2003 CHEVROLET SSR parking brake

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

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

SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D) and THIRD (3). You
can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your
speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but
then you would also want to use your brakes off and on.
You can also use SECOND (2) for starting your
vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3) and
SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in
deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1)
while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission
will not shift into rst gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up. If the ignition is on, the
brake system warning light will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-28for more
information.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Then push the release button in as you move the
parking brake lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
2-19

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

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

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

Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come on when you set your parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 2-19for more information.
The light will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t
release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is
fully released, it means you have a brake problem.
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part
can still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-30.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for
service.
United States
Canada
3-28