2009 OPEL ANTARA engine

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.

Self-help, vehicle care195
Check diesel fuel filter at shorter intervals if
the vehicle is subjected to extreme
operating conditions such as high humidity
(primarily in coastal areas), extremely high
or low outside temperatures and
substantially varying daytime and night-
time temperatures.
If there is water in the diesel fuel filter,
control indicator
N illuminates in the
instrument panel - see page 73. Drain the
water immediately.
Coolant
During operation, the system is
pressurized. The temperature may
therefore rise to over 100 °C.
The antifreeze provides excellent corrosion
protection for the cooling and heating
system, as well as freeze protection down
to -28 °C.
Certain types of antifreeze can lead to
engine damage. We therefore strongly
recommend the use of antifreeze that has
been approved by Opel.
Antifreeze and corrosion protection
Before the start of the cold weather season,
have the coolant checked for correct
concentration by a workshop. The amount
of antifreeze must provide protection down
to approx. –28 °C. If the antifreeze
concentration is too low, this reduces
protection from fr eezing and corrosion.
Top up antifreeze if necessary.
If coolant loss is topped up with
demineralised water, have antifreeze
concentration checked and more
antifreeze added as necessary. Coolant level
Hardly any losses occur since the cooling
system is sealed and it is thus rarely
necessary to top up the coolant.
The coolant level in the expansion tank
should be between the
MIN and MAX
marks when the system is cold.
9 Warning
Antifreeze is a danger to health: it must
therefore be kept in the original container
and out of the reach of children.

Self-help, vehicle care196
When the engine is at operating
temperature, coolant level rises. It falls
again when the system cools. If it falls
below the MIN mark when the system is
cold, the coolant must be replenished.
Top up antifreeze. If no antifreeze is
available, top up with clean tap water.
If tap water is unavailable, distilled water
can be used.
When you top up with tap water or distilled
water, add concentrated antifreeze and
possibly mix in antifreeze as well. Have the
cause of the coolant loss eliminated by a
workshop.
Too low a coolant level can cause engine
damage.
When closing, tighten coolant filler cap as
far as it will go. Coolant temperature
Control indicator
W illuminates when
coolant temperature is too high. Check
coolant level:
z Coolant level low:
Top up coolant. Pay attention to the
instructions given under "Antifreeze and
corrosion protecti on" and "Coolant
level". Have the cause of the coolant loss
remedied by a workshop.
z Coolant level OK:
Have the cause of increased coolant
temperature remedied by a workshop.
Brake fluid
Brake fluid level
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,
otherwise there is a risk of scalding.
9 Warning
Caution - brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Do not allow it to contact eyes,
skin, fabrics or painted surfaces; direct
contact may cause injuries and damage.

Self-help, vehicle care197
The brake fluid level in the reservoir must
not be higher than the MAX mark or lower
than the MIN mark.
Do not overfill the brak e fluid reservoir, as
this may cause an engine fire due to fluid
burning; risk of injury and damage to the
vehicle.
Use of some brake fluids could cause
damage or impair br aking effectiveness.
Stay well informed. We recommend that
you use Opel-approve d high performance
brake fluid.
Extreme cleanliness is important, since
brake fluid contamination can lead to
brake system malfunctions.
If brake fluid level is too low, brake system
control indicator 4 illuminates in the
instrument panel - see page 70.
After correcting the brake fluid level, have
the cause of the loss remedied by a
workshop. Brake fluid change
As brake fluid is hygroscopic, it absorbs
water. Vapour bubbles which impair the
braking effect may occur during braking.
The fluid change intervals specified on
pages 206 to 212 must therefore be
observed.
Clutch fluid
3
The clutch fluid does not require any
additional maintenanc e than that detailed
on pages 206 to 212.
If the fluid in the reservoir falls below the
MIN mark, consult a workshop.
9 Warning
We recommend that you have brake fluid
changed by a workshop, who will be
familiar with the requ irements of the law
as regards disposal of brake fluid and
can thus help to protect the environment
and your health.

Self-help, vehicle care199
Replacing windscreen wipers
Lift wiper arm, press and hold retaining clip
and detach wiper blade.Windscreen washer system
Do not spray washer fluid onto windscreen
in freezing weather, to avoid ice forming
and impairing vision.
The filler opening of the fluid container for
the windscreen washer system is located in
the front of the engine compartment.
Fill only with commercially available,
ready-to-use windscreen washer fluid.
Do not use tap water, as minerals will
cause clogging in the system.In cold weather, do no
t fill the windscreen
washer fluid reservoir more than three-
quarters full, to allow enough room for
expansion if the fluid freezes, and to
prevent damage to the reservoir.
In freezing conditions, use windscreen
washer fluid with sufficient antifreezing
properties. Do not use coolant antifreeze or
tap water, to avoid freezing the solution
and damaging the windscreen washer
system.
When closing the cont ainer, press the lid
down firmly all the way round.
If the fluid in the windscreen washer fluid
reservoir is too low, control indicator G
illuminates in the instrument panel -
see page 73. Top up washer fluid as soon
as possible.

