brake CHEVROLET TRACKER 1999 2.G User Guide

Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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2-23
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.
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 ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
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. With four
-wheel drive if 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). If you're pulling a trailer, see
ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.

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1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
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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 Only)
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.

Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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2-25 Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking 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 ªtorque lock.º
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 ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º 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 parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
Before shifting out of PARK (P) you must fully
apply your regular brakes. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could
be injured.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº
in the Index.
Your vehicle has a Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is
in the ON position. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº 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.

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If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
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1. Apply the parking brake until the end of Step 6.2. If the engine is running, turn 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.
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission Models Only)
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 ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

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Running Your Engine While You're
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if
ever you have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaustº).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See ªBlizzardº in the Index.)
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.
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).
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer case
in NEUTRAL (N) will allow the vehicle 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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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2-34 Cruise Control (If Equipped)
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With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below about
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, or push the clutch pedal if
you have a manual transmission, the cruise control
turns off.
CAUTION:

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.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
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.
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use it.

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1. Press the CRUISE
CTRL. switch on the
instrument panel to turn
the system on. The
indicator light on the
switch will come on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Once you're going 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, turn
the lever to COAST SET and release. Your cruise
will set.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
If you set your cruise control at a desired speed and then
apply the brake, this will turn off the cruise control
function. But you don't need to reset it.
Once you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more,
you can turn the lever to RESUME ACCEL for about
one second. 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.

Use the accelerator pedal to go to a higher speed.
Turn the lever to COAST SET and release. Take
your foot off the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise
at the higher speed.

Turn the lever to RESUME ACCEL. 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.

Press the CRUISE CTRL. switch on the
instrument panel.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.Exterior Lamps
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Turn the outside part of the lever to control the lamps.
There are three positions for the lamp switch.

Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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2-37 Parking Lamps
: This position will turn on the following:

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights

License Plate Lamp
Headlamps
: This position will turn on the following:

Headlamps

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights

License Plate Lamp
Turn the switch to OFF to turn off the lamps.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (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 headlamps come on at
a reduced brightness when:

The ignition is on with the engine running,

the headlamp switch is off or the parking lights are
on and

the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on
at a reduce brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker and
other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel won't
be lit up either.
When you turn on the headlamp switch, your DRL will
go off and your headlamps will come on. The other
lamps that come on with your headlamps will also
come on.

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When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular
headlamps. See ªAutomatic Light Controlº earlier in
this section.
When you turn the headlamp switch to off, the regular
lamps will go off and your headlamps will change to the
reduced brightness of DRL provided it is not dark
outside. DRL also comes on if only the parking lamps
are being used.
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.
Automatic Light Control (ALC)
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic light sensor
on top of the instrument panel, so be sure it is not
covered which will cause the nighttime lights to be
on continuously.When it is dark enough outside, your ALC will turn on
your low
-beam headlamps at the normal brightness
along with other lamps such as the taillamps,
sidemarker, park lamps and instrument panel lights.
There is a short delay in the transition between daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) and the ALC systems. If the light sensor senses a
reduction in lighting that lasts longer than 20 seconds, it
will activate the nighttime lamps. If you are driving
through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a
tunnel, the ALC will turn on your low
-beam headlamps
at a normal brightness along with the taillamps,
sidemarker, park lamps and the instrument panel lights.
The radio lights will be dimmer.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Lamps On Reminder
If you turn the ignition off, remove the key, open the
door and leave the lamps on, a tone will remind you to
turn off your lamps.