2008 CHEVROLET AVEO instrument cluster

Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has fog lamps, use them for better
visibility in foggy or misty conditions. The band located
on the middle of the turn signal/multifunction lever
controls the fog lamps.
While using the fog lamps, the ignition must be turned
to ON/RUN and the low-beam headlamps or parking
lamps must be on.
Turn the band to ON to turn the fog lamps on. An
indicator light comes on in the secondary information
center on the hatchback or in the instrument panel
cluster on the sedan, when the fog lamps are on.
SeeFog Lamp Light on page 3-53.
Turn the band to OFF to turn the fog lamps off. The fog
lamps will also turn off when the high-beam headlamps
are turned on. When the high-beam headlamps are
turned off, the fog lamps will turn on again.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering column.
Turn the thumbwheel to brighten or dim the lights.Hatchback
Sedan
3-17

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know
how fast you are going, how much fuel you are using, and many other things you will need to drive safely and
economically.
Your vehicle’s instrument panel cluster includes indicator warning lights and gages that are explained on the
following pages.
United States Hatchback shown, Canada Hatchback similar
3-27

Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
The safety belt light will
come on when the engine
is started and stay on
until the driver’s safety belt
is buckled.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, the light will not
come on.
Safety Belt Reminder Tone
If your vehicle has this feature, a tone will sound for
several seconds when the engine is started to remind
people to fasten their safety belts. The tone will not
sound if the driver’s safety belt is already buckled.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument panel
cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the airbag sensor, the airbag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the airbag system,
seeAirbag System on page 1-56.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will flash for
a few seconds. The light
should go out and the
system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your airbag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
3-30

When you start the vehicle, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light for several seconds as a system check.
Then, after several more seconds, if the off symbol is lit
on the passenger airbag status indicator, it means that
the passenger sensing system has turned off the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag (if equipped).
{CAUTION:
If the off symbol in the passenger airbag
status indicator does not come on when you
have a rear-facing child restraint installed in
the right front passenger’s seat, it means that
the passenger sensing system has not turned
off the passenger’s frontal airbag and side
airbag (if equipped). A child in a rear-facing
child restraint can be seriously injured or killed
if the right front passenger’s airbag or airbags
inate. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the inating airbag or airbags. Do not use
a rear-facing child restraint in the right front
passenger’s seat unless the airbag or airbags
have been turned off.If the off symbol is not lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped) are enabled (may inflate).
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-30for more on this, including
important safety information.
3-32

Clock (Hatchback Only)
Your vehicle has a digital clock. The clock is located
in the secondary instrument cluster on the center of the
instrument panel, above the center air outlets. When
the ignition is turned to ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN,
the time is displayed in the digital clock. There are
two adjusting buttons for the digital clock:
H (Hour):To go forward one hour, press the H button
once. To go forward more than one hour, press and
hold the button until the correct hour is reached.
M (Minute):To go forward one minute, press the
M button once. To go forward more than one minute,
press and hold the button until the correct minute
is reached.
After disconnecting the battery or replacing the fuse,
reset the clock.
Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
The safety belt light will
come on and stay on until
the driver’s safety belt
is buckled.
This light will come on briefly when you turn on the
ignition as a check to show you it is working.
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{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on,
it means that something may be wrong with
the airbag system. If this ever happens, have
the vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-30for more on this, including
important safety information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light
will come on briefly when
you turn on the ignition,
and the engine is not
running, as a check
to show you it is working.
Then it should go out when the engine is started.
If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
Have it checked by your dealer/retailer. Driving while
this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
3-47

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, whether it is
wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of the 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. The brakes might not have time to cool
between hard stops. The 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 vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the brakes.
If you do, the pedal could get harder to push down.
If the 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 can take longer
to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle might have the Antilock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light will come
on briefly when you start
your vehicle.
The warning light is on the instrument panel cluster for
a sedan. SeeAntilock Brake System Warning Light
on page 3-34. For hatchback models, the warning light
is on the Secondary Information Center (SIC). See
Antilock Brake System Warning Light on page 3-48.
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 wheel.
4-4

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
D. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-32andHydraulic Clutch on
page 5-21.
E. Automatic Transmission Dipstick. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-19.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-26.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-94.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-30.
I. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-35.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-31.Engine Oil
If the engine oil pressure
light comes on, check the
engine oil level right away.
The oil pressure light is on the instrument panel cluster
for sedans. SeeOil Pressure Light on page 3-39.
For hatchbacks, the oil pressure light is on the
Secondary Information Center (SIC). SeeOil Pressure
Light on page 3-52. You should check the engine
oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
5-13