100 Driving and operationDriving and operation
Manual transmission
automated
3
The Easytronic transmission permits
manual (manual mode) or automatic gear
shifting (automatic mode), both with
automatic clutch control.
Picture no: 12478s.tif
Transmission display
Shows the mode and current gear.
If the Winter programme is activated, T is
illuminated. Manual transmission automated3... 100
Manual transmission ........................... 105
Driving hints ......................................... 106
Saving Fuel, Protecting the
Environment ...................................... 108
Fuels, refuelling .................................... 110
Catalytic converter, engine exhaust .. 114
Hydraulic brake system ...................... 118
Anti-lock Braking System (ABSu)3 119
Hand brake .......................................... 120
Brake assist .......................................... 120
Wheels, tyres ........................................ 121
Roof racks 3......................................... 125
Towing equipment 3........................... 126
Caravan/trailer towing ........................ 126
110 Driving and operationFuels, refuellingFuel consumption
Fuel consumption is determined under
specific driving conditions 3186.
Special equipment increases the weight of
the vehicle. As a result, they can increase
fuel consumption and reduce the specified
maximum speed.
There is increased friction between engine
and transmission parts during the first
1000 kilometres. This increases fuel
consumption. Fuel for petrol engines
Only use unleaded fuel that complies with
DIN EN 228.
Fuels with ethanol content greater than 5 %
may only be used if the vehicle has been
specifically developed and approved for
these fuels.
Use fuel with the recommended octane
rating (value in bold 3184). Use of fuel
with too low an octane rating can reduce
engine power and torque and slightly
increases fuel consumption. Fuel for diesel engines
Only use diesel fuel that complies with
DIN EN 590. The fuel must have low
sulphur content (max. 50 ppm).
Do not use marine diesel oils, heating oils
or entirely or partially plant-based diesel
fuels, such as rape seed oil or bio diesel,
Aquazole and similar diesel-water
emulsions. Diesel fuels must not be diluted
with fuels for petrol engines.
The flow and filterability of diesel fuel are
temperature-dependent. When
temperatures are low, refuel with diesel fuel
with guaranteed winter properties.
Fuel for natural gas operation
Use natural gas with a methane content of
approx. 78-99 %. L-gas (low) has approx.
78-87 % and H-gas (high) has approx.
87-99 %. Biogas with the same methane
content can also be used if it has been
chemically prepared and desulphurised.
Liquid gas or LPG must not be used. Caution
Use of fuel with too low an octane rating
could lead to uncontrolled combustion
and engine damage.
111
Driving and operation
Picture no: 15829t.tif
Fuel filler cap
Only a Opel Genuine fuel filler cap provides
full functionality. Diesel-engined vehicles
have special fuel filler caps.
Refuelling Fuel filler neck at right rear side of vehicle.
Picture no: 11628s.tif
With the central locking system3, the tank
flap is unlocked together with the doors3
324.
Open the tank flap. To prevent damage,
the right-hand sliding door cannot be fully
opened if the tank flap is open.
Unlock the fuel filler cap with the ignition
key 3, unscrew and suspend from tank
flap.
The fuel tank has a limiting system which
prevents overfilling of the tank.
6
9 Warning
Before refuelling, switch off engine and
any external heaters with combustion
chambers 3 (identified by sticker on
tank flap). Switch off any mobile
phones.
Follow the operating and safety
instructions of the filling station when
refueling.
9 Warning
Fuel is flammable and explosive. No
smoking. No naked flames or sparks.
If you can smell fuel in your vehicle, have
the cause of this rectified immediately
by a workshop.
112 Driving and operationCorrect filling depends to a large extent on
proper operation of the fuel dispensing
pump:
1. Fully insert the pump nozzle and switch it
on.
2. After the automatic cut-off, the nominal
capacity of the fuel tank can be
obtained by topping up with two doses
of fuel. Make sure the nozzle is fully
inserted.
To close, place fuel filler cap in position and
turn, overcoming the resistance until the
ratchet on the cap engages audibly. Lock
the fuel filler cap with the ignition key 3.
Close fuel tank cover. Refuelling, natural gas 3
The fuel tank filler neck for natural gas and
petrol is located on the right rear side of the
vehicle.
Picture no: 12292t.tif
Remove the cap from the natural gas filler
neck.
The tank action must be fully completed,
e.g. bleeding the filler neck.
After refuelling, refit the cap. Caution
Wipe off any overflowing fuel
immediately.
9 Warning
Care must be taken when handling
natural gas!
Before refuelling, be sure to switch off
the engine and any auxiliary heater with
combustion chamber.
Natural gas is flammable and explosive.
Therefore, avoid naked flames and
sparks when handling or in the vicinity of
natural gas. Do not smoke! This also
applies where natural gas can only be
detected by its characteristic smell.
If there is a smell of natural gas in the
vehicle, have cause established
immediately by a workshop that is
authorised to maintain natural gas
vehicles and have the problem
remedied.
