
Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-11
Child Restraints
.......................................1-28
Airbag System
.........................................1-52
Restraint System Check
............................1-65
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-11
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-13
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-15
Mirrors
....................................................2-32
Storage Areas
.........................................2-34
Sunroof
..................................................2-38
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-22
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-27
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-44Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-33
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-39
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-40
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-49
Tires
......................................................5-50
Appearance Care
.....................................5-74
Vehicle Identification
.................................5-81
Electrical System
......................................5-81
Capacities and Specifications
.....................5-88
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
......5-89
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-14
Index................................................................ 1
2006 Chevrolet Optra Owner ManualM

Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Central Door Unlocking System........................2-8
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Door Ajar Reminder........................................2-8
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-9
Lockout Protection........................................2-10
Liftgate........................................................2-10
Windows........................................................2-11
Manual Windows..........................................2-12
Power Windows............................................2-12
Sun Visors...................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent System..................................2-13
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-15
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-15
Ignition Positions..........................................2-16
Starting the Engine.......................................2-17
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-19
Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-20
Manual Transaxle Operation...........................2-24
Parking Brake..............................................2-25Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)......2-26
Shifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle).....2-28
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle).........2-29
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-29
Engine Exhaust............................................2-30
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-31
Mirrors...........................................................2-32
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Manual Mirrors..................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-33
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-33
Outside Heated Mirrors..................................2-34
Storage Areas................................................2-34
Glove Box...................................................2-34
Cupholder(s)................................................2-34
Sunglasses Storage Compartment...................2-35
Front Storage Area.......................................2-35
Front Armrest Storage Area...........................2-35
Roof Rack (Wagon Only)...............................2-36
Rear Seat Armrest........................................2-36
Convenience Net..........................................2-36
Cargo Shade (Wagon Only)...........................2-37
Hideaway Rear Storage Bins (Wagon Only)......2-37
Sunroof.........................................................2-38
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1

Sun Visors
To block out glare you can swing down the visors. You
can also remove them from the center mount and
swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle also has vanity mirrors located on the back
of the sun visors. Swing down the sun visor and lift
the cover to expose the vanity mirror.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Theft-Deterrent System
Your vehicle may have a theft-deterrent system.
The theft-deterrent system will not arm when you lock
the doors using the key or the manual door lock. It
activates only when you use the optional remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Arming the System
To arm the system, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition to LOCK and remove the key from
the ignition.
If the key is inserted in the ignition, the transmitter
will not operate the theft-deterrent system.
2. Close the doors, the windows, the hood, and the
trunk or liftgate.
Make sure the windows are closed, as the system
can be activated even if the windows are open.
2-13

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from any
headlamps behind you. Push or pull the tab for
daytime/night use.
Outside Manual Mirrors
The outside rearview mirrors should be adjusted so you
can see a little of the side of your vehicle when you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Adjust the outside mirrors with the control levers on the
driver’s and passenger’s doors.
The outside rearview mirrors can be folded flat against
the side of the vehicle by pushing them toward the
vehicle.
2-32

Outside Power Mirrors
Your vehicle may have outside power mirrors. The control
for the power mirrors is located on the driver’s side
door trim.
Move the outside power mirror control to L for the left
mirror and to R for the right mirror. If you place the control
in the center position, no movement of the mirror will
occur. To adjust a mirror, press the corresponding edges
located on the four-way control pad to move the mirror in
the direction that you want it to go. The ignition must be
turned to ON to adjust the mirrors.The outside rearview mirrors can be folded flat against
the side of the vehicle by pushing them toward the
vehicle.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex mirror’s
surface is curved so more can be seen from the driver’s
seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles, look farther
away than they really are.
2-33

Outside Heated Mirrors
If your vehicle has this feature, when you operate the rear
window defogger, the heated driver’s and passenger’s
outside power mirrors are warmed to help clear them of
ice and snow. See “Rear Window and Outside Mirror
Defogger” underClimate Control System on page 3-22
for more information.
Storage Areas
Your vehicle has shopping hooks on each front seatback
for your convenience.
Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling the bottom of the handle
upward.
Cupholder(s)
The cupholders are located in the center console and in
the rear seat center armrest. To use the front cupholders,
move the inner support forward or backward. If your
vehicle has rear cupholders, push down the rear seat
center armrest to use them.
2-34

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