brake CHEVROLET TRACKER 1996 User Guide

1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on
the lever and pushing the lever all the way
toward the front of your vehicle.
3. If you have four-wheel drive, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear -- not in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Move the key to LOCK.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
(Automatic Transmission Models Only)
A 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 firmly set. If you have
four-wheel drive
and your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free to roll,
even
if your shift lever is in PARK (P). So be sure
the transfer
case is in a drive gear -- not in
NEUTRAL (N). And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it
could overheat and even
catch
fire. You or others could be injured. Don’t
leave your vehicle with the engine running
unless
you have to.
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Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parlung on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK
(P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find 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 find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you 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 transmission,
so you can pull the shift
lever out
of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your Geo has a brake-transmission shift interlock. You
have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in the ON
position. See “Automatic Transmission’’ in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out
of PARK (P), try this:
1. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 6.
2. If the engine is running, shut it off. Turn the key to
ON or ACC.
3. Find the access hole cover on the driver’s side of the
console, near the shift lever.
4. Remove the screw and cover.
5. Inside you’ll see the return plate. Using your finger,
move the return plate toward the rear of the vehicle
until
it stops.
6. Move the shift lever into the gear you want.
7. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
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Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in
REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the
parking brake.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure your transfer case
is
in a drive gear. Your vehicle could roll if it isn’t.
If you are towing a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the
Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
I
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite.
Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
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It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is
not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly
set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave
your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P),
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free to roll, even if
your shift lever is in PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear -- not in NEUTRAL (N). Always
set your parking brake. Follow the proper steps to be
sure your vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer’’ in
the Index.
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Cruise Control (Option)
" I
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 kmh) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator.
This can really help on long trips. Cmise
control does not work at speeds below about 25 mph
(40 kw-h).
When you apply your brakes, or push the clutch pedal
if you have a manual transmission, the cruise control
shuts off.
A CAUTION:
II-
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely
at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning,
and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
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Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don’t need to reset it.
Once you’re going about
you
can turn the lever to
RESUME/ACCEL for
about one second.
25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
You’ll
go right back to your chosen speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
Here’s the first:
1. Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
2. Turn the lever to COAST/SET and release. Take
your foot off the accelerator pedal. You’ll now cruise
at the higher speed.
Here’s the second way to go
to a higher speed:
1. Turn the lever to RESUME/ACCEL.
2. Hold the lever at RESUME/ACCEL until you get up
to the speed you want, then release the lever.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
To reduce your speed, turn and hold the lever in the
COAST/SET position until you reach the lower speed
you want, then release the lever.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down
to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
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Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness
of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Getting Out of Cruise Control
There are three ways to turn off cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal, or push the clutch
pedal if you have a manual transmission.
Push in the CANCEL button on the end of the cruise
control lever.
0 Press OFF on the cruise control switch.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Laps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful
in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when:
0 The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off, and
The parking brake is released.
When you turn on the headlamp switch, your DRL will
go out, and your headlamps will come on.
The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will
also come on.
When you turn off the headlamp switch, the regular
lamps will go
off, and your low-beam headlamps come
on at the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking brake.
The
DRL will stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need
it.
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Coinholder and Bin
Your console has a coinholder and a small storage bin.
Cupholder
Two cupholders are on the center console next to the
parking brake lever.
Ashtrays and Lighter
To use the lighter, push the lighter in all the way and let
go. When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while
it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make
it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
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A. Defroster
B. Rear Defogger (Option)
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Power Mirror Control (Option)
E. Air Vent
E Instrument Panel Brightness Control
G. Hazard Switch
H. Fuse Block
I. Instrument Cluster
J. Ignition Switch
K. Horn
L. Windshield Wipermasher Lever
M. Cruise Control ON/OFF Button (Option)
N. Rear Window Wiper Button (Option)
0. Rear Window Washer Button (Option)
P. Comfort Controls
Q. Cigarette Lighter
R. Shift Lever
S. Parking Brake Lever
T. Coinholder/Bin
U. Audio System
V. Transfer Case Shift Lever
W. Ashtray
X. Glove Box
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Brake System Warning Light
Your Geo’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts.
Xf one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts workmg well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully.
You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the flow.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, or if the
anti-lock brake system warning light is flashing, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” and
“Towing Your Vehicle”
in the
Index.)
BRAKE
United States Canada
This light should come on when you turn the ignition
key to
STAFtT. If it doesn’t corne on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
I
/i CAUTION:
---
Your brake system may not working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on or if the
anti-lock
brake system warning light is flashing
after you’ve pulled
off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have
a brake problem.
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