2000 CHEVROLET VENTURE wheel

2-33
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft
-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and so will your
ignition and transaxle. Also remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it's best to lock it up and take your key.
But what if you have to leave your key? What if you
have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?

Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove box.

If your vehicle has a remote keyless entry system,
take the transmitter with you.

Lock all the doors except the driver's.

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New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak
-in.º 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.

Avoid making hard stops for the first
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 ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition, you can turn the switch to
five positions.
ACCESSORY (A): This is an on position in which you
can operate your electrical power accessories. Press in
the ignition switch as you turn the top of it toward you.
LOCK (B): This is the only position in which you can
remove the key. This locks your steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle.

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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.
OFF (C): This position unlocks the steering wheel,
ignition and transaxle, but does not send electrical
power to any accessories. Use this position if your
vehicle must be pushed or towed, but never try to
push
-start your vehicle. A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver's door when the ignition is off and
the key is in the ignition.RUN (D): This is an on position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in RUN when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not running, you
can use RUN to operate your electrical power
accessories, and to display some instrument panel
warning lights.
START (E): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to RUN for normal driving.
If the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and RUN are
positions that allow you to operate your electrical
accessories, such as the radio.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With RAP, the power windows (option), the power rear
quarter windows (if equipped), audio system and
electronic level control (ELC) will continue to work up
to 10 minutes after the ignition key is turned to OFF and
none of the doors are opened.

2-43
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This gear position locks your front wheels.
It's the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system. You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in RUN. As you step
on the brake pedal, while in PARK (P), you may hear a
click from the solenoid of the system. This ensures that
the system is operating properly.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
See ªShifting Out of PARK (P)º in this section.
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.

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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
ªStuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snowº in the Index.
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.
CAUTION:
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is ªracingº (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 warranty.

2-46
NOTICE:
Don't drive in SECOND (2) for more than
25 miles (40 km), or at speeds over 55 mph
(90 km/h), or you can damage your transaxle.
Use THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) as much as possible. Don't
shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h) or you can
damage your engine.
NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with a transaxle system
sensor. If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged. So, if this happens,
have your vehicle serviced right away. Until then,
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
you can use SECOND (2) when you are driving
less than 35 mph (55 km/h) and THIRD (3) for
higher speeds.
FIRST (1): 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 selector
lever is put in FIRST (1), the transaxle won't downshift
into first gear until the vehicle is going slow enough.
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
transaxle. Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P)
to hold your vehicle in position on a hill.

2-54 Power Rear Quarter Windows
(If Equipped)
This button, located in
the overhead console
switchbank, is used for
opening and closing
the power rear
quarter windows.
Press the top ribbed side of the button to open the
windows; both windows will open. The windows can be
opened fully or only a portion depending on how long
the button is pushed.Press the bottom symbol side of the button to close both
windows. The windows can be closed fully or only a
portion depending on how long the button is pushed.
The ignition must be in RUN, ACCESSORY or when
retained accessory power (RAP) is active to use the
power rear quarter windows. See ªRetained Accessory
Powerº in the Index.
Rear Side Panels (Cargo Van)
The windows on the cargo van are opaque glass.
These operate the same as the rear side windows in the
regular van.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the horn symbols on
your steering wheel.

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Tilt Wheel
A tilt steering wheel allows you to adjust the steering
wheel before you drive. You can also raise it to the
highest level to give your legs more room when you exit
and enter the vehicle.
To tilt the wheel, hold the
steering wheel and pull the
lever located on the left
side of the steering
wheel console.
Move the steering wheel to a comfortable level, then
release the lever to lock the wheel in 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 Wiper and Washer Control

Cruise Control (Option)

Flash
-to-Pass