9 Warning
When refuelling vehicles with natural
gas, be sure to follow the operational
and safety regulations of the filling
station.
The gas tank must only be replenished
at filling stations that refuel with
temperature compensation with a
maximum output pressure of 250 bar.
113 Driving and operation
Refuelling when driving abroad
When refuelling in another country, please note that country-specific expressions are used
for natural gas vehicles.
German Erdgasfahrzeuge Erdgas als Kraftstoff
English NGVs = Natural Gas Vehicles CNG = Compressed Natural Gas
French Véhicules au gaz naturel
– or –
Véhicules GNVGNV = Gaz Naturel (pour) Véhicules
– or –
CGN = carburant gaz naturel
Italian Metano auto Metano (per auto)
Picture no: 16882s.tif
Fuel selector switch, natural gas 3
Switch
Y can be used to switch between
petrol and natural gas operation. A
changeover is not possible during a high
load, such as powerful acceleration or full
throttle. The status of the LED indicates
which type of fuel is in use.
As soon as the natural gas tank is empty,
the vehicle automatically switches to petrol
operation until the ignition is switched off.
This is indicated by prolonged flashing of
the LED.
6 Natural gas
operation=LED off.
Petrol operation = LED comes on.
114 Driving and operationIf the natural gas tank is then not refilled,
petrol operation must be manually
selected the next time the engine is started.
This is necessary in order to prevent
damage to the catalytic converter
(overheating due to irregular fuel supply).
If the switch is pressed several times within
a brief period of time, a changeover
inhibitor is activated. The engine continues
with the current type of fuel. The inhibitor
remains active until the ignition is switched
off.
Minor power and torque losses are to
be expected during petrol operation,
therefore adjust driving style (e.g.
overtaking) and vehicle load (e.g. through
trailer load) accordingly.
Every 6 months, run the petrol tank down
to the reserve zone before refuelling. This is
necessary for petrol operation to obtain
the required system functionality and fuel
quality.Note:
Refuel and operate only w i t h f u e l o f a t l e a s t
95 octane (RON). Upon accidental
refuelling with petrol of an
octane rating (RON) less than 95, avoid
driving with fuel load (e.g. heavy
acceleration, full throttle), allow the tank to
reach the reserve zone and refuel with the
correct petrol.
In order to prevent corrosion in the tank,
please refuel the vehicle to the maximum
level at regular intervals.
Picture no: 6448u.tif
Catalytic converter, engine
exhaust Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gas, such as carbon monoxide
(CO), hydrocarbons, (CH) and nitrous
oxide (NO
x).
Fuel grades other than those listed on
3110, 184 (e. g. LRP = Lead Replacement
Petrol or leaded fuel) could damage the
catalytic converter or electronic
components.
Caution
Damage to the catalytic converter or the
vehicle may result if the following points
are not observed.
202 IndexPPaintwork damage ................................ 161
Parking ..................................................... 17
Parking lamps ............................................ 6
Bulb replacement ............................... 153
Parking the vehicle .................................. 17
Parts ........................................................ 174
Pedals ..................................................... 107
Performance ................................... 185, 186
Petrol ...................................................... 184
Pollen filter ............................................... 99
Power steering,
see electric power steering ............ 70, 106
Power-assisted steering,
see electric power steering ............ 70, 106
Preheater start switch ............................. 16
Preheating ................................................ 68
Pushing, towing ..................................... 129
RRadio ........................................................ 90
Radio equipment (CB) ............................. 91
Radio reception ....................................... 90
Rear lamp cluster .................................... 84
Bulb replacement .............................. 157
Rear seat backrests ................................. 42
Rear window
washer system .................14, 83, 161, 180
Rear window wiper ............................ 14, 83
Refuelling
Fuel filler cap ...................................... 111
Fuel gauge ..................................... 73, 74
Relays ..................................................... 145
Remote control ........................................ 23
Central locking system ........................ 23
Steering wheel ...................................... 90
Replacement keys ................................... 20
Reversing lamps ...................................... 85
Bulb replacement .............................. 157
Roof load .................................. 47, 106, 109
Roof rack .................................. 47, 109, 125
Roof racks ................................ 47, 109, 125
Running-in .............................................. 106
Brakes ................................................. 178
SSafeguard against
Unauthorised use ................ 16, 17, 20, 21
Safety accessories ................................. 133
Safety net ................................................. 45
Saving energy ........................................ 108
Seat adjustment ...................................... 38
Seat belts ......................................... 52, 162
Seat height adjustment ...................... 4, 39
Seat position ............................................ 39
Seats ..................................................... 3, 38
Heated ................................................. 40
Self-diagnosis ............................ 51, 60, 120
Self-help ................................................. 128
Central locking ..................................... 26
Electric windows .................................. 36
Information display ............................. 77
Radio remote control .......................... 23
Service interval display ......................... 173
Service intervals ..................................... 164
Additional work ................................. 171
Extreme operating conditions .......... 171
Main service ....................................... 164
Service work ........................................... 173
Side airbags ............................................. 58