2004 CHEVROLET OPTRA Washer fluid

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that
first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will find experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
•Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
•Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
•Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
•Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
•Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
•Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
•Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road inless than a second,and you could
crash and be injured.
4-22

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-20
Manual Transaxle Fluid..................................5-20
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-20
Engine Coolant.............................................5-21
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-24
Engine Overheating.......................................5-24
Cooling System............................................5-27
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-33Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34
Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-44
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-44
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-44
Headlamps..................................................5-44
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-45
Turn Signal Lamps (Side)..............................5-46
Fog Lamps..................................................5-46
Sidemarker Lamps (Front)..............................5-47
Sidemarker Lamps (Rear)..............................5-47
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Tires..............................................................5-51
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-58
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-59
Buying New Tires.........................................5-60
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-60
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-14.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-14.
D. Brake Fluid/Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir.
See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-35and
Hydraulic Clutch on page 5-20.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-33.F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-27.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. See “Engine
Compartment Fuse Block” underFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-83.
H. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-38.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 5-34.
5-13

What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-24.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the
front of the engine compartment on the driver’s side
of the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir location.Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full.
Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts of
the washer system. Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This allows for expansion if
freezing occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your washer
system and paint.
5-34

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specified to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-14for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-21for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid if necessary. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-34for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are inflated
to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check your
spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-51for further details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-40for further details.
6-18

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering
SystemDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Automatic
TransaxleAutomatic Transaxle Fluid ESSO LT
71141 or TOTAL ATF H50235.
Manual
TransaxleGM Goodwrench Synthetic Manual
Transmission Fluid (GM Part No.
U.S. 12346190, in Canada
10953477) or equivalent SAE
75W-85 GL-4 gear oil.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Manual
Transaxle Shift
LinkageChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM
Part No. U.S. 12346293, in Canada
992723) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579, in
Canada 992887).
6-25

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-34
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-82
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)......3-42, 3-46
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-28
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-51
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-57
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-60
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?....................1-57
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?......1-58
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?...................1-56
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-54
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM).......7-10
AM ...............................................................3-51
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-52
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-31
Appearance Care............................................5-73
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-76
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-79
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-73
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-76
Finish Damage............................................5-78Appearance Care (cont.)
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-78
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-79
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-79
Weatherstrips..............................................5-76
Arming the System.........................................2-16
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Audio System(s).............................................3-40
Backglass Antenna......................................3-52
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-52
Care of Your CDs........................................3-52
Radio with CD....................................3-40, 3-44
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-51
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-51
Automatic Transaxle........................................2-19
Fluid..........................................................5-20
Operation...................................................2-23
Automatic Transaxle Check..............................6-19
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-21
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-52
Battery..........................................................5-38
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-20
1

Engine (cont.)
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-33
Oil .............................................................5-14
Overheating................................................5-24
Starting......................................................2-19
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-86
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-18
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-17
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-18
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Express-Down Window....................................2-15
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finding a Station....................................3-40, 3-44
Finish Care....................................................5-77
Finish Damage...............................................5-78
Five-Speed....................................................2-27
Flash-to-Pass Feature....................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-63
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-64Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-20
Manual Transaxle........................................5-20
Power Steering...........................................5-33
Windshield Washer......................................5-34
FM ...............................................................3-51
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-37
Fog Lamps..............................................3-7, 3-14
Folding the Seatback........................................ 1-8
Footnotes................................................6-7, 6-13
Front Armrest Storage Area..............................2-39
Front Storage Area.........................................2-38
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-39
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-39
System Inspection.......................................6-23
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-83
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-82
5