2014 OPEL ASTRA J manual transmission

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.

Driving and operating175Manual transmission
To engage reverse, with the vehicle
stationary wait 3 seconds after
depressing the clutch pedal and 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.
Do not grind the clutch unnecessarily. When operating, depress the clutchpedal completely. Do not use the
pedal as a foot rest.
Caution
It is not advisable to drive with the hand resting on the selector lever.
Brakes
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 3 116.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.

Driving and operating177
Electric parking brake
Applying when vehicle is stationary
Pull switch m for approx.
one second, the electric parking
brake operates automatically with an adequate force. For maximum force,
e.g. parking with trailer or on inclines,
pull switch m twice.
The electric parking brake is applied
when control indicator m illuminates
3 117.
The electric parking brake can always
be activated, even if the ignition is off.
Do not operate electric parking brake
system too often without engine
running because this will discharge
the vehicle battery.
Before leaving the vehicle, check the
electric parking brake status. Control
indicator m 3 117.
Releasing
Switch on ignition. Keep brake pedal
depressed and then push switch m.
Drive away function
Depressing clutch pedal (manual
transmission) or engaging drive gear
(automatic transmission) and then
depressing the accelerator pedal
releases the electric parking brake
automatically. This is not possible
when the switch is pulled at the same
time.
This function also helps driving away
on inclines.
Aggressive drive away may reduce life time of wear parts.Dynamic braking when vehicle is
moving
When the vehicle is moving and the
switch m is kept pulled, the electric
parking brake system will decelerate
the vehicle, but will not apply
statically.
As soon as the switch m is released,
dynamic braking will be stopped.
Fault
Failure mode of electric parking brake
is indicated by control indicator j and
by a code number or a vehicle message which is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre. Vehicle
messages 3 128.
Apply electric parking brake: pull and
hold the switch m for more than
5 seconds. If control indicator m
illuminates, electric parking brake is
applied.
Release electric parking brake: push
and hold the switch m for more than
2 seconds. If control indicator m
extinguishes, electric parking brake is released.

Driving and operating181Interactive driving system
Flex Ride Flex Ride driving system allows the
driver to select between three driving
modes:
■ SPORT mode: press button SPORT , LED illuminates.
■ TOUR mode: press button TOUR,
LED illuminates.
■ NORMAL mode: both buttons SPORT and TOUR are not
pressed, no LED illuminates.
Deactivate SPORT mode and TOUR
mode by pressing corresponding
button once more.
In each driving mode Flex Ride
networks the following electronic systems:
■ Continuous Damping Control.
■ Accelerator Pedal Control.
■ Steering Control.
■ Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
■ Antilock brake system (ABS) with cornering brake control (CBC).
■ Automatic transmission.
SPORT mode
The settings of the systems are
adapted to a sportier driving style:
■ Damping of shock absorbers reacts
more stiffly to provide better contact
with the road surface.
■ The engine reacts more quickly to the accelerator pedal.
■ Steering support is reduced.
■ Shift points of automatic transmission occur later.
■ With SPORT mode activated, the illumination of main instruments
changes from white to red.
TOUR mode
The settings of the systems are
adapted to a comfort driving style:
■ Damping of shock absorbers reacts
more softly.
■ Accelerator pedal reacts with standard settings.
■ Steering support is in standard mode.
■ Shift points of automatic transmission occur in a comfort
mode.
■ Illumination of main instruments is white.
NORMAL mode
All settings of the systems are
adapted to standard values.
Drive mode control
Within each manual selected driving
mode SPORT, TOUR or NORMAL,
the Drive Mode Control (DMC)
detects and analyses continuously
the real driving characteristic,
responses by the driver, and the
active dynamic state of the vehicle. If
necessary, the control unit of DMC

Technical data295Performance3-door hatchbackEngineA14XERA14NELA14NETA16LETA16XHTMaximum speed 2)
[km/h]Manual transmission178 3)192201220219Automatic transmission––200–210EngineA18XERA20NFTA17DTEA17DTCA17DTFMaximum speed 2)
[km/h]Manual transmission200250183182197Automatic transmission–––––EngineA17DTSA20DTHA20DTRMaximum speed 2)
[km/h]Manual transmission196210225Automatic transmission–207–2) The maximum speed indicated is achievable at kerb weight (without driver) plus 200 kg payload. Optional equipment
could reduce the specified maximum speed of the vehicle.
3) 4th gear.

296Technical data
5-door hatchbackEngineA14XELA14XERA14NELA14NETA16LETA16XERMaximum speed2)
[km/h]Manual transmission168178192202221188Automatic transmission–––200211182EngineA16XHTA13DTEA17DTEA17DTCA17DTFMaximum speed 2)
[km/h]Manual transmission220175188186201Automatic transmission212––––EngineA17DTSA20DTHA20DTRMaximum speed 2)
[km/h]Manual transmission198215226Automatic transmission–209–2) The maximum speed indicated is achievable at kerb weight (without driver) plus 200 kg payload. Optional equipment
could reduce the specified maximum speed of the vehicle.

Technical data297
4-door notchbackEngineA14XERA14NETA16LETA16XERA16XHTMaximum speed2)
[km/h]Manual transmission178 3)2022211884)Automatic transmission–200211182–EngineA13DTEA17DTEA17DTCA17DTFMaximum speed 2)
[km/h]Manual transmission175191188206Automatic transmission––––EngineA17DTSA20DTHMaximum speed 2)
[km/h]Manual transmission203215Automatic transmission–2092) The maximum speed indicated is achievable at kerb weight (without driver) plus 200 kg payload. Optional equipment
could reduce the specified maximum speed of the vehicle.
3) 4th gear.
4) Value was not available at time of printing.

298Technical data
Sports tourerEngineA14XERA14NELA14NETA16LETA16XERA16XHTMaximum speed [km/h]2)Manual transmission175190200220185220Automatic transmission––198210180211EngineA13DTEA17DTEA17DTFA17DTCA17DTSMaximum speed 2)
[km/h]Manual transmission174186198184195Automatic transmission–––––EngineA17DTLA20DTHMaximum speed 2)
[km/h]Manual transmission176212Automatic transmission–2072) The maximum speed indicated is achievable at kerb weight (without driver) plus 200 kg payload. Optional equipment
could reduce the specified maximum speed of the vehicle.