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192 Driving and Operating
Releasing the Shift Lock in an
Emergency
If moving of the selector lever from
P to another position is still not
possible even after performing the
instructions given in the steps
above, with the brake pedal fully
pressed and the vehicle parked on a
flat surface, carry out the procedure
described under“If You Cannot
Move the Selector Lever from the P
Position”.
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Driving and Operating 193
Actions that Can Lead to a Breakdown with an Automatic Transmission
Actions that can lead to a breakdownBreakdown symptoms
Stopping the vehicle on an uphill road with the selector lever in a position
other than R, N, or P, the accelerator pedal pressed, and the brakes not
applied. The transmission fluid overheats.
Continuously pressing the accelerator pedal and brake pedal at the same
time while the vehicle is in a position other than N or P.
Placing the selector lever into any gear with the accelerator pedal pressed
and the engine speed high. The transmission gears are
overloaded.
Placing the selector lever into P before the vehicle has completely stopped. The parking mechanism will be
damaged.
Turning off the engine control switch while driving. The transmission is not properly
lubricated.
Driving with the selector lever in the N position on a long downward slope
(this is dangerous due to the lack of engine brake).
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Chevrolet Low Cab Forward Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S.-
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194 Driving and Operating
Selector Lever
Move the selector lever (2) to make
a shift into each gear position.
P (Parking) :Used when the
vehicle is parked or when starting
the engine. The P position is to be
used with the parking brake. The P
and N positions are the two
positions in which the engine can be
started.
R (Reverse) : Used when backing
up the vehicle. Bring the truck to a
complete stop before moving the
selector to the R position. N (Neutral) :
Can be used when
starting the engine, but for safety,
get in the habit of starting the
engine in the P position. The N
position is used should it become
necessary to tow your truck.
D (Drive) : The D position is for all
normal forward driving. The system
automatically selects the gear
according to the vehicle speed.
Press the overdrive off switch (3) to
switch to the overdrive ON position
for greater fuel economy.
2 (Second) : May be used when
driving on downhill roads or when
the engine brake is required. Select
the 2 position at speeds below
40 km/h (25 MPH) when traveling
down a moderate grade. Return the
selector to the D position for normal
driving.
1 (Low) : Used on steep downhill
roads or when strong engine
braking is required. Return the
selector to the D position for normal
driving.
{Warning
When pulling away, always
visually check the position of the
selector lever for safety.
Only push the button for gear
selection when necessary.
Pushing the button unnecessarily
may result in unintended gear
selection.
Never move the selector to the P
position when the truck is in
motion.
Do not run the vehicle with the
transmission in neutral. Not only
will the engine brake not function,
but the transmission will also be
damaged. You and others could
be seriously injured.
When repeatedly shifting between
forward and reverse gears for a
multiple-point turn, firmly press the
brake pedal and confirm that the
vehicle is completely stopped before
operating the selector lever.
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Driving and Operating 195
For safety reasons, the shift lock
system operates to prevent shifting
of the selector lever to any position
other than P unless the brake pedal
is pressed and the starter switch is
in the ON position. When pulling
away, be sure to keep the brake
pedal pressed as you operate the
selector lever. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) 082,
Overdrive Off Light 079, Automatic
Transmission 0185, and Automatic
Transmission Shift Lock Control
Function Check 0251.
Overdrive Off
Overdrive Off Switch
Diesel vehicles have two overdrive
gears (5th and 6th). These two high
speed gears provide increased road
speed, low running noise and
outstanding fuel efficiency.
Take advantage of overdrive
whenever possible.
.
Use the overdrive during normal
driving. When driving down long
downhill roads that require the
engine brake, or when driving on mountain roads or through city
centers, release the overdrive.
Doing so will reduce the number
of gear changes making the ride
smoother.
. If your vehicle is traveling at a
speed exceeding
101 km/h (63 MPH), it is not
possible to downshift from 6th
gear to 5th gear.
. If your vehicle is traveling at a
speed exceeding
78 km/h (49 MPH), it is not
possible to downshift from 5th
gear to 4th gear.
Overdrive Off Switch : Under
normal circumstances, press the
overdrive off switch (3) to turn the
overdrive OFF (the overdrive off
indicator light comes on).
Press the switch again to release
the overdrive off (the overdrive off
indicator light goes off). See
Overdrive Off Light 079.
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196 Driving and Operating
Overdrive Off Indicator Light
Indicator lightFunction Usage conditions
Goes Off. 6-Speed (4-speed + overdrive) automatic
change (Overdrive ON). Use under normal driving conditions.
Comes On. 4-speed automatic change, but no change to
overdrive (overdrive OFF). Used when a light engine brake is required.
Doing so will reduce the number of gear
changes making the ride smoother on roads
that have many hills.
. During cold weather, the
transmission may not shift to the
5th or 6th gear (overdrive) until
the engine warms up.
. Even if the engine is stopped
with the overdrive OFF, the
overdrive will be ON the next
time the engine is started.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Wheels may be locked and slip
during sudden braking or braking on
a slippery road surface such as a
snowy road. ABS is a device to
prevent the wheels from locking by
detecting a slippery condition during
braking and securing the directional
stability and handling stability of the
vehicle. ABS only assists in limited
road conditions and will not prevent
an accident if you exceed safe
driving speeds for road conditions.
Always drive safely.
{Warning
The braking distance on slippery
road surfaces is longer than that
on a normal dry paved road even
with an ABS-equipped vehicle. In
addition the braking distance can
be slightly longer in deep snow
and on a gravel road when ABS
is activated. Therefore, always
keep in mind the road condition
and tire condition (type of tires
and worn condition), observe safe
driving habits and drive the
vehicle while keeping a proper
distance between vehicles.
