2009 CHEVROLET HHR parking brake

Running the Vehicle 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 a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-37.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle
if the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake rmly set.
The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-34.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer (Automatic Transmission) on page 4-34or
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission) on page 4-41.
2-38

Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column operates
the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps, parking
lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps and
taillamps only.AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):Automatically
turns on the Daytime Running Lamps during daytime, and
the headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps at night.
P(Off/On):This position is the momentary Off/On
switch for the Automatic Headlamp System. In Canada,
this only works when the vehicles with an automatic
transmission are in P (Park) and vehicles with a manual
transmission have the parking brake set and the
vehicle is not moving.
When operating in AUTO, a momentary turn of the
switch to off/on will turn off the Automatic Headlamp
System. An AUTO LIGHTS OFF message displays on
the Driver Information Center (DIC) and a chime will
sound. Turning the switch to off/on again will turn the
Automatic Headlamp System back on. An AUTO LIGHTS
ON message displays on the DIC. The Automatic
Headlamp System is always turned on at the beginning of
an ignition cycle for vehicles with manual transmission.
3-14

Wiper Activated Headlamps
The headlamps and parking lamps are activated
15 seconds after the windshield wipers are turned on.
For this feature to work, automatic lighting must be
enabled. SeeHeadlamps on page 3-14for additional
information.
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. They also turn off
15 seconds after the windshield wiper control is
turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
If the drivers door is opened with the ignition off and the
lamps on, a warning chime will sound. This indicates
that the headlamps are still on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running lamps are required on
all vehicles rst sold in Canada.The vehicle has a light sensor on top of the instrument
panel. Do not cover this sensor or the headlamps
will come on when they are not needed.
The DRL system will make the headlamps come on
at reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The shift lever is not in P (Park).
While the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, and instrument panel lights will not be on.
For vehicles with an Automatic Transmission, the
DRL system is off any time the vehicle is in P (Park).
For vehicles with a Manual Transmission, the DRL
system will be off when the vehicle is rst started, the
park brake is applied, and the vehicle has not moved.
The DRL system on U.S. vehicles can also be turned
off by using the off/on switch for one ignition cycle.
The regular headlamp system should be turned on when
needed.
3-15

Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, the automatic system
turns on the headlamps at the normal brightness along
with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps, instrument panel lights, and interior switch
backlighting.
Do not cover the light sensor, located on top of the
instrument panel. If the sensor is covered the headlamps
may remain on when they are not needed.
If the vehicle is driven through a parking garage, overcast
weather or a tunnel, the automatic headlamp system may
turn on.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the automatic lamp control
system so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The automatic
lamp control system will only be affected when the light
sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this
delay.
If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
lamp system turns on immediately. Once the vehicle
exits the garage, it will take about 20 seconds for the
automatic lamp system to change to DRL if it is light
outside. During that delay, the instrument panel cluster
may not be as bright as usual. Make sure the instrument
panel brightness control is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17.To idle the vehicle with the system off, turn the ignition
on and turn the exterior light switch to the off/on position.
For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the transmission must
stay in P (Park) for this function or the parking brake must
be set for vehicles with manual transmissions.
Turn on the regular headlamps when they are needed.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the button is located on the
instrument panel, to the right of the steering wheel.
The ignition must be on to use the fog lamps.
#:Press to turn the fog lamps on and off. An indicator
light on the button comes on when the fog lamps are on.
The parking lamps automatically turn on and off when the
fog lamps are turned on and off.
The fog lamps will turn off while the high-beam
headlamps are turned on.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
3-16

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 be working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have the brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on briey when the engine is
started. If it does not come on then, have it xed so it
will be ready to warn if there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. The light
stays on if the parking brake does not fully release. If it
stays on after the parking brake is fully released, it means
the vehicle has a brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road
and stop carefully. Make sure the parking brake is fully
released. The pedal might be harder to push or, the pedal
could go closer to the oor. It can take longer to stop.
Try turning off and restarting the vehicle one or two times,
if the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-31.
{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. United StatesCanada
3-33

