2005 CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 change wheel

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That
will clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or
SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your
wheels in the forward and reverse directions, you
will cause a rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If
that does not get you out after a few tries, you may
need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-33.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the Maximum
Load weight and includes the weight of all occupants,
cargo and all nonfactory-installed options. Two labels on
your vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certification label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), or either
the maximum front or rear Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). If you do, parts on your
vehicle can break, and it can change the way
your vehicle handles. These could cause you
to lose control and crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of your vehicle.
4-28

After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures as shown on the tire and loading
information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-28for an example of the tire and loading
information label and where it is located on your vehicle.
Make certain that all wheel nuts are properly tightened.
See “Wheel Nut Torque” underCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-82.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle.
In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a
paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a
scraper or wire brush later, if needed, to get all
the rust or dirt off. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on
page 5-59.
When It Is Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s
time for new tires is to
check the treadwear
indicators, which will
appear when your tires
have only 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) or less of
tread remaining.
You need a new tire if any of the following statements
are true:
•You can see the indicators at three or more places
around the tire.
•You can see cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber.
•The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged
deep enough to show cord or fabric.
•The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
•The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that
can’t be repaired well because of the size or
location of the damage.
5-53

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a blowout, here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you would;
use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control
by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is
designed only for changing a at tire. If it is
used for anything else, you or others could be
badly injured or killed if the vehicle slips off
the jack. Use the jack provided with your
vehicle only for changing a at tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
5-58

Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning flashers.
{CAUTION:
Changing a tire can be dangerous. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over or fall on you
or other people. You and they could be badly
injured or even killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle
from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put an automatic transaxle shift lever in
PARK (P), or shift a manual transaxle to
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart
while the vehicle is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in
the vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
To be even more certain the vehicle will not
move, you should put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the one
being changed. That would be the tire on the
other side, at the opposite end of the vehicle.
When you have a flat tire, use the following example as
a guide to assist you in the placement of wheel blocks.
The following information will tell you how to use the
jack and change a tire.
5-59

{CAUTION:
Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly
positioned can damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help avoid personal
injury and vehicle damage, be sure to t the
jack lift head into the proper location before
raising the vehicle.
6. Raise the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench
clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room for the compact
spare tire to fit underneath the wheel well.
7. Remove all of the wheel nuts by turning them
counterclockwise.
8. Remove the flat tire.
{CAUTION:
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on the parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could
come off and cause an accident. When you
change a wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
the places where the wheel attaches to the
vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to
get all the rust or dirt off.
9. Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces
and spare wheel.
5-63

Safety Belts
Center Rear Passenger Position....................1-24
Driver Position............................................1-14
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-13
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-13
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-21
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-21
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-24
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-21
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-8
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-20
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Seats
Driver Seat Tilt Adjuster................................. 1-3
Head Restraints............................................ 1-6
Manual..................................................1-2, 1-3
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-4
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-7
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-41
Rear Seat Position......................................1-41
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-43
Selecting the Right Schedule, Maintenance.......... 6-5
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-5Service (cont.)
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-36
Publications Ordering Information...................7-11
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-62
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-72
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-29
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance................ 6-6
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-20
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change........................3-10
Spare Tire
Installing....................................................5-61
Removing...................................................5-60
Storing.......................................................5-65
Specifications, Capacities.................................5-82
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light.............................................3-34
Speedometer..................................................3-28
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-19
Steering.......................................................... 4-9
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..............................6-22
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.........................3-52
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-9
11

Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-8
Control System Warning Light.......................3-34
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-21
Transaxle Operation, Manual............................2-25
Trip Odometer................................................3-28
Trunk............................................................2-11
Trunk Ajar Light..............................................3-40
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.........................3-10
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-9
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-55
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-28
Parking Your...............................................2-30
Symbols......................................................... ivVehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders............................................. 7-9
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN).............................................5-75
Service Parts Identification Label...................5-75
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-24
Visors...........................................................2-16
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-26
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-8
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-8
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-56
Replacement...............................................5-56
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-34
Windows.......................................................2-14
Manual......................................................2-15
Power........................................................2-15
Windshield
Wiper Blades, Cleaning................................5-71
Windshield Washer.........................................3-12
Fluid..........................................................5-29
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