2006 CHEVROLET SSR Owners Manual

SECOND (2):This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy than DRIVE (D) and THIRD (3). You
can use SECOND (2) on hills. It can help control your
speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but
then you would also want to use your brakes off and on.
You can also use SECOND (2) for starting your
vehicle from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
FIRST (1):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than THIRD (3) and
SECOND (2). You can use it on very steep hills, or in
deep snow or mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1)
while the vehicle is moving forward, the transmission
will not shift into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle in
one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.Manual Transmission Operation
This is your shift pattern.
Here is how to operate your manual transmission:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you slowly press down on the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when you are going less
than 20 mph (30 km/h). If you have come to a complete
stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL and release the clutch. Then
press the clutch pedal back down and shift into
FIRST (1).
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SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you release
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH and SIXTH (3, 4, 5
and 6):Shift into THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5)
and SIXTH (6) the same way you do for SECOND (2).
Slowly release the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
To stop, release the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift
to NEUTRAL.
NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press the clutch pedal. After
the vehicle stops, shift into REVERSE (R). Slowly release
the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal. If it is
hard to shift, let the shift lever return to NEUTRAL and
release the clutch pedal. Then press the clutch again and
shift into REVERSE (R). Do not attempt to shift into the
fifth gear position prior to shifting into REVERSE (R).
Your transmission has a lock out feature which prevents
a fifth gear to reverse gear shift.Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
Use REVERSE (R), along with the parking brake, for
parking your vehicle.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift,
you could lose control of your vehicle. You
could injure yourself or others. Do not shift
down more than one gear at a time when
you downshift.
2-22

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up. If the ignition is on, the
brake system warning light will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-30for more
information.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Then push the release button in as you move the
parking brake lever all the way down.
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)
{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).
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-23for more information.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing the
button on the lever while pushing the lever all the
way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
remove the key from the ignition, the vehicle is in
PARK (P).
2-23

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{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) without first pressing
the button on the console shift lever. If you can, it
means that the shift lever was not fully locked
into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. 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, see “Shifting
Into PARK (P)” listed previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-19.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the
shift lever, push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P),
and release the shift lever button as you maintain brake
application. Then press the shift lever button and move
the shift lever into the gear you wish.
2-24

Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R), and firmly apply the parking
brake. Once the shift lever has been placed into
REVERSE (R), with the clutch pedal pressed in, you
can turn the ignition key to OFF, press the key release
button to remove the key and release the clutch.
See Key Release Button (Manual Transmission) under
Ignition Positions on page 2-16.
If you are parking on a hill, see “Parking on Hills” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-35.
If your vehicle is pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 4-35.
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.
2-25

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.
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 2-26.
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. See
Winter Driving on page 4-24.
2-26

{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the automatic transmission 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 it is on fairly level
ground, always set the parking brake and
move the automatic transmission shift lever to
PARK (P), or the manual transmission shift
lever to NEUTRAL.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) on page 2-23and
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission) on
page 2-25.
If you are pulling a trailer with your vehicle, seeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-35.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have a manual rearview mirror with
reading lamps. 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
with Universal Home Remote
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror with map lamps and Universal Home Remote
buttons. For more information about this feature,
seeUniversal Home Remote System on page 2-30.
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.
2-27

Mirror Operation
The mirror automatically changes to reduce glare from
headlamps behind you. A time delay feature prevents
rapid changing from the day to night positions while
driving under lights and through traffic.
[(On/Off):The automatic dimming feature is
automatically activated when the vehicle is started. The
automatic dimming feature is turned on or off by
pressing this button located on the lower part of the
mirror. Press and hold the button for up to three seconds
to turn this feature on or off.
T(Indicator Light):This light will turn on when the
automatic dimming feature is on.
+(Map Lamps):Press this button to turn the map
lamps on and off.
Press the two outside mirror buttons to light the
transmission positions on the console.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as this could damage
the mirror housing.
Outside Power Heated Mirrors
Your vehicle may have outside heated power mirrors.
The power mirror
control is located on
the driver’s door.
To adjust the power mirrors, do the following:
1. Turn the knob toward the mirror to be adjusted.
2. Move the knob in the desired direction.
3. Return the knob to the center position once the
mirrors are adjusted.
When the furthest position is reached in any direction,
the mirror will enter a ratcheting mode and a clicking
sound will be heard. To stop this, move the control knob
in the opposite direction.
2-28