2005 CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 Capacity

Roof Rack (Wagon Only)
{CAUTION:
If you try to carry something on top of your
vehicle that is longer or wider than the roof
rack— like paneling, plywood, a mattress and
so forth — the wind can catch it as you drive
along. This can cause you to lose control.
What you are carrying could be violently torn
off, and this could cause you or other drivers
to have a collision, and of course damage your
vehicle. You may be able to carry something
like this inside. But, never carry something
longer or wider than the roof rack on top of
your vehicle.
A roof rack allows you to load things on top of your
vehicle. The roof rack has side rails attached to the roof.
These let you load some things on top of your vehicle,
as long as they are not wider or longer than the
roof rack.Notice:Loading cargo on the roof rack that weighs
more than 220 lbs (100 kg) or hangs over the rear
or sides of the vehicle may damage your vehicle.
Load cargo so that it rests on the slats as far
forward as possible and against the side rails,
making sure to fasten it securely.
Don’t exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-28.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re
driving, check now and then to make sure cargo is still
securely fastened.
Rear Seat Armrest
Your vehicle may have a rear seat armrest that contains
two cupholders. To access the cupholders, pull the
armrest down from the rear seatback.
Convenience Net
The convenience net can help keep small loads from
moving during sharp turns or quick starts and stops.
Hang the four net hooks in the metal rings on each
corner of the floor.
2-37

Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you
about how much fuel you
have left when the
ignition is turned to ON.
When the tank nears empty, the low fuel warning light
will come on. You still have a little fuel left, but you
should get more soon. SeeLow Fuel Warning Light on
page 3-41for more information.
Here are four things that some owners ask about. None
of these show a problem with your fuel gage:
•At the service station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
•It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to
fill the tank.
•The indicator moves a little when you turn a corner
or speed up.
•The gage goes back to empty when you turn off the
ignition.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light comes on when
the fuel tank is low on fuel.
The low fuel warning light comes on when there is
approximately 2.0 gallons (7.5 liters) of fuel remaining in
the tank.
To turn the light off, add fuel to the fuel tank. SeeFilling
Your Tank on page 5-7.
3-41

Tire and Loading Information Label
A vehicle specific tire and loading information label
shows the seating capacity and the maximum load your
vehicle can properly carry. This label also contains
your vehicle’s original equipment tire size and the
recommended tire inflation pressure. For more
information on tires and inflation seeTires on page 5-45
Tires andInflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-51
Inflation - Tire Pressure. The tire and loading information
label is attached inside the glove box for the sedan
and hatchback models. The tire and loading information
label for the wagon is attached to the vehicle’s center
pillar, below the driver’s door latch.
There is also important loading information on the
Certification label. It tells you the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for the front and rear axle; see “Certification
Label” later in this section. Label Example – Sedan/Hatchback
Label Example – Wagon
4-29

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the “Maximum Load” amount printed on
the Tire and Loading Information label.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from the maximum load amount,
shown in pounds and kilograms.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
the “maximum load” amount equals 1400 lbs
and there will be five 150 lb passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs
(1400−750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
Item Description Total
AVehicle Maximum Load
for Example 1=1,000 lbs (453 kg)
BSubtract Occupant
Weight 150 lbs
(68 kg)×2=300 lbs (136 kg)
CAvailable Occupant and
Cargo Weight=700 lbs (317 kg) Example 1
4-30

Certication Label
A vehicle specific certification label is attached to the
center pillar, near the driver’s door latch. This label tells
you the gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel and cargo. Never exceed the GVWR for your
vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out.
{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.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle — like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else — they will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash, they will keep going. Label Example
4-32

Here are some important things to consider before you
do recreational vehicle towing:
•What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle?
Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
•How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they can tow.
•Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering professional for
additional advice and equipment recommendations.
•Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you
would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you
will want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to
be towed. SeeBefore Leaving on a Long Trip
on page 4-20.
Dinghy Towing
Notice:If you tow your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground, the drivetrain components could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not tow your vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground.
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all
four wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must
be towed, you should use a dolly. See “Dolly Towing”
that follows for more information.
4-34

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

Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger car tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as the
first character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U. S.
Tire and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is 70, as shown in item C of the
illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
70% as high as it is wide.(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The letter
R means radial ply construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and the speed rating of a tire. The
load range represents the load carry capacity a tire is
certified to carry. The speed rating is the maximum
speed a tire is certified to carry a load. Speed ratings
range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kiloPascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
5-48