
Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
Door Ajar Light
For vehicles equipped with this light,
it comes on when a door is open or
not secured. Vehicles not equipped
with a light display a DIC message.
SeeDoor Ajar Messages on
page 5‑29 for more information.
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The vehicle may have a Driver
Information Center (DIC). The DIC
displays information about your
vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. See Vehicle Messages
(Canada Base Level) on page 5‑27
or Vehicle Messages (Canada
Uplevel and United States) on
page 5‑28 for more information. All
messages appear in the DIC display
located in the center of the
instrument panel cluster.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays
which can be accessed by using the
DIC buttons located on the turn
signal lever located on the left side
of the steering wheel. The DIC
displays trip, fuel, and warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. DIC Buttons
A.
SET/CLR: Press to set or clear
the menu item displayed.
B.
w x(Thumbwheel): Use to
scroll through the menus.
A marker will move across the
bottom of the page as you
scroll.
C. MENU: Press to display the
Trip/Fuel menu and the Vehicle
Information menu. This button is
also used to return to or exit the
last screen displayed on
the DIC.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-25
Trip/Fuel Menu Items
Press MENU on the turn signal
lever until Trip/Fuel Information
menu displays. Use
w xto scroll
through the following menu items:
.Trip 1 or Trip 2
.Fuel Range
.Average Fuel Economy or
Average Fuel Economy and
Instantaneous Fuel Economy
.Average Speed
.Fuel Used
.Digital Speed
.Navigation
.Blank Display
Trip 1 or Trip 2
This displays the current distance
traveled, in either kilometers (km) or
miles (mi), from the last reset for the
trip odometer. The trip odometer can
be reset to zero by pressing and holding the SET/CLR button while
the trip odometer display is
showing.
Fuel Range
This displays the approximate
distance the vehicle can be driven
without refueling. The fuel range
estimate is based on an average of
the vehicle's fuel economy over
recent driving history and the
amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank. Fuel range cannot be reset.
Average Fuel Economy or
Average Fuel Economy and
Instantaneous Fuel Economy
The Average Fuel Economy display
shows the approximate average
liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km)
or miles per gallon (mpg). This
number is based on the number of
L/100 km (mpg) recorded since the
last time this menu item was reset.
Reset the average consumption by
pressing SET/CLR when it is
displayed.The Instantaneous Fuel Economy
display shows the current fuel
economy in liters per 100 kilometers
(L/100 km) or miles per gallon
(mpg). This number reflects only the
fuel economy that the vehicle has
right now and changes frequently as
driving conditions change. Unlike
average economy, this display
cannot be reset.
Average Speed
This displays the average speed of
the vehicle in kilometers per hour
(km/h) or miles per hour (mph). This
average is based on the various
vehicle speeds recorded since the
last reset. Reset the average speed
by pressing SET/CLR when it is
displayed.

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2011
5-26 Instruments and Controls
Fuel Used
This display shows the approximate
liters (L) or gallons (gal) of fuel that
have been used since last reset.
The fuel used can be reset by
pressing the SET/CLR button while
the Fuel Used display is showing.
Digital Speed
The speedometer shows how fast
the vehicle is moving in either
kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles
per hour (mph). The speedometer
cannot be reset.
Navigation
This display is used for the OnStar
or Navigation System Turn-by-Turn
guidance. See The OnStar Owner's
Guide or the Navigation manual,
if the vehicle has navigation, for
more information.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.Vehicle Information Menu
Items
Press MENU on the turn signal
lever until Vehicle Information menu
is displayed. Use
w xto scroll
through the following menu items:
.Units
.Tire Pressure
.Remaining Oil Life
.Battery Voltage
.Blank Display
Units
Move
w xto change between
Metric or US when the Unit display
is active. Press SET/CLR to confirm
the setting. This will change the
displays on the cluster and DIC to
either metric or English (US)
measurements. Tire Pressure
The display will show a vehicle with
the approximate pressures of all
four tires. Tire pressure is displayed
in either kilopascal (kPa) or in
pounds per square inch (psi). See
Tire Pressure Monitor System on
page 10‑52
andTire Pressure
Monitor Operation on page 10‑53 for
more information.
Remaining Oil Life
This display shows an estimate of
the oil's remaining useful life.
If REMAINING OIL LIFE 99% is
displayed, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains.

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-31
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect
the vehicle's ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed
to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the
next time the vehicle is driven. The
vehicle may be driven at a reduced
speed while this message is on, but
maximum acceleration and speed
may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer for
service as soon as possible.
Fuel System Messages
FUEL LEVEL LOW
This message displays when the
vehicle is low on fuel. Refuel as
soon as possible.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message displays when the
fuel cap is not on tight. Tighten the
fuel cap.
Key and Lock Messages
REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY
This message displays when the
battery in the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter needs to be
replaced.
Lamp Messages
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL ON
This message is displayed when the
automatic light control has been
turned on. SeeAutomatic Headlamp
System on page 6‑3.
AUTOMATIC LIGHT
CONTROL OFF
This message is displayed when the
automatic light control has been
turned off. See Automatic Headlamp
System on page 6‑3.
XXX TURN INDICATOR
FAILURE
When one of the turn signals is out,
this message displays to show
which bulb needs to be replaced.
See Bulb Replacement on
page 10‑30 andReplacement Bulbs
on page 10‑36 for more information
on the turn signal bulb replacement.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message is displayed if the
turn signal has been left on. Turn off
the turn signal.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 9-8
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-11
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-12
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-17
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-22 Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-23
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Parking Over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-26
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . 9-29
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-31
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Object Detection Systems
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 9-38
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Gasoline Specifications (U.S. and Canada Only) . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-41
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-41
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-43
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-46
Trailer Towing (Except Fuel Economy Model) . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Trailer Towing (Fuel Economy Model) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-11
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.If the Vehicle is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 55 km/h (35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑65.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2011
9-14 Driving and Operating
4.The resulting figure equals
the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the“XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs and
there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 −750 (5 x 150)
= 650 lbs).
5.Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing
a trailer, the load from your
trailer will be transferred to
your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo
and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
See Trailer Towing (Except Fuel
Economy Model) on page 9‑50
or Trailer Towing (Fuel Economy
Model) on page 9‑51 for
important information on towing
a trailer, towing safety rules and
trailering tips.
Example 1
A.
Vehicle Capacity Weight for
Example 1 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
B.Subtract Occupant Weight
@ 68 kg (150 lbs) × 2 =
136 kg (300 lbs).
C.Available Occupant and
Cargo Weight = 317 kg
(700 lbs).

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2011
9-16 Driving and Operating
Certification Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification
label, found on the vehicle
center pillar (B-pillar), tells you
the gross weight capacity of the
vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The
GVWR includes the weight of
the vehicle, all occupants, fuel,
and cargo. Never exceed the
GVWR for the vehicle, or theGross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy
load, you should spread it out.
See
“Steps for Determining
Correct Load Limit” earlier in this
section.
{WARNING
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
If you do, parts on the vehicle
can break, and it can change
the way the vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also,
overloading can shorten the
life of the vehicle. If you put things inside the
vehicle
—like suitcases, tools,
packages, or anything
else —they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is
a crash, they will keep going.
{WARNING
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. In the
cargo area, put them as
far forward as you can. Try
to spread the weight
evenly.
(Continued)