138 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18433s.tif
Starting off
Depress the foot brake, release the
hand brake and move the selector lever
toA,
+or-. This will switch the manual
transmission automated to automatic
and engage first gear (or second gear if
the winter program is enabled). "A"
appears on the transmission display.
The vehicle begins to "creep" when the foot
brake is released. It is also possible to start off without
depressing the foot brake if the accelerator
pedal is operated directly after moving the
selector lever. If there
is no acceleration or
the foot brake is not depressed, no gear is
engaged and "A" flashes. After a few
seconds, the display resumes showing "N".
Start off by repeating the previously
described procedure.
In Automatic mode, selection of other
gears is automatic irrespective of driving
conditions.
Move selector lever toward A
Switch between Automatic and Manual
mode.
In Manual mode the gears can be shifted
manually. The transmission display shows
the currently engaged gear.
If the engine speed is too low the manual
transmission automated will automatically
shift to a lower gear even in Manual mode.
This prevents the engine from stalling.
Picture no: 18180s.tif
Move selector lever toward + or -
If a higher gear is selected when the
running speed is too low, or a lower gear
when the speed is too high, the gear
selection will not take place. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or too
high revs.
Gears can be skipped by jogging the
selector lever repeatedly at short intervals. +
Shift to a higher gear.
-
Shift to a lower gear.
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139
Driving and operation
If the vehicle is in automatic mode, on
movement of the selector lever to
+ or
- the
manual transmission automated shifts to
manual mode and changes up or down.
The gear currently engaged appears on
the transmission display.
Move selector lever toward R
Reverse gear. Engage only when vehicle is
stationary.
Depress the foot brake, release the hand
brake and move the selector lever to R.
Reverse gear is engaged. "R" appears in
the transmission display.
The vehicle begins to "creep" when the foot
brake is released.
It is also possible to start off in reverse
without depressing the foot brake if the
accelerator pedal is operated directly after
moving the selector lever. If there is no
acceleration or the foot brake is not
depressed, no gear is engaged and "R"
flashes. After a few seconds, the display
resumes showing "N". Start off by
repeating the previously described
procedure. Stopping the vehicle
In Automatic or Manual mode, when the
vehicle has stopped first gear (with Winter
mode engaged, second gear) is engaged
automatically and the clutch released. In
R
reverse remains engaged.
A warning buzzer sounds when the driver’s
door is opened if the engine is running, a
gear is engaged and the foot brake is not
depressed. The vehicle creeps if the hand
brake is not engaged. Move the selector
lever to N and apply the hand brake.
When stopping on gradients, engage the
hand brake or depress the brake pedal. To
prevent overheating of the clutch, do not
increase engine speed to ensure smooth
idling when in gear.
To prevent damage to the automated
manual transmission, the clutch is closed
automatically at high clutch temperatures.
Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy
period, e.g. in traffic jams or at level
crossings. Electronically controlled driving
programmes
z
Following a cold start, the operating
temperature program automatically
increases the engine revolutions to bring
the catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
z The adaptive program automatically
selects the gear according to the driving
conditions, e.g. increased load and
gradients.
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140 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18228s.tif
Sport programme =
Shift times are reduced when the Sport
programme is enabled, and the gears are
shifted at higher engine speeds, although
not when cruise control is activated.
The Winter program is switched off by:
z pressing button = again,
z turning off the ignition,
z activating the winter program T .
If the vehicle is switched to manual mode
while the sport programme is active, the
sport programme is in terrupted. The sport
programme resumes upon return to
automatic mode.
Picture no: 18229s.tif
Winter programme T
In the event of difficulties starting off on
slippery roads, press button T ("A" and T
appear on the transmission display). The
manual transmission automated switches
to automatic mode and the vehicle sets off
in second gear.
The Winter programme is switched off by:
z pressing the T button again,
z turning off the ignition,
z when clutch temperature is too high. Activating the winter programme
deactivates the Sport programme, if
selected.
