2009 OPEL AGILA Owners Manual

9-10Driving and operating
Brake assist
Rapid powerful application of the
brake pedal automatically applies
maximum brake force amplification to
achieve the shortest possible braking
distance under full braking (brake
assist).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full-on
braking is to continue. When the
brake pedal is released, the
maximum brake force amplification is
taken away.
Ride control systems
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP®) 3
The Electronic Stability Program
improves driving stability when
necessary, independently of the type
of road surface and the tyre grip. It
also prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
The system monitors vehicle
movements. As soon as the vehicle
starts to swerve (understeers/
oversteers), engine output is reduced
(the sound of the engine changes)
and individual wheels are specifically
braked. This considerably improves
the driving stability of the vehicle on
snow and ice and on wet or slippery
road surfaces.
ESP
® is ready for operation as soon
as the ignition is switched on and the
control indicators
R, ESP and TCSS OFF extinguish.
When the ESP® comes into action,
control indicator
R flashes rapidly in
the instrument cluster. Some noise or
vibration may be apparent.ESP active control indicator 3 5-10.
Interruption of power supply
If the vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected and reconnected,
ESP
® is deactivated and control
indicator R flashes once per second.
Reactivate ESP® by driving in a
straight line at over 15 km/h (9 mph)
for a few seconds until flashing
ceases. Several seconds may lapse
before the control indicator
extinguishes, depending on road
conditions.
Caution
Do not let this special safety feature
tempt you into taking risks when
driving.
Traffic safety can only be achieved
by adopting a responsible driving
style.

9-11 Driving and operating
Fault
Control indicator
ESP illuminates
during driving if there is a fault with
ESP
®. Seek the assistance of a
workshop to have the cause of the
fault remedied.
ESP fault control indicator 3 5-10.
Traction Control Support
System (TCSS) 3
TCSS is a component part of the
Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)
which helps to maintain driving
stability and prevents the drive
wheels from spinning.
Switching off
With ESP® active, if wheels are stuck
in mud, sand or snow, TCSS can be
switched off when spinning of the
wheels is necessary.
Press button
TCSS OFF; control
indicator TCSS OFF illuminates in the
instrument cluster.
Switch TCSS on when normal driving
is resumed, by pressing button
TCSS OFF again. All ESP® systems
are reactivated.Control indicator
TCSS OFF illuminates
briefly in the instrument cluster when
the ignition is switched on and may
also illuminate during driving
depending on road surface.
TCSS off control indicator 3 5-10.

9-12Driving and operating
Fuel
Petrol engine fuel
Use only unleaded fuels meeting the
specifications of DIN EN 228.
Refuel using the correct octane
number 3 12-3.
If the RON 95 label is attached to the
tank flap, unleaded fuel with an
octane rating of 95 or higher must be
used.
Diesel engine fuel
Use only diesel engine fuel meeting
the specifications of DIN EN 590.
Marine diesel fuel, fuel oils, diesel
fuels, which are entirely or partially
plant based such as rape seed oil or
bio-diesel, Aquazole and similar
diesel-water emulsions must not be
used.The flow and filterability of diesel
fuels are temperature-dependent.
Fuel filler cap
If replacing the fuel filler cap, be sure
to use the original fuel filler cap for
your model, to ensure full
functionality.
Refuelling
Caution
A fuel of too low an octane can lead
to engine damage.
9 Warning
Before refuelling, switch off the
engine and any heating systems
with combustion chambers.
Switch off mobile phones.
Fuel is inflammable and
explosive, therefore avoid dealing
with fuel near naked flames and
doing anything that would
generate sparks. No smoking!
This also applies where the smell
of fuel is noticeable. If the smell of
fuel vapour occurs in the vehicle
itself, have the cause remedied
immediately by a workshop.
Observe the operating and safety
instructions of the petrol station
when refuelling.

