Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
176 Driving and Operating
ABS does not change the time
needed to get a foot on the brake
pedal and does not always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly.
Hearing or feeling ABS operate is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows steering and braking at
the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
even more than braking.
Parking Brake
With the parking brake pedal
applied, pull up firmly on the parking
brake handle without pressing the
release button. SeeShifting Into
Park 0167 or
Parking (Manual Transmission)
0 169. If the ignition is on, the brake
system warning light will come on.
See Brake System Warning Light
0 91.
To release the parking brake: 1. Hold the brake pedal down. 2. Pull the parking brake handle
up until you can press the
release button.
3. Hold the release button in as you move the brake handle 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 Driver Information
Center (DIC) message to display.
Release the parking brake or stop
the vehicle.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake
pedal applications due to
emergency braking situations and
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
178 Driving and Operating
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak/ESC
begins to limit wheel spin, cruise
control will disengage. Cruise
control may be turned back on when
road conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck 0155
and “Turning the Systems Off and
On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.
Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
. Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC 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/
ESC is on the lower instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
Driving and Operating 179
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.
The appropriate DIC message
displays.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release
g. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off. The appropriate DIC
message displays.
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/
ESC, press and hold
guntil the
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gcome on and stay
on in the instrument cluster. The
appropriate DIC message displays.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak/ESC on
again, press and release
g. The
Traction Off light
iand StabiliTrak/
ESC Off light
gin the instrument
cluster turn off. The appropriate DIC
message displays.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 198.
Cruise Control
If the vehicle is equipped with cruise
control, a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more can be maintained
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below 40 km/h
(25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
182 Driving and Operating
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.To disengage cruise control,
step lightly on the brake pedal or
clutch for manual transmission.
. Press
*on the steering wheel.
. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
. To turn off cruise control, press
Jon the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if the
J
button is pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Driver Assistance
Systems
This vehicle may have features that
work together to help avoid crashes
or reduce crash damage while
driving, backing, and parking. Read
this entire section before using
these systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver
Assistance Systems. These
systems do not replace the need
for paying attention and driving
safely. You may not hear or see
alerts or warnings provided by
these systems. Failure to use
proper care when driving may
result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. See Defensive Driving
0 150.
Under many conditions, these
systems will not: (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Detect children,
pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals.
. Detect vehicles or objects
outside the area monitored
by the system.
. Work at all driving speeds.
. Warn you or provide you
with enough time to avoid a
crash.
. Work under poor visibility or
bad weather conditions.
. Work if the detection sensor
is not cleaned or is covered
by ice, snow, mud, or dirt.
. Work if the detection sensor
is covered up, such as with
a sticker, magnet, or metal
plate.
. Work if the area surrounding
the detection sensor is
damaged or not properly
repaired.
(Continued)
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
186 Driving and Operating
How the System Works
RPA comes on automatically when
the shift lever is moved into
R (Reverse).
An obstacle is indicated by audible
beeps. The interval between the
beeps becomes shorter as the
vehicle gets closer to the obstacle.
When the distance is less than
50 cm (20 in) the beeping is a
continuous tone.
Turning the System On and Off
The RPA system can be turned on
and off using the infotainment
system controls. SeeVehicle
Personalization 0105.
When the System Does Not
Seem to Work Properly
This light may come on for the
following reasons: .
The sensors are not clean. Keep
the vehicle's rear bumper free of
mud, dirt, snow, ice, and slush.
For cleaning instructions, see
Exterior Care 0264.
. The sensors are covered by
frost or ice. Frost or ice can form
around and behind the sensors
and may not always be seen;
this can occur after washing the
vehicle in cold weather. The light
may not clear until the frost or
ice has melted.
. An object was hanging out of the
liftgate during the last drive
cycle. Once the object is
removed, RPA will return to
normal operation.
. The bumper is damaged. Take
the vehicle to your dealer to
repair the system.
. Other conditions, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck, are affecting
system performance. If the above conditions do not exist,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
repair the system.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system may
help to avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a red flashing
alert on the windshield and rapidly
beeps. FCA also lights an amber
visual alert if following another
vehicle much too closely.
FCA detects vehicles within a
distance of approximately 60 m
(197 ft) and operates at speeds
above 8 km/h (5 mph).
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
(Continued)
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
Driving and Operating 189
{Warning
AEB is an emergency crash
preparation feature and is not
designed to avoid crashes. Do
not rely on AEB to brake the
vehicle. AEB will not brake
outside of its operating speed
range and only responds to
detected vehicles.
