Page 65 of 340
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it is 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.
Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle)
The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition
unless the key release
button is used.
10 remove the key, turn the key to the OFF position.
Press
the key release button while turning the key from
OFF
to LOCK. Keeping your finger on the button, pull
the key straight out.
2-9
Page 66 of 340

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Starting Your Engine.
Engines start differently. The 8th digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows the code letter
or
number for your engine. You will find the VIN at the top
left
of your instrument panel. (See “Vehicle
Identification Number” in the Index.) Follow the proper
steps to start the engine.
Automatic transaxle:
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 Chevrolet
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped. Manual transaxle:
The gear
selector should be in NEUTRAL (N). 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.
To start your 2.2 Liter engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
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.
2. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
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Page 67 of 340

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 fuel injection system 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 “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
To start your
2.3 Liter engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
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.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, and if the weather is
very cold (below
-20” F, or -29” C), push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down
while you turn the key
to START. Do this until the
engine starts. As soon as it does, let go
of the key.
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. If the vehicle starts briefly
but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time
keep the pedal about one-quarter of the way down
for five
or six seconds.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
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Page 68 of 340

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 fuel injection system 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 “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Driving Through Deep Standing
Water
I
I NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or
standing water, water can come in through your engine’s air intake and badly damage your
engine. Never drive through water that is slightly
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you
can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive
through them very slowly.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
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.
To use the coolant heater:
I. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt outlet.
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Page 69 of 340
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends
on the weather, the kind of oil
you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list
everything here, we ask that you contact your Chevrolet
dealer in the area where you’ll
be parking your vehicle.
The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
I NOTICE: I
After you’ve used the coolant heater, be sure to
store the cord
as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
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Page 70 of 340
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transaxle
Your Chevrolet may be equipped with a three speed
automatic or a four speed automatic transaxle. The shift
lever is located on the console between the seats.
There are six different positions for the shift lever on the
three speed automatic and seven for the four speed
automatic transaxle. While PARK
(P), REVERSE (R)
and NEUTRAL (N) operate identically for both
transaxles, the forward gear positions represent different
gearing and operation. See “Forward Gears (Three
Speed)” or “Forward Gears (Four Speed)” later in this
section.
Three Speed Automatic
1 Transaxle Four Speed Automatic
Transaxle
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because
your
vehicle can’t move easily.
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Page 71 of 340

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine. Your Chevrolet has
a
brake-transaxle shift interlock. You have to fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in the RUN position. 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 also release the shift lever button on floor shift
console models as
you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you
wish. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.) See
“Shifting
Out of PARK (P)” 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 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 “If
You’re Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow” 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.
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Page 72 of 340

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
i I NOTICE: I
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered
by your warranty.
j
Forward Gears (Three Speed)
DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving.
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.
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than
5 miles (8 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use
DRIVE @) as much as possible. Don’t shift
into SECOND
(2) unless you are going slower
than
65 mph (105 km/h), or you can damage your
engine.
FIRST (1): This position gives you even more power
(but lower fuel economy) than
SECOND (2). You can
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud.
If the
selector lever
is put in FIRST (l), the transaxle won’t
shift into first gear until the vehicle is going slowly
enough.
2-16