(Continued)
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Warning (Continued)
ABS does not prevent accidents if
you do not drive safely. Drive the
vehicle at a safe speed.
Install tires of the specified size,
same brand and same tread
design (including winter tires) on
all wheels. If different tires are
installed, the braking distance
becomes longer and directional
control stability of the vehicle
decreases. This is very
dangerous.
Steering during sudden braking
(when the ABS is working) will
feel slightly different than it does
when the brakes are not applied.
Operate the steering wheel
carefully keeping this in mind.
Driving in sand or on a muddy road
may adversely affect the brakes and
ABS sensors. Wash the vehicle to
remove sand and mud after
operating the vehicle in sandy or
muddy conditions. Before washing the vehicle, provide
necessary protection to prevent
water from being splashed on the
ABS components (sensors and
actuators). Especially when using
high-pressure washing, be careful
not to allow water to be directly
sprayed onto the ABS components
and their harness connectors.
These are not signs of ABS
malfunction:
.
Soon after you start the engine
and the vehicle starts moving,
the sound of motor or valve
working may be heard from the
rear of the vehicle or underside
of the cab. This sound is from a
self-check by the ABS system
and is normal. In addition, you
may also feel some vibration if
the brake pedal is pressed at
this time.
. When ABS is operating,
vibration is felt on the brake
pedal and steering wheel and
you may hear the system
operating. This is normal when
ABS is properly operating. .
The exhaust brake may release
when ABS is activated and the
exhaust brake is in operation.
. ABS is more likely to be
activated when the brake is
applied during cornering or
driving over a bump. This is
because inside wheels or
wheels that have gone over a
bump tend to lock.
. ABS is not activated immediately
after starting the vehicle. It is
activated only when the vehicle
speed reaches approx. 10 km/h
(6 MPH). ABS operation is
inactive when the vehicle speed
reduces to approx. 5 km/h
(3 MPH).
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198 Driving and Operating
ABS Operation Indications and
Signs
ABS warning light
Operation Indications of ABS
When the engine control switch is
placed into the "ON" position, the
ABS warning light comes on and
then goes out in approx. 3 seconds.
The ABS is normal if the warning
light goes out.
Operation Signs of ABS
When ABS is activated, slight
vibration is generated on the brake
pedal (hydraulic brake model) and
steering wheel, and an operating
sound can be heard from the ABS
equipment.
If the ABS warning light does any of
the following, the ABS may be
faulty. Please contact the nearest
dealer. ‐
If the ABS warning light comes
on during driving
‐ The light does not come on when
the engine control switch is
placed into the "ON" position
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 077.
Even if a problem has occurred with
the ABS, the regular brakes will still
work normally. However, ABS will
not operate.
Precautions for Driving an
ABS-Equipped Vehicle
ABS is not a device that enables
driving and stopping under
conditions exceeding safe driving
limits. Always drive safely.
{Warning
When braking suddenly, continue
pressing brake pedal hard so that
the ABS can take effect. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
When braking suddenly, do not
pump the brakes (pushing and
releasing the brake pedal little by
little). Pumping brakes will
increase the braking distance.
The braking distance on slippery
road surfaces is longer than that
on a normal dry paved road even
with an ABS-equipped vehicle.
When ABS is activated in the
following road surface conditions,
the braking distance may be
slightly longer compared to that of
vehicles not equipped with an
ABS. Therefore, always be aware
of the road and tire condition (tire
type and wear condition), observe
safe driving habits and drive the
vehicle while keeping a safe
following distance.
‐ When driving on a gravel
road, or a road with a deep
snow covering.
‐ When tire chains are used.
(Continued)
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Driving and Operating 199
Warning (Continued)
‐When driving over road
joints or bumps such as
light reflectors on the road.
‐ When driving on a bumpy
road, stone-paved road or
track.
‐ When driving over an iron
plate or manhole lid.
ABS does not work for wheel skid
during a standing start,
acceleration and cornering which
do not involve braking. On a very
slippery icy road, tires may lose
grip and steering wheel operation
may not be able to control the
vehicle's direction, resulting in
very unstable driving. Always
drive the vehicle observing a safe
speed well matched with both
road surface and tire conditions,
and avoid sudden braking.
If powerful engine braking is
applied on a very slippery icy
road, the drive wheels may be (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
locked (the ABS then does not
work), resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
When ABS is activated, a slight
vibration (especially when the
road surface is different between
right and left wheels) and pulling
may be felt on the brake pedal
and steering wheel. In addition,
an operating sound is produced
from the ABS actuators. This
does not indicate any abnormal
condition. Stay calm and operate
the steering wheel properly.
Electronic Braking force
Distribution (EBD)
EBD is a function that uses the ABS
to distribute braking force ideally
between the front and rear wheels
in order to compensate for changes
in load conditions or any shift of the
load due to acceleration or
deceleration, thus preventing
premature locking of the rear
wheels.
{Warning
If a problem should occur with the
EBD function, the ABS warning
light and the brake system
warning light will come on
simultaneously.
The rear wheels will lock more
easily if there is a problem with
the EBD function. Have it
checked and serviced at the
nearest dealer as soon as
possible. You and others could be
seriously injured.
When the EBD operates, the brake
pedal may push back slightly or you
may hear a sound similar to that
generated by the ABS when
operational. Neither of them
indicates any abnormal condition.