2009 OPEL ANTARA wheel

Driving and operation162
Secure the strap retainer and pull tightly
downwards as far as possible.Press release lever and slide in wheel
recesses all the way as far as they will go.Disengage the locking lever on the
diagonal support and fold both pedal
crank recesses down.
9 Warning
Caution; risk of trapping fingers.

Driving and operation167
Dismounting the coupling ball bar
Unlock coupling ball bar and remove key.
Push lever to the left, towards the coupling
ball bar and turn it downwards. Pull
coupling ball bar out of coupling housing.
Remove any rust or dirt from area around
the coupling housing and coupling ball bar
connection before inserting sealing plug in
the hole.
Place the coupling ball bar in the bag
supplied, fasten it wi th the strap and stow
it below the floor cover in the luggage
compartment.
Do not use steam-jet cleaners or other
high-pressure cleaners to clean the
coupling ball bar.
Towing
Caravan/trailer loads1)
The permissible caravan/trailer loads are
vehicle-dependent and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded.
The actual caravan/trailer load is the
difference between the actual gross weight
of the caravan/trailer and the actual
coupling socket load with the caravan/
trailer coupled.
When the caravan/trailer load is being
checked, therefore, on ly the caravan/trailer
wheels - and not the jockey wheel - must be
standing on the weighing apparatus.
The permissible caravan/trailer loads for
your vehicle are given in the vehicle papers.
Unless otherwise stated , they are valid for
gradients up to max. 12%.
The permissible caravan/trailer load should
be fully utilized only by drivers who are
adequately experienced in towing large
caravans/trailers.
The permitted caravan/trailer load applies
up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea level. Since engine power decreases as altitude
increases because of the air becoming
thinner, therefore reducing climbing ability,
it may not be possible for permissible trailer
loads to be fully utilized in mountainous
territory.
The permitted towing weight decreases by
10% for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude.
The towing weight does not have to be
reduced when driving on roads with slight
inclines (less than 8%, e.g. on motorways).
The actual caravan/trailer load plus the
actual Gross Vehicle Weight must not
exceed the maximum permitted towing
weight. For example, if the permitted Gross
Vehicle Weight is utilised, the caravan/
trailer load must only
be used until the
maximum permitted towing weight is
reached.
The maximum permitted towing weight is
shown on the vehicle id entification plate -
see page 215.
1)Observe national regulations.

Driving and operation170
Block the wheels of both the caravan/trailer
and the vehicle when parking and always
apply the hand brake firmly. If possible, do
not park on slopes. Parking on inclines
If parking on an incline is unavoidable,
depress the foot brake, have someone
place wheel blocks under the caravan/
trailer wheels and release the foot brake
until the blocks have absorbed the load.
Depress foot brake again, apply
hand brake, engage first gear on uphill
gradients or reverse gear on downhill
gradients (automatic transmission 3 in P)
and finally, release foot brake. Starting on inclines
Depress the foot brake and hold it down,
start the engine, shift into gear and release
the hand brake.
Release foot brake and drive slowly until
the caravan/trailer is clear of the wheel
blocks. Stop the vehicle and have someone
pick up the blocks. If possible, the engine
speed should not drop during this
procedure.
For vehicles with automatic transmission
3
in automatic mode, apply sufficient
throttle.
Before starting-off under extreme
conditions (e.g. high combination weight,
mountainous terrain with steep inclines),
switch off all unnecessary electrical loads
(e.g. heated rear window, air conditioning
system, heated front seats 3).
9 Warning
Have someone provide assistance when
removing blocks. Always remove blocks
from wheels while standing to one side.
Do not remove blocks while standing
behind the caravan/trailer; risk of injury
and damage to both the vehicle and
caravan/trailer.

Self-help, vehicle care171
Self-help, vehicle care
Diesel fuel system, bleeding
Never let the fuel tank run dry. If control
indicator Y illuminates, refuel as soon as
possible.
It is possible to restart the engine if the tank
has been run dry. A delayed start can be
expected. Switch on the ignition three times
for approx. 15 seconds. Then try to start
the engine for no more than 40 seconds. If
the engine will not start, wait at least
10 seconds before trying again. If the
engine will still not start, consult a
workshop.
Bonnet
To open the bonnet, pull release lever /
located on the left-hand side below the
instrument panel.
The bonnet will then be unlocked and will
partially open. Return release lever to its
original position.
Do not pull release lever while the vehicle is
moving.
Diesel fuel system, bleeding .............. 171
Bonnet ................................................. 171
Starting ................................................ 172
Starting the engine with jump leads
3 172
Towing ................................................. 174
Jack and vehicle tools ........................ 176
Warning triangle ¨ 3 ,
First aid kit +3................................ 177
Temporary spare wheel ..................... 177
Wheel changing .................................. 178
Electrical system ................................. 181
Fuses and the most important circuits they protect ...................................... 182
Bulb replacement ............................... 185
Opel genuine parts and accessories . 191
A note on safety ................................. 191
Checking and topping up fluids ........ 191
Windscreen wipers .............................. 198
Windscreen washer system ................ 199
Battery ................................................. 200
Protection of electr onic components 201
Vehicle storage ................................... 201
Vehicle care......................................... 201
9 Warning
Disregard of the instructions may lead to
injuries or endanger life. Vehicle
passengers must be informed
accordingly.

