2005 CHEVROLET OPTRA Engine

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK in each shift lever position.
•With an automatic transaxle, the ignition should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
•With a manual transaxle, the ignition should turn to
LOCK only when you press the key release button.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right. It
should only lock when turned to the right.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
•To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
•To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-21

Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. SeeEngine Exhaust
on page 2-31.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
6-23

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets
GM Standard GM6094M and
displays the American Petroleum
Institute Certified for Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. GM
Goodwrench
®oil meets all the
requirements for your vehicle. To
determine the proper viscosity for
your vehicle’s engine, seeEngine
Oil on page 5-14.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water (preferably distilled) and good
quality Ethylene Glycol Base Coolant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12378560, in
Canada 993089) and conforming to
GM Specification 1825M or recycled
coolant conforming to GM
Specification 1825M. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-20.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Power Steering
SystemDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid. Look for
“Approved for the H-Specification” on
the label.
6-24

Courtesy Transportation is available only at participating
GM dealers and all program options, such as shuttle
service, may not be available at every dealer. Please
contact your GM dealer for specific information
about availability. All Courtesy Transportation
arrangements will be administered by appropriate
dealer personnel.
Canadian Vehicles:For warranty repairs during the
Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General
Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
alternative transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult
your dealer for details.
General Motors reserves the right to unilaterally modify,
change or discontinue Courtesy Transportation at
any time and to resolve all questions of claim eligibility
pursuant to the terms and conditions described
herein at its sole discretion.Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a
number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor
and control several aspects of the vehicle’s performance.
Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers to monitor
emission control components to optimize fuel economy,
to monitor conditions for airbag deployment and, if so
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help the
driver control the vehicle in difficult driving situations.
Some information may be stored during regular
operations to facilitate repair of detected malfunctions;
other information is stored only in a crash event by
computer systems, such as those commonly called event
data recorders (EDR).
In a crash event, computer systems, such as the Airbag
Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) in your vehicle
may record information about the condition of the vehicle
and how it was operated, such as data related to
engine speed, brake application, throttle position, vehicle
speed, safety belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag
performance, and the severity of a collision. This
information has been used to improve vehicle crash
performance and may be used to improve crash
performance of future vehicles and driving safety. Unlike
the data recorders on many airplanes, these on-board
systems do not record sounds, such as conversation of
vehicle occupants.
7-9

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you will notify
General Motors. Please call the Chevrolet Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair
service procedures, adjustments, and specifications for
GM transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
7-11

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-18
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-62
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-75
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-17
Air Conditioning..............................................3-21
Airbag
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-30
Readiness Light..........................................3-29
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-48
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-62
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-55
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-58
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-62
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................1-55
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?....1-56
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................1-53
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-51
Antenna, Backglass.........................................3-54
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-33Appearance Care............................................5-66
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-71
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-73
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-70
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-67
Finish Care.................................................5-70
Finish Damage............................................5-72
Glass Surfaces............................................5-69
Instrument Panel.........................................5-69
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-69
Leather......................................................5-68
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-72
Tires..........................................................5-72
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-73
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-74
Vinyl..........................................................5-68
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-69
Weatherstrips..............................................5-69
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-71
Ashtrays........................................................3-19
Audio System(s).............................................3-42
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-52
Backglass Antenna......................................3-54
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-53
Care of Your CDs........................................3-53
Radio with CD....................................3-42, 3-46
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-53
1

Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-21
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-54
Battery..........................................................5-33
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-20
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-27
System Inspection.......................................6-23
System Warning Light..................................3-32
Brakes..........................................................5-30
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-38
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-42
Fog Lamps.................................................5-40
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-39
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-38
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-37
Headlamps.................................................5-38Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-43
Sidemarker Lamps.......................................5-41
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-42
Turn Signal Lamps......................................5-40
Buying New Tires...........................................5-54
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specifications............................5-82
Carbon Monoxide...........2-11, 2-13, 2-31, 4-23, 4-35
Care of
Your CD Player...........................................3-53
Your CDs ...................................................3-53
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-42
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts.....1-24
Chains, Tire...................................................5-57
Charging System Light....................................3-32
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-36
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-73
2

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-31
Infants and Young Children...........................1-27
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-39
Older Children.............................................1-25
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-43
Top Strap...................................................1-35
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-36
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-34
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-71
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-70
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-67
Finish Care.................................................5-70
Glass Surfaces............................................5-69
Instrument Panel.........................................5-69
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-69
Leather......................................................5-68
Tires..........................................................5-72
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-73Cleaning (cont.)
Vinyl..........................................................5-68
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-69
Weatherstrips..............................................5-69
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-71
Climate Control System...................................3-21
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-24
Clock............................................................3-20
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-19
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-66
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-37
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-35
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-23
Cooling System..............................................5-24
Cruise Control Lever.......................................3-12
Cruise Control Light........................................3-39
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-35
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
3