Page 161 of 284

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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Page 164 of 284

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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Page 169 of 284

163
Driving and operation
To deactivateThe system deactivates automatically
when reverse gear is disengaged.
If the system is switched of with reverse
gear engaged, press button r 3, the LED
in the button goes out.
To reactivate, press button r again.
Picture no: 18255s.tif
Control indicator
r
Illuminates:
Fault in system. The system is not
operational. Have cause of fault remedied
by a workshop. The system’s integrated
self diagnostics allows faults to be quickly
remedied.
Flashes:
The fault is due to sensors obstructed with
snow or ice. The sensors must be
undamaged and free of dirt, snow and ice.
Interference due to external sources of
ultra sound (e.g. pneumatic drills, rotary
machines). Once the source of interference
is removed, the system will operate
normally. Caravan/trailer towing equipment
3,
caravan/trailer towing When towing, park pilot is automatically
deactivated when the trailer cable is
plugged into the socket.
Fitting rear load racks
3
Rear carriers, e. g. bike carriers, could
cause system malfunction.
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Page 171 of 284

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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Page 190 of 284
184 Driving and operationTowing equipment
3
Only use towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle. Ask a workshop
to retrofit towing equipment. It may be
necessary to make changes that affect the
cooling system, heat shields or other
equipment.
Mounting dimensions of towing equipment
3269.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The coupling ball bar is stowed in a bag in
the spare wheel well and secured to the
lashing eyes in the luggage compartment
3 187.
Picture no: 18389s.tif
Fitting the coupling ball bar
Push both bolts inwards and remove the
cover on the bumper.
Picture no: 18390s.tif
Fold down socket. Pull sealing plug out of
coupling ball bar opening. Place cover and
coupling ball bar in luggage compartment.
Caution
The coupling ball bar is to be removed
when not towing.
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Page 192 of 284
186 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18394s.tif
Green marking on the rotary lever is visible.
Lock coupling ball bar and remove key. Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly
installedz
Green marking on the rotary lever is
visible.
z There must be no gap between the
rotary handle and th e coupling ball bar.
z The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
z The coupling ball bar must be locked
and the key removed.
Picture no: 18397s.tif
Eye for break-away stopping cable
In the case of trailers/caravans with brakes,
attach breakaway stopping cable to eye.
9
Warning
Towing a caravan/trailer is only per-
mitted with a properly fitted coupling
ball bar. If the coupling ball bar cannot
be correctly fitted, please contact a
workshop for assistance.
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Page 193 of 284

187
Driving and operation
Picture no: 18395s.tif
Dismounting the coupling ball bar
Place the key in the lock and unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Push the rotary lever onto the coupling ball
bar and rotate right while pressed down
until it engages. Pull out the ball bar
downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening for coupling
ball bar. Close socket 3184, Fig. 18390 S.
Place cover on bumper and push both
bolts outwards.
Picture no: 18396s.tif
Stowage of coupling ball bar
Fit protective cap 3 over rotary lever with
key.
Stow coupling ball bar in bag and place in
spare wheel well, and se cure bag to lashing
eyes in luggage compartment.
Lashing eyes 356
Caravan/trailer towingCaravan and trailer loads
1)
The permissible caravan/trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent maximum
values which must not be exceeded. The
actual caravan/trailer load is the difference
between the actual gross weight of the
caravan/trailer and the actual coupling
socket load with the caravan/trailer
coupled.
The permissible caravan/trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients up to
maximum 12 %. 1)Observe national regulations.
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Page 194 of 284

188 Driving and operationThe permitted caravan/trailer load applies
up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea level.
Since engine power decreases as altitude
increases because of the air becoming
thinner, therefore reducing climbing ability,
the permitted towing weight also
decreases by 10 % for every 1000 metres of
additional altitude. The towing weight
does not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than 8 %,
e. g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight must not
be exceeded. This weight is specified on
the identification plate 3250. Coupling socket load
The coupling socket load is the load
exerted by the trailer/caravan on the
coupling ball. It can be varied by changing
the weight distributi
on when loading the
trailer/caravan.
The maximum permitted coupling socket
load (vehicles with engine Z 12 XEP: 45 kg,
other versions: 55 kg) of the towing vehicle
is noted on the identification plate of the
trailer towing device and specified in the
vehicle documents. This must always be
complied with, partic ularly when towing
heavy trailers. The coupling socket load
must never be less than 25 kg.
When measuring the coupling socket load,
make sure that the drawbar of the loaded
trailer/caravan is at the same height as it
will be when the trailer/caravan is coupled
with the towing vehicl e loaded. Particularly
important for trailers/caravans with
tandem axle. Rear axle load during towing
With the trailer attached and the towing
vehicle fully loaded, including all the
passengers, the permitted rear axle load
(specified on identifica
tion plate and vehicle
documents) for passenger vehicles may be
exceeded by 45 kg and the permitted total
load may be exceeded by 50 kg.
For vans the permitted rear axle load may
be exceeded by 25 kg. The permitted total
load may be exceeded by the following
amounts with the engines specified below:
Trailer operation is not permitted for vans
with tyre size 215/45 R 17.
If the permitted rear axle load is exceeded
a maximum speed of 100 km/h applies. If
lower national maximum speeds are
specified for trailer operation, they must be
complied with. Z 10 XEP 30 kg
Z 12 XEP 15 kg
Z 13 DTH 40 kg
Z 13 DTJ 35 kg
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