2003 CHEVROLET SSR ignition

Shifting Into Park (P)
{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 rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not 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 will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-19for more information.2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing the
button on the lever while pushing the lever all the
way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
remove the key from the ignition, the vehicle is in
PARK (P).
2-20

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 rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold down
the regular brake pedal. See if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, see “Shifting
Into PARK (P)” listed previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-17.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever, push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P), and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift
lever button and move the shift lever into the gear
you wish.
2-21

Cargo Cover
Opening the Cargo Cover
Press this button located in
the glovebox to release
the cargo cover.
You can also open the cargo cover using the remote
keyless entry transmitter. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry System Operation on page 2-5for more
information. The tailgate must be open for you to close
the cargo cover. SeeTailgate on page 2-9for more
information.
If you cannot open your cargo cover area using your
remote keyless entry transmitter you should rst check
the battery. See “Battery Replacement” underRemote
Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-5.If
changing the battery does not work, you may need to
replace the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-82for more information.To open your cargo cover area manually, do the
following:
1. Locate the control box under the rear of the vehicle
on the driver’s side, behind the rear tire.
2. Insert the convertible top release tool or your
ignition key and turn it to activate the emergency
release. The convertible top release tool is provided
by the dealer and stored in the glovebox.
Convertible top release tool shown
2-32

Convertible Top Operation
Notice:If you operate the convertible top switch
continuously while the ignition is in ACCESSORY,
the battery will drain and you might not be able
to start your vehicle. Do not use the convertible top
switch for extended periods of time when the
ignition is in ACCESSORY.
The ignition must be in RUN or ACCESSORY and your
foot must be on the brake in order to raise or lower
the convertible top. The cargo cover must also be closed
for the convertible top to work properly.
Operate the convertible top by pressing the convertible
top switch located on the console switchback. See
Center Console Switchbank on page 3-16for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the convertible top can be
dangerous. People can be injured by the
convertible top and its mechanism. Keep
people away from your vehicle when you are
lowering or raising the top.
a(Top Open):Press and hold this symbol on
the convertible top switch to open the convertible
top. The windows will lower automatically when the top
begins to lower. Two chimes will sound when the
convertible top is fully opened.
b(Top Closed):Press and hold this symbol on
the convertible top switch to close the convertible
top. Two chimes will sound when the top is fully closed.
If you cannot raise or lower the convertible top by
using your convertible top switch, you may need to
replace the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-82for more information.
If you still cannot operate your convertible top, contact
your dealer.
You may need to raise the roof tonneau and convertible
top manually in the event of a power loss. You will
need two people to lift the roof tonneau and convertible
top when using the following procedure. To manually
raise the roof tonneau and convertible top, do the
following:
1. Turn the ignition to OFF.
2. Be sure the cargo cover is closed. SeeCargo
Cover on page 2-32andRemote Keyless Entry
System Operation on page 2-5for more information.
3. Open both doors.
2-38

Vehicle Personalization
Memory Seat
Your vehicle may have a memory driver’s seat. The
controls are located on the outboard of the driver’s seat,
and are used to program and recall memory settings
for the driver’s seating positions.
Adjust the driver’s seat to the desired position. Press
the SET button, then press and hold button 1 (for
Driver 1) for three seconds. A double chime will sound
to let you know that the position has been stored.A second seating position can be programmed by
repeating the procedure with a second driver and
pressing button 2 for three seconds. Each time
button 1 or 2 is pressed and released while the vehicle
is in PARK (P), a single chime will sound, and the
memory position will be recalled.
If you use the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter to enter your vehicle, the preset driver’s
seat positions will be recalled if programmed to do so
through the Driver Information Center (DIC). The
numbers on the back of the transmitters, 1 or 2,
correspond to the numbers on the memory controls.
The seat positions can also be recalled by placing the
key in the ignition if programmed to do so through
the Driver Information Center (DIC).
To stop recall movement of the memory feature at
any time, press one of the power seat controls or
memory buttons.
Further programming for automatic seat can be done
through the Driver Information Center (DIC). See
DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-52for more
information.
2-44

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the button at the end of the lever,
then release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from on to
resume/accelerate. Hold it there until you get up to
the speed you want, and then release the switch.
To increase your speed in very small amounts,
move the switch briey to resume/accelerate.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control

Press and hold the button at the end of the lever
until you reach the lower speed you want, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briey press
and release the set button. Each time you do this,
you’ll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you may want to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain your speed.
When going downhill, you may have to brake or shift to
a lower gear to keep your speed down. Of course,
applying the brake takes you out of cruise control.
Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble and don’t
use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal.
Move the cruise switch to off, or
Shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-10

Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as
the taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the
instrument panel lights when the exterior lamps knob is
turned to AUTO. The radio lights will also be on.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel. Be sure it is not covered or
the system will be on whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your lights when driving
through a parking garage, heavy overcast weather
or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so
that driving under bridges or bright overhead street
lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
automatic headlamp system will only be affected when
the light sensor sees a change in lighting lasting
longer than the delay.
To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is off.
Then start your vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay off until you release the parking brake,
or until you shift out of PARK (P).You may be able to turn off your automatic headlamp
system. See “Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)” later
in this section for more information.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take approximately
one minute for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
your instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure your instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position. See “Instrument
Panel Brightness” underInterior Lamps on page 3-14.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Lamps On Reminder
A reminder tone will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on, the driver’s door is
open and your ignition is in OFF or ACCESSORY. To turn
the tone off, turn the knob all the way counterclockwise.
In the automatic mode, the headlamps turn off once the
ignition key is in OFF.
3-12

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 lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come on
at reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps knob is in AUTO.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The transmission is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won’t
be on. The instrument panel won’t be lit up either.When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular headlamps.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, put your vehicle’s
transmission in PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you shift out of PARK (P).
Fog Lamps
Use your fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions. Your ignition must be in RUN for your
fog lamps to work.
-(Fog Lamps):Press this button located on the
exterior lamps control to turn the fog lamps on or off.
The fog lamps will go off whenever you turn on the
high-beam headlamps. When the high beams are turned
off, the fog lamps will come on again.
O(Fog Lamp Indicator Light):This light located on
the exterior lamps control illuminates when the
fog lamps are turned on.
3-13