2004 Chevrolet Optra LT from Malaysia - Comments

The auto transmission jerks sometimes when swifting from N to D. Wind coming through the driver side window when the car is traveling above 110KM.

Only one remote control key. Spare key is without remote control. Even my old Citroen's spare key come with remote control.

Fuel consumption higher than what it was stated in the brochure. Currently I am getting about 7km to a liter compared to 10km to a liter stated in the brochure.

Handling is perfect, ride is comfortable. Very stable when travelling above 120KM/hr. Lots of leg and luggage space.

Very good audio system (Blaupunk) with 6 speakers.

I owned new a 1.8 Optra for about 6 months now. Handling & ride comfort are excellent. Cabin noise is minimum, but I think will be better if original tyre to be replaced. The built quality is solid and the car is smooth at high speed.

Fuel consumption is reasonable (about 7 to 8km/liter) for auto transmission and recent gasoline price increased compared to my previous Proton Wira 1.8 manual (10km/liter).

Auto transmission jerks when shifting from N to D only when rough acceleration, eg. sudden shift and go when traffic light turns green. This car needs gentle handling.

Sometimes when car at idling position, engine noise suddenly become harsh, but rpm still maintained at normal reading. "Memang macam itu" ("naturally is like that") was the answer from the authorized service centre which handled my previous Proton car scheduled service.

The car battery water needs to be replenished approx. every 3 weeks as it dries up very quickly which once it couldn't start my car. Again, "memang macam itu" ("naturally is like that") was the answer to my question.

The remote control needs to be operated next to the car and needs a few really hard press before you can armed/disarmed the alarm. The boot release button totally not working. And again, a problem which the authorized service centre can't rectify it and blames on the remote's internal battery.

After 6 mths of ownership, multiple problems risen.

First, a faulty driver's side power window.

Second problem was faulty fuel gauge which always rest at half tank level even the tank was full.

Anyway, despite all the problems above, the car is still a value buy considering the package offered compare to Japanese car at its price range (minus all those service centre experiences).

This optra 1.8Lt actually is really a good car, there are few setbacks for this car. But I think these setbacks are acceptable, but the service centre needs to be providing the best service. Not the "memang macam itu" attitude.

My Optra had now clocked 1200Km in 4 months, so far so good.

Except in the begining, battery was completely flat within a week although I caution them right from the very begining, according to them the problem was solved. Also it was stated in the manual as maintenance free battery, but what I got was not. Service centre claims that manual not updated... (so who's fault?. TPS (throttle positioning valve) was faulty, changed and now smooth. Seat belt was installed oppositely (bad QC). Air bag fault indicator was flashing, which when asked was told as normal by sales man, which was later rectfied after going through the manual, which states that flashing means trouble. Other than these few problems, rest is OK. I'm satisfied. Good car,

superb road handling, nice space. Yes the original tyres are noisy, maybe with other tyres might be more quiet. Its just the service centres need to be more professional, check this example : I wanted to know if I could get the coolant since according to the manual you need to use 50:50 coolant and water to top-up your radiator. A check with the main distrubutor, only Castrol coolant is advisable. So far could'nt get this off the shelves, so when I went to the service centre, they don't have a small bottles which are suitable for customers to buy. When I requested to top-up, they said no need to use coolant just to top-up, water will do... (now who's correct?) Also in the manual was stated to use demineralized water (or air suling), well I'm sure they used tap water. The car's perfect hope the same goes to the service centre's too.

Hi, I also own an Optra, but is 1.6 Auto. Recently, there's this problem of the RPM going above 1, sometimes even 2 at P & N position. Sent back to agent to reset, but problem came back after 1 week. They have rectified the problem again yesterday, but I suspect it may happen again.

This is because the RPM needle is always slightly higher at P & N though not above 1 when compared to D, R,1,2 positions.

Can anyone advise whether this is natural or is there really some problem which I need to consult the service centre?

Thanks.

The car has a superb handling. To reduce the tire noise, I suggest use 60series Michelin Tires. A tire lesser than 60 series caused any car to have stiff handling. A tire with Temperature A grade is sufficient enough for the car as it is equipped with traction controlled system. While a temperature AA grade means a tire has more traction and only long last 10 months.

Engine oil is important for any car engine. Try to change a proper engine oil first. The other way to reduce engine noise is to use a suitable coolant and distilled water. Since it is an Australian Holden engine, the engine effect is different in Australia and Malaysia. Compare the climate between two countries and configure it. For example, the proportion of coolant maybe different or type of engine oil is different. Both country has different altitude and longitude. Just like turbocharged engine respond better in high altitude. That is why Japan has lot of turbocharged models.

Anyway, the workshop should know better.

Hi, to the person who's having problem with his 1.6 Optra,

which is due to high r.p.m (above 1 when in P or R).

I had the same problem too, it causes a jerk when you shift from R to D or to other gears. My problem was the TPS (throttle positioning sensor), while in idle this sensor controls the r.p.m, after replacing this, the problem was solved. Its really smooth now. Also should we use distilled water to top up the radiator tank too?

If yes, where do we get this water? Anyone had tried taking this car to top speed? I manage to bring to 180km/hr. Is this the maximum? Mine is 1.8cc.

Most of the comments on fuel consumption above thus far is related to the Optra 1.8L model. Does anyone have fuel consumption numbers for the Optra 1.6L model (preferably in km per litre)? Thanks much!