LOW FUEL
This message displays when your vehicle is low on fuel.
Rell the fuel tank as soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-42,Fuel on page 5-5, andFilling the Tank on
page 5-9for more information.
LOW TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
or Traction Control System (TCS), this message displays
and the ETS light or the ESC/TCS light on the instrument
panel cluster ashes when the system is actively limiting
wheel spin. Slippery road conditions may exist if this
message is displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly.
This message stays on for a few seconds after the
system stops limiting wheel spin. SeeEnhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-12orTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-10andEnhanced Traction System
(ETS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-34orElectronic
Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-35for more
information.
PARKING BRAKE
This message displays if the parking brake is left
engaged. SeeParking Brake on page 2-33for more
information.
POWER STEERING
This message displays if a problem has been detected
with the electric power steering. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL)
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this
message displays and a chime sounds if there has been
a problem detected with ESC. The ESC/TCS light also
appears on the instrument panel cluster. This light stays
on solid as long as the detected problem remains
present. When this message displays, the system is not
working. Adjust your driving accordingly. SeeElectronic
Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-7andElectronic
Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-35for more
information.
3-54

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio the vehicle has and read the
following pages to become familiar with its features.
{CAUTION:
Taking your eyes off the road for extended periods
could cause a crash resulting in injury or death to
you or others. Do not give extended attention to
entertainment tasks while driving.
This system provides access to many audio and non
audio listings.
To minimize taking your eyes off the road while driving,
do the following while the vehicle is parked:
Become familiar with the operation and controls of
the audio system.
Set up the tone, speaker adjustments, and preset
radio stations.
For more information, seeDefensive Driving on
page 4-2.Notice:Contact your dealer/retailer before adding
any equipment.
Adding audio or communication equipment could
interfere with the operation of the vehicle’s engine,
radio, or other systems, and could damage them.
Follow federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone equipment.
Notice:The chime signals related to safety belts,
parking brake, and other functions of your vehicle
operate through the radio/entertainment system.
If that equipment is replaced or additional equipment
is added to your vehicle, the chimes may not work.
Make sure that replacement or additional equipment
is compatible with your vehicle before installing it.
SeeAccessories and Modifications on page 5-3.
The vehicle has Retained Accessory Power (RAP).
With RAP, the audio system can be played even after
the ignition is turned off. SeeRetained Accessory
Power (RAP) on page 2-25for more information.
3-61

Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
The vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction System
(ETS) 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 front wheels are spinning
or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system reduces engine power and may also upshift the
transmission to limit wheel spin.
If the vehicle has ETS, there is not an ESC/TCS button
on the instrument panel. To turn the system off, shift
to L (Low) or R (Reverse). There is more information
about how to turn the system off later in this section.
The ETS indicator/warning light ashes and
LOW TRACTION appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when the traction control system is actively
limiting wheel spin. The system may be heard or felt while
it is working, but this is normal. Slippery road conditions
may exist if this message is displayed, so adjust your
driving accordingly.
If the vehicle is in cruise control when the ETS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. The cruise control can be re-engaged when
road conditions allow. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.The ETS indicator/warning light may come on for the
following reasons:
The indicator/warning light ashes while the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin.
If the system is turned off by moving the shift lever
to L (Low), the indicator/warning light comes on
and stays on. To turn the system back on, move
the shift lever back to a position other than L (Low).
The indicator/warning light should go off.
The indicator/warning light will come on when the
parking brake is set with the engine running, and it
will stay on if the parking brake does not release fully.
If the transmission shift lever is in any position other
than L (Low) and the indicator/warning light stays on
after the parking brake is fully released, there is a
problem with the system.
If the traction control system is affected by an engine
related problem, the system will turn off and the
indicator/warning light will come on.
4-12