parking brake CHEVROLET TRACKER 2004 2.G User Guide

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever 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
Engine Exhaust on page 2-29.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See
Winter Driving on page 4-40.
{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 ®rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not 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 will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
2-30

{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

Outside Convex 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 Areas
Glove Box
Use your key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open
the glove box, pull the latch toward you.
The glove box may have a two-position detent for
opening the door. Lower the door to the ®rst detent for
access to the glove box. Pull it to the next detent
for further access.
Cupholder(s)
Two cupholders are on the center console next to the
parking brake lever.
Coinholder(s)
Your instrument panel may have two coinholders
located to the left of the steering wheel.
2-33

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. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
®rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come on at
a reduced brightness when the three following
conditions are met:
·The ignition is on with the engine running,
·the exterior lamps control 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 reduced brightness. The taillamps, sidemarker
and other lamps won't be on. Your instrument panel
won't be lit up either.
When you move the exterior lamps control to the
headlamp position, your DRL will go off and your
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will also come on.
When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular headlamps.
See ªAutomatic Headlamp Systemº following.
When you turn the exterior lamp control 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 will also come on if only the parking
lamps are being used.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-14

Automatic Headlamp System
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic light sensor
on top of the instrument panel, on the passenger's
side of the vehicle, so be sure it is not covered. If it is,
the headlamps will remain on continuously.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the Automatic
Headlamp Systems so that driving under bridges or
bright overhead street lights does not affect the system.
The DRL and Automatic Headlamp Systems will only
be affected when the light sensor sees a change
in lighting lasting longer than this delay.
When it is dark enough outside, or you are driving
through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a
tunnel, the system will turn on your low-beam
headlamps at normal brightness. Along with your
vehicle's headlamps, the taillamps, sidemarker, parking
lamps and the instrument panel lights will also turn
on. The radio display will dim.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
To temporarily disable your vehicle's DRL and Automatic
Headlamp Systems functions, do the following:
1. Before turning the ignition key to ON or START, set
the parking brake.2. Then turn the ignition key to ON or START.·The Automatic Headlamp System will not turn on
under any conditions, even in darkness.
·The DRL will not turn on.
The DRL and Automatic Headlamp System functions
will stay off with the ignition on, until you release
the parking brake. Once the parking brake is released
the DRL will turn on if it is daylight or the Automatic
Headlamp System will turn on if it is dark enough
outside.
If you turn the ignition key to ON or START and then
set the parking brake, the DRL will turn off (in all
conditions) and the Automatic Headlamp System will
remain on (if dark enough outside). Any other uses
of the parking brake after the engine is turned on will
have no effect on the normal Automatic Headlamp
System operation.
Headlamps 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.
3-15

Accessory Power Outlets
If your vehicle has an accessory power outlet, you can
plug in auxiliary electrical equipment.
The accessory power outlet is located in the center
console near the parking brake.
To use the outlet, open the cover. When not using it,
always cover the outlet with the protective cap.
These circuits are protected by a fuse and have
maximum current levels.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.Certain power accessory plugs may not be compatible
to the power accessory outlet and could result in
blown vehicle or adapter fuses.
If you experience a problem see your dealer for
additional information on the power accessory plugs.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
proper installation instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Check with your
dealer before adding electrical equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.
3-18

Charging System Light
This light will come on
brie¯y when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
Then it should go out when
the engine starts.
If the light stays on or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the electrical charging
system. It could indicate that you have an electrical
problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this
light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The
light will stay on if your parking brake doesn't release
fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully
released, it means you have a brake problem.
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need
both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on when you turn the ignition
key to START. If it doesn't come on then, have it ®xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there's a problem.
United StatesCanada
3-30

Q:What should I do if my vehicle stalls, or
is about to stall, and I can not make it up
the hill?
A:If this happens, there are some things you should
do, and there are some things you must not do.
First here is what you
shoulddo:
·Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and keep
it from rolling backwards. Also, apply the parking
brake.
·If your engine is still running, shift the transmission
to REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and
slowly back down the hill in REVERSE (R)
·If your engine has stopped running, you will need to
restart it. With the brake pedal pressed and the
parking brake still applied, shift the transmission to
PARK (P) (or, shift to neutral if your vehicle has
a manual transmission) and restart the engine.
Then, shift to REVERSE (R), release the parking
brake, and slowly back down the ®ll as straight
as possible in REVERSE (R).
·As you are backing down the hill, put your left hand
on the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position.
This way, you will be able to tell if your wheels are
straight and maneuver as you back down. It is
best that you back down the hill with your wheels
straight rather than in the left or right direction.
Turning the wheel too far to the left or right
will increase the possibility of a rollover.
Here are some things you
must notdo if you stall, or
are about to stall, when going up a hill.
·Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting into
NEUTRAL (N) (or pressing the clutch, if you have a
manual transmission) to ªrev-upº the engine and
regain forward momentum. This will not work. Your
vehicle will roll backwards very quickly and you
could go out of control.
Instead, apply the regular brake to stop the vehicle.
Then apply the parking brake. Shift to
REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and
slowly back straight down.
·Never attempt to turn around if you are about to
stall when going up a hill. If the hill is steep
enough to stall your vehicle, it is steep enough to
cause you to roll over if you turn around. If you can
not make it up the hill, you must back straight
down the hill.
4-22

Q:Suppose, after stalling, I try to back down the
hill and decide I just can not do it. What should
I do?
A:Set the parking brake, put your transmission in
PARK (P), or the manual transmission in
FIRST (1), and turn off the engine. Leave the
vehicle and go get some help. Exit on the uphill
side and stay clear of the path the vehicle
would take if it rolled downhill. Do not shift the
transfer case to NEUTRAL when you leave
the vehicle. Leave it in some gear.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P) (or, if you have
the manual transmission, even if you are in
gear). This is because the NEUTRAL position
on the transfer case overrides the
transmission. You or someone else could be
injured. If you are going to leave your vehicle,
set the parking brake and shift the
transmission to PARK (P) (or, put your manual
transmission in FIRST (1)). But do not shift the
transfer case to NEUTRAL. Leave the transfer
case in the 2H, 4H or 4L position.
4-23

Q:Are there some things I should not do when
driving down a hill?
A:Yes! These are important because if you ignore
them you could lose control and have a serious
accident.
·When driving downhill, avoid turns that take you
across the incline of the hill. A hill that is not too
steep to drive down may be too steep to drive
across. You could roll over if you do not drive
straight down.
·Never go downhill with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), or with the clutch pedal pressed
down in a manual shift. This is called
ªfree-wheeling.º Your brakes will have to do all the
work and could overheat and fade.
·Unless you have anti-lock: Avoid braking so hard
that you lock the wheels when going downhill. If
your wheels are locked, you can not steer your
vehicle. If your wheels lock up during downhill
braking, you may feel the vehicle starting to slide
sideways. To regain your direction, just ease off the
brakes and steer to keep the front of the vehicle
pointing straight downhill.
Q:Am I likely to stall when going downhill?
A:It is much more likely to happen going uphill. But if
it happens going downhill, here is what to do.
·Stop your vehicle by applying the regular brakes.
Apply the parking brake.
·Shift to PARK (P) (or to neutral with the manual
transmission) and, while still braking, restart the
engine.
·Shift back to a low gear, release the parking brake,
and drive straight down.
·If the engine will not start, get out and get help.
4-25