2014.5 VAUXHALL MERIVA brakes

16In briefTransmission
Manual transmission
Reverse: with the vehicle stationary,
wait 3 seconds after depressing
clutch pedal 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 3 142.
Automatic transmissionP=parkR=reverseN=neutralD=drive
Manual mode: move selector lever
from D to the left.
<=higher gear]=lower gear
The selector lever can only be moved
out of P when the ignition is on and
the brake pedal is applied. To engage
P or R, press the release button.
Automatic transmission 3 139.
Starting off
Check before starting off ■ Tyre pressure and condition 3 189,
3 224.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 166.
■ 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 28, 3 36,
3 45.
■ Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.

106Instruments and controls
The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
■ Fluid levels
■ Anti-theft alarm system
■ Brakes
■ Drive systems
■ Ride control systems
■ Cruise control
■ Object detection systems
■ Lighting, bulb replacement
■ Wiper/washer system
■ Doors, windows
■ Radio remote control
■ Seat belts
■ Airbag systems
■ Engine and transmission
■ Tyre pressure
■ Diesel particle filterVehicle messages on the Colour-Info-Display Some important messages appear
additionally in the
Colour-Info-Display. Press the
multifunction knob to confirm a
message. Some messages only pop
up for a few seconds.
Warning chimes
Only one warning chime will sound at
a time.
The warning chime regarding not
fastened seat belts has priority over
any other warning chime.
When starting the engine or
whilst driving ■ If seat belt is not fastened.
■ If a door or the tailgate is not fully closed when starting-off.
■ If a certain speed is exceeded with parking brake applied.
■ If a programmed speed is exceeded.■ If a warning message or a warningcode appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
■ If the parking assist detects an object.
■ If reverse gear is engaged and the rear end carrier is extended.
■ If a fault in the automatic locking system is detected.
■ If the diesel particle filter has reached the maximum filling level.
When the vehicle is parked and/ or the driver's door is opened ■ When the key is in the ignition switch.
■ With exterior lights on.
During an Autostop ■ If the driver's door is opened.
Battery voltage When the vehicle battery voltage is
running low, a warning message or
warning code 174 will appear in the
Driver Information Centre.

132Driving and operatingDriving and operatingDriving hints............................... 132
Starting and operating ...............133
Engine exhaust .......................... 137
Automatic transmission .............. 139
Manual transmission ..................142
Brakes ........................................ 143
Ride control systems .................145
Driver assistance systems .........147
Fuel ............................................ 152
Trailer hitch ................................ 159Driving 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,
but there will be a controlled reduction
in power steering assist and vehicle
speed is reduced.
Stop-start system 3 135.
Idle boost
If charging of the vehicle battery is
required due to vehicle 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.
Steering If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered but may require a higher
or lower steering effort.
Control indicator c 3 96.Caution
Vehicles equipped with hydraulic
power steering:
If the steering wheel is turned until it reaches the end of its travel, and
is held in that position for more
than 15 seconds, damage may
occur to the power steering
system and there may be loss of
power steering assist.

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.

Driving and operating145
Control indicator m flashes: electric
parking brake is not fully applied or released. When continuously
flashing, release electric parking
brake and retry applying.
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 unintendedmovement 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.The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.Ride control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction Control system (TC) is a
component of the Electronic Stability
Control system.
TC improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational as soon as the
control indicator b extinguishes.
When TC is active b flashes.

168Vehicle 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
approved 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 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 fluid9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.

230IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 164
Active head restraints ..................35
Adaptive brake light ....................143
Adaptive forward lighting ..........
.................................. 98, 116, 174
Adjustable air vents ...................129
Airbag and belt tensioners ...........93
Airbag deactivation ................53, 94
Airbag label................................... 48 Airbag system .............................. 48
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 130
Air conditioning system .............. 123
Air intake .................................... 130
Air vents...................................... 129
Alert ............................................ 106
Antifreeze ................................... 167
Antilock brake system ................ 143
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......95
Anti-theft alarm system ................27
Anti-theft locking system .............. 26 Appearance care ........................204
Armrest ................................... 39, 42
Armrest storage ........................... 63
Ashtrays ....................................... 88
Automatic anti-dazzle ..................30
Automatic light control ...............114Automatic locking ..................24, 98
Automatic transmission .............139
Auxiliary heater .......................... 129
B Battery discharge protection ......121
Battery voltage ........................... 106
Belts.............................................. 44 Bicycle rack .................................. 64
Bonnet ....................................... 166
Brake and clutch fluid .................208
Brake and clutch system .............95
Brake assist ............................... 145
Brake fluid .................................. 168
Brakes ............................... 143, 168
Breakdown.................................. 202
Bulb replacement ....................... 172
C Capacities .................................. 223
Car Pass ...................................... 19
Catalytic converter .....................138
Central locking system ................21
Centre console lighting ..............120
Changing tyre and wheel size ...191
Charging system .......................... 94
Child locks ................................... 24
Child restraint installation locations ................................... 57
Child restraints.............................. 54