2005 CHEVROLET SSR brake light

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.
See
Charging 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
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If your transmission ¯uid in your vehicle needs to
be changed, this message will appear on the DIC.
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-21andScheduled 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. See
Engine 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.
See
Convertible Top on page 2-51for 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.
Driver Door Ajar
This message will be displayed on the DIC and a
chime will sound when the driver's door is not closed
completely. Stop the vehicle, check the door for
obstacles, and close the door again. Fully closing the
driver'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.
3-46

When operating the top in low temperatures, such as
below 32ÉF (0ÉC), the time needed to cycle the top will
increase. This may cause the top movement to stop
and the Roof Cycle Timeout message to appear on
the DIC display. If this occurs, you may release
the convertible top switch and press it again to continue
the cycle. Make sure nothing is blocking the path of
the top before pressing the switch again. It may
be necessary to do this several times to complete the
cycle, depending on the outside temperature. See
Convertible Top on page 2-51for more information.
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.
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
GM dealer for service.
Service Air Bag
If there is a problem with the airbag system, this
message will be displayed on the DIC. The airbag
readiness light may also be displayed on the instrument
panel cluster. See your GM dealer for service. Press
the select button to acknowledge this message and clear
it from the display. See
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 1-51andAirbag Readiness Light on
page 3-27for 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.
See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-30andAnti-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 your GM dealer. See
Brakes on page 5-35for
more information. Press the select button to
acknowledge this message and clear it from the display.
3-50

Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That is perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it is pavement
or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of
the vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time
to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear
out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic
following distances, you will eliminate a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you are driving, brake
normally but do not pump your brakes. If you do,
the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it may take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. ABS is an advanced
electronic braking system that will help prevent a
braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You
may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise while
this test is going on. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will
stay on. SeeAnti-Lock
Brake System Warning
Light on page 3-31.
4-6

Remember: Anti-lock does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to
the vehicle in front of you, you will not have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock brakes, you can steer and brake at the
same time. In many emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that one or both of the rear wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system reduces engine power and may also up-shift the
transmission to limit wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-9.
The Traction Control System operates in all transmission
shift lever positions except for rst gear. This is normal.
The system is deactivated when the transmission is
shifted into rst gear. In this situation, the traction control
system warning light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. This is normal. The system can upshift the
transmission only as high as the shift lever position
you’ve chosen, so you should use the lower gears only
when necessary. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-19.
4-8

The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if
your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy
rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic
signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and
even people walking.
It is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good
shape and keep your windshield washer tank lled
with washer uid. Replace your windshield wiper inserts
when they show signs of streaking or missing areas
on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start
to separate from the inserts.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow down before
you hit them.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They will not
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build
up under your tires that they can actually ride on
the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough
and you are going fast enough. When your vehicle
is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning does not happen often. But it can if your
tires do not have much tread or if the pressure in one or
more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on
the road. If you can see reections from trees, telephone
poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops dimple the water’s
surface, there could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There
just is not a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning.
The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.
4-17

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving, except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
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.
5-37

{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.
Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be able
to start your vehicle and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission
in NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlets. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that are not needed. This
will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!
5-39

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-18
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-83
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-19
Air Compressor..............................................5-70
Air Conditioning..............................................3-20
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-28
Readiness Light..........................................3-27
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)....7-10
Airbag System................................................1-38
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-47
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-45
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-51
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-45
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-46
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-43
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-41
Antenna, Integrated Windshield.........................3-83
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-31
Appearance Care............................................5-74
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-79
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-77
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-81
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-78
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-74
Finish Care.................................................5-78Appearance Care (cont.)
Finish Damage............................................5-80
Glass Surfaces............................................5-76
Instrument Panel.........................................5-76
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-76
Leather......................................................5-76
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-80
Tires..........................................................5-80
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-81
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-81
Vinyl..........................................................5-76
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-77
Weatherstrips..............................................5-77
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-79
Ashtrays........................................................3-19
Audio System(s).............................................3-58
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-82
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-83
Care of Your CDs........................................3-83
Integrated Windshield Antenna.......................3-83
Radio with CD............................................3-59
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-71
Setting the Time..........................................3-59
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-82
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-83
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-14
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-19
Auxiliary Gage Package...................................3-40
1