Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-6
Child Restraints
.......................................1-20
Airbag Systems
........................................1-40
Restraint System Check
............................1-52
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-10
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-12
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-14
Mirrors
....................................................2-24
HomeLink
®Transmitter
.............................2-26
Storage Areas
.........................................2-31
Convertible Top
.......................................2-37
Vehicle Personalization
.............................2-44
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-22
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-41
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-58Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-30
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Rear Axle
...............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-42
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-43
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-48
Tires
......................................................5-51
Appearance Care
.....................................5-72
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-80
Electrical System
......................................5-81
Capacities and Speci cations
.....................5-90
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-91
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2003 Chevrolet SSR Owner ManualM
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer is near 260 °F (125 °C), the engine is
too hot.
It means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-27for more
information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The check engine light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction. United States
Canada
3-30
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United
States are now required to contain additives that will
help prevent engine and fuel system deposits from
forming, allowing your emission control system to
work properly. You should not have to add anything to
your fuel. Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as
ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area to contribute to clean air.
General Motors recommends that you use these
gasolines, particularly if they comply with the
speci cations described earlier.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
does not recommend the use of such gasolines.Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs
and the performance of the emission control system
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM dealer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in
the country where you will be driving.
5-7
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal rmly).
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes will not work well. That could lead
to an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque speci cations.Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 6-14.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in
pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality GM brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking system — for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in — be sure you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change — for the
worse. The braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
5-35
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-14
Engine Cooling System................................6-14
Exhaust System..........................................6-13
Fuel System...............................................6-13
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-13
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-13
Instrument Panel
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Storage Area..............................................2-31
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-14
Instrument Panel (I/P)
Cluster.......................................................3-23
Integrated Windshield Antenna..........................3-81
Interior Lamps................................................3-14
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-36
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-10
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps
Exterior......................................................3-11
Interior.......................................................3-14
Lamps On Reminder.......................................3-12
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-12
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-33
Latches, Seatback............................................ 1-6
Leaving Your Vehicle......................................... 2-9
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running . . . 2-21
Light
Airbag Off..................................................3-26
Airbag Readiness........................................3-25
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-29
Brake System Warning.................................3-28
Change Engine Oil......................................3-35
Charging System.........................................3-27
Check Gages Warning.................................3-36
Cruise Control.............................................3-35
Highbeam On.............................................3-36
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-30
Reduced Engine Power................................3-36
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-24
Security.....................................................3-35
8
Light (cont.)
TCS Warning Light......................................3-29
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-29
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors..............................2-12
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-31
Locks
Door........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle..................................... 2-9
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Loss of Control...............................................4-13
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-91
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year..................................6-10
At Least Twice a Year................................... 6-9
Brake System Inspection..............................6-14
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-14
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-13
Fuel System Inspection................................6-13
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services............... 6-9Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections.......6-13
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-15
Part E - Maintenance Record.........................6-17
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-13
Using.......................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-49
Making Turns.................................................4-47
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-30
Manually Open Tonneau..................................3-47
Map Pocket...................................................2-31
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Memory Seat.................................................2-44
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-45
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) — Customer Assistance..................... 7-4
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-24
Outside Automatic Dimming Heated Mirror......2-26
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-25
Outside Power Heated Mirrors.......................2-25
Mode Knob....................................................3-19
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
9