2014 OPEL ASTRA SALOON tow bar

76Storage
Variable partition net
Insert an adapter into each rail: fold
open the handle plate, insert adapter
into upper and lower groove of rail
and move to required position. Turn
handle plate upwards to lock the
adapter. The rods of the net must be
extended before inserting into the
adapters: pull out all of the end pieces and lock by rotating clockwise.
To install, push rods together a little
and insert into the relevant openings
in the adapters. The longer rod must
be inserted into the upper adapter.
To remove, press the net rod together and remove from the adapters. Fold
open the adapter handle plate,
disengage from lower groove and
then from upper groove.
Hooks and net pocket
Net pocket can be suspended from
the luggage hooks.
Cargo box
Foldable box under the floor cover
used to divide the load compartment.
The cargo box may only be loaded
when the backrests are engaged in
an upright position.
To remove the cargo box floor cover,
remove first the right half then the left
half. For models with towing
equipment, first release the coupling
ball bar fixing strap and thread this
through the eye.
Install in reverse order.

154Driving and operating
higher fuel consumption and
CO 2 emission levels and a lower
maximum speed.Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
Do not mount towing equipment to
vehicles with Z 20 LEH engine.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case, use the coupling ball bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle.
Installation dimensions of factory-
fitted towing equipment 3 232.Driving characteristics and
towing tips Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to reduce snaking movements.
For trailers with low driving stability
and trailers with a permitted gross
vehicle weight of more than 1300 kg
(Saloon) /1200 kg (Station wagon) a
speed of 80 km/h must not be
exceeded; the use of a stabiliser is
recommended.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 225.

Driving and operating155Trailer towingTrailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 %.
The permitted trailer load applies up
to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea
level. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10 %
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than
8 %, e. g. motorways).The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is specified on the identification plate3 212.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (75 kg) is specified on
the towing equipment identification
plate and in the vehicle documents.
Always aim for the maximum load,
especially in the case of heavy
trailers. The vertical coupling load
should never fall below 25 kg.Rear axle load
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by
65 kg and the permissible gross
vehicle weight by 45 kg for the
Saloon. For the Station wagon, the
permissible rear axle load may be
exceeded by 60 kg and the
permissible gross vehicle weight by
30 kg. If the permissible rear axle load
is exceeded, a maximum speed of
100 km/h applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.

156Driving and operating
Stowage of coupling ball bar
In Saloons, the coupling ball bar is in
a pouch, fastened in the load
compartment cargo box with a strap.
In Station wagons, the coupling ball
bar is fastened with a strap in a
compartment in the spare wheel well
of the load compartment.
Fitting the coupling ball bar
Fold down the socket. Remove the
sealing plug from the hole for the
coupling ball bar and stow it in the
load compartment.
Checking the tensioning of the
coupling ball bar
■ Red marking on rotary knob must
point towards white marking on
coupling ball bar.
■ The gap between the rotary knob and the coupling ball bar must beapprox. 4 millimetres.
■ Key must be at position c ( 1).
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before being inserted:
■ Unlock coupling ball bar by turning key to position c ( 1)

Driving and operating157
■ Pull out rotary knob and turnclockwise as far as it will go.
Inserting the coupling ball bar
Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar
in the opening and push firmly
upwards until it audibly engages.
The rotary handle snaps back into its
original position resting against the
coupling ball bar without a gap.9 Warning
Do not touch rotary handle during
insertion.
Lock the coupling ball bar by turning
the key to position e ( 2). Remove the
key and close the protective flap.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach break-away stopping cable to
eye.
Check that the coupling ball bar is
correctly installed
■ Green marking on rotary knob must
point towards white marking on
coupling ball bar.
■ There must be no gap between the
rotary handle and the coupling ball
bar.
■ The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
■ The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when a coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bardoes not engage correctly, seekthe assistance of a workshop.

196Vehicle care
Drain excess tyre pressure with
the button over the pressure indicator.
Do not run the compressor longer than 10 minutes.
14. Detach the tyre repair kit. Screw the filler hose to the free
connection on the sealant bottle.
This prevents sealant leakage.
Stow the tyre repair kit in the load
compartment.
15. Remove any excess sealant using a cloth.
16. Take the label indicating maximum permitted speed from
the sealant bottle and affix in the
driver's field of view.
17. Continue driving immediately so that sealant is evenly distributed
in the tyre. After driving approx.
10 km (but no more than
10 minutes), stop and check tyre
pressure. Screw compressor air
hose directly onto tyre valve and
compressor when doing this.
If tyre pressure is more than
1.3 bar , set it to the correct value.Repeat the procedure until there
is no more loss of pressure.
If the tyre pressure has fallen
below 1.3 bar, the vehicle must
not be used. Seek the assistance
of a workshop.
18. Stow away tyre repair kit in load compartment.
Note
The driving characteristics of the
repaired tyre is severely affected,
therefore have this tyre replaced.
If unusual noise is heard or the
compressor becomes hot, turn
compressor off for at least 30
minutes.
The built-in safety valve opens at a
pressure of 7 bar.
Note the expiry date of the kit. After
this date its sealing capability is no
longer guaranteed. Pay attention to
storage information on sealant
bottle.
Replace the used sealant bottle. Dispose of the bottle as prescribed
by applicable laws.The compressor and sealant can be used from approx. -30 °C.
The adapters supplied can be used
to pump up other items e.g.
footballs, air mattresses, inflatable
dinghies etc. They are located on the underside of the compressor. To
remove, screw on compressor air
hose and withdraw adapter.
Wheel changing Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel 3 193.
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 3 198.
■ On the Astra TwinTop, the roof must be closed before the vehicle
is raised.

