2004 CHEVROLET OPTRA Owners Manual

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

Windows
{CAUTION:
Leaving children, helpless adults, or pets in a
vehicle with the windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the extreme heat
and suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a child, a
helpless adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle,
especially with the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.
2-14

Manual Windows
On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
The rear windows do not open fully.
Power Windows
If your vehicle has this
feature, the power window
switches are located on
the armrest on the
driver’s door.
In addition, each passenger door may have a switch for
its own window. The ignition must be turned to ON to
use the power windows. To lower a window, press down
on the switch. To raise a window, lift up on the switch.
Express-Down Window
The driver’s window may also have an express-down
feature. This switch is labeled AUTO. Press the
switch then release it and the driver’s window will go all
the way down.
To stop the window while it is lowering, press the switch
again. To raise the window, pull up and hold the switch.
Window Lockout
The driver’s power window
controls may also include
a lockout button.
Press the lockout button to stop the front and rear
passengers from using their window switches. The driver
can still operate all the windows with the lock on.
Press the lockout button again to return to normal
window operation. Uplevel shown, Base
similar
2-15

Sun Visors
To block out glare you can swing down the visors. You
can also remove them from the center mount and
swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle also has vanity mirrors located on the back
of the sun visors. Swing down the sun visor and lift
the cover to expose the vanity mirror.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Theft-Deterrent System
Your vehicle may have a theft-deterrent system.
The theft-deterrent system will not arm when you lock
the doors using the key or the manual door lock. It
activates only when you use the optional remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Arming the System
To arm the system, do the following:
1. Turn the key to LOCK and remove the key from the
ignition.
If the key is inserted in the ignition, the transmitter
will not operate the theft-deterrent system.
2. Close the doors, the windows, the hood, and the
trunk or liftgate.
Make sure the windows are closed, as the system
can be activated even if the windows are open.
3. Lock the door using the remote keyless entry
transmitter. The transmitter must be used to activate
the theft-deterrent system.
•The LED on the transmitter will flash once.
•All of the doors will lock.
•The hazard warning lamps will flash once and
the horn will chirp.
•The theft-deterrent mode will activate.
•The security light will flash once every second to
indicate that the theft-deterrent system is armed.
The security light is located on the base of
the driver’s door lock.
2-16

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

Starting Your Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn’t start, wait about 15 seconds and try
again to start the engine by turning the ignition
key to START. Wait about 15 seconds between
each try.
When your engine has run about 10 seconds to
warm up, your vehicle is ready to be driven. Don’t
“race” your engine when it’s cold.
If the weather is below freezing (32°F or 0°C), let
the engine run for a few minutes to warm up.3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
2-20