2003 CHEVROLET SSR traction control

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-3
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-4
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-5
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-11
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Center Console Switchbank............................3-16
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-17
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-23
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-24
Trip Odometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-24
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-24
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-25
Airbag Off Light............................................3-26
Charging System Light..................................3-27
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-28
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-29
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
(Automatic Transmission)
............................3-29Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-30
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-30
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-34
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-35
Security Light...............................................3-35
Cruise Control Light......................................3-35
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-36
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-36
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-36
Fuel Gage...................................................3-37
Auxiliary Gage Package.................................3-38
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-41
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-41
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-45
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-52
Audio System(s).............................................3-58
Setting the Time...........................................3-59
Radio with CD..............................................3-59
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-68
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-80
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-80
Radio Reception...........................................3-81
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-81
Care of the CD Player...................................3-81
Integrated Windshield Antenna........................3-81
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Cruise Control
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).
If you apply your brakes, the cruise control will shut off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not 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. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
Setting Cruise Control
Your cruise control is
located at the end of your
turn signal/multifunction
lever.
3-8

Center Console Switchbank
The following controls are located on your center
console switchbank:
A. Driver Power Window. SeePower Windows on
page 2-11.
B. Traction Control System (TCS) (Automatic
Transmission Only). SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-8.C. Convertible Top. SeeConvertible Top on page 2-37.
D. Power Door Locks. SeePower Door Locks on
page 2-8.
E. Passenger Power Window. SeePower Windows
on page 2-11.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
There is an accessory power outlet located on either side
of the ashtray on the instrument panel, and there is an
outlet in the rear cargo area. A small cap must be
removed to access an accessory power outlet. When not
using an outlet be sure to cover it with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating. Automatic Transmission shown,
Manual Transmission similar
3-16

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on
for several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock
brakes and there’s a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briey when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the light doesn’t come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
(Automatic Transmission)
If the TC (traction control)
warning light comes on
and stays on, there may be
a problem with the
traction control system.
The TC (traction control) warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition to ON. If it doesn’t
come on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If the Traction Control System (TCS) is on and you drive
faster than 100 mph (161 km/h), the system will turn
off and the TC warning light will come on. The TCS will
turn back on and the TC warning light will go out
once the vehicle speed falls below 90 mph (145 km/h).
If the TC (traction control) warning light stays on or
comes on while you are driving, pull off the road as soon
as possible and stop carefully. Try resetting the system
by turning the ignition off then back on. If the light
still stays on or comes back on again while you are
driving, your vehicle needs service. Have the traction
control system inspected as soon as possible.
3-29

Tonn (Tonneau) Hall Switch Fault
This message will be displayed when trying to raise or
lower the convertible top and there is a fault with
this switch. If the message persists, see your dealer
for service.
Tonn (Tonneau) Latd (Latched)
Switch Fault
This message will be displayed when trying to raise or
lower the convertible top and there is a fault with
this switch. If the message persists, see your dealer
for service.
Traction Active
This message, along with the light on the Traction
Control System (TCS) warning light on the instrument
panel cluster, will be displayed when the TCS system is
active. Press the select button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8andTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light (Automatic
Transmission) on page 3-29for more information.
Trans (Transmission) Hot Idle
If the transmission uid in the vehicle becomes too hot,
this message will appear on the DIC. Stop the vehicle
and let it idle to allow the transmission uid to cool.
This message will clear when the uid temperature
reaches a safe level. SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid
on page 5-21and if your vehicle is equipped with the
auxiliary gage package, see “Transmission Temperature
Gage” underAuxiliary Gage Package on page 3-38
for more information.
Turn Signal On
If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 mile (1.2 km), this
message will appear on the display and you will hear a
chime. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to the
off position. Press the select button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the display. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5for more
information.
Unknown Speed
This message will be displayed when trying to raise or
lower the convertible top and the roof controller
cannot communicate with the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). See your dealer for service.
3-51

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-8
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-13
Driving at Night............................................4-15
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-17
City Driving..................................................4-20Freeway Driving...........................................4-21
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-22
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-24
Winter Driving..............................................4-26
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow...................................................4-30
Towing..........................................................4-30
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-30
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-31
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-31
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-38
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-38
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a Traction Control System (TCS) that
limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens,
the system reduces engine power and may also
upshift the transmission to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. See “Cruise Control”
inTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-5.
The Traction Control System operates in all transmission
shift lever positions except for rst gear. This is
normal. The system is deactivated when the
transmission is shifted into rst gear. In this situation,
the “TRAC OFF” light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. This is normal. The system can upshift the
transmission only as high as the shift lever position
you’ve chosen, so you should use the lower gears only
when necessary. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-17.
4-8

When the system is on,
this warning light will come
on to let you know if
there’s a problem.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If the Traction Control System (TCS) is on and you drive
faster than 100 mph (161 km/h), the system will turn
off and the TC warning light will come on. The TCS will
turn back on and the TC warning light will go out
once the vehicle speed falls below 90 mph (145 km/h).
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
(Automatic Transmission) on page 3-29.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the Traction Control
System on. But you can turn the system off if you
ever need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. See “Rocking Your
Vehicle” inIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow on page 4-30.To turn the system on or
off press the button
located on your center
console switchbank. See
Center Console
Switchbank on page 3-16
for more information.
When you turn the system off, the Traction Control
System warning light will come on and stay on. If the
Traction Control System is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button to turn the system off, the warning
light will come on and the system will turn off right away.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The Traction Control System
warning light should go off.
4-9