2014.5 VAUXHALL MERIVA tow

Driving and operating143Brakes
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 95.
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 95.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.Fault9 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.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.

150Driving and operatingsuch obstacles leave the detectionarea of the sensors during
approach of the vehicle, a
continuous warning tone will
sound.Caution
Performance of the sensors can
be reduced when sensors are
covered, e.g. by ice or snow.
Performance of the parking assist
systems can be reduced due to
heavy loading.
Special conditions apply if there
are taller vehicles involved (e.g.
off-road vehicles, mini vans,
vans). Object identification in the
upper part of these vehicles
cannot be guaranteed.
Objects with a very small reflection
cross-section, e.g. objects of
narrow size or soft materials, may
not be detected by the system.
Parking assist will not avoid a
collision with objects which are out
of the detection range of the
sensors.
Notice
The parking assist system
automatically detects factory-fitted
towing equipment. It is deactivated
when the connector is plugged in.
The sensor may detect a non-
existent object (echo disturbance)
caused by external acoustic or
mechanical disturbances.
Notice
If engaging a forward gear and
exceeding a certain speed, the rear
parking assist will be deactivated
when the rear carrier system is
extended.
If engaging reverse at first, the
parking assist will detect the rear
carrier system and provide a buzzing
sound. Press r or D briefly to
deactivate the parking assist.
Rear view camera
The rear view camera assists the
driver when reversing by displaying a view of the area behind the vehicle.
The view of the camera is displayed
in the Colour-Info-Display.9 Warning
The rear view camera does not
replace driver vision. Note that
objects that are outside the
camera's field of view and the
advanced parking assist sensors,
e.g. below the bumper or
underneath the vehicle, are not
displayed.
Do not reverse the vehicle by only looking at the Info-Display and
check the surrounding behind and
around the vehicle before
reversing.
Activation
Rear view camera is automatically
activated when reverse gear is
engaged.

Driving and operating157
Screw the required adapter hand-
tight onto the filler neck.
ACME Adapter: Screw the nut of the
filling nozzle onto the adapter. Press
locking lever on filler nozzle down.
DISH (Italy) filler neck: Place the filler
nozzle into the adapter. Press locking lever on filler nozzle down.
Bayonet filler neck: Place filler nozzle
on the adapter and turn to the left or
right through one quarter turn. Pull
locking lever of filler nozzle fully.
EURO filler neck: Press the filler
nozzle onto the adapter until it
engages.
Press the button of the liquid gas supply point. The filling system stops
or begins to run slowly when 80% of
the tank volume is reached
(maximum fill level).
Release button on filling system and
the filling process stops. Release the
locking lever and remove the filler
nozzle. A small quantity of liquid gas
can escape.
Remove adapter and stow in vehicle.
Fit protective cap to prevent the
penetration of foreign bodies into the
filler opening and the system.9 Warning
Due to the system design, an
escape of liquid gas after
releasing the locking lever is
unavoidable. Avoid inhaling.
9 Warning
The liquid gas tank may only be
filled to 80% for safety reasons.
The multivalve on the liquid gas tank
automatically limits the fill quantity. If
a larger quantity is added, we
recommend not exposing the vehicle
to the sun until the excess amount
has been used up.
Filling adapter
As filling systems are not
standardised, different adapters are
required which are available from
Vauxhall Distributors and from
Vauxhall Authorised Repairers.

Driving and operating159
Fuel consumption data and CO2
emission data are determined
according to regulation R (EC) No.
715/2007 (in the version respectively
applicable), taking into consideration
the vehicle weight in running order, as specified by the regulation.
The figures are provided only for the
purpose of comparison between
different vehicle variants and must not be taken as a guarantee for the
actual fuel consumption of a
particular vehicle. Additional
equipment may result in slightly
higher results than the stated
consumption and CO 2 figures.
Furthermore, fuel consumption is
dependent on personal driving style
as well as road and traffic conditions.Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball
bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle.
Driving characteristics and
towing tips Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the 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 than1100 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 3 224.
Trailer towing Trailer loads9 Warning
Vehicles with engine A13DTE:
Use of towing equipment is
permissible for attaching
compatible bicycle carriers only.
Do not use towing equipment for
trailer towing.

160Driving and operating
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
3 211.
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.Rear axle load
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by
80 kg (vehicles with LPG system:
110 kg), the gross vehicle weight
rating may be exceeded by 70 kg
(vehicles with LPG system: 95 kg). If
the permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
60 mph applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.

Driving and operating161
Stowage of the detachable
coupling ball bar
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
stowed in the rear stowage
compartment on the floor.
Run the strap through the lashing eye and tighten the strap to secure the
bag.
Fitting the detachable coupling
ball bar
Disengage and fold down the socket. Remove the sealing plug from the
opening for the coupling ball bar and
stow it.
Checking the tensioning of the
coupling ball bar
■ Red marking on rotary knob must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
■ The gap between the rotary knob and the coupling ball bar must beapprox. 5 mm.
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before being inserted:

162Driving and operating
Pull out rotary knob and turn
clockwise as far as it will go.
Inserting the coupling ball bar
Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar
in the opening and push firmly
upwards until it audibly engages.
The rotary handle snaps back into its
original position resting against the
coupling ball bar without a gap.9 Warning
Do not touch rotary handle during
insertion.
Lock the coupling ball bar by turning the key clockwise. Remove the key
and close the protective flap.
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.

Driving and operating163
■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 detachable
coupling ball bar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key clockwise 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.