2014 OPEL ASTRA J brake fluid

20In briefTransmission
Manual transmission
Reverse: with the vehicle stationary,
wait 3 seconds after depressing
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.
Manual transmission 3 175.
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 3 171.
Starting off
Check before starting off ■ Tyre pressure and condition 3 260,
3 309.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 226.
■ 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 33, 3 42,
3 50.
■ Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.

116Instruments and controls
* illuminates yellow.
The front passenger airbag is
deactivated 3 55.9 Danger
Risk of fatal injury for a child using
a child restraint system together
with activated front passenger
airbag.
Risk of fatal injury for an adult
person with deactivated front
passenger airbag.
Charging system
p illuminates red.
Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on and extinguishes shortly
after the engine starts.
Illuminates when the engine is
running
Stop, switch off engine. Vehicle
battery is not charging. Engine
cooling may be interrupted. The
brake servo unit may cease to be
effective. Seek the assistance of a
workshop.
Malfunction indicator light
Z illuminates or flashes yellow.
Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on and extinguishes shortly
after the engine starts.
Illuminates when the engine isrunning
Fault in the emission control system. The permitted emission limits may be
exceeded. Seek the assistance of a
workshop immediately.Flashes when the engine is
running
Fault that could lead to catalytic
converter damage. Ease up on the
accelerator until the flashing stops.
Seek the assistance of a workshop
immediately.
Service vehicle soon g illuminates yellow.
Additionally a warning message or a
warning code is displayed.
The vehicle needs a service.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 128.
Brake and clutch system
Brake and clutch fluid level
R illuminates red.
The brake and clutch fluid level is too low 3 229.

130Instruments and controls
No.Vehicle message68Service power steering69Service suspension system70Service level control system71Service rear axle74Service AFL75Service air conditioning76Service side blind zone alert
system77Service lane departure warning79Top up engine oil81Service transmission82Change engine oil soon83Service adaptive cruise control84Engine power is reduced89Service vehicle soon94Shift to park before exiting95Service airbagNo.Vehicle message128Bonnet open134Park assist fault, clean bumper136Service parking assist145Check washer fluid level174Low vehicle battery258Park assist off
Vehicle messages on the
Uplevel-Display or Uplevel- Combi-Display
The vehicle messages are displayed
as text. Follow the instructions given
in the messages.
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 filter
■ Vehicle battery status

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.

Vehicle care229BrakesIn 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.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
When topping up, ensure maximum cleanliness as contamination of the
brake fluid can lead to brake system
malfunctions. Have the cause of the
loss of brake fluid remedied by a
workshop.
Only use high-performance brake
fluid approved for the vehicle. Brake
and clutch fluid 3 285.
Vehicle battery
Vehicles without stop-start system
will be equipped with a lead acid
battery. Vehicles with stop-start
system will be equipped with an
AGM battery which is not a lead acid
battery.
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.

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

326
Glass panel .................................. 39
Glovebox ..................................... 62
Graphic-Info-Display, Colour- Info-Display ............................ 126
H Halogen headlights ....................232
Hand brake ......................... 175, 176
Hazard warning flashers ............149
Headlight flash ........................... 144
Headlight range adjustment ......144
Headlights................................... 142
Headlights when driving abroad 145
Head restraint adjustment .............9
Head restraints ............................ 40
Heated mirrors ............................. 34
Heated rear window ..................... 37
Heated steering wheel ...............103
Heating ........................................ 49
Heating and ventilation system . 155
Height adjustable rear floor cover 90
High beam ......................... 120, 143
High beam assist ................120, 143
Hill start assist ........................... 178
Horn ..................................... 17, 103
I
Identification plate .....................287
Ignition switch positions .............165
Immobiliser .......................... 32, 120Indicators.................................... 110
Information displays.................... 121
Instrument cluster ......................110
Instrument panel fuse box .........255
Instrument panel illumination .....251
Instrument panel illumination control .................................... 151
Instrument panel overview ........... 12
Interactive driving system ...........181
Interior care ............................... 282
Interior lighting ............................ 151
Interior lights ...................... 151, 251
Interior mirrors .............................. 34
Interruption of power supply ......174
Introduction .................................... 3
ISOFIX child restraint systems ....61
J
Jump starting ............................. 276
K Key, memorised settings ..............25
Keys ............................................. 23
Keys, locks ................................... 23
L
Lane departure warning .....118, 211
Lashing eyes ............................... 93
Lighting features .........................152
Light switch ................................ 142Load compartment ................28, 84
Load compartment cover .............88
Load compartment fuse box ......256
Loading information ...................100
Low fuel ..................................... 120
Low washer fluid ........................121
M
Malfunction indicator light ..........116
Manual anti-dazzle ......................34
Manual mode ............................. 173
Manual transmission .................. 175
Manual windows ..........................35
Memorised settings ......................25
Mirror adjustment ......................... 10
Misted light covers .....................150
N New vehicle running-in ..............165
Number plate light .....................251
O
Object detection systems ...........198
Odometer ................................... 110
Oil, engine .......................... 285, 289
Outside temperature ..................106
Overrun cut-off ........................... 166