2003 CHEVROLET SSR Page 2

Exterior Lamps
O(Exterior and Interior Lamps Controls):These
controls (B) are located to the left of the steering wheel
and are used to operate the exterior and interior
lamps. Information on the exterior lamps follows.
D(Interior Lamps Control):The interior lamp control
(A) is used to adjust the brightness of the instrument
panel lights. For more information on interior lamps,
seeInterior Lamps on page 3-14.The exterior lamps control operates the following
systems:
Headlamps
Taillamps
Parking Lamps
License Lamps
Sidemarker Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Interior Courtesy Lamps
O(Fog Lamp Indicator Light):This light illuminates
when the fog lamps are turned on. See “Fog Lamps”
later in this section for more information.
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):Turning the
exterior lamps control to this position activates the
automatic headlamp system. See “Automatic Headlamp
System” following in this section for more information.
;(Parking Lamps):Turning the exterior lamps
control to this position turns on the parking lamps,
license plate lamps, the sidemarker lamps and
the instrument panel lights.
2(Headlamps):Turning the exterior lamps control to
this position turns on the headlamps, together with
the previously listed lamps and lights.
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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.
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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness
O
(Exterior and Interior Lamp Controls):These
controls (B) are used to operate the exterior and interior
lamps. Information on the interior lamps follows.
For more information on the exterior lamps, seeExterior
Lamps on page 3-11.
D(Interior Lamp Control):The interior lamp
control (A) is located to the left of the steering wheel
and is used to adjust the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
Press lightly on the interior lamp control and release.
The control will extend outward. Turn the control
clockwise to brighten and counterclockwise to dim the
instrument panel lights. Press on the control to return it to
the stored position.
Exit Lighting
With the exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on
when you remove the key from the ignition to help you
see while exiting the vehicle.
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Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits the dimming of your instrument
panel displays during daylight while your headlamps
are on. When the light sensor reads darkness outside,
you will be able to dim your instrument panel displays
once again.
Perimeter Lighting
When the button with the unlock symbol on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the DRL, parking
lamps and back-up lamps will come on if it is dark
enough outside.
This feature can be personalized for up to two drivers.
SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-52for
more information.
Front Map Lamps
If your vehicle has front map lamps, they are located on
the inside rearview mirror. They will automatically
come on for about 40 seconds when the doors are
unlocked with the remote keyless entry transmitter or
until the ignition key is turned to RUN or ACCESSORY.
The lamps will also stay on for about 40 seconds
after you exit the vehicle unless you lock the doors with
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
You can also turn the lamps on and off by pressing the
button near each lamp.
Battery Rundown Protection
This feature shuts off all lamps that are left on for more
than 10 minutes when the ignition is off. This will keep
your battery from running down.
3-15

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

Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you
or others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briey when you start the engine
just to let you know they’re working. If you are familiar
with this section, you should not be alarmed when
this happens.Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays
on when you are driving, or when one of the gages
shows there may be a problem, check the section
that tells you what to do about it. Please follow this
manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly,
and even dangerous. So please get to know your
warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with the warning lights and gages.
SeeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-41for
more information.
3-22

Speedometer and Odometer
The speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles
per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (km/h).
The odometer shows how far your vehicle has been
driven, in either miles (used in the United States)
or kilometers (used in Canada).
The odometer mileage can be checked without the
vehicle running. Turn the ignition to RUN and press the
trip information button located on the steering wheel.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 3-41for more
information.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. If the new one can be set to
the mileage total of the old odometer, then it must
be. But if it can’t, then it’s set at zero, and a label must
be put on the driver’s door to show the old mileage
reading when the new odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has
been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero.
Your trip odometer is part of your Driver Information
Center (DIC). The trip information button toggles
to display your trip odometer, Trip A, and Trip B
functions. See “Trip Odometer” underDIC Controls
and Displays on page 3-41for more information.
Tachometer
Notice:If you operate the engine with the
tachometer in the shaded warning area, your vehicle
could be damaged, and the damages would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not operate the engine
with the tachometer in the shaded warning area.
The tachometer displays the engine speed in revolutions
per minute (rpm).
Fuel will shut off at about 6500 rpm. It will turn back on
again once the vehicle rpm drops below 6500.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime will
come on for several seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for several seconds,
then it will ash for
several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
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Airbag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the air bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the air bag
sensors, the air bag modules, the wiring and the crash
sensing and diagnostic module. For more information
on the air bag system, seeAirbag Systems on
page 1-40.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then the
light should go out.
This means the system
is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your air
bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle serviced right away if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you start your
vehicle.
The air bag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds 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.
3-25