102 Driving and operation
Picture no: 12466s.tif
Selector lever in A/M
Switch between Automatic and Manual
mode.
In manual mode, a gear can be selected
manually by tapping the selector lever to
the
+ or
- position. The transmission display
indicates the current gear.
If the engine speed is too low the manual
transmission automated will automatically
shift to a lower gear even in Manual mode.
This prevents the engine from stalling. Selector lever in + or -
If a higher gear is selected when the
running speed is too low, or a lower gear
when the speed is too high, no shift is
carried out. This prevents the engine from
running at too low or too high revs.
Gears can be skipped by jogging the
selector lever repeatedly at short intervals.
When the vehicle is in automatic mode,
manual transmission automated switches
to manual mode when the selector lever is
tapped to position
+ or
-. The transmission
display indicates the current gear.
Selector lever in R
Reverse gear. Engage only when vehicle is
stationary.
Press knob on selector lever, select R, "R"
appears in gear display.
If R is selected when the vehicle is in motion,
"R" flashes in the transmission display and
no gear is engaged. Stopping the vehicle
In automatic or manual mode, first gear is
automatically engaged (second gear if the
Winter programme is engaged) and the
clutch is released when the vehicle is
stationary. In R, reverse gear remains
engaged.
If a warning signal sounds when the
driver’s door is opened (foot brake not
depressed), move the selector lever to N
and apply the hand brake.
When stopping on gradients, engage the
hand brake or depress the brake pedal. To
prevent overheating of the clutch, do not
increase engine speed to ensure smooth
idling when in gear.
Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy
period, e.g. in traffic jams or at level
crossings.
Electronically controlled driving
programmes in automatic mode
zFollowing a cold start, the operating
temperature programme keeps engine
speed high to quickly and automatically
bring the catalytic converter to the
required temperature.
zAdaptive programmes automatically
change to other gears to suit the driving
conditions, such as if the vehicle is
towing a caravan/trailer, has a high
payload, or is being driven on inclines.
+
Shift to a higher gear.
-
Shift to a lower gear.
103
Driving and operation
Picture no: 12479S.tif
Winter programme T
In the event of difficulties starting off on
slippery roads, press the T b u t t o n ( " A " a n d
T appear in the transmission display). The
manual transmission automated switches
to automatic mode and the vehicle sets off
in second gear.
The Winter programme is switched off by:
zpressing the T button again,
zturning off the ignition,
zswitching to Manual mode,
zwhen clutch temperature is too high.
Picture no: 13322a.tif
Kickdown
If the accelerator pedal is pressed past the
pressure point, the transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on engine speed.
During kickdown no manual gear shifting is
possible.
When the engine speed approaches its
upper limit, the transmission shifts to a
higher gear during kickdown even in
Manual mode.
Without kickdown this automatic shift is
not effected in Manual mode. Engine braking
Automatic mode
When driving downhill, the manual
transmission automated does not shift into
higher gears until a fairly high engine
speed has been reached. When braking,
the transmission shifts down in good time.
Manual modeTo utilise the engine braking effect, select a
lower gear in good time when driving
downhill.
"Rocking the car"
T o r o c k a v e h i c l e t h a t i s s t u c k i n s a n d , m u d ,
snow or a rut only, alternate the selector
lever between o (centre position) and R
positions and depress the accelerator
pedal slightly. Keep the engine speed as
low as possible and avoid rapid
acceleration.
104 Driving and operation
Picture no: 14083j.tif
Manoeuvring the vehicle
To manoeuvre the vehicle back and forth
during attempts to park or in garage
entrances the creeping movement can be
utilised by releasing the foot brake.
Never actuate accelerator and brake
pedals simultaneously.
To prevent damage, the manual
transmission automated disengages the
"creep function" at extremely high
automatic clutch temperatures. Vehicle storage
Apply the handbrake and remove the key
from the ignition. The previously selected
gear (shown on the transmission display)
remains selected. No gear is selected in
selector lever position N.
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 discharged 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: 12480s.tif
Fault
To prevent damage to the automated
manual transmission, the clutch is closed
automatically at high clutch temperatures.
Control indicator A illuminates in the
event of a fault. Continued driving is
possible. Manual mode cannot be used for
shifting.
If an "F" is also shown 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.
105
Driving and operation
Picture no: 13739s.tif
Interruption of power supply
The clutch is not disengaged if there is an
interruption of the power supply when a
gear is engaged. The vehicle cannot move.
If the battery is discharged, start the
vehicle using jump leads 3129.
If the cause is not a flat battery, contact a
workshop for assistance. If the vehicle has
to be moved out of flowing traffic,
disengage clutch as follows:
1. Apply hand brake and switch off
ignition.
