
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-8
Child Restraints
.......................................1-27
Airbag System
.........................................1-46
Restraint System Check
............................1-55
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-8
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
OnStar
®System
......................................2-33
Storage Areas
.........................................2-35
Sunroof
..................................................2-35
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-21
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-36Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
........ 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-35
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-41
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-46
Tires
......................................................5-47
Appearance Care
.....................................5-72
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-79
Electrical System
......................................5-80
Capacities and Speci cations
.....................5-85
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-86
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index.................................................................1
2005 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner ManualM

Seatback Latches
If your vehicle is a two-door model, the front seatback
folds forward to let people get into the back seat.
To fold a front seatback
forward, lift the latch
located on the lower back
side of the seatback and
push the seatback forward.
When you return the seatback to its original position,
make sure the seatback is locked. The latch must
be down for the seat to work properly.
{CAUTION:
If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback to be sure it
is locked.
Easy Entry Seat
{CAUTION:
If the easy entry right front seat is not locked,
it can move. In a sudden stop or crash, the
person sitting there could be injured. After you
have used it, be sure to push rearward on an
easy entry seat to be sure it is locked.
If your vehicle has this feature, the right front seat
makes it easy to get in and out of the rear seat.
1. Lift the right front seatback latch to release the
seatback.
2. Tilt the seatback completely forward and the whole
seat will slide forward.
3. Move the right front seatback to its original position
after someone gets into the rear seat area.
4. Then move the seat rearward until it locks.
Tilt the seatback completely forward again and move
the seat to get out of the back seat.
1-6

Q:If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A:You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in an
accident — even one that is not your fault — you
and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good
driver does not protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds of less than
40 mph (65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
This part is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about
safety belts and children. And there are different
rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be
riding in your vehicle, seeOlder Children on page 1-27
orInfants and Young Children on page 1-30. Follow
those rules for everyone’s protection.
First, you will want to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We will start with the driver position.
Driver Position
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here is how to wear
it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see
how, see “Seats” in the Index.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Do not let it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt
across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt
go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
1-13

To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle.
The belt should go back out of the way.
Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the
way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage
both the belt and your vehicle.
Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment
(Four Door Models)
Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt
adjuster to the height that is right for you. Adjust the
height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered
on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your
face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.
To move it down, squeeze the release button and move
the height adjuster to the desired position. You can
move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder
belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you
want it, try to move it down without squeezing the
release button to make sure it has locked into position.
1-19

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-8
Door Locks....................................................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-9
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-9
Lockout Protection........................................2-10
Trunk..........................................................2-10
Windows........................................................2-12
Power Windows............................................2-13
Sun Visors...................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-14
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-14
Passlock
®....................................................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-16
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-16
Ignition Positions..........................................2-16
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-18
Starting Your Engine.....................................2-18
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-19Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-20
Manual Transaxle Operation...........................2-23
Parking Brake..............................................2-25
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)......2-26
Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle).....2-28
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle).........2-28
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-29
Engine Exhaust............................................2-29
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked.......2-30
Mirrors...........................................................2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-31
Outside Remote Control Mirror.......................2-31
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-31
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-32
Outside Breakaway Mirror..............................2-32
OnStar®System.............................................2-33
Storage Areas................................................2-35
Cupholder(s)................................................2-35
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-35
Convenience Net..........................................2-35
Sunroof.........................................................2-35
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1