2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO lock

2-27
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.
CAUTION:
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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index. If
you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a Trailerº in
the Index.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition is in ON. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever by pushing it
all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the brake pedal
pushed down. Release the shift lever button. Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P). See ªShifting Out of
PARK (P)º 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 ªIf
You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.

2-32

Hold in the button on the lever.

Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
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.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into the PARK (P)
position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if
you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without first pulling it toward you (or, if you have the
console shift lever, without first pushing the button). If
you can, it means that the shift lever wasn't fully locked
into PARK (P).

2-33 Torque Lock
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 ªtorque lock.º 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 ªShifting Into PARK (P)º 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)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system. You must fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transaxle Operationº
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever by pushing it all the way into PARK (P)
while keeping the brake pedal pushed down. Then move
the shift lever out of PARK (P), being sure to press the
shift lever button.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.

2-37
Tilt Wheel Adjustable
Steering Column
Use the lever located on the
left side of the steering
column to adjust the
steering wheel.
You can raise the steering wheel to the highest level to
give your legs more room when you exit and enter the
vehicle, or you can lower it so that you're more
comfortable while driving.
To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and pull the
lever. Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level,
then release the lever to lock the wheel into place.
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

Windshield Wipers

Windshield Washer

Flash
-to-Pass

2-40
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.
The LOW WASHER
FLUID message in the
message center will appear
when the fluid level is low.
The light will also be lit for sixty seconds when you
start your vehicle as a test to show you the light is
working properly.
Cruise Control (If Equipped)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise control
does not work at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction control
system (optional) begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. (See ªTraction Control
Systemº in the Index.) When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, you may turn the cruise control back on.

2-45 Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
To turn the fog lamps on,
press the fog lamps switch
located next to the exterior
lamp control on the left side
of the steering column. Your
ignition must be in ON for
the fog lamps to illuminate.
A light will glow on the switch to let you know that they
are on. (Your parking lamps must be on or your fog
lamps won't come on.) Press the switch again to turn the
fog lamps off. The fog lamps will go off whenever you
change to high
-beam headlamps. When you return to
low beams, the fog lamps will come on again.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
You can brighten or dim the instrument panel lights and
cluster by turning the exterior lamp knob. Turn the knob
clockwise to increase the brightness of the instrument
panel and cluster, and counterclockwise to decrease the
brightness. Your parking lamps must be on for this
feature to work.
Courtesy Lamps
When a door is opened, several lamps come on. These
lamps are courtesy lamps. They make it easy for you to
enter and leave your vehicle. You can also turn these
lamps on by turning the exterior lamps knob clockwise
all the way.
Some of the lamps have switches so you can turn them
on, even when the doors are closed. These lamps are
reading lamps.

2-46 Illuminated Entry (If Equipped)
Your courtesy lamps will come on and stay on for a set
time whenever you press UNLOCK on the remote
keyless entry transmitter (if equipped).
If you open a door, the lamps will stay on while it's open
and then turn off automatically about 25 seconds after
you close it. If you press UNLOCK and don't open a
door, the lamps will turn off after about 40 seconds.
Illuminated entry includes a feature called theater
dimming. With theater dimming, the lamps don't just
turn off at the end of the delay time. Instead, they slowly
dim after the delay time until they go out. The delay
time is canceled if you turn the ignition key to ON or
press the power door lock switch so the lamps will dim
right away.
When the ignition is on, illuminated entry is inactive,
which means the courtesy lamps won't come on unless a
door is opened.
Delayed Entry Lighting
Delayed entry lighting illuminates your vehicle's
interior for a period of time after all the doors have
been closed.
The ignition must be off for delayed entry lighting to
work. Just after all the doors have been closed, the delayed
entry lighting feature will continue to work until:

the ignition is in ON,

the doors are locked or

an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened, the
timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on since a door is open.

2-47 Delayed Exit Lighting
This feature illuminates your vehicle's interior for a
period of time after the ignition key is removed from
the ignition.
The vehicle's ignition must be off for delayed exit
lighting to work. When the ignition key is removed,
interior illumination will activate and remain on until:

the ignition is in ON,

the power door locks are activated or

an illumination period of 25 seconds has elapsed.
If during the illumination period a door is opened, the
timed illumination period will be canceled and the
interior lamps will remain on since a door is open.
Parade Mode
The instrument panel has an added feature called parade
mode to assist you in seeing the instrument panel cluster
and radio if your headlamps are on in the daylight.
Rearview Mirror Reading Lamps
Use the switch next to each lamp to turn them on
and off.
Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
The reading lamps are located on the assist handles in
the roof. These lamps and the interior courtesy lamps
come on when any door is opened. Press the lens to turn
them on. Press it again to turn them off.
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp will come on when you open the doors.
You can also turn this lamp on by turning the headlamp
knob clockwise as far as it will go.