Driving and operation131
Fuels, refuelling
Fuel consumption
Optional equipment (e.g. wide tyres,
towing equipment) increases the kerb
weight and, in some cases, also the
permissible Gross Vehicle Weight.
This in turn increases fuel consumption and
reduces the maximum speed of the vehicle.
When the vehicle is new, there is increased
friction between the engine and
transmission components lasting for
several thousand kilometres. This also
increases fuel consumption. Fuel for petrol engines
Commercially available high-quality fuels
are suitable (see page 217). Fuel quality
has a decisive influence on the power
output, driveability and life of the engine.
The additives contained in the fuel play an
important role in this
regard. You should
therefore use only high-quality fuels
containing additives.
Petrol with too low an octane number can
cause pinking. Opel cannot be held liable
for resulting damage.
Petrol with a higher octane number can
always be used.
A dispensing pump for leaded fuel cannot
be inserted in the fuel tank of a vehicle that
must be operated on unleaded fuel only.
Use of petrol with an octane rating of 95
will ensure economical driving Fuel for diesel engines
Diesel engines must be operated only on
commercially available diesel 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
insufficient at low temperatures, as a result
of crystallized paraffins.
Diesel fuels with improved low-
temperature properties are therefore
available on the market during the winter
months. Make sure that you use winter fuel
before the start of the cold weather
season.
Use of diesel fuels with manufacturer-
guaranteed winter properties eliminates
the need for additives.
Driving and operation135
Exhaust gases
Do not run engine in enclosed spaces, e.g.
in a garage, or sit in a parked vehicle for an
extended period with the engine running.
Do not drive with tailgate open. If driving
with the tailgate open is necessary, set fan
to highest speed, close windows and
ensure air recirculation mode is off, to allow
entry of outside air.
If the underbody or rear of vehicle is
damaged or corroded, you notice a
change in the sound of the exhaust system,
or whenever you suspect exhaust gases are
penetrating the vehicle interior, consult a
workshop immediately.
When the vehicle is driven for the first time,
wax and oil on the exhaust system may
evaporate, producing smoke-like emissions
which should not be inhaled. Allow wax
and oil to evaporate while the vehicle is in
the open air. Diesel particle filter (DPF) 3
The diesel particle filter removes polluting
soot particles out of the exhaust.
The system contains a self-cleaning
function at certain intervals. The filter is
cleaned by burning the soot particles at
high temperature. This procedure runs
automatically under certain vehicle
conditions and can take up to 15 minutes,
during which time fuel consumption may
increase. The smell and the noise that
occur are normal.
The system cannot automatically clean
itself under certain vehicle conditions, such
as driving short distances.
If control indicator
I illuminates, you
should continue driving, and as soon as the
road and traffic situation permits it,
increase speed to more than 50 km/h
(30 mph) and diesel particle filter cleaning
will start.
Cleaning is quicker at faster speeds and
under load. The engine speed should not
drop below 2000 rpm. The control indicator
extinguishes as soon as cleaning is
complete.
We recommend that you do not turn the
ignition off during cleaning. Maintenance
Have all maintenance work carried out at
the intervals specified by Opel. We
recommend that you entrust this work to
your Opel Partner, who has proper
equipment and trained personnel
available. Electronic testing of systems
permits rapid diagnosis and remedy of
faults. This way, you can be certain that all
components of the vehicle’s electrical,
injection and ignition systems operate
correctly, that your ve
hicle has a low level
of pollutant emission and that the catalytic
converter system will have a long service
life.
You are thereby making an important
contribution towards keeping the air clean
and compliance with emissions legislation.
Checking and adjustment of the fuel-
injection and ignition systems is part of the
scope of a Service. For this reason, you
should have all maintenance work carried
out at the intervals specified in the chapter
"Service, Maintanance" on page 206.
9 Warning
Engine exhaust gases contain poisonous
carbon monoxide, which has no colour or
odour and can be lethal if inhaled.
If exhaust fumes penetrate the vehicle
interior, open the windows and consult a
workshop immediately.
Self-help, vehicle care180
3. The location of front and rear jacking points is indicated by notches on the
bottom edge of the vehicle, under the
doors.4. Before positioning the jack, set it to the necessary height by rotating the eye by
hand.
Position jack at the front or rear jacking
point located nearest to the wheel
concerned so that the jack claw spans
the vertical base. Make sure it is properly
positioned.
The jack base must be on the ground
directly below the jacking point in a
manner that prevents it from slipping.5. Attach wrench to eye of threaded rod and turn crank to raise vehicle.
If this is not the case, carefully lower the
vehicle immediately and reposition the
jack.
Raise the vehicle until the wheel is just
clear of the ground.
6. Unscrew wheel nuts completely by turning anti-clockwise and wipe clean
with a cloth. Then apply a light coating
of grease to the cone of each wheel
nut. Do not grease the threads.
Put wheel nuts somewhere where the
threads will not be soiled.
Self-help, vehicle care191
Centre high-mounted stop lamp,
instrument panel and glove compartment
illumination
We recommend having bulb replacements
carried out by a workshop.
Opel genuine parts and
accessories
We recommend the use of “Opel genuine
parts and accessories” and conversion
parts released expressly for your vehicle
type. These parts have undergone special
tests to establish their reliability, safety and
specific suitability for your vehicle. Despite
continuous market monitoring, we cannot
assess or guarantee these attributes for
other products, even if they have been
granted approval by the relevant
authorities or in some other form.
