1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU key

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Starting Your 3100 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 warrn.
I 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 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 up to 15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the 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 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 “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
A CAUmION:
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 “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
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 apply your regular brake
before you can
shift from PARK (p) when the ignition key
is
in ON. 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. (Press
the
shft lever button before moving the shift lever.) See
“Shifting Out
of PARK (P)” later in this section.
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
“Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Into PARK (P)
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.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
0 Hold in the button on the lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to
OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key in your hand, your
vehicle is in PARK
(P).
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your Chevrolet has a brake-transaxle shift interlock.
You have to apply your regular brake before you can
shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition is in the ON
position. See "Automatic Transaxle" in the Index.
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 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Turn the key to OFF.
Apply and hold the regular brake until the end of
Step
4.
Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
Have the vehicle fixed as
soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
EG
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Illuminated Entrymxit System
When you open any door, the lamps inside your vehicle will go on. These lamps will fade out after about
40 seconds, or when the ignition is turned on after all
doors have been closed. If the ignition was recently
turned
off, the lamps will fade out after four seconds.
These lamps will also go on when you press the LOCK
or UNLOCK button on the optional Keyless Entry System transmitter.
If the ignition has been
off for less than two minutes,
the lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
15 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the switch on the lower front portion of the mirror
to turn on the lamp. Press the other side
of the switch to
turn the lamp
off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp Trunk Lamp
The
trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your Chevrolet is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading, footwell or
glove box) is left on when the ignition is turned off, the
battery saver system will automatically shut the lamp off after
20 minutes. This will avoid draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, either:
The ignition must be turned on,
a The activated lamp switch must be turned off and
A door must be opened.
then on or
The battery saver feature will also be activated when any door
of your vehicle is left open.
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The
ON
position will turn on the light. The DOOR position will
turn on the light whenever a door is opened. The
OFF
position will shut off the lamp completely, even when a
door is opened.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Storage Compartments
Glove Box
Use the key to lock and unlock the glove box. To open,
pull the glove
box handle up.
Center Console Storage Area
The lower area can be used to store cassette tapes or
compact discs.
To open the lower compartment, pull up
on the armrest.
The center console has two separate storage areas. The
upper compartment, which is also the armrest, can be
used to store maps, gloves, etc.
To open, pull up on the
driver’s side
of the lid.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of
your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you
know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you
are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to ON or START, a chime will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt i\
s
already buckled.
The safety belt light
will
also come on and stay on
for about
20 seconds, then
it will flash for about
55 seconds. If the driver’s
belt is already buckled, neither the chime nor the
light will come
on.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensor, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag
system, see “Air Bag” in the Index.
This light will. come
on
~ when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away. The
air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system
indicator light will come on
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.
If it stays on,
or comes on while yoa aye- driving and you
hear
a chime, you may have a problem with the
electrical charging system. It could indicate that you
have a loose generator drive belt or another 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 the light on, be
certain to
turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
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