four wheel drive CHEVROLET TRACKER 2004 2.G User Guide

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{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 ®rmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer
case is in NEUTRAL, 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.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Don't leave
your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to.
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
automatic transmission into PARK (P) properly,
the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl in the transmission. You may ®nd 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 ®nd out how,
see
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou 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).
2-26

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 ®nger,
move the return plate toward the rear of the vehicle
until it stops.
6. Move the shift lever into the gear you want while,
while holding the return plate in the most rearward
position.
7. Have the vehicle ®xed as soon as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle
Before you get out of your manual transmission vehicle,
put your shift lever in REVERSE (R) and ®rmly apply
the parking brake. Once the shift lever has been placed
into REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed in,
you can turn the ignition key to LOCK, remove the key
and release the clutch.
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 on
page 4-57.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
2-28

{CAUTION:
Four-wheel drive vehicles with the transfer
case in NEUTRAL 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 Ð not
in NEUTRAL. Always set your parking brake.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-25.
If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on
page 4-57.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
An inside rearview mirror is attached to your
windshield. The mirror can be adjusted up and
down or side to side.
The mirror may also be equipped with reading lamps.
The mirror can also be adjusted for day or night driving.
Pull the tab for night driving to reduce glare. Push
the tab for daytime driving.
2-31

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-6
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Interior Lamps..............................................3-16
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-18
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-19
Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-26
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators.............3-26
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-27
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-28
Tachometer.................................................3-28Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-28
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-29
Charging System Light..................................3-30
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-31
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-32
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-33
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-36
Overdrive Off Light........................................3-37
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-37
Power Indicator Light.....................................3-37
Fuel Gage...................................................3-38
Audio System(s).............................................3-39
Setting the Time...........................................3-39
Radio with CD..............................................3-40
Radio Reception...........................................3-45
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-45
Care of Your CD Player................................3-45
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-45
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Overdrive Off Light
This light comes on when
the automatic four-speed
transmission, if equipped,
has been converted to
the three-speed mode
and the overdrive is
turned off.
This light also comes on as a check for about
®ve seconds when the ignition key is turned to ON
or START.
Four-Wheel-Drive Light
If you have four-wheel
drive, this light comes on
when the ignition switch is
on and the transfer
case lever is in one of the
four-wheel drive positions.
See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 5-49.
Power Indicator Light
This light comes on when
the power mode selector
switch, if equipped, is
turned to P (power) with
the ignition switch in
the ON position.
This light comes on as a check for about ®ve seconds
when the ignition key is turned to ON or START.
3-37

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Driver Behavior..............................................4-2
Driving Environment........................................4-2
Vehicle Design...............................................4-3
Defensive Driving...........................................4-3
Drunken Driving.............................................4-4
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-7
Braking.........................................................4-7
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Off-Road Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle....................................................4-16
Driving at Night............................................4-30Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-32
City Driving..................................................4-34
Freeway Driving...........................................4-35
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-36
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-37
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-38
Winter Driving..............................................4-40
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow...................................................4-44
Towing..........................................................4-47
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-47
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-47
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-51
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-57
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you are in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems Ð steering and braking Ð have to do their work
where the tires meet the road. Unless you have
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can
demand too much of those places. You can lose
control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering through
a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those
two control systems Ð steering and acceleration Ð can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the
road and make you lose control.What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-11

Off-Road Driving with Your
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel
drive.
Also, see
Braking on page 4-7.
If your vehicle does not have four-wheel drive, you
should not drive off-road unless you are on a level,
solid surface.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have
some de®nite hazards. The greatest of these is
the terrain itself.
ªOff-roadingº means you have left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes are not
marked. Curves are not banked. There are no
road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or
downhill. In short, you have gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that
is why it is very important that you read this guide. You
will ®nd many driving tips and suggestions. These
will help make your off-road driving safer and more
enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance
and service work done. Check to make sure all
underbody shields (if so equipped) are properly
attached. Be sure you read all the information about
your four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is
there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully in¯ated? Are
the ¯uid levels up where they should be? What are the
local laws that apply to off-roading where you will be
driving? If you do not know, you should check with law
enforcement people in the area. Will you be on
someone's private land? If so, be sure to get the
necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road
Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
·The heaviest things should be on the load ¯oor and
forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
·Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off-road terrain does not toss things around.
4-16

Hill and Mountain RoadsDriving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in ¯at or rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you are
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable. See
Off-Road
Driving with Your Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle on
page 4-16
for information about driving off-road.
·Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all ¯uid
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 do not shift down, your brakes could get
so hot that they would not 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.
4-38

Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If you have the
four-speed automatic, see ªPower Mode Selector
Switchº under
Automatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-16for information on traction. If you have
a four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear
(or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1)
or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the
wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that does not get you out after a few
tries, you may need to be towed out. Or, you can use
your recovery hooks. If you do need to be towed
out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-47.
Using the Recovery Hooks
Your vehicle is equipped with recovery hooks. The
hooks are provided at the front and rear of your vehicle.
You may need to use them if you are stuck off-road
and need to be pulled to some place where you
can continue driving.
4-45