2010 OPEL COMBO tow

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.

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.

128 Self-help, vehicle careSelf-help, vehicle care
Diesel fuel system, bleeding If the tank is allowed to run dry, the diesel
fuel system must be bled. Turn over the
ignition three times for 15 seconds at a
time. Then start the engine for a maximum
of 40 seconds
1). Repeat this process after
no less than 5 seconds. If the engine fails to
start, seek the assistance of a workshop.
Picture no: 16121s.tif
Bonnet Pull the release lever located on the driver’s
side below the instrument panel. Return the
release lever to its original position. Diesel fuel system, bleeding ............... 128
Bonnet .................................................. 128
Starting the engine with jump leads3 129
Towing .................................................. 131
Warning triangle ¨ 3 and first-aid kit
(cushion) + 3.................................... 133
Spare wheel 3...................................... 134
Jack £ 3 and vehicle tools3............ 136
Changing wheels ................................. 137
Tyre repair kit 3................................... 142
Electrical system .................................. 145
Fuses and the most important circuits
they protect ....................................... 147
Bulb replacement ................................ 151
Vehicle care.......................................... 160
1)For technical reasons, only 30 seconds is
possible for engine Z 17 DTH. Sales
designation
3184.

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.

131
Self-help, vehicle care
Route the leads so that they cannot catch
on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine:
1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing
the jump start.
2. After 5 minutes, start the other engine.
Start attempts should be made at
intervals of 1 minute not last longer than
15 seconds.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx.
3 minutes with the leads connected.
4. Switch on electric loads (e.g. light,
heated rear window) of the vehicle
receiving the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when
removing leads.
Picture no: 18108s.tif
Towing Towing your own vehicle
Disengage cap at bottom and remove
downwards.
Picture no: 12458s.tif
The towing eye is located in the bag for
vehicle tools 3, behind the cover on the
right side of the luggage compartment or
in the compartment for the tyre repair kit
behind the cover on the left side of the
luggage compartment.
Jack 3 and vehicle tools 3 3136.

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.

133
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 18110s.tif
Towing another vehicle
Attach a tow rope 3 – or better still a tow
rod3 – to the rear towing eye on the right
side of the vehicle underbody, but never to
the rear axle.
The towing eye is only to be used for
towing and not for vehicle recovery.
Picture no: 12459s.tif
Warning triangle
¨ 3
and first-aid
kit (cushion)
+ 3

Combo
The warning triangle and first-aid kit
(cushion) are stowed in a compartment in
the side panel trim on the left-hand side.
Picture no: 12460s.tif
Release flap by pressing retaining lugs.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can damage the
vehicle.