cooling CHEVROLET TRACKER 2002 2.G Owners Manual

2-14
Tailgate
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the tailgate open
because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into
your vehicle. You can't see or smell CO. It can
cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the tailgate open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the tailgate:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on outside air. That will force outside air
into your vehicle. See ªComfort Controlsº
in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
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.

3-2
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle.
Your vehicle also has the flow
-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Climate Control System
Airflow Lever
(Vent): This position directs the airflow through the
instrument panel vents.
(Bi-level): This position directs air through the
instrument panel vents and toward the floor.
(Floor): This position directs air toward the floor
and through the right and left side vents. The side vents
can be shut off by closing the thumbwheel to allow for
more air to be directed toward the floor.
(Defog): This position directs air toward the floor,
the windshield and side windows. The air also comes
from both vents at the ends of the instrument panel
if the thumbwheel below them is in the open position.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting without pressing A/C.
(Defrost): This position directs air to the
windshield and side windows. The air also comes
from both vents at the ends of the instrument panel
if the thumbwheel below them is in the open position.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
in this setting without pressing A/C.
For maximum defrosting and defogging, adjust the
temperature control lever to the hot end, move the
air intake lever to outside air and shut off airflow to
the outside instrument panel vents by closing the
thumbwheels to increase air through the side
defroster vents.

3-4
For normal cooling, press the A/C button and slide the
air intake lever to outside air. For faster cooling, slide
the lever to recirculate. Then slide the airflow lever to
vent, the temperature lever toward the left and the fan
lever toward the fan symbol.
On days when it is raining or the humidity is high,
follow these dehumidifying steps to help clean
windows that are cloudy with moisture.
1. Slide the air intake lever to outside air.
2. Slide the airflow lever to defrost and the fan lever
toward the fan symbol.
3. Adjust the temperature lever to a comfortable setting.
The air conditioning compressor will run automatically
when the airflow lever is in defog or defrost. The A/C
button will illuminate, only if it is pressed, in the defog
or defrost modes.Heating
For the quickest results, slide the air intake lever
to recirculate. Slide the airflow lever to floor, the
temperature lever toward the right for warmer air and
the fan lever toward the fan symbol. You should switch
to outside air once in a while to avoid stale air and
cloudy windows.
Defogging and Defrosting
Slide the air intake lever to outside air and the airflow
lever to defrost to direct air to the windshield vents.
Then slide the temperature lever toward the right and the
fan lever toward the fan symbol. When the windshield is
clear, turn down the fan speed.

3-6 Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures, when little heating or
cooling is needed, you can direct outside air through
your vehicle.
Slide the air intake lever to outside air and the airflow
lever to bi
-level. Adjust the temperature control lever to
a comfortable setting and slide the fan lever toward the
fan symbol.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system
supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the fan is
running and the air intake lever is at outside air.
Your vehicle has air outlets
that allow you to adjust the
direction and amount of
airflow inside the vehicle.You can direct the airflow side
-to-side by moving the
control located in the center of the vent. The vent can
be tilted up and down also. To control the amount of
airflow though the outlets, turn the thumbwheel below
the vent. The airflow from this vent cannot be controlled
by the airflow lever.
Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater and
defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of
fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, move the fan
control lever toward the fan symbol for a few moments
before driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of
snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging
the inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.

4-30 After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected
on the underbody, chassis or under the hood.
These accumulations can be a fire hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires and exhaust system
for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling
system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due to
off
-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for
additional information.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired
-- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.

4-39
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable. See ªOff
-Road
Drivingº in the Index for information about
driving off
-road.

Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system
and transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of
the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you
go down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.
CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to
a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and
transmission, and you can climb the hill better.

Stay in your own lane when driving on two
-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no
-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding roads.
Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

4-57 When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:

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 system. 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.

5-
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-2 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-8 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-9 Engine Overheating5
-11 Cooling System
5
-18 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-18 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-31 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

5-11
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Engine Cooling Fan
C. Radiator Pressure Cap
D. Auxiliary Cooling Fan (If Equipped)
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and
tools away from any underhood electric fan.
Don't reach through the grille to release the
underhood lever.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.

5-12
The coolant level should be at or above FULL. If it
isn't, you may have a leak at the pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump
or somewhere else in the cooling system.
CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again.
The engine cooling fan speed should increase when
idle speed is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal
down. If it doesn't, your vehicle needs service. Turn off
the engine.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.