Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9803785) - 2017 - CRC - 4/13/16
Climate Controls 195
Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation and the air conditioner
runs automatically as needed. With
Stop/Start vehicles, the A/C will
return to the last selected a/c mode.
For comfort a/c, press A/C. The
indicator will turn amber. This
setting limits Auto Stops to ensure
cabin comfort is maintained and
reduces the likelihood of window
fogging.
For eco a/c, press A/C again. The
indicator will turn green. This setting
balances fuel economy and air
conditioning comfort. In warm
weather conditions, Auto Stops may
occur more frequently and the
vehicle interior may be warmer as
compared to the comfort air
conditioning setting. This setting
allows higher humidity inside the
vehicle and window fogging before
the engine restarts. Pressing
0
during an Auto Stop will restart the
engine to prevent window fogging.
L:Press to turn on
recirculation. An indicator light
comes on. Air is recirculated to
quickly cool the inside of the vehicle
and reduce the entry of outside air
and odors.
Automatic Air Recirculation :
When the AUTO indicator light is
on, the air is automatically
recirculated as needed to help
quickly cool the inside of the
vehicle.
Auto Defog : The climate control
system may have a sensor to
automatically detect high humidity
inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate
control system may adjust to
outside air supply and turn on the
air conditioner. If the climate control
system does not detect possible
window fogging, it returns to normal
operation. To turn Auto Defog
off or on, see “Climate and Air
Quality” underVehicle
Personalization 0150.Rear Window Defogger
=:Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on.
The defogger only works when the
ignition is in ON/RUN. The defogger
turns off if the ignition is in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF
position.
The rear window defogger can be
set to automatic operation. See
“Climate and Air Quality” under
Vehicle Personalization 0150.
When Auto Rear Defog is selected,
the rear window defogger turns on
automatically when the interior
temperature is cold and the outside
temperature is about 5 °C (40 °F)
and below. The auto rear defogger
turns off automatically. At higher
speeds, the rear window defogger
may stay on continuously.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9803785) - 2017 - CRC - 4/13/16
Driving and Operating 199
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 203
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 204
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 206
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 210
Ignition Positions (KeyAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Ignition Positions (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Diesel Particulate Filter
Diesel Particulate Filter . . . . . . . 222
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
Diesel Exhaust Fluid . . . . . . . . . . 223
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 228
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 231
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 239
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 240
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . 245
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . 247
Fuel
Fuel (Gasoline) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
California Fuel Requirements (Gasoline) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Fuel Additives (Gasoline) . . . . . 250
Fuel for Diesel Engines . . . . . . . 250
What Fuel to Use in the U.S. (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
What Fuel to Use in Canada (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9803785) - 2017 - CRC - 4/13/16
200 Driving and Operating
Cold Weather Operation(Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Water in Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . 255
Running Out of Fuel (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Fuel Filter Replacement (Diesel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Driving Information
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms
and can take your focus from the
task of driving. Exercise good
judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away
from the road. Many local
governments have enacted laws
regarding driver distraction. Become
familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, always
keep your eyes on the road, hands
on the wheel, and mind on the drive.
. Do not use a phone in
demanding driving situations.
Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary
phone calls.
. Watch the road. Do not read,
take notes, or look up
information on phones or other
electronic devices.
. Designate a front seat
passenger to handle potential
distractions. .
Become familiar with vehicle
features before driving, such as
programming favorite radio
stations and adjusting climate
control and seat settings.
Program all trip information into
any navigation device prior to
driving.
. Wait until the vehicle is parked
to retrieve items that have fallen
to the floor.
. Stop or park the vehicle to tend
to children.
. Keep pets in an appropriate
carrier or restraint.
. Avoid stressful conversations
while driving, whether with a
passenger or on a cell phone.
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9803785) - 2017 - CRC - 4/13/16
206 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0221.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running 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. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0235.
{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 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see
Towing the Vehicle 0339.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry: the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9803785) - 2017 - CRC - 4/13/16
Driving and Operating 209
Example 2
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 2 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 68 kg (150 lbs)
× 5 = 340 kg (750 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight
= 113 kg (250 lbs).
Example 3
1.Vehicle Capacity Weight
for Example 3 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
2.Subtract Occupant
Weight @ 91 kg
(200 lbs) × 5 = 453 kg
(1,000 lbs).
3.Available Cargo Weight
= 0 kg (0 lbs).
Refer to the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information label for
specific information about the
vehicle's capacity weight and
seating positions. The combined weight of the driver, passengers,
and cargo should never exceed
the vehicle's capacity weight.
Certification Label
Label Example
A vehicle-specific Certification
label is attached to the vehicle's
center pillar (B-pillar). The label
may show 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.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9803785) - 2017 - CRC - 4/13/16
216 Driving and Operating
Stop/Start System
{Warning
Exiting the vehicle without first
shifting into P (Park) may cause
the vehicle to move. You or others
may be injured. Because the
vehicle has the auto engine stop/
start feature, the vehicle's engine
might seem to be shut off;
however, once the brake pedal is
released, the engine will start up
again.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the
ignition to LOCK/OFF, before
exiting the vehicle.