Self-help, vehicle care201
Protection of electronic
components
In order to avoid the breakdown of
electronic components within the electrical
system, never disconnect the battery with
the engine running. Never start the engine
while the battery is disconnected (e.g.
when using jump leads).
To avoid damaging the vehicle, do not
make any modifications to the electrical
system, e.g. connecting additional
consumers or tampering with electronic
control units (chip tuning). Disconnecting/connecting the battery
from/to the electrical system
Disconnect the battery from the vehicle
electrical system before charging:
first detach the negative and then the
positive lead.
Do not reverse the polarity of the battery,
i.e. do not confuse the terminals for the
positive and negative leads. When
connecting, start with the positive lead and
then connect the negative lead.
Vehicle storage
If your vehicle is to be stored for long
periods without use, we recommend you
consult a workshop for advice.
Vehicle care
In caring for your vehicle, observe all
national environmental regulations,
particularly when washing your vehicle.
Regular, thorough care contributes to
improving the appearance of your vehicle
and maintaining its va
lue. It is also a
prerequisite for clai ms made under the
warranty, in the event of paint or corrosion
damage. In the following pages, we give
you tips for vehicle care which, with correct
use, will help to ward off unavoidable and
harmful environmental influences.
9 Warning
Electronic ignition systems generate very
high voltages. Do not touch the ignition
system; high voltage can be fatal.

Self-help, vehicle care202
Vehicle care aids 3
Vehicle wash:
z Car Shampoo
z Sponges
z Chamois Leather
z Wheel Cleaners
z Engine Cleaners
z Glass Cleaners
Exterior care:
z Touch-up Applicator
z Spray and Touch-up Paint
z Car Polishes/Colour Restorers
z Car Waxes/Sealers
z Alloy Wheel Cleaner
z Alloy Wheel Preserver
z Metallic Paintwork Wax
z Rust Preventative
z Lubricant Sprays
z Lock Cylinder Grease
z De-icer Sprays
z Tar Removal Spray
z Insect Remover
z Window Cleaning Spray
z Cleaning Solvent and Antifreeze
Interior care:
z Interior/Upholstery Cleaner Washing
The paintwork of your vehicle is exposed to
environmental influences, e.g. continuous
changes in weather conditions, industrial
waste gases and dust or thawing salts, so
wash and wax your vehicle regularly. When
using automatic car washes, select a
program which includes waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin, pollen
and the like should be cleaned off
immediately, as they contain aggressive
constituents which can cause paint
damage.
If using a car wash, comply with the
pertinent instructions of the car wash
manufacturer. The windscreen wipers and
tailgate wipers must be switched off –
see pages 92, 93. Remove detachable rod
antenna by unscrewing it.
Do not use high-pressure jet cleaners.
If you wash your vehicle by hand, make
sure that the insides of the wings are also
thoroughly rinsed out. Do not use
household dishwashing liquid, to avoid
removing wax from the paintwork.
Clean edges and folds on opened doors
and flaps as well as the areas they cover.
Thoroughly rinse off and leather-off the
vehicle. Rinse leather frequently. Use
separate leathers for paint and window
surfaces; remnants of wax on the windows
will impair vision.
Also wash aluminium trim parts, avoiding
the use of abrasive materials such as
automotive or chrome polish, steam or
caustic soap. Washing with water is
normally sufficient.
Observe national regulations.

Self-help, vehicle care205
Windscreen wiper blades
Wax, such as that used in car washes, can
cause streaks to form on the windscreen
when the wipers are used.
Smearing wiper blades can be cleaned with
a soft cloth and Opel Cleaning Solvent and
Antifreeze, and replaced if necessary –
see page 198. Do not use abrasive
cleaners.
Locks
The locks are lubricated with a high-grade
lock cylinder grease at the factory. Opel
Lock Cylinder Grease prevents the locks
from freezing up.
Only use de-icing agents in emergencies,
as they have a degreasing effect and will
impair the function of the locks. After using
a de-icing agent, have the locks re-greased
by a workshop. Engine compartment
Areas of the engine compartment that are
painted in the same colour as the vehicle
must be looked after
like any other painted
surface.
It is advisable to wash the engine
compartment before and after winter and
preserve it with wax. Cover alternator and
fluid reservoirs with plastic sheets before
washing the engine.
When washing the engine with a steam-jet
cleaner, do not direct the steam-jet at
components of the Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS), the air conditioning system or the
belt drive and its components.
Protective wax that has been applied is
also removed during the engine wash. For
this reason, have the engine, brake system
components in the engine compartment,
axle components with steering, body parts
and cavities thoroughly preserved with
protective wax after the wash.
An engine wash can be performed in the
spring in order to remove dirt that has
adhered to the engine compartment,
which may also have a high salt content.
Check protective wax layer and make good
if necessary. Underbody
Your vehicle has a factory-applied PVC
undercoating in the wheel arches
(including the longitudinal members) which
provides permanent protection and needs
no special maintenance. The surfaces of
the vehicle underbody not covered by PVC
are provided with a durable protective wax
coating in critical areas.
On vehicles which are washed frequently
in automatic car wash
es with underbody
washing facility, the protective wax
coating may be impaire d by dirt-dissolving
additives. Check the underbody after
washing and have it waxed if necessary.
Before the start of the cold weather season,
check the PVC coating and protective wax
coating and, if necessary, have them
restored to perfect condition.
Caution
– commercially available bitumen/
rubber materials can damage the PVC
coating. We recommend that you have
underbody work carried out by a
workshop, who knows the prescribed
materials and has experience in the use
thereof.
The underbody should be washed
following the end of the cold weather
season to remove any dirt adhering to the
underbody since this may also contain salt.
Check protective wax coating and, if
necessary, have it restored to perfect
condition.