2006 CHEVROLET EPICA Owners Manual

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.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you
can move the shift lever away from PARK (P).
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not
fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-26.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you 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 transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-27

Shifting Out of Park (P)
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 is turned to ON. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-21.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P) while holding
the brake pedal down, try this:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
3. Remove the cover over the shift-lock release
slot by prying it off using a small, flat object.
The shift-lock release slot is located at the
top of the shift lever.4. Insert the key into
the shift-lock release
slot and press and
hold the key.
5. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
6. Remove the key from the shift-lock release slot,
insert the key into the ignition and start the
engine.
7. Replace the shift-lock release slot cover.
8. Apply and hold the regular brake fully and
release the parking brake.
9. Shift to the gear you want.
10. Have the system fixed as soon as you can.
2-28

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.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down
to blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-29

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running.
But if you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-29.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the climate control fan is at the highest
setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-24.
{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. 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will
not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-26.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-35.
2-30

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
While sitting in a comfortable driving position, adjust
the mirror so you can see clearly behind your vehicle.
Grip the mirror in the center to move it up or down
and side to side. The control at the bottom of the mirror
is the day/night feature that allows adjustment to the
mirror so that the glare of headlamps from behind
is reduced. Push the control for daytime use; pull it
for night use.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming
rearview mirror.
When the automatic dimming feature is turned on,
the mirror automatically changes to reduce glare
from the headlamps behind you. A photocell on the
mirror senses when it is becoming dark outside.
Another photocell built into the mirror face senses
when headlamps are behind you.
2-31

At night, when the glare is too high, the mirror will
gradually darken to reduce glare. This change may
take a few seconds. The mirror will return to its clear
daytime state when the glare is reduced.
To activate the automatic dimming feature, press the
button (B) located below the rearview mirror. To turn
the feature off, press the button (B) again.
The ignition must be turned to ON to use the automatic
dimming rearview mirror. The indicator light (C) will
illuminate while this feature is active.
There are two light sensors (A) which detect ambient
light level and glare from vehicles behind you.
Do not cover the sensors as this will cancel the
automatic dimming operation.Outside Power Mirrors
The control for the
power mirrors is located
on the driver’s side
instrument panel,
below the side outlet.
Move the outside power mirror control to L for the
left mirror and to R for the right mirror. If you place
the control in the center position, no movement of
the mirror will occur. To adjust a mirror, press the
corresponding edges located on the four-way control
pad to move the mirror in the direction that you want
it to go. The ignition must be turned to ON to adjust
the mirrors.
The outside rearview mirrors can be folded flat against
the side of the vehicle by pushing them toward the
vehicle.
2-32

Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from the
driver’s seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles,
look farther away than they really are.
Outside Heated Mirrors
When you operate the rear window defogger, the
heated driver’s and passenger’s outside power mirrors
are warmed to help clear them of ice and snow.
See “Rear Window and Outside Mirror Defogger” under
Climate Control System on page 3-19orAutomatic
Climate Control System on page 3-22for more
information.
2-33

Storage Areas
Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling the bottom of the
handle upward.
Cupholder(s)
The cupholders are located in the center console and
in the rear seat center armrest. To use the front
cupholders, press the right side of the lid which will
cause the flip lid to automatically open towards the
left side. To use the rear cupholder, pull down the
rear seat center armrest.
Coinholder(s)
Your vehicle has a coinholder (A) located to the left of
the steering wheel on the instrument panel. There is also
a card holder (B) located at the top of the coinholder.
To use these feature, pull out the coinholder drawer.
2-34