2009 OPEL ZAFIRA ESP

138
Driving and operating
high engine speed has been reached.
It shifts down in good time when
braking.
Manual mode
To utilise the engine braking effect,
select
a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill.
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between R and A in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
Parking
Apply the hand brake. The most
recently engaged gear (see
transmission display) remains
engaged. With N, no gear is engaged.
When the ignition is switched off the
transmission no longer responds to
movement of the selector lever. Manual mode
If a higher gear is selected when the
engine speed is too low, or a lower
gear when the speed is too high, the
shift is not executed. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or
too high an engine speed.
If engine speed is too low, the
transmission automatically shifts to
a lower gear.
If engine speed is too high, the
transmission
only switches to a higher
gear via kickdown.
When + or - is selected in automatic
mode, the transmission switches to
manual mode and shifts accordingly.
Electronic driving
programmes
■ Following a cold start, the operating
temperature programme increases
engine speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature. ■ The adaptive programme tailors
gearshifting to the driving
conditions, e.g. greater load or
gradients.
■ When Sport
mode is engaged, shift
times are reduced and the
transmission shifts at higher engine
speeds (unless cruise control is
on). Sport mode 3 143.
Winter programme T Activate the Winter programme if you
have problems starting off on
a slippery road surface.

140
Driving and operatingIf the vehicle must be moved out of
the flow of traffic, disengage the
clutch as follows:
1.
Apply hand brake and switch offignition.
2. Open the bonnet 3 155.
3. Clean the transmission around the cap so that no dirt can get into
the opening when the cap is
removed.
4. Rotate cap to slacken and remove by lifting upwards. 5. Using a flat-head screwdriver,
turn
the adjusting screw under the
cap clockwise until clear
resistance can be felt. The clutch
has now been disengaged.
6. Refit cleaned cap. The cap must be in full contact with the housing. Caution
Do not turn beyond the resistance
since this could damage the
transmission.
Caution
Towing the vehicle and starting
the engine is not permitted when
the

clutch has been disengaged in
this way, although the vehicle can
be moved a short distance. Seek the immediate assistance of
a workshop. Brakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
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. It is especially important to bear
this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 89.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.

Driving and operating
141
ABS starts to regulate brake pressure
as soon as a wheel shows a tendency
to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent though
a pulse in the brake pedal and the
noise of the regulation process.
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.
Control indicator u 3 89.
Adaptive brake lamp
During full braking, all three brake
lamps flash for the duration of ABS
control. Fault
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.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop. Parking brake
Always apply hand brake firmly
without operating the release button,
and apply as firmly as possible on
a downhill or uphill slope.
To release the hand brake, pull the
lever up slightly, press the release
button and fully lower the lever.
To

reduce the operating forces of the
hand brake, depress the foot brake at
the same time.
Control indicator R 3 89.

142
Driving and operating
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake
pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist
The system helps pull away on
inclines. After releasing the brake
pedal, if the hand brake is not applied
the brakes are released after a 2-
second delay. Ride control systems
Electronic stability
program
Electronic stability program
(ESP®
Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of the
type
of road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
control indicator v extinguishes.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action v
flashes. 9
Warning Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator
v 3 89.
Deactivation ESP®
Plus
can be deactivated when
Sport mode is engaged for high-
performance driving:

Driving and operating
143
Hold the SPORT button depressed
for about 4 seconds. Control indicator
v illuminates. ESPoff also appears in
the service display. 9
Warning Do not deactivate ESP®
Plus
if
a
run-flat tyre 3 has lost pressure.ESP®
Plus
is reactivated by pressing
the SPORT

button. ESPon appears in
the service display. ESP® Plus
is also
reactivated the next time the ignition
is switched on.
Sport mode 3 143.
Interactive driving system
Interactive driving system (IDS Plus
)
combines the electronic stability
program (ESP® Plus
) with the antilock
brake system (ABS) and continuous
damping control (CDC) to improve
driving dynamics and vehicle safety. Sport mode
Suspension and steering become
more direct and provide better
contact with the road surface. The
engine reacts more quickly to
accelerator pedal movements.
Automatic

gear changing is also more
responsive.
Control indicator IDSPlus
3 91.
Activation Press SPORT button.
Control indicator
1 3 89. Winter programme activation not
possible.
Deactivation
Briefly press the SPORT button.
Sport mode is deactivated the next
time the ignition is switched on or if
the Winter programme is activated.
Continuous damping
control
Continuous damping control (CDC)
changes suspension with damping
adaptation
of each shock absorber to
the current driving situation and road
conditions.
When Sport mode is engaged, the
damping control is adapted to
a sportier driving style.
Control indicator IDS+ 3 91.

Driving and operating
145
Reduction
With cruise control active, hold down
button g
or briefly press it repeatedly:
speed is reduced continuously or in
small increments.
When button g is released the current
speed is stored and maintained.
Deactivation
Briefly press the § button: cruise
control is deactivated.
Automatic deactivation:
■ Vehicle speed below approx. 30 km/h
■ The brake pedal is depressed
■ The clutch pedal is depressed
■ Selector lever in N. Object detection
systems
Parking assist Parking assist makes parking easier
by measuring the distance between
the vehicle and obstacles. It is the
driver, however, who maintains full
responsibility for parking.
The
system consists of four ultrasonic
parking sensors bumper mounted.
Control indicator r 3 89.
Note
Attached parts in the detection area
cause system malfunction.
Activation When reverse gear is engaged, the
system switches itself on
automatically.

150
Driving and operating
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
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 3 220.
Trailer towing
Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified
in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 % The permitted 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
permissible gross train weight also
decreases by 10 % for every 1000
metres of additional altitude. The
gross
train 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
3 208.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (75 kg) is specified on
the towing equipment identification
plate and in the vehicle documents. Always aim for the maximum load,
especially in the case of heavy
trailers. The vertical coupling load
should never fall below 25 kg.
Rear axle load
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by 90
kg
and the gross vehicle weight rating
by 75 kg. If the permissible rear axle
load is exceeded, a maximum speed
of 100 km/h applies.
Towing equipment Caution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.

Driving and operating
153
Dismounting the coupling ball
bar Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c (1
) to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out
coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold
away socket.
Insert cover in bumper: Insert guides
of cover into bumper, first in the front
and then in the rear and engage.
Compress cover in a slightly bent
position while doing so. Trailer stability assist
If the system detects snaking
movements,
engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is
selectively braked until the snaking
ceases.
Trailer stability assistant (TSA) is
a function of the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP® Plus
) 3 142.