2006 CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 Engine

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
Your automatic transaxle vehicle has an automatic
transaxle shift lock control system which locks the shift
lever in PARK (P) when the ignition is in LOCK. You
have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is turned to
ON. SeeAutomatic Transaxle Operation on page 2-20.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P) while holding the
brake pedal down, try this:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
3. Pry off the cover over the shift-lock release slot
using a small, flat object. The shift-lock release
slot is located at the top of the shift lever.4. Insert the key into the
shift-lock release slot
and press and hold
the key.
5. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
6. Remove the key from the shift-lock release slot,
insert the key into the ignition and start the
engine.
7. Replace the shift-lock release slot cover.
8. Apply and hold the regular brake fully and release
the parking brake.
9. Shift to the gear you want.
10. Have the system fixed as soon as you can.
2-28

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
2-30

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-30.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-23.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 2-26.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-35.
2-31

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-8
Other Warning Devices...................................3-8
Horn .............................................................3-8
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-9
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-9
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................3-10
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................3-10
Flash-to-Pass...............................................3-10
Windshield Wipers........................................3-11
Windshield Washer.......................................3-12
Rear Window Wiper/Washer (Hatchback and
Wagon only).............................................3-13
Cruise Control..............................................3-13
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-16
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-16
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-16
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-17
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-18
Dome Lamp .................................................3-18
Map Lamps .................................................3-19
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-19
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-20
Clock..........................................................3-21Climate Controls............................................3-22
Climate Control System.................................3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-25
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-26
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-27
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-27
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-29
Trip Odometer..............................................3-29
Tachometer.................................................3-29
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-30
Safety Belt Reminder Tone............................3-30
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-30
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-31
Charging System Light..................................3-33
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-35
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...........................................3-35
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-36
Hold Mode Light...........................................3-36
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-37
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-39
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

A/C (Air Conditioning):If your vehicle has air
conditioning, follow these steps to use the system. Start
the engine and set the fan control knob to the desired
fan speed. The air conditioning compressor does
not operate when the fan control knob is in the OFF
position. Press the A/C button to turn the air conditioning
system on and off. When A/C is pressed, an indicator
light in the button will come on to let you know that
air conditioning is activated.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Press the A/C button.
4. Press the recirculation button.
5. Select the coolest temperature.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
?(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air
from coming into the vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering your vehicle or
to help heat or cool the air inside your vehicle more
quickly.
Press this button to turn the recirculation mode on.
When the button is pressed, an indicator light in
the button will come on. Press this button again to
return to outside air mode.
Using the recirculation mode for extended periods may
cause your windows to fog. If this happens, select
the defrost mode.
3-23

Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
or moisture condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from your windshield. Use the defog mode to clear
the windows of fog or moisture and warm the
passengers. Use the defrost mode to remove fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly.
Select one of these available modes from the
right knob.
É(Defog):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the floor outlets. A small amount of air is
also directed to the outboard outlets for the side
windows and to the instrument panel side outlets.
When you select this mode, the system runs the
air-conditioning compressor. To defog the windows
faster, turn the temperature control knob clockwise to
the warmest setting.
0(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to the
windshield and the outboard outlets for the side
windows. A small amount of air is also directed to the
instrument panel side outlets.
When you select this mode, the system runs the
air-conditioning compressor. To defrost the windows
faster, turn the temperature control knob clockwise
to the warmest setting.
Do not drive the vehicle until all windows are clear.
Front Heated Windshield
Your vehicle may have a heated front windshield which
can be used with defog and defrost. This feature will
only work when the ignition is turned to ON.
The front heated windshield uses a heated element to
remove fog or frost from the bottom of the windshield.
<(Rear):Press this button to heat the front
windshield. The button is located below the audio
system. An indicator light in the button will come on to
let you know that the feature is activated. The front
windshield heater will turn off about ten minutes after the
button is pressed. It can also be turned off by pressing
the button again or by turning off the engine. See
“Rear Window and Outside Mirror Defogger” later in this
section for more information on this button.
3-24

Rear Window and Outside Mirror
Defogger
Your vehicle may have a rear window and outside
mirror defogger. This feature will only work when the
ignition is turned to ON.
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window. Before using
this feature, clear as much snow from the rear
window as possible.
<(Rear):Press this button to turn the rear window
and outside mirror defogger on or off. An indicator
light in the button will come on to let your know that the
rear window defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger will turn off about 10 minutes
after the button is pressed. The defogger can also be
turned off by pressing the button again or by turning off
the engine. See “Front Heated Windshield” earlier in
this section for more information on this button.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not attach a
temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Outlet Adjustment
Use the lever located in the center of each outlet to
change the direction of the airflow. Use the thumbwheel
located below the outlets to turn them on and off.
Operation Tips
•
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the flow of air into your vehicle.
•Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
•Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
3-25

Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Your vehicle may have a passenger compartment
air filter. It is located on the passenger side under the
glove box.
The filter traps most of the pollen from air entering the
module. Like your engine’s air cleaner/filter, it may need
to be changed periodically.
To change the passenger compartment air filter, use the
following steps:
1. Remove the four screws from the filter cover located
below the glove box.
2. Remove the filter cover.3. Remove the old passenger compartment air filter.
4. Then reverse the steps to install the new air filter.
Ensure that the new filter is inserted to the correct
air flow.
Wagon shown, Hatchback similar
3-26