1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 86

Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running (Automatic Transaxle Models Only) Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle) If you are parking on hill and you don't shift your a transaxle into PARK (P) properly,the weight of the vehicle may put much force on the parking pawl in too the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called "torque lock." To prevent torquelock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's seat. To find out how, see "Shifting Into PARK (P)" in the Index. When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake. If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours little uphill to take some ofthe a pressure from the parking pawl in transaxle, so the you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P). It can be dangerousto leave your vehicle with the engine running. Your vehicle could move suddenly if the shift lever not fullyin PARK (P) is with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat and even catch fire. or others could You be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the engine running unless you have to. f you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running, (P) )e sure your vehicle is in PARK and your parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you've moved the shift lever intothe PARK (P) position, hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, seeif you can move theshift lever away from PARK without first pushing (P) the button. If you can, it means that theshift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P). 2-28