Self-help, vehicle care175
Keep tow rope 3 clear of front bumper,
and ensure it is secure ly fixed to the towing
eye at both ends. Pull on the tow rope 3 to
check.
To prevent entry of exhaust fumes from
towing vehicle, switch on air recirculation
mode (see page 109) and close the
windows.
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that
is being towed.
Never tow a vehicle with damaged parts
that are not secured to the vehicle or if
wheels, brakes or steering are damaged.
Do not tow the vehicle with a tow rope 3 or
tow rod 3 for extended periods, to avoid
damage to the vehicle. Only tow in this
manner on hard-surfaced roads.
For vehicles with automatic transmission 3:
use flatbed or wheel lift equipment only.
Towing can cause severe damage to the
transmission.
Seek the assistance of a workshop. Towing service
Entrust your vehicle only to the towing
service of your choice and obtain an
estimate on towing costs before employing
any towing service. This will prevent
unnecessary expense and possible
insurance problems during claim
processing.
Use flatbed equipment whenever possible.
If vehicle is to be towed using a wheel lift,
tow with all wheels off the road, using a
towing dolly.
Never use sling-type equipment to tow the
vehicle or tow the vehicle with the front or
rear wheels on the road, to avoid causing
serious damage to the vehicle.
Place the gearshift lever in neutral
(automatic transmission 3
in N), switch on
hazard warning lamps, turn key to ignition
switch position ACC and release the
hand brake before towing the vehicle. Towing another vehicle
In emergency situations only, attach a tow
rope
3 - or better still a tow rod 3 - to the
rear towing eye.
The rear towing eye attachment 3 is stored
below the floor cover in the luggage
compartment.
Remove the cover located on the rear
bumper by pressing the lower part of the
cover.

Self-help, vehicle care176
Screw the rear towing eye attachment anti-
clockwise until it is firmly in place.
Drive off slowly and avoid jerky
movements. Impermissible tractive forces
could damage the vehicles.
To prevent damage, do not take up slack
in the tow rope too quickly.
After towing, unscrew the rear towing eye
attachment clockwise to remove, and
reinstall the cover.
Jack and vehicle tools
The jack and vehicle tools have been
specially developed for your vehicle and
must only be used on that vehicle. Only use
jack for changing wheels.
The jack and vehicle tools are located in
the luggage compartment below the floor
cover. To remove the jack and vehicle tools, open
the tailgate. Push both levers on the floor
cover towards the handle and pull up the
floor cover by the handle.
Hang the hook to the upper part of the
tailgate opening (see page 63, Fig.
S 13419).
Remove wing bolt from the jack by rotating
it anti-clockwise and remove the jack and
wheel wrench bag.
Remove straps holding the bag containing
the wheel wrench. Remove wheel wrench
from the bag.
9 Warning
Never lift vehicle using the towing eye.
9 Warning
In a sudden stop or a collision, loose items
can be thrown around inside the vehicle,
causing personal injury and damage to
the interior.
Secure the jack and vehicle tools away
properly under the floor cover in the
luggage compartment.

Self-help, vehicle care177
Warning triangle
¨ 3 ,
First aid kit
+3
Your first aid kit and warning triangle can
be accommodated below the floor cover in
the luggage compartment.
Temporary spare wheel
The temporary spare wheel is located in
the luggage compartment below the floor
cover and is secured with a screw-in
retainer.
Push both levers on the floor cover towards
the handle and pull up floor cover by the
handle (see page 176, Fig. S 13700). Hang
the hook to the upper part of the tailgate
opening (see page 63, Fig. S 13419).
Remove the retainer by rotating it anti-
clockwise, and remove spare wheel from
the spare wheel well. General information
If you use winter tyres
3, the spare wheel
may still be fitted with a summer tyre.
If you use the spare wheel when it is fitted
with a summer tyre, the vehicle's
driveability may be affected, especially on
slippery road surfaces.
Obtain a replacement for the faulty tyre as
soon as possible, and have the wheel
balanced and fitted to the vehicle.

Self-help, vehicle care178
Notes on temporary spare wheel
zUsing a temporary spare wheel may
change the driving behaviour of the
vehicle, particularly if using winter
tyres 3. Replace defective tyre as quickly
as possible, balanc e wheel and fit to
vehicle.
z Fit only one temporary spare wheel.
z Do not drive faster than 80 km/h
(50 mph).
z Take curves slowly.
z Do not use the temporary spare wheel
for a lengthy period.
z Replace temporary spare wheel with full
specification wheel without delay.
z When temporary spare wheel is fitted, do
not take the vehicle through an
automatic car wash with guide rails. The
temporary spare wheel may get caught
on the rails, causing damage to the tyre,
wheel and other vehicle parts.
z Tyre chains are not permitted on the
temporary spare wheel.
If tyre chains are necessary after a front
wheel puncture, fit the temporary spare
wheel to the rear and a rear wheel to the
front. Check tyre pressure and adjust if
necessary - see page 224.
z Follow the temporary spare wheel
instructions on pages 153, 181, 223. Notes on directional tyres
3
Tyres with a prescribed rotating direction
can only achieve their maximum
performance if they are fitted in the
prescribed rotating direction.
If a tyre or spare wheel is fitted that is
rotating in the wrong direction due to a
puncture, the following must be noted:
z The handling of the vehicle may be
different. Replace defective tyres as soon
as possible, have wheel balanced and
fitted to the vehicle.
z Do not drive faster than 80 km/h
(50 mph).
z Drive particularly carefully on wet and
snow-covered road surfaces.
z For more information on tyres with a
prescribed rotating direction -
see page 149.Wheel changing
In order to reduce the chance of possible
injuries, make the following preparations
and note the procedure:
zPark on a level, firm and non-slippery
surface.
z Switch on hazard warning lamps and
apply hand brake. Engage 1st gear or
reverse (automatic transmission 3 in P).
z Correctly set up warning triangle 3.
z Ensure all vehicle passengers are out of
the vehicle and clear of the vehicle and
other traffic.
z Take the spare wheel from under the
luggage compartment floor cover -
see page 177.
z Before raising the vehicle, turn front
wheels to straight-ahead position.