parking brake CHEVROLET TRACKER 1997 Owner's Manual

’ A CAUTION:
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.
If you have 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, use the steps
that follow.
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).
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
0 Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
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. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
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.
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A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it
is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
turned to the
OFF position. The steering wheel should
be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping device designed for towing service.
Do not use the
vehicle’s steering column lock for this. The transmission
and transfer case, if you have one, should
be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed on the drive wheels
unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the
drive wheels, be sure to follow any speed and distance
restrictions later in this section,
or your transmission
will be damaged.
If these limitations must be exceeded,
then the drive wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
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If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out’’ while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d
use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake
to a stop -- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
Changing a tire can cause an injury. T vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find
a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift
lever in
PARK (P) or shift a manual
transmission to FIRST
(1) or
REVERSE (R).
3. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle,
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
-- not in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Turn off the engine.
To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move,
you can put blocks at the front and rear of the
tire farthest away from the one being changed.
That would be the tire on the other side of the
vehicle, at the opposite end.
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Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or
more. If it's colder than
50°F (lO"C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you
must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
0
0
0
0
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. Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Pull
out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
paper
towel.
then pull it back out again.
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Starter Switch Check Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
(Automatic Transmission)
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the. steps below.
1.
2.
3.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE:
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear.
The starter should work only in
PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transmission vehicles,
put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway
and
try to start the engine. The starter should work
only when the clutch
is pushed down all the way to
the floor.
If the starter works when the clutch isn’t
pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs service.
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1.
2.
3.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake’’
in the Tndex
if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready
to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins
to move.
With
the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake,
try to move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of
PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
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Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the key should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever
is in PARK (P).
With a manual transmission, the key should turn to
LOCK only if you push the key in farther, while
turning it towards
LOCK.
On vehicles with a key release lever, try to turn the key
to LOCK without pressing the lever. The key should
turn to LOCK only when you press the key lever.
On all vehicles,
the key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK (P) Mechanism Check
A CA "TION:
-
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front
of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot
on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake's holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK
(P).
Then release all brakes. If your vehicle is four-wheel
drive, be sure the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL
(N).
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care
to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
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Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Rear Axle (All) and Front Axle
(Four-wheel Drive) Service
Check the gear lubricant level and add if needed. See
“Rear Axle” and “Four-wheel Drive” in
the Index. A
fluid loss may indicate a problem. Check the system(s),
and repair the system(s) if needed. Refer to “Scheduled
Maintenance Services,” earlier
in this section, to
determine when to change the lubricant.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
Clutch System Service
Check clutch pedal free travel and adjust as necessary.
See “Clutch Adjustment’’ in the Index.
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Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50150 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and good
quality ethylene
glycol base
coolant (GM Part
No. 1052753 or
equivalent) conforming to GM
Specification 1825M or approved
recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825M. See
“Engine Coolant” in
the Index.
USAGE
Hydraulic Brake
System
Parking Brake Cable Guides
Power Steering System
Manual
Transmission (All) and
Transfer Case
(Four- Wheel
Drive)
Automatic
Transmission
Key Lock
Cylinders
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Delco Supreme 11 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Chassis lubricant (GM
Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI # 2, Category LB or
DEXRON@-111 Automatic.
Transmission Fluid.
GM Goodwrench Synthetic
Manual Transmission Gear Oil
(GM Part No. 12346190
- 1 quart)
or equivalent
SAE 75W-90 GL-4
gear oil.
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pur ose lubricant, Superlube
& (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
GC-LB.
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Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-32
Fluid
....................................... 6-29
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-29
Parking
..................................... 2-21
PedalTravel
................................. 6-32
Replacing System
Parts ........................ 6-32
System Warning Light
......................... 2-64
Trailer
...................................... 4-53
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-25
Transmission Shift Interlock Check
............... 7-5 1
Wear
....................................... 6-31
Brakes, Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking
in Emergencies ........................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle
........................... 2-7
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-38
BTSI
......................................... 2-25
BTSICheck
................................... 7-51
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-33
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-7
Canvas Top Lowering and Raising
......................... 2-50
Preparing for Storage
.......................... 2-56
Removing and Installing
....................... 2-55
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
..................... 2-5,2-27, 4-43
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-49
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3-8, 3-11
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3- 1 8
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3 - 15 Center
High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-39
Certification Label
.............................. 4-47
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-53
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-48
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-23
Charging System Light
.......................... 2-63
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-45
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-56
Child Restraints
........................... 1-35. 1-36
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-37
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-39
TopStrap
................................... 1-37
WheretoPut
................................ 1-36
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-59
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-14
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-55
Canvas Top and Plastic Window
................. 6-54
Exterior LampsLenses
........................ 6-53
Fabric
...................................... 6-49
Glass Surfaces
............................... 6-52
Inside of Your Ceo
............................ 6-49
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-51
Outside of Your Geo .......................... 6-53
Stains
...................................... 6-50
Tires
....................................... 6-55
Vinyl
....................................... 6-51
Wheels
..................................... 6-55
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-43
Special Problems
............................. 6-50
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-52
Climate Control System
........................... 3-2
9-2
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Methanol ...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-39
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-41
ManualAdjust
............................... 2-40
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-40
MMT
......................................... 6-4
ModelReference
................................. 111
Mountain Roads ................................ 4-38
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-29
...
Neutral. Automatic Transmission ................. 2- 12
Neutral. Manual Transmission
..................... 2- 15
New Vehicle Break-In
............................ 2-7
Nightvision
................................... 4-31
Odometer
.................................... 2-61
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-61
Off-Road Driving
.............................. 4- 15
Off-RoadRecovery
............................. 4-12
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-10
Oil Pressure Light
......................... 2.69. 6. IO
Overdrive. Automatic Transmission ................ 2- 14
Overdrive Off Light ............................. 2-71
Overheating Engine
............................. 5 . 13
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-49
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 11
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-56
Park
Automatic Transmission
....................... 2- 10 Shifting Into
................................. 2-23
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-25
AtNight
..................................... 2-6
Brake
...................................... 2-21
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-52
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-55
Your Vehicle. Manual Transmission
.............. 2-26
Parking Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................. 6-35
Passenger Position
......................... 1.25. 1-31
Parking
Passing
....................................... 4-12
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-53
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-40
Steering
.................................... 4-10
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-26
Windows
................................... 2-28
Power Indicator Light
........................... 2-70
Power Mode Selector Switch
...................... 2-14
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-24
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner ................... 8-11
Radiator. Coolant .............................. 5-20
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-26
Radio Reception
................................ 3-17
Radios ............................... 3-7.3-8. 3-11
Rain. Driving In
................................ 4-32
Preparing
Your Canvas Top for Storage ............. 2-56
9-7
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