2014.5 VAUXHALL ADAM brakes

16In briefTransmission
Manual transmission
Reverse: with the vehicle stationary,
wait 3 seconds after depressing
clutch pedal and then press the
release button on the selector lever
and engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, set the
lever to neutral, release the clutch
pedal and depress again; then repeat
gear selection.
Manual transmission 3 124.
Starting off
Check before starting off ■ Tyre pressure and condition 3 171,
3 207.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 152.
■ All windows, mirrors, exterior lighting and number plates are free
from dirt, snow and ice and are
operational.
■ Proper position of mirrors, seats, and seat belts 3 25, 3 31,
3 35.
■ Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.Starting the engine
■ Turn key to position 1
■ move the steering wheel slightly to release the steering wheel lock
■ operate clutch and brake
■ do not operate accelerator pedal
■ turn key to position 3 and release
Starting the engine 3 120.

94Instruments and controls
No.Vehicle message25Left front turn signal failure26Left rear turn signal failure27Right front turn signal failure28Right rear turn signal failure35Replace battery in radio remote
control48Clean side blind spot alert
system53Tighten gas cap56Tyre pressure imbalance on front axle57Tyre pressure imbalance on
rear axle58Winter tyres detection59Open and then close driver
window60Open and then close front
passenger window66Service theft alarm systemNo.Vehicle message67Service steering wheel lock68Service power steering75Service air conditioning76Service side blind spot alert
system79Top up engine oil82Change engine oil soon84Engine power reduced89Service vehicle soon95Service airbag120Reduce speed for hill decent
control128Bonnet open134Park assist fault, clean bumper136Service parking assist174Low vehicle battery258Park assist offVehicle messages on the
Uplevel-Display
The vehicle messages are displayed
as text. Follow the instructions given
in the messages.
The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
■ Fluid levels
■ Anti-theft alarm system
■ Brakes
■ Ride control systems
■ Cruise control, Speed limiter
■ Parking assist systems

Driving and operating119Driving and operatingDriving hints............................... 119
Starting and operating ...............119
Engine exhaust .......................... 124
Manual transmission ..................124
Brakes ........................................ 125
Ride control systems .................127
Driver assistance systems .........130
Fuel ............................................ 144Driving hints
Control of the vehicleNever coast with engine not
running (except during Autostop)
Many systems will not function in this
situation (e.g. brake servo unit, power steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. All
systems function during an Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 121.
Idle boost If charging of the vehicle battery is
required due to battery condition, the
power output of the generator has to
be increased. This will be achieved by
an idle boost which may be audible.
On vehicles with Uplevel-Display, a
message appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in the area of the pedals.Starting and operating
New vehicle running-in Do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
During the first drive, smoke may
occur 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.
During the running-in period fuel and
engine oil consumption may be
higher. Autostop may be inhibited to
allow for charging the vehicle battery.

Driving and operating125Caution
It is not advisable to drive with thehand resting on the selector lever.
Brakes
The brake system comprises two independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
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. It is especially important to bear
this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 84.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (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
through 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.
After starting off the system performs a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 84.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.

126Driving and operating
Fault9Warning
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.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Manual parking brake
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release button,
and apply as firmly as possible on a
downhill or uphill slope.
To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the release
button and fully lower the lever.
To reduce the operating forces of the
parking brake, depress the foot brake
at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 84.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further two seconds.
The brakes release automatically as
soon as the vehicle begins to
accelerate or the two seconds holding
time is over.
The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.

154Vehicle care
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
To top up use a 1:1 mixture of
released coolant concentrate mixed
with clean tap water. If no coolant
concentrate is available, use clean
tap water. Install the cap tightly. Have
the coolant concentration checked
and have the cause of the coolant
loss remedied by a workshop.
Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of windscreen
washer fluid which contains
antifreeze.
Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Brakes
In the event of minimum thickness ofthe brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake lining replaced as
soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid
9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.

210IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 150
Adjustable air vents ...................117
Airbag and belt tensioners ...........83
Airbag deactivation ................42, 83
Airbag label................................... 37 Airbag system .............................. 37
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 118
Air conditioning system .............. 111
Air intake .................................... 118
Air vents...................................... 117
Antilock brake system ................ 125
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......84
Anti-theft alarm system ................24
Anti-theft locking system .............. 23
Appearance care ........................191
Ashtrays ....................................... 76
Automatic anti-dazzle ..................27
Automatic light control ...............103
Automatic locking ........................22
B Battery discharge protection ......109
Battery voltage ............................. 95
Belts.............................................. 34
Bicycle rack .................................. 52
Bonnet ....................................... 152Brake and clutch fluid.................195
Brake and clutch system .............84
Brake assist ............................... 126
Brake fluid .................................. 154
Brakes ............................... 125, 154
Breakdown.................................. 189
Bulb replacement ....................... 157
C Capacities .................................. 206
Car Pass ...................................... 18
Catalytic converter .....................124
Central locking system ................20
Changing tyre and wheel size ...175
Charging system .......................... 83
Child restraint installation locations ................................... 45
Child restraints.............................. 43
Child restraint systems ................43
Cigarette lighter ........................... 76
City mode ................................... 128
Climate control ............................. 15
Climate control systems .............110
Clock ............................................ 74
Code ............................................. 93
Control indicators.......................... 79
Control of the vehicle .................119
Controls ........................................ 69
Convex shape .............................. 25
Coolant and antifreeze ...............195