Chevrolet 2012 Cruze User manual

Black plate (1,1)
Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual M
In Brief ........................ 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Keys, Doors, and
Windows .................... 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Vehicle Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Roof..........................2-21
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-34
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Phone........................7-23
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-35
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual M
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-15
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-29
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-37
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Object Detection Systems . . . . 9-42
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Conversions and
Add-Ons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-83
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-10
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-13
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-16
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-13
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-14
Index ..................... i-1

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction iii
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names,
and vehicle body designs appearing
in this manual including, but not
limited to, GM, the GM logo,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET
Emblem, and CRUZE are
trademarks and/or service marks
of General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited”for
Chevrolet Motor Division wherever
it appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue
française
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20935335 A First Printing ©2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
iv Introduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning or Caution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury
or death.
{WARNING
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage. This
would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through it
is a safety symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do this,”or
“Do not let this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*:This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar
®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child
Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/Stabilitrak
®
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
vi Introduction
2NOTES

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Passenger Sensing
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-13
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-17
Bluetooth
®
................... 1-17
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-17
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Ultrasonic Parking Assist . . . . 1-19
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control
System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
StabiliTrak
®
System . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-20
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-21
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Roadside Assistance
Program .................... 1-22
OnStar
®
..................... 1-22

