2008 CHEVROLET AVEO Owners Manual

Your vehicle may have an electronic immobilizer
designed to protect your car against theft. If so, only
keys with the correct electronic code can be used
to start the vehicle. SeeImmobilizer Operation on
page 2-16for additional information. Even if a key
has the same profile, it will not start the engine if the
electronic code is incorrect. If you need a new key,
contact your dealer/retailer who can obtain the correct
key code. Also seeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 7-8.
Notice:If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System
If the vehicle has the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system, it operates on a radio frequency subject
to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any RKE system. If the transmitter does not
work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle
for the transmitter to work, try this:
•Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
•Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
•Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” later in
this section.
•If you are still having trouble, see your dealer/retailer
or a qualified technician for service.
2-3

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
You can lock and unlock your vehicle’s doors from
about 20 ft (6 m) away using the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
The following functions may be available if your vehicle
has the RKE system:
Hatchback
Q(Lock):Press this button to lock all of the doors.
If all of the doors and the trunk or liftgate are closed,
the hazard lamps will flash once to indicate that locking
has occurred and that the theft-deterrent system is
active.
K(Unlock):Press this button to unlock all of the
doors. The hazard lamps will flash twice to indicate
that unlocking has occurred and that the theft-deterrent
system is deactivated.
Sedan
n(Lock/Unlock):Press this button to lock all of the
doors. The hazard lamps will flash once and the horn
will sound to indicate that locking has occurred and that
the theft-deterrent system is active. Press this button
again to unlock all of the doors. The hazard lamps will
flash twice to indicate that unlocking has occurred
and that the theft-deterrent system is deactivated.
V(Remote Trunk Release):Press and hold this
button for approximately one second to open the trunk.
The LED light, on the transmitter, will flash when the
buttons on the transmitter are pressed.
The lock and unlock buttons will not operate and the
theft-deterrent system will not activate while the key is
in the ignition. Hatchback
Sedan
2-4

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your
Vehicle
Each RKE transmitter is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter is
lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through
your dealer/retailer. Remember to bring any remaining
transmitters with you when you go to your dealer/retailer.
When the dealer/retailer matches the replacement
transmitter to your vehicle, any remaining transmitters
must also be matched. Once your dealer/retailer has
coded the new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not
unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum
of five transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the battery in your RKE transmitter
should last about two years.
The battery is weak if the LED fails to illuminate or if
the transmitter will not work at the normal range in
any location. If you have to get close to your vehicle
before the transmitter works, it is probably time to
change the battery.
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not to
touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.To replace the battery in the RKE transmitter, do the
following:
1. Remove the screw from the back of the cover and
open the cover of the transmitter.
2. Pull the transmitter out of the cover and carefully
detach the sticker from the unit. Keep the sticker
clean.
3. Remove the battery and replace it with the new
one. Make sure the positive side of the battery
faces up. Use one three-volt, CR1620, or
equivalent, type battery.
4. Attach the sticker and put the transmitter unit in
the cover.Hatchback
Sedan
2-5

5. Put the two halves back together and replace the
screw. Make sure the cover is on tightly, so water
will not get in.
6. Test the transmitter operation.
Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers, especially children, can easily
open the doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is locked, the handle
will not open it. You increase the chance
of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors are not locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, use your key or the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter. SeeRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 2-4.
To manually unlock the front doors from the outside,
insert the key and turn it toward the front of the vehicle.
To manually lock the doors from the outside, insert
the key and turn it toward the rear of the vehicle.
2-6

All doors, except for the driver’s door, can be locked by
pushing down the manual door lock and then closing
the door. The driver’s door can only by locked from
the outside by using the key or the optional remote
keyless entry transmitter.
From the inside, you can lock and unlock all of the
doors by pushing or pulling the manual door lock
located on each door.
Central Door Unlocking System
Your vehicle may be equipped with the central door
unlocking system. This system is activated from
the driver’s door.
From the outside, you can lock or unlock all the doors
by using either the key or the remote keyless entry
transmitter, if equipped. From the inside, you can lock
or unlock all the doors by using the driver’s door
lock switch while the driver’s door is closed.
Door Ajar Reminder
If one of the doors on
the sedan is not closed
properly while the ignition
is on, the door ajar light on
the instrument panel comes
on and stays on until the
doors are closed.
If one of the doors on the hatchback is not closed
properly while the ignition is on, the door ajar light
on the secondary information center comes on and
stays on until the doors are closed.
2-7

Rear Door Security Locks
Your vehicle has rear
door security locks on
each rear door that prevent
passengers from opening
the rear doors from
the inside.
Using the Rear Door Security Lock
1. Move the lever up to lock.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing to the other rear door lock.
Notice:Pulling the inside door handle while the
rear door security locks are engaged could damage
your vehicle. Do not pull the inside door handle
while the rear door security locks are engaged.
The rear doors on your vehicle cannot be opened from
the inside while this feature is in use.
Opening a Rear Door When the
Security Lock is On
1. Unlock the door from the inside.
2. Open the door from the outside.
If you do not cancel the security lock, adults or older
children who ride in the rear will not be able to open
the rear door from the inside. You should let adults
and older children know how to cancel the locks.
Canceling the Rear Door Security Lock
1. Unlock the door from the inside and open the
door from the outside.
2. Move the lever down to unlock.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
The rear door locks can now be locked and unlocked
normally.
Lockout Protection
This feature helps prevent locking the key in the car.
The driver’s door can only be locked with the door
closed. From the outside of the vehicle, close the
driver’s door and lock it using the key or the
Remote Keyless Entry transmitter.
This feature cannot guarantee that you will never be
locked out of your vehicle. Always remember to
take your key with you.
2-8

Trunk
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You cannot see or
smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and
even death. If you must drive with the trunk
lid open or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the trunk lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See Climate Control
System.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-30.To open the trunk on your sedan from outside of your
vehicle, insert the key into the lock cylinder and turn
the key clockwise or use the remote keyless entry
transmitter, if equipped.
Remote Trunk Release
If your vehicle has a trunk
release button located on
the driver’s door, you
can open the trunk from
inside your vehicle by
pressing the release
button.
When closing the trunk, close from the center to ensure
it fully latches.Trunk Release Button
2-9

If your vehicle has a trunk
release lever located on the
outboard side of the driver’s
seat, you can open the
trunk from inside your
vehicle by pulling the
release lever.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Notice:Do not use the emergency trunk release
handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing
items in the trunk as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release handle is only
intended to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk from the inside.There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release
handle located on the underside of the trunk lid.
This handle will glow following exposure to light.
Pull the release handle down to open the trunk
from the inside. Trunk Release Lever
2-10