AEB may not:. Detect a vehicle ahead on
winding or hilly roads.
. Detect all vehicles,
especially vehicles with a
trailer, tractors, muddy
vehicles, etc.
. Detect a vehicle when
weather limits visibility, such
as in fog, rain, or snow.
. Detect a vehicle ahead if it
is partially blocked by
pedestrians or other objects.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Complete attention is always
required while driving, and you
should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes and/or steer
the vehicle to avoid crashes.
AEB may slow the vehicle to a stop
to try to avoid a potential crash.
A system unavailable message may
display if:
. The front of the vehicle or
windshield is not clean.
. Heavy rain or snow is interfering
with object detection.
. There is a problem with the
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system.
The AEB system does not need
service.
{Warning
AEB may automatically brake the
vehicle suddenly in situations
where it is unexpected and
undesired. It could respond to a
turning vehicle ahead, guardrails,
signs, and other non-moving
objects. To override AEB, firmly
press the accelerator pedal, if it is
safe to do so.
AEB can be disabled through
vehicle personalization. See
“Collision/Detection Systems” under
Vehicle Personalization 0105.
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
If equipped, LDW may help avoid
crashes due to unintentional lane
departures. LDW uses a camera
sensor to detect the lane markings
at speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or
greater. It may provide an alert if the
vehicle is crossing a lane without
using a turn signal in that direction.
LDW light will not alert if the turn
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
190 Driving and Operating
signal is active in the direction of
lane departure, or if LDW detects
that you are accelerating, braking or
actively steering.
{Warning
The LDW system does not steer
the vehicle. The LDW system
may not:. Provide enough time to
avoid a crash.
. Detect lane markings under
poor weather or visibility
conditions. This can occur if
the windshield or
headlamps are blocked by
dirt, snow, or ice; if they are
not in proper condition; or if
the sun shines directly into
the camera.
. Detect road edges.
. Detect lanes on winding or
hilly roads.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
If LDW only detects lane
markings on one side of the road,
it will only warn you when
departing the lane on the side
where it has detected a lane
marking. Always keep your
attention on the road and
maintain proper vehicle position
within the lane, or vehicle
damage, injury, or death could
occur. Always keep the
windshield, headlamps, and
camera sensors clean and in
good repair. Do not use LDW in
bad weather conditions.
How the System Works
The LDW camera sensor is on the
windshield ahead of the rearview
mirror.
To turn LDW on and off, press
@on
the instrument panel to the left of
the steering wheel. The control
indicator will light when LDW is on.
LDW utilizes camera sensor
installed on the windshield ahead of
the rearview mirror to detect lane
markings. To turn LDW on and off,
press
@on the instrument panel to
the left of the steering wheel. The
control indicator will light when LDW
is on. When LDW is on,
@is green
if LDW is available to warn of a lane
departure. If the vehicle crosses a
detected lane marking without using
the turn signal in that direction,
@
changes to amber and flashes.
Additionally, there will be three
beeps on the right or left, depending
on the lane departure direction.
LDW will not alert if the turn signal
is active in the direction of lane
departure, or if LDW detects that
you are accelerating, braking or
actively steering.
Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13556236) -
2020 - CRC - 4/23/19
Driving and Operating 191
When the System Does Not
Seem To Work Properly
The system may not detect lanes as
well when there are:
.Close vehicles ahead.
. Sudden lighting changes, such
as when driving through tunnels.
. Banked roads.
If the LDW system is not functioning
properly when lane markings are
clearly visible, cleaning the
windshield may help.
LDW alerts may occur due to tar
marks, shadows, cracks in the road,
temporary or construction lane
markings, or other road
imperfections. This is normal system
operation; the vehicle does not need
service. Turn LDW off if these
conditions continue.
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel
GM recommends the use of TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline to keep
the engine clean, reduce engine
deposits, and maintain optimal
vehicle performance. Look for the
TOP TIER Logo or see
www.toptiergas.com for a list of TOP
TIER Detergent Gasoline marketers
and applicable countries.
Recommended Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM specification D4814
with a posted octane rating of 87 —
(R+M)/2 —or higher. Do not use
gasoline with a posted octane rating
of less than 87, as this may cause
engine knock and will lower fuel
economy.
Do not use any fuel labeled E85 or
FlexFuel. Do not use gasoline with
ethanol levels greater than 15% by
volume.