2007 CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 fuel

Door Ajar Light
This light will stay on
until all doors are closed
and completely latched.
If the key is in the ignition while the driver’s door
is open, you will also hear a warning chime.
Trunk Ajar Light (Hatchback Only)
This light will come on
when the trunk is not
completely closed.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells
you about how much
fuel you have left when
the ignition is turned
to ON.
When the tank nears empty, the low fuel warning
light will come on. You still have a little fuel
left, but you should get more soon. SeeLow Fuel
Warning Light on page 178for more information.
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Here are four things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with your fuel gage:
•At the service station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
•It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than
the gage indicated. For example, the gage may
have indicated the tank was half full, but it
actually took a little more or less than half the
tank’s capacity to fill the tank.
•The indicator moves a little when you turn a
corner or speed up.
•The gage goes back to empty when you turn off
the ignition.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light comes on
when the fuel tank is
low on fuel.The low fuel warning light comes on when there is
about 2.0 gallons (7.5 liters) of fuel remaining in
the tank.
To turn the light off, add fuel to the fuel tank.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 254.
Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 206. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
•Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
•Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
•Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
•Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses
clean?
•Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inflated to the recommended pressure?
•Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
•Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway
hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the
wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of
awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road
with the same scenery, along with the hum of the
tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make
you sleepy. Do not let it happen to you! If it does,
your vehicle can leave the road in less than a
second, and you could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis?
First, be aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
•Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with
a comfortably cool interior.
•Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors
and your instruments frequently.
•If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get
some exercise, or both. For safety, treat
drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.
228

You can run the engine to keep warm, but be
careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO
(carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO
could overcome you and kill you. You
cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away
snow from around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is blocking the
exhaust pipe. And check around again
from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of
the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must.
This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it
go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat
that you get and it keeps the battery charged.
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You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck, you
will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. And, the transaxle or
other parts of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause an engine compartment
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.
Notice:Spinning the wheels can destroy parts
of your vehicle as well as the tires. If you
spin the wheels too fast while shifting
the transaxle back and forth, you can destroy
the transaxle. SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 236.
For information about using tire chains on your
vehicle, seeTire Chains on page 323.
235

Certication Label
A vehicle specific certification label is attached to
the center pillar, near the driver’s door latch.
This label tells you the gross weight capacity of
your vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel, and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either
the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out. See “Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit” earlier in this section.
{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.
Notice:Overloading your vehicle may cause
damage. Repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Do not overload your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
Label Example
240

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

Service........................................................ 248
Accessories and Modifications................... 249
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 249
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 250
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 251
Fuel............................................................. 251
Gasoline Octane........................................ 251
Gasoline Specifications.............................. 251
California Fuel........................................... 252
Additives................................................... 252
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 253
Filling the Tank......................................... 254
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 256
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 256
Hood Release........................................... 257
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 258
Engine Oil................................................. 260
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 264
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 266Manual Transaxle Fluid............................. 266
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 266
Engine Coolant.......................................... 268
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 271
Engine Overheating................................... 271
Cooling System......................................... 273
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 279
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 280
Brakes...................................................... 281
Battery...................................................... 284
Jump Starting............................................ 285
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 290
Bulb Replacement....................................... 290
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 290
Headlamps................................................ 290
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.......... 292
Turn Signal Lamps (Side).......................... 293
Sidemarker Lamps (Front)......................... 294
Sidemarker Lamps (Rear).......................... 295
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
245