clutch CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 2007 1.G Owners Manual

LOCK:This position locks the steering wheel,
ignition, shift lever and transaxle. This is the only
position in which you can insert or remove the
key. If the steering wheel is locked, move it from
right to left and turn the key to ACC (Accessory).
ACC (Accessory):This position operates
some of the electrical accessories, such as the
radio, but not the climate control system.
ON:This is the position the switch returns after you
start the engine and release the key. The switch
stays in ON when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use ON to
operate the electrical accessories, and to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
START:This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The switch
returns to ON for normal driving. Do not turn
the key to START if the engine is running.
Even if the engine is not running, ACC and ON
allow you to operate electrical accessories,
such as the radio.Starting the Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine does not start in any other
position — that is a safety feature. To restart
when the vehicle is already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift
into PARK (P) only when your vehicle is
stopped.
Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the
parking brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
to the floor and start the engine. Your vehicle will
not start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down — that is a safety feature.
107

Hold Mode Functions
Winter Function
Select hold mode while in AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D), THIRD (3) or SECOND (2) to
help the vehicle maintain traction on slippery road
surfaces, such as snow, mud, or ice.
Manually Controlling Shift
Select hold mode to use your automatic transaxle
like a four-speed manual transaxle.
Manual Transaxle Operation
Five-Speed
This is the shift pattern
for a Five-Speed
transaxle.Here is how to operate a manual transaxle:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal
as you press the accelerator pedal.
Shift into FIRST (1) while you are going less than
20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift into FIRST (1),
put the shift lever in NEUTRAL and let up on
the clutch. Press the clutch pedal back down. Then
shift into FIRST (1).
SECOND (2):Press the clutch pedal as you let
up on the accelerator pedal and shift into
SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5):Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5), the same
way you do for SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the
clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press
the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops,
press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and
shift to NEUTRAL.
114

NEUTRAL:Use this position when you start or
idle the engine.
REVERSE (R):To back up, press down the
clutch pedal, lift up the ring on the shift lever and
shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
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.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along with the parking
brake, for parking your vehicle.Shift Speeds
{CAUTION:
If you skip a gear when you downshift,
you could lose control of your vehicle.
You could injure yourself or others. Do
not shift down more than one gear at a
time when you downshift.
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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.
119

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when
you are not using cruise, you might hit a
button and go into cruise when you do not
want to. You could be startled and even
lose control. Keep the cruise control switch
off until you want to use cruise control.
The cruise control
pad is located on
the right side of the
steering wheel.
1. Press the ON/OFF button to turn cruise
control on.
2. Accelerate to the speed you want.3. Press the SET button and release it.
An indicator light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on to show that the cruise
control is on. SeeCruise Control Light
on page 176.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set to a desired speed and
then turned off by applying the brake or clutch
pedal, if you have a manual transaxle, this shuts
off the cruise control. However, it does not need to
be reset. Once you are going about 24 mph
(39 km/h) or more, you can briefly press the
RESUME button.
The vehicle will go back to your chosen speed
and stay there.
If the RESUME button is held, the vehicle will
keep going faster until the button is released or
you apply the brake pedal. Do not hold the
RESUME button, if you do not want the vehicle
speed to keep increasing.
146

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills
depends upon your speed, load and the steepness
of the hills. When going up steep hills, you may
have to step on the accelerator pedal to maintain
your speed. When going downhill, you may
have to brake or shift to a lower gear to keep your
speed down. Applying the brake pedal will turn
off the cruise control. Many drivers find this to be
too much trouble and do not use cruise control
on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
•Step lightly on the brake pedal, or press
the clutch pedal, if you have a manual
transaxle.
•Press the ON/OFF button on the cruise
control pad.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory can be
erased by turning off the cruise control or
the ignition.
Exterior Lamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp band has three positions:
2(Headlamps):Turn the band to this position
to turn on the headlamps, together with the
following:
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamp
•Instrument Panel Lights
The headlamps will turn off automatically when the
ignition switch is turned to LOCK or ACC.
Uplevel shown, Base similar
148

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

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

It is not necessary to regularly check the fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system.
Adding fluid will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
how often you should check the fluid level in
your master cylinder reservoir and for the proper
fluid. SeePart B: Owner Checks and Services
on page 374andPart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 382.
How to Check and Add Fluid
You do not need to check the fluid level unless
you suspect a clutch problem. To check the
fluid level, look on the side of the reservoir. If the
fluid reaches the MAX (A) mark on the reservoir,
the fluid level is correct. The reservoir is
located near the back of the engine compartment
on the driver’s side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 258for
more information on location.
267