Page 17 of 228

In brief
17
Automatic transmission P
=park
R = reverse
N = neutral
D = drive
The selector lever can only be moved
out of P or N when the ignition is on
and the foot brake is depressed
(Selector lever lock). To engage P or
R , push button on selector lever.
The automatic transmission is
available in two versions 3 131. Starting off
Check before starting off
■ Tyre
pressure and condition 3 175,
3 220.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 156.
■ All windows, mirrors, exterior lighting and number plates are free
from dirt, snow and ice and
operational.
■ Proper position of seats, seat belts and mirrors 3 46, 3 55, 3 39.
■ Check brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet. Starting engine with ignition
switch
Turn key to position 1. Move the
steering wheel slightly to release the
steering wheel lock. Operate clutch
and brake, automatic transmission in
P or N
, do not accelerate; for diesel
engine, turn the key to position 2 for
preheating until control indicator !
goes out; turn key to 3 and release
key when engine is running.
Page 91 of 228

Instruments and controls
91
Interactive Driving System,
Continuous Damping
Control, SPORT-mode
IDS+ illuminates yellow.
Illuminates for approximately 10
seconds after the driver's door is
opened. Illumination whilst driving
indicates a fault in the system. The
system
switches to the harder chassis
setting for reasons of safety. Have the
cause of the fault remedied by
a workshop.
IDS Plus
3 143, CDC 3 143, SPORT
mode 3 143.
Engine oil pressure
I illuminates red.
It illuminates when the ignition is
switched on and goes out shortly after
the engine starts. Illuminates when the engine is
running
Caution
Engine lubrication may be
interrupted. This may result in
damage to the engine and/or
locking of the drive wheels.
1. Depress clutch.
2.
Select neutral gear, set selectorlever to N .
3. Move out of the flow of traffic as quickly as possible without
impeding other vehicles.
4. Switch off ignition. 9
Warning When the engine is off,
considerably
more force is needed
to brake and steer.
Do not remove key until vehicle
has come to a standstill, otherwise
the steering column lock could
engage unexpectedly. Seek the assistance of a workshop.
Low engine oil level
S
illuminates yellow.
Engine oil level is checked
automatically.
Illuminates when the engine is
running
Low
engine oil level. Check engine oil
level and top up as necessary
3 156.
Low fuel
Y illuminates or flashes yellow.
Illuminated
Level in fuel tank too low.
Flashes
Fuel used up. Refuel immediately.
Never run the tank dry.
Catalytic converter 3 130.
Bleeding the diesel fuel system
3 159.
Page 127 of 228

Driving and operating
127
Driving and operating
Driving hints ............................... 127
Starting and operating ...............127
Engine exhaust .......................... 129
Automatic transmission
.............. 131
Manual transmission ..................136
Manual transmission
automated .................................. 136
Brakes ........................................ 140
Ride control systems .................142
Cruise control ............................. 144
Object detection systems ........... 145
Fuel ............................................ 146
Towing ....................................... 149 Driving hints
Control of the vehicle
Never coast with engine not
running
Many
systems will not function in this
situation (e.g. brake servo unit, power
steering). Driving in this manner is
a danger to yourself and others.
Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in
the area of the pedals. Starting and operating
New vehicle running-in
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
During the first drive, smoke may
occur because of wax and oil
evaporating off 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 may
be higher during the running-in
period.
Page 134 of 228

134
Driving and operating
No automatic shifting to a higher gear
takes place at high engine revs.
For reasons of safety, kickdown is
also available in manual mode
3 134.
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 automatic neutral shift function automatically shifts to idling when
the vehicle is stopped with
a forward gear engaged.
■ When Sport mode is engaged, the vehicle shifts at higher engine
speeds (unless cruise control is
on). Sport mode 3 143. Winter programme T
Activate the Winter programme to
assist starting off on a slippery road
surface.
Activation
on vehicles without manual
mode
Press the T button with P, R, N , D or
3 engaged. The vehicle starts off in
3rd gear. Activation on vehicles with manual
mode
In automatic mode, press the T
button. Depending on road
conditions, the vehicles starts off in
2nd or 3rd gear.
Deactivation
The
Winter programme is switched off
by:
■ pressing the T button again,
■ manually selecting 2 or 1 ,
■ changing to manual mode,
■ turning off the ignition,
■ or if the transmission oil temperature is too high.
Page 147 of 228

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.
Page 154 of 228

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.
Page 155 of 228
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
Page 156 of 228
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.