2014 OPEL ASTRA J brake

264Vehicle careTread depth
Check tread depth at regular
intervals.
Tyres should be replaced for safety
reasons at a tread depth of 2-3 mm
(4 mm for winter tyres).
For safety reasons it is recommended that the tread depth of the tyres on
one axle should not vary by more than
2 mm.
The legally permissible minimum
tread depth (1.6 mm) has been
reached when the tread has worn
down as far as one of the tread wear
indicators (TWI). Their position is
indicated by markings on the
sidewall.
If there is more wear at the front than
the rear, swap round front wheels and rear wheels periodically. Ensure that
the direction of rotation of the wheels
is the same as before.
Tyres age, even if they are not used.
We recommend tyre replacement
every 6 years.
Changing tyre and wheel
size If tyres of a different size than those
fitted at the factory are used, it may be necessary to reprogramme the
speedometer as well as the nominal
tyre pressure and make other vehicle
modifications.
After converting to a different tyre
size, have the label with tyre
pressures replaced.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheels
may lead to accidents and will
invalidate the vehicle type
approval.
Wheel covers
Wheel covers and tyres that are
factory approved for the respective
vehicle and comply with all of the
relevant wheel and tyre combination requirements must be used.
If the wheel covers and tyres used are
not factory approved, the tyres must
not have a rim protection ridge.
Wheel covers must not impair brake
cooling.
9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel
covers could lead to sudden
pressure loss and thereby
accidents.

Vehicle care265Tyre chains
Use tyre chains only on front wheels.
9Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
5-door hatchback, 4-door notchback,
Sports tourer
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain
lock).Tyre chains are only permitted on
tyres of size 205/60 R 16 and
215/50 R 17.3-door hatchback
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 225/55 R 17. Always use fine
mesh chains that add no more than
10 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).
Tyre chains are also permitted on
tyres of size 245/45 R 18. Always use fine mesh chains that add no more
than 7 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).OPC Version
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 235/45 R 18. Always use fine
mesh chains that add no more than
10 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).General
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Tyre repair kit
Minor damage to the tyre tread can be
repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding 4 mm or that
is at tyre's sidewall cannot be repaired with the tyre repair kit.9 Warning
Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be
affected.
If you have a flat tyre:
Apply the parking brake and engage
first gear, reverse gear or P.
The tyre repair kit is in a compartment under the floor cover in the load
compartment or, on version with rear
carrier system, in the drawer under
the passenger seat 3 64.

Vehicle care269
Make the following preparations and
observe the following information:
■ Park the vehicle on a level, firm and
non-skid surface. The front wheels
must be in the straight-ahead
position.
■ Apply the parking brake and engage first gear, reverse gear or
P .
■ Remove the spare wheel 3 272.
■ Never change more than one wheel
at once.
■ Use the jack only to change wheels
in case of puncture, not for
seasonal winter or summer tyre
change.
■ If the ground on which the vehicle is standing is soft, a solid board
(max. 1 cm thick) should be placed
under the jack.
■ No people or animals may be in the
vehicle when it is jacked-up.
■ Never crawl under a jacked-up vehicle.■ Do not start the vehicle when it is
raised on the jack.
■ Clean wheel nuts and thread with a
clean cloth before mounting the
wheel.9 Warning
Do not grease wheel bolt, wheel
nut and wheel nut cone.
1. Disengage wheel nut caps with a screwdriver and remove. Pull off
the wheel cover with the hook.
Vehicle tools 3 258.
Alloy wheels: Disengage wheel
nut caps with a screwdriver and
remove. To protect the wheel,
place a soft cloth between the
screwdriver and the alloy wheel.
Alloy wheels with centre wheel
bolt cap: Disengage centre cap by
inserting and pulling the extractor
in the recess of the brand
emblem, vehicle tools 3 258.
2. Two types of jacks and wheel nut wrenches are possible dependingon the version, vehicle tools
3 258.
Variant 1a with rigid wheel
wrench:

Vehicle care277
■Never expose the vehicle battery to
naked flames or sparks.
■ A discharged vehicle battery can already freeze at a temperature of
0 °C. Defrost the frozen vehicle
battery before connecting jump
leads.
■ Wear eye protection and protective
clothing when handling a vehicle
battery.
■ Use a booster vehicle battery with the same voltage (12 Volts). Its
capacity (Ah) must not be much less than that of the discharged
vehicle battery.
■ Use jump leads with insulated terminals and a cross section of at
least 16 mm 2
(25 mm 2
for diesel
engines).
■ Do not disconnect the discharged vehicle battery from the vehicle.
■ Switch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers.
■ Do not lean over the vehicle battery
during jump starting.■ Do not allow the terminals of one lead to touch those of the other
lead.
■ The vehicles must not come into contact with each other during the
jump starting process.
■ Apply the parking brake, transmission in neutral, automatic
transmission in P.
■ Open the positive terminal protection caps of both vehicle
batteries.Lead connection order:
1. Connect the red lead to the positive terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.
2. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive terminal of the
discharged vehicle battery.
3. Connect the black lead to the negative terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black
lead to a vehicle grounding point,
such as the engine block or an
engine mounting bolt. Connect as far away from the discharged
vehicle battery as possible,
however at least 60 cm.
Route the leads so that they cannot
catch on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine: 1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the jump.

278Vehicle care
2. After 5 minutes, start the otherengine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of
1 minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads
connected.
4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower part of the cap. Release the cap
by carefully moving the screwdriver
downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 258.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering the
vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Transmission in neutral.

Vehicle care279Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust gases from the towing vehicle, switch on the
air recirculation and close the
windows.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: The vehicle must be towed facing
forwards, not faster than 80 km/h nor further than 100 km. In all other cases
and when the transmission is
defective, the front axle must be
raised off the ground.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the top and engage
downwards.
Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower bend of the cap. Release the
cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 258.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
The lashing eye at the rear
underneath the vehicle must never be used as a towing eye.
Attach a tow rope – or even better a
tow bar – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering a
vehicle.

286Service and maintenance
Select the appropriate engine oil
based on its quality and on the
minimum ambient temperature
3 289.
Additional engine oil additives
The use of additional engine oil
additives could cause damage and
invalidate the warranty.
Engine oil viscosity grades
The SAE viscosity grade gives
information of the thickness of the oil.
Multigrade oil is indicated by two
figures, e.g. SAE 5W-30. The first
figure, followed by a W, indicates the
low temperature viscosity and the
second figure the high temperature viscosity.
Select the appropriate viscosity grade
depending on the minimum ambient
temperature 3 289.
All of the recommended viscosity
grades are suitable for high ambient
temperatures.Coolant and antifreeze
Use only organic acid type-long life
coolant (LLC) antifreeze approved for
the vehicle. Consult a workshop.
The system is factory filled with
coolant designed for excellent
corrosion protection and frost
protection down to approx. -28 °C. In
northern countries with very low
temperatures the factory filled coolant
provides frost protection down to
approx. -37°C. This concentration should be maintained all year round.
The use of additional coolant
additives that intend to give additional
corrosion protection or seal against
minor leaks can cause function
problems. Liability for consequences resulting from the use of additional
coolant additives will be rejected.
Brake and clutch fluid
Only use high-performance brake
fluid approved for the vehicle, consult a workshop.Over time, brake fluid absorbs
moisture which will reduce braking
effectiveness. The brake fluid should
therefore be replaced at the specified interval.
Brake fluid should be stored in a
sealed container to avoid water
absorption.
Ensure brake fluid does not become
contaminated.

324IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 224
Active Emergency Braking .........196
Active head restraints ...................41
Adaptive cruise control .......121, 186
Adaptive forward lighting ..........
................................ 120, 145, 236
Adjustable air vents ...................162
Advanced parking assist ............201
Airbag and belt tensioners .........115
Airbag deactivation ..............55, 115
Airbag system .............................. 52
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 163
Air conditioning system .............. 156
Air intake .................................... 163
Air vents...................................... 162
Antilock brake system ................ 175
Antilock brake system (ABS) .....117
Anti-theft alarm system ................30
Anti-theft locking system .............. 30
Appearance care ........................280
Armrest ................................... 48, 49
Armrest storage ........................... 64
Ashtrays ..................................... 109
Automatic anti-dazzle ..................34
Automatic light control ...............143
Automatic locking ........................27Automatic transmission .............171
Auxiliary heater ........................... 162
B Battery discharge protection ......153
Battery voltage ........................... 131
Belts.............................................. 49 Bicycle rack .................................. 66
Bonnet ....................................... 226
Brake and clutch fluid .................285
Brake and clutch system ...........116
Brake assist ............................... 178
Brake fluid .................................. 229
Brakes ............................... 175, 229
Breakdown.................................. 278
Bulb replacement ....................... 232
C
Capacities .................................. 308
Cargo management system ........93
Car Pass ...................................... 23
Catalytic converter .....................171
Central locking system ................25
Centre console lighting ..............152
Centre console storage ...............65
Changing tyre and wheel size ...264
Charging system ........................ 116
Child locks ................................... 27
Child restraint installation locations ................................... 58