109
Driving and operation
Overrun
zThe fuel supply is automatically shut off
during overrun, e.g. when the vehicle is
being driven down long gradients or
when braking 3107.
zTo enable the overrun cut-off to come
into action and save fuel, do not
accelerate or declutch during overrun.
Correct gear selection
zHigh revs increase engine wear and fuel
consumption.
zDo not race your engine. Avoid driving at
high engine speeds.
Making use of the tachometer helps to
save fuel. Drive in a low engine speed
range for each gear as much as possible
with uniform engine speeds. Drive as
often as possible in top gear, select the
next higher gear as soon as possible,
and only change down when the engine
is no longer running perfectly smoothly.
High speed
zThe higher the speed, the higher the
consumption and the noise level. At top
speed, you consume a great deal of fuel
and produce excessive noise and
exhaust emissions. zSlightly releasing the accelerator pedal
results in distinct fuel savings with no
major loss of speed.
Drive at no more than around three
quarters of maximum speed and you will
use up to 50 % less fuel, without losing a
great deal of time.
Tyre pressure
zInadequate tyre pressure, leading to
higher road resistance, costs money in
two ways: for more fuel and increased
tyre wear.
zRegular checks (every 14 days) pay off.
Electrical loads
zThe power consumption of electrical
equipment increases fuel consumption.
zSwitch off all auxiliary electrical loads
(e.g. air conditioning3, heated rear
window) when not needed.
Roof racks
zDue to air resistance, a roof load can
increase fuel consumption by approx.
1 l/100 km.
zRemove them if they are not being used. Repair and maintenance
zImproper repairs or adjustment and
maintenance work can increase fuel
consumption. Do not carry out work on
the engine yourself.
You may out of ignorance infringe
environmental laws by not disposing of
materials properly.
Appropriate parts might not be recycled.
Contact with some of the materials
involved may pose a health hazard.
zWe recommend that repair and
maintenance be entrusted to your Opel
Partner.
Extreme driving conditions
zGoing up steep slopes, cornering, driving
on poor roads and winter driving all
increase fuel consumption.
Fuel consumption increases dramatically
in urban traffic and at winter
temperatures, especially on short trips
when the engine operating temperature
is not reached.
zFollowing the instructions given above
will minimise consumption under these
conditions.
116 Driving and operation
Picture no: 11718s.tif
Control indicator
A
for engine electronics
Illuminates for a few seconds when ignition
is switched on.
If it comes on when the engine is running,
there is a fault in the engine or transmission
electronics. The electronics switch to the
emergency running programme, fuel
consumption may increase and the
driveability of the vehicle may be affected.
In some cases the fault can be remedied by
switching the engine off and starting it
again. If the control indicator continues to
illuminate whilst the engine is running,
contact a workshop for assistance in
remedying the cause of the fault. If it illuminates briefly, but does not recur, it
is of no significance.
If A illuminates, there may be water in the
diesel fuel filter 3. Have the fuel filter
checked for water residue by a workshop
3177.
I f i t f l a s h e s a f t e r t h e i g n i t i o n i s s w i t c h e d o n ,
there is a fault in the immobiliser system.
The engine cannot be started 321.
Engine exhaust Diesel particle filter 3
The diesel particle filter system filters
harmful soot particles out of the exhaust
gases. The system includes a self-cleaning
function that run automatically during
driving. The filter is cleaned by burning off
the soot particles at high temperature. This
process takes place automatically under
set driving conditions and may take up to
25 minutes. Fuel consumption may be
higher during this period. The emission of
smells and smoke during this process is
normal.
9 Warning
Engine exhaust gases contain poisonous
carbon monoxide, which is colourless
and odourless and could be fatal if
inhaled.
If exhaust gases penetrate the vehicle,
open windows and contact a workshop
for assistance.
Avoid driving with an open tailgate.
Otherwise, exhaust gases could get into
the interior.
118 Driving and operationMaintenance
Have all maintenance work carried out at
the specified intervals. We recommend
that you entrust this work to your Opel
Partner, who has proper equipment and
trained personnel available. Electronic
testing systems permit rapid diagnosis and
remedy of faults. This way you can be
certain that all components of the vehicle’s
electrical, injection and ignition systems
operate correctly, that your vehicle has a
low level of pollutant emission and that the
catalytic converter system will have a long
service life.
You are thereby making an important
contribution towards keeping the air clean
and compliance with emissions legislation.
Checking and adjustment of the fuel-
injection and ignition systems is part of the
scope of inspection. For this reason you
should have all maintenance work carried
out at the intervals specified in your Service
and Warranty Booklet.
Picture no: 11629s.tif
Hydraulic brake system The foot brake comprises two independent
brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can still be
braked using the other brake circuit.
However, the brake pedal must be
depressed a considerable way before any
braking effect occurs, and much more
force is required. The braking distance is
longer. Contact a workshop for assistance
before continuing to drive. To ensure the full pedal travel can be
utilised, especially in case of a fault in one
of the brake circuits, there must be no mats
in the vicinity of the pedals 3107.
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. This is especially important
to bear in mind when towing.
The brake fluid level should be checked
regularly. If the brake fluid level is too low
and the hand brake is not applied, control
indicator R on the instrument panel lights
up 369.
120 Driving and operationSelf testing
When the engine is started and the vehicle
starts off, the system performs a self-check,
which may be audible.
Fault
Have cause of fault remedied by a
workshop. The system’s integrated self
diagnostics allow faults to be quickly
remedied.