If the vehicle is switched to manual mode
while the winter prog
ramme is active, the
winter programme is interrupted. The
winter programme resumes upon return to
automatic mode.
Back to overview
142 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18230s.tif
Manoeuvring the vehicle
To manoeuvre the vehicle back and forth
during attempts to park or in garage
entrances the creeping movement can be
utilised by releasing the foot brake.
Never actuate accelerator and brake
pedals simultaneously.
To prevent damage, the manual
transmission automated deactivates the
"creep function" when the temperature of
the automatic clutch is extremely high. Vehicle storage
Apply the handbrake and remove the key
from the ignition. The most recently
engaged gear (indicator in transmission
display) remains engaged. With
N, no gear
is engaged.
When the ignition is switched off the
manual transmission automated no longer
responds to movement of the selector
lever.
Lock the vehicle. Otherwise the battery
may become discharged if the vehicle is
parked for long periods.
If the hand brake has not been applied, the
control indicator R flashes for a few
seconds after the ignition is switched off.
With the engine off and the hand brake not
applied, when the driver ’s door is opened a
warning buzzer sounds and the control
indicator R flashes; switch on ignition,
engage gear, switch off ignition and apply
hand brake.
Picture no: 18231s.tif
Fault
To prevent damage to the automated
manual transmission, the clutch is closed
automatically at high clutch temperatures.
Warning light A lights up in the event of a
fault. Continued driving is possible, but
manual mode can no longer be used for
changing gear.
If "F" also appears in the transmission
display, continued driving is not possible.
Have cause of fault remedied by a
workshop. The system’s integrated self
diagnostics allow faults to be quickly
remedied.
Back to overview
150 Driving and operationSave energy – more kilometres
Please observe the running-in hints on the
previous page and the tips for saving
energy on the following pages.
Good, technically correct and economical
driving ensures maximum durability and
performance for your vehicle.
Overrun cut-off
The fuel supply is automatically cut off
during overrun, e.g. when the vehicle is
driven with a gear engaged but no throttle
application. Overrun cut-off is deactivated
if catalytic converter temperature is high.
Vehicles with turbocharged engine Flow-generated noises may be audible if
the accelerator is released quickly on
account of air flow in the turbocharger.
Engine speed
Drive in a low engine speed range for each
gear as much as possible. Warming up
After a cold start, the automatic
transmission
3 or manual transmission
automated 3 in automatic mode shifts into
higher gears at higher rpm. This allows the
catalytic converter to quickly reach the
temperature required for optimum pollutant
reduction.
Correct gear selection
Do not race your engine whilst in neutral or
with a low gear selected. Driving too fast in
individual gears as well as stop-and-go
traffic increases engine wear and fuel
consumption.
Change down
When decreasing speed, shift down into
the next lowest gear. Do not slip the clutch
with a high-revving engine. This is
especially important when hill climbing. Cooling fan
The cooling fan is controlled via a
thermoswitch and therefore only runs if
necessary.
The cooling fan automatically switches on
when the diesel particle filter is being
cleaned
3 depending on the engine.
Pedals
Do not place any objects in the foot well
which could slip under the pedals and
inhibit the pedal travel.
To ensure the pedal travel is uninhibited,
there must be no mats in the area of the
pedals.
Battery care
When driving slowly or when the vehicle is
stationary, e.g. in slow urban traffic, stop-
and-go traffic or traffic jams, turn off all
unnecessary electrical loads where
possible (e.g. heated rear window, heated
front seats, etc.).
Declutch when starting in order to relieve
the strain on the starter and the battery.
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173
Driving and operation
Remove the wheel trims if using tyre chains
3201.
Tyre chains may only be used at speeds up
to 50 km/h. When travelling on roads that
are free of snow, they may only be used for
brief periods.
