2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER parking brake

2-33 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle Only)
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 PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pushing
the button. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
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 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).

2-34
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle Only)
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 is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transaxleº in
the Index.
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. (Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever).If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have your vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle Models Only)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R), and firmly
apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has been
placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed
in, you can turn the ignition key to OFF, remove the key
and release the clutch.
See ªManual Transaxle Operationº in the Index.

2-36
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 Exhaust.º
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.
If you are parking on a hill and if you're pulling a
trailer, also see ªTowing a Trailerº in the Index.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the center of your
steering wheel near the horn symbols.

2-44 Parking Lamps
This position will turn on the following:

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Headlamps
This position will turn on the following:

Headlamps

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

Instrument Panel Lights
Turn the band rearward to turn the lamps off.
During periods of high humidity it may be normal for
slight condensation to build up in the lens housing. Any
condensation should dissipate after operating the lamp
for several hours.
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver's door with the ignition off and
the lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
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. Fully
functional daytime running lights are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your high and low
-beam
headlamps come on at a reduced brightness in daylight
when the following conditions are met:

The ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is in OFF or parking
lamp position,

the parking brake is released, and

the transaxle is not in PARK (P) on models with an
automatic transaxle only.

2-45
This indicator light on your
instrument panel cluster
will come on when the DRL
are on.
A flashing DRL telltale indicates a possible burned out
headlamp, or that the vehicle may need service to repair
a stuck DRL relay.
When the DRL are on, your high and low
-beam
headlamps will be on at a reduced brightness. The
taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When you turn on the headlamp switch, your high and
low
-beam headlamps will go out, and your low-beam
headlamps will come on. The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will also come on.
When you turn off the headlamp switch, the regular
lamps will go off, and your high and low
-beam
headlamps will come on to the reduced brightness.
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.
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
Use your fog lamps for
better vision in foggy or
misty conditions. The
switch for your fog lamps is
next to the instrument panel
intensity control.
Push the top of the switch to turn the fog lamps on. Push
the top of the switch again to turn the fog lamps off.
When using fog lamps, the parking lamps or low
-beam
headlamps must be on.
A light on the switch will come on when the fog lamps
are actually on. Fog lamps will go off whenever the
high
-beam headlamps come on. When the high-beam
headlamps go off, the fog lamps will come on again.

2-53
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Fog Lamp Switch (If Equipped)
B. Instrument Panel Intensity Control
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Instrument Panel Cluster
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch
F. Ignition Switch
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls
H. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped)I. Audio System
J. Climate Controls and Rear Window Defogger
K. Fuse Panel
L. Hood Release Lever
M. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever (If Equipped)
N. Parking Brake Lever
O. Shift Lever

2-59 Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.
United States Canada
This light should come on briefly when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn't come on then,
have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there's
a problem.If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. See ªTowing Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you've
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also 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.

2-61
The Enhanced Traction System warning light may come
on for the following reasons:

If you turn the system off by moving the shift lever
to FIRST (1) or SECOND (2), the warning light will
come on and stay on. To turn the system back on,
move the shift lever back to a position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2). The warning light
should go off. See ªEnhanced Traction Systemº in
the Index for more information.

The warning light will come on when you set your
parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if your parking brake doesn't release fully. If
the transaxle shift lever is in any position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and the warning light
stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it
means there's a problem with the system.

If the traction control system is affected by an
engine
-related problem, the system will turn off and
the warning light will come on.

If the vehicle is driven on a severely rough road, the
warning light may come on momentarily but will go
off again when the vehicle leaves the rough surface.If the Enhanced Traction System warning light comes
on and stays on for an extended period of time when the
transaxle shift lever is in any position other than
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) your vehicle needs service.
Enhanced Traction System Active Light
United States Canada
When your Enhanced Traction System is limiting wheel
spin, this light will come on. Slippery road conditions
may exist if the Enhanced Traction System active light
comes on, so adjust your driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
Enhanced Traction System stops limiting wheel spin.
The Enhanced Traction System active light also comes
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
there to tell you when the system is active.