2004 CHEVROLET SSR Owners Manual

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 3-15.
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.
3-13

Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come on
at reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps knob is in AUTO.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The transmission is not in PARK (P).
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won’t be
on. The instrument panel won’t be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the headlamps will
automatically switch from DRL to the regular headlamps.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, put your vehicle’s
transmission in PARK (P). The DRL will stay off until
you shift out of PARK (P).
Fog Lamps
Use your fog lamps for better vision in foggy or misty
conditions. Your ignition must be in RUN for your
fog lamps to work.
-(Fog Lamps):Press this button located on the
exterior lamps control to turn the fog lamps on or off.
The fog lamps will go off whenever you turn on the
high-beam headlamps. When the high beams are turned
off, the fog lamps will come on again.
O(Fog Lamp Indicator Light):This light located on
the exterior lamps control illuminates when the fog
lamps are turned on.
3-14

Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel BrightnessO
(Exterior and Interior Lamp Controls):These
controls (B) are used to operate the exterior and interior
lamps. Information on the interior lamps follows. For
more information on the exterior lamps, seeExterior
Lamps on page 3-12.
D(Interior Lamp Control):The interior lamp control
(A) is located to the left of the steering wheel and is
used to adjust the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
Press lightly on the interior lamp control and release.
The control will extend outward. Turn the control
clockwise to brighten and counterclockwise to dim the
instrument panel lights. Press on the control to return it
to the stored position.
3-15

Exit Lighting
With the exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on
when you remove the key from the ignition to help you
see while exiting the vehicle.
Parade Dimming
This feature prohibits the dimming of your instrument
panel displays during daylight while your headlamps are
on. When the light sensor reads darkness outside,
you will be able to dim your instrument panel displays
once again.
Perimeter Lighting
When the button with the unlock symbol on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed, the DRL, parking
lamps and back-up lamps will come on if it is dark
enough outside.
This feature can be personalized for up to two drivers.
SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-55for
more information.
Front Map Lamps
If your vehicle has front map lamps, they are located on
the inside rearview mirror. They will automatically
come on for about 40 seconds when the doors are
unlocked with the remote keyless entry transmitter or
until the ignition key is turned to RUN or ACCESSORY.
The lamps will also stay on for about 40 seconds
after you exit the vehicle unless you lock the doors with
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
You can also turn the lamps on and off by pressing the
button near each lamp.
Battery Rundown Protection
This feature shuts off all lamps that are left on for more
than 10 minutes when the ignition is off. This will
keep your battery from running down.
3-16

Center Console Switchbank
The following controls are located on your center
console switchbank:
A. Driver Power Window. SeePower Windows on
page 2-10.
B. Traction Control System (TCS). SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 4-9.
C. Convertible Top. SeeConvertible Top on page 2-45.
D. Power Door Locks. SeePower Door Locks on
page 2-7.
E. Passenger Power Window. SeePower Windows on
page 2-10.
Accessory Power Outlets
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or
CB radio.
There is an accessory power outlet located on either
side of the ashtray on the instrument panel, and
there is an outlet in the rear cargo area. A small cap
must be removed to access an accessory power outlet.
When not using an outlet be sure to cover it with the
protective cap.
The accessory power outlets will only operate when the
ignition is in ACCESSORY or RUN and for 10 minutes
after turning the ignition to OFF.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
3-17

Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Check with your
dealer before adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow the
proper installation instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle has an ashtray and cigarette lighter.
To access, push the upper edge of the center instrument
panel door until it clicks and then release. The door
will open to expose the ashtray and cigarette lighter.
Notice:If you put papers or other ammable items
in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
3-18

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
A. Temperature Knob
B. Fan Knob
C. Mode Knob
With this system you can control the heating, cooling,
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Temperature Knob
The left knob on the control panel is used to adjust the
temperature of the air in the vehicle. Turn the knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease
the temperature.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button located on
the temperature knob to turn the air-conditioning system
on or off. An indicator light on the button will come on
to let you know the air conditioning is activated.
When the system is on, this setting cools and
dehumidies the air entering your vehicle and directs it
through the oor ducts as well as the instrument
panel outlets.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
The air conditioning will not function if the fan is
turned off.
3-19

Fan Knob
The center knob on the control panel is used to control
the fan speed. Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
?(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or help
heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more quickly.
Press this button on the fan knob to turn the recirculation
mode on or off. An indicator light on the button will
come on to let you know the recirculation mode
is activated.
Recirculation is only available in the bi-level and vent
modes. If you push the recirculation button while
the system is in any other mode, the light on the button
will ash to indicate that recirculation is not available.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel is used to direct the
airow inside your vehicle. Turn the knob to select
one of the following modes:
H(Vent):Select this mode to direct air to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):Select this mode to direct approximately
half of the air to the instrument panel outlets, and the
remaining air to the oor outlets and the defroster
and side window outlets. Cooler air is directed to the
upper outlets and warmer air to the oor outlets.
6(Floor):Select this mode to direct air to the oor
outlets. Recirculation does not work in this mode.
3-20