152 Driving and operationOverrun
zThe fuel supply is shut off automatically
on overrun, e.g. when descending steep
hills or when braking 3150.
z To enable the overrun cut-off to come
into action and save fuel, do not
accelerate or declutch during overrun.
Correct gear selection
z High revs increase engine wear and fuel
consumption.
z Do not race your engine. Avoid driving at
high engine speeds.
Making use of the tachometer helps to
save fuel. Drive in a low engine speed
range for each gear as much as possible
with uniform engine speeds. Drive as
often as possible in top gear, select the
next higher gear as soon as possible,
and only change down when the engine
is no longer running perfectly smoothly.
High speed
z The higher the speed, the higher the
consumption and the noise level. At top
speed, you consume a great deal of fuel
and produce excessive noise and
exhaust emissions. z
Slightly releasing th e accelerator pedal
results in distinct fu el savings with no
major loss of speed.
Drive at no more than around three
quarters of maximum speed and you will
use up to 50 % less fuel, without losing a
great deal of time.
Tyre pressure
z Inadequate tyre pressure, leading to
higher road resistance, costs money in
two ways: for more fuel and increased
tyre wear.
z Regular checks (every 14 days) pay off.
Electrical loads
z The power consumption of electrical
equipment increases fuel consumption.
z Switch off all additional consumers (e.g.
air conditioning 3, heated rear window)
when not needed.
Roof racks, ski-holders
z Roof loads can increase fuel consumption
by approximately 1l/100 km due to air
resistance.
z Remove them if they are not being used. Repair and maintenance
z
Improper repairs or adjustment and
maintenance work can increase fuel
consumption. Do not carry out work on
the engine yourself.
You may out of ignorance infringe
environmental laws by not disposing of
materials properly.
Appropriate parts might not be recycled.
Contact with some of the materials
involved may pose a health hazard.
z We recommend that repair and
maintenance be entrusted to your Opel
Partner.
Extreme driving conditions
z Driving up steep slopes, cornering,
driving on poor roads and driving in ice
and snow all increase fuel consumption.
Fuel consumption increases dramatically
in urban traffic and at low temperatures,
especially on short trips when the engine
operating temperature is not reached.
z Following the instructions given above
will minimise consumption under these
conditions.
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156 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18251s.tif
Control indicator
Z for exhaust
Illuminates when the ignition is switched on
and during the start attempt. Goes off
shortly after the engine starts running.
Illumination whilst the engine is running
indicates a fault in the emission control
system. The permissible emission limits
may be exceeded. Contact a workshop for
assistance immediately.
Illumination with the engine running
indicates a fault that can cause damage to
the catalytic converter. It is possible to
continue driving without causing damage
by slowing down until the flashing stops
and the control indicator illuminates.
Contact a workshop for assistance
immediately.
Picture no: 18231s.tif
Control indicator
A
for engine electronics
Illuminates for a few seconds after the
ignition is switched on.
If it illuminates when the engine is running,
there is a fault in engine or transmission
electronics. The electr onic system switches
to an emergency runni ng programme. Fuel
consumption may be increased and the
driveability of the vehicle may be impaired.
In some cases the fault can be remedied by
switching the engine off and starting it
again. If the control indicator continues to
illuminate whilst the en gine is running,
contact a workshop for assistance in
remedying the cause of the fault. If it illuminates briefly, but does not recur, it
is of no significance.
If
A lights up, this could mean that there
is water in the diesel fuel filter 3. A
message appears at the same time on the
service display 391. Have the fuel filter
checked for possible water contamination
by a workshop.
If it flashes after the ignition is switched on,
there is a fault in the immobiliser system.
The engine cannot be started 327.
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158 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18540t.tif
We recommend not stopping driving
during cleaning, and not switching off the
ignition. Cleaning is fa stest at high engine
revs and high loads.
Picture no: 18545s.tif
The control indicator
! goes off as soon as
the self-cleaning operation is complete. Maintenance
Have all maintenance work carried out at
the specified intervals. We recommend
that you entrust this work to your Opel
Partner, who has proper equipment and
trained personnel available. Electronic
testing systems permit 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 vehicle 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 included in
the inspection. For this reason, you should
have all maintenance work carried out at
the intervals specified in your Service and
Warranty Booklet.
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165
Driving and operation
Picture no: 17206t.tif
Hydraulic brake system The foot brake comprises two independent
brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can still be
braked using the other brake circuit.
