2009 OPEL ANTARA snow chains

Driving and operation127
Driving hints
The first 1000 km (600 miles)
Drive your vehicle at various speeds. Do
not use full throttle. Never allow the engine
to labour at low revs.
Make good use of all gears. Depress the
accelerator pedal a maximum of around
three quarters of the available pedal travel
in all gears and drive ranges.
Do not drive faster than three quarters of
maximum speed.
Avoid quick starts, su dden acceleration
and prolonged high-speed driving, to
avoid engine damage and to conserve
fuel.
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for the
first 200 km (125 miles).
If possible, avoid towing another vehicle.
Never coast with engine not running
Many units may then not function (e.g.
brake servo unit, power steering, airbag
system). Driving in this manner is a danger
to yourself and others. Brake servo unit
With the engine not running, the brake
servo unit is no longer effective once the
brake pedal has been depressed once or
twice. The braking effect is not reduced,
but substantially greater foot pressure is
necessary to stop the vehicle.
Power steering
Never leave the steering wheel on full lock
when the vehicle is stationary, as this may
damage the power steering pump.
If the power steering should fail - e.g. when
the vehicle is being towed with the engine
switched off - the vehicle can still be
properly steered, but considerably greater
effort is necessary.
Driving in mountainous terrain or with a
caravan/trailer
Electrically driven fan; the fan cooling
capacity is not dependent on engine
speed. It is not necessary, therefore, when
driving uphill to shif
t down into a lower
gear if the vehicle can climb in a higher
gear. Driving in extreme conditions
When driving in hazard
ous conditions, e.g.
in snow, ice, mud, sand or water, drive
slowly and cautiously to allow for greater
braking distances.
If stuck, use 2nd gear (automatic
transmission in drive range 2) to avoid
spinning the front wheels.
Use sand, tyre chains or other non-slip
materials to provide traction when stuck in
snow, mud or ice.
Driving through water
Before attempting to drive through water,
check the depth. If the depth is slightly
lower than the underbody of your vehicle,
do not attempt to drive through it.
Driving too quickly through water can
cause water to enter the engine through
the air intake, causing severe damage.
Drive slowly, in a high engine rpm in as low
a gear as possible.
Driving with a roof load
Do not exceed the permissible roof load -
see page 221. For safety reasons,
distribute the load evenly and secure it
tightly with straps so that it cannot slip. Set
the tyre pressure to the value given for full
load. Do not drive faster than 120 km/h
(75 mph). Check and retighten straps at
frequent intervals.

Driving and operation153
Always use fine-linked chains that add no
more than 15 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).
Tyre chains may only be used at speeds of
up to 50 km/h (30 mph)
1) or up to the tyre
chain manufacturer’s recommended
maximum speed, whichever is lower.
When travelling on road s that are free of
snow, they may only be used for brief
periods since they are subject to rapid wear
on a hard road and may snap.
Avoid sharp turns, bumps and holes and
do not lock the wheels when braking, to
avoid damaging the tyre chains.
Retighten the chains after driving for
approx. 1 km (0.6 miles). If, at any time,
you hear or suspect that the chains are
contacting the vehicle, stop and retighten
the chains.
Always read the instructions supplied with
the tyre chains. Temporary spare wheel
The temporary spare wheel is designed for
use on your vehicle only.
Do not attempt to use the spare tyre on a
different wheel, or use a different tyre on
the spare wheel, as they will not fit.
For notes on the temporary spare wheel -
see page 178.
Ensure the temporary spare wheel is
inflated to the correct tyre pressure -
see page 224.
Wheel changing - see page 178.
Roof racks 3
For reasons of safety and to avoid
damaging the roof, we recommend that
you use the Opel roof rack system
approved for your vehicle.
Fasten the roof rack to the roof rails
following the instructions that accompany
the system, ensuring that the roof load is
evenly distributed over the side or cross
rails. Loads must not be placed on the roof
surface.
To prevent damage or loss, check
frequently that roof loads are securely
fastened.
Driving with a roof load affects the
vehicle’s centre of gravity; drive carefully in
crosswinds and do not drive at high
speeds.
Driving hints - see page 127.
1)Varies from country to country on account of
national regulations.
9 Warning
Disregard of the instructions may lead to
injuries or endanger life. Vehicle
passengers must be informed
accordingly.

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.