Vehicle care205
Wheels and tyresDo not use high-pressure jet
cleaners.
Clean rims with a pH-neutral wheel
cleaner.
Rims are painted and can be treated
with the same agents as the body.
Paintwork damageRectify minor paintwork damage witha touch-up pen before rust forms.
Have more extensive damage or rust
areas repaired by a workshop.
Underbody Some areas of the vehicle underbody
have a PVC undercoating while other critical areas have a durable
protective wax coating.
After the underbody is washed, check
the underbody and have it waxed if
necessary.
Bitumen/rubber materials could
damage the PVC coating. Have
underbody work carried out by a
workshop.Before and after winter, wash the
underbody and have the protective
wax coating checked.
Engine compartment
Areas of the engine compartment that
are painted in the same colour as the vehicle must be looked after like any
other painted surface.
It is advisable to wash the engine
compartment before and after winter
and preserve it with wax. Protect the
alternator and brake fluid reservoir
with plastic sheets before washing
the engine.
When washing the engine with a
steam-jet cleaner, do not direct the
steam jet towards components of the
antilock brake system, air
conditioning system or the belt drive
and its components.
After an engine wash, have all engine
room components preserved
thoroughly by a workshop using
protective wax.
Do not use high-pressure jet
cleaners.TwinTop
Clean all seals with a damp soft lint- free cloth. Allow to dry completely. Treat all seals, e.g. on the roof and
windscreen frame, with the special
maintenance kit (available from your
Opel Service Partner) from time to
time. Good contact between the fine
rubber lips and the sealing surfaces
prevents leaks and reduces clamping
forces.
Intermediate roof position for cleaning
3 41.
Do not use high-pressure jet
cleaners.
Towing equipment
Do not clean the coupling ball bar with
a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.
Interior care Interior and upholsteryOnly clean the vehicle interior,
including the instrument panel fascia
and panelling, with a dry cloth or
interior cleaner.

241
Performing work ........................160
Pollen filter ................................. 131
Power outlets ............................... 90
Power windows ............................ 35
Preheating and diesel particle filter .......................................... 99
Puncture ..................................... 196
Q
Quickheat ................................... 130
R Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ..................................... 236
Radio remote control ...................20
Reading lights ............................ 122
Rear fog light ............................. 102
Rear fog lights ........................... 120
Rear seats .................................... 53
Rear window wiper/washer .......... 88
Recommended fluids and lubricants ........................ 208, 213
Refuelling ................................... 152
Retractable hardtop .....................41
Reversing lights .........................121
Ride control systems ..................147
Roof .............................................. 39
Roof rack ..................................... 83
Run-flat tyres ............................. 189S
Safety net .................................... 78
Seat adjustment ....................... 7, 50
Seat belt ........................................ 8
Seat belt reminder .......................96
Seat belts ..................................... 54
Seat folding .................................. 52
Seat occupancy recognition ..60, 96
Seat position ................................ 49
Selector lever ..................... 137, 142
Service ............................... 131, 207
Service display ............................ 94
Service information ....................207
Service vehicle soon .................... 97
Side airbag system ......................59
Sidelights .................................... 117
Side turn signal lights ................178
Spare wheel ............................... 198
Speedometer ............................... 93
Sport mode .......................... 98, 148
Starting and operating ................132
Starting off ................................... 17
Starting the engine ............133, 142
Steering wheel adjustment ......9, 86
Steering wheel controls ...............86
Stop watch ................................. 116
Storage ......................................... 67
Storage compartments .................67
Sunglasses storage .....................68Sunroof ........................................ 39
Sunvisor lights ........................... 122
Sun visors .................................... 38
Symbols ......................................... 4
T
Tachometer ................................. 93
Tail lights ................................... 171
Three-point seat belt .................... 55
Tools .......................................... 187
Top-tether child restraint systems 65
Tow bar....................................... 154
Towing ................................ 154, 201
Towing another vehicle .............202
Towing equipment .....................155
Towing hitch installation dimensions ............................. 232
Towing the vehicle .....................201
Trailer coupling ........................... 154
Trailer stability assist .................158
Trailer towing ............................. 155
Transmission ............................... 16
Transmission display .........136, 142
Tread depth ............................... 192
Trip computer in Board-Info- Display ................................... 112
Trip computer in Graphic-Info- Display or Colour-Info-Display 113
Triple-Info-Display .....................102
Trip odometer .............................. 93