Chevrolet Spark Quiz
Driving and Operating

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)

In this manual: Driving and Operating
Introduction — 1In Brief — 34Keys, Doors, and Windows — 27Seats and Restraints — 44Storage — 6Instruments and Controls — 42Lighting — 18Infotainment System — 38Climate Controls — 6Driving and Operating — 45Vehicle Care — 97Service and Maintenance — 9Technical Data — 5Customer Information — 25OnStar — 9
~1min read

If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of P (Park).

This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into Park” previously in this section.

When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of P (Park) before you release the parking brake.

If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so you can pull the shift lever out of P (Park).

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