Picture no: 12481s.tif
Hand brake Always apply handbrake 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 ratchet knob, and fully
lower the lever.
In order to reduce the hand brake
operational forces, depress the foot brake
at the same time.
Brake assist When the brake pedal is rapidly and
forcefully depressed, the vehicle is
automatically braked with maximum brake
force amplification in order to obtain the
shortest possible braking distance during
full-on braking (brake assist).
Maintain steady pressure on the brake
pedal for as long as full-on braking is to
continue. When the brake pedal is
released, the maximum brake force
amplification is taken away.
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.
129
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 18097s.tif
Lift the safety catch and open the bonnet.
Dirt or snow on the bonnet may drop onto
the windscreen when the bonnet is opened
and block the air intake. Air intake 399.
Picture no: 15123s.tif
Secure the bonnet support. 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.
Starting the engine with jump
leads
3
Do not start by quick charger or by pushing
or towing.
A vehicle with a discharged battery can be
started using jump leads and the battery of
another vehicle.
9 Warning
Starting the engine with jump leads must
be carried out with the utmost caution.
Any deviation from the following
instruction may lead to injury or damage
due to the explosion of the batteries and
to damage of the electrics in both
vehicles.
163
Self-help, vehicle care
Underbody
Some areas of the vehicle underbody have
a PVC undercoating while other critical
areas have a durable protective wax
coating.
After the underbody is washed, check the
underbody and have more protective wax
applied if necessary.
Bitumen/rubber materials could damage
the PVC coating. Have underbody work
carried out by a workshop.
Before and after winter, wash the
underbody and have the protective wax
coating checked. Natural gas system3
When cleaning the engine or underbody
with a steam jet or high pressure jet
cleaner, do not aim the jet at components
of the natural gas system. In particular, the
natural gas tanks and the pressure valves
at the vehicle underbody and bulkhead in
the engine compartment must be
protected from the pressurised spray.
In addition, these components must not be
treated with chemical cleaners or waxes.
Have natural gas system components
cleaned by a workshop that is authorised
to maintain natural gas vehicles.
Towing equipment
Do not clean the coupling ball bar with a
steam-jet or high-pressure jet cleaner.
166 Opel Service, maintenance⊕Additional work.
o Intervals are shorter under extreme operating conditions and when such is necessary due to conditions specific to the country.
Service work after year
1)
km (x 1000)
1)
1)Whichever occurs first.
1
302
603
904
1205
150
⊕
Replace toothed belt and tension roller
Z 16 YNGevery 6 years/90,000 km
Z 17 DTHevery 10 years/90,000 km
Z 16 XEPevery 10 years/150,000 km
Change engine oil and oil filter x x x x x
⊕o
Drain water from diesel fuel filter
(with high humidity and/or low fuel grade)xxxxx
Empty oil separator, Z 16 YNG every 4 years/60,000 km
Replace and drain water from fuel filter,
Z 13 DTJ, Z 17 DTHevery 2 years/60,000 km
Replace fuel filter, Z 16 YNG every 4 years/60,000 km
Check and adjust parking brake (wheels unladen); visually inspect wheel suspension
and spring suspension front and back, brake pipes, brake pressure hoses, fuel pipes,
gas lines on natural-gas powered vehicles and exhaust systemxx
Check external bodywork/underbody corrosion protection; note damage in
the Service and Warranty Bookletxxxxx
⊕o
Visually inspect front and rear wheel brakes
2)
2)If loss is great/leaks are present, carry out follow-up work with customer consent.
xx
Annual service check when the annual mileage is more than 20,000 km
Visually inspect engine, transmission (AT, MT), air conditioning compressor for leaks
2)
xxxxx
⊕o
Remove, clean and visually inspect brake drum every 4 years/60,000 km
167 Opel Service, maintenance
⊕Additional work.
o Intervals are shorter under extreme operating conditions and when such is necessary due to conditions specific to the country.
Service work after year
1)
km (x 1000)
1)
1)Whichever occurs first.
1
302
603
904
1205
150
Visually inspect steering bellows, track rods and axle drive xxxxx
Check track-rod ends and suspension ball joints xxxxx
⊕
Change brake and clutch fluid (manual transmission automated) every 2 years
Undo wheel mounting and tighten to 110 Nm torque
xx During assembly, lightly lubricate wheel bolt tapers with grease or oil
Check tyre condition; check and correct tyre pressures (including the spare wheel)
With tyre inflation system, check the set to make sure that it is complete and not out
of date. Replace sealant bottle every 4 years
⊕
Annual service check when the annual mileage is more than 20,000 km
Visually inspect the first-aid kit (present and stowed in the right place, intact and not
out of date), lashing eyes and warning triangleevery 2 years
Check and correct headlamp aiming (including auxiliary headlamps) x x
⊕o
Lubricate door hinges, door brakes, lock cylinders, strikers, bonnet closure and
tailgate hinges.xx
Road test, final inspection (check steering column lock, ignition switch, instruments
and control indicators, entire brake system, steering, air conditioning system, engine,
body and chassis), reset service interval display using TECH 2xxxxx
⊕
For Germany only: carry out emissions inspection (AU), general inspection (HU) First after 3 years and then every
2 years thereafter
With commercial passenger transport, taxis, ambulances, hired vehicles, etc. annually
⊕
Carry out gas system test (GAP) and note it in the Service and Warranty Booklet First after 3 years and then every
2 years thereafter
With commercial passenger transport, taxis, ambulances, hired vehicles, etc. annually