Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any other position. To restart the engine when the vehicle 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.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine. The vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down.
Starting Procedure
- With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition to START.
When the engine cranks, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as the engine gets warm.
The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking System. It assists in starting the engine and protects components. If the ignition key is turned to START and then released when the engine begins cranking, the engine will continue cranking for a few seconds or until the engine starts. If the engine does not start and the key is held in START, cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to prevent damage. To prevent gear damage, cranking is not allowed if the engine is running. Engine cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition key to ACC/ ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
Caution
Holding the key in START for longer than 15 seconds at a time will cause the battery to be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can damage the starter motor. Wait about 15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining the battery or damaging the starter.
- If the engine does not start, wait about 15 seconds and try again.
Wait about 15 seconds between each try.
When the engine has run about 10 seconds to warm up, the vehicle is ready to be driven. Do not run the engine at high speed when it is cold.
If the weather is below freezing (0°C or 32°F), let the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.
- If the engine still will not start, or starts but then stops, 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 hold the key in START for about three
seconds. If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, do the same thing,
but this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
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 on page 9-39.
Ignition Positions
The ignition switch has four different positions.
The uplevel key must be fully extended to start the vehicle.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be in ON/RUN and the regular brake
pe ...
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide easier starting and better fuel economy during
engine warm-up in cold weather conditions at or below -18°C (0°F). Vehicles with
an engine heater should be plugged in ...
Other materials:
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when
the engine is started.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF or if the light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again
to reset the system.
If the light still stays on, or comes on again while dr ...
Cleaning High Gloss Surfaces and Vehicle Information and Radio Displays
For vehicles with high gloss surfaces or vehicle displays, use a microfiber cloth
to wipe surfaces.
Before wiping the surface with the microfiber cloth, use a soft bristle brush
to remove dirt that could scratch the surface. Then use the microfiber cloth by
gently rubbing to clean. Never use ...
Hands-Free Phone
General Information without Touchscreen
To use the hands-free phone on vehicles
without a touchscreen radio, press ,
select Onstar Hands-Free Calling, then enter the desired number.
General Information with Touchscreen
Vehicles with a Hands-Free Phone system can use a Bluetooth-capable cell p ...
