2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER four wheel drive

If you do not have anti-lock, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this by
pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing
pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If youdohave
anti-lock, it is different. See “Anti-Lock Brake System”
in this section.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
If your vehicle has the optional four-speed automatic
transaxle and anti-lock brakes, it also has an Enhanced
Traction System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system
operates only when the transaxle shift lever is in the
REVERSE (R), THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) position and the system senses that
one or both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens, the system
reduces engine power and may also upshift the
transaxle to limit wheel spin.This light will come on when your Enhanced Traction
System is limiting wheel spin. SeeEnhanced Traction
System Active Light on page 3-28.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
When the transaxle shift lever is in any position other
than FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and the parking brake is
fully released, this warning light will come on to let
you know if there’s a problem with the system.United States
Canada
United StatesCanada
4-8

Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems — steering and braking — have to do their work
where the tires meet the road. Unless you have
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can
demand too much of those places. You can lose
control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering through
a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those
two control systems — steering and acceleration — can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the
road and make you lose control. SeeEnhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-8.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you will want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and nd
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You
can avoid these problems by braking — if you can stop
in time. But sometimes you can not; there is not
room. That is the time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply your brakes — but, unless you
have anti-lock, not enough to lock your wheels.
SeeBraking on page 4-5. It is better to remove as much
speed as you can from a possible collision. Then
steer around the problem, to the left or right depending
on the space available.
4-10

Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-42
Rear Seat Position......................................1-42
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-44
Security While You Travel.................................. 7-6
Selecting the Right Schedule, Maintenance.......... 6-5
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-29
Publications Ordering Information...................7-11
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-34
Service Bulletins.............................................7-12
Service Manuals.............................................7-11
Setting Preset Stations............3-37, 3-40, 3-45, 3-54
Setting the Time
Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS).........3-36
Radios without Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-35
Setting the Tone
(Bass/Treble)......................3-37, 3-40, 3-45, 3-55
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-77
Shift Speeds..................................................2-24
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-26
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-27
Short Trip/City Denition.................................... 6-5Short Trip/City Intervals..................................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance................ 6-6
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
(Four Door Models).....................................1-16
Skidding........................................................4-13
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-18
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-74
Specications, Capacities.................................5-85
Speedometer..................................................3-22
Starter Switch Check.......................................6-20
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-18
Steering.......................................................... 4-9
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-10
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..............................6-23
Steering Tips................................................... 4-9
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-5
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-34
Convenience Net.........................................2-34
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-33
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-70
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-71
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-28
Sun Visors.....................................................2-13
Sunroof.........................................................2-34
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