Cover........................................................5-18
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-16Engine (cont.)
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-21
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-26
Reduced Power Light...................................3-38
Starting......................................................2-15
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-87
Engine Coolant Hot Idle Engine........................3-50
Engine Cover Insert........................................5-18
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Overheated Stop Engine.......................3-50
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-29
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Exit Lighting...................................................3-16
Express Down Window....................................2-10
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-20
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Fan Knob......................................................3-20
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-19
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station.......3-65, 3-75
Finding a Station....................................3-63, 3-72
5

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-3
Hdr (Header) Latch Switch Fault.......................3-51
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-43
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-6
Headlamps....................................................5-44
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-43
Electrical System.........................................5-83
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker
and Parking Lamps..................................5-45
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-44
Heated Seats................................................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-39
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-43
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-26
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-27
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-4
How to Add Automatic Transmission Fluid..........5-23
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank......5-30
How to Check................................................5-59
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-43How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-31
How to Check the Automatic Transmission Fluid.....5-21
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-19
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-12
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-34
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-34
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-29
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-31
If You Decide To Pull A Trailer..........................4-40
Ignition Positions.............................................2-14
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-24
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-58
Inator Kit, Tire...............................................5-67
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-24
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Storage Area..............................................2-30
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-15
Integrated Windshield Antenna..........................3-87
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
7

M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-17
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-15
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-51
Making Turns.................................................4-49
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-32
Manually Open Tonneau..................................3-51
Map Pocket...................................................2-30
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-5
Memory Seat.................................................2-52
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-48Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) – Customer Assistance....... 7-5
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with HomeLink
®. . . 2-23
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-23
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror......2-25
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-25
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-24
Mode Knob....................................................3-20
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-13
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-15
O
Odometer......................................................3-25
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-25
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-13
9