2014.25 VAUXHALL ASTRA J steering

218Driving and operatingDriving characteristics and
towing tips Before attaching a trailer, lubricatethe coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1300 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 50 mph.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
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 3 307.Trailer towing
Trailer loads The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 %.
The permitted 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 due to the air becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross train weight also decreases by 10 %
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train 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
3 285.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (75 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
trailers. The vertical coupling load
should never fall below 25 kg.

Driving and operating221
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach breakaway stopping cable to
eye.
Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly installed
■ Green marking on rotary knob must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
■ There must be no gap between the
rotary handle and the coupling ball
bar.
■ The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
■ The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when a coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bardoes not engage correctly, seekthe assistance of a workshop.
Dismounting the coupling ball
bar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold away socket.
Replace cover, except 3-door
hatchback.
Trailer stability assist If the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is selectively braked until the snaking
ceases. While system is working keep
steering wheel as still as possible.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Control 3 177.

Vehicle care255
Fuse assignmentsNo.Circuit1–2Trailer outlet3Parking assist4–5–6–7Power seat8–9–10–11Trailer module, trailer socket12Trailer module13Trailer outlet14Rear seat, electrical folding15–16Inside mirror, rear view camera17Power outletNo.Circuit18–19Steering wheel heating20Sunroof21Heated front seats22–23–24–25–26–27–28–29–30–31Amplifier, subwoofer32Active damping system, lane
departure warning

Vehicle care263Tyre chains
Use tyre chains only on front wheels.
9Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon,
Sports tourer
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain
lock).Tyre chains are only permitted on
tyres of size 205/60 R 16 and
215/50 R 17.3-door hatchback
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 225/55 R 17. Always use fine
mesh chains that add no more than
10 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).
Tyre chains are also permitted on
tyres of size 245/45 R 18. Always use fine mesh chains that add no more
than 7 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).VXR Version
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 235/45 R 18. Always use fine
mesh chains that add no more than
10 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).General
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Tyre repair kit
Minor damage to the tyre tread can be
repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding 4 mm or that
is at tyre's sidewall cannot be repaired with the tyre repair kit.9 Warning
Do not drive faster than 50 mph.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be
affected.
If you have a flat tyre:
Apply the parking brake and engage
first gear, reverse gear or P.
The tyre repair kit is in a compartment under the floor cover in the load
compartment or, on version with rear
carrier system, in the drawer under
the passenger seat 3 62.

276Vehicle care
2. After 5 minutes, start the otherengine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of
1 minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads
connected.
4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower part of the cap. Release the cap
by carefully moving the screwdriver
downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 256.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering the
vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Transmission in neutral.

324
Glass panel .................................. 37
Glovebox ..................................... 60
Graphic-Info-Display, Colour- Info-Display ............................ 124
H Halogen headlights ....................230
Hand brake ......................... 173, 174
Hazard warning flashers ............147
Headlight flash ........................... 142
Headlight range adjustment ......142
Headlights................................... 140
Headlights when driving abroad 143
Head restraint adjustment .............9
Head restraints ............................ 38
Heated mirrors ............................. 32
Heated rear window ..................... 35
Heated steering wheel ...............101
Heating ........................................ 47
Heating and ventilation system . 153
Height adjustable rear floor cover 88
High beam ......................... 118, 141
High beam assist ................118, 141
Hill start assist ........................... 176
Horn ..................................... 16, 101
I
Identification plate .....................285
Ignition switch positions .............163
Immobiliser .......................... 31, 118Indicators.................................... 108
Information displays.................... 119
Instrument cluster ......................108
Instrument panel fuse box .........253
Instrument panel illumination .....249
Instrument panel illumination control .................................... 149
Instrument panel overview ........... 12
Interactive driving system ...........179
Interior care ............................... 280
Interior lighting ............................ 149
Interior lights ...................... 149, 249
Interior mirrors .............................. 32
Interruption of power supply ......172
Introduction .................................... 3
ISOFIX child restraint systems ....59
J
Jump starting ............................. 274
K Key, memorised settings ..............23
Keys ............................................. 21
Keys, locks ................................... 21
L
Lane departure warning .....116, 209
Lashing eyes ............................... 91
Lighting features .........................150
Light switch ................................ 140Load compartment ................26, 82
Load compartment cover .............86
Load compartment fuse box ......254
Loading information .....................98
Low fuel ..................................... 118
Low washer fluid ........................119
M
Malfunction indicator light ..........114
Manual anti-dazzle ......................32
Manual mode ............................. 171
Manual transmission .................. 173
Manual windows ..........................33
Memorised settings ......................23
Mirror adjustment ......................... 10
Misted light covers .....................148
N New vehicle running-in ..............163
Number plate light .....................249
O
Object detection systems ...........196
Odometer ................................... 108
Oil, engine .......................... 283, 287
Outside temperature ..................104
Overrun cut-off ........................... 164

325
PParking ................................ 20, 167
Parking assist ............................ 196
Parking brake ............................ 174
Parking lights ............................. 148
Particulate filter ........................... 168
Performance .............................. 293
Performing work ........................223
Pollen filter ................................. 161
Power outlets ............................. 106
Power seat adjustment ................44
Power steering............................ 116
Power windows ............................ 33
Preheating ................................. 117
Puncture ..................................... 266
Q
Quickheat ................................... 160
R Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) .................................... 320
Radio remote control ...................22
Reading lights ............................ 150
Rear carrier system ......................64
Rear floor storage cover ..............88
Rear fog light ............................. 119
Rear fog lights ........................... 148
Rear seats .................................... 47
Rear storage ................................. 86Rear view camera ...................... 204
Rear window wiper/washer ........ 104 Recommended fluids and lubricants ........................ 283, 287
Reduced engine power ..............118
Refuelling ................................... 213
Retained power off ....................163
Reversing lights .........................148
Ride control systems ..................176
Roof .............................................. 36
Roof load ...................................... 98
Roof rack ..................................... 97
S Safety belts ................................... 47
Safety net .................................... 93
Seat adjustment ....................... 7, 40
Seat belt ...................................... 10
Seat belt reminder .....................113
Seat belts ..................................... 47
Seat folding .................................. 43
Seat position ................................ 40
Selector lever ............................. 170
Service ............................... 161, 282
Service display .......................... 110
Service information ....................282
Service vehicle soon .................. 114
Side airbag system ......................52
Side blind spot alert ....................203
Sidelights .................................... 140Side turn signal lights ................247
Smartphone controller ................126
Spare wheel ............................... 270
Speed limiter............................... 183
Speedometer ............................. 108
Starting and operating ................163
Starting off ................................... 19
Starting the engine ....................163
Steering ...................................... 162
Steering wheel adjustment ..11, 100
Steering wheel controls .............100
Stop-start system........................ 165
Storage ......................................... 60
Storage compartments .................60
Sunroof ........................................ 36
Sunvisor lights ........................... 150
Sun visors .................................... 35
Symbols ......................................... 4
T
Tachometer ............................... 108
Tail lights ................................... 239
Three-point seat belt .................... 48
Tools .......................................... 256
Top-tether fastening eyes ............59
Tow bar....................................... 217
Towing ................................ 217, 276
Towing another vehicle .............277
Towing equipment .....................219
Towing the vehicle .....................276