Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-29
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-51
Restraint System Check
............................1-60
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-18
Mirrors
....................................................2-35
Storage Areas
.........................................2-37
Sunroof
..................................................2-39
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Climate Controls
......................................3-19
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-24
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-40Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-44
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-44
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-50
Tires
......................................................5-51
Appearance Care
.....................................5-73
Vehicle Identification
.................................5-81
Electrical System
......................................5-82
Capacities and Specifications
.....................5-90
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-91
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-11
Index................................................................ 1
2004 Chevrolet Optra Owner ManualM
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this manual you will find these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice tells about something that can damage your
vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered
by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But
the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
There are also warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle 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,
gage, or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage, or indicator, reference the following
topics:
•Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
•Features and Controls in Section 2
•Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
•Climate Controls in Section 3
•Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3
•Audio System(s) in Section 3
•Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv
Trunk (Sedan)
To unlock the trunk on your sedan from the outside,
insert the key and turn it clockwise in the trunk
lock cylinder or use the remote keyless entry transmitter
if your vehicle has one.
When closing the trunk, close from the center to ensure
it fully latches. Although you may use one hand to
unlock the trunk, it is recommended that two hands on
the upper surface be used to close the trunk.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can not see or
smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the trunk lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. See Climate Control
System in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-33.
2-11
Liftgate (Hatchback)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the liftgate
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even
death. If you must drive with the liftgate open
or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal
between the body and the liftgate:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed and select the
control setting that will force outside air
into your vehicle. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-19.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-33.To unlock the liftgate on your hatchback from outside of
the vehicle, insert the key into the lock cylinder and
turn it clockwise or use the remote keyless entry
transmitter if your vehicle has one. Then pull up the
handle above the license plate to open the liftgate.
When closing the liftgate, close from the center to ensure
it fully latches. Although you may use one hand to unlock
the liftgate, it is recommended that two hands on the
upper surface be used to close the liftgate.
To lock the liftgate, insert the key into the lock cylinder
and turn it counterclockwise.
2-13
Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-33.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-25.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 2-29.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-37.
2-34
Outside Heated Mirrors
If your vehicle has this feature, when you operate the
rear window defogger, the heated driver’s and
passenger’s outside power mirrors are warmed to help
clear them of ice and snow. See “Rear Window and
Outside Mirror Defogger” underClimate Control System
on page 3-19for more information.
Storage Areas
Your vehicle has shopping hooks on each front seatback
for your convenience.
Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling the bottom of the handle
upward. Close the glove box with a firm push.
Cupholder(s)
The cupholders are located in the center console and in
the rear seat center armrest. To use the front
cupholders, move the inner support forward or
backward. If your vehicle has rear cupholders, push
down the rear seat center armrest to use them.
2-37
Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-5
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-6
Windshield Wiper Lever...................................3-8
Cruise Control................................................3-9
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-14
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-17
Clock..........................................................3-18
Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-24
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-27
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-28
Safety Belt Reminder Tone............................3-28
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-28Charging System Light..................................3-29
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-31
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...........................................3-31
Hold Mode Light...........................................3-32
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-32
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-33
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-36
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-37
Cruise Control Light......................................3-37
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-38
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light...........3-38
Door Ajar Light.............................................3-38
Fuel Gage...................................................3-39
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-39
Audio System(s).............................................3-40
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-40
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-44
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-51
Radio Reception...........................................3-51
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-52
Care of Your CD Player................................3-52
Backglass Antenna.......................................3-52
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Air Outlet. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
C. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.
D. Digital Clock. SeeClock on page 3-18.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-40.
F. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
“Instrument Panel Brightness” underInterior Lamps
on page 3-14.G. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
H. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-5.
I. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-19.
J. Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-17.
K. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-17.
L. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-37.
3-3