2004 CHEVROLET SSR battery

Auxiliary Gage Package
A. Voltmeter Gage
B. Instantaneous Fuel Consumption Gage
C. Transmission Temperature Gage
Your vehicle may have an auxiliary gage package
located at the front of the center console.
Voltmeter Gage
This gage (A) is located on
the left side of the gage
package.
When your engine is not running, but the ignition is in
RUN, this gage shows your battery’s state of charge in
DC volts.
When the ignition is on and the engine is running, the
gage shows the condition of the charging system.
Readings between the low and high warning zones
indicate the normal operating range.
3-41

Personalization
y
(Personalization):Press this button to access the
vehicle personalization menu and customize the
personalization settings on your vehicle. SeeDIC
Vehicle Personalization on page 3-55for more
information.
Select
r
(Select):Press this button to reset certain
DIC functions, acknowledge DIC warning messages and
clear them from the DIC, and set your personalization
settings.
DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by the driver to correct the
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another. Some messages may not require immediate
action but you should press the select button to
acknowledge that you received the message and clear it
from the display. Some messages cannot be cleared
from the display because they are more urgent. These
messages require action before they can be removed
from the DIC display. The following are the possible
messages that can be displayed and some information
about them.
Battery Not Charging
If the battery is not charging during operation, this
message will appear on the DIC. The charging system
light may also be displayed on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeCharging System Light on page 3-29
for more information. Driving your vehicle when the
battery is not charging properly can drain the battery.
Have the electrical system checked as soon as possible.
Press the select button to acknowledge this message
and clear it from the DIC display.
3-48

Battery Voltage Too High
This message will be displayed when the battery
voltage is higher than normal and you try to raise or
lower the convertible top. The charging system light may
also be displayed on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeCharging System Light on page 3-29for more
information. Press the select button to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display.
Battery Voltage Too Low
This message will be displayed when the battery
voltage is lower than normal and you try to raise or
lower the convertible top. The charging system light may
also be displayed on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeCharging System Light on page 3-29for more
information. Press the select button to acknowledge the
message and clear it from the DIC display.
Cargo Cover Ajar
This message will be displayed when trying to open or
close the convertible top while the cargo cover is
open. Make sure the cargo cover is fully closed before
trying to open or close the convertible top. This
message will clear itself from the DIC once the cargo
cover is closed.
Change Trans (Transmission) Fluid
If your transmission uid in your vehicle needs to be
changed, this message will appear on the DIC.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-20and
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information.
Check Oil Level
If the oil level in the vehicle is low this message will
appear on the DIC. Check the oil level and add oil as
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for more
information. Press the select button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display.
Depress Brake
This message will be displayed on the DIC when you try
to raise or lower the convertible top without rst
pressing the brake pedal. The brake pedal must be
pressed in order to operate the convertible top.
SeeConvertible Top on page 2-45for more information.
Pressing the brake pedal will clear the message, or
you can press the select button to acknowledge
and clear the message from the DIC display.
3-49

Passenger Door Ajar
If the passenger’s door is not fully closed, this message
will appear on the display and you will hear a chime.
Stop the vehicle, check the door for obstacles, and close
the door again. Fully closing the passenger’s door will
clear this message from the display, or you can
press the select button to acknowledge the message
and clear it from the DIC display.
Put Vehicle in Park
This message will be displayed on the DIC when
attempting to release the cargo cover when the vehicle
is not in PARK (P). The vehicle must stopped and
the transmission placed in PARK (P) to release the
cargo cover. SeeCargo Cover on page 2-31for more
information.
Reduce Speed
This message will be displayed on the DIC when trying
to raise or lower the convertible top while the vehicle
is in motion. Stop the vehicle and continue pressing the
brake pedal before trying to raise or lower the top
again. SeeConvertible Top on page 2-45for more
information. The message will clear from the display
once the vehicle is stopped, or you can press the select
button to acknowledge this message and clear it from
the DIC display.
Rfa X Battery Low
If a remote keyless entry transmitter battery is low, this
message will appear on the DIC. The battery needs
to be replaced in the transmitter. Press the select button
to acknowledge this message and clear it from the
DIC display. See “Battery Replacement” underRemote
Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-4for
battery replacement instructions.
Roof Ajar
This message will be displayed on the DIC when trying
to release the cargo cover and the convertible top is
not fully open or closed. Make sure your convertible top
is in the full-closed or full-open position before trying
to release your cargo cover. SeeConvertible Top
on page 2-45andCargo Cover on page 2-31for more
information. This message will clear once the
convertible top is open or closed, or you can press the
select button to acknowledge the message and clear
it from the DIC display.
3-52

Roof Cycle Timeout
This message will be displayed on the DIC when the
convertible top has not completed its movement
from one position to another within the programmed
time limit.
Notice:If you operate the convertible top switch
continuously while the ignition is in ACCESSORY,
the battery will drain and you might not be able
to start your vehicle. Do not use the convertible top
switch for extended periods of time when the
ignition is in ACCESSORY.
When this message appears, the convertible top will
stop moving. Release the convertible top switch
and make sure there is nothing blocking the path of the
top. If the path is clear, turn the ignition off and on
again. Then press the convertible top switch again. See
Convertible Top on page 2-45for more information.
Roof Hall Switch Fault
This message will be displayed on the DIC when trying
to raise or lower the convertible top and there is a
fault with this switch. If the message persists, see your
dealer for service.
Service Air Bag
If there is a problem with the air bag system this
message will be displayed on the DIC. The air bag
readiness light may also be displayed on the instrument
panel cluster. See your dealer for service. Press the
select button to acknowledge this message and clear it
from the display. SeeServicing Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-55andAir Bag Readiness Light
on page 3-26for more information.
Service Brake System
If a problem occurs with the brake system this message
will appear on the DIC. The brake system warning
light and the anti-lock brake system warning light may
also be displayed on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-30and
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-31for
more information. If this message appears, stop as
soon as possible and turn off the vehicle. Restart the
vehicle and check for the message on the DIC display. If
the message is still displayed, or appears again when
you begin driving, the brake system needs service. See
Brakes on page 5-33for more information. Press the
select button to acknowledge this message and clear it
from the display.
3-53

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can not see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until
help comes.
4-30

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Cover...............................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-20
Engine Coolant.............................................5-23
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-26
Cooling System............................................5-28
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-31Brakes........................................................5-33
Battery........................................................5-36
Jump Starting...............................................5-37
Rear Axle.......................................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-43
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-43
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-44
Headlamps..................................................5-44
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker
and Parking Lamps....................................5-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-47
Taillamps.....................................................5-47
Back-Up Lamps............................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-51
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-58
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-59
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-60
Buying New Tires.........................................5-60
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-61
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-63
Wheel Replacement......................................5-63
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

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.
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco®battery. When it is time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
®
battery. The battery is located under the rear of the
vehicle.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
5-36