Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6007168) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 7/15/13
9-28 Driving and Operating
DEF is used with diesel engines to
reduce the amount of regulated
emissions produced. The fluid level
in the DEF tank must be maintained
for the vehicle to run correctly. The
capacity of the DEF tank is 18.5 L
(4.9 gal).
It is normal to hear the DEF system
purge fluid back into the tank after
the vehicle is shutoff.
Locating Diesel Exhaust Fluid
DEF can be purchased at a
Chevrolet dealer. It can also be
purchased at authorized vehicle
dealerships. Additionally, some
diesel fueling stations or retailers
may have DEF for purchase. For
vehicles with an active OnStar
subscription, OnStar can help to
locate a DEF retailer. SeeCustomer
Assistance Offices on page 13-3 for
phone numbers to assist in
contacting a GM dealer. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12. Filling the DEF Tank
{Caution
Use only exhaust fluid that is GM
approved, or fluid containing the
API certified or ISO 22241 label.
The use of other fluids could
damage the system, requiring
costly repairs that will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
When adding DEF to an empty or
very low tank, always add at least
7.6 L (2 gal) of fluid to release the
vehicle from speed limitation.
To prevent damage to the system,
do not overfill the DEF tank. When
fluid reaches the top of the fill pipe,
stop filling. Do not top off the
DEF tank.
If you spill DEF during filling, wipe
any effected surface with a damp
cloth.
For information on the DEF tank,
see Filling the Tank on page 9-61. Exhaust Fluid Low
A full DEF tank will last for several
thousand kilometers (miles),
depending on vehicle usage. As the
exhaust fluid level drops, warnings
will automatically be displayed in the
DIC. Exhaust fluid level status is
available on the DIC under the
vehicle Information button. See
“Diesel Exhaust Fluid Level (Diesel
Engine Only)”
inDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5-23.
To avoid vehicle speed limitations,
the DEF tank should be refilled at
the first opportunity after a low
warning indication. If DEF is added
before the EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW message
appears, it may take several km/mi
for the DIC message to update.
If the vehicle speed has been
limited and DEF has been added, it
may take up to 30 seconds after
engine start with the vehicle
stopped for the EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW message to
clear. If the vehicle is driven prior to
Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6007168) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 7/15/13
Driving and Operating 9-29
the DIC message clearing, the
vehicle speed will still be limited.
If the DIC message clears while
driving, the speed limitation will be
removed gradually.
If DEF is added under freezing
conditions, additional time may be
required to remove speed limitations
and may require less fluid to fill the
DEF tank.
The following actions describe
strategies required by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and the California Air
Resource Board (CARB). The DEF
messages relate to these strategies.
The DIC message EXHAUST
FLUID RANGE: XXXX km (mi)
displays at approximately 1600 km
(1,000 mi) of fluid range remaining.
This message appears again at
approximately 500 km (300 mi) of
remaining range before the exhaust
fluid tank becomes empty.Below 500 km (300 mi) of range
remaining, these messages will
appear every time the vehicle is
started.
Below 121 km (75 mi) of range
remaining, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID LOW SPEED
LIMITED SOON displays. This
message will display every time the
vehicle is started.
If these warnings are ignored and
the DEF tank becomes empty, the
DIC message EXHAUST FLUID
EMPTY REFILL NOW - 563 KM
(350 MI) UNTIL 105 KM/H (65 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
also comes on.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL
NOW - TRANSITIONING TO
105 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX SPEED
displays. A warning light and achime also come on. Vehicle speed
will be reduced to a maximum
speed limit of 105 km/h (65 mph).
After the transition to 105 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, the DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY
REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 105 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 89 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL
NOW - TRANSITIONING TO
89 KM/H (55 MPH) MAX SPEED
displays. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of 89 km/h
(55 mph).
