1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER tow

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.
I 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.
Shifting out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (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.
I 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.
2-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Into PARK (P)
( * +ovatic Tran;.-!e Yodels Only)
r
It can be 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.
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, use the steps
that follow.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position like
this: Hold in the button on the lever, and push the
lever
all the way toward the front of your vehicle.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key
in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
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
is in the
RUN position. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
If you car
)t 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.)
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transaxle Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transaxle in REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the
parking brake.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is equipped
to tow a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transaxle)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here
are some things to know.
/r CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
“Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place: can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen
is a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See “Blizzard” in the Index.)
A CAUTION:
t can be 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’ve 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move.
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer, also see “Towing
a Trailer’’ in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
beam to low, pull the
turn signal lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel also
will be on.
Flash-To-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front
of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by moving the stalk
with the windshield wiper
symbol on it up or down.
2-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windshield Washer the window and then either stop or return to your preset
speed. If’you had no speed selected, the wipers will stop.
To wash your windshield, pull the stalk with the wiper
symbol on it toward you one time. The wipers will clear
I A CAUTION:
c
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
4 2-37
. .. - . .. -._.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To reactivate the interior lamps, either:
The ignition must be turned on,
The activated lamp switch must be turned off, then
A front door must be opened.
The battery rundown protection feature will also be
activated when any door
is left open.
If your vehicle is left with the ignition
off for over
24 days, the battery power to the clock and audio system
will turn off to reduce the battery drain. When the
ignition
is turned on again, battery power will be
resupplied. Under these conditions it will be necessary
to reset the clock and audio system settings. on,
OR
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
To reduce glare from lamps behind you, move the lever
toward you to the night position.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Raising the Convertible Top
1. Set the parking brake and shift your automatic
transaxle to
PARK (P) or your manual transaxle to
NEUTRAL (N).
2. Turn the ignition to RUN.
3. Lower the door windows to avoid wear to the
weatherstrips.
5. Push the handle forward toward the windshield and hold
it until the convertible top is fully raised, and the latch
pins
are all the way in the holes above the windshield.
6. Turn the latch handle up to lock the top. Be sure the
top
is securely latched.
4. Push the button in the latch handle and rotate the
handle down.