1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” 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.
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
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
Ignition Switch
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn the
switch to
four positions.
W
LOCK (A): This is the only position from which you
can remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and automatic transaxle.
Push in the ignition
switch as you
turn the it toward you.
If you have an automatic transaxle, the ignition switch
can’t be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is in
the
PARK (P).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ACC (ACCESSORY) (B): In this position, you can
operate some of your electrical power accessories (such
as the radio, but not the ventilation fan). It unlocks the
steering wheel and ignition.
To move the key from ACC
to LOCK, push in the key and then turn it to LOCK.
ON (C): The switch returns to this position after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the
ON position when the engine is running. But
even when the ignition is not running, you can use ON
to operate your electrical power accessories (including
the ventilation fan) and to display some warning and
indicator lights.
START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running,
ACC and ON allow
you to operate some
of your electrical accessories.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition
is in ACC or LOCK and the
key is in the ignition. On manual transaxle
vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK and removing it will lock the steering
column and result in
a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause
a collision. If you need
to turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to
ACC. Don’t push the key in
while the vehicle is moving.
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.
2-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Starting Your 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.
I 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) and the
parking brake engaged. 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.
Starting Your 1.8 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 in three seconds, wait about
15 seconds and try again to start the engine by
turning the ignition key to START. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery
or damaging your starter.
When your engine has run about
10 seconds to warm
up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Don’t “race”
your engine when it’s cold.
If the weather is below freezing (32” F or O’C), let
the engine
run for a few minutes to warm up.
2-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. 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.
4. If your engine stalls, restart it as explained earlier.
If it stalls often, have the engine checked by your
dealer as soon as possible.
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.
Automatic Transaxle Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine It is dangc- JUS 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).
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer’’
~ See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
~ in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your vehicle 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 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) and release the
shift lever button as you maintain brake application.
Then press the shift lever button and move the shift
lever into the gear you wish. 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
“Stuck: In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
2-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered by your warrantv. DRIVE (D):
This
position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you’re:
Going less than about 27 mph (43 M), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 29 mph (47 kmh) or more, push
your accelerator pedal all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the
next gear and have
more power.
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.
-- ~~
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(88 kmh), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use DRIVE (D) as much as possible.
Don’t shift into SECOND
(2) unless you are going
slower than
58 mph (93 km/h), or you can
damage your engine.
2-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine LOW (L): 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
shift lever is put in
LOW (L), the transaxle won’t shift
into low gear until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
I NOTICE.
If your front wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen
if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against
a
solid object. You could damage your transaxle.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
’ pedal. This could overheat and damage the
1 transaxle. Use your brakes to hold your vehicle
~ in position on a hill.
Overdrive (Option)
If your automatic transaxle has OVERDRIVE, you
can use it for better fuel economy. After starting your
engine, always push in the OVERDRIVE button. Then
select the gear you want and press the accelerator pedal.
Gradual starts give you the best fuel economy. Fast
starts use the most fuel.
A light on the instrument panel will come on whenever
you turn
off OVERDRIVE. See “Overdrive Off Light”
in the Index.
2-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Manual Transaxle Operation
5-Speed
I
This is your shift pattern. Here’s how to operate
your transaxle:
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal fully and shift into
FIRST
(1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal. Keep
your foot off the clutch pedal unless you
are
operating the clutch. Avoid excessive use of the clutch
in a half-engaged condition, otherwise the clutch could
slip or could cause problems by overheating.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you’re going less
than
20 mph (32 kmk). If you’ve come to a complete
stop and it’s hard to shift into FIRST
(1)’ put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL
(N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST
(1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND
(2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIF 3 (5): Shift into
THIRD
(3)’ FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL (N).
2-1s