2005 CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 radiator

What to Use
Use a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand
coolant that meets GM Specification 1825M, which will
not damage aluminum parts. You can also use a
recycled coolant conforming to GM Specification 1825M
with a complete coolant flush and refill. If you use
this coolant mixture, you do not need to add
anything else.
{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 the proper coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you do not
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
5-21

Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located in the rear of
the engine compartment on the driver’s side. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be between the
MAX (A) and MIN (B) marks on the coolant surge
tank. The level rises at engine operation temperature
and drops again when the engine cools down.
Adding Coolant
If the level falls below the MIN (B) mark, add the proper
coolant mixtureat the surge tank,but only when the
engine is cool. If the surge tank is empty, a special fill
procedure is necessary. SeeCooling System on
page 5-24for instructions on “How to Add Coolant to
the Coolant Surge Tank.”
5-22

{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

Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise (left) about two or two and
one-half turns.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. This will
allow any pressure still left to be vented out
the discharge hose.2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
5-27

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture
to the MAX mark on the coolant surge tank. Wait
about five minutes, then check to see if the level is
below the MAX mark. If the level is below the
MAX mark, add additional coolant to bring the level
up to the MAX mark. Repeat this procedure until
the level remains constant at the MAX mark
for at least five minutes.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower than
the MAX mark, add more of the proper mixture
to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches the
MAX mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer, if necessary.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is located toward the
front of the engine compartment on the driver’s side
of the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir location.
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
5-28

24,000 Miles (40 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-52for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +)
27,000 Miles (45 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive
regularly under dusty conditions, the filter may
require replacement more often.
❑Replace engine air cleaner filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-52for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect drive belt(s).
❑Inspect timing belt.❑Drain, flush and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer
perform this service. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-20for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure
test the cooling system and pressure cap.An
Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect EVAP canister, vapor lines and solenoid
valve filter.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote †.)
❑Inspect PCV system.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Change brake/clutch fluid (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first).
33,000 Miles (55 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
36,000 Miles (60 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-52for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
6-8

60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive
regularly under dusty conditions, the filter may
require replacement more often.
❑Replace engine air cleaner filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-52for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
❑Inspect drive belt(s).
❑Replace timing belt.
❑Drain, flush and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer
perform this service. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-20for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure
test the cooling system and pressure cap.An
Emission Control Service.❑Inspect EVAP canister and vapor lines. Replace
solenoid valve filter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Inspect PCV system.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Change brake/clutch fluid (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first).
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
66,000 Miles (110 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-52for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
69,000 Miles (115 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
6-10

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive
regularly under dusty conditions, the filter may
require replacement more often.
❑Replace engine air cleaner filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-52for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace fuel filter.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote †.)
❑Inspect drive belt(s).
❑Inspect timing belt.
❑Drain, flush and refill cooling system.This service can
be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-20
for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.An Emission
Control Service.❑Inspect EVAP canister, vapor lines and solenoid
valve filter.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote †.)
❑Inspect PCV system.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Change brake/clutch fluid (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first).
93,000 Miles (155 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
96,000 Miles (160 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-52for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
6-12