key CHEVROLET TRACKER 1999 2.G User Guide

Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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2-10 Tailgate Lock Release
Use your key to lock or unlock your tailgate.
If you have a convertible, you can still open or close the
tailgate with the rear window closed.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
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 vehicle 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. Also
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.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove box.

Lock your glove box.

Close all windows.

If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.

If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry system,
take the transmitter with you.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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2-11
New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:

Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) 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 ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in the vehicle with children.
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With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn the
switch to four positions.

Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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2-12
LOCK (A): This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition
and automatic transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can't be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P).
ACC (ACCESSORY) (B): This is the position in which
you can operate your electrical power accessories. It
unlocks the steering wheel and ignition. Use this
position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed.
ON (C): This is the position that the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in the ON position when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not running, you
can use ON to operate your electrical power accessories
and to display some instrument panel warning and
indicator lights.
START (D): This is the position that starts the engine.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch will return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver's door
when the ignition is in ACC or LOCK and the key is in
the ignition.
CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to ACC. Don't push the key in while the vehicle
is moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can't
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.

Second Printing for Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual ± 1999
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2-13
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position
-- that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your vehicle won't start if the
clutch pedal is not all the way down
-- that's a
safety feature.
Starting Your L4 Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about 15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery.
If your engine still won't start, call your dealer for help.

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2-15
CAUTION:
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
-- 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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in
the Index. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. 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 key is in ON. 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. See ªShifting Out
of PARK (P)º in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.

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2-24
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.

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2-26
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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2-38
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.

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2-39
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
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The thumbwheel controls
the brightness of your
instrument panel lights.
Rotate the wheel upward to
brighten the lights or
downward to dim them.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp has a three-position switch.
OFF: This position is to the left when you are sitting in
the driver's seat. The lamp stays off even when a door
is open.
Center: This is the center position. The lamp comes on
when a door is opened.
ON: This position is to the right when you are sitting in
the driver's seat. The dome lamp turns on and stays on
whether or not a door is open.
Battery Rundown Protection
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When the dome lamp is left on and the ignition is turned
off and the key is removed, the battery saver system will
automatically turn the lamp off after about 15 minutes.
This will avoid draining the battery. This system does
not protect against leaving on the headlamps or
parking lamps.

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2-41
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Move the selector switch to the L (left) or R (right)
to select the mirror you wish to adjust.
2. Press the outer part of the pad that matches the
direction you want to move the mirror.
3. Return the selector switch to the center position to
help prevent moving the mirror accidentally.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch toward you.
Use your key to lock and unlock the glove box.
The glove box has a two
-position detent for opening the
door. Lower the door to the first detent for access to the
glove box. Pull it to the next detent for further access.
Door Storage
Each door has a storage compartment.
Coinholder
Your instrument panel has a coinholder located to the
left of the steering wheel.
Cupholder
Two cupholders are on the center console next to the
parking brake lever.