15
In Brief
Picture no: 15120s.tif
Manual transmission Reverse gear: With the vehicle stationary,
lift the ring under the gear-lever knob
3 seconds after depressing the clutch, and
then engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, put the lever
into neutral, release the clutch pedal and
depress again; then repeat gear selection.
Manual transmission 3105.
Picture no: 12466s.tif
Manual transmission
automated
3
To move the selector lever from N to R
press the button on the lever.
Only start in N with foot brake applied.
Manual transmission automated 3 3100.
Before starting off, check zTyre pressure and tyre condition 3121,
3191,
zEngine oil level and fluid levels in engine
compartment 3174 to 3180,
zAll windows, mirrors, exterior lighting
and number plates are free from dirt,
snow and ice and operational,
zSeats, seat belts and mirrors are
correctly adjusted 338, 348, 334,
zCheck brake function at low speed,
particularly if the brakes are wet.
N
= Idle speed/start position
o
= Drive position (centre position)
+
=Higher gear
-
= Lower gear
A/M
= Switch between Automatic and
Manual mode
R
= Reverse gear (with selector lever
lock)
21
Keys, doors, windows
Picture no: 15761t.tif
Electronic immobiliser The system checks whether the vehicle is
allowed to start with the key used. Once
the transponder in the key is recognised,
the vehicle can be started.
The electronic immobiliser activates
automatically when the key is removed
from the ignition switch.
Picture no: 11718s.tif
Control indicator for immobilizer A
Control indicator A illuminates briefly
after the ignition is switched on.
If the control indicator flashes when the
ignition is on, there is a fault in the system;
the engine cannot be started. Switch off
the ignition and then repeat the start
attempt.
If the control indicator A continues to
flash, please try to start the engine using
the second key and contact a workshop. If control indicator A lights up after the
engine has started, there is a fault in the
engine electronics or the manual
transmission automated 3104.
Note
The immobiliser does not lock the doors.
You should always lock the vehicle after
leaving it and switch on the anti-theft
alarm system 3, 322, 324, 331.
70 Instruments
Picture no: 18529s.tif
S
Engine oil level 3
Control indicator lights up yellow.
The engine oil level is checked
automatically.
Illuminates when the engine is running
Engine oil level too low. Check engine oil
level and top up engine oil if necessary
3175.
Picture no:
EPS
1)
Electric power steering 3
Control indicator lights up yellow.
Fault in the electric power steering. It is still
possible to drive. Although it is still possible
to steer the vehicle, it is significantly more
difficult. Contact a workshop for
assistance.
1)EPS
= Electric
Power
Steering.
Y
Fuel level 3
Control indicator lights up and/or flashes
yellow
Lamps
Level in fuel tank too low.
Flashes
Fuel level is used up, fuel immediately.
Never let the tank run dry!
Erratic fuel supply can cause the catalytic
converter to overheat 3114.
Diesel engines: Bleed the fuel system if the
fuel tank is allowed to run dry 3128.
73
Instruments
Picture no: 11688s.tif
Coolant temperature display
Coolant temperature gauge. For physical reasons, the engine
temperature gauge shows the coolant
temperature only if the coolant level is
adequate.
During operation the system is pressurised.
The temperature may therefore rise briefly
to over 100 C.
Picture no: 11689s.tif
Fuel gauge
Control indicator Y illuminates when the
level is low. Refuel immediately if the
control indicator begins to flash.
Never run the tank dry!
Because of the fuel remaining in the tank,
the amount of fuel required to fill the tank
may be less than the specified tank
capacity. Pointer in zone
at left= Engine operating
temperature not yet
reached
Pointer between
the zones= Normal operating
temperature
Pointer in right
zone (warning
zone)= Temperature too
high: Stop the
vehicle and switch
off the engine.
Danger to engine.
Check coolant level
immediately 3177.
74 Instruments
Picture no: 11689s.tif
Natural gas fuel gauge 3
The display indicates tank pressure or
petrol level, depending on operating
mode.Display:
1/1 - Tank pressure approx. 200 bar
3/4 - Tank pressure approx. 150 bar
1/2 - Tank pressure approx. 100 bar
1/4 - Tank pressure approx. 50 bar
In order to achieve the maximum range in
natural gas operation, we recommend that
you make use of the entire reserve area. Petrol operation:
Display:
1/1 - Tank content approx. 14 litres
When the petrol level is getting low, the
engine may sputter when taking curves.
