2005 CHEVROLET SSR automatic transmission

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when you start your
engine and may stay on for
several seconds. That's
normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you're driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light isn't on, you still have brakes, but
you don't have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on, you don't have anti-lock
brakes and there's a problem with your regular
brakes. See
Brake System Warning Light on page 3-30.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on brie¯y when you turn the ignition key to RUN.
If the light doesn't come on then, have it ®xed so it
will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light (Automatic
Transmission)
If the TC (traction control)
warning light comes on
and stays on, there may
be a problem with the
traction control system.
The TC (traction control) warning light will come on
brie¯y when you turn the ignition to ON. If it doesn't
come on then, have it ®xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If the Traction Control System (TCS) is on and you drive
faster than 100 mph (161 km/h), the system will turn
off and the TC warning light will come on. The TCS will
turn back on and the TC warning light will go out
once the vehicle speed falls below 90 mph (145 km/h).
3-31

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

Stop Vehicle
This message will be displayed when attempting to
release the cargo cover while the vehicle is in motion.
The vehicle must be stopped to release the cargo cover.
See
Cargo Cover on page 2-36for more information.
Tlat (Tonneau Latch) Hall Switch Fault
This message will be displayed when trying to raise
or lower the convertible top and there is a problem with
this switch. If the message persists, see your
GM dealer for service.
Tonn (Tonneau) Hall Switch Fault
This message will be displayed 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.
Tonn (Tonneau) Latd (Latched)
Switch Fault
This message will be displayed 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.
Traction Active
(Automatic Transmission Only)
This message, along with the light on the Traction
Control System (TCS) warning light on the instrument
panel cluster, will be displayed when the TCS system is
active. Press the select button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the DIC display. See
Traction
Control System (TCS) (Automatic Transmission) on page 4-8
andTraction Control System (TCS) Warning
Light (Automatic Transmission) on page 3-31for
more information.
Trans (Transmission) Hot Idle
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If the transmission ¯uid in the vehicle becomes too hot,
this message will appear on the DIC. Stop the vehicle
and let it idle to allow the transmission ¯uid to cool. This
message will clear when the ¯uid temperature reaches
a safe level. See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on
page 5-21for more information.
3-51

Turn Signal On
If a turn signal is left on for 3/4 mile (1.2 km), this
message will appear on the display and you will hear a
chime. Move the turn signal/multifunction lever to the
off position. Press the select button to acknowledge this
message and clear it from the display. See
Turn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6for more
information.
Unknown Speed
This message will be displayed when trying to raise or
lower the convertible top and the roof controller
cannot communicate with the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). See your GM dealer for service.
DIC Vehicle Personalization
Your vehicle has a personalization feature that allows
you to program certain features to a preferred setting
for up to two drivers. The number of programmable
features varies depending upon which model of
the vehicle you purchased. Once the features are
programmed, the saved settings are recalled by
pressing the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, 1 or 2, or by pressing the appropriate
memory button, 1 or 2, located on the outboard side of
the driver's seat. See
Memory Seat on page 2-59for more information. The following is a list of available programmable
options:
·AUTOMATIC LOCKING (Automatic
Transmission only)
·AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING
·REMOTE LOCK FEEDBACK
·REMOTE UNLOCK FEEDBACK
·HEADLAMPS ON AT EXIT
·PERIMETER LIGHTING
·SEAT POSITION RECALL, if equipped
·ALARM WARNING TYPE
·DISPLAY LANGUAGE
·DISPLAY UNITS ± U.S./MET
q(Personalization):
Press this button located on
the steering wheel to access the vehicle personalization
menu and customize the personalization settings on
your vehicle.
3-52

Automatic Locking
(Automatic Transmission only)
This feature allows you to choose how the vehicle's
doors are locked on your automatic transmission vehicle.
Press the personalization button until AUTOMATIC
LOCKING appears in the display. To access the modes
for AUTOMATIC LOCKING, press the select button.
Once AUTOMATIC LOCKING is selected, press
the select button to scroll through the following modes:
Mode 1:LOCK DOORS OUT OF PARK
Mode 2: LOCK DOORS WITH SPEED
If you choose Mode 1, the doors will lock when
the vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P).
If you choose Mode 2, the doors will lock when
the vehicle speed is above 8 mph (13 km/h) for
three seconds.
Scroll through the list of modes. When the mode you
want is displayed on the DIC, press the personalization
button to set your choice, return to the personalization
menu, and advance to the next programmable feature.
For more information on automatic door locks, see
Programmable Automatic Door Locks on page 2-10.
Automatic Unlocking
This feature allows you to choose how the vehicle's
doors are unlocked. Press the personalization button
until AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING appears in the display.
To access the modes for AUTOMATIC UNLOCKING,
press the select button. Once AUTOMATIC
UNLOCKING is selected, press the select button to
scroll through the following modes:
Mode 1: UNLOCK ALL IN PARK (Automatic
Transmission only)
Mode 2: UNLOCK ALL AT KEY OUT
Mode 3: UNLOCK DRIVER IN PARK
(Automatic Transmission only)
Mode 4: UNLOCK DOORS MANUALLY
If you choose Mode 1, all of the doors will unlock when
the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
If you choose Mode 2, all of the doors will unlock when
the key is taken out of the ignition.
If you choose Mode 3, the driver's door will be unlocked
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
If you choose Mode 4, the doors will not be unlocked
automatically.
3-53

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS)
(Automatic Transmission).............................4-8
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-13
Driving at Night............................................4-15
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-16
City Driving..................................................4-19Freeway Driving...........................................4-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-21
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-22
Winter Driving..............................................4-24
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-28
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-28
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-29
Towing..........................................................4-34
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-34
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-34
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-35
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-35
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

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

When the system is on,
this warning light will
come on to let you know
if there’s a problem.
When this warning light is on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If the Traction Control System (TCS) is on and you drive
faster than 100 mph (161 km/h), the system will turn
off and the TC warning light will come on. The TCS will
turn back on and the TC warning light will go out
once the vehicle speed falls below 90 mph (145 km/h).
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
(Automatic Transmission) on page 3-31.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the Traction Control
System on. But you can turn the system off if you
ever need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. SeeRocking Your
Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-28andIf You Are Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on page 4-28for more
information.To turn the system on
or off press the button
located on your center
console switchbank.
SeeCenter Console
Switchbank on page 3-18
for more information.
When you turn the system off, the Traction Control
System warning light will come on and stay on. If the
Traction Control System is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button to turn the system off, the warning
light will come on and the system will turn off right away.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The Traction Control System
warning light should go off.
4-9