2007 CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 towing

Seats and Restraint Systems
....................... 7
Front Seats
.............................................. 9
Rear Seats
............................................. 16
Safety Belts
............................................ 18
Child Restraints
...................................... 38
Airbag System
........................................ 66
Restraint System Check
......................... 84
Features and Controls
................................ 87
Keys
....................................................... 89
Doors and Locks
.................................... 95
Windows
............................................... 100
Theft-Deterrent Systems
....................... 103
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
....... 105Mirrors
.................................................. 123
Storage Areas
...................................... 126
Sunroof
................................................ 131
Instrument Panel
....................................... 133
Instrument Panel Overview
................... 136
Climate Controls
................................... 155
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
.......................................... 161
Audio System(s)
................................... 178
Driving Your Vehicle
................................. 205
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
..................................... 206
Towing
................................................. 241
2007 Chevrolet Optra Owner ManualM
1

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come
on briefly when you turn
the ignition to ON. If it
does not come on then,
have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not fully release. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal
may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 241.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
168

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle............................................ 206
Defensive Driving...................................... 206
Drunken Driving........................................ 207
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 210
Braking...................................................... 210
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 211
Braking in Emergencies............................. 213
Steering.................................................... 214
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 216
Passing..................................................... 217
Loss of Control.......................................... 219
Driving at Night......................................... 220
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 222City Driving............................................... 225
Freeway Driving........................................ 226
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 227
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 228
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 229
Winter Driving........................................... 231
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.......................................... 235
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 236
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 236
Towing........................................................ 241
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 241
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 242
Towing a Trailer........................................ 243
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
205

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R)
and a forward gear, or with a manual transaxle,
between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and
REVERSE (R), spinning the wheels as little as
possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you
shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free your
vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle out
after a few tries, it may need to be towed out.
If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 241.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
Maximum Load weight and includes the weight of
all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
options. Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight it may properly carry; the Tire and
Loading Information label and the Certification
label.
{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.
236

{CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can
strike and injure people in a sudden stop
or turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of your vehicle.
In a trunk, put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the weight
evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like
suitcases, inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above the tops of
the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured child
restraint in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded down
unless you need to.
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing
service if you need to have your disabled vehicle
towed. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 394.
If you want to tow your vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes (such as
behind a motorhome), see “Recreational Vehicle
Towing” following.
241

Recreational Vehicle Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means towing your
vehicle behind another vehicle, such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common types of
recreational vehicle towing are known as “dinghy
towing” (towing your vehicle with all four wheels
on the ground) and “dolly towing” (towing
your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and
two wheels up on a device known as a “dolly”).
With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See “Dinghy
Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
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 227.
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.
242

Dolly Towing
Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear
with the front wheels on the ground could
cause transaxle damage. Do not tow the
vehicle from the rear with the front wheels
on the road.
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow
your vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Turn the ignition to ACC.3. Put the vehicle in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Set the parking brake and then remove
the key.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position.
6. Release the parking brake.
Towing a Trailer
Do not use your vehicle to tow a trailer. The vehicle
is not designed or intended for such a use. Towing
a trailer can adversely affect handling, durability
and fuel economy.
243

For prompt and efficient assistance when calling,
please provide the following to the Roadside
Assistance Representative:
•Your name, home address, and home
telephone number.
•Telephone number of your location.
•Location of the vehicle.
•Model, year, color, and license plate number.
•Odometer reading, Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN), and delivery date of the vehicle.
•Description of the problem.
While we hope you never have the occasion to
use our service, it is added security while traveling
for you and your family. Remember, we are
only a phone call away. U.S. customers call
Chevrolet Roadside Assistance:1-800-CHEV-USA
(1-800-243-8872), text telephone (TTY) users,
call1-888-889-2438, Canadian customers
call1-800-268-6800.Chevrolet and General Motors of Canada Limited
reserve the right to limit services or reimbursement
to an owner or driver when, in their sole discretion,
the claims become excessive in frequency or type
of occurrence.
Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in
the coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Chevrolet and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to make any
changes or discontinue the Roadside Assistance
program at any time without notification.Towing and Road Service Exclusions
Specifically excluded from Roadside Assistance
coverage are towing or services for vehicles
operated on a non-public roadway or highway,
fines, impound towing caused by a violation
of local, Municipal, State, Provincial, or Federal
law, and mounting, dismounting or changing
of snow tires, chains, or other traction devices.
397