2. Open bonnet and engage support.3. Clean the transmission around the cap
(see figure) so that no dirt can get into
the opening when the cap is removed.
4. Rotate cap to slacken and remove by
lifting upwards – see figure.
5. Turn the adjusting screw clockwise using
a flat-head screwdriver (vehicle tools 3
3136) until clear resistance can be felt.
The clutch has now been disengaged.
6. Fit cleaned cap again. The cap must be
in full contact with the housing.
Contact a workshop for assistance
immediately.
Picture no: 15120s.tif
Manual transmissionTo engage reverse, with the vehicle
stationary wait 3 seconds after declutching
and then pull up the button on the selector
lever and engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, set the lever in
neutral, release the clutch pedal and
depress again; then repeat gear selection.
Do not grind the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch pedal
completely. Do not use the pedal as a foot
rest (increases clutch wear).
Caution
Do not turn beyond the resistance, since
this can damage the manual
transmission automated.
Caution
Towing the vehicle and starting the
engine is not permitted when the clutch
has been released in this way, although
the vehicle can be moved a short
distance.
107
Driving and operation
Save energy – more kilometres
Please observe the running-in hints on the
previous page and the tips for saving
energy on the following pages.
Good, technically correct and economical
driving ensures maximum durability and
performance for your vehicle.
Overrun cut-off
The fuel supply is automatically cut off
during overrun, e.g. when the vehicle is
driven with a gear engaged but no throttle
application. Overrun cut-off is deactivated
if catalytic converter temperature is high.
Vehicles with turbocharged engine
Flow-generated noises may be audible if
the accelerator is released quickly on
account of air flow in the turbocharger.
Engine speed
Drive in a low engine speed range for each
gear as much as possible. Warming up
Allow the engine to warm up while driving.
Do not warm it up by letting it run at idling
speed. Do not apply full throttle until the
engine has reached operating
temperature.
In automatic mode, the manual
transmission automated 3 does not shift to
the higher gears after a cold start until
higher engine speeds are reached. This
allows the catalytic converter to quickly
reach the temperature that is required for
optimum pollutant reduction.
Correct gear selection
Do not race your engine whilst in neutral or
with a low gear selected. Driving too fast in
individual gears as well as stop-and-go
traffic increases engine wear and fuel
consumption.
Change down
When decreasing speed, shift down into
the next lowest gear. Do not slip the clutch
with a high-revving engine. This is
especially important when hill climbing. Cooling fan
The cooling fan is controlled via a
thermoswitch and therefore only runs if
necessary.
The cooling fan automatically switches on
when the diesel particle filter is being
cleaned 3 depending on the engine.
Pedals
Do not place any objects in the foot well
which could slip under the pedals and
inhibit the pedal travel.
To ensure the pedal travel is uninhibited,
there must be no mats in the area of the
pedals.
Battery care
When driving slowly or when the vehicle is
stationary, e.g. in slow urban traffic, stop-
and-go traffic or traffic jams, turn off all
unnecessary electrical loads where
possible (e.g. heated rear window, heated
front seats, etc.).
Declutch when starting in order to relieve
the strain on the starter and the battery.
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.
119
Driving and operation
Picture no: 12482s.tif
Brake system control indicator R
The control indicator illuminates when the
ignition is switched on if the hand brake is
applied or if the brake or clutch fluid level is
too low. Brake fluid 3179. For vehicles with manual transmission
automated 3, the control indicator flashes
for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned off if the hand brake is not applied.
Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS
u)3
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
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.
Picture no: 12147s.tif
Control indicator u for ABS
It illuminates for a few seconds when
ignition is switched on. Once the control
indicator goes out, the system is ready for
operation.
If the control indicator does not go out
after a few seconds, or if it illuminates while
driving, there is a fault in the ABS. The
brake system remains operational without
ABS regulation.
9 Warning
If the control indicator illuminates when
the handbrake is released, stop driving
immediately. Contact a workshop for
assistance.
132 Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 18109s.tif
Screw in the towing eye anticlockwise as far
as it will go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope 3 – or better still a tow
rod3 – to the eye.
The towing eye is only to be used for
towing and not for vehicle recovery. Switch on ignition to release steering
column lock and to permit operation of
brake lamps, horn and windscreen wipers.
Manual transmission in neutral; manual
transmission automated 3 in N. When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to brake
and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust fumes from
the towing vehicle, switch on the air
recirculation 3 and close the windows.
Contact a workshop for assistance.
If the automatic clutch has been manually
disengaged on a vehicle with manual
transmission automated 3 towing is not
permitted 3105. In this case, contact a
workshop for assistance immediately.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye
clockwise and refit the cover.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can damage
the vehicle.