steering CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 2007 1.G Owners Manual

There is an airbag
readiness light on the
instrument panel cluster,
which shows the
airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 164for more information.Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
69

{CAUTION:
If something is between an occupant and
an airbag, the airbag might not inate
properly or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury or even
death. The path of an inating airbag must
be kept clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an airbag, and
do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any
other airbag covering. Do not let seat
covers block the ination path of a side
impact airbag.
When Should an Airbag Inate?
The driver’s and right front passenger’s frontal
airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to
severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. But they are
designed to inflate only if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds take into account a variety of desired
deployment and non-deployment events and are
used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in
time for the airbags to inflate and help restrain the
occupants. Whether your frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based on how fast your vehicle
is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit, the
direction of the impact, and how quickly your
vehicle slows down.
If the front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall
that does not move or deform, the threshold
level is about 9 to 14 mph (14 to 23 km/h).
The threshold level can vary, however, with
specific vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat
above or below this range.
71

What Makes an Airbag Inate?
In an impact of sufficient severity, the airbag
sensing system detects that the vehicle is
in a crash. The sensing system triggers a release
of gas from the inflator, which inflates the
airbag. The inflator, the airbag and related
hardware are all part of the airbag modules.
Frontal airbag modules are located inside
the steering wheel and instrument panel.
For seating positions with side impact airbags,
there are also airbag modules in the side of
the seatbacks closest to the door.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal
collisions, even belted occupants can contact the
steering wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection provided
by safety belts. Airbags distribute the force of the
impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper
body, stopping the occupant more gradually.
But the frontal airbags would not help you in
many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear
impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward the airbag.
Side impact airbags would not help you in many
types of collisions, including many frontal or
near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts.
Airbags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then
only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal
collisions for the driver’s and right front
passenger’s frontal airbags, and only in moderate
to severe side collisions for vehicles with side
impact airbags.
73

What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates?
After an airbag inflates, it quickly deflates, so
quickly that some people may not even realize the
airbag inflated. Some components of the airbag
module — the steering wheel hub for the driver’s
frontal airbag, the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s frontal airbag, and for
seating positions with side impact airbags, the side
of the seatback closest to the door — may be
hot for a short time. The parts of the airbag that
come into contact with you may be warm, but
not too hot to touch. There may be some smoke
and dust coming from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver
from seeing out of the windshield or being able
to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent people
from leaving the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag inates, there may be
dust in the air. This dust could cause
breathing problems for people with a
history of asthma or other breathing
trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is
safe to do so. If you have breathing
problems but cannot get out of the vehicle
after an airbag inates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door. If you
experience breathing problems following
an airbag deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically
unlock the doors, turn the interior lamps on,
and turn on the hazard warning flashers when the
airbags inflate. You can lock the doors, turn the
interior lamps off, and turn the hazard warning
flashers off by using the controls for those
features.
74

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors.
If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance
before you modify your vehicle. The phone
numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
SeeCustomer Satisfaction Procedure on
page 388.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modied. How can I nd out
whether this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel,
the instrument panel, or airbag wiring can
affect the operation of the airbag system.
If you have questions, call Customer
Assistance. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 388.
83

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 339.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a
belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers,
and have them repaired or replaced. The airbag
system does not need regular maintenance.Notice:If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag, or an airbag covering on a seatback
(if equipped), the airbag may not work properly.
You may have to replace the airbag module in
the steering wheel, both the airbag module and
the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag, or both the airbag
module and the seatback for seating positions
with a side impact airbag (if equipped). Do not
open or break the airbag coverings.
84

Ignition Positions
The ignition switch
can be turned to
four different
positions with
the key.{CAUTION:
On manual transaxle vehicles, turning the
key to LOCK and removing it will lock the
steering column and result in a loss of
ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause a collision. If you need to turn the
engine off while the vehicle is moving,
turn the key only to ACC. Do not push the
key in while the vehicle is moving.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break
the key. Use the correct key and turn the key
only with your hand. Make sure the key is all the
way in. If it is, turn the steering wheel left and
right while you turn the key hard. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
106

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

Instrument Panel Overview........................ 136
Hazard Warning Flashers.......................... 140
Other Warning Devices............................. 140
Horn.......................................................... 140
Tilt Wheel.................................................. 141
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................. 141
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................. 142
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.......... 142
Flash-to-Pass............................................ 143
Windshield Wipers..................................... 143
Windshield Washer.................................... 144
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
(Hatchback and Wagon Only)................ 145
Cruise Control........................................... 145
Exterior Lamps.......................................... 148
Headlamps on Reminder........................... 149
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)................. 149
Fog Lamps................................................ 150
Instrument Panel Brightness...................... 150
Dome Lamp.............................................. 151
Map Lamps............................................... 151
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver............... 152Accessory Power Outlet(s)........................ 152
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter................ 153
Clock......................................................... 154
Climate Controls......................................... 155
Climate Control System............................. 155
Outlet Adjustment...................................... 159
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............. 159
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators........ 161
Instrument Panel Cluster........................... 161
Speedometer and Odometer...................... 163
Trip Odometer........................................... 163
Tachometer............................................... 163
Safety Belt Reminder Light........................ 164
Safety Belt Reminder Tone....................... 164
Airbag Readiness Light............................. 164
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............. 165
Charging System Light.............................. 167
Brake System Warning Light..................... 168
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light........ 169
Speed Sensitive Power Steering (SSPS)
Warning Light......................................... 170
Section 3 Instrument Panel
133

Hold Mode Light........................................ 170
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 171
Tire Pressure Light.................................... 171
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 172
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 175
Fog Lamp Light......................................... 176
Cruise Control Light.................................. 176
Highbeam On Light................................... 176
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light........................................ 176
Door Ajar Light.......................................... 177
Trunk Ajar Light (Hatchback Only)............. 177
Fuel Gage................................................. 177
Low Fuel Warning Light............................ 178Audio System(s)......................................... 178
Radio with CD (MP3/WMA)....................... 180
Radio with Six-Disc CD (MP3/WMA)......... 186
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD Player)...... 194
Using an MP3 (Radio with Six-Disc
Player)................................................... 198
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.................. 202
Radio Reception........................................ 203
Care of Your CDs..................................... 203
Care of the CD Player.............................. 204
Integrated Windshield Antenna.................. 204
Section 3 Instrument Panel
134