Page 161 of 331
Climate control159
Each change of settings is shown in
the Info-Display for a few seconds.
The electronic climate control system
is only fully operational when the
engine is running.
Automatic mode AUTO
Basic setting for maximum comfort:
■ Press AUTO button, the air
distribution and fan speed are
regulated automatically.
■ Open all air vents to allow optimised air distribution in
automatic mode.
■ Press n to switch on optimal
cooling and demisting. Activation is indicated by the LED in the button.
■ Set the preselected temperatures for driver and front passenger using
the left and right rotary knob.
Recommended temperature is
22 °C.
The fan speed regulation in automatic mode can be changed in the menu
Settings .
Vehicle personalisation 3 134.
Temperature preselection
Set temperatures to the desired
value.
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160Climate control
If the minimum temperature Lo is set,
the climate control system runs at
maximum cooling, if cooling n is
switched on.
If the maximum temperature Hi is set,
the climate control system runs at
maximum heating.
Note
If n is switched on, reducing the set
cabin temperature can cause the
engine to restart from an Autostop or inhibit an Autostop.
Demisting and defrosting the
windows V■
Press button V. Activation is
indicated by the LED in the button.
■ Press cooling button n. Activation
is indicated by the LED in the button.
■ Temperature and air distribution are set automatically and the fan
runs at high speed.
■ Switch on heated rear window Ü.
■ To return to previous mode: press button V, to return to automatic
mode: press button AUTO.
Setting of automatic rear window
heating can be changed in the menu
Settings in the Info-Display. Vehicle
personalisation 3 134.
Note
If the V button is pressed while the
engine is running, an Autostop will
be inhibited until the V button is
pressed again.
If the V button is pressed while the
engine is in an Autostop, the engine will restart automatically.
Stop-start system 3 167.Manual settings
Climate control system settings can
be changed by activating the buttons
and rotary knobs as follows.
Changing a setting will deactivate the automatic mode.
Fan speed Z
Press lower button to decrease or
upper button to increase fan speed as
shown in the illustration. The fan
speed is indicated by the number of
segments in the display.
Pressing the lower button longer: fan and cooling are switched off.
Page 163 of 331

Climate control161
Pressing the upper button longer: thefan runs at maximum speed.
To return to automatic mode: Press
AUTO button.
Air distribution s, M , K
Press appropriate button for desired
adjustment. Activation is indicated by the LED in the button.
s=to windscreen and front door
windows.M=to head area via adjustable air
ventsK=to foot well.
All combinations are possible.
Return to automatic air distribution:
press button AUTO.
Cooling n
Press button
n to switch on cooling.
Activation is indicated by the LED in
the button. Cooling is only functional
when the engine is running and
climate control fan is switched on.
Press button n again to switch off
cooling.
The air conditioning system cools and
dehumidifies (dries) when outside temperature is above a specific level. Therefore condensation may form
and drip from under the vehicle.
If no cooling or drying is required,
switch the cooling system off to save
fuel. When the cooling system is
switched off, no engine restart will be
requested by the climate control
system during an Autostop.
Exception: defrost system is activated and outside temperature above 0° C
requests a restart.
The display will indicate ACON when
cooling is activated or ACOFF when
the cooling is deactivated.
Activation or deactivation of cooling
operation after engine start can be
changed in the menu Settings in the
Info-Display. Vehicle personalisation 3 134.
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162Climate control
Air recirculation mode 4
Press button
4 to activate the air
recirculation mode. Activation is
indicated by the LED in the button.
Press button 4 again to deactivate
recirculation mode.
9 Warning
The exchange of fresh air is
reduced in air recirculation mode.
In operation without cooling the air humidity increases, so the
windows may mist up from inside.
The quality of the passenger
compartment air deteriorates,
which may cause the vehicle
occupants to feel drowsy.
In warm and very humid ambient air conditions, the windscreen might mist up from outside, when cold air is
directed to it. If windscreen mists up
from outside, activate windscreen
wiper and deactivate s.
Basic settings Some settings can be changed in the
menu Settings in the Info-Display.
Vehicle personalisation 3 134.
Auxiliary heater
Air heater Quickheat is an electric auxiliary air
heater which automatically warms up
the passenger compartment more
quickly.
Air vents
Adjustable air vents
At least one air vent must be open
while the cooling is on.
To open the vent, turn the adjuster
wheel towards the bigger W symbol.
Adjust the air amount at the vent
outlet by turning the adjuster wheel.
Page 166 of 331

