1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE
(R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE
(R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transaxle.
Shift Speeds
Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brake
for parking your vehicle.
-
A CAUTICY:
If you skip more tl n one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
And you could injure yourself or others. Don’t
shift from FIFTH
(5) to FIRST (1).
This chart shows when to shift to the next gear for the
best fuel economy.
Manual Transaxle Recommended Shift Speeds
ENGINE
1.8L
(Code 8)
1 to 2 2 to 3 3 to 4 4
to 5
or2to1 or3to2 or4to3
orst04
15 mph 23 mph 40 mph 45 mph
(24 km/h) (37 km/h) (64 kmk) (72 km/h)
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear.
You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and
pull up
on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning light will
cQme on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press the
release button. Hold the release button
in as you move
the lever all the way down.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
Shifting Into PARK (P)
A
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 by pulling up on the parking
brake lever.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) as follows:
I
0 Hold in the button on the shift lever.
0 Push the lever all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
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 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
RI - - ng (Autom;- ‘ic -‘an - - --’e Only)
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK
(P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To
prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift
into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver’s
seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle,
so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
Your vehicle has a Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition
is in the
ON position. See “Automatic Transaxle
Operation” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Carefully pry the shift lock override cover from the
floor shift console using a fiat-bladed tool.
2. Insert the end of the flat-bladed tool into the
rectangular slot and press down firmly.
3. While maintaining brake application, move the shift lever into the drive gear you want.
4. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transaxle in
REVERSE (R) (if your vehicle is parked on
a level surface or facing downhill), or put your manual
transaxle in FIRST
(1) (if your vehicle is parked facing
uphill) and firmly apply the parking brake.
If you are towing
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
Things that can burn cudd touw hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don’t park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Frgine Fvhaust
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide
(CO), which you can’t see or
smell.
It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in
if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road
or over road debris.
Repairs weren’t done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
or
different.
modified improperly. blow out any
CO; and
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.
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.)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Power Windows (Option)
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.
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.
Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and close each window. With power
windows, switches on the driver’s door
control each window when the ignition is on.
Push down
the front of the switch to lower a window and lift the
front of the switch to raise
a window.
The AUTO switch for the driver’s window has an
express-down feature. To use express-down, push the
switch down all the way. Release the switch and the
window will lower completely. Pull
up on the switch
lightly and release it to stop
the window partway.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can also open this window any amount by pushing
the switch halfway down and releasing it when you want
the window
to stop.
Do not push the switch when the window is in the
express-down mode.
There are individual controls near each window. Push
down the front of the switch to lower a window and lift
the front of the switch to raise a window.
Lock-Out Switch
Press the window lock switch to keep passengers from
using their individual window switches. Press the switch
again to unlock the windows.
Horn
To sound the horn, press anywhere on the horn pad on
your steering wheel.
Tilt Column (Option)
A tilt steering column allows you to adjust the steering
column before you drive.
To tilt the column, pull down on the lever. Move the
steering wheel to a comfortable level, then move the
lever upward
to lock the column in place.
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