“Opel genuine parts and accessories” and
conversion parts approved by Opel can be
obtained from your Op el Partner, who can
provide comprehensive advice about
permitted technical changes and ensure
that the part is installed correctly.
A note on safety
To avoid the possibility of injury, only carry
out engine compartment checks (e.g.
checking the brake fluid level or the engine
oil level) when the igni tion is switched off. Never carry out any re
pairs or adjustment
and maintenance work on the vehicle
yourself. This especially applies to the
engine, chassis and safety parts. You may,
out of ignorance, infringe the provisions of
the law and, by not performing the work
properly, you may endanger yourself and
other road users.
Checking and topping up fluids
To aid identification, the engine oil filler
cap, the coolant filler cap, the lid of the
fluid container for the windscreen washer
system and the handle of the engine oil
gauge (dipstick) may be coloured yellow.
9 Warning
The cooling fan may be operated by a
thermoswitch and can therefore start to
operate unexpectedly, even when the
ignition is switched off; risk of injury.
Electronic ignition systems generate very
high voltages. Do not touch the ignition
system; high voltage can be fatal.
Self-help, vehicle care192
Engine oil
Information on engine oils - see page 213.
Engine oil level and consumption
It is normal for every engine to consume
some oil, and it is sometimes necessary to
check and top up the engine oil level
between oil changes.
For this reason, the engine oil level should
be checked every 500 km (300 miles) or
before starting a long trip. The illustrations show checking and
replenishing the engine oil in the Z 24, Z 32
petrol engines and the
Z 20 diesel engines
respectively.
To check the level, remove dipstick from
the dipstick tube, wipe it clean and re-insert
it as far as it will go. After pulling the
dipstick out again, check the oil level,
ensuring it is between the lower and upper
(or MIN and MAX) marks. Engine oil level check and topping up
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.
9 Warning
Do not allow the engine oil level to drop
below the minimum level.
Self-help, vehicle care193
Top up if the engine oil level has dropped
to the "add oil" lower mark (or MIN mark).
The oil level must not go above the upper
(or MAX ) mark on the dipstick. This would
lead, for example, to increased oil
consumption, excessive formation of
carbon residue and a possible risk of
damage to the catalytic converter or the
engine. When replenishing, attempt to use the
same type of engine oil as used at the last
oil change.
Capacities - see page 225.
A stabilization of the engine oil
consumption will not take place until the
vehicle has been driven several thousand
kilometres/miles. Only then can the actual
degree of oil consumption be established.
If oil consumption exceeds more than
0.6 litres every 1000 km (600 miles) after
this running-in period
, consult a workshop.
Self-help, vehicle care194
Engine oil change, oil filter change
Engine oil changes are to be carried out
depending on time intervals or kilometre/
mileage intervals, since oil loses its
lubrication properties not only through
engine operation but also through ageing.
We recommend that you use genuine Opel
oil filters.
Remember to reset the engine oil life
monitor 3 whenever the engine oil is
changed.
Engine oil life monitor 3
The engine oil life monitor lets you know
when to change the oil. Based on driving
conditions, the kilometre/mileage interval
at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably.
For the system to work properly, it must be
reset every time the oil is changed. Consult
a workshop.
When the system has calculated that oil life
has been diminished, control indicator C
illuminates in the instrument panel -
see page 73. Engine oil needs changing
within approx. 1000 km (600 miles). Engine
power may be decreased.Diesel fuel filter
Drain diesel fuel filter of residual water at
every engine oil change.
Place a container underneath the filter
housing. Turn drain plug, located on the
left of the filter housing, anti-clockwise
using a suitable screwdriver, to drain off
the water.
The filter is drained as soon as diesel fuel
emerges from the port. Retighten the drain
plug by turning it clockwise.
With engine switched off, turn ignition key
to ON, wait approx. 5 seconds, and turn
key to LOCK to perform priming operation.
Perform this operation 3 times or more
while the engine is switched off, to avoid air
entering the fuel line.
9 Warning
Used engine oil filters and empty oil
containers should not be disposed of as
domestic refuse. We recommend that
you entrust oil and oil filter changes to a
workshop who is familiar with legal
requirements regarding disposal of used
oil and can thus help to protect both the
environment and your health.
Engine oil is a danger to health; avoid
prolonged contact with skin and wash
exposed areas thoroughly.
Service, maintenance206
Service, maintenanceEuropean service intervals
Engine oil change - Z 24 XE only
Due every 15,000 km (10,000 miles).
Main Service
Due every 30,000 km (20,000 miles) or
1 year, whichever occurs first.
International service intervals
Interim Service - except Z 24 XE
Due every 15,000 km (10,000 miles).
Main Service - except Z 24 XE
Due every 30,000 km (20,000 miles) or
1 year, whichever occurs first.
Interim Service - Z 24 XE only
Due every 10,000 km (6,500 miles) or
6 months, whichever occurs first.
Main Service - Z 24 XE only
Due every 20,000 km (13,000 miles) or
1 year, whichever occurs first.
Confirmations
Confirmation of Service is recorded in the
spaces provided in the Service and
Warranty Booklet. The date and kilometre/
mileage reading is completed with the
stamp and signature of the Servicing
Workshop.
Make sure that the Service and Warranty
Booklet is completed correctly as
continuous proof of service is essential if
any warranty or goodwill claims are to be
met, and is also a benefit when you come
to sell the vehicle.
Service plan
The European service schedule is valid for
the following countries:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
The Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
For all remaining countries the
International service schedule applies.
European service schedule ................ 207
International service schedule ........... 209
Additional servicing............................ 213
Recommended fluids and lubricants 213