
153
Driving and operation
Fuels, refuelling Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption is determined under
specific driving conditions – see page
3256.
Special equipment increases the weight of
the vehicle. As a result, they can increase
fuel consumption and reduce the specified
maximum speed.
For the first few thousand kilometres,
friction between the engine and
transmission components is higher. This
increases fuel consumption.
Fuel for petrol engines
Only use unleaded fuel that complies
with DIN EN 228.
Fuels with ethanol content greater than 5 %
may only be used if the vehicle has been
specifically developed and approved for
these fuels.
Use fuel with the recommended octane
rating (value in bold 3254). Use of fuel
with too low an octane rating can reduce
engine power and torque and will slightly
increase fuel consumption. Fuel for diesel engines
Only use diesel fuel that complies
with DIN EN 590. The fuel must have
low sulphur content (maximum 50 ppm).
Do not use marine diesel oils, heating oils
or entirely or partially plant-based diesel
fuels, such as rape seed oil or bio diesel,
Aquazole and similar diesel-water
emulsions. Diesel fuels must not be diluted
with fuels for petrol engines.
The flow and filterabilit
y of diesel fuel are
temperature-dependent. When
temperatures are low, refuel with diesel fuel
with guaranteed wi nter properties.
Picture no: 18309s.tif
Fuel filler cap
Only a Opel Genuine fuel filler cap provides
full functionality. Di esel-engined vehicles
have special fuel filler caps.
Refuelling
Caution
Use of fuel with too low an octane rating
could lead to uncontrolled combustion
and engine damage.
9
Warning
Before refuelling, switch off engine and
any external heater s with combustion
chambers 3 (identified by sticker on tank
flap). Switch off any mobile phones.
Follow the operating and safety instruc-
tions of the filling stat ion when refueling.
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154 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18310s.tif
Fuel filler neck at right rear side of vehicle.
With a central locking system with remote
control 3, the tank flap is unlocked at the
same time as the doors 332.
Open tank flap.
Unlock the fuel filler cap with the ignition
key 3, unscrew, remove and attach to tank
flap.
The fuel tank has a limiting system which
prevents overfilling of the tank. Correct filling depends to a large extent on
proper operation of the fuel dispensing
pump:
1. Fully insert the pump nozzle and switch it
on.
2. After automatic switch off, the specified tank capacity is reached after continued,
measured filling. Leave the filler nozzle in
place until the stop.
To close, place fuel fill er cap in position and
turn, overcoming the resistance until the
ratchet on the cap engages audibly. Lock
the fuel filler cap with the ignition key 3.
Close fuel tank cover.
9
Warning
Fuel is flammable and explosive. No
smoking. No naked flames or sparks.
If you can smell fuel in your vehicle, have
the cause of this rectified immediately
by a workshop.
Caution
Wipe off any overflowing fuel
immediately.
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155
Driving and operation
Picture no: 17199t.tif
Catalytic converter, exhaust
gassesCatalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gas, such as carbon monoxide
(CO), hydrocarbons, CH) and nitrous
oxide (NO
x).
Fuel grades other than those listed on
pages 153, 252 (e. g. LRP = Lead
Replacement Petrol or leaded fuel) could
damage the catalytic converter or
electronic components. z
In the event of misfiring, uneven engine
running, a clear reduction in engine
performance or other unusual problems,
have the cause of the fault rectified by a
workshop as soon as possible. In an
emergency, driving can be continued for
a short period, keeping vehicle speed
and engine speed low.
This does not apply when the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP®
Plus
3) kicks in
3 151.
z If unburnt fuel enters the catalytic
converter of a petrol engine, this may
result in overheating and irreparable
damage to the catalytic converter.
You should therefore avoid
unnecessarily long use of the starter
when starting off, running the tank dry
and starting the engine by pushing or
towing.
