2006 CHEVROLET SSR automatic transmission

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.
SeeCargo Cover on page 2-35for 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 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. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) (Automatic Transmission) on page 4-9
andTraction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
on page 3-32for more information.
Trans (Transmission) Hot Idle
(Automatic Transmission Only)
If the transmission fluid in the vehicle becomes too hot,
this message will appear on the DIC. Stop the vehicle
and let it idle to allow the transmission fluid to cool. This
message will clear when the fluid temperature reaches
a safe level. SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on
page 5-20for 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. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7for 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. SeeMemory Seat on page 2-53
for 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........................................4-6
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-9
Traction Control System (TCS)
(Automatic Transmission).............................4-9
Steering......................................................4-11
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-13
Passing.......................................................4-13
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Driving at Night............................................4-16
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-17
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 Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-28
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-28
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-29
Truck-Camper Loading Information..................4-34
Towing..........................................................4-35
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-35
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-35
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-35
Trailer Recommendations...............................4-47
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Using Anti-Lock
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down firmly 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 3-10.
The Traction Control System operates in all transmission
shift lever positions except for FIRST (1). This is
normal. The system is deactivated when the
transmission is shifted into FIRST (1). 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. See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-19.
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.
4-9

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you will
need to spin the wheels, but you do not want to
spin your wheels too fast. The method known as rocking
can help you get out when you are stuck, but you
must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they
can explode, and you or others could be
injured. And, the transmission or other parts of
the vehicle can overheat. That could cause an
engine compartment re or other damage.
When you are stuck, spin the wheels as little
as possible. Do not spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.Notice:Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of
your vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin the
wheels too fast while shifting your transmission
back and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For more information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 5-66.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear
the area around your front wheels. If you have traction
control, you should turn the system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) (Automatic Transmission) on
page 4-9. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, or with a manual
transmission, between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and
REVERSE (R), spinning the wheels as little as possible.
Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is
in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in the forward
and reverse directions, you will cause a rocking motion
that may free your vehicle. If that does not get you out
after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do
need to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-35.
4-28

Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle by
itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
acceleration, braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested,
important trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for your safety and that of your
passengers. So please read this section carefully before
you pull a trailer.
If You Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
•There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for
this information can be state or provincial police.
•Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
•Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
•If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow
in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear if the transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions. If you have a
manual transmission and you are towing a trailer, it
is better not to use the highest gear.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
•Weight of the trailer
•Weight of the trailer tongue
•Weight on your vehicle’s tires
4-36

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can tow in
DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the transmission
to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under heavy loads or hilly
conditions. If you have a manual transmission and
you are towing a trailer, it is better not to use SIXTH (6)
gear. Just drive in FIFTH (5) gear (or, as you need
to, a lower gear).
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked, preferably on level ground, with
the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off. For manual
transmissions, let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the transmission out of
gear and the parking brake applied, for a few minutes
before turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat
warning, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet for an automatic transmission, or
into gear for a manual transmission. Turn your
wheels into the curb if facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Release the regular brakes.
4-45