lock CHEVROLET OPTRA 2005 1.G Owner's Guide

PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is 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). SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 2-28.Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle
shift lock control system. You have to apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition key is in ON. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P)
while holding the brake pedal down, seeShifting Out
of Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle) on page 2-29.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
When shifting from NEUTRAL (N) to REVERSE (R), you
must press down on the shift lever while shifting.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, seeIf
You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-27.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart while you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
2-22

Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic
Transaxle)
{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. 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, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pushing the
lever toward the passenger side of the vehicle and
then up.
3. Turn the ignition to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move
the shift lever away from PARK (P). If you can, it means
that the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-28

Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 2-28.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, so you
can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
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 2-21.
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, like a screwdriver. The
shift-lock release slot is located at the top of the
shift lever.
2-29

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.Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, do the following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down and firmly apply the
parking brake.
2. Fully press in the clutch pedal and place the shift
lever into the gear position as stated below:
•When parking on level ground, place the shift
lever into NEUTRAL.
•When parking downhill, place the shift lever in
REVERSE (R).
•When parking uphill, place the shift lever in
FIRST (1).
3. After shifting, turn the ignition to LOCK, remove the
key and release the clutch.
2-30

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
Cruise Control..............................................3-12
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-15
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-15
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-15
Fog Lamps..................................................3-16
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-17
Dome Lamp.................................................3-17
Map Lamps.................................................3-18
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-18
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-19
Clock..........................................................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-24
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-24Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-26
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-28
Trip Odometer..............................................3-28
Tachometer.................................................3-28
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-29
Safety Belt Reminder Tone............................3-29
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-29
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-30
Charging System Light..................................3-32
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-32
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-33
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light...........................................3-34
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-34
Hold Mode Light...........................................3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-35
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-38
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-39
Cruise Control Light......................................3-39
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-40
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light...........................................3-40
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-24.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
C. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
D. Digital Clock. SeeClock on page 3-20.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-42.
F. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17.G. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
H. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-8.
I. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-21.
J. Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-19.
K. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-19.
L. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-35.
3-5

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-24.
B. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
C. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
D. Digital Clock. SeeClock on page 3-20.
E. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-42.
F. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. See
Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-17.
G. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
H. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-52.I. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-8.
J. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-12.
K. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-21.
L. Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-19.
M. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-19.
N. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-35.
3-7

Tilt Wheel
Your vehicle has a tilt wheel which allows you to adjust
the steering wheel before you drive. You can raise it
to the highest level to give your legs more room when
you exit and enter the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located under the steering column.
To tilt the steering wheel, hold the wheel and push the
lever away from you. Then, move the wheel to a
comfortable position and pull the lever toward you to
lock the wheel in place.
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
•Turn and Lane-Change Signals. SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-10.
•Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer. SeeHeadlamp
High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-10.
•Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-10.
•Exterior Light Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-15.
•Fog Lamps, if equipped. SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-16.
Uplevel shown, Base similar
3-9

Windshield Washer
To wash your windshield, pull the windshield
wiper/washer lever toward you with the ignition
turned to ON.
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
When you release the lever, the washers will stop, but
the wipers will continue to wipe for about two or
three cycles and will either stop or will resume at the
speed you were using before.
Rear Window Washer/Wiper
Your vehicle may have a rear window washer/wiper.
Operate the rear window washer/wiper system by
pushing the windshield wiper/washer lever away from
you. The wiper operates continuously when the lever is
in the first position. Washer fluid sprays onto the rear
window and the wiper operates continuously when
the lever is pushed to the second position.
Cruise Control
If your vehicle has cruise control, you can maintain a
speed of about 24 mph (39 km/h) or more without
keeping your foot on the accelerator. This can really
help on long trips. Cruise control does not work at
speeds below 24 mph (39 km/h).
When you apply your brakes, or the clutch pedal
if you have a manual transaxle, the cruise control
turns off.
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause needless wheel spinning,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
3-12

Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp band has three positions:
3(Headlamps):Turn the band to this position to turn
on the headlamps, together with the following:
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamp
•Instrument Panel Lights
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the band to this position to
turn on the parking lamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
If your parking lamps are on and you remove the
ignition key and open the door, they will automatically
turn off to prevent the battery from being discharged.
OFF:Turn the band to this position to turn all lamps off
except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
Headlamps on Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition turned to
LOCK or ACC while leaving the lamps on, you will
hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Uplevel shown, Base similar
3-15