2009 OPEL MERIVA System

124 Climate controlManual settings
Under certain circumstances (e.g. iced or
misted windows), the functions of the
climate control system can be modified
manually.
Manual settings are saved when the
ignition is switched off.
Make manual settings as follows when
necessary:
Picture no: 16501s.tif
Window demisting and defrosting
Misted or icy windows, e. g. due to damp
weather, damp clothing or low outside
temperatures:
Press button V, V appears in the air
conditioning display. Temperature, air dist
ribution and blower
are set automatically.
To return to automatic mode: press
button V or AUTO .
Heated rear window 341.
9 Warning
Disregard of the instructions could lead
to misting or icing of the windows and
subsequent accidents due to impaired
visibility.

125
Climate control
Picture no: 16503s.tif
Activating and deactivating air
conditioning compressor
Press the ECO button. ECO appears in the
air conditioning display.
Switch on to sa ve fuel. In this m ode cooling
(AC compressor) is switched off.
Inflowing air is neither cooled nor
dehumidified. This restricts the level of
comfort provided by the automatic climate
control system. This may cause the
windows to mist up, for example.
When cooling operates, condensation
forms and drips from the underside of the
vehicle.
To return to cooling operation: press
ECO button. ECO goes out.
Picture no: 16504s.tif
Air distribution
Press one or more of the following buttons.
The corresponding symbol appears in the
air conditioning display:
To return to automatic mode: Press the
appropriate buttons again, or press AUTO.
Picture no: 16505s.tif
Air flow
Set air flow using the right-hand rotary
knob. The selected fan speed is indicated
by the number of bars.
To deactivate the fan and thereby the
automatic climate control system: Turn the
right-hand rotary knob anticlockwise until
the display goes out.
Switching on: turn rota ry knob clockwise.
To return to automatic mode: Press
AUTO button.
sAir distribution towards windscreen
and front door windows.
M Air distribution towards vehicle
occupants via adjustable vents.
K Air distribution towards footwell.

126 Climate control
Picture no: 16506s.tif
Manual air recirculation mode
The air recirculation system prevents the
entry of outside air and the air in the
passenger compartment is circulated. Press button
4, % appears in the air
conditioning display.
To switch off manual air circulation: press
button 4 again.
Picture no: 16507s.tif
Air conditioning with the engine not
running
When the vehicle is stopped and the
ignition off, the residu al heat or cooling in
the system can be used for climate control
in passenger compartment, e.g. when
stopped at a level crossing.
Press AUTO with the ignition off. The
preselected temperature appears in the air
conditioning display. The temperature can
be adjusted with the left-hand rotary knob.
Residual climate control can only operate
for a limited period of time. To cancel,
press the AUTO button.
9 Warning
The exchange of fresh air is reduced in
air circulation mode. The quality of the
passenger compartment air
deteriorates which may cause the
vehicle occupants to feel drowsy. In
operation without cooling the air
humidity increases, so the windows may
mist up. Consequently, the air circulation
system should only be run for short
periods of time.

128 Climate controlRegular operationFor consistently good operation, the air
cooling system 3 must be switched on for
several minutes once per month regardless
of the weather and the time of year.
Operation not possible with the cooling
system switched on and when the outside
temperature is low.
Service For optimal cooling performance, we
recommend that the climate control
system be checked annually, starting three
years after initial vehicle registration.
z Functionality and pressure test,
z Heating functionality,
z Leakage check,
z Check of drive belts,
z Cleaning of condenser and evaporator
drainage,
z Performance check.

129
Driving and operation
Driving and operation
Manual transmission
automated
3
The manual transmission automated
transmission 3 permits manual ( manual
mode ) or automatic gear shifting
(automatic mode ), both with automatic
clutch control.
Picture no: 17878s.tif
Transmission display
Shows the mode and current gear.
If the Winter programme is activated, T is
illuminated.
Manual transmission automated
3... 129
Manual transmission ........................... 134
Driving hints ......................................... 135
Saving fuel, protecting the environment ...................................... 137
Fuels, refuelling .................................... 139
Catalytic converter, exhaust gasses .. 142
Drive Control Systems ......................... 146
Hydraulic brake system ...................... 151
Anti-lock brake system (ABS u ) ........ 152
Hand brake .......................................... 153
Brake assist .......................................... 153
Hill Start Assist 3 (HSA) ...................... 153
Wheels, tyres ........................................ 153
Roof rack 3.......................................... 158
Towing equipment 3........................... 158
Towing equipment with removable coupling ball bar 3........................... 159
Caravan/trailer towing ........................ 162

133
Driving and operation
Picture no: 14083j.tif
Manoeuvring the vehicle
For accurate manoeuvring when parking,
at garage entrances etc., the creeping
movement can be utilised by releasing the
foot brake with a gear selected.
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.
If the ignition key is not removed, the
battery may be discharg ed if the vehicle is
then left to stand for a lengthy period of
time.
If the hand brake has not been applied, the
control indicator R flashes for a few
seconds after the ignition is switched off.
Picture no: 17890s.tif
Fault
To prevent damage to the automated
manual transmission, the clutch is closed
automatically at high clutch temperatures.
Warning light A lights up if there is a fault.
It is possible to continue driving but manual
mode can no longer be used for changing
gear.
If "F" also appears in the transmission
display, it is not possible to continue
driving.
Have cause of fault remedied by a
workshop. The system’s integrated self
diagnostics allow faults to be quickly
remedied.

