2004 CHEVROLET TRACKER transmission

Power Mode
A power mode selector
switch is included with the
four-speed automatic
transmission.
When you need more power for climbing hills or quicker
acceleration, press the P (power) switch. The POWER
indicator light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. For normal driving, press the N (normal)
switch. The POWER indicator light will go off.
The power mode delays the automatic transmission shift
points to allow for higher engine speeds in each gear.
The automatic transmission also has the ability to
provide SECOND (2) gear starts for improved traction
on slippery surfaces. The power mode selector
switch must be in the P mode and the transmission shift
lever in SECOND (2), which will remain in SECOND (2)
until you shift the vehicle to DRIVE (D).
Manual Transmission Operation
Five-Speed
This is your shift pattern.
Here's how to operate your
transmission:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you're going less
than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the
shift lever in NEUTRAL and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let up
on the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
2-20

THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5):Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
You cannot go from FIFTH (5) into REVERSE (R). If
you try, you will be locked out. You must ®rst shift into
NEUTRAL, move the shift lever to the left, back to
the right, and then shift into REVERSE (R). This is a
safety feature.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brake
for parking your vehicle.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you
could lose control of your vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Don't shift down
more than one gear at a time when you
downshift.
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two
or more gears to keep the engine running smoothly or
for good performance.
2-21

Your vehicle's transfer case shift lever may shake or
vibrate. This is normal and your vehicle does not require
service.
TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H):This setting is for driving in
most street and highway situations. Your front axle
is not engaged in two-wheel drive.
FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H):This setting engages your
front axle to help drive your vehicle. Use FOUR-WHEEL
HIGH (4H) when you need extra traction, such as on
wet or icy roads, or in most off-road situations.
NEUTRAL (N):Shift to this setting only when your
vehicle needs to be towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL can
cause your vehicle to roll even if the
transmission is in PARK (P), or if you have a
manual transmission, even if you are in gear.
You or someone else could be seriously
injured. Be sure to set the parking brake
before placing the transfer case in NEUTRAL.
See
Parking Brake on page 2-24.FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L):This setting also engages
your front axle to give you extra traction and can
be used for driving downhill, uphill or on rocky terrain
when you're driving slower than 35 mph (55 km/h).
Remember that driving in FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or
FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L) may reduce fuel economy.
Also, driving in four-wheel drive on dry pavement could
cause your tires to wear faster and make your transfer
case harder to shift.
You can shift from TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H) to
FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or from FOUR-WHEEL
HIGH (4H) to TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H) at any speed if
your vehicle is going less than 60 mph (100 km/h)
and
your wheels are straight ahead. Your front axle will
engage faster if you take your foot off the accelerator
pedal for a few seconds as you shift.
Shifting Into or Out of FOUR-WHEEL
LOW (4L)
1. Stop your vehicle and shift your transmission to
NEUTRAL (N).
2. Shift the transfer case in one continuous motion.
Don't pause in NEUTRAL (N) as you shift from
FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L) to FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H),
or your gears could clash.
2-23

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake ®rmly set.
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer
case is in NEUTRAL, your vehicle will be free
to roll, even if your shift lever is in PARK (P).
So be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear ± not in NEUTRAL.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Don't leave
your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to.
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
automatic transmission into PARK (P) properly,
the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the
parking pawl in the transmission. You may ®nd it
difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is
called ªtorque lock.º To prevent torque lock, set
the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly
before you leave the driver's seat. To ®nd out how,
see
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-26

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

3. Find the access hole cover on the driver's side of
the console, near the shift lever.
4. Remove the screw and cover.
5. Inside, you'll see the return plate. Using your ®nger,
move the return plate toward the rear of the vehicle
until it stops.
6. Move the shift lever into the gear you want while,
while holding the return plate in the most rearward
position.
7. Have the vehicle ®xed as soon as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle
Before you get out of your manual transmission vehicle,
put your shift lever in REVERSE (R) and ®rmly apply
the parking brake. Once the shift lever has been placed
into REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal pressed in,
you can turn the ignition key to LOCK, remove the key
and release the clutch.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure your transfer case
is in a drive gear. Your vehicle could roll if it isn't.
If you are towing a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on
page 4-57.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
2-28

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

Resuming a Set Speed
If you set your cruise control at a desired speed then
suspend cruise by applying the brake, by pressing
the clutch pedal if you have a manual transmission or
by pressing CANCEL, you don't need to reset it.
You may resume your previously set speed by brie¯y
turning the switch to RESUME ACCEL (Accelerate),
provided your speed has not dropped below 25 mph
(40 km/h). If your speed has dropped below 25 mph
(40 km/h), accelerate to 25 mph (40 km/h) or greater
then turn the switch to RESUME ACCEL. There is
a short time delay after your speed is suspended until
you can reset the cruise control to your desired speed.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
·Use the accelerator pedal to go to a higher speed.
Turn the switch on the lever down to COAST SET
and release it. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal. You'll now cruise at the higher speed.
·Turn the switch on the lever up to RESUME
ACCEL. Hold the switch at RESUME ACCEL until
you get up to the speed you want, then release
the switch.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
To reduce your speed, turn the switch and hold it down
in the COAST SET position until you reach the lower
speed you want, then release the switch.
3-11