2014 VAUXHALL ADAM towing

Driving and operating123Engine exhaust9Danger
Engine exhaust gases contain
poisonous carbon monoxide,
which is colourless and odourless and could be fatal if inhaled.
If exhaust gases enter the interior
of the vehicle, open the windows.
Have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop.
Avoid driving with an open load
compartment, otherwise exhaust
gases could enter the vehicle.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gases.
Caution
Fuel grades other than those listed on pages 3 143, 3 201 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.
Manual 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.

Vehicle care149Vehicle careGeneral Information...................149
Vehicle checks ........................... 150
Bulb replacement .......................156
Electrical system ........................164
Vehicle tools .............................. 169
Wheels and tyres .......................170
Jump starting ............................. 186
Towing ....................................... 188
Appearance care .......................190General 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. Prevent the vehiclefrom rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.

Vehicle care169Vehicle tools
Tools Vehicles with tyre repair kit
Some tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a tool box in the load
compartment below the floor cover.
On version with storage box, remove
box first 3 61.
On versions with rear carrier system
or liquid gas engine, the tools are
located together with the towing eye
and tyre repair kit in a suitcase, fixed
with a strap at the left sidewall in the
load compartment.On version with storage box, the
suitcase with the tools, the towing eye
and the tyre repair kit is located in a
chamber of the box in the load
compartment 3 61.

170Vehicle care
On version with subwoofer box, the
tools and the towing eye are located
together with the tyre repair kit and
the warning triangle in the box below
the floor cover. To gain access,
remove floor cover: fold rear part to
the front and pull out the cover to the
rear 3 63.
Vehicles with spare wheel
The jack, the wheel bolt wrench, the
tools and two straps for securing a
damaged wheel are in the tool box below the load compartment floor
cover 3 63.
On version with storage box, remove
box first 3 61.
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.
We recommend not swapping the
front wheels with the rear wheels and vice versa, as this can affect vehicle
stability. Always use less worn tyres
on the rear axle.
Winter tyres Winter tyres improve driving safety attemperatures below 7 °C and shouldtherefore be fitted on all wheels.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker in
the driver's field of view.

Vehicle care183
4.Lift the spare wheel holder a bit by
hand and unhook the catch.
5. Lower the spare wheel holder.
6. Lift the spare wheel holder a bit by
hand and detach the safety cable.
7. Lower holder all the way and remove spare wheel.
8. Change the wheel 3 179.
The damaged wheel has to be
secured in the load compartment,
see below.
9. Lift the empty spare wheel holder and insert the safety cable.
10. Lift the spare wheel holder farther
and engage in catch. The open
side of the catch must point in the
direction of travel.
11. Close the empty spare wheel holder by turning the hexagon boltclockwise successively using the
wheel wrench.
12. Stow wheel wrench and the jack in the tool box in vehicle floor.
13. Close the load compartment floor.
Stowing a damaged wheel in the
load compartment The spare wheel holder is not
designed for other tyre sizes than the
spare wheel.
A damaged wheel wider than the
spare wheel has to be stowed in the
load compartment and secured with a strap. Vehicle tools 3 169.Wheels with tyre size up to
195/55R16 1. Remove load compartment cover and lift up load compartment floor.
Stow both behind the raised up
backrests of the rear seats.

186Vehicle care9Warning
Storing a jack, a wheel or other
equipment in the load
compartment could cause injury if they are not fixed properly. During a sudden stop or a collision, looseequipment could strike someone.
Store jack and tools always in the
respective storage compartments
and secure them by fixing.
Damaged wheel placed in the load
compartment must always be
secured by the strap.
Temporary spare wheel
The use of the temporary spare wheel
could affect driveability. Have the
defective tyre renewed or repaired as soon as possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
50 mph. Take curves slowly. Do not
use for a long period of time.
If your vehicle gets a flat tyre on the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel in the front and the full size tyre in the
rear.
Tyre chains 3 175.
Directional tyres
Fit directional tyres such that they roll in the direction of travel. The rolling
direction is indicated by a symbol
(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
■ Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
■ Drive particularly carefully on wet and snow-covered road surfaces.Jump starting
Do not start with a quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged vehicle
battery can be started using jump
leads and the vehicle battery of
another vehicle.9 Warning
Be extremely careful when starting
with jump leads. Any deviation
from the following instructions can
lead to injuries or damage caused
by battery explosion or damage to the electrical systems of both
vehicles.
9 Warning
Avoid contact of the battery with
eyes, skin, fabrics and painted
surfaces. The fluid contains
sulphuric acid which can cause
injuries and damage in the event
of direct contact.

188Vehicle care
4. Switch on electrical consumers(e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
Disengage the cap by pushing on the
marked position.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 169.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering the
vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Transmission in neutral.

Vehicle care189Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust gases from the towing vehicle, switch on the
air recirculation and close the
windows.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap and engage in the bumper.
Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower bend of the cap. Disengage the cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 169.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
The lashing eye at the rear
underneath the vehicle must never be used as a towing eye.
Attach a tow rope – or even better a
tow bar – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering a
vehicle.