1999 CHEVROLET METRO Owners Manual

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2-23
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.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle (see the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaustº).
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
ªBlizzardº in the Index.)
CAUTION:
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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and close each
door window.

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2-24
Horn
Your can sound the horn by pressing one of the horn
symbols on your steering wheel.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes your:

Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator

Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer

Flash
-to-Pass
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don't
flash but just stay on, a signal bulb may be burned out
and other drivers won't see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don't go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned
-out bulbs and check the
fuse (see ªFuses and Circuit Breakersº in the Index).

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2-25 Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
beam to low, push the turn signal away from you. To
switch back to low beams, pull the lever toward you.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel also will
be on. It will go off when
you switch to the
low beams.
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.
For steady wiping at low speed, move the stalk down to
LO. For high
-speed wiping, move the stalk down to HI.
To stop the wipers, move the stalk to OFF.
If your vehicle is equipped with intermittent wipers, you
can use this function by moving the stalk to INT. In light
rain or snow, you might want to use this position rather
than continuous wiping.

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2-26
Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you
from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid damage,
be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades before
using them. If they're frozen to the windshield, carefully
loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become damaged,
get new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Windshield Washer
To wash your windshield, pull the stalk with the washer
symbol on it toward you to spray washer fluid on the
windshield. The spray will continue until you release the
lever. If your vehicle is equipped with intermittent
wipers, your windshield wipers will cycle a few times.
See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index.
CAUTION:
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.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer (If Equipped)
If you have this option on
your two
-door model, push
the upper button to turn on
your rear wiper. Push the
same button again to turn
it off.
To wash and wipe at the same time, push the lower
washer button all the way in.
The washer and wiper will run as long as you hold it.
To add washer fluid, see ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in
the Index.

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2-27
Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
Turn the outside part of the turn signal/multifunction
lever to control the lamps.
OFF: All lamps are off.
: This position will turn on the following lamps:

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lamps
: This position will turn on the lamps listed above,
as well as the headlamps.
Lamps On Reminder
If you turn the ignition off and leave the lamps on,
you'll hear a tone when you open the driver's door.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your low
-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when:

The ignition is on,

The headlamp switch is off and

The parking brake is released.
When you turn on the headlamp switch, your DRL will
go out and your headlamps will come on.
The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will
also come on.

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2-28
When you turn off the headlamp switch, the regular
lamps will go off and your low
-beam headlamps will
come on at the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. The DRL will stay off until you release the
parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This knob controls the
brightness of your
instrument panel lights.
Turn the knob clockwise to
brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to
dim them.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp is located between the sun visors on
the two
-door model, and in the center of the roof on
the four
-door model. The dome lamp has a
three
-position switch.
OFF: The lamp stays off even when the driver's door
is open.
CENTER: The lamp comes on when the driver's door
is opened.
ON: The lamp comes on and stays on whether or not a
door is open.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
An inside rearview mirror is attached above your
windshield. The mirror has a pivot so that you can adjust
it up and down or side to side.
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving. Pull
the tab toward you for night driving to reduce glare.
Push the tab away from you for daytime driving.

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2-29 Outside Manual Adjust Mirror
Adjust the outside mirrors by hand so that you can just
see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting in a
comfortable driving position.
Manual Remote Control Mirror
The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you
can just see the side of your vehicle when you are sitting
in a comfortable driving position.
Adjust the driver's side outside mirror with the control
lever on the driver's door. To adjust your passenger's
side mirror, sit in the driver's seat and have a passenger
adjust the mirror for you.
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.
CAUTION:
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
Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch toward you.
Always keep the glove box door closed while driving.
Door Storage Pocket
Your driver and passenger doors have a
storage compartment.

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2-30 Cupholder and Compartment
To use the cupholder, pull it out until it stops. With cups
removed, push it back in to store. An open storage tray
is below the cupholder.
Cargo Cover (If Equipped)
If your two-door model has this option, the cargo cover
allows for hidden storage in the rear area of your
vehicle. The cover opens with the hatchback lid so you
can easily get things in and out. To carry larger items,
the cover can be removed and the rear seat can be
folded down.To remove the cargo cover:
1. Unhook the lifter lines from the hatchback lid.
2. Pull the cover gently toward you and then lift the
cover out of its retainers.
To store the cargo cover:
1. Fold the rear seatback down.
2. Place the cover horizontally between the front
seatbacks and the rear seat cushion.