Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348462) - 2018 - crc - 5/15/17
Driving and Operating 199
3. Turn the steering wheel to gostraight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
. Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. 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.
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.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348462) - 2018 - crc - 5/15/17
Driving and Operating 207
Do not turn the engine off when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause a
loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable
the airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in an
emergency:1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the
brakes repeatedly. This may
deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral). This can be done while the
vehicle is moving. After shifting
to N (Neutral), continue to
firmly apply the brakes and
steer the vehicle to a safe
location.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shift to P (Park) with an automatic
transmission, or Neutral with a
manual transmission. Turn the
ignition to off.
4. Set the parking brake. See Parking Brake 0229.{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over
and must be shut off while driving,
turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
1 : ACC/ACCESSORY: This
position provides power to some of
the electrical accessories. It unlocks
the steering wheel and ignition. To
move the key from ACC/
ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF, push
in the key and then turn it to
LOCK/OFF.
2 : ON/RUN: The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, including the
ventilation fan and 12-volt power
outlet, as well as to display some warning and indicator lights. This
position can also be used for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position on
automatic transmission vehicles.
The battery could be drained if the
key is left in the ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. The vehicle might not start if the
battery is allowed to drain for an
extended period of time.
3 :
START: This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
A warning tone sounds when the
driver door is opened if the ignition
is still in ACC/ACCESSORY and the
key is in the ignition.
If the ignition becomes difficult to
turn, see Keys031.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348462) - 2018 - crc - 5/15/17
Driving and Operating 209
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over
and must be shut off while driving,
press and hold ENGINE START/
STOP for longer than two seconds,
or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY : This mode has
an amber light and allows some
electrical accessories to be used
when the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing the
button one time without the brake
pedal applied will place the ignition
system in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/
ACCESSORY to OFF after
five minutes to prevent battery
rundown. ON/RUN/START :
This mode has a
green light and is for starting the
engine and driving. With the ignition
off, and the brake or clutch pedal
applied, pressing the button once
will place the ignition system in ON/
RUN/START. Once engine cranking
begins, release the button. Engine
cranking will continue until the
engine starts. See Starting the
Engine 0209. The ignition will then
remain in ON/RUN.
Service Mode
This power mode is available for
service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. With the vehicle off and
the brake pedal not applied,
pressing and holding ENGINE
START/STOP for more than
five seconds will place the vehicle in
Service Mode. The instruments and
audio systems will operate as they
do in ON/RUN, but the vehicle will
not be able to be driven. The engine
will not start in Service Mode. Press
ENGINE START/STOP again to turn
the vehicle off.
Starting the Engine
Place the transmission in the
proper gear.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 257.
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). To restart the vehicle
when it is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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212 Driving and Operating
.The engine or transmission is
not at the required operating
temperature.
. The outside temperature is not
in the required operating range:
Above 50 °C (122 °F).
For diesel engines, below 5 °C
(41 °F).
For gasoline engines in US and
Canada, below −10 °C (14 °F).
For gasoline engines in Mexico,
below 5 °C (41 °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 0190. .
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 0135.
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.
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) 0253.
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.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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228 Driving and Operating
An up-shift light in the instrument
cluster indicates when to shift to the
next higher gear for the best fuel
economy.
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 : To back up, with the vehicle at a
complete stop, press down the
clutch pedal. Then fully press the
reverse button on the front side of
the shift lever and then 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.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to drive
away, ABS checks itself.
A momentary motor or clicking noise
may be heard while this test is going
on, and it may even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. This
is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See
Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
0 132.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 229
If driving safely on a wet road and it
becomes necessary to slam on the
brakes and continue braking to
avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses the wheels are
slowing down. If one of the wheels
is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
you steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You may hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate. This is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brake
at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
The vehicle is equipped with a
parking brake lever or a parking
brake pedal.
Lever Apply
With the brake pedal applied, pull
up firmly on the parking brake lever
without pressing the release button.
SeeShifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) 0215 orParking
(Manual Transmission) 0216. If the
ignition is on, the brake system
warning light will come on. See
Brake System Warning Light 0132.
To release the parking brake: 1. Hold the brake pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press the release
button.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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230 Driving and Operating
3. Hold the release button in asyou move the brake lever all
the way down.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Driving with the parking brake
applied will cause a warning chime
to sound and a DIC (Driver
Information Center) message to
display. The message will remain on
until the parking brake is released or
the vehicle is stopped. Release the
parking brake or stop the vehicle.
Pedal Apply
With the brake pedal applied, push
the parking brake pedal down.
See Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) 0215 orParking
(Manual Transmission) 0216.
If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
See Brake System Warning Light
0 132.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
To release the parking brake, hold
the regular brake pedal down, then
push down momentarily on the
parking brake pedal until you feel
the pedal release. Slowly pull your
foot up off the parking brake pedal.
If the parking brake is not released
when you begin to drive, the brake
system warning light will be on and
a chime will sound warning you that
the parking brake is still on.
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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232 Driving and Operating
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin
. Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated
. Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.
If
dcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle. 2. Turn the engine off and wait
15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak
is on the center console.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged. To turn off only TCS, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displays in the instrument cluster. To
turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
g
is pressed, the system will not turn
off until the wheels stop spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold
guntil the traction
off light
iand StabiliTrak OFF light
gcome on and stay on in the
instrument cluster. To turn TCS and
StabiliTrak on again, press and
release
g. The traction off lighti
and StabiliTrak OFF lightgin the
instrument cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 260.