headlamp CHEVROLET SSR 2006 1.G Owner's Manual

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up
under your tires that they can actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in
one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is
standing on the road. If you can see reflections
from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and
raindrops dimple the water’s surface, there could
be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through deep
puddles or standing water, water can come in
through your engine’s air intake and badly damage
your engine. Never drive through water that is
slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If
you cannot avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
If you try to drive through owing water, as you
might at a low water crossing, your vehicle can
be carried away. As little as six inches of
owing water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore police
warning signs, and otherwise be very cautious
about trying to drive through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
•Turn on your low-beam headlamps — not just
your parking lamps — to help make you more
visible to others.
•Besides slowing down, allow some extra following
distance. And be especially careful when you
pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear
room ahead, and be prepared to have your
view restricted by road spray.
•Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-51.
4-18

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This
saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a
little faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get
and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start the
engine again and repeat this only when you feel
really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To
help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so
until help comes.
4-27

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Cover...............................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-20
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-22
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-29
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31
Brakes........................................................5-32
Battery........................................................5-36
Jump Starting...............................................5-37
Rear Axle.......................................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-43
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-44
Headlamps..................................................5-44
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-47
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-51
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-52
Tire Terminology and Definitions.....................5-54
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-59
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-59
Buying New Tires.........................................5-60
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-62
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-62
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-63
Wheel Replacement......................................5-64
Tire Chains..................................................5-66
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-67
Tire Inflator Kit.............................................5-68
Appearance Care............................................5-76
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle.................5-76
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-78
Leather.......................................................5-78
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces........................................5-79
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-79
Weatherstrips...............................................5-79
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-80
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-80
Finish Care..................................................5-80
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-81
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels................5-82Tires...........................................................5-82
Sheet Metal Damage.....................................5-83
Finish Damage.............................................5-83
Underbody Maintenance................................5-83
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-83
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials..................5-84
Vehicle Identication......................................5-85
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).................5-85
Service Parts Identification Label.....................5-85
Electrical System............................................5-86
Add-On Electrical Equipment..........................5-86
Headlamps..................................................5-86
Windshield Wiper Fuses................................5-86
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-86
Fuses and Circuit Breakers............................5-86
Floor Console Fuse Block..............................5-87
Engine Compartment Fuse Block....................5-90
Relay Center................................................5-92
Capacities and Specications..........................5-95
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
The proper level is from 0 to 3/8 inch (0 to 10 mm)
below the bottom of the filler plug hole.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
located on the rear axle, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12
for the type of fluid to use.
Headlamp Aiming
If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the headlamp
aim may be affected. If you believe your headlamps
need to be re-aimed, we recommend that you take your
vehicle to the dealer for service. However, it is
possible for you to re-aim your headlamps by following
the procedure in the service manual for your vehicle.
SeeService Publications Ordering Information on
page 7-14for more information.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement bulbs, see
Replacement Bulbs on page 5-48.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your dealer. Manual Transmission
5-43

Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst if you drop or scratch the
bulb. You or others could be injured. Be
sure to read and follow the instructions on
the bulb package.
Headlamps
To replace the headlamp bulbs, do the following:
1. Turn the front wheels as far as they will go in the
opposite direction of the bulb that is being changed.
2. Reach underneath the vehicle and locate the
headlamp door. Remove the fastener retaining
the door.3. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it
from the headlamp assembly.
There are separate sockets for the high and
low-beam headlamps.
4. Pull the bulb socket out of the headlamp assembly.
5-44

5. Disconnect the bulb socket from the wiring harness
and replace the unit.
6. Reinstall the bulb socket back into the headlamp
assembly by turning it clockwise.
7. Reinstall the headlamp cover and tighten
the fastener.
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps
Front Turn and Parking Lamps
To replace the front turn or parking lamp bulbs, do
the following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Locate the bar that runs across the front of the
vehicle and remove the two screws located near
the front of the hood that hold the bar in place.
3. Release the tabs that attach the bar to
the headlamps.
5-45

Back-Up Lamps
To replace a back-up lamp bulb, do the following:
1. Reach underneath the vehicle near the license plate
and find the bulb socket.
2. Remove the socket from the lamp assembly by
locating and then squeezing the release tab
while turning the socket counterclockwise.3. Turn the bulb counterclockwise and then pull
outward to remove it from the socket.
4. Insert a new bulb into the socket by lining up the
notches on the bulb and turn it clockwise to
secure it.
5. Reverse the steps to reinstall the lamp assembly on
the vehicle.
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamp Bulb Number
Back-Up Lamp 2057
Front Turn Signal/Parking Lamp T20
Headlamps
High-Beam 9005HB3
Low-Beam H11
Sidemarker Lamp 194
Stoplamp, Taillamp and Turn
Signal Lamp3157
For replacement bulbs not listed here, contact
your dealer.
5-48

Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes be repaired).
See your dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel
bolts or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original equipment parts. This way, you will be sure
to have the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for your vehicle.{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance and tire clearance to the
body and chassis.
5-64

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer rst. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-51.
Headlamps
The headlamp wiring is protected by an internal
circuit breaker. An electrical overload will cause the
lamps to go on and off, or in some cases to remain off.
If this happens, have your headlamp wiring checked
right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow or ice, the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If the overload is caused by some electrical problem, be
sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other
Power Options
Circuit breakers protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current load is too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes, protecting the
circuit until the problem is fixed or goes away.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses and circuit
breakers. This greatly reduces the chance of fires
caused by electrical problems.
5-86