brakes CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system. The
regular brakes must be applied 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 118.
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 the transaxle,
seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow on page 235.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, the 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.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is
for normal driving.
Notice:Driving your vehicle if you notice that
it is moving slowly or not shifting gears as
you increase speed may damage the transaxle.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
THIRD (3):This position is also used for normal
driving, however, it offers more power and lower
fuel economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):
•When driving on hilly, winding roads.
•When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position gives you more power
but lower fuel economy. Use SECOND (2) on
hills. It can help control the vehicles speed as you
go down steep mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Do not drive in SECOND (2) at speeds
over 65 mph (105 km/h), or you can damage
the transaxle. Use THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) as much as possible. Do not
shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than 65 mph (105 km/h) or you can
damage your engine.FIRST (1):This position gives you even more
power but lower fuel economy than SECOND (2).
Use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or
mud. If the shift lever is put in FIRST (1),
the transaxle does not shift into first gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or
parking brake to hold the vehicle in place.
If there is a malfunction with the automatic
transaxle, the Check Engine Light or the HOLD
indicator light will turn on or flash. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 172orHold Mode Light
on page 170.
Take your vehicle to your dealer as soon as
possible.
112

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 117.
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)
An 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 110.
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. The shift-lock
release slot is located at the top of the
shift lever.
118

;(Parking Lamps):Turn the band to this
position to turn on the parking lamps, together
instrument panel lights, taillamps, and license
plate lamp.
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.The DRL system will make your low-beam
headlamps come on in daylight when the following
conditions are met:
•The ignition is on.
•The exterior lamp band is in OFF or in the
parking lamp position.
•The parking brake is released.
An indicator light will come on when the DRL are
on. SeeDaytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light on page 176.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, parking lamps and instrument
panel lights will not be illuminated unless you
have turned the exterior lamps control to
the parking lamp or headlamp position.
The DRL system will turn off when one of the
following conditions are met:
•The ignition is off.
•The parking brakes are on.
•The high-beam headlamps are on.
•The low-beam headlamps are on.
•The flash-to-pass feature is used.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the
regular headlamp system when you need it.
149

Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
If your vehicle has an
Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), this light will
come on when the
ignition is turned to
ON and may stay on
for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to LOCK.
If the light comes on, stop as soon as possible and
turn the ignition off.Then start the engine again to reset the system.
If the light still stays on, or comes on again
while you are driving, your vehicle needs service.
See your dealer. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, you still have brakes, but
you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you do not
have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem
with your regular brakes. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 168.
The ABS warning light will come on briefly when
you turn the ignition to ON. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it fixed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
169

Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle
go where you want it to go. They are the brakes,
the steering, and the accelerator. All three systems
have to do their work at the places where the
tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 249.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 168.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might
be less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
210

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-GM accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 249.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle may have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel will
come on briefly
when you start your
vehicle.
211

Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at
each wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed
to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
212

Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not
have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You may feel a slight brake pedal pulsation
or notice some noise, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a
situation that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you do not have ABS, your
first reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and
hold it down — may be the wrong thing to do.Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the
vehicle cannot respond to your steering.
Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was
headed when the wheels stopped rolling. That
could be off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking
while maintaining steering control. You can do this
by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily
increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to
squeeze the brakes hard without locking the
wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding,
ease off the brake pedal. This will help you
retain steering control. If you do have ABS, it is
different. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
on page 211.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
213

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much more effort.
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
If your vehicle has this optional steering system,
the steering system continuously adjusts the effort
you feel when steering at all vehicle speeds.
It provides ease when parking, yet a firm, solid
feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving
on curves. The traction of the tires against the
road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to
change its path when you turn the front wheels.If there is no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle
going in the same direction. If you have ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you will
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of your tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both
control systems — steering and braking — have
to do their work where the tires meet the road.
Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes,
adding the hard braking can demand too much of
those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering
through a sharp curve and you suddenly
accelerate. Those two control systems — steering
and acceleration — can overwhelm those
places where the tires meet the road and make
you lose control.
214