67
Instruments
Picture no: 18529s.tif
Flashes when the ignition is onFault in the electronic immobiliser system;
the engine cannot be started 321.Z
Exhaust emission
Control indicator lights up and/or flashes
yellow
It illuminates when the ignition is switched
on and goes out shortly after the engine
starts.
Illuminates when the engine is running
Fault in emission control system. The
permissible emission limits may be
exceeded. Contact a workshop for
assistance immediately.
Picture no:
If it flashes when the engine is running:Fault that could lead to catalytic converter
damage. Ease up on the throttle until the
flashing stops 3115. Seek the immediate
assistance of a workshop. v
Airbag systems 3, Belt tensioners
Control indicator lights up red
Illuminates when the engine is runningFault in the airbag or belt tensioner system
350, 359.
I
Engine oil pressure
Control indicator lights up red
It illuminates when the ignition is switched
on and goes out shortly after the engine
starts.
Illuminates when the engine is running
1. Depress clutch 3.
2. Set manual transmission to neutral, or
with manual transmission automated 3
place selector lever in N.
3. Move out of the flow of traffic as quickly
as possible without impeding other
vehicles.
4. Switch off ignition.
Contact a workshop for assistance. Caution
Engine lubrication may be interrupted.
This may result in damage to the engine
and/or locking of the drive wheels.
9 Warning
When the engine is off, considerably
more force is needed to brake and steer.
Do not remove key until vehicle has
come to a standstill, otherwise the
steering column lock could engage
unexpectedly.
69
Instruments
r
Fog tail lamp
Control indicator lights up yellow.
Illuminates when the fog tail lamp is on
386. p
Alternator
Control indicator lights up red
It illuminates when the ignition is switched
on and goes out shortly after the engine
starts.
Illuminates when the engine is running
Stop and turn engine off. battery is not
charged. Engine cooling may be
interrupted. Contact a workshop.
R
Brake system, clutch system 3
Control indicator lights up or flashes red.
Illuminated
Illuminates when the ignition is switched on
if the hand brake is applied 3120.
Illuminates when the hand brake is
released if the fluid level for the brake or
clutch system 3 is low 3179.
FlashesOn vehicles with manual transmission
automated 3, control indicatorR flashes
for a few seconds after the ignition is
switched off if the hand brake has not been
applied.
u
Anti-lock Braking System 3
Control indicator lights up red
Illuminates while driving
Fault in the anti-lock braking system 3119.
9 Warning
Stop. Do not continue your journey.
Consult a workshop.
102 Driving and operation
Picture no: 12466s.tif
Selector lever in A/M
Switch between Automatic and Manual
mode.
In manual mode, a gear can be selected
manually by tapping the selector lever to
the
+ or
- position. The transmission display
indicates the current gear.
If the engine speed is too low the manual
transmission automated will automatically
shift to a lower gear even in Manual mode.
This prevents the engine from stalling. Selector lever in + or -
If a higher gear is selected when the
running speed is too low, or a lower gear
when the speed is too high, no shift is
carried out. This prevents the engine from
running at too low or too high revs.
Gears can be skipped by jogging the
selector lever repeatedly at short intervals.
When the vehicle is in automatic mode,
manual transmission automated switches
to manual mode when the selector lever is
tapped to position
+ or
-. The transmission
display indicates the current gear.
Selector lever in R
Reverse gear. Engage only when vehicle is
stationary.
Press knob on selector lever, select R, "R"
appears in gear display.
If R is selected when the vehicle is in motion,
"R" flashes in the transmission display and
no gear is engaged. Stopping the vehicle
In automatic or manual mode, first gear is
automatically engaged (second gear if the
Winter programme is engaged) and the
clutch is released when the vehicle is
stationary. In R, reverse gear remains
engaged.
If a warning signal sounds when the
driver’s door is opened (foot brake not
depressed), move the selector lever to N
and apply the hand brake.
When stopping on gradients, engage the
hand brake or depress the brake pedal. To
prevent overheating of the clutch, do not
increase engine speed to ensure smooth
idling when in gear.
Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy
period, e.g. in traffic jams or at level
crossings.
Electronically controlled driving
programmes in automatic mode
zFollowing a cold start, the operating
temperature programme keeps engine
speed high to quickly and automatically
bring the catalytic converter to the
required temperature.
zAdaptive programmes automatically
change to other gears to suit the driving
conditions, such as if the vehicle is
towing a caravan/trailer, has a high
payload, or is being driven on inclines.
+
Shift to a higher gear.
-
Shift to a lower gear.
107
Driving and operation
Save energy – more kilometres
Please observe the running-in hints on the
previous page and the tips for saving
energy on the following pages.
Good, technically correct and economical
driving ensures maximum durability and
performance for your vehicle.
Overrun cut-off
The fuel supply is automatically cut off
during overrun, e.g. when the vehicle is
driven with a gear engaged but no throttle
application. Overrun cut-off is deactivated
if catalytic converter temperature is high.
Vehicles with turbocharged engine
Flow-generated noises may be audible if
the accelerator is released quickly on
account of air flow in the turbocharger.
Engine speed
Drive in a low engine speed range for each
gear as much as possible. Warming up
Allow the engine to warm up while driving.
Do not warm it up by letting it run at idling
speed. Do not apply full throttle until the
engine has reached operating
temperature.
In automatic mode, the manual
transmission automated 3 does not shift to
the higher gears after a cold start until
higher engine speeds are reached. This
allows the catalytic converter to quickly
reach the temperature that is required for
optimum pollutant reduction.
Correct gear selection
Do not race your engine whilst in neutral or
with a low gear selected. Driving too fast in
individual gears as well as stop-and-go
traffic increases engine wear and fuel
consumption.
Change down
When decreasing speed, shift down into
the next lowest gear. Do not slip the clutch
with a high-revving engine. This is
especially important when hill climbing. Cooling fan
The cooling fan is controlled via a
thermoswitch and therefore only runs if
necessary.
The cooling fan automatically switches on
when the diesel particle filter is being
cleaned 3 depending on the engine.
Pedals
Do not place any objects in the foot well
which could slip under the pedals and
inhibit the pedal travel.
To ensure the pedal travel is uninhibited,
there must be no mats in the area of the
pedals.
Battery care
When driving slowly or when the vehicle is
stationary, e.g. in slow urban traffic, stop-
and-go traffic or traffic jams, turn off all
unnecessary electrical loads where
possible (e.g. heated rear window, heated
front seats, etc.).
Declutch when starting in order to relieve
the strain on the starter and the battery.
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.
115
Driving and operation
zIn the event of misfiring, uneven engine
running, a clear reduction in engine
performance or other unusual problems,
have the cause of the fault rectified by a
workshop as soon as possible. In an
emergency, driving can be continued for
a short period, keeping vehicle speed
and engine speed low.
zIf unburnt fuel enters the catalytic
converter of a petrol engine, this may
result in overheating and irreparable
damage to the catalytic converter.
You should therefore avoid
unnecessarily long use of the starter
when starting off, running the tank dry
and starting the engine by pushing or
towing.
Picture no: 18087s.tif
Controlling exhaust emission
Design measures, primarily in the fuel
injection system and ignition system zones
in combination with the catalytic converter,
the amount of hazardous substances in the
exhaust emissions, such as carbon
monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (CH) and
nitrogen oxides (NO
x), are reduced to a
minimum.
Picture no: 11717s.tif
Exhaust gas control indicator
Z
Illuminates when the ignition is switched on
and during the start attempt. Goes off
shortly after the engine starts running.
Illumination whilst the engine is running
indicates a fault in the emission control
system. The permissible emission limits
may be exceeded. Contact a workshop for
assistance immediately.
Illumination with the engine running
indicates a fault that can cause damage to
the catalytic converter. It is possible to
continue driving without causing damage
by slowing down until the flashing stops
and the control indicator illuminates.
Contact a workshop for assistance
immediately.
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.
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.