Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348462) - 2018 - crc - 5/15/17
Driving and Operating 211
SeeDriver Information Center
(DIC) (Base) 0138 orDriver
Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0141 andRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation (Key Access) 034 or
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Keyless
Access) 036.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather
(below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as you press ENGINE START/
STOP, for up to a maximum of
15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the button and
the accelerator. If the vehicle
starts briefly but then stops
again, do the same thing. This
clears the extra gasoline from
the engine. Do not race the
engine immediately after
starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates
all moving parts.
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 may have an auto engine
Stop/Start feature, the vehicle's
engine might seem to be shut off;
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
however, once the brake pedal is
released, the engine will start up
again. The engine may restart
even while the brake is applied.
Shift to P (Park) and turn the
ignition 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
0 125. 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.
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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Driving and Operating 215
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
Some vehicle accessories may be
used after the ignition is turned off.
The power windows and sunroof,
if equipped, will continue to work for
up to 10 minutes or until any door is
opened.
The infotainment system will
continue to work for 10 minutes,
until the driver door is opened,
or until the ignition is turned on or
placed in ACC/ACCESSORY.
Shifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission)
1. Hold the brake pedal down andset the parking brake.
See Parking Brake 0229.
2. Hold the button on the shift lever and push the lever toward
the front of the vehicle into
P (Park).
3. Turn off the ignition.
Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{Warning
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
It could overheat and catch fire.
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.
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).
See Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) 0215.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, the vehicle must
be in P (Park) and the parking
brake set. Release the button and check that
the shift lever cannot be moved out
of P (Park).
Torque Lock
Torque lock is when the weight of
the vehicle puts too much force on
the parking pawl in the
transmission. This happens when
parking on a hill and shifting the
transmission into P (Park) is not
done properly and then it is difficult
to shift out of P (Park). To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into P (Park). To find
out how, see
“Shifting Into Park”
listed previously.
If torque lock does occur, the
vehicle may need to be pushed
uphill by another vehicle to relieve
the parking pawl pressure, so you
can shift out of P (Park).
Shifting out of Park
(Automatic Transmission)
This vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission shift lock
control system. The shift lock is
designed to:
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348462) - 2018 - crc - 5/15/17
216 Driving and Operating
.Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park) with the shift lever
button fully released.
. Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park) unless the
ignition on and the brake pedal
is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less than
9-volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting - North
America 0333.
To shift out of P (Park): 1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition on.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If still unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever button. 2. Hold the brake pedal down and
press the shift lever button
again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If the shift lever still cannot be
moved from P (Park), see your
dealer.
This vehicle may have the Seat Belt
Assurance System, which may
prevent the vehicle from shifting out
of P (Park). See Seat Belts069.
Parking (Manual
Transmission)
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, before getting out of
the vehicle, move the shift lever into
R (Reverse) if parking on a downhill
slope. On a level surface or an
uphill slope, use 1 (First) gear.
Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake 0229. Turn the
wheels toward the curb for a
downhill slope, or away from the
curb for an uphill slope. Once the
shift lever has been placed into gear with the clutch pedal pressed in,
turn the ignition off, and release the
clutch.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Extended Parking
It is better not to park with the
vehicle running. If the vehicle is left
while running, follow the proper
steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move and there is adequate
ventilation.
See
Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) 0215 andEngine
Exhaust 0217.
For vehicles with pushbutton start,
if the vehicle is left parked while
running and the Remote Keyless
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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224 Driving and Operating
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).
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.Automatic
Transmission
The selected gear is also shown in
the instrument cluster.
P :This position locks the drive
wheels. Use P (Park) 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.
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).
See Shifting Into Park (Automatic
Transmission) 0215.
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 is
on. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 225
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. SeeShifting out of Park
(Automatic Transmission) 0215.
R : 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 0202.
N : 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.
{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.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle. D :
This position is for normal
driving. It provides the best fuel
economy. If more power is needed
for passing, and the vehicle is:
. Going less than 56 km/h
(35 mph), push the accelerator
pedal about halfway down.
. Going about 56 km/h (35 mph) or
more, push the accelerator all
the way down.
Caution
If the vehicle does not shift gears,
the transmission could be
damaged. Have the vehicle
serviced right away.
Caution
A transmission hot message may
display if the automatic
transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can
damage the vehicle. Stop and idle
the engine to cool the automatic
(Continued)
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348462) - 2018 - crc - 5/15/17
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.