1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE instrument panel

Both outside mirrors can be folded forward or rearward.
In the rearward position, they will fold almost flush with
the vehicle. This feature is particularly useful
in
automatic car washes.
Your mirrors have
a blue tint to reduce glare while
driving at night.
Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved
so you can see more from
the driver’s seat.
A CAUTION: I
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Your vehicle’s large carrying capacity can store many
items. If you have the extended wheelbase version, you
can carry things as large as a
4’ x 8’ piece of plywood.
You can also use the floor pins that are used to attach the
seats, to secure larger loads. This section also describes
storage areas for specific items like sunglasses and cups.
Glove Box
Your vehicle has a glove box below the instrument panel.
To open the glove box, lift the latch release. Use the key
to lock or unlock the glove box.
The glove box door has a detent to prevent the door
from lowering too far. Open the
glove box until the door
is partway open, then pull the door down if you need it
fully open.
To close the glove box, the door must be
pushed up past the detent.
In the door of the glove box, you will find a tissue pack
holder and clip for
a pen or pencil.
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Cupholders
There are cupholders on the inboard side of the front
passenger’s seat and the right side of the second row
bench seat.
To
use the cupholders, simply pull down the tray. Keep
the trays
up when not in use.
Your vehicle has storage compartments and cupholders
on either side
of the vehicle, next to the third row seats.
The seatbacks have cupholders that can be used when
the seatbacks are folded down.
Storage Bin
At the base of the center instrument panel console, there
is a storage bin.
To open the bin, lift the latch release
and the door will fold down.
Inside the bin, you will find a tray that slides out. Slide
the tray
all the way toward the rear of the vehicle until
the tray locks onto the plastic tabs at
the end of the guide
rails. The tray holds
CDs or cassettes in the center area.
You can also store cassettes in the left side area. The
right side area can
hold either the coinholder, which lifts
out, or another cassette.
The tray can be removed for
cleaning or when you want to replace the selection
of
CDs or cassettes. Slide the tray back into the storage bin
before closing the bin door. The tray can also be placed
in the glove box for locked storage if desired.
Removing and Replacing the Tray
To remove the tray, slide it almost all the way out. Don’t
let the tray lock over the plastic tabs at the end
of the
guide rails
(A). Lift the tray out of the guide rails. The
rubber
mat under the tray also lifts out for cleaning.
When the rubber mat is replaced, be sure the tabs at the
back
of the mat are seated in the slots at the back of the
storage bin.
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After removing the tie-downs or other equipment,
be sure to reinstall the the piece
of bumper strip that
was cut.
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
The ashtray and cigarette lighter are located in the
middle section of the instrument panel, below the
switchbank. Pull out the drawer to use the ashtray.
To remove the ashtray for cleaning, grasp the edge of
the ashtray with your fingertips and pull up and out,
in a rocking motion.
To use the lighter, push it in
all the way and let go.
When it’s ready, it will pop back
by itself.
NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when it’s ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
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Instrument Panel
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Your instrument panel is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You’ll know how fast
you’re going, how much fuel you’re using, and many other things you’ll need
to drive safely and economically.
Refer to the accompanying diagram
of your instrument panel to locate the components listed below.
A. Side Vents L. Ignition Switch
B. Front Vent
M. Climate Controls
C. Turn Signalhlultifunction Lever N. Rear Fan Controls (Option)
D. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch 0. Accessory Power Outlet
E. Instrument Cluster P. Storage Bin
E Center Vents Q. Remote CD Player (Option)
G. Audio System R. Instrument Panel Switchbank
H. Side Vents
S. LightedAshtray
I. Lamps Switch T. Glove Box
J. Hood Release U. Front Vents
K. Horn V. Fuse Panel
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Instrument Panel Cluster
Your cluster includes indicator warning lights and gages that are ex\
plained on the following pages.
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Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows
a deployed air bag. 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 sensors, the air
bag module, the wiring and the 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
RUN. 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
1+1
The charging system light
will come on when you turn
on the ignition as a check to
show you it is working. It
will remain on as long as
the engine is not running.
It should go out once the engine is running. If
it stays
on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the charging system. It could indicate that
you have problems with a 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.
Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it
means you have a brake problem.
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Low Traction Light (Option)
LOW
TRACTION
If your vehicle has the
traction control system,
there will be a LOW
TRACTION light on
the instrument panel.
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid
a braking skid, or when your traction
control system is limiting wheel spin, the LOW
TRACTION light will come on. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this light comes
on, so adjust
your driving accordingly. The light will come on and
stay on for four seconds when your anti-lock system
adjusts brake pressure for less than four seconds or
when your traction control system limits wheel spin
for less than four seconds. Otherwise, the light will
go
out as soon as the anti-lock system stops adjusting
brake pressure or the traction control system stops
limiting wheel spin.
The
LOW TRACTION light also comes on briefly,
as a bulb check, when the engine is started. If the light
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be there to
tell you when the system is active.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

C
%
125
%
United States
I
Canadian
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If
the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows you what
to do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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