2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER key

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one speed — fast or
slow — for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing a
Trailer (Automatic Transaxle) on page 4-37or
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transaxle) on page 4-43
for more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition, you can turn to ve different
positions.
A (ACCESSORY):This position operates your electrical
accessories. Press in the ignition switch as you turn it
toward you.
B (LOCK):This position locks your ignition when the
key is removed. The steering wheel locks with a manual
transaxle. This is the only position from which you
can remove the key. A warning chime will sound if you
open the driver’s door when the ignition is in LOCK
and the key is in the ignition.
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{CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK will lock the steering column and
result in a loss of ability to steer the vehicle.
This could cause a collision. If you need to
turn the engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to OFF. Don’t press the key
release button while the vehicle is moving.
Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
can not turn it, be sure you are using the correct
key; if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a
tool to force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these works, then your vehicle
needs service.C (OFF):This position unlocks the steering wheel (for
vehicle’s equipped with a manual transaxle) and
ignition, but does not send power to any accessories.
Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or
towed, but never try to push-start your vehicle. A
warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the ignition is in OFF and the key is in the ignition.
D (RUN):This is the position to which the switch
returns after you start your engine and release the
switch. The switch stays in RUN while the engine
is running. But even while the engine is not running, you
can use RUN to operate your electrical accessories,
and to display some instrument panel warning lights.
E (START):This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to RUN for normal driving.
Even if the engine is not running, ACCESSORY and
RUN allow you to operate electrical accessories,
such as the radio.
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Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle)
The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition
unless the key release
button is used.
To remove the key, turn the key to OFF. Then, while
pressing the key release button in, turn the key to LOCK
and pull it straight out.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio to
continue to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition is
turned to OFF.
Your radio will work when the ignition key is in RUN or
ACCESSORY. Once the key is turned from RUN to
OFF, the radio will continue to work for up to 10 minutes
or until any door is opened.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
2-18

Manual Transaxle
The shift lever should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the oor and
start the engine. Your vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down — that is a safety feature.
Starting Your Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it does not start, wait about 15 seconds and try
again to start the engine by turning the ignition key to
START. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.
When your engine has run about 10 seconds to
warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Do not
run your engine at high speed when it is cold.
If the weather is below freezing (32°F or 0°C), let
the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.3. If your engine still will not start, or starts but then
stops, it could be ooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for ve or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has this feature, in very cold weather
0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater can
help. You will get easier starting and better fuel economy
during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater
should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to
starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C),
use of the coolant heater is not required.
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{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 2-26. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 4-37orTowing a Trailer
(Manual Transaxle) on page 4-43.Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift
out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
by pushing the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) or
releasing the shift lever button on oor shift console
models as you maintain brake application. Then move
the shift lever into the gear you want. Press the shift
lever button before moving the shift lever. SeeShifting
Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle) on page 2-28.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty. Shift
to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow, ice
or sand without damaging your transaxle, seeIf You Are
Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-28.
2-21

To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
If you forget to release your parking brake prior to
driving away, a chime will sound to remind you to
release the parking brake.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 4-37orTowing a Trailer
(Manual Transaxle) on page 4-43.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding the
button on the shift lever and pushing the lever all
the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-26

Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
control system which locks the shift lever in PARK (P)
when the ignition is in LOCK. In addition, you have
to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift
from PARK (P) when the ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-20.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want. Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still cannot
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF. There is no shift interlock in
this key position.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.3. Shift the transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the gear
you want.
5. Have the system xed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R), and rmly
apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has
been placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed in, you can turn the ignition key to OFF, remove
the key and release the clutch. SeeManual Transaxle
Operation on page 2-23.
2-28

Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning ashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning asher
switch is located on the top
of the steering column.
Your hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key is not in.
Move the switch to the right to make the front and rear
turn signal lamps ash on and off. Move the switch
to the left to turn the ashers off.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your turn
signals will not work. Make sure the hazard warning
asher switch is all the way to the left for normal
turn signal operation.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
Press near or on the horn symbols on your steering
wheel pad to sound the horn.
Tilt Wheel
Your vehicle may have a tilt wheel which allows you to
adjust the steering wheel before you drive. You can
raise it to the highest level to give your legs more room
when you exit and enter the vehicle.
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