Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-9234782) - 2016 -
CRC - 8/24/15
Instruments and Controls 101
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady.
If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.If both the ABS and the brake
system warning light are on, the
vehicle's antilock brakes are not
functioning and there is a problem
with the regular brakes. See your
dealer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light
0 99
iiand Brake System Messages
0 110ii.
Sport Mode Light
This light comes on with the word
“Sport“ underneath it when Sport
mode is selected. The display will
change to say “Tour”,“Perf”,
or “Track” when the Touring,
Performance, or Track modes are
selected. See Driver Mode Control
0 244
iiand Track Driver Mode
0 246ii.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light
If equipped, this light comes on
briefly while starting the vehicle. If it
does not come on, have the vehicle
serviced.
This light is green if LDW is on and
ready to operate.
This light changes to amber and
flashes to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed without
using a turn signal in that direction.
See Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
0 259
ii.
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Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-9234782) - 2016 -
CRC - 8/24/15
214 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 220
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 221
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 223
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 227
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 234
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 238
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 240
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 242
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 244
Track Driver Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . . 248
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 250
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 251
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 262
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Trailer Towing
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
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Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-9234782) - 2016 -
CRC - 8/24/15
216 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious—or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time. Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
.
Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will 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.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time, power
assist may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.
See specific vehicle steering
messages under Service Vehicle
Messages 0115
ii. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
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Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-9234782) - 2016 -
CRC - 8/24/15
218 Driving and Operating
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.Track Events and
Competitive Driving
Track events or competitive driving
may affect the vehicle warranty. See
the warranty manual before using
the vehicle for track testing or other
competitive driving.
Caution
If the vehicle is used for track
events and competitive driving,
the engine may use more oil than
it would with normal use. Low oil
levels can damage the engine.
Check the oil level often and
maintain the proper level. See
Engine Oil 0271
ii.
Engine Oil
Be sure to check the oil level often
during racing or other competitive
driving and keep the level at or near
the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. For track events or competitive
driving, it is recommended that the
brake fluid be replaced with a high
performance brake fluid that has a
dry boiling point greater than 279 °C
(534 °F). After conversion to the
high performance brake fluid, follow
the brake fluid service
recommendations outlined by the
fluid manufacturer. Do not use
silicone or DOT-5 brake fluids.
To prepare the brake systems for
track events and racing, complete
the appropriate high performance
brake burnishing procedure
described below.
Brake Burnishing
New brake pads must be burnished
before racing or other competitive
driving.
Caution
The new vehicle break-in period
should be completed before
performing the brake burnish
procedure, otherwise damage
(Continued)
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Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-9234782) - 2016 -
CRC - 8/24/15
Driving and Operating 219
Caution (Continued)
may occur to the powertrain/
engine. SeeNew Vehicle
Break-In 0227
ii.
When performed as instructed,
these procedures will not damage
the brakes. During the burnishing
procedure, the brake pads will
smoke and produce an odor. The
braking force and pedal travel may
increase. After the procedure, the
brake pads may appear white at the
rotor contact.
Perform this procedure on dry
pavement, in a safe manner, and in
compliance with all local and state
ordinances/laws regarding motor
vehicle operation. Racing/Track Brake Burnishing
Procedure
Caution
Brake pedal fade will occur during
this track burnish procedure and
can cause brake pedal travel and
force to increase. This could
extend stopping distance until the
brakes are fully burnished.
1. Apply the brakes 25 times starting at 100 km/h (60 mph)
to 50 km/h (30 mph) while
decelerating at 0.4 g. This is a
medium brake application.
Drive for at least 1 km (0.6 mi)
between applying the brakes.
This first step may be skipped
if there are more than 320 km
(200 mi) on the brake pads.
2. Repeatedly apply the brakes from 100 km/h (60 mph) to
25 km/h (15 mph) while
decelerating at 0.8 g. This is a
hard brake application, without
activating the Antilock Brake
System (ABS). Drive for at least 1 km (0.6 mi) between
stops. Repeat until the brake
pedal travel starts to increase.
Depending on conditions, this
should take no longer than 25
brake applications.
3. Cool down: Drive at 100 km/h (60 mph) for approximately
15 km (10 mi) without using the
brakes.
4. Apply the brakes 25 times from 100 km/h (60 mph) to 50 km/h
(30 mph) while decelerating at
0.4 g. This is a medium brake
application. Drive for at least
1 km (0.6 mi) between
applications.
Rear Axle
Axles must have 885 km (500 mi)
before being used in track driving
The rear axle fluid temperatures
may be higher when driving in
severe conditions. Drain and refill
with new fluid after the first racing or
competitive driving event, and then
after every 24 hours of racing or
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Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-9234782) - 2016 -
CRC - 8/24/15
220 Driving and Operating
competitive driving. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0354
ii.
Caution
During a first time track or racing
event, high rear axle
temperatures can occur. Damage
could be caused to the rear axle
and would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Do not drive as
long or as fast the first time the
vehicle is driven on the track or
raced.
For extended track use, GM
recommends installing a rear
differential cooler to protect the
rear axle.
Wheel Alignment
For racing and competitive driving,
the vehicle load should be limited to
the driver only and no cargo. The
tires should be inflated cold to at
least 250 kPa (36 psi).
Caution
Using these wheel alignment
settings may cause excessive tire
wear. Only use these wheel
alignment settings for racing or
competitive driving. Excessive tire
wear is not covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Front Alignment Specification
. Caster: 6.0 +/- 1.25 degrees
. Camber: -0.9 +/- 0.1 degrees
. Total or Sum Toe: 0.17 +/-
0.17 degrees
Rear Alignment Specification
. Camber: -0.4 +/- 0.10 degrees
. Total or Sum Toe: 0.2 +/-
0.20 degrees
Thrust Angle: 0 +/- 0.20 degrees
Driving 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 flowing water.
{Warning
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
flowing water could cause the
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 flowing water.
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Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-9234782) - 2016 -
CRC - 8/24/15
Driving and Operating 221
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
. Pass with caution.
. Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
. Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
. Have good tires with proper
tread depth. See Tires0299
ii.
. Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
. Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
. Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line.
. Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
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Chevrolet SS Sedan Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-9234782) - 2016 -
CRC - 8/24/15
222 Driving and Operating
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0242
ii.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0239
ii.
. Allow greater following distance
and watch for slippery spots. Icy
patches can occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded areas.
The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when
the surrounding roads are clear.
Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
. Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0365
ii. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
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