2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER brake

While you accelerate, it is normal for the light to go on
and off if you quickly change the position of the
accelerator. Ignore the light when you downshift.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the bucket
seats.To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
If you forget to release your parking brake prior to
driving away, a chime will sound to remind you to
release the parking brake.
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.
Manual shown, Automatic similar
2-25

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{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. 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, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 4-37orTowing
a Trailer (Manual Transaxle) on page 4-43.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
like this:
Hold in the button on the shift lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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
the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst
pushing the button. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
2-26

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of
the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transaxle. 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, seeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 2-26.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in the LOCK position. In addition,
you have to fully apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN.
SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-20.If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want. Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF. (There is no shift interlock in
this key position.)
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R), and rmly
apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has
been placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed in, you can turn the ignition key to OFF, remove
the key and release the clutch.
SeeManual Transaxle Operation on page 2-23.
2-27

Running Your Engine While You
Are 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 2-28.
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 4-24.
{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) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 2-26.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 4-37orTowing a Trailer (Manual Transaxle)
on page 4-43.
2-29

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-6
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-11
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-15
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-16
Climate Controls............................................3-16
Climate Control System.................................3-16
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-20
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-21
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-22
Tachometer.................................................3-22
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-23
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-23
Charging System Light..................................3-24
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-25
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-25
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-26
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-27
Enhanced Traction System Active Light............3-28
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-28Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-29
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-29
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-32
Passlock
®Warning Light................................3-33
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-33
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-34
Fuel Gage...................................................3-34
Audio System(s).............................................3-35
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)........................3-35
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-36
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-36
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-39
Radio with CD (Up Level)..............................3-43
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-52
Personal Choice Radio Controls......................3-66
Theft-Deterrent Feature (Non RDS Radios).......3-67
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios).............3-67
Radio Reception...........................................3-67
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-68
Care of Your CD Player................................3-68
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-68
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-68
Chime Level Adjustment................................3-68
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Fog Lamp Button. See “Fog Lamps” underExterior
Lamps on page 3-11.
B. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
“Instrument Panel Brightness” underInterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-21.
E. Hazard Warning Flashers Switch. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.
F. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-16.
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. See “Windshield
Wipers” and “Windshield Washers” underTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
H. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-16.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-35.J. Climate Controls and Rear Window Defogger. See
Climate Control System on page 3-16.
K. Fuse Panel. See “Instrument Panel Fuse Block”
underFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-81.
L. Remote Trunk Release Button. See “Remote Trunk
Release” underTrunk on page 2-10.
M. Hood Release Lever. SeeHood Release on
page 5-10.
N. Tilt Steering Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on
page 3-5.
O. Parking Brake Lever. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-25.
P. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlets on page 3-15.
Q. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on
page 2-20andManual Transaxle Operation on
page 2-23.
3-3

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
beam to low, pull the turn signal lever all the way
toward you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
Cruise Control
If your vehicle has this feature, you can maintain a
speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really
help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).When you apply your brakes, or the clutch pedal if you
have a manual transaxle, the cruise control shuts off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can not drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the optional
enhanced traction system begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-8. When
road conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
turn the cruise control back on.
3-7

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
1. Move the cruise control switch to ON.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Push the SET button at the end of the lever and
release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake or clutch pedal. This,
of course, shuts off the cruise control. But you do not
need to reset it. Once you are going about 25 mph
(40 km/h) or more, you can briey move the cruise
control switch from ON to R/A.You will go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you hold the switch at R/A longer, the vehicle will
keep going faster until you release the switch or apply
the brake or clutch pedal. So unless you want to go
faster, do not hold the switch at R/A.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to a higher speed.
Push the SET button at the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You will now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the cruise control switch from ON to R/A.
Hold it there until you get up to the speed you
want, and then release the switch. To increase your
speed in very small amounts, briey move the
switch to R/A then release it. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
3-8