Picture no: 18182s.tif
Controlling exhaust emission
Design measures, primarily in the fuel
injection system and ignition system zones
in combination with the catalytic converter,
the amount of hazardous substances in the
exhaust emissions, such as carbon
monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (CH) and
nitrogen oxides (NO
x), are reduced to a
minimum.
Caution
Damage to the catalytic converter or the
vehicle may result if the following points
are not observed.
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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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157
Driving and operation
Engine exhaust Diesel particle filter 3
The diesel particle filter system filters
harmful soot particles out of the exhaust
gases. The system includes a self-cleaning
function that run automatically during
driving. The filter is cleaned by burning off
the soot particles at hi gh temperature. This
process takes place automatically under
set driving conditions and may take up
to 25 minutes. Fuel consumption may be
higher during this period. The emission of
smells and smoke during this process is
normal.
Picture no: 18544s.tif
Under certain driving conditions, e.g. short
journeys, the system may not clean itself
automatically.
If the filter requires cleaning and previous
driving conditions did not enable
automatic cleaning, control indicator !
flashes. Continue driving, keeping engine
speed above 2000 rpm
-1. Shift down if
necessary. Diesel partic le filter cleaning is
then initiated.
9
Warning
Engine exhaust gases contain poisonous
carbon monoxide, which is colourless
and odourless and could be fatal if
inhaled.
If exhaust gases penetrate the vehicle,
open windows and contact a workshop
for assistance.
Avoid driving with the tailgate open,
since exhaust gas can enter the interior
of the vehicle.
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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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169
Driving and operation
Picture no: 18311s.tif
Tyre pressure
Check tyre pressure, including the spare
wheel, at least every 14 days and prior to
any long journey; the tyres should be
checked when cold. Don’t forget to check
the spare wheel 3.
Remove the valve cap key from the tank
flap and use it to unscrew the valve cap.
Tyre pressure 3264 and on the adhesive
label 3 on the inside of the tank flap.
The tyre pressure data is for cold tyres. It
applies to both summer and winter tyres. Always inflate the spare wheel
3 to the
pressure specified for full load.
Do not reduce tyre pr essure when the tyres
are warm. Otherwise the pressure may
drop below the permissible minimum when
the tyres cool down.
After having checked the tyre pressure,
tighten the valve caps using the valve cap
key.
Incorrect inflation pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and fuel
economy and will increase tyre wear.
Picture no: 17213t.tif
9
Warning
If the pressure is too low, this can result
in considerable tyre warm-up and
internal damage, leading to tread sepa-
ration and even to tyre blow-out at high
speeds.
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190 Self-help, vehicle careSelf-help,
vehicle care
Diesel fuel system, bleeding If the tank is allowed to run dry, the diesel
fuel system must be bled. Turn over the
ignition three times for 15 seconds at a
time. Then start the engine for a maximum
of 40 seconds
1). Repeat this process after
no less than 5 seconds. If the engine fails to
start, seek the assistance of a workshop.
Picture no: 18190s.tif
Bonnet Pull the release lever located on the left
side below the instru ment panel and push
it back to its original position.
Diesel fuel system, bleeding ............... 190
Bonnet .................................................. 190
Starting the engine with jump leads
3. 191
Towing .................................................. 193
Warning triangle ¨ 3......................... 196
First-aid kit (cushion) + 3................... 196
Spare wheel 3...................................... 196
Jack £ 3 and vehicle tools 3........... 198
Changing wheels ................................. 200
Tyre repair kit 3................................... 204
Electrical system .................................. 208
Fuses and the most important circuits they protect ....................................... 209
Bulb replacement ................................ 212
Halogen headlamp system ................ 212
Adaptive Forward Lighting system 3. 216
Front indicator lamps .......................... 220
Fog lamps 3......................................... 220
Side turn signal lamp .......................... 220
Tail lamps ............................................. 221
Number plate lamp ............................. 225
Courtesy lamps .................................... 226
Vehicle care.......................................... 228
1)For technical reasons only 30 seconds are
possible on engines A 17 DTR/Z 17 DTR
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