The vehicle may have a fuel saving
stop/start system to shut off the
engine to help conserve fuel. Auto Engine Stop/Start
When the brakes are applied and
the vehicle is at a complete stop,
the engine may turn off. When
stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. See
Tachometer
0 121. When the brake pedal is
released or the accelerator pedal is
pushed, the engine will restart.
Auto Stop may be deactivated if:
. A minimum vehicle speed is not
reached.
. The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range,
typically below 5 °C (41 °F) or
above 50 °C (122 °F).
. The shift lever is in any gear
other than D (Drive).
. The battery has been recently
disconnected.
. The battery charge is low. .
The interior comfort level has not
reached the required level for
the climate control system or
defog settings. Use the eco
(green indicator on) air
conditioning mode for better
efficiency. See Automatic
Climate Control System 0193.
. The Auto Stop time is greater
than two minutes.
Diesel Engine Starting Procedure
The diesel engine starts differently
than a gasoline engine. 1. With the Keyless Access system, the RKE transmitter
must be in the vehicle.
Observe the wait-to-start light.
See Wait-to-Start Light 0131.
This light may not come on if
the engine is warm.
2. Press the ENGINE START/ STOP button with the brake
pedal or clutch pedal applied to
START. The start will be
delayed if the wait-to-start lamp
is illuminated.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9803785) - 2017 - CRC - 4/13/16
Driving and Operating 217
The engine has a fast warm-up
glow plug system. The
wait-to-start light will illuminate
for a much shorter time than
most diesel engines, due to the
rapid heating of the glow plug
system.
Caution
If the wait-to-start light stays on
after starting the vehicle, the
vehicle may not run properly.
Have the vehicle serviced
right away.
3. If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of cranking,
wait one minute for the starter
to cool, then try the same steps
again.
If you are trying to start the engine
after you have run out of fuel, follow
the steps in Running Out of Fuel
(Diesel) 0258. When the engine is cold, let it run
for a few minutes before you move
the vehicle. This lets oil pressure
build up. The engine will sound
louder when it's cold.
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel
Engine)
The following tips will help with cold
weather starting.
Use the recommended engine oil
when the outside temperature drops
below freezing. See
Engine Oil
0 270. When the outside
temperature drops below –18°C
(0°F), use of the engine heater is
recommended.
See Fuel for Diesel Engines 0250
for information on what fuel to use in
cold weather.
If the Diesel Engine Will Not
Start
If you have run out of fuel, see
Running Out of Fuel (Diesel) 0258.
If the vehicle is not out of fuel, and
the engine will not start, do this: Turn the ignition on. Immediately
after the wait-to-start light goes off,
press ENGINE START/STOP.
If the light does not go off, wait a
few seconds, then try starting the
engine again. See your dealer for a
starting system check.
If the light comes on and then goes
off, and it is known that the batteries
are charged, but the engine still will
not start, the vehicle needs service.
If the light does not come on when
the engine is cold, the vehicle
needs service.
If the batteries do not have enough
charge to start the engine, see
Battery - North America
0285.
Check that the correct engine oil
has been used and changed at
appropriate intervals. If the wrong oil
is used, the engine may be harder
to start.
Be sure you are using the proper
fuel for existing weather conditions.
See Fuel for Diesel Engines 0250.
If the engine starts, runs a short
time, then stops, the vehicle needs
service.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9803785) - 2017 - CRC - 4/13/16
218 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Do not use gasoline or starting
aids, such as ether, in the air
intake. They could damage the
engine, which may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
They could also cause a fire,
which could cause serious
personal injury.
Engine Heater
The engine block heater and diesel
engine oil pan heater, if equipped,
can help in cold weather conditions
at or below−18 °C (0 °F) for easier
starting and better fuel economy
during engine warm-up. Plug in the
heater at least four hours before
starting the vehicle. A thermostat
that is part of the block heater cord
will prevent engine block heater
operation at temperatures above
−18 °C (0 °F).
To Use the Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. For gasoline
engines, the electrical cord is
on the passenger side of the
engine compartment between
the headlamp and the air
cleaner. For diesel engines, the
electrical cord is on the driver
side of the engine compartment
near the fuse box.
3. Check the heater cord for damage. If it is damaged, do
not use it. See your dealer for
a replacement. Inspect the
cord for damage yearly.
4. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
5. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine
parts. If you do not it could be
damaged.{Warning
Improper use of the heater cord
or an extension cord can damage
the cord and may result in
overheating and fire.
. Plug the cord into a
three-prong electrical utility
receptacle that is protected
by a ground fault detection
function. An ungrounded
outlet could cause an
electric shock.
. Use a weatherproof,
heavy-duty, 15 amp-rated
extension cord if needed.
Failure to use the
recommended extension
cord in good operating
condition, or using a
damaged heater or
extension cord, could make
it overheat and cause a fire,
property damage, electric
shock, and injury.
(Continued)