However, the brake pedal must be
depressed a considerable way before any
braking effect occurs, and much more
force is required. The braking distance is
longer. Contact a workshop for assistance
before continuing to drive. To ensure that full
pedal travel can be
utilised, especially in case of a fault in one
of the brake circuits, there must be no mats
in the vicinity of the pedals 3150.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit disappears
once the brake pedal has been depressed
once or twice. Braking effect is not
reduced, but braking requires significantly
greater force. This is especially important
to bear in mind when towing.
The brake fluid level should be checked
regularly. If the brake fluid level is too low
and the hand brake is not applied, control
indicator R on the instrument panel
illuminates 389.
Picture no: 18257s.tif
Brake system control indicator R
The control indicator lights up when the
ignition is switched on when the hand
brake is applied or when the brake or
clutch fluid level is too low. Brake fluid
level 3246.
For vehicles with manual transmission
automated 3, the control indicator flashes
for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned off when the hand brake is not
applied.
9
Warning
If the control indicator illuminates when
the hand brake is released, stop driving
immediately. Contact a workshop for
assistance.
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166 Driving and operationAnti-lock brake system (ABS
u)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as
soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock.
The vehicle remains steerable, even during
hard braking.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that the
pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce the
pressure on the pedal.
Picture no: 18258s.tif
Control indicator u for ABS
It illuminates for a few seconds when
ignition is switched on. Once the control
indicator goes out, the system is ready for
operation.
If the control indica tor does not go out
after a few seconds, or if it illuminates while
driving, there is a fault in the ABS. The
brake system remains operational without
ABS regulation.
Adaptive brake lamp 3
During full-on braking, all three brake
lamps flash for the duration of ABS control. Self testing
When the engine is started and the vehicle
starts off, the system performs a self-check,
which may be audible.
Fault
Have cause of fault remedied by a
workshop. The system’s integrated self
diagnostics allow faults to be quickly
remedied.
9
Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the wheels
may be liable to lock due to braking that
is heavier than normal. The advantages
of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer
be steered and may swerve.
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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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191
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 18191s.tif
Lift the safety catch upwards and open the
bonnet.
Any dirt or snow on the bonnet can slide
down toward the windscreen when the
bonnet is opened and block the air intake
3135.
Picture no: 18413s.tif
Secure the bonnet support. Before closing
the bonnet, press the support into the
holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to drop into
the catch. Check that the bonnet is
engaged.
Starting the engine with jump
leads
3
Do not use a rapid charger or push or two
the vehicle to get it started.
A vehicle with a discha rged battery can be
started using jump leads and the battery of
another vehicle.
9
Warning
Starting the engine with jump leads must
be carried out with the utmost caution.
Any deviation from the following instruc-
tion may lead to injury or damage due
to the explosion of the batteries and to
damage of the electrics in both vehicles.
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230 Self-help, vehicle careWindows
Use a soft lint-free cloth or chamois leather
together with window cleaner and insect
remover.
When cleaning the rear window, make sure
the heating element inside the window is
not damaged.
For mechanical removal of ice, use a sharp-
edged ice scraper. Press the scraper firmly
against the glass so that no dirt can get
under it and scratch the glass.
Clean smearing wiper blades with a soft
cloth and window cleaner.
Sun roof 3
Never clean with solvents or abrasives,
fuels, aggressive agents (e.g. paintwork
cleaner, solutions containing acetone,
etc.), acidic or strongly alkaline agents or
scourers.
No stickers may be applied to the sun roof. Locks
The locks are lubricated with a high-quality
locking cylinder grease
in the factory. Only
use de-icer in urgent cases, since it has a
de-greasing effect and affects the
operation of the locks. Have the locks re-
greased in a workshop after using de-icer.
Engine compartment
Clean painted surfaces in the engine
compartment 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
brake fluid reservoir 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,
the air conditioning system, the climate
control system, belt drive or the fuse box.
After an engine wash, have all engine room
components preserved thoroughly by a
workshop using protective wax.
Do not use high-pressure jet cleaners. Underbody
Some areas of the vehicle underbody have
a PVC undercoating while other critical
areas have a durable protective wax
coating.
After the underbody is washed, check the
underbody and have more protective wax
applied if necessary.
Bitumen/rubber materials could damage
the PVC coating. Have underbody work
carried out by a workshop.
Before and after winter, wash the
underbody and have the protective wax
coating checked.
Towing equipment
Do not clean the coupling ball bar with a
steam-jet or high-pressure jet cleaner.
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