tow CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 2006 1.G User Guide

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

Sunglasses Storage Compartment
The sunglasses storage compartment is located above
the driver’s door. To open the sunglasses storage
compartment, pull down and hold the upper part of the
cover. To close the compartment, let go of the cover
and the compartment will automatically close.
Front Storage Area
Your vehicle may have a sliding storage tray located
under the front passenger seat. To use the tray, pull up
on the end of the tray and pull it toward the instrument
panel. Push the tray toward the seat to return it to
its original position.
Front Armrest Storage Area
Your vehicle has a front armrest storage area. To open
the storage area, pull up on the lift lever and raise
the lid. To close the storage area, lower the lid and push
it down until it latches securely.
2-35

Cargo Shade (Wagon Only)
Your vehicle is equipped with a cargo shade. Pull the
handle of the shade toward you and insert the retainer
into the slot located on both sides of the tailgate
openings. To remove the shade, release the handle
after pulling it toward you a little. The shade will retract
automatically.
Do not place items on top of the cargo shade.
Hideaway Rear Storage Bins
(Wagon Only)
There are various bins under the luggage compartment
floor. To access the bins, pull floor mat handle
upward.
2-37

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 3-16.
•Fog Lamps, if equipped. SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-17.
Uplevel shown, Base similar
3-9

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is finished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will flash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever until
the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you complete
your lane change. The lever will return by itself when you
release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows flash
rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers
will not see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs. If the arrow still does
not work, check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-82.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high
beam, push the turn signal/multifunction lever away
from you.
When the high beams are
on, a light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on if the
ignition is turned to ON.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
3-10

Windshield Wipers
Use this lever located on the right side of the steering
wheel to operate the windshield wipers. The ignition
must be turned to ON to operate the windshield wipers.HI (High Speed):Move the lever to this position for
wiping at high speed.
LO (Low Speed):Move the lever to this position for
steady wiping at low speed.
INT (Intermittent):Move the lever to this position to
choose a delayed wiping cycle. Turn the band on
the windshield wiper lever toward FAST or SLOW for a
shorter or longer delay between wipes. The wiper
speed can only be adjusted when the lever is in the
INT position.
OFF:Move the lever to this position to turn off the
windshield wipers.
3-11

Misting Function
Move the lever toward, but not completely in, the INT
position for a single wiping cycle. Hold it there until the
windshield wipers start; then let go. The windshield
wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want more wipes,
hold the lever toward INT longer.
Remember that damaged wiper blades may prevent you
from seeing well enough to drive safely. To avoid
damage, be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper
blades before using them.
If they are frozen to the windshield, carefully loosen or
thaw them. If your blades do become damaged, get
new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
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.
3-12

Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on the accessory power outlet.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating. Check
with your dealer before adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
The front ashtray is located at the lower part of the
center of the instrument panel. To remove the bin from
the front ashtray for cleaning, open the ashtray fully,
lift up the inner bin and then pull the bin out.
The rear ashtray is located at the bottom of the rear
center console. Pull the ashtray toward the rear of the
vehicle to open it. To remove the rear ashtray, press
in the retaining spring and pull the bin out.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
The cigarette lighter is located to the right of the front
ashtray. To use it, turn the ignition to ACC or ON, push
the cigarette lighter in all the way and let go. When it
is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating.
3-20

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 4-33.
{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.
3-34

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-3
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).........................4-7
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-8
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Steering......................................................4-10
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12
Loss of Control.............................................4-13
Driving at Night............................................4-15
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-16City Driving..................................................4-18
Freeway Driving...........................................4-19
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-20
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-21
Winter Driving..............................................4-23
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-27
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-28
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-28
Towing..........................................................4-33
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-33
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-34
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-35
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1