Chevrolet Cruze Owners Manual: Starting the Engine

Place the transmission in the proper gear.

Notice: 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.

Automatic Transmission

Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any other position. To restart the vehicle when it is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.

Notice: Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.

Manual Transmission

The shift lever should be in Neutral and the parking brake engaged.

Hold the clutch pedal down to the floor and start the engine. The vehicle will not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way down.

Starting Procedure (Key Access)

1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as the engine warms. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.

Allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts.

The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking System. This feature assists in starting the engine and protects components. If the ignition key is turned to the START position, and then released when the engine begins cranking, the engine will continue cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts. If the engine does not start and the key is held in START for many seconds, cranking stops after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if the engine is already running. Engine cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition switch to ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.

Notice: Cranking the engine for long periods of time, by returning the key 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 0°F or −18°C), it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there as you hold the key in START for a maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool. When the engine starts, let go of the key and accelerator.

If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again, repeat the procedure. 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.Starting Procedure (Keyless Access)

1. If the vehicle has the keyless access system, the transmitter must be in the vehicle. Put your foot on the brake pedal and push the START/STOP button.

When the engine begins cranking, let go of the button.

The idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up and lubricate all moving parts.

If the transmitter is not in the vehicle or something is interfering with the transmitter, the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display NO REMOTE DETECTED.

If the battery in the keyless access transmitter needs replacing, the DIC displays REPLACE BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY. The vehicle can still be driven.

The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking System. This feature assists in starting the engine and protects components. If the START button is pressed, and then released when the engine begins cranking, the engine will continue cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts. If the engine does not start and the button is pressed for many seconds, cranking will be stopped after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage.

To prevent gear damage, this system also prevents cranking if the engine is already running

Engine cranking can be stopped by pressing the START button a second time.

Notice: Cranking the engine for long periods of time, by returning the key 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 hold the key in START, or press the START button, 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 key or 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.