2014 OPEL ASTRA J tow

224Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................224
Vehicle checks ........................... 225
Bulb replacement .......................232
Electrical system ........................252
Vehicle tools .............................. 258
Wheels and tyres .......................260
Jump starting ............................. 276
Towing ....................................... 278
Appearance care .......................280General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend the use of genuine parts and accessories and factory
approved parts specific for your
vehicle type. We cannot assess or
guarantee reliability of other products
- even if they have a regulatory or
otherwise granted approval.
Do not make any modifications to the electrical system, e.g. changes of
electronic control units (chip tuning).Caution
When transporting the vehicle on
a train or on a recovery vehicle, the
mud flaps might be damaged.
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of time
If the vehicle is to be stored for several months:
■ Wash and wax the vehicle.
■ Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
■ Clean and preserve the rubber seals.
■ Fill up fuel tank completely.
■ Change the engine oil.
■ Drain the washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check the coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park the vehicle in a dry, well ventilated place. Engage first orreverse gear or set selector lever to P . Prevent the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.

258Vehicle care
When assembling press the blind into
the rubber grommets to reach full
retention force.
Vehicle tools
Tools
Vehicles with tyre repair kit
Some tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a tool box in the load
compartment below the floor cover.3-door and 5-door hatchbackSports Tourer and 4-door notchback
On version with rear carrier system
3 66 , the tyre repair kit, a screwdriver
and the towing eye are located in the
drawer under the front passenger
seat 3 64.

Vehicle care259
Vehicles with spare wheelVariant 1a: 3-door and 5-door
hatchback with rigid wheel wrench
The jack, the tools and a strap for
securing a damaged wheel are in the
tool box below the spare wheel in the load compartment. The wheel wrenchand the towing eye are in the tool bag
located in the spare wheel well near
the tool box. Spare wheel 3 272.
Variant 1b: 3-door and 5-door
hatchback with foldable wheel
wrench
Same content as variant 1a, but with
a foldable wheel wrench instead of
the rigid wheel wrench located in the
tool bag.
Variant 2: Sports Tourer
The jack, the tools and the towing eye
are in the tool box below the spare
wheel in the load compartment. The
wheel wrench and an extension bolt
for securing a damaged wheel (only
vehicles with temporary spare wheel)
are in the tool bag located in the spare wheel well near the tool box. Spare
wheel 3 272.

260Vehicle care
Variant 3: 4-door notchback
The jack and the tools are in the tool
box below the spare wheel in the load
compartment. The wheel wrench, the towing eye and an extension bolt for
securing a damaged wheel (only
vehicles with temporary spare wheel)
are in the tool bag located in the spare wheel well near the tool box. Spare
wheel 3 272.
Wheels and tyres
Tyre condition, wheel condition
Drive over edges slowly and at right
angles if possible. Driving over sharp
edges can cause tyre and wheel
damage. Do not trap tyres on the kerb when parking.
Regularly check the wheels for
damage. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in the event of damage or
unusual wear.
Winter tyres Winter tyres improve driving safety attemperatures below 7 °C and shouldtherefore be fitted on all wheels.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker in
the driver's field of view.
OPC Version: Tyres of size 235/45
R18 are only permitted as winter tyres.Tyre designations
E.g. 215/60 R 16 95 H215=Tyre width, mm60=Cross-section ratio (tyre
height to tyre width), %R=Belt type: RadialRF=Type: RunFlat16=Wheel diameter, inches95=Load index e.g. 95 is
equivalent to 690 kgH=Speed code letter
Speed code letter:
Q=up to 160 km/hS=up to 180 km/hT=up to 190 km/hH=up to 210 km/hV=up to 240 km/hW=up to 270 km/h
Tyre pressure
Check the pressure of cold tyres at
least every 14 days and before any
long journey. Do not forget the spare
wheel. This also applies to vehicles
with tyre pressure monitoring system.
Unscrew the valve cap.

266Vehicle care
The illustrations show different
versions.
1. Take the tyre repair kit from the compartment.
2. Remove the compressor.
3. Remove the electrical connection cable and air hose from the
stowage compartments on the
underside of the compressor.
4. Screw the compressor air hose to
the connection on the sealant
bottle.
5. Fit the sealant bottle into the retainer on the compressor.
Set the compressor near the tyre
in such a way that the sealant
bottle is upright.

268Vehicle care
14. Detach the tyre repair kit. Pushcatch on bracket to remove
sealant bottle from bracket. Screw the tyre inflation hose to the free
connection of the sealant bottle.
This prevents sealant from
escaping. Stow tyre repair kit in
load compartment.
15. Remove any excess sealant using a cloth.
16. Take the label indicating maximum permitted speed from
the sealant bottle and affix in the
driver's field of view.
17. Continue driving immediately so that sealant is evenly distributed
in the tyre. After driving approx.
10 km (but no more than
10 minutes), stop and check tyre
pressure. Screw compressor air
hose directly onto tyre valve and
compressor when doing this.
If tyre pressure is more than
1.3 bar , set it to the correct value.
Repeat the procedure until there
is no more loss of pressure.
If the tyre pressure has fallen
below 1.3 bar, the vehicle must
not be used. Seek the assistance
of a workshop.
18. Stow away tyre repair kit in load compartment.
Note
The driving characteristics of the
repaired tyre are severely affected,
therefore have this tyre replaced.
If unusual noise is heard or the
compressor becomes hot, turn
compressor off for at least
30 minutes.
The built-in safety valve opens at a
pressure of 7 bar.
Note the expiry date of the kit. After
this date its sealing capability is no
longer guaranteed. Pay attention to
storage information on sealant
bottle.
Replace the used sealant bottle. Dispose of the bottle as prescribed
by applicable laws.
The compressor and sealant can be used from approx. -30 °C.
The adapters supplied can be used
to pump up other items e.g.
footballs, air mattresses, inflatable
dinghies etc. They are located on the
underside of the compressor. To
remove, screw on compressor air hose and withdraw adapter.
Wheel changing
Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel 3 265.

272Vehicle care
10. Align the valve hole in the wheelcover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel nut caps.
Install centre cap on alloy wheels.
11. Install vehicle jacking point cover on versions with sill panelling.
12. Stow the replaced wheel 3 272
and the vehicle tools 3 258.
13. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and the wheel nut
torque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.Jacking position for lifting
platform
Rear arm position of the lifting
platform centrically under the recess
of the sill.
Front arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare
wheel.
A spare wheel can be classified as a
temporary spare wheel depending on the size compared to the other
mounted wheels and country
regulations.
The spare wheel has always a steel
rim.

Vehicle care273Caution
The use of a spare wheel that issmaller than the other wheels or in combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
The spare wheel is located in the load
compartment beneath the floor
covering. It is secured with a wing nut.
To remove:
1. Open the floor cover.
2. Only 3-door hatchback: remove rear storage by pressing both
buttons. Fold down cover and
extract storage upwards.
3. The spare wheel is secured with a
wing nut. Untwist nut, remove
conus (only 3-door hatchback) to
take out the spare wheel.
Under the spare wheel there is the box with vehicle tools.
4. When, after a wheel change, no wheel is placed in the spare wheel
well, secure the tool box by
turning right back the wing nut and close floor cover.
Stowing a damaged full size
wheel in the load compartment,
3-door and 5-door hatchback
The spare wheel well is not designed
for other tyre sizes than the spare
wheel. A damaged full size wheel
must be stowed in the load
compartment and secured with a
strap. Vehicle tools 3 258. To secure
the wheel:
1. Position the wheel outside up close to one sidewall of the load
compartment.
2. Place the loop end of the strap through the front lashing eye on
the appropriate side.