2004 CHEVROLET SSR steering wheel

Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal asher (included
in the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
4-49

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

(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates the
tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is 75, as shown in item C, of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
75 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
“R” means radial ply construction; the letter “D” means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:The service description
indicates the load range and speed rating of a tire.
The load index can range from 1 to 279. Speed ratings
range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat from
driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor vehicle
with standard and optional equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
5-55

If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has no spare tire, no tire changing
equipment and no place to store a tire.
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. See
Tires on page 5-51. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much
more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should
ever have a “blow out” here are a few tips about what to
expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel rmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you’d
use in a skid. In any rear blow out, remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel damage by
driving slowly to a level place and stopping. Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers.
2. Set the parking brake rmly.
3. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from the wheel or has
damaged sidewalls or large tears that allow rapid
air loss, call a tire repair facility. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
If the at tire is due to a slow leak caused by a nail or
other similar road hazard, the tire inator kit may
be used to repair the damaged tire temporarily. The kit
uses a liquid tire sealant to seal small punctures in
the tread area of the tire. The at tire is then inated to
at least 26 psi (179 kPa) and driven to evenly distribute
the tire sealant. The tire pressure is checked after
driving for a maximum of 10 minutes to see if the
slow leak has been stopped. If the tire pressure is
19 psi (131 kPa) or more, inate the tire up to the
standard operating pressure as shown on the tire and
loading information label found on center pillar near the
door latch or on the rear edge of the driver’s door.
SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-58.
5-66

A
Accessing the Tire Inator Kit...........................5-68
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-17
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-32
Additional Program Information.........................7-10
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-83
Add-On Equipment..........................................4-38
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-64, 3-74
Air Bag
Off Light.....................................................3-28
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-42
Air Bag Off Switch.......................................1-51
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-48
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-55
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-48
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inates?......1-49
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-47
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-45
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-19
Air Compressor..............................................5-69
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)....7-10
AM ...............................................................3-87
Antenna, Integrated Windshield.........................3-87
Anti-lock Brake System..................................... 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-31Appearance Care............................................5-74
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-77
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-80
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-74
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-77
Finish Damage............................................5-80
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-80
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-81
Weatherstrips..............................................5-77
Ashtrays........................................................3-18
Audio System(s).............................................3-61
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-86
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-87
Care of Your CDs........................................3-87
Integrated Windshield Antenna.......................3-87
Radio with CD............................................3-62
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-71
Setting the Time..........................................3-61
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-85
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-87
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-13
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-16
Auxiliary Gage Package...................................3-41
1

Specications, Capacities.................................5-92
Speedometer..................................................3-25
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-15
Steering........................................................4-11
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-12
Steering Tips..................................................4-11
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-86
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-5
Stop Vehicle..................................................3-54
Storage
Side-Saddle................................................2-41
Storage Areas
Cargo Net System.......................................2-36
Center Console Storage Area........................2-30
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-30
Glove Box..................................................2-30
Instrument Panel Storage Area......................2-30
Map Pocket................................................2-30
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-31
Sun Visors.....................................................2-11
Switchbanks
Center Console...........................................3-17
T
Tachometer....................................................3-25
Tailgate........................................................... 2-8Taillamps.......................................................5-47
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-31
Temperature Knob...........................................3-19
Testing the Alarm............................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-85
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-11
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-11
Passlock
®...................................................2-13
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire Inator Kit Storage....................................5-73
Tire Sealant...................................................5-68
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-52
Tire Size.......................................................5-54
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-55
Tires.............................................................5-51
Buying New Tires........................................5-60
Chains.......................................................5-65
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-66
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-58
Inspection and Rotation................................5-59
Tire Inator Kit............................................5-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-61
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-63
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-63
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-60
13