2003 CHEVROLET SSR Page 3

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

Running the Engine While Parked
It is 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
Engine Exhaust on page 2-22.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan 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
Winter Driving on page 4-26.
{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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-20.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-38.
2-23

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have a manual rearview mirror. While
sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust the mirror
so you can see clearly behind your vehicle. Grip the
mirror in the center to move it up or down and side to
side. The control at the bottom of the mirror is the
day/night feature that allows adjustment to the mirror so
that the glare of headlamps from behind is reduced. Push
the control for daytime use; pull it for night use.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with HomeLink
®
The vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with map lamps and HomeLink®Transmitter
buttons. For more information about this feature, see
HomeLink
®Wireless Control System on page 2-26.
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust the
mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle.
Grip the mirror in the center to move it up or down and
side to side.
Mirror Operation
The mirror automatically changes to reduce glare from
headlamps behind you. A time delay feature prevents
rapid changing from the day to night positions while
driving under lights and through traffic.
[(On/Off):The automatic dimming feature is
automatically activated when the vehicle is started. The
automatic dimming feature is turned on or off by
pressing this button located on the lower part of the
mirror. Press and hold the button for up to three seconds
to turn this feature on or off.
T(Indicator Light):This light will turn on when the
automatic dimming feature is on.
+(Map Lamps):Press this button to turn the map
lamps on and off.
Press the two outside mirror buttons to light the
transmission positions on the console.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as this could damage
the mirror housing.
2-24

Outside Power Heated Mirrors
The vehicle has outside heated power mirrors.
The power mirror
control is located on
the driver’s door.
To adjust the power mirrors, do the following:
1. Turn the knob toward the mirror to be adjusted.
2. Move the knob in the desired direction.
3. Return the knob to the center position once the
mirrors are adjusted.
When the furthest position is reached in any direction,
the mirror will enter a ratcheting mode and a clicking
sound will be heard. To stop this, move the control knob
in the opposite direction.Both mirrors heat to clear them of ice, snow and
condensation when the rear window defogger is turned
on. See “Rear Window Defogger” underClimate
Control System on page 3-18for more information.
The mirrors can be manually folded inward to prevent
damage when going through an automatic car wash
or conned space. Push each mirror toward the vehicle.
To return the mirror to its original position, push
outward. Be sure to return the mirrors to their original
unfolded position before driving.
Outside Convex Mirror
A convex mirror’s surface is curved so more can be
seen from the driver’s seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
2-25

Outside Automatic Dimming
Heated Mirror
If the vehicle has this feature, the driver’s side outside
rearview mirror will adjust for the glare of headlamps
from behind by pushing the on and off settings on the
mirror. SeeAutomatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with HomeLink
®on page 2-24for more information.
Both outside mirrors are also heated when the
rear window defogger is turned on. See “Rear Window
Defogger” underClimate Control System on page 3-18.
The mirrors can be manually folded inward to prevent
damage when going through an automatic car wash.
To fold, push the mirror toward the vehicle. To return the
mirror to its original position, push outward. Be sure
to return the mirrors to their original unfolded position
before driving.
HomeLink®Transmitter
HomeLink®Wireless Control System
If your vehicle has this feature, the HomeLink®
transmitter buttons are located on the automatic
dimming rearview mirror. The three buttons on the left
side of the mirror are the HomeLink
®transmitter buttons.
HomeLink
®, a combined universal transmitter
and receiver, provides a way to replace up to
three hand-held transmitters used to activate devices
such as gate operators, garage door openers, entry door
locks, security systems and home lighting. Additional
HomeLink
®information can be found on the internet at
www.homelink.com or by calling 1-800-355-3515.
2-26

Storage Areas
Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull on the lever. Use your door
key to lock or unlock it.
Cupholder(s)
Your vehicle has one cupholder located on your
instrument panel and one cupholder that is removable
and snaps to the passenger’s side of the center console
in the bracket provided.
To open the cupholder on the instrument panel, push in
the center of the cupholder door. The cupholder will
then release and move outward toward you for use. To
return the cupholder to its closed position, push in
the center of the cupholder door near the top. If you
press in the center middle of the cupholder door,
the cupholder will not close properly.
Instrument Panel Storage Area
There is a storage tray located to the right of the
steering wheel on the instrument panel. Press on the
tray to release it. The tray will slide out of the instrument
panel toward you. You can then put small items into
the tray. To close the tray, push forward on the center of
the tray until it latches back into the instrument panel.
Center Console Storage Area
Your center console has a storage area that can be
locked and unlocked with the center console storage
key. SeeKeys on page 2-2for more information.
Map Pocket
The map/storage pockets are located on both the driver
and passenger side doors.
2-31

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

Removing the Cargo Cover
Your vehicle’s cargo cover can be removed. You will
need more than one person to remove the cargo cover.
1. Open the tailgate. SeeTailgate on page 2-9for
instructions.
2. Disconnect the
electrical connector
located on the
underside of the cargo
cover near the front
of the bed.3. Locate and remove the
bolts that hold the cargo
cover in place. There is
one bolt on each side
near the front of the
cargo area.
2-33