2009 CHEVROLET AVEO brake light

Dome Lamp
The vehicle has a dome lamp.
ON:The light comes on and stays on.
O(Door):The light comes on when a door is opened.
The light turns off when all the doors are closed.
OFF:The light remains off even when a door is opened.
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver
This feature is designed to protect the vehicle’s battery
against drainage. If the exterior lamps control is left
in the
;or2position, the key is removed and
the driver door is opened, the lights will turn off
automatically.
If the key is removed and the driver door is opened
while the dome lamp is on, the dome lamp will not turn
off automatically.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment, such as a cellular phone.
The accessory power outlet is located next to the
parking brake on the center console.To use the accessory power outlet, remove the protective
cap. When not in use, always cover the outlet with the
protective cap. The accessory power outlet is operational
when the ignition is turned to ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do not
plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer/retailer for additional
information on accessory power outlets.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to the
vehicle can damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not use
equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating of
20 amperes. Check with your dealer/retailer before
adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
3-16

Charging System Light
This light will come on briey when the ignition is turned
on, and the engine is not running, as a check to show
it is working.
It should go out when the engine is started. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there may have a problem
with the electrical charging system. Have it checked
by your dealer/retailer. Driving while this light is on could
drain the battery. If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, turn off all accessories, such as
the radio and air conditioner to help reduce the drain
on the battery.
Up-Shift Light
The vehicle may have an
up-shift light.
When this light comes on, shift to the next higher gear if
weather, road, and traffic conditions allow.
SeeManual Transmission Operation on page 2-26for
more information.
Brake System Warning Light
The vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop the vehicle. For good braking,
both parts need to work.
3-28

{CAUTION:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will also come on when the parking brake is set.
The light will stay on if the parking brake does not fully
release. If it stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, it means there is a brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving, carefully pull off the
road and stop. The pedal may be harder to push or
may go closer to the oor. It may take longer to stop.
If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-24. United States
Canada
3-29

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF or if
the light comes on, stop as soon as possible and
turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on
again while driving, the vehicle needs service. See your
dealer/retailer. If the regular brake system warning
light is not on, the brakes will still work, but the antilock
brakes will not work. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, the antilock brakes will not
work and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.The ABS warning light will come on briey when the
ignition is turned to ON/RUN. This is normal. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will be
ready to warn if there is a problem.
Hold Mode Light
If the vehicle has this
feature, this light comes on
when the hold mode is
active.
If the HOLD mode light ashes, have the vehicle
checked. See “Hold Mode” underAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 2-22for more
information.
3-30

Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-28.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a second.
But that is only an average. It might be less with one
driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination,
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs,
and frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet
(20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an emergency,
so keeping enough space between the vehicle and others
is important.
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 with a lot of heavy braking. Keeping pace with
the traffic and allowing realistic following distances
eliminates a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being
driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes.
If the brakes are pumped, the pedal could get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, there will still be
some power brake assist but it will be used when the
brake is applied. 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
vehicle performance. SeeAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3.
4-4

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The vehicle might have the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent
a braking skid.
If the vehicle has ABS,
this warning light comes
on briey when the vehicle
is started.
The warning light is on the instrument panel cluster.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 3-30.
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 the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to
get a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, there will not be enough time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work. A slight brake pedal
pulsation might be felt or some noise might be
heard, but this is normal.
4-5

Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a
road onto the shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way,
steer so that the vehicle straddles the edge of the
pavement. Turn the steering wheel 3 to 5 inches,
8 to 13 cm, (about one-eighth turn) until the right front
tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn the steering
wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be
dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing:
Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads
for situations that might affect a successful pass.
If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side
of the lane.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
When you are being passed, ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough friction
where the tires meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
4-8

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light up
so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But, as we get older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or owing water.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a
car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
Driving through owing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this happens, you
and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very cautious about
trying to drive through owing water.
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