2009 OPEL ANTARA maintenance

OPEL Antara
Operation, Safety, Maintenance

5
ContentsHandling characteristics
All Wheel Drive vehicles have a high centre
of gravity due to the increased ground
clearance required for off-road use.
A s w i t h o t h e r v e h i c l e s o f t h i s t y p e , f a i l u r e t o
operate the vehicle correctly may result in
loss of control or an accident.
Please read the sections "All Wheel Drive"
on page 121 and "Driving hints" on
page 127.In brief .........................................................6
Locks, doors, windows ............................ 21
Seats, interior ........................................... 36
Instruments, cont
rols ............................... 70
Lighting .................................................... 94
Infotainment system .............................. 101
Climate control ...................................... 103
Driving and operation .......................... 115
Self-help, vehicle care ........................... 171
Service, maintenance ............................ 206
Technical data ...................................... 215
Index ....................................................... 228

In brief20
Parking the vehicle:
Apply hand brake firmly,
close windows,
switch off engine, remove key,
engage steering column lock,
lock vehicle
6Further information - see pages 22, 128,
radio frequency remote control -
see page 23,
central locking system - see page 25,
anti-theft alarm system - see page 27.
Advice when parking:
z Always apply hand brake firmly and as
firmly as possible on slopes.
z Push key into igniti on switch before
removing (vehicles with automatic
transmission 3: depress foot brake and
shift into P before removing key). Turn
steering wheel until lock is felt to engage
(anti-theft protection).
z If the vehicle is parked on a level surface
or a hill, select 1st gear before switching
ignition off (vehicles with automatic
transmission 3: move selector lever to P ).
Also turn front wheels away from kerb if
parked on an uphill slope.
If the vehicle is parked on a downhill
slope, select reverse gear before
switching ignition off (vehicles with
automatic transmission 3: move selector
lever to P). Also turn front wheels
towards kerb.
z Switch off exterior lamps, otherwise the
headlamp warning device will sound
when the driver’s door is opened.
z Cooling fans may run on after the engine
has been switched off.
z Do not park on easily ignitable surfaces
as hot exhaust system temperatures
could cause the surface to ignite.
That was the most important
information for your first drive in
your Antara in brief.
Your vehicle has still more
instruments and controls,
possibly also optional equipment.

The remaining chapters of the
Owner’s Manual contain
important information on
operation, safety and
maintenance as well as a
complete index.

Climate control103
Climate control
Heating and ventilation system,
air conditioning system
Ventilation, heating and cooling are
combined into one unit that is designed to
provide comfort regardless of the season,
weather or outside temperature.
When cooling is activated, the air is cooled
and dehumidified (dried).
The heating unit heats the air as required in
all operating modes, depending on the
position of the temperature rotary knob.
The air supply can be adjusted to suit
personal requirements by means of the
fan.
Air conditioning system - see page 109.
Electronic Climate Control (ECC) 3
Provides the greatest amount of comfort in
the vehicle interior, regardless of the
weather, outside temperature or season.
To ensure a constant and comfortable
climate in the vehicle, the temperature of
inflowing air, the air flow rate, air
distribution mode, air recirculation mode
and air conditioning are automatically
adapted based on the climate conditions
outside the vehicle and the current
temperature of the vehicle interior.
Electronic Climate Control (ECC) 3 -
see page 111.
Heating and ventilation system,
air conditioning system ................... 103
Electronic Climate Control (ECC) 3... 103
Air vents .............................................. 104
Heated rear window, heated exterior mirrors 3................ 105
Heated front seats 3.......................... 105
Glove compartment cooling 3.......... 105
Heating and ventilation system ........ 106
Air recirculation mode ........................ 109
Air conditioning system...................... 109
Electronic Climate Control (ECC) 3... 111
Air intake ............................................. 114
Pollen filter .......................................... 114
Note ..................................................... 114
Maintenance ....................................... 114

Climate control105
Heated rear window,
heated exterior mirrors 3
Operational only in ignition switch
positions ACC or ON.
Control indicator in button.
Turn off as soon as vision is clear.
Rear window and exterior mirror heating is
switched off automatically after approx.
15 minutes.
To avoid discharging the battery, do not
operate when you are just starting the
vehicle, or if there is a build up of snow or
ice. Operate only with the engine running.
Do not use sharp instruments or abrasive
cleaners on rear window or exterior mirrors,
and avoid scratching or damaging their
heating elements.
Heated front seats 3
Operational only in ignition switch
positions ACC or ON.
Press switch ß on respective side one or
more times to set the desired heat output.
Control indicator in switch indicates which
of the three heating levels is active.
To switch heating off, set heat output to
the lowest level and press the switch again.
The control indicato r will extinguish.
Prolonged use could cause damage to
delicate and thin clothing and burn seat
occupants.
Avoid subjecting seats to heavy impacts,
as this may cause damage to the heating
element.
If temperature continues to rise, turn seat
heating off and consult a workshop.
Glove compartment cooling 3
Cooled air is fed into the glove
compartment through an air opening,
when the air conditioning is turned on.
Rotate adjustment wheel anti-clockwise to
allow the air conditioning to keep the
contents of the glove compartment cool.
Rotate adjustment wheel clockwise to close
air opening when glove compartment
cooling is not required.
General notes and notes on air intake,
pollen filter and maintenance
see page 114.
Press button
Ü=On
Press button Ü again = Off