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
1-2 In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-3
A. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
Front Fog Lamps on page 6‑4
(If Equipped).
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5.
B. Air Vents on page 8‑6.
C. Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6‑2.
Turn and Lane‐Change Lever.
See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑4.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑23.
D. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑8.
E. Horn on page 5‑3.
F. Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑23.
G. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑2.
H. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑3.
I. Infotainment on page 7‑2.
Satellite Radio on page 7‑14
(If Equipped).
J. Infotainment Display Screen.
K. Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4‑1.
L. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System on page 6‑3.
M. Passenger Airbag. See Where
Are the Airbags? on page 3‑21.
N. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10‑4.
O. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑13.
P. Instrument Panel Fuse Block on
page 10‑40.
Q. Cruise Control on page 9‑40.
R. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
S. Driver Airbag. See Where Are
the Airbags? on page 3‑21.
T. Ignition Switch or Keyless
Ignition Button (If Equipped).
See Ignition Positions (Key
Access) on page 9‑15 or
Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) on page 9‑18.
U. Driver Knee Airbag. See Where
Are the Airbags? on page 3‑21.
V. Power Door Locks on
page 2‑11.
W. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑3.
X. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑29 or
Manual Transmission on
page 9‑33.
Y. Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑37.
StabiliTrak
®
System on
page 9‑38.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
1-4 In Brief
Z. Climate Control Systems on
page 8‑1(If Equipped).
Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑3
(If Equipped).
Heated Front Seats on page 3‑7
(If Equipped).
AA. Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 5‑12.
AB. Passenger Knee Airbag. See
Where Are the Airbags? on
page 3‑21.
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter will work up to 20 m
(65 ft) away from the vehicle.
RKE Transmitter with Remote
Start Shown
Press the key release button to
extend the key blade. The key can
be used for the ignition and all
locks.
Press Kto unlock the driver door or
all doors.
Press Qto lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑34.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-5
Press and hold Vbriefly to open
the trunk.
Press and hold 7briefly to locate
the vehicle.
Press and hold 7for at least
two seconds to sound the
panic alarm.
Press 7again to cancel the
panic alarm.
See Keys on page 2‑2and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
Remote Vehicle Start
For vehicles with this feature, the
engine can be started from outside
the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at
the vehicle.
2. Press and release Q.
3. Immediately after completing
Step 2, press and hold /until
the turn signal lamps flash, or for
about two seconds if the vehicle
is not in view.
When the engine starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate
control system may come on.
The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. Repeat the steps for a
10-minute time extension. Remote
start can be extended only once.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at
the vehicle and press and
hold /until the parking lamps
turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.
See Remote Vehicle Start on
page 2‑9.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
1-6 In Brief
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the vehicle from
outside, use the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter or the key.
From inside the vehicle, use the
power door lock switch.
See Door Locks on page 2‑10.
Power Door Locks
The power door lock switch is on
the instrument panel.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
Q:Press to lock the doors.
See Power Door Locks on
page 2‑11.
Safety Locks
The rear door safety locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear
doors from inside the vehicle.
Press o{to activate the safety
locks on the rear doors. The LED
light (A) comes on when activated.
The rear door power windows are
also disabled.
Press o{again to deactivate the
lockout switch.
If the LED light flashes, the feature
may not be working properly.
See Safety Locks on page 2‑12.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-7
Seat Adjustment
Manual Front Seats
To adjust a manual seat:
1. Pull the handle at the front of
the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the handle.
3. Try to move the seat back
and forth to be sure it is
locked in place.
Seat Height Adjuster
If available, move the lever up or
down to manually raise or lower
the seat.
Seat Cushion Tilt Feature
Six-Way Manual Seat Shown,
Four-Way Similar
If available, move the lever up or
down to raise or lower the front of
the seat cushion.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
1-8 In Brief
Reclining Seatbacks
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the lever.
2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, then release
the lever to lock the seatback
in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an
upright position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback
returns to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
See Reclining Seatbacks on
page 3‑5.
Power Driver Seat
To adjust a power driver seat,
if equipped:
.Move the seat forward or
rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
.Raise or lower the front part of
the seat cushion by moving the
front of the control up or down.
.Raise or lower the entire seat by
moving the rear of the control up
or down.
See Power Seat Adjustment on
page 3‑4.
Rear Seats
The rear seatbacks can be folded.
For detailed instructions, see Rear
Seats on page 3‑8.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-9
Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated front seats,
the controls are on the center
console. The engine must be
running to operate the heated seats.
Press Lor Mto heat the driver
or passenger seat cushion and
seatback.
Press the control once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the control, the heated seat will
change to the next lower setting,
and then the off setting. Three lights
indicate the highest setting and
one light the lowest.
See Heated Front Seats on
page 3‑7for more information.
Head Restraint
Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints
for all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
To achieve a comfortable seating
position, change the seatback
recline angle as little as necessary
while keeping the seat and the
head restraint height in the
proper position.
For more information see Head
Restraints on page 3‑2and Seat
Adjustment on page 3‑3.
Safety Belts
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to
use safety belts properly:
.Safety Belts on page 3‑10.
.How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly on page 3‑11.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑12.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on
page 3‑41.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
1-10 In Brief
Passenger Sensing
System
United States
Canada
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag under certain conditions.
No other airbag is affected by the
passenger sensing system. See
Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑26 for important information.
The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle is
started. See Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator on page 5‑12.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior
Controls for the outside power
mirrors are on the driver door.
1. Turn the selector switch to
L (left) or R (right) to choose
the driver or passenger mirror.
2. Move the control to adjust
the mirror.
3. Turn the selector switch to the
O position to deselect the mirror.
See Power Mirrors on page 2‑16.
If the vehicle has heated mirrors,
see Heated Mirrors on page 2‑16.
Vehicles with a manual mirror
adjustment have controls next to
each mirror.
See Manual Mirrors on page 2‑16.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-11
Interior
Adjust the inside rearview mirror by
moving it up and down or side to
side. Adjust the mirror to avoid glare
from the headlamps behind you.
Push the tab forward for daytime
use and pull it for nighttime use.
See Manual Rearview Mirror on
page 2‑17.
The vehicle may have an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror.
Automatic dimming reduces the
glare of lights from behind the
vehicle. The dimming feature and
indicator light come on each time
the vehicle is started.
See Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror on page 2‑17.
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever (A) down.
2. Move the steering wheel up
or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel
closer or away from you.
4. Push the lever (A) up to lock the
steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Interior Lighting
Dome Lamps
The dome lamp controls are located
in the headliner.
(:Press to turn the lamps off,
even when a door is open.
H:Press to turn the lamps on
automatically when a door is
opened.
':Press to turn on the
dome lamps.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
1-12 In Brief
Reading Lamps
The reading lamps are located in
the overhead console.
#or $:Press the button near
each lamp to turn it on or off.
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control
This feature controls the brightness
of the instrument panel controls and
infotainment display screen. The
thumbwheel is located to the left of
the steering column on the
instrument panel.
D(Instrument Panel
Brightness): Turn the thumbwheel
up or down and hold, to brighten or
dim the instrument panel controls
and infotainment display screen.
Exterior Lighting
The exterior lamps control is located
on the instrument panel to the
outboard side of the steering
column.
O:Briefly turn to this position to
turn the automatic light control off or
on again.
AUTO: Turns the headlamps on
automatically at normal brightness,
together with the parking lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps,
sidemarker lamps, and instrument
panel lights.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-13
;:Turns on the parking lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps,
sidemarker lamps, and instrument
panel lights.
5:Turns on the headlamps,
parking lamps, taillamps, license
plate lamps, sidemarker lamps, and
instrument panel lights. A warning
chime sounds if the driver door is
opened when the ignition switch is
off and the headlamps are on.
#:For vehicles with fog lamps,
press to turn the lamps on or off.
For more information, see:
.Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
.Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
on page 6‑2.
.Front Fog Lamps on page 6‑4.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper lever is on the
side of the steering column. With
the ignition in ACC/ACCESSORY or
ON/RUN, move the windshield
wiper lever to select the wiper
speed.
2: Fast wipes.
1: Slow wipes.
3:Turn the band up for more
frequent wipes or down for less
frequent wipes.
9:Turns the windshield
wipers off.
3:Briefly move the wiper lever
down for a single wipe or hold down
for several wipes.
Windshield Washer
Pull the windshield wiper lever to
spray windshield washer fluid and
activate the wipers.
See Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑3.

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Chevrolet Cruze Owner Manual - 2012
1-14 In Brief
Climate Controls
The heating, cooling, defrosting, and
ventilation for the vehicle can be
controlled with these systems.
Vehicles without Air Conditioning
A. Temperature Control
B. Bi-level Air Mode
C. Floor Air Mode
D. Vent Air Mode
E. Fan Control
F. Driver and Passenger Heated
Seats (If Equipped)
G. Rear Window Defogger
H. Defog
I. Defrost
Vehicles with Air Conditioning
A. Temperature Control
B. Bi-level Air Mode
C. Floor Air Mode
D. Vent Air Mode
E. Fan Control
F. Driver and Passenger Heated
Seats (If Equipped)
G. Rear Window Defogger
H. Recirculation
I. Defog
J. Air Conditioning
K. Defrost
Automatic Climate Control System
A. Temperature Control
B. Rear Window Defogger
C. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
D. Defrost
E. Fan Control