trailer CHEVROLET TRACKER 1998 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target
for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Chevrolet and open the driver’s
door, you’ll hear a tone reminding you to remove your
key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do
this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will
your ignition.
If you have an automatic transmission,
taking your key out also locks your transmission. And
remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out
of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with
you.
New Vehicle ccBreak-InSS
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.)’ But
it will perform better in the
long run
if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
0
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or
less for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t drive
at any one speed -- fast or
slow -- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the
first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
2-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK
(P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when
you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily. It
is 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 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, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll
-0 even if your shift lever
is in PARK (P) -- if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case is
in a drive gear, two-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel
high (4H) or four-wheel low (4L)
-- not in
NEUTRAL
(N). See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a
lkailer” in the Index.
2-11

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have
to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up until you can push
in the
release button. Hold the release button in as
you move
the lever all the way down.
2-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Translnission Only)
It can be dz Jerous to get out of you] ehicle 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 -0 not in NEUTRAL (N).
If you’re pulling a trailer, see &‘Towing a Trailer”
in the Index.
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).
2-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
c. .. I
R
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.
2-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
2-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed.
0 Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
If the Light Is On Steady
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see
“If
the Light Is On Steady’’ following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light
Is On Steady’’ following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left
off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should
turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should
turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect
this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light
off.
j
2-64
I
~ i
I

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find information about driving on different lunds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4-2
4-3 4-6
4-6
4- 10
4-12
4- 12 4- 14
4-
15
4-15
4-29 Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving Guidelines
Off-Road Driving with Your Chevrolet
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
Driving
at Night 4-3 1
4-34
4-35
4-36
4-37
4-37
4-39
4-43 4-46
4-48 Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving
Before Leaving on a Long Trip Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving
Recreational Vehicle Towing Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
4-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing a Trailer
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example,
if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only
if you have followed all the
steps in this section. Ask your dealer for advice
and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your dealer for
important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle. Your
vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer’,
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In it
are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components sucn as me engine,
transmission, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to
work harder against the drag
of the added weight. The
engine
is required to operate at relatively higher speeds
and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s
more, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
4-48

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
0
0
0
0
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control.
You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
0 If you have an automatic transmission, you can use
DRIVE
(D) (or, as you need to, a lower gear)
when towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in
DRIVE
(D) when towing a trailer will minimize heat
buildup and extend the life of your transmission.
If
you have a manual transmission and you are towing
a trailer, it’s better not to use
FIFTH (5) gear. Just
drive in FOURTH
(4) gear (or, as you need to, a
lower gear).
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
0 and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
4-49
~