Climate control114
Air intake
The air intakes in front of the windscreen in
the engine compartment must be kept
clear to allow air intake. Remove any
leaves, dirt or snow.
Pollen filter
The pollen filter cleans dust, soot, pollen
and spores from the air entering from
outside. The active carbon layer 3
eliminates most odours and harmful
ambient gases from the air.
Replace the pollen filter at the intervals
given on pages 206 to 212.
Note
If the windscreen mists up in damp
weather, temporarily set the system as
described under "Window demisting and
defrosting" - see pages 108, 113.
Cooling is most efficient when the windows
are closed. If the interior is extremely hot
due to a long period in strong sunlight,
briefly open the windows and sun roof 3 to
allow hot air to escape quickly.
When cooling (air conditioning
compressor) is switched on, condensation
forms, which is expelled from the underside
of the vehicle.
When cooling is switched on, at least one of
the adjustable centre or side air vents must
be open so that the evaporator does not
ice up due to lack of air movement.
Cooling switches off automatically at low
outside temperatures.
Do not cover the interior temperature
sensor (located below the fan switch) or the
sunlight sensor (located in front of
windscreen defroster vents) as this could
cause the Electronic Climate Control (ECC)
system 3 to malfunction.
Maintenance
To ensure continuously efficient
performance and prolong the life of the air
conditioning system, it must be switched on
for a few minutes once a week, irrespective
of the weather and time of year.
Electronic Climate Control (ECC) 3 handles
this automatically while driving. Air
conditioning compressor operation is not
possible at low outside temperatures.
Malfunctions in the system must not be
rectified by the owner: consult a workshop.

Driving and operation122
Always exercise caution when in slippery
conditions (caused by sand, gravel, water,
snow or ice on the road), in order to
maintain vehicle control.
Use the accelerator to control the vehicle -
keep brake pedal use to a minimum.
zDo not slip the clutch.
z Do not spin the wheels.
z Do not make exaggerated or jerky
steering movements.
Driving a vehicle in snow and ice should be
undertaken with extreme caution:
z Select a gear suitable for the conditions.
z Start the vehicle moving with minimal
engine revs, low gear and combined
clutch and accelerator control.
z Change to a higher gear as quickly as
possible, to keep the engine revs low.
z With automatic transmission 3, select
drive range D and press button n, to
activate the Winter program. Off-road driving
During off-road drivin
g, you will encounter
a variety of driving conditions and
circumstances too numerous to list here.
Always use good judgement and common
sense. If you feel uncomfortable about
tackling a given situation, do not attempt
it.
Avoid protruding objects (such as rocks or
tree stumps) that may damage the
underbody and tyres of your vehicle.
Test the brakes after operating in mud, to
clear excess mud from the braking
surfaces.
Gripping the steering wheel
Terrain conditions can cause rapid and
unexpected movement in the steering,
especially rough terrain. Preparation
The duration, distance and conditions of
the off-road activity determine the extent
of the preparation th
at is required. The
following are given as guidelines.
Know the area where you will be driving,
either by inspection or from terrain maps.
Decide your route in advance and ensure
that it is a vehicular right of way
1).
Make a thorough check of the vehicle.
Check the following:
z Oil, water, fuel, brake and clutch fluid
levels,
z Drive belts,
z Windscreen wipers and washer system,
z Lamps.
Maintenance - see pages 126, 206.
9 Warning
Be ready to deal with these movements
by having a firm grip on the outer rim of
the steering wheel with the thumbs
outside the spokes, to guard against
injury from kickback.
1)Observe national regulations.

Driving and operation126
Maintenance
Certain maintenance operations, e.g.
changes of engine oil, oil filter, air cleaner
element and brake pads, are required
more frequently for severe operating
conditions, e.g. driving on unsurfaced
roads, during thick dust or mud
accumulation, etc.
If the vehicle is driven off-road to a great
extent, the chassis will need regular
inspection.
Your Opel Partner will inform you which
additional service is required between the
normal service intervals, after
consideration of the specific operating
conditions of your vehicle.
Further information - see page 206.
Service checks after wading
After wading, check for the ingress of water
into the following:
zBrake fluid reservoir,
z Air cleaner element,
z Engine,
z Transmission,
z Axles,
z Interior of vehicle.
Renew any lubricating oil or hydraulic fluid
that has a milky appearance, indicating
contamination with water. All Wheel Drive summary
Do
z
Check fuel and tyres, water and oil levels
before venturing off-road.
z Survey on foot before driving off-road,
especially when traversing hillsides,
wading, driving in deep snow and over
ridges.
z Select the correct gear for the conditions.
z Use the engine’s power of acceleration
and deceleration with the correct gear,
to control the vehicle.
z Keep a firm grip on the outer rim of the
steering wheel - keep your thumbs away
from the spokes.
z Drive carefully and be prepared for
emergencies.
z Drive slower under crosswind conditions.
z Approach obstacles and conditions
off-road at the correct angles and with
sufficient momentum to negotiate the
obstacle, but do not put undue strain on
the vehicle.
z Use caution - if you are not sure, do not
do it. Don’tz
Do not venture off-road unless you are
certain that the conditions are capable
of being negotiated safely by you and
your vehicle.
z Do not take unnecessary risks.
z Do not use the brakes excessively, to
maintain steering control.
z Do not change gear on difficult terrain -
depressing the clutch may cause the
vehicle to stop because of drag on the
wheels - or accelerate backwards or
forwards when on a hill.
z Do not ride or slip the clutch.
z Do not spin the wheels if stuck in mud,
sand or snow - they will only dig in
deeper.
z Do not drive at an excessive speed,
especially into corners. Your All Wheel
Drive vehicle has a higher centre of
gravity than conventional vehicles.
Sudden changes of direction can lead to
loss of control.