135
Driving and operation
Driving hintsThe first 1000 km
Drive your vehicle at various speeds. Do
not use full throttle. Never allow the engine
to labour at low revs.
Drive moderately. In all gears, only depress
the accelerator pedal around
3/4 of the way
down.
Do not drive faster than three quarters of
maximum speed.
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for the
first 200 km.
During the first drive smoke may develop
because of wax and oil evaporating on the
exhaust system. Park the vehicle in the
open for a while after the first drive and
avoid inhaling the fumes.
Fuel and engine oil consumption is higher
than normal during the running-in period.
Never coast with engine not running
Many units will not function in this situation
(e.g. brake servo unit, power steering 3).
Driving in this manner is a danger to
yourself and others. Brake servo unit
When the engine is not running, the brake
servo unit is no longer effective once the
brake pedal has been depressed once or
twice. Braking effect is not reduced, but
significantly greater force is required for
braking.
Electric power steering
3
If the power assisted steering fails when
being towed with the engine switched off,
the vehicle can still be steered, but
considerably more force is required.
Driving in mountainous terrain or with a
trailer/caravan
The cooling fan is elec trically operated. Its
cooling power is therefore independent of
the engine speed.
Since a considerable amount of heat is
generated at high engine speeds and less
at slower speeds, do not shift down when
climbing hills whilst the vehicle is still coping
with the gradient in the higher gear. Driving with a roof load
Do not exceed the permissible roof load
3
226. For reasons of safety, distribute the
load evenly and secure it properly with
retaining straps. Adjust tyre pressure to
load conditions. Do not drive faster
than 120 km/h. Check and retighten the
straps frequently. Observe country-specific
regulations.
Switching off the engine
When you switch off, fans in the engine
compartment may continue running for a
time to cool the engine.
If the engine temperature is very high, e.g.
after driving in mountainous terrain: allow
the engine to idle for approximately two
minutes in order to prevent heat
accumulation.
Vehicles with turbocharged engine
3
After running at high engine speeds or high
engine loads, operate the engine briefly
at a low load or run in neutral for
approx. 30 seconds before switching off in
order to protect the turbocharger.

137
Driving and operation
Saving fuel, protecting the
environmentTrend-setting technology
Environmentally friendly and mainly
recyclable materials were used when your
vehicle was being developed and
manufactured. The production methods
used to make your vehicle are also
environmentally-compatible.
Recycling of production wastes keeps the
circulation of material closed. Reduction of
energy and water requirements also helps
to conserve natural resources.
A highly advanced design means that your
vehicle can be easily disassembled at the
end of its working life, and the individual
materials separated for subsequent re-use.
Materials such as asbestos and cadmium
are not used. The refrigerant in the air
conditioning system 3 is CFC-free.
New painting techniques employ water as
a solvent. End-of-life vehicle recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle recovery
centres and the recycling of end-of-life
vehicles is availabl
e at www.opel.com.
Energy and environment-conscious
driving
z High noise levels and exhaust emissions
are often a result of driving without due
attention to saving energy and
protecting the environment.
z You should therefore drive with energy in
mind: "more miles – less fuel".
Reduce the noise level and exhaust
emissions by adopting an environment-
conscious driving style. This is extremely
worthwhile and improves the quality of
life.
Fuel consumption depends to a great
extent on your own personal driving
style. The following hints are intended to
help you consume fuel at a rate that is as
close as possible to the specified levels
3224.
Check your vehicle’s fuel consumption
every time you refuel. This facilitates
early detection of any irregularities
causing increased fuel consumption. Warming up
z
Full throttle and warming up at idle
speed increase wear, fuel consumption,
exhaust emission, the amount of
pollutant in the exhaust and the amount
of noise.
z Drive off immediately after starting.
Warm up the engine by running it at
moderate engine speeds.
Uniform speed
z Hectic driving significantly increases fuel
consumption, the exhaust emissions, the
proportion of pollutant in the exhaust
gas and the noise level.
z Do not accelerate and brake
unnecessarily. Drive at uniform speed,
watching the road.
Avoid frequent starting off and stopping
e.g. at traffic lights, in short distance
traffic and in queues of traffic by means
of clever planning. Select roads with
good traffic flow.
Idling
z The engine also consumes fuel when
idling.
z If you have to wait for more than one
minute, it is worthwhile switching off the
engine. Five minutes of idling
corresponds to approximately one
kilometre of driving.