After the transition to 89 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, the DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY
REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6007168) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 7/15/13
9-30 Driving and Operating
TO 89 KM/H (55 MPH)–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 7 KM/H (4 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL
NOW - TRANSITIONING TO
7 KM/H (4 MPH) MAX SPEED
displays. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of
7 km/h (4 mph).
After the transition to 7 km/h (4 mph)
is complete, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL
NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 7 KM/H
(4 MPH) displays. A flashing
warning light and a chime also
come on. Add at least 7.6 L (2 gal) of fluid to
release the vehicle from speed
limitation from a very low or empty
tank. The capacity of the DEF tank
is 18.5 L (4.9 gal).
See
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Messages
on page 5-29, Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(DEF) Warning Light on page 5-21,
and Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.
Exhaust Fluid Quality Poor
Use only exhaust fluid that is GM
approved, or fluid containing the API
certified or ISO 22241 label.
All DEF has an expiration date.
If the system detects poor quality,
or contaminated or diluted DEF, the
DIC message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW –160 KM (99 MI)
UNTIL 105 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A warning light also
comes on. Adding fresh DEF to the
system may resolve the problem,
depending on several factors. If the DIC message persists, see your
dealer or additional DIC messages
may display.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, a DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY
POOR - SEE OWNERS MANUAL
NOW - TRANSITIONING TO
105 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX SPEED
displays. A warning light and a
chime also come on. Vehicle speed
will be reduced to a maximum
speed limit of 105 km/h (65 mph).
After the transition to 105 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, the DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 105 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 89 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, the DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY
Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6007168) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 7/15/13
Driving and Operating 9-31
POOR - SEE OWNERS MANUAL
NOW - TRANSITIONING TO
89 KM/H (55 MPH) MAX SPEED
displays. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of 89 km/h
(55 mph).
After the transition to 89 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, a DIC
message EXHAUST FLUID
QUALITY POOR - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 89 KM/H (55 MPH)–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 7 KM/H (4 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, a DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY
POOR - SEE OWNERS MANUAL
NOW - TRANSITIONING TO
7 KM/H (4 MPH) MAX SPEED
displays. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on. Vehicle speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of
7 km/h (4 mph).
After the transition to 7 km/h (4 mph)
is complete, a DIC message
EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY
POOR - SEE OWNERS MANUAL
NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 7 KM/H
(4 MPH) displays. A flashing
warning light and a chime also
come on.
Service Exhaust Fluid System
If a problem occurs with the DEF
system, the DIC message SERVICE
EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM - SEE
OWNERS MANUAL NOW
–160 KM
(99 MI) UNTIL 105 KM/H (65 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
also comes on. In some cases this
message will clear itself, indicating
that the DEF system was able to
correct the condition. If the DIC
message persists, see your dealer
or additional DIC messages may
display. When the mileage countdown
is zero, the DIC message
SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - TRANSITIONING
TO 105 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. A warning light
and a chime also come on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of 105 km/h
(65 mph).
After the transition to 105 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, a DIC
message SERVICE EXHAUST
FLUID SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 105 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 89 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, the DIC message
SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - TRANSITIONING
TO 89 KM/H (55 MPH) MAX SPEED
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6007168) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 7/15/13
9-32 Driving and Operating
displays. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced down to a
maximum speed limit of 89 km/h
(55 mph).
After the transition to 89 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, the DIC
message SERVICE EXHAUST
FLUID SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 89 KM/H (55 MPH)–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 7 KM/H (4 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, the DIC message
SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - TRANSITIONING
TO 7 KM/H (4 MPH) MAX SPEED
displays. A flashing warning light
and a chime also come on. Vehicle
speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of
7 km/h (4 mph). After the transition to 7 km/h (4 mph)
is complete, the DIC message
SERVICE EXHAUST FLUID
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 7 KM/H (4 MPH) displays.
A flashing warning light and a chime
also come on.
