2003 CHEVROLET SSR engine

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this manual you will nd these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice tells about something that can damage the
vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered
by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But
the notice will tell what to do to help avoid the damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see
CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or
in different words.
There are also warning labels on the vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specic component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
If you need help guring out a specic name of a
component, gage, or indicator, reference the following
topics:
Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
Features and Controls in Section 2
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
Climate Controls in Section 3
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3
Audio System(s) in Section 3
Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

Heated Seats
If your vehicle has this
feature, the switches are
located on the outboard
side of the driver’s
and passenger’s seats.
This feature will heat the lower cushion and lower back
of the driver’s and passenger’s seats.
Press LO to turn the heater on low. Press HI to turn the
heater on high. Put the switch in the center position
to turn the heater off.
The engine must be running for the heated seats to work.
Also, the passenger’s safety belt must be buckled for the
heated seat feature to work on the passenger’s seat.
If you turn the ignition off when the heated seats are on,
the heated seats will turn off. They will come on again
when you restart the vehicle.
Reclining Seatbacks
The seatbacks in your vehicle provide head restraint,
helping to prevent neck injury in a rear impact, but they
do not provide rollover protection.
To recline the seatback, lift the lever on the outboard
side of the seat cushion.
Release the lever to lock the seatback where you
want it. Pull up on the lever without pushing on the
seatback, and the seat will go to an upright position.
1-4

In many crashes severe enough to inate an air bag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur from
the passenger air bag.
Air bags are designed to inate only once. After
an air bag inates, you’ll need some new parts
for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the
air bag system won’t be there to help protect you in
another crash. A new system will include air bag
modules and possibly other parts. The service
manual for your vehicle covers the need to replace
other parts.
Your vehicle is equipped with electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing system distinguish
between a moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. Your vehicle is also equipped
with a crash sensing and diagnostic module,
which records information about the frontal air bag
system. The module records information about
the readiness of the system, when the system
commands air bag ination and driver’s safety belt
usage at deployment. The module also records
speed, engine RPM, brake and throttle data.
Let only qualied technicians work on your air bag
systems. Improper service can mean that an air
bag system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the passenger’s airbag, the bag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the airbag module
in the steering wheel or both the airbag module and
the instrument panel for the passenger’s airbag.
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.
Airbag Off Switch
Your vehicle has a switch inside the glovebox that you
can use to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag.United States
Canada
1-48

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-5
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks................2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle......................................2-9
Tailgate........................................................2-9
Windows........................................................2-10
Power Windows............................................2-11
Sun Visors...................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-12
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-12
Passlock
®....................................................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-14
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-14
Ignition Positions..........................................2-15
Starting the Engine.......................................2-16
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-17
Parking Brake..............................................2-19
Shifting Into Park (P).....................................2-20
Shifting Out of Park (P).................................2-21
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-22
Engine Exhaust............................................2-22
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-23Mirrors...........................................................2-24
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-24
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with
HomeLink
®...............................................2-24
Outside Power Heated Mirrors........................2-25
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-25
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror........2-26
HomeLink
®Transmitter...................................2-26
HomeLink®Wireless Control System...............2-26
HomeLink®Wireless Control
System Operation......................................2-27
Storage Areas................................................2-31
Glove Box...................................................2-31
Cupholder(s)................................................2-31
Instrument Panel Storage Area.......................2-31
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-31
Map Pocket.................................................2-31
Cargo Cover................................................2-32
Cargo Net System........................................2-36
Side-Saddle Storage.....................................2-37
Convertible Top..............................................2-37
Vehicle Personalization...................................2-44
Memory Seat...............................................2-44
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Passlock®
Your vehicle is equipped with the
Passlock®theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the
ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, the fuel system
is disabled and the vehicle will not start.
During normal operation, the security light will turn off
approximately ve seconds after the key is turned
to RUN. SeeSecurity Light on page 3-35.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes, wait
about 10 minutes until the light stops ashing before
trying to restart the engine. Remember to release
the key from START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start after three tries, the vehicle
needs service.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine off. However, your Passlock
®system is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock
®at this
time. You may also want to check the fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-82. See your
dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the GM Roadside Assistance
Center. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-5.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one speed, fast or slow, for
the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not make
full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear
and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake
linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-38for more information.
2-14

Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to four different
positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is in all the way. If
none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.A (OFF):This is the only position in which you can
insert or remove the key. This position locks the ignition
and transmission. It is a theft-deterrent feature.
Notice:Lengthy operation of features such as the
radio in the accessory ignition position may
drain the battery and prevent your vehicle from
starting. Do not operate your vehicle in the
accessory ignition position for a long period
of time.
B (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things like
the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine
is off.
C (RUN):This is the position for driving.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
2-15

Starting the Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position—that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. At 15 seconds, the
starter will automatically be disengaged. Wait
about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid
draining your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0°F or 18 °C), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts briey but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
2-16

Automatic Transmission Operation
Your automatic transmission has a shift lever located on
the center console.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is 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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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). SeeShifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-20. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-38.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift
out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever, and
push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) (press the
button in on the console shift lever) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the shift lever into
the gear you wish. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on
page 2-21.
2-17