I am driving the Optra 1.6A. My wife drives it most of the time, about 60 % on highway, and 40% urban driving. Fuel consumption is about 20% higher than more efficient Japanese engines - reckon about 10.5 to 11 km/litre.

As for high rpm; I got the problem, but was resolved. What happened: I press accelerator when starting. Engine control unit then use this as rpm for subsequent starting. Technician reset electronically.

Overall, happy with car - different from lighter cars - stable at high speeds.

EC.

I bought my Optra 1.8 6 months back. So far so good. Smooth. The gearbox is not respond fast enough. Need to press on your brake, shift it to 'D' then release the brake and accelerate. I guest changing a higher grade ATF gear oil will help. But more expensive. Remember to let the engine warm up first for 2-3 minutes before driving it. May save your repair cost. The fuel consumption is depends on an individual's driving habit. Maintain the rpm at 3000 at 4th gear save you lots of petrol. Its noise reduction system is just fair enough and is not good as it was advertised. Overall quality is good. Best value mid size saloon car in Malaysia. But hardly can see any spare parts around. If the original rims are 16-17", front grille same as the Canadian style Optra, and a fuel consumption indicator (liter/100km), It will be no challenge in its category. Hope I can get a half cut from the half cut shop soon.

Is the top speed 180km/hr? Honda Civic 1.6 v-tec can reach 190km/hr.

19 AUG 2005,22.56 I bought Optra 1.8 LT in Oct'04. The car stops after I start it about 4 times a week. Chev's service is to change the garebox. The same occurs again within a month. Chev changed a battery. The car stop while I drive on the road in Aug 29, 05. Chev change the benzene bump. I fear I will not survive. I would very appreciate for any advice.

You guys are so lucky! We have a 1.6L optra and my gosh it really drinks and even gargles gas! City driving is at 5-6 km/l and that's with no traffic. I don't even press the gas pedal too much just to save on gas. I've found out that aside for having a heavy body, the air-con compressor runs continuously and only at high revolutions or low/high freon will the compressor cut-off...that means added load to the car. I asked our dealer to give me a good reason why the design was made like that, but what they say is..."it's for the climate control". My question is "does it have one?"

Hi, I have had many problems. The cabin noise and fuel consumption are not acceptable when compared even with old cars. Also the driving power will drop when starting the air conditioning.

Some tips to lower your fuel consumption.

- Inflate to correct tire pressure -- approx 220

- Check your wheel alignment

- Be gentle with your right foot.

- For an Optra, the fuel tank is not full even after fuel pump auto cut off. You can still pump about 10 litres into the tank. This is due to the design of the tank.

Did you know that your 2004 - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo might not have an accurate speedometer reading?

I have a 2007 Optra LT and found this out when I hooked up my GPS system and there was a difference of 3 to 9 KMH. I wouldn't have even known there was a problem and you might not either. Spoke to GM head office and my dealer and they feel it is no big deal, but I feel it is a safety issue and the speedometer should be accurate.

It seems this issue has been around for a while and no complaints, as you might not even know about it. My dealer though I was nuts when I told them this a week after getting my new 2007 Optra LT.

Check you maybe surprised.

Here is something else I found on a search on the web.

Auto Repair Information » 2004 Chevrolet Aveo LS Wagon

2004 CHEVROLET EPICA, OPTRA ALSO INCLUDED... Description: SPEEDOMETER ACCURACY 7 TO 9% HIGHER THAN ACTUAL.

GM bulletin reads.

Subject: Speedometer Accuracy Higher Than Actual - Keywords IPC miles,mileage odo odometer offset speedo #PIC3779B

(01/15/2007)

Models:

2004 - 2007 Chevrolet Aveo

2004 - 2006 Chevrolet Epica (Canada Only)

2004 - 2007 Chevrolet Optra (Canada Only)

2005 - 2006 Pontiac Wave.

This PI was superseded to add the 2005-2006 Pontiac Wave. Please discard PIC3779A.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the exhibits the symptom (s) described in this PI.

Conditions/Concern:

The speedometer may indicate vehicle speeds higher then actual. For example, the speedometer may indicate 60 mph at an actual 55 mph.

Note: The odometer accuracy is NOT affected as this is a speedometer ONLY issue.

Note: This is characteristic of the current calibration.

Recommendation/Instructions:

This condition is NORMAL at this time; do NOT replace the IPC for this conditions it will NOT repair this speedometer offset condition.

"I have a 2007 Optra LT and found this out when I hooked up my GPS system and there was a difference of 3 to 9 KMH. I wouldn't have even known there was a problem and you might not either. Spoke to GM head office and my dealer and they feel it is no big deal, but I feel it is a safety issue and the speedometer should be accurate."

If this was a standard hand-held GPS, it is not giving you the pinpoint accuracy you might think. A better way to cross check the accuracy of the speedometer, and by definition the odometer, is to use the highway markers and check that they are reading one mile apart on the odometer. Using a stopwatch, doing 60 mph you should pass each mile marker at 60-second intervals. Unless you have a very expensive, survey-grade GPS, it is only truly accurate to within about 50 feet regardless of the "1-meter accuracy" claims on the box.

The same goes for checking speed -- the GPS will be pretty close, usually within 3 mph, which sounds about the range that you're reporting, but they don't have the capability for exactness. It's not the car that's inaccurate, more than likely it's the GPS.