164Driving and operatingDriving and operatingDriving hints............................... 164
Starting and operating ...............165
Engine exhaust .......................... 170
Automatic transmission .............. 171
Manual transmission ..................175
Brakes ........................................ 175
Ride control systems .................178
Driver assistance systems .........183
Fuel ............................................ 213
Trailer hitch ................................ 219Driving 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 3 167.
Idle boost
If charging of the 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- or Uplevel- Combi-Display, a message appearsin 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 increased
effort.
Control indicator c 3 118.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.
Page 171 of 331

Driving and operating169
■ the driver's seat belt is unfastenedand the driver's door is opened
■ the engine temperature is too low
■ the charging level of the vehicle battery is below a defined level
■ the brake vacuum is not sufficient
■ the vehicle is driven at least at walking speed
■ the climate control system requests
an engine start
■ the air conditioning is manually switched on
If the bonnet is not fully closed, a warning message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre.
If an electric accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop during restart might be noticeable.
Parking ■ Do not park the vehicle on an easily
ignitable surface. The high
temperature of the exhaust system
could ignite the surface.■ Always apply parking brake. Apply manual parking brake without
pressing release button. Apply as
firmly as possible on downhill or uphill slopes. Depress the foot
brake at the same time to reduce
operating force.
Apply electric parking brake by pulling switch m for approx.
one second.
■ Switch off the engine and ignition. Turn the steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock engages.
■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or
uphill slope, engage first gear or set the selector lever to P before
switching off the ignition. On an
uphill slope, turn the front wheels
away from the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill slope, engage reverse gear or set theselector lever to P before switching
off the ignition. Turn the front
wheels towards the kerb.
■ Lock the vehicle and activate the anti-theft alarm system.Note
In the event of an accident with
airbag deployment, the engine is
turned off automatically if the vehicle
comes to a standstill within a certain time.
Page 173 of 331

Driving and operating171
Cleaning takes place quickest at high
engine speeds and loads.
The control indicator % extinguishes
as soon as the self-cleaning
operation is complete.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gases.Caution
Fuel grades other than those listed on pages 3 213, 3 292 could
damage the catalytic converter or
electronic components.
Unburnt petrol will overheat and
damage the catalytic converter.
Therefore avoid excessive use of the starter, running the fuel tank
dry and starting the engine by
pushing or towing.
In the event of misfiring, uneven
engine running, a reduction in engine performance or other unusual
problems, have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop as soon as
possible. In an emergency, driving
can be continued for a short period,
keeping vehicle speed and engine
speed low.Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission permits
automatic gearshifting (automatic
mode) or manual gearshifting
(manual mode).
Transmission display
The mode or selected gear is shown
in the transmission display.
Page 175 of 331
![OPEL ASTRA J 2014 Manual user Driving and operating173Manual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left and then forwards or backwards.
<=Shift to a higher gear.]=Shift to a lower gear.
If a higher gear is selecte OPEL ASTRA J 2014 Manual user Driving and operating173Manual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left and then forwards or backwards.
<=Shift to a higher gear.]=Shift to a lower gear.
If a higher gear is selecte](/manual-img/37/18768/w960_18768-174.png)
Driving and operating173Manual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left and then forwards or backwards.
<=Shift to a higher gear.]=Shift to a lower gear.
If a higher gear is selected when
vehicle speed is too low, or a lower
gear when vehicle speed is too high,
the shift is not executed. This can
cause a message in the
Driver-Info-Display.
In manual mode no automatic shifting to a higher gear takes place at high
engine revolutions.
Electronic driving
programmes ■ Following a cold start, the operating
temperature programme increasesengine speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
■ The automatic neutral shift function
automatically shifts to idling when
the vehicle is stopped with a
forward gear engaged and the
brake pedal is pressed.
■ When SPORT mode is engaged, the vehicle shifts at higher engine
speeds (unless cruise control is
on). SPORT mode 3 181.■ Special programmes automatically
adapt the shifting points when
driving up inclines or down hills.
■ When starting off in snowy or icy conditions or on other slippery
surfaces, the electronic
transmission control selects a
higher gear automatically.
Kickdown If the accelerator pedal is pressed
down completely in automatic mode,
the transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on engine speed.
Fault In the event of a fault, g illuminates.
Additionally a code number or a
vehicle message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre. Vehicle
messages 3 128.
The transmission no longer shifts
automatically. Continued travel is
possible with manual shifting.