traction control CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 2006 1.G User Guide

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as well
because your tire-to-road traction is not as good as on
dry roads. And, if your tires do not have much tread
left, you will get even less traction. It is always wise to
go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while
you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when
your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement.The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain
can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even
people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled with washer fluid. Replace your windshield
wiper inserts when they show signs of streaking or
missing areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber
start to separate from the inserts.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They will not
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even
going through some car washes can cause problems,
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid
puddles. But if you cannot, try to slow down before you
hit them.
4-16

Service
Your dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to
be happy with it. We hope you will go to your dealer
for all your service needs. You will get genuine GM parts
and GM-trained and supported service people.
We hope you will want to keep your GM vehicle all GM.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
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, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics, durability,
and electronic systems like antilock 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.
5-3

Different Size Tires and Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a different size than
your original equipment wheels and tires, this may
affect the way your vehicle performs, including its
braking, ride and handling characteristics, stability and
resistance to rollover. Additionally, if your vehicle
has electronic systems such as, anti-lock brakes,
traction control, and electronic stability control, the
performance of these systems can be affected.
{CAUTION:
If you add different sized wheels, your vehicle
may not provide an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are selected.
You may increase the chance that you will
crash and suffer serious injury. Only use GM
specic wheel and tire systems developed for
your vehicle, and have them properly installed
by a GM certied technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-59andAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for additional information.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
selection width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the Unites States National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, which grades tires by treadwear,
traction and temperature performance. (This applies
only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger car
tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does not
apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver
or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements.
5-60

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1
1⁄2) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction — AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature — A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel.Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The tires and wheels on your vehicle were aligned and
balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest
tire life and best overall performance. Adjustments to
wheel alignment and tire balancing will not be necessary
on a regular basis. However, if you notice unusual tire
wear or your vehicle pulling to one side or the other, the
alignment may need to be checked. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your
tires and wheels may need to be rebalanced. See your
dealer for proper diagnosis.
5-61

Light (cont.)
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-37
Oil Pressure...............................................3-39
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-30
Safety Belt Reminder Tone...........................3-30
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light..........................................3-35
TCS Warning Light......................................3-36
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning..........3-36
Trunk Ajar..................................................3-42
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-28
Lockout Protection..........................................2-10
Locks
Central Door Unlocking System....................... 2-8
Door ........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door .................................................. 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-13
Loss of Control...............................................4-13
Low Fuel Warning Light...................................3-43
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-4M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-89
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-18
At Least Once a Month................................6-18
At Least Once a Year..................................6-19
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-18
Brake System Inspection..............................6-23
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-23
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-22
Fuel System Inspection................................6-22
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-13
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-18
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-22
PartD-Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-24
PartE-Maintenance Record........................6-26
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-6
8

Throttle System Inspection...............................6-23
Tilt Adjuster, Driver Seat.................................... 1-4
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-9
Time .............................................................3-21
Tires.............................................................5-50
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning..........................5-78
Buying New Tires........................................5-59
Chains.......................................................5-63
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-64
Cleaning....................................................5-79
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-73
Different Size..............................................5-60
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-63
Inflation - Tire Pressure................................5-56
Inspection and Rotation................................5-57
Installing the Spare Tire................................5-69
Removing the Flat Tire.................................5-69
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...............5-66
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools............5-73
Tire Sidewall Labeling..................................5-51
Tire Terminology and Definitions....................5-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-60
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-61
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-62
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-58Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-34
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-33
Traction
Control System (TCS).................................... 4-9
Control System Warning Light.......................3-36
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Fluid, Manual..............................................5-19
Transaxle Operation, Automatic.........................2-20
Transaxle Operation, Manual............................2-24
Trip Odometer................................................3-29
Trunk Ajar Light..............................................3-42
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.........................3-10
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-9
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-74
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-60
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