2004 CHEVROLET OPTRA engine

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

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Central Door Unlocking System........................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Door Ajar Reminder........................................2-9
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-9
Lockout Protection........................................2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-10
Trunk (Sedan)..............................................2-11
Liftgate (Hatchback)......................................2-13
Windows........................................................2-14
Manual Windows..........................................2-15
Power Windows............................................2-15
Sun Visors...................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent System..................................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-18
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-18
Ignition Positions..........................................2-18
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-19
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-21Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-23
Manual Transaxle Operation...........................2-27
Parking Brake..............................................2-28
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)......2-29
Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle).....2-31
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle).........2-32
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-32
Engine Exhaust............................................2-33
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-34
Mirrors...........................................................2-35
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-35
Outside Manual Mirrors..................................2-35
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-36
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-36
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-37
Storage Areas................................................2-37
Glove Box...................................................2-37
Cupholder(s)................................................2-37
Sunglasses Storage Compartment...................2-38
Front Storage Area.......................................2-38
Front Armrest Storage Area...........................2-39
Rear Seat Armrest........................................2-39
Sunroof.........................................................2-39
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any remote keyless entry system. If the
transmitter does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
•Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
•Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
•Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4.
•If you are still having trouble, see your dealer or a
qualified technician for service.
Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
The following functions are available if your vehicle has
the remote keyless entry system:
W(Unlock):Press this button to unlock all of the
doors. If all of the doors and the trunk or liftgate
are closed, the hazard lamps will flash twice to indicate
that unlocking has occurred. The theft-deterrent
system will deactivate and the security indicator will
turn off. The security indicator is located on the base
of the driver’s door lock.
If a door is not opened or if the engine is not started within
30 seconds after pressing unlock on the remote keyless
entry transmitter, all of the doors will automatically relock
and the theft-deterrent system will reactivate.
2-4

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

To avoid activating the alarm by accident, use one of
the following methods:
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s door using
the key.
•Press the unlock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Unlocking a door any other way will activate the alarm
when a door or the trunk or liftgate is opened.
If you do not want to arm the theft-deterrent system,
lock the vehicle using the key or the manual door locks.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, use one of the following methods:
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s door using
the key.
•Press the unlock button on the transmitter.
- The LED on the transmitter will flash once.
- All of the doors will unlock.
- The hazard warning lamps will flash twice.
- The theft-deterrent mode will deactivate.
If the door is not opened or if the engine is not started
within 30 seconds after disarming the system with
the transmitter, all of the doors will automatically lock
and the theft-deterrent mode will reactivate.
How the System Alarm is Activated
If a door or the trunk or liftgate is opened without using
the key or the remote keyless entry transmitter, the
horn will sound and the lamps will flash for up to
30 seconds.
How to Turn Off the System Alarm
If the system alarm is active, it can be deactivated using
one of the following methods:
•Press the lock or unlock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
•Unlock the driver’s or passenger’s front door using
the key.
Otherwise, the alarm will automatically stop after
30 seconds. The system will then lock the doors and
reactivate the theft-deterrent system.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
If the hazard warning lamps flash once when you press
the lock or unlock buttons on the remote keyless
entry transmitter, that means the theft-deterrent system
alarm was triggered while you were away.
2-17

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one speed — fast or
slow — for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do
not make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature wear and earlier
replacement. Follow this breaking-in guideline
every time you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-37for more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn the
key to four different
positions.
{CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the key
to LOCK and removing it will lock the steering
column and result in a loss of ability to steer
the vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you
need to turn the engine off while the vehicle is
moving, turn the key only to ACC. Do not push
the key in while the vehicle is moving.
2-18

Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
can not turn it, be sure you are using the correct
key; if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a
tool to force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these works, then your vehicle
needs service.
LOCK:This position locks your steering wheel, ignition,
shift lever and transaxle. This is the only position in which
you can insert or remove the key. For easier key
operation when unlocking the steering wheel, move the
steering wheel from right to left and turn the key to ACC.
ACC (ACCESSORY):This position operates some of
your electrical accessories, such as the radio, but
not the ventilation fan.
ON:This is the position to which the switch returns
after you start your engine and release the key.
The switch stays in ON when the engine is running. But
even when the engine is not running, you can use
ON to operate your electrical accessories, and to display
some instrument panel warning lights.START:This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The switch will return to
ON for normal driving. Do not turn the key to START
if the engine is running.
Even if the engine is not running, ACC and ON allow
you to operate electrical accessories, such as the radio.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position — that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in neutral and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor
and start the engine. Your vehicle won’t start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down – that’s a safety feature.
2-19