2004 CHEVROLET TRACKER automatic transmission

Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in the ON position. See
Automatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-16.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever Ð push the shift lever all the way
into PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish to
be in.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Apply the parking brake until the end of Step 6.
2. If the engine is running, turn it off. Turn the key to
ON or ACC.
2-27

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Defroster Outlets. See
Outlet Adjustment on
page 3-22.
B. Air Outlets. See
Outlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. See
Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster. See
Instrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-27.
E. Windshield Wipers Lever. See ªWindshield Wipersº
under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
F. Hazard Button. See
Hazard Warning Flashers
on page 3-4.
G. Rear Window Defogger Button (If Equipped). See
ªRear Window Defoggerº under
Climate Control
System on page 3-19.
H. Cruise Control Button (If Equipped). See ªCruise
Controlº under
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
on page 3-6.
I. Climate Controls. See
Climate Control System on
page 3-19.
J. Rear Window Washer/Wiper Button (If Equipped).
See ªRear Window Washer/Wiperº under
Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
K. Coinholder (If Equipped). See
Coinholder(s) on
page 2-33.L. Outside Power Mirrors (If Equipped). See
Outside
Power Mirrors on page 2-32.
M. Instrument Panel Brightness Thumbwheel. See
ªInstrument Panel Brightnessº under
Interior Lamps
on page 3-16.
N. Hood Release. See
Hood Release on page 5-10.
O. Instrument Panel Fuse Block. See ªInstrument Panel
Fuse Blockº under
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-94.
P. Ignition Switch. See
Ignition Positions on page 2-12.
Q. Cigarette Lighter/Accessory Power Outlet (If
Equipped). See
Accessory Power Outlets on
page 3-18.
R. Power Mode Selector Button (If Equipped). See
ªPower Modeº under
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-16.
S. Shift Lever. See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-25.
T. Ashtray. See
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-19.
U. Audio System (If Equipped). See
Audio System(s)
on page 3-39.
V. Vent Shut-off Thumbwheel. See
Outlet Adjustment
on page 3-22.
3-3

Overdrive Off Light
This light comes on when
the automatic four-speed
transmission, if equipped,
has been converted to
the three-speed mode
and the overdrive is
turned off.
This light also comes on as a check for about
®ve seconds when the ignition key is turned to ON
or START.
Four-Wheel-Drive Light
If you have four-wheel
drive, this light comes on
when the ignition switch is
on and the transfer
case lever is in one of the
four-wheel drive positions.
See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 5-49.
Power Indicator Light
This light comes on when
the power mode selector
switch, if equipped, is
turned to P (power) with
the ignition switch in
the ON position.
This light comes on as a check for about ®ve seconds
when the ignition key is turned to ON or START.
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Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. If you have the
four-speed automatic, see ªPower Mode Selector
Switchº under
Automatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-16for information on traction. If you have
a four-wheel-drive vehicle, shift into 4HI. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear
(or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1)
or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the
wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in gear. By slowly
spinning your wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that does not get you out after a few
tries, you may need to be towed out. Or, you can use
your recovery hooks. If you do need to be towed
out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-47.
Using the Recovery Hooks
Your vehicle is equipped with recovery hooks. The
hooks are provided at the front and rear of your vehicle.
You may need to use them if you are stuck off-road
and need to be pulled to some place where you
can continue driving.
4-45

Dinghy Towing
To tow your vehicle from the front (four-wheel-drive
only), do the following:
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground, the transmission
could be damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not tow a
two-wheel-drive vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground.
Follow these steps:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Shift your automatic transmission into PARK (P), or
your manual transmission to SECOND (2).
3. With the ignition key in the ON position, move the
transfer case to NEUTRAL and make sure the
4WD light on the instrument panel cluster is off.
See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 5-49.
4. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
5. Release the parking brake.
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Notice:If you do not put the transfer case in
NEUTRAL before towing a four-wheel-drive vehicle
from the front, the vehicle could be damaged.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Always put the transfer case in NEUTRAL before
towing your vehicle.
Stop towing every 200 miles (300 km) and start the
engine. Leave the transfer case shift lever in NEUTRAL.
Shift your automatic transmission to DRIVE (D); leave
a manual transmission in SECOND (2) with the
clutch engaged. Run the engine at 2,000 rpm for one
minute to circulate oil in the transfer case. Turn the
ignition key to ACC. Now, you can continue towing your
vehicle.
Notice:Locking the steering column when towing
your vehicle may damage the steering column.
Always unlock the steering column before towing.
Notice:If you exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never
exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in Park (P) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. You or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is ®rmly set before you shift the transfer
case to NEUTRAL.
4-49

Dolly Towing
To tow your vehicle from the rear, do the following:
The best way to tow your vehicle is from the rear.
Follow these steps:
1. Put the rear wheels on a dolly.
Notice:If you tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle with
the rear wheels on the ground, the transmission
could be damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Never tow your vehicle
with the rear wheels on the ground.2. If your vehicle is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, turn the
ignition key to ON, move the transfer case lever
into NEUTRAL and make sure the 4WD light on the
instrument panel cluster is turned off. See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 5-49.
3. Turn the ignition key to ACC.
4. Make sure the front wheels are facing straight
forward and secure the steering wheel with a
steering wheel clamping device designed for towing.
Notice:If you exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never
exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in Park (P) for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is
in gear, for a manual transmission. You or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is ®rmly set before you shift the transfer
case to NEUTRAL.
4-50

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
·There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you'll be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
·Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
·Don't tow a trailer at all during the ®rst 600 miles
(1000 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your
engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.
·Never exceed posted towing speed limits or go over
45 mph (72 km/h), whichever is lower and don't
make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine
and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
·If you have an automatic transmission, you can use
THIRD (3) (or, as you need to, a lower gear) when
towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in
THIRD (3) when towing a trailer will minimize heat
buildup and extend the life of your transmission.
If you have a manual transmission and you
are towing a trailer, it's better not to use the
highest gear.Three important considerations have to do with weight:
·the weight of the trailer,
·the weight of the trailer tongue
·and the weight on your vehicle's tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,500 lbs. (680 kg).
But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend
on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information
or advice, or you can write us at:
Chevrolet
Chevrolet Customer Assistance
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
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