9-13 Driving and operating
The tank flap is opened by pulling up
the release lever located on the
outboard side of the driver’s seat.The fuel filler neck is located on the
left rear side of the vehicle.
To open fuel filler cap: turn it anti-
clockwise.
Fuel consumption,
CO
2emissions
Directive 80/1268/EEC (last changed
by 2004/3/EG) has applied for the
measurement of fuel consumption
since 1996.
The directive is oriented to actual
driving practices: Urban driving is
rated at approx.
1/3 and extra-urban
driving with approx. 2/3 (urban and
extra-urban consumption). Cold
starts and acceleration phases are
also taken into consideration.
The specification of CO
2 emission is
also a constituent of the directive.The figures given must not be taken
as a guarantee for the actual fuel
consumption of a particular vehicle.
All values are based on the EU base
model with standard equipment.
The calculation of fuel consumption
as specified by directive 2004/3/EG
takes account of the vehicle’s kerb
weight, ascertained in accordance
with these regulations. Optional
extras may result in slightly higher
fuel consumption and CO
2emission
levels than those quoted.
Fuel consumption, CO
2emissions
312-4.
Caution
Wipe off any overflowing fuel
immediately.

10-1Vehicle care
Vehicle care General information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend the use of ‘Opel
genuine parts and accessories’
expressly released for your vehicle
type. Do not make any changes to the
vehicle’s electrical systems.
End-of-life vehicle recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle
recovery centres and the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles is available at
www.opel.com.
Vehicle checks
Bonnet .................................. 10-2
Engine oil .............................. 10-3
Engine coolant ...................... 10-4
Windscreen/rear window
washer fluid ........................ 10-5
Windscreen/rear window
wipers ................................. 10-5
Brakes ................................... 10-6
Battery .................................. 10-6
Diesel fuel system, bleeding . 10-7
Bulb replacement .................. 10-7
Fuses .................................... 10-11
Wheels .................................. 10-15
Tyre repair kit 3 ..................... 10-18
Wheel changing .................... 10-22
Jump starting 3 ..................... 10-26
Towing .................................. 10-28
Interior care........................... 10-29
Exterior care ......................... 10-30
9 Warning
Only carry out engine
compartment checks when the
ignition is switched off.
The cooling fan can start to
operate unexpectedly, even when
the ignition is switched off.
9 Danger
Electronic ignition systems
generate very high voltages. Do
not touch the ignition system; high
voltage can be fatal.

10-2 Vehicle care
Bonnet
To open the bonnet, pull release
lever/ located on the driver’s side of
the vehicle, below the instrument
panel.Locate the safety catch on the
underside of the bonnet, push the
catch to the left and lift the bonnet. To hold the bonnet in the open
position, disengage the support rod
from its retaining clip.
Air intake 3 8-6.

10-3Vehicle care
To close, lift bonnet slightly, release
the support rod from the hole and
press it back into its retaining clip.
Lower the bonnet gradually, allowing
it to drop from a height of approx.
30 cm.
Check that the bonnet is locked in
position before driving, by pulling at
its front edge. If it is not engaged,
repeat closing procedure.
Engine oil
Information on engine oil is in the
chapter “Service and maintenance”
311-6.
We recommend the engine oil level is
checked before starting a long trip.
The engine oil level must be checked
with the vehicle horizontal and with
the engine (which must be at
operating temperature) switched off.
Wait a few minutes before checking
the level to allow the normal oil
accumulation in the engine to drain
back into the oil pan.
Pull out dipstick from the tube, wipe it
clean and re-insert it as far as it will
go. After pulling the dipstick out again, check the engine oil level,
ensuring it is between the lower and
upper (MIN and MAX) marks.
The illustrations show checking the
engine oil in the K 10 B and K 12 B
petrol engines and the diesel engines
respectively.
Top up if the engine oil level has
dropped to the "add oil" lower mark
(MIN mark).

10-4 Vehicle care
When replenishing, attempt to use
the same type of engine oil as used at
the last oil change.
The engine oil level must not go
above the upper (MAX) mark on the
dipstick.
Capacities 3 12-5.
Engine oil life monitor 3 3 5-14.
Engine coolant
Antifreeze and corrosion
protection
The antifreeze provides freeze
protection down to -28 °C.
Coolant level
The illustrations show the LOW and
FULL coolant level marks in the
petrol and diesel engines
respectively.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be drained
or syphoned out.
Caution
Use only approved antifreeze.
9 Warning
Allow engine to cool down before
removing coolant filler cap. If
steam is visible, move away from
the vehicle until the engine is
cool.
Remove coolant filler cap
carefully so that pressure can
escape slowly.