2009 OPEL CORSA brake

172 Driving and operationWinter tyres 3
Notes on fitting new tyres 3 168.
Restrictions 3171, 3264.
Winter tyres improve driving safety at
temperatures below 7 C.
The design of summer tyres means they
have limited qualities for winter driving.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker 3 in the
driver’s field of view.
If you use the spare wheel when it is fitted
with a summer tyre, the vehicle’s
driveability may be affected, especially on
slippery road surfaces. Obtain a
replacement for the faulty tyre as soon as
possible, and have the wheel balanced
and fitted to the vehicle.
Wheel covers 3
Use of wheel trims and tyres that approved
by Opel for the vehicle in question and
thereby fulfil all requirements for the wheel
and tyre combination.
If the wheel trims and tyres used are not
Opel-approved, the ty res must not have a
beaded edge. Wheel trims must not impair brake cooling.
Remove the wheel trims if fitting tyre
chains
3.
Picture no: 17217t.tif
Tyre chains
Restrictions and further information 3264.
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
driven wheels (front axle). They must be
fitted to the tyres symmetrically in order to
achieve a concentric fit.
Always use fine mesh chains that add no
more than 10 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).
9
Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel trims
could lead to sudden loss of air and
thereby accidents.
Back to overview

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.
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.
Back to overview

192 Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 17229t.tif
zNever expose the battery to naked
flames or sparks.
z A flat battery can fr eeze at temperatures
around 0 C. Defrost the battery before
connecting up jump leads.
z Do not allow battery fluid to come into
contact with eyes, skin, fabrics or
painted surfaces. The fluid contains
sulphuric acid which can cause injuries
and damage in the event of direct
contact.
z Wear eye protection and protective
clothing when handling a battery. z
Use a booster battery with the same
voltage (12 volts). Its capacity (Ah) must
not be much less than that of the
discharged battery.
z Use jump leads with insulated terminals
and a cross section of at least 16 mm
2
(25 mm
2 for diesel engines).
z Do not disconnect the discharged
battery from the vehicle.
z Switch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers.
z Do not lean over the battery during jump
starting.
z Do not allow the terminals of one lead to
touch those of the other lead.
z The vehicles must not come into contact
with each other during the jump starting
process.
z Apply hand brake. Manual transmission
or manual transmission automated 3 in
neutral, automati c transmission 3 in P.
Picture no: 18270s.tif
Lead connection order:
1. Connect the red lead to the positive
terminal 1 of the booster battery.
2. Connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal 2 on the flat
battery. The positive terminal has a
cover cap on it Undo the cap to access
the positive terminal.
3. Connect the black lead to the negative terminal 3 of the booster battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black lead 4
to a vehicle grounding point, such as the
engine block or a screw connection in the
engine suspension. Co nnect as far away
from the discharged battery as possible.
Back to overview

194 Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 18586s.tif
The towing eye is located in a recess.
Picture no: 18142s.tif
Screw in the towing eye anticlockwise as far
as it will go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope 3 – or better still a tow
rod 3 – to the eye.
The towing eye may only be used for
towing and not for recovery of the vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering
column lock and to permit operation of
brake lamps, horn an d windscreen wipers. Manual transmission or manual
transmission automated
3 in neutral,
automatic transmission 3 in N.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to brake
and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust fumes from
the towing vehicle, switch on the air
recirculation 3 and close the windows.
Contact a workshop for assistance.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily. Exces-
sive tractive force can damage the
vehicle.
Back to overview

200 Self-help, vehicle careChanging wheels There may be a tyre repair kit instead of a
spare wheel 3204.
Make the following preparations and
observe the following information:
z Park the vehicle on a level, firm and non-
skid surface. The front wheels must be in
the straight-ahead position.
z Switch on hazard warning lights, apply
hand brake, automa tic transmission 3 -
selector lever in P , manual transmission
or manual automatic transmission 3 -
engage 1st or reverse gear.
z Erect warning triangle 3 as specified.
Warning triangle 3196.
z Remove spare wheel from luggage
compartment 3196. z
Never change more than one wheel at
once.
z Use the jack 3 only to change wheels.
z If the ground on which the vehicle is
standing is soft, a solid board (max. 1 cm
thick) should be placed under the jack 3.
z Block the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel to be changed by placing wedge
blocks or equivalent in front and behind
the wheel. z
No people or animals may be in the
vehicle when it is jacked up.
z Never crawl under a jacked-up vehicle.
z Do not start the vehicle when it is raised
on the jack.
z Before screwing in the wheel bolts, clean
them and lightly coat the taper of each
wheel bolt with comm ercially available
grease.
Back to overview

204 Self-help, vehicle careTyre repair kit
3
Minor damage to the tyre tread or side wall
can be repaired using the tyre repair kit
(does not apply to run-flat tyres).
Do not remove the foreign body from the
tyre.
T y r e d a m a g e e x c e e d i n g 4 m m o r t ha t i s o n
the rim cannot be repaired with the tyre
repair kit.

Important 3207.
In the event of a flat tyre:
z Switch on hazard warning lights, apply
handbrake, engage 1st or reverse gear,
in the case of automatic transmission 3
move selector lever to position P.
z Erect warning triangle 3 as specified.
Warning triangle 3196.
Picture no: 18317s.tif
The tyre repair kit is located in the
compartment to the right in the luggage
compartment.
To open the compartment, disengage the
cover and open it.
Picture no: 18318s.tif
1. Remove the sealant bottle and holder
with the air tube from the compartment.
9
Warning
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.
Do not use the temporary spare wheel
for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be affected.
Back to overview

210 Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 18272s.tif
Fuse box in interior
The fuse box is located behind the light
switch. Pull the top edge of the panel and
fold down.
Picture no: 18403s.tif
In right-hand drive cars, the fuse box is
located behind a cover in the glove
compartment. Open the glove
compartment and remove the cover. To
close, first put on the cover, then lock it into
position.
No. Circuit
19 Airbags
20 Main relay
21 Main relay
22 Central control unit
23 Tyre repair kit
24 Fuel pump
25 Anti-lock brake system
26 Heated rear window
27 Anti-lock brake system
28 Interior fan
29 Cigarette lighter
30 Air conditioning system
31 Electric window (left)
32 Electric window (right)
33 Heated exterior mirrors
34 –
35 –
Back to overview