2014 VAUXHALL ANTARA Owner's Manual

Driving and operating127Engine 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.
Malfunction indicator light 3 84.
Diesel particle filter
The diesel particle filter system filters
harmful soot particles out of the
exhaust gases. The system includes
a self-cleaning function that runs
automatically during driving without
any notification.
The filter is cleaned by periodically
burning off the soot particles at high
temperature. This process takes
place automatically under set driving
conditions and may take more than
15 minutes. Autostop is not available
and fuel consumption may be higher
during this period. The emission of
smells and smoke during this process is normal.
Under certain driving conditions, e.g.
short distances, the system cannot
clean itself automatically.
If cleaning of the filter is required and previous driving conditions did not
enable automatic cleaning, it will be
indicated by control indicator %
3 87.
% illuminates, accompanied by a
warning chime, when diesel particle
filter is full. Start cleaning process as
soon as possible.
% flashes when diesel particle filter
has reached the maximum filling level. Start cleaning process
immediately to avoid damage to the
engine. A warning chime sounds every 3 minutes until the cleaning
process is complete.
Cleaning process
To activate the cleaning process,
continue driving, keeping engine
speed above 2000 revolutions per
minute. Shift down if necessary.
Diesel particle filter cleaning is then
started.
If control indicator Z illuminates
additionally in the instrument cluster
when the engine is running, there

128Driving and operating
may be a fault in the diesel particle
filter 3 84. Cleaning is not possible,
seek the assistance of a workshop
immediately.Caution
If the cleaning process is
interrupted, there is a risk of
provoking severe engine damage.
Cleaning takes place quickest at high engine speeds and loads.
Do not switch off the engine until the
cleaning process is complete. This is
indicated by the extinguished control
indicator %.
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, 3 202 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.
Malfunction indicator light 3 84.
Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission permits
automatic gearshifting (automatic
mode) or manual gearshifting
(manual mode).
Transmission display
The mode or selected gear is shown
in the transmission display.
P=park positionR=reverse gearN=neutral

Driving and operating129
D=drive position (automatic
mode)1-6=selected gear in manual mode
Selector lever
P=park position, wheels are
locked, engage only when the
vehicle is stationary and the
electrical parking brake is
appliedR=reverse gear, engage only
when vehicle is stationaryN=neutral or idleD=drive position (automatic mode
with all gears)The selector lever is locked in position
P and N and can only be moved when
the ignition is on and the foot brake is applied.
To engage P or R, push the release
button.
Never shift to P or R while the vehicle
is moving.
The engine can only be started with
lever in position P or N. Depress foot
brake or apply electrical parking
brake before starting.
Do not accelerate while engaging a
gear. Never depress the accelerator
pedal and brake pedal at the same
time.
When a gear is engaged, the vehicle
slowly begins to creep when the foot
brake is released.
Engine braking To utilise the engine braking effect,
select a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill - see Manual mode.
Use of the engine braking effect, as
opposed to the use of the foot brake
when driving downhill, can extend the
life of the brakes.Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
water, ice, sand, mud, snow or a dip.
Move the selector lever between D
and R in a repeat pattern while
applying light pressure to the
accelerator pedal when the vehicle is in gear. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
If the vehicle cannot be released after
rocking the vehicle several times,
your vehicle may need to be towed
3 188.
Parking
Apply the electrical parking brake and engage P.
The ignition key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in position
P .

130Driving and operatingManual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left and then forwards or backwards.
<=Shift to a higher gear.]=Shift to a lower gear.
Tip selector lever in the appropriate
direction. It then returns to the centre
position.
Gearshifting in manual mode can be
achieved whilst accelerating. If the
engine speed is too low, the
transmission will automatically shift to a lower gear, even in manual mode,
to prevent the engine from stalling.
If a higher gear is selected when
vehicle speed is too low, or a lower
gear when vehicle speed is too high,
the shift is not executed.
In manual mode, no automatic
shifting to a higher gear takes place
at high engine revolutions.
Gears can be skipped by moving the selector lever repeatedly at short
intervals.
After stopping, 1st gear is
automatically selected. When starting
on slippery surfaces, tip selector lever forwards to engage 2nd gear.
To move back to position D, move
selector lever back to the right.
Electronic driving
programmes ■ Following a cold start, the operating
temperature programme increasesengine speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.Kickdown
In both automatic and manual modes, if the accelerator pedal is pressed
down completely the transmission
shifts to a lower gear depending on
engine speed. Full engine power is
available for acceleration.
Fuel economy mode
Activate fuel economy mode to allow
the transmission to adapt gearshift
patterns, improving the vehicle's fuel
economy.

Driving and operating131
Activation
In automatic mode, press button
s ; control indicator s
illuminates in the instrument cluster 3 88.
The settings of certain electronic
systems are adapted to reduce fuel
consumption:
■ The engine reacts less quickly to the accelerator pedal.
■ Automatic upshift points occur sooner and downshift points occur
later.
■ The transmission locks itself to the engine at cruising speeds, to
improve efficiency and increase
power and torque.
■ The fuel supply is automatically cut-
off more quickly during vehicle
deceleration. Overrun cut-off
3 124.
Do not use fuel economy mode whilst towing, e.g. a trailer.Deactivation
Fuel economy mode is switched off
by pressing button s again;
control indicator s extinguishes in
the instrument cluster.
Fault
In the event of a fault in the automatic
transmission, control indicator Z
illuminates in the instrument cluster 3 84 . Automatic shifting may be much
harsher than normal or, in the case of
a serious fault, cancelled altogether.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
If control indicator g illuminates in
the instrument cluster when the
engine is running, this may indicate a
fault in the transmission electronics
3 84. The electronics switch to the
emergency running programme, fuel
consumption may increase and the
driveability of the vehicle may be
affected. Seek the assistance of a
workshop.Interruption of power
supply
The clutch is not disengaged if the
vehicle battery is discharged and a
gear has been selected. The vehicle
cannot move. The selector lever
cannot be moved out of position P or
N .
If the battery is discharged, start the
vehicle using jump leads 3 187.
If the battery is not the cause of the
fault, release the selector lever:
1. Switch off ignition and remove the
key.
2. Depress and hold foot brake.

