2014 OPEL ASTRA SALOON towing

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.

120LightingTurn and lane-change
signalsLever up=right turn signalLever down=left turn signal
The lever always springs back to its
original position.
If the lever is moved past the
resistance point, the turn signal is
switched on constantly. When the
steering wheel moves back, the turn
signal is automatically deactivated.
For three flashes, e.g. when changing lanes, press the lever until resistance
is felt and then release.
Move the lever to the resistance point
and hold for longer indication.
Switch the turn signal off manually by moving the lever slightly.
Front fog lights
The front fog lights can only be
switched on when both the ignition and headlights or sidelights are on.
Operated with the > button.
Rear fog lights
The rear fog light can only be
switched on when both the ignition
and headlights or sidelights (with front fog lights) are on.
Operated with the r button.
The vehicle rear fog light is
deactivated when towing.
Parking lights

136Driving and operating
The control indicator ! extinguishes
as soon as the self-cleaning
operation is complete.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gases.
Caution
Fuel grades other than those listed on pages 3 151, 3 216 could
damage the catalytic converter or
electronic components.
Unburnt petrol will overheat and
damage the catalytic converter.
Therefore avoid excessive use of the starter, running the fuel tank
dry and starting the engine by
pushing or towing.
In the event of misfiring, uneven
engine running, a reduction in engine performance or other unusual
problems, have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop as soon as
possible. In an emergency, driving
can be continued for a short period,
keeping vehicle speed and engine
speed low.
Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission makes
automatic shifting possible
(automatic mode) and the version
with ActiveSelect also makes manual
shifting possible (manual mode).
Transmission display
The mode or selected gear is shown
in the transmission display.

146Driving and operatingCaution
Towing the vehicle and starting
the engine is not permitted when
the clutch has been disengaged in this way, although the vehicle can
be moved a short distance.
Seek the immediate assistance of a
workshop.
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 you depress the
brake pedal firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop beforecontinuing 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 98.
Antilock brake system Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency
to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
After starting off the system performs a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 98.
Adaptive brake lamp During full braking, all three brake
lamps flash for the duration of ABS
control.

Driving and operating151
Note
Attached parts in the detection area
cause system malfunction.
Activation
When reverse gear is engaged, the
system switches itself on
automatically.
The system can also be activated at
low speed by pressing the r button.
An obstacle is indicated by buzzers.
The interval between the buzzers
becomes shorter as the vehicle gets closer to the obstacle. When the
distance is less than 30 cm, the buzzer is continuous.
9 Warning
Under certain circumstances,
various reflective surfaces on
objects or clothing as well as
external noise sources may cause the system to fail to detect
obstacles.
Deactivation
Deactivate the system by pressing
the r button.
The system deactivates automatically
when reverse gear is disengaged.
Towing equipment The system automatically detects
factory-fitted towing equipment.
When towing, plugging the trailer
cable into the socket automatically
switches the parking assist off.
Fuel
Fuel for petrol engines
Only use unleaded fuel that complies
with European standard EN 228 or
E DIN 51626-1 or equivalent.
Your engine is capable to run with
E10 fuel that fulfills these standards.
E10 fuel contains up to 10 %
bioethanol.
Use fuel with the recommended
octane rating 3 216. Use of fuel with
too low an octane rating can reduce
engine power and torque and slightly increases fuel consumption.Caution
Do not use fuel or fuel additives
that contain metallic compounds
such as manganese-based
additives. This may cause engine
damage.

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.

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.