2005 CHEVROLET SSR ABS

3. Insert a locking tab into the forward end of
each side rail and slide the tabs rearward.
Then reinstall the endcaps on the forward ends
of the side rails.
If your vehicle has an access slot on the forward
end of each side rail, insert the locking tab into
the access slot and slide the tabs rearward.4. Loosen the knobs located on top of the telescoping
cross bar by turning them counterclockwise. Side Rail with End Cap Removed Shown
2-43

5. Position the cross bar vertically between the side
rails as shown.6. Insert the tabs located at each end of the cross bar
into the side rails.
You may need to adjust the length of the cross bar
to make it t between the side rails.
2-44

7. Turn the cross bar so that it is horizontal as shown. 8. Slide the locking tabs in the side rails until they
are aligned with the knobs on the cross bar as
shown and loosely tighten the knobs.
9. Slide the cross bar to the desired location and
adjust the length of the bar as necessary.
10. Tighten all the cross bar knobs.
11. Remove the pushpins located on the outboard
sides of the tailgate near the top.
2-45

8. Insert one of the D-rings through the bracket and
locking plate and loosely tighten it to the side rail.
Be sure to use the D-rings supplied with the
side-saddle storage system that have 0.3 inches
(8 mm) studs. Using other D-rings will not work
because the studs will be too long and the storage
bins will not be secured properly. If you need
additional D-rings and locking tabs, contact
your dealer.
9. Loosely install the three wing nuts on the studs in
the bottom of the storage bin.10. Once the bin has been situated properly, fully
tighten the three wing nuts in the bottom of
the bin and the D-ring on the side rail.
11. Install the locking lid on the storage bin.
Each storage bin is delivered with two keys.
If additional keys are needed, your dealer can
create them using the key code imprinted on
each key.
12. Repeat the above steps to install the other
storage bin.
To remove the storage bin(s), reverse the previous steps.
Be sure to load items in the cargo area according to
the proper load limits. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-29for more information.
Convertible Top
Operate the convertible top by pressing the convertible
top switch located on the console switchbank. See
Center Console Switchbank on page 3-18for more
information on location.
2-51

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

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

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You
slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If
one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels.The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure
faster than any driver could. The computer is
programmed to make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help you steer around
the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
4-7

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
are not rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid. If your traction control system
is off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including engine braking by shifting to a
lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored surface — and
slow down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-14