Tyre chains must not be used on the
temporary spare wheel. If you need to use
tyre chains after suffering a flat front tyre,
fit the temporary spare on the rear axle
and transfer one of the rear wheels to the
front axle.
Roof rack
3
For safety reasons and to avoid roof
damage we recommend using the Opel
roof rack system that is approved for your
vehicle.
Follow the usage instructions for the roof
rack.
Remove the roof rack when not in use.
Driving hints 3 149
Picture no: 18313s.tif
Fitting on model without sun roof 3
Push covers for concealing roof rack
mounts down and push backwards with a
valve cap key. Location of valve cap key
3 169.
Fitting on model with sun roof 3
Disengage covers concealing roof rack
mounts by pushing sliders in direction of
arrow (e.g. with coin) and remove upwards.
To close roof rack mounts, first insert
covers at front and engage sliders at rear.
Attach roof rack at appropriate points, see
enclosed roof luggage rack system
instructions.
9
Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
Back to overview
189
Driving and operation
Driving characteristics, towing tips
Before attaching the trailer/caravan,
lubricate the ball of the trailer/caravan
towing device. However, do not lubricate
the ball if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to damp
hunting.
Check caravan/traile r lighting before
starting to drive. The fog tail lamps on the
vehicle are deactivated when towing a
caravan or trailer.
Trailers with LED turn signals must have a
provision enables lamp monitoring for
commercial bulbs.
Ultrasonic parking sensors 3 are
deactivated in towing mode.
Handling is greatly influenced by the
loading of the trailer/caravan. Loads
should therefore be secured so that they
cannot slip and be placed in the centre of
the trailer/caravan if possible, i.e. above
the axle.
For trailers with low directional control and
for caravans with a permissible gross
vehicle weight of more than 1000 kg, a
speed of 80 km/h must not be exceeded;
use of a roll damper in accordance with the
friction principle is urgently recommended. If the trailer/caravan starts to sway, drive
more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if necessary.
If it is necessary to apply the brakes fully,
depress the brake pedal as hard as
possible.
Remember that the braking distance for
vehicles towing caravans/trailers with and
without brake is always greater than that
for vehicles not towing a caravan/trailer.
When driving downhill, drive in the same
gear as if driving uphill and drive at a
similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified
for full load
3264. Starting on inclines
For vehicles with manual transmission, the
most favourable engine speed when
starting off on an incline is between
2500 and 3000 rpm for petrol engines and
between 2000 and 2200 rpm for diesel
engines. Hold engine speed constant,
engage clutch gradually (let slip), release
hand brake and open throttle. If possible,
the engine speed should not drop during
this procedure.
In vehicles with automatic transmission
3
and manual transmission automated 3 it is
sufficient to give full throttle in D or
(in automatic mode) 3.
Before starting off under extreme
operating conditions, switch off
unnecessary consumers.
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241
Opel Service, maintenance
Genuine Opel Parts and
Accessories We recommend that you use "Genuine
Opel Parts and Accessories" and
conversion parts expressly approved for
your vehicle model. These parts have
undergone special tests to establish their
reliability, safety and specific suitability for
Opel vehicles. Despit e 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.
"Genuine Opel Parts and Accessories" and
conversion parts approved by Opel can of
course be obtained from your Opel
Partner, who can provide – comprehensive
advice about permissible technical
changes – and ensure that the part is
installed correctly.
Picture no: 17304t.tif
Performing work To avoid injury from moving parts and
cables conducting ignition voltage, only
carry out engine compartment checks
(e. g. checking brake fluid or engine oil
level) when the igniti on is switched off.
Picture no: 18145s.tif
To aid identification, the caps to be
removed for topping up engine oil, coolant
and washer fluid and the dipstick handle
may be coloured yellow.
9
Warning
Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The cooling fan may start operating
even if the ignition is off.
9
Warning
The ignition system 3 and Xenon head-
lamps 3 use extremely high voltage. Do
not touch.
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