132Driving and operating
3. Remove trim cover.
4. Press and hold shift lock releasebutton.
5. Shift to neutral ( N).
6. Replace trim cover.
7. Start engine and shift to chosen gear.
Have the cause of the power supply
interruption remedied by a workshop.
Manual transmission
To engage reverse, with the vehicle
stationary, wait 3 seconds after
depressing clutch pedal 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 slip the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch
pedal completely. Do not use the
pedal as a foot rest.
Caution
It is not advisable to drive with the hand resting on the selector lever.

Driving and operating133Drive systems
All-wheel drive All-wheel drive is an active-on-
demand system that engages
automatically, with no action required
by the driver. Depending on the
driving environment, the vehicle
switches between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, to give the
vehicle more traction and stability
when necessary.
If the front wheels begin to slip, the
rear wheels will automatically begin to drive the vehicle as required. More
torque is transferred to the wheels
that have the most traction, so the
vehicle has optimum grip at all times. There may be a slight engagement
noise during hard use.
As well as enabling the vehicle to be
driven off-road, this system also
enables the vehicle to be driven on
normal roads without incurring
excessive tyre and drivetrain wear or
causing poor control.Ensure tyres (including the spare) are inflated to the correct pressure
3 207 and are suitable for the
prevailing road conditions. For
optimum system performance, the vehicle's tyres should not have
varying degrees of wear.
If control indicator B flashes in the
instrument cluster during driving, All- wheel drive is temporarily disabled. If
B flashes continuously, there is a fault
in the system; seek the assistance of
a workshop.
All-wheel drive control indicator B
3 85.
On-road driving The increased traction of All-wheel
drive vehicles offers greater driving
control in adverse road conditions,
particularly heavy snow and ice.
However, All-wheel drive vehicles are not "skid-proof" and do not decrease
stopping distances.
All-wheel drive vehicles have a higher
centre of gravity than conventional
vehicles. Always approach curves at
an appropriate driving speed. Do notattempt to go as fast through turns as
you might in a conventional vehicle.
Strong crosswinds can affect the normal steering of the vehicle. Drive
slower under strong crosswind
conditions.
Off-road driving ■ Avoid protruding objects (such as rocks or tree stumps) that may
damage the underbody and tyres of your vehicle.
■ Test the brakes after operating in mud, to clear excess mud from the
braking surfaces.
■ Grip the steering wheel when travelling over rough terrain.
Terrain conditions can cause rapid
and unexpected movement in the
steering.
The ground clearance, ramp angle,
angle of approach and departure and
wading depth need to be considered, especially in hilly conditions and
when wading, to prevent the vehicle
becoming stuck and possibly
damaged.
Vehicle dimensions 3 204.

134Driving and operating
Towing the vehicle 3 188.
Driving through water
Do not exceed the maximum wading
depth 3 204.
Check the depth of water: choose the
lowest entry and departure angles
before entering. Maintain a steady
engine speed, to help prevent water
from entering the exhaust system, but do not exceed 3 mph, to avoid
splashing the water.
Drive with the flow wherever possible,
not against it. If you have to drive
against the flow, try to drive at an
angle to it, so that the leading corner
of the vehicle will help deflect water
from the engine compartment. Avoid
splashing the water - if the ignition
system becomes wet, the engine may
stall.
Avoid water entering the air intake
system. If water enters the air intake
system, engine seizure with severe
costly damage may result.
Test the brakes after leaving the
water - wet brakes are less effective
than dry ones. Perform the serviceoperations for wading , involving
checks for water contamination, at
the earliest opportunity.
Service checks after wading
Check for the ingress of water into the following:
■ Brake fluid reservoir
■ Air cleaner element
■ Engine
■ Transmission
■ Axles
■ Interior of vehicle
Renew any lubricating oil or hydraulic
fluid that has a milky appearance,
indicating contamination with water.
Cleaning
Clean the vehicle thoroughly and as
soon as possible after driving off-
road.
Do not let mud remain dry on any part
of the vehicle as it becomes abrasive
and can damage paint, glass, seals,
bearings and brake components. If
left to build up, mud can seriously
affect the airflow through and overmechanical components and cause
localised overheating and failure of
parts, especially in the engine
compartment.
Ensure the radiator core and the area between the radiator and intercooler/
oil cooler (where installed) is cleaned, to maintain proper cooling air flow.
Check the radiator and cooler cores
for blockage (sand, silt etc.).
Check the tyre treads.
Clean and check the mechanical
parts of the vehicle, particularly the following areas:
■ Driveshafts, including sealing bellows
■ Front brake calipers, pads and discs
■ Front suspension
■ Clutch fork sealing bellows
■ Rear brake calipers, pads and discs
■ Rear suspension
■ Fuel tank and underguard
■ Breathers, axles and fuel tank
■ Load sensing valve