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.
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.
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.
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.
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.