2005 CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 oil level

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
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?
4-20

Engine Oil
If the oil pressure light
appears on the instrument
cluster, it means you
need to check your engine
oil level right away.
For more information, seeOil Pressure Light on
page 3-38.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the lower hole at the tip of the
dipstick (B), then you will need to add at least one quart
of oil. But you must use the right kind. This section
explains what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, seeCapacities and Specifications on
page 5-82.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
hole (A) that shows the proper operating range, your
engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil fill cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range, between the holes on the
dipstick. Push the dipstick all the way back in when you
are through.
5-14

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. If a
leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible.
You may also have your fluid level checked by
your dealer or service center when you have your
oil changed.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid labeled
other than ESSO LT71141 or TOTAL ATF H50235
may damage your vehicle, and the damages may not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
ESSO LT71141 or TOTAL ATF H50235 labeled
automatic transaxle uid.
Manual Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level. A
transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to the dealership
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-24for the proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
There is one reservoir for both the brake and the
hydraulic clutch fluid. SeeBrakes on page 5-30for
more information.
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The master cylinder reservoir is filled with
hydraulic fluid.
It is not necessary to regularly check the fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding fluid
will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the fluid level in your master
cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid. See
Part B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-18and
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-24.
5-19

How to Check and Add Fluid
You do not need to check the fluid level unless you
suspect a clutch problem. To check the fluid level, look
on the side of the reservoir. If the fluid reaches the
MAX (A) mark on the reservoir, the fluid level is correct.
The reservoir is located near the back of the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-23.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and proper
coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to−22°F (−30°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 268°F (131°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
5-20

{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do
not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface. Make sure that the
air conditioning is turned off.
The coolant level should be between the MIN and MAX
marks on the coolant surge tank when the engine is
cool. If it is not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fan is running. If
the engine is overheating, the fan should be running. If
it is not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
5-25

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not between the MIN and
MAX marks, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable
waterand proper coolant at the coolant surge tank, but
be sure the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is cool before you do it. See
Engine Coolant on page 5-20for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant
as follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
cap when the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and coolant surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and a proper coolant.
5-26

So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too
much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should
add or remove brake fluid, as necessary, only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-32.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-24.Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts so
badly that they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeAppearance
Care on page 5-66.
5-31

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-24for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 1.41 lbs 0.64 kg
Cooling System 7.9 quarts 7.5 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.2 quarts 4.0 L
Fuel Tank 14.5 gallons 55.0 L
Transaxle, Automatic 7.3 quarts 6.9 L
Transaxle, Manual 1.9 quarts 1.8 L
Wheel Nut Torque 81 lb ft 110Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transaxle Spark Plug Gap
2.0L L4 (L34) ZAutomatic and
Manual0.039 inch (1.0mm)
5-82