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158Driving and operating
Dismounting the coupling ballbar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c ( 1) to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out
coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold away socket.
Trailer stability assist
If the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is selectively braked until the snaking
ceases.
Trailer stability assistant (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP® Plus
) 3 147.
Page 183 of 245
Vehicle care181Electrical systemFuses
Data on the replacement fuse must match data on the defective fuse.
The vehicle has two fuse boxes: one
behind a cover on the left side of the
load compartment and one in the front left of the engine compartment.
Store spare fuses in the load
compartment fuse box version B.
Open the cover 3 185.
Before replacing a fuse, turn off the
respective switch and the ignition.
A blown fuse can be recognised by its melted wire. Do not replace the fuse
until the cause of the fault has been
remedied.
Some functions are protected by
several fuses.
Fuses may also be inserted without existence of a function.
Fuse extractor
A fuse extractor may be located in the
fuse box in the load compartment.
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188Vehicle care
TwinTop
The tools for emergency operation of
the convertible hardtop are stowed in
the glove compartment.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.
Tyres
Tyres of size 225/45 R 17 are only
permitted if the vehicle is equipped
with electronic stability program.Astra OPC "Nürburgring
Edition" with tyres 225/40 ZR 18
This model is factory-fitted with high-
performance sports tyres, size
225/40 ZR 18. These tyres are
approved for use on public roads but
have typical racing characteristics
and a correspondingly shallow tread.
The tyres provide sportily oriented
and experienced drivers with better
performance at faster speeds on dry
road surfaces but can cause the
vehicle to break away without
warning if this limit is exceeded. Avoid adopting a risky driving style because
of this improved performance. In wet conditions adapt your driving style
and speed to the shallow tread.
Winter tyres Winter tyres improve driving safety at
temperatures below 7 °C and should
therefore be fitted on all wheels.
Page 192 of 245

190Vehicle careTyre designationsE.g. 195/65 R 15 91 H195=Tyre width, mm65=Cross-section ratio (tyre
height to tyre width), %R=Belt type: RadialRF=Type: RunFlat15=Wheel diameter, inches91=Load index e.g. 91 is
equivalent to 618 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.
Remove the valve cap key from the
fuel filler flap and use it to unscrew the
valve cap.
On vehicles with tyre pressure
monitoring system, screw the adapter
to the valve.
Tyre pressure 3 225 and on the label
on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The tyre pressure data refer to cold
tyres. It applies to summer and winter tyres.
Always inflate the spare wheel to the
pressure specified for full load.
The ECO tyre pressure serves to
achieve the smallest amount of fuel
consumption possible. It must not be used with run-flat tyres.
Incorrect tyre pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and
fuel economy and will increase tyre
wear.
Tyre pressures differ depending on
various options. For the correct tyre
pressure value, follow the procedure
below:
1. Identify drive axle and body style.
2. Identify the engine identifier code.
Engine data 3 216.
3. Identify the respective tyre.
Page 193 of 245

Vehicle care191
The tyre pressure tables show all
possible tyre combinations 3 225.
For the tyres approved for your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
The driver is responsible for correct
adjustment of tyre pressure.9 Warning
If the pressure is too low, this can
result in considerable tyre warm-
up and internal damage, leading to tread separation and even to tyre
blow-out at high speeds.
Tyre pressure monitoring
system
The tyre pressure monitoring system
continually checks the pressure of all
four wheels when vehicle speed
exceeds a certain limit.
All wheels must be equipped with
pressure sensors and the tyres must
have the prescribed pressure.
Otherwise, the tyre pressure will be monitored by the deflation detection
system 3 191.
Note
In countries where the tyre pressure
monitoring system is legally
required, the use of wheels without
pressure sensors will invalidate the
vehicle type approval.
The current tyre pressures can be
shown in the Info-Display 3 116.
Vehicle messages, tyre pressure
3 111.
Control indicator w 3 99.
If a complete set of wheels without
sensors is mounted (e.g. four winter
tyres), no error message will be
displayed. The tyre pressure
monitoring system is not operational.
Retrofitting of sensors is possible.
The use of commercially available
liquid tyre repair kits can impair the
function of the system. Factory-
approved systems can be used.
External high-power radio equipment
could disrupt the tyre pressure
monitoring system.System initialisation
After a wheel change, the system
must be initialised: inflate the tyres to
the prescribed pressure, switch on
the ignition, then press and hold the
DDS button for approx. 4 seconds;
control indicator w flashes three
times.
Tyre deflation detection
system
The tyre deflation detection system
continually checks the rotation speed
of all four tyres.
Page 195 of 245

Vehicle care193Wheel coversWheel 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.
Remove the wheel covers if tyre
chains are to be installed.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel
covers could lead to sudden
pressure loss and thereby
accidents.
Tyre chains
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
front wheels.
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain lock).
9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 185/65 R 15, 195/60 R 15,
195/65 R 15, 205/55 R 16 and
205/50 R17.
Tyre chains are not permitted on tyres of size 225/45 R 17, 225/40 R 18,
225/40 ZR18 and 235/35 R 19 2)
.
Saloon, Station wagon, Van: tyre chains are only approved on tyres of
size 215/45 R 17 if the vehicle was
equipped with 18-inch wheels in the
factory.
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 near the rim cannot be repaired with the tyre repair kit.2) Just permitted with limitation steering angle.
Page 208 of 245

206Vehicle care
Clean the leather upholstery with
clear water and a soft cloth. In case of heavy soiling, use leather care.
The instrument cluster and the
displays should only be cleaned using
a soft damp cloth. If necessary use a
weak soap solution.
Clean fabric upholstery with a
vacuum cleaner and brush. Remove
stains with an upholstery cleaner.
Clothing fabrics may not be
colourfast. This could cause visible
discolourations, especially on light-
coloured upholstery. Removable
stains and discolourations should be
cleaned as soon as possible.
Clean seat belts with lukewarm water or interior cleaner.Caution
Close Velcro fasteners as open
Velcro fasteners on clothing could damage seat upholstery.
The same applies to clothing with
sharp-edged objects, e.g. zips, belts or studded jeans.
Plastic and rubber parts
Plastic and rubber parts can be
cleaned with the same cleaner as
used to clean the body. Use interior
cleaner if necessary. Do not use any
other agent. Avoid solvents and petrol in particular. Do not use high-
pressure jet cleaners.
Page 214 of 245

212Technical dataIdentification plate
The identification plate is located on
the front right door frame.
Information on identification plate:1=Manufacturer2=Type approval number3=Vehicle Identification Number4=Permissible gross vehicle
weight rating in kg5=Permissible gross train weight
in kg6=Maximum permissible front axle load in kg7=Maximum permissible rear axle
load in kg8=Vehicle-specific or country-
specific data
The combined total of front and rear
axle loads must not exceed the
permissible gross vehicle weight. For
example, if the front axle is bearing its
maximum permissible load, the rear
axle can only bear a load that is equal
to the gross vehicle weight minus the front axle load.
The technical data is determined in
accordance with European
Community standards. We reserve
the right to make modifications.
Specifications in the vehicle
documents always have priority over
those given in this manual.
Engine identification
The technical data tables show the
engine identifier code. Engine data
3 216.
To identify the respective engine,
refer to the engine power in the EEC
Certificate of Conformity provided
with your vehicle or other national
registration documents.