Service Emission System
If a problem occurs with the
vehicle emission system, the DIC
message SERVICE EMISSION
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW
–282 KM (175 MI)
UNTIL 105 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. The displayed
mileage will decrease as driving
continues. In some cases this
message will clear itself, indicating
that the emission system was able
to correct the condition. If the DIC
message persists, see your dealer
or additional DIC messages may
display.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, the DIC message
SERVICE EMISSION SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - TRANSITIONING
TO 105 KM/H (65 MPH) MAX
SPEED displays. A chime also
comes on. Vehicle speed will be
reduced to a maximum speed limit
of 105 km/h (65 mph).
After the transition to 105 km/h
(65 mph) is complete, the DIC
message SERVICE EMISSION
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 105 KM/H (65 MPH)
–120 KM
(75 MI) UNTIL 89 KM/H (55 MPH)
MAX SPEED displays. The
displayed mileage will decrease as
driving continues. A chime also
comes on.
When the mileage countdown
is zero, the DIC message
SERVICE EMISSION
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - TRANSITIONING
TO 89 KM/H (55 MPH) MAX SPEED
displays. A chime also comes on.
Vehicle speed will be reduced to a
maximum speed limit of 89 km/h
(55 mph).
Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6007168) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 7/15/13
Driving and Operating 9-33
After the transition to 89 km/h
(55 mph) is complete, the DIC
message SERVICE EMISSION
SYSTEM - SEE OWNERS
MANUAL NOW - SPEED LIMITED
TO 89 KM/H (55 MPH) displays.
A chime also comes on.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running.
If the vehicle is left with the engine
running, follow the proper steps to
be sure the vehicle will not move.
SeeShifting Into Park on page 9-23
and Engine Exhaust on page 9-26.
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, see Parking on
page 9-25.
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 9-63.
Automatic
Transmission
The selected gear is also shown in
the instrument cluster.
English Shown, Metric Similar
P (Park): This position locks the
drive wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
{Warning
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
(Continued)
Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6007168) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 7/15/13
9-34 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running. 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).
SeeShifting Into Park on
page 9-23 andDriving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 9-63.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. The regular brake must be
fully applied first and then the shift
lever button pressed before shifting
from P (Park) when the ignition key
is in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out
of P (Park), ease pressure on the
shift lever, then push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then
press the shift lever button and
move the shift lever into another
gear. See
Shifting out of Park on
page 9-24.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
{Caution
Shifting to R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving forward could
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Shift to
R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9-9.
N (Neutral): In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
being towed.
The vehicle has an automatic
neutral shift feature which allows the
transmission to automatically shift to
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
stopped with a forward gear
engaged. The reduced load on the
engine improves vehicle fuel
economy.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6007168) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 7/15/13
9-38 Driving and Operating
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and
6 (Sixth):Shift into 3 (Third),
4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth), and 6 (Sixth) the
same way as for 2 (Second). Slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as the
accelerator pedal Is pressed.
For the best fuel economy, use
6 (Sixth) gear whenever vehicle
speed and driving conditions allow.
An up-shift light in the instrument
cluster indicates when to shift to the
next higher gear for the best fuel
economy.
During normal driving, upshifts
should occur between 1300 and
2500 rpm, and downshifts should
occur between 1500 and 1000 rpm. To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral:
Use this position when
you start or idle the engine. The
shift lever is in Neutral when it is
centered in the shift pattern, not in
any gear.
R (Reverse): To back up, with the
vehicle at a complete stop, press
down the clutch pedal. Then pull up
the ring on the shift lever, and shift into R (Reverse). Let up on the
clutch pedal slowly while pressing
the accelerator pedal.
If the gear does not engage, shift
the transmission to Neutral, release
the clutch pedal, and press it back
down. Repeat the gear selection.
{Warning
If you skip a gear when
downshifting, you could lose
control of the vehicle. You could
injure yourself or others. Do not
shift down more than one gear at
a time when downshifting.
{Caution
Do not skip gears while
upshifting. This can cause
premature wear in the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.