Refuel immediately if control indicator Y
begins to flash!
Never allow the petrol tank to run dry!On vehicles with auxiliary heating 3,
regularly check the petrol level as it
consumes petrol even during natural gas
operation.
Fuel selector switch 3113.
Natural gas operation:
Pointer in left
warning zone
orY illuminated= Reserve level.
Pointer in left
warning zone
orY flashing= Lower reserve area;
vehicle shifts
automatically into
petrol operation
after a slight delay
3113.
99
Climate control
zCooling n on, the air conditioning
compressor automatically switches off in
low outdoor temperatures (ice
formation),
zTurn the temperature switch clockwise.
zSet fan to 3 or 4.
zAir distribution switch to V, air
recirculation system 4 switches off
automatically.
– or –
If there is still moisture in the system after
previous air conditioning operation, the
windows may mist up. To prevent this,
set air distribution to K before starting
engine and set to V approx. 5 seconds
after starting.
zActivate heated rear window Ü.
zOpen side air vents as required and
direct them towards side windows.
Picture no: 11615s.tif
Air intake The air intakes in front of the windscreen on
the far left and right-hand sides of the
engine compartment must be kept free of
leaves, dirt and snow so as not to obstruct
the air supply. Air outletDo not cover the air outlets when stowing
objects in the luggage compartment. Pollen filter The pollen filter cleans dust, soot, pollen
and spores from the air entering from
outside. The active carbon layer 3
eliminates most odours and noxious
environmental gases from the air.
Regular operationTo make sure that the AC compressor
is constantly working well, the cooling
system3 must be switched on several
minutes once a month regardless of the
weather or season. It is not possible to
activate cooling when outside
temperatures are low. Service For optimal cooling performance, we
recommend that the climate control
system be checked annually, starting
three years after initial vehicle registration.
zFunctionality and pressure test
zHeating functionality
zLeakage check
zCheck of drive belts
zCleaning of condenser and
evaporator drainage
zPerformance check
106 Driving and operationDriving hints The first 1000 km
Drive your vehicle at various speeds. Do
not use full throttle. Never allow the engine
to labour at low revs.
Change gear frequently. Do not press the
accelerator pedal more than approx.
3/4 in
all gears.
Do not drive faster than three quarters of
maximum speed.
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for the
first 200 km.
During the first drive, smoke may develop
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 is higher
than normal during the running-in period.
Never coast with engine not running
Many units will not function in this situation
(e.g. brake servo unit, power steering3).
Driving in this manner is a danger to
yourself and others. Brake servo unit
When the engine is not running, the brake
servo unit is no longer effective once the
brake pedal has been depressed once or
twice. Braking effect is not reduced, but
significantly greater force is required for
braking.
Electric power steering 3
If the power-assisted steering fails when
being towed with the engine switched off –
the vehicle can still be steered, but
considerably more force is required.
Driving in mountainous terrain or with a
trailer/caravan
The cooling fan is electrically operated. Its
cooling power is therefore independent of
the engine speed.
Since a considerable amount of heat is
generated at high engine speeds and less
at slower speeds, do not shift down when
climbing hills whilst the vehicle is still coping
with the gradient in the higher gear.
Diesel engines: On gradients of 10 % or
more, do not drive faster than 30 km/h in
first gear or 50 km/h in second gear. Driving with a roof load
Do not exceed the permissible roof load,
3189. For reasons of safety, distribute the
load evenly and strap it down firmly using
retaining straps so that it cannot slip.
Check the tyre pressure when the vehicle is
loaded. Do not travel faster than 120 km/h.
Check and re-tighten the straps frequently.
Observe country-specific regulations.
Switching off the engine
When you switch off, fans in the engine
compartment may continue running for a
time to cool the engine.
If the engine temperature is very high, e.g.
after driving in mountainous terrain: allow
the engine to idle for approximately two
minutes in order to prevent heat
accumulation.
Vehicles with turbocharged engine
After running at high engine speeds or high
engine loads, operate the engine briefly at
a low load or run in neutral for approx.
30 seconds before switching off in order
to protect the turbocharger.
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.