2007 CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 brakes

Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires
meet the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the tires
and the road, you can have a very slippery
situation. You will have a lot less traction, or grip,
and will need to be very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on.
But wet ice can be even more trouble because it
may offer the least traction of all. You can get
wet ice when it is about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and
freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed,
blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution.
Accelerate gently. Try not to break the fragile
traction. If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels
will spin and polish the surface under the tires
even more.
Unless you have the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), you will want to brake very gently,
too. If you do have ABS, seeAnti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) on page 211. This system improves
your vehicle’s stability when you make a hard
stop on a slippery road. Whether you have ABS or
not, you will want to begin stopping sooner than
you would on dry pavement. Without ABS,
if you feel your vehicle begin to slide, let up on the
brakes a little. Push the brake pedal down
steadily to get the most traction you can.
232

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

Accessories and Modications
When you add non-GM accessories to your vehicle
they can affect your vehicle’s performance and
safety, including such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic systems
like anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability
control. Some of these accessories may even
cause malfunction or damage not covered by
warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to complement and
function with other systems on your vehicle.
Your GM dealer can accessorize your vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories. When you go to
your GM dealer and ask for GM Accessories,
you will know that GM-trained and supported
service technicians will perform the work using
genuine GM Accessories.
California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and
systems (including some inside the vehicle), many
fluids, and some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these chemicals.
249

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 264.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 260.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 260.
D. Brake Fluid/Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir.
See “Brake Fluid” underBrakes on page 281
andHydraulic Clutch on page 266.
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 279.F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 273.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 349.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 280.
I. Battery. SeeBattery on page 284.
259

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid
level. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to
the dealership service department and have it
repaired as soon as possible. You may also have
your fluid level checked by your dealer or
service center when you have your oil changed.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid
labeled other than ESSO LT71141 or
TOTAL ATF H50235 may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use ESSO LT71141
or TOTAL ATF H50235 labeled automatic
transaxle uid.
Manual Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid
level. A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for
fluid loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to
the dealership service department and have
it repaired as soon as possible. SeePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 382
for the proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
There is one reservoir for both the brake and the
hydraulic clutch fluid. SeeBrakes on page 281
for more information.
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The master cylinder reservoir
is filled with hydraulic fluid.
266

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The master cylinder
reservoir is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 258
for the location of
the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid
level in the reservoir might go down. The first
is that the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the fluid level goes back
up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of
the brake system. If it is, you should have the
brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later the brakes will not work well, or
will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off the brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak. If you
add fluid when the linings are worn, then you will
have too much fluid when you get new brake
linings. You should add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is done on
the brake hydraulic system
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake uid, it
can spill on the engine. The uid will burn if
the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake uid only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 168.
281

What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brake fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 382.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and
the area around the cap before removing it.
This helps keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 339.
282

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when the
brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal firmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are first applied
or lightly applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to GM torque
specifications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
SeeBrake System Inspection on page 381.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return
to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake
trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without
the vehicle moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
283