tow CHEVROLET VENTURE 2000 1.G User Guide

2-4
Door Locks
CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers -- especially children -- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won't open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren't locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or the remote keyless
entry transmitter (if your vehicle has this option).
To unlock either front door from the outside with the
key, insert the key and turn it toward the front of
the vehicle.You can lock either front door from the outside with
your key by inserting and turning it toward the rear of
the vehicle.
To lock either front door from the inside, push the
manual locking lever forward.
To unlock either front door from the inside, pull back on
the manual locking lever.

2-15
Entering Programming Mode
To program features, your vehicle must be in the
programming mode. Follow these steps:
1. The content theft
-deterrent system (if equipped)
must be disarmed. See ªContent Theft
-Deterrent
Systemº in this section.
2. Remove the BCM PRGRM fuse from the instrument
panel fuse block, located to the right of the glove
box. (See ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index.)
3. Close the driver's door.
4. Turn the ignition key towards you to ACCESSORY.
5. Count the number of chimes you hear. You will hear
two to four chimes depending on the features your
vehicle is equipped with. Refer to the chart
shown previously.
You can now program your choices.
To exit the programming mode, follow the steps listed
under ªExiting Programming Modeº later in
this section.
Delayed Illumination and Exit Lighting
With delayed illumination, the interior lamps will stay
on for about 25 seconds after all the doors and the
liftgate are closed.
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on and
stay on for about 25 seconds whenever you remove the
key from the ignition.
To customize these features to your preference,
see ªProgrammable Modesº following.
Programmable Modes
Your vehicle can be programmed to one of the
following modes.
Mode 1: Both Features Off (The interior lamps will turn
on or off at the same instant that a door is opened
or closed.)
Mode 2: Delayed Illumination Only (The interior lamps
will stay on for about 25 seconds after all the doors and
liftgate are closed, or until you lock the doors.)
Mode 3: Exit Lighting Only (The interior lamps will
come on whenever you remove the key from the ignition
and stay on for about 25 seconds, or until you lock
the doors.)

2-24 Exiting Programming Mode
To exit programming mode, just turn the key from
ACCESSORY to OFF and put the BCM PRGRM fuse
back into the instrument panel fuse block.
After programming a feature, you can exit the
programming mode at anytime. Also, if your vehicle is
equipped with the content
-theft deterrent system,
remember to arm the system before exiting.
Sliding Door
To open the sliding door from outside the vehicle, pull
the handle out and then pull the door toward the rear. If
you slide the door all the way back, the door will rest in
a detent position. The door must overcome this detent
when closing.
To move the door forward, you must first pull the door
past the open detent position.
If your vehicle has a sliding door on the driver's side,
the door is designed to open only a little if the fuel door
is open. If this ever happens, don't try to force the
sliding door. Just close the driver's side sliding door.
Then when the fuel filler door is closed, the driver's side
sliding door can be opened normally.
Sliding Door Lock

2-29
If you want to open the power sliding door when the
switch is turned on, pull the inside or outside handle and
let go. The door will open fully.
To open the power sliding door when the power sliding
door switch is off, pull the inside or outside handle and
slide the door all the way back.
CAUTION:
If your vehicle is facing downward on a steep
grade (15 percent or more), the door may not
stay open and could slam shut, possibly injuring
someone. To make sure the door does not slam
shut, turn on the power sliding door feature.
Then if the door closes, it will close under the
control of the power door system.
If you want to close the power sliding door when the
switch is turned on, pull the inside or outside handle or
the edge of the door. Move the door about 4 inches
(10 cm) toward the closed position and release.
The door will close completely and latch for you.
To close the power sliding door when the switch is
turned off, pull the inside or outside handle and slide the
door all the way forward to the latched position.

2-38
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:

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
With the key in the ignition, you can turn the switch to
five positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This is an on position in which you
can operate your electrical power accessories. Press in
the ignition switch as you turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle.

2-39
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.
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed, but never try to
push
-start your vehicle. A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver's door when the ignition is off and
the key is in the ignition.RUN (D): This is an on position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in RUN when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not running, you
can use RUN to operate your electrical power
accessories, and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START (E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
If the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and RUN are
positions that allow you to operate your electrical
accessories, such as the radio.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With RAP, the power windows (option), the power rear
quarter windows (if equipped), audio system and
electronic level control (ELC) will continue to work up
to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF and
none of the doors are opened.

2-41
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don't,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed,
see the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0
F (-18
C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm
-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.

2-43
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This gear position locks your front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. As you step
on the brake pedal, while in PARK (P), you may hear a
click from the solenoid of the system. This ensures that
the system is operating properly.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in this section.
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).
See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index. If
you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.

2-44
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn't
connect with the wheels. To restart when you're already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don't shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn't covered by your warranty.

2-45
AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D): This position is for
normal driving. If you need more power for passing,
and you're:

Going less than 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.

Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You'll shift down to the next gear and have more power.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) for higher speeds.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):

When driving on hilly, winding roads.

When towing a trailer (so there is less shifting
between gears).

When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power, but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.