2010 OPEL COMBO brake

108 Driving and operationSaving Fuel, Protecting the
Environment Trend-setting technology
Environmentally friendly and mainly
recyclable materials were used when your
vehicle was being developed and
manufactured. The production methods
used to make your vehicle are also
environmentally-compatible.
Recycling of production wastes keeps the
circulation of material closed. Reduction of
energy and water requirements also helps
to conserve natural resources.
A highly advanced design means that your
vehicle can be easily disassembled at the
end of its working life, and the individual
materials separated for subsequent re-use.
Materials such as asbestos and cadmium
are not used. The refrigerant in the air
conditioning system 3 is CFC-free.
New painting techniques employ water as
a solvent. End-of-life vehicle recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle recovery
centres and the recycling of end-of-life
vehicles is available at www.opel.com.
Energy and environment-conscious
driving
zHigh noise levels and exhaust emissions
are often a result of driving without due
attention to saving energy and
protecting the environment.
zYou should therefore drive with energy in
mind: "more kilometres – less fuel".
Reduce the noise level and exhaust
emissions by adopting an environment-
conscious driving style. This is extremely
worthwhile and improves the quality of
life.
Fuel consumption depends to a great
extent on your own personal driving
style. The following hints are intended to
help you consume fuel at a rate that is as
close as possible to the specified levels
3186.
Check your vehicle’s fuel consumption
every time you refuel. This facilitates
early detection of any irregularities
causing increased fuel consumption. Warming up
zFull throttle and warming up at idle
speed increase wear, fuel consumption,
exhaust emission, the amount of
pollutant in the exhaust and the amount
of noise.
zDrive off immediately after starting.
Warm up the engine by running it at
moderate engine speeds.
Uniform speed
zHectic driving significantly increases fuel
consumption, the exhaust emissions, the
proportion of pollutant in the exhaust
gas and the noise level.
zDo not accelerate and brake
unnecessarily. Drive at uniform speed,
watching the road.
Avoid frequent starting off and stopping
e.g. at traffic lights, in short distance
traffic and in queues of traffic by means
of clever planning. Select roads with
good traffic flow.
Idling
zThe engine also consumes fuel when
idling.
zIf you have to wait for more than one
minute, it is worthwhile switching off the
engine. Five minutes of idling
corresponds to approximately one
kilometre of driving.

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.

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.

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.

124 Driving and operationTyre designations
Meanings:
e.g. 175/70 R 14 79 T
Speed code letters: Winter tyres 3
Instructions on fitting new tyres 3121.
Limitations 3191.
Winter tyres improve driving safety at
temperatures below 7 C.
The design of summer tyres means they
have limited qualities for winter driving.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker 3 in the
driver’s field of view.
Use of a spare wheel fitted with a summer
tyre may affect the vehicle’s driveability,
especially on slippery road surfaces.
Obtain a replacement for the faulty tyre as
soon as possible, and have the wheel
balanced and fitted to the vehicle.
Wheel trims 3
The use of wheel trims and tyres that Opel
has approved for the vehicle and therefore
fulfill all requirements for the relevant
combination of wheels and tyres.
If the wheel trims and tyres used are not
Opel-approved, the tyres must not have a
beaded edge. Wheel trims must not impair brake cooling.
Remove the wheel trims if fitting tyre
chains3.
175= Tyre width in mm
70= Cross-section ratio (tyre height to
tyre width in %)
R= Belt type Radial
14= Rim diameter in inches
79= Load index e. g.: 79 corresponds
to 437 kg
T= Speed code letter
Q= up to 160 km/h
S= up to 180 km/h
T= up to 190 km/h
H= up to 210 km/h
V= up to 240 km/h
W= up to 270 km/h
9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel trims
could lead to sudden loss of air and
thereby accidents.

