2009 OPEL ZAFIRA engine

Driving and operating
147
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 filterability of diesel fuel
are temperature-dependent. When
temperatures are low, refuel with
diesel fuel with guaranteed winter
properties.
Fuel for natural gas
operation
Use natural gas with a methane
content of approx. 78 - 99 %. L-gas
(low) has approx. 78 - 87 % and H-gas
(high) has approx. 87 - 99 %. Biogas
with the same methane content can
also be used if it has been chemically
prepared and desulphurised.
Liquid gas or LPG must not be used. Refuelling
9
Danger Before refuelling, switch off engine
and any external heaters with
combustion chambers (identified
by

sticker on fuel filler flap). Switch
off any mobile phones.
Follow the operating and safety
instructions of the filling station
when refuelling. 9
Danger 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
remedied immediately by
a workshop.
Fuel filler flap is located at right rear
side of vehicle.
The

fuel filler flap can only be opened
if the vehicle is unlocked.

148
Driving and operating
The fuel filler cap can be retained in
the bracket on the fuel filler flap. Caution
Wipe off any overflowing fuel
immediately.
Natural gas refuelling
When filling with natural gas, remove
the
protective cap from the filler neck. 9
Warning Refuel only with a maximum
output pressure of 250 bar. Use
only temperature compensated
filling stations.
The refuelling procedure must be
completed,

i.e. the filler neck must be
vented. Refit the protective cap.
The capacity of the natural gas tank
depends on outside temperature,
filling pressure and type of refuelling
system.
Terms for "natural gas vehicles"
abroad:
German Erdgasfahrzeuge
English NGVs = Natural Gas Vehicles
French Véhicules au gaz naturel – or – Véhicules GNV
Italian Metano auto
Terms for "natural gas" abroad: German Erdgas
English CNG = Compressed
Natural Gas
French GNV = Gaz Naturel (pour) Véhicules - or -
CGN = carburantgaz
naturel
Italian Metano (per auto)
Fuel filler cap
Only
a genuine fuel filler cap provides
full functionality. Diesel-engined
vehicles have special fuel filler caps.
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions
The determination of fuel
consumption is regulated by
European directive 80/1268/EEC
(latest edition 2004/3/EC).
The directive is oriented to actual
driving practices: Urban driving is
rated at approx. 1
/3 and extra urban

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.

154
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
General Information ...................154
Vehicle checks ........................... 155
Bulb replacement .......................160
Electrical system ........................167
Vehicle tools .............................. 173
Wheels and tyres .......................174
Jump starting ............................. 185
Towing ....................................... 187
Appearance care .......................189 General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We
recommend to use Genuine Parts
and Accessories and factory
approved parts specific for your
vehicle type. We cannot assess or
guarantee for other products - even if
they have a regulatory or otherwise
granted approval.
Do not make any modifications to the
electrical system, e. g. changes of
electronic control units (chip tuning).
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of time
Following must be done if the vehicle
should be stored for several months:
■ Wash and wax the vehicle.
■ Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
■ Clean and preserve rubber seals.
■ Change engine oil. ■ Drain washer fluid reservoir.
■
Check coolant anti-freeze andcorrosion protection.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park vehicle in dry, well ventilated place. Engage first or reverse gear
or set selector lever to P. Prevent
the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply hand brake.
■ Open bonnet, close all doors and lock the vehicle.
■ Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery. Beware that all systems are
not functional, e.g. anti-theft alarm
system.
Putting back into operation
Following must be done if the vehicle
is putting back into operation: ■ Connect the clamp to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery.
Activate the electronic of the power
windows.
■ Check tyre pressure.
■ Fill up the washer fluid reservoir.

Vehicle care
155
■ Check the engine oil level.
■ Check the coolant level.
■ Fit the number plate if necessary.
End-of-life vehicle
recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle
recovery centres and the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles is available on our
website www.opel.com. Only entrust
this work to an authorised recycling
centre. Vehicle checks
Performing work
9
Warning Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The cooling fan may start
operating

even if the ignition is off. 9
Danger The ignition system and Xenon
headlamps use extremely high
voltage. Do not touch.
The caps for topping up the engine oil,
the

coolant, the washing fluid and the
oil dipstick handle are yellow for ease
of identification.
Bonnet
Opening

156
Vehicle care
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position. Lift the safety catch upwards and
open the bonnet.
Air intake 3 125. Secure the bonnet support.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder.
Lower
the bonnet and allow it to drop
into the catch. Check that the bonnet
is engaged.
Engine oil
Engine oil level is checked
automatically 3 91. It is advisable to
check the engine oil level manually
before embarking on a long journey. Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 5 minutes.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
insert

it to the stop on the handle, pull
out and read the engine oil level.
Insert dipstick to the stop on the
handle and make half a turn. Different dipsticks are used
depending on engine variant.

Vehicle care
157When the engine oil level has
dropped to the
MIN mark, top up
engine oil. We recommend to use the same
engine oil that is filled in.
The engine oil level must not exceed
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out.
Capacities
3 219.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Engine coolant
The coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -28 °C. Caution
Only use approved anti-freeze.
Coolant level
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause
engine damage. If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
KALT/COLD
mark. Top up if the level
is low. 9
Warning Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
Top up with anti-freeze. If no anti-
freeze is available, use clean tap
water

or distilled water. Install the cap
tightly. Have the anti-freeze