126 Driving and operationTowing equipment
3
Only use towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle. Entrust
retrofitting of towing equipment to a
workshop. It may be necessary to make
changes that affect the cooling system,
heat shields or other equipment.
Installation dimensions of towing
equipment 3197.
Towing equipment with fixed coupling
ball bar3
In the case of trailers/caravans with brake,
attach break-away stopping cable to eye
to right of coupling ball bar. Caravan/trailer towingCaravan and trailer loads
1)
The permissible caravan/trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent maximum
values which must not be exceeded. The
actual caravan/trailer load is the difference
between the actual gross weight of the
caravan/trailer and the actual coupling
socket load with the caravan/trailer
coupled.
The permissible caravan/trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients up to
max. 12 %. The permitted caravan/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 permitted towing weight also
decreases by 10 % for every 1000 metres
of additional altitude. The towing 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 3182. Coupling socket load
The coupling socket load is the load
exerted by the trailer/caravan on the
coupling ball. It can be varied by changing
the weight distribution when loading the
trailer/caravan.
The maximum permissible coupling socket
load (50 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 caravans/trailers. The coupling
socket load should never fall below 25 kg.
When measuring the coupling socket load,
make sure that the drawbar of the loaded
trailer/caravan is at the same height as it
will be when the trailer/caravan is coupled
with the towing vehicle loaded. Particularly
important for trailers/caravans with
tandem axle.
Rear axle load during towing
The permissible axle loads must not be
exceeded. 1)Observe national regulations.

127
Driving and operation
Picture no: 13228s.tif
Driving characteristics, towing tips
In the case of trailers/caravans with brakes,
attach breakaway stopping cable to eye.
Before attaching the trailer/caravan,
lubricate the ball of the trailer/caravan
towing device. However, do not lubricate
the ball if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to damp
hunting.
Check caravan/trailer lighting before
starting to drive. The fog tail lamps on the
vehicle are deactivated when towing a
caravan or trailer. Caravans/trailers with LED turn signals
require a provision that make bulb
replacement as with standard bulbs
possible.
Handling is greatly influenced by the
loading of the trailer/caravan. Loads
should therefore be secured so that they
cannot slip and be placed in the centre of
the trailer/caravan if possible, i.e. above
the axle.
In the case of trailers with low driving
stability, do not exceed a speed of
80 km/h; the use of a friction-type
stabiliser is highly recommended.
If the trailer/caravan starts to sway, drive
more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if necessary.
If it is necessary to apply the brakes fully,
depress the brake pedal as hard as
possible.
Remember that the braking distance for
vehicles towing caravans/trailers with and
without brake is always greater than that
for vehicles not towing a caravan/trailer. 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 3121, 3191.

130 Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 15286a.tif
zNever expose the battery to naked
flames or sparks.
zA flat battery can freeze even at
temperatures around 0 C. Thaw out a
frozen battery before connecting jump
leads.
zDo not allow battery fluid to come into
contact with eyes, skin, fabrics or
painted surfaces. The fluid contains
sulphuric acid which can cause injuries
and damage in the event of direct
contact.
zWear eye protection and protective
clothing when handling a battery. zUse a booster battery with the same
voltage (12 volts). Its capacity (Ah) must
not be much less than that of the
discharged battery.
zUse jump leads with insulated terminals
and a cross section of at least 16 mm
2
(25 mm
2 for diesel engines).
zDo not disconnect the discharged
battery from the vehicle.
zSwitch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers.
zDo not lean over the battery during jump
starting.
zDo not allow the terminals of one lead to
touch those of the other lead.
zDo not touch the vehicles while jump
starting.
zApply the hand brake and engage
neutral gear.
Picture no: 16492s.tif
Lead connection order:
1. Connect the red lead to the positive
terminal 1 of the booster battery.
2. Connect the other red lead to the
positive terminal 2 of the discharged
battery.
3. Connect the black lead to the negative
terminal 3 of the booster battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black
lead4 to a vehicle grounding point,
such as the engine block or a screw
connection in the engine suspension.
Connect the lead as far away from
the discharged battery as possible.