2014 VAUXHALL ASTRA J brake fluid

In brief19Starting offCheck before starting off ■ Tyre pressure and condition 3 257,
3 306.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 223.
■ All windows, mirrors, exterior lighting and number plates are free
from dirt, snow and ice and are
operational.
■ Proper position of mirrors, seats, and seat belts 3 31, 3 40,
3 48.
■ Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.Starting the engine
■ Turn key to position 1
■ move the steering wheel slightly to release the steering wheel lock
■ operate clutch and brake
■ automatic transmission in P or N
■ do not operate accelerator pedal
■ diesel engines: turn the key to position 2 for preheating and wait
until control indicator !
extinguishes
■ turn key to position 3 and release
Starting the engine 3 161.
Stop-start system
If the vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill and certain conditions are
fulfilled, activate an Autostop as
follows:
■ Depress the clutch pedal
■ set the lever in neutral
■ release the clutch pedal
An Autostop is indicated by the
needle at the AUTOSTOP position in
the tachometer.
To restart the engine, depress the
clutch pedal again.
Stop-start system 3 163.

114Instruments and controls
* illuminates yellow.
The front passenger airbag is
deactivated 3 52.9 Danger
Risk of fatal injury for a child using
a child restraint system together
with activated front passenger
airbag.
Risk of fatal injury for an adult
person with deactivated front
passenger airbag.
Charging system
p illuminates red.
Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on and extinguishes shortly
after the engine starts.
Illuminates when the engine is
running
Stop, switch off engine. Vehicle
battery is not charging. Engine
cooling may be interrupted. The
brake servo unit may cease to be
effective. Seek the assistance of a
workshop.
Malfunction indicator light
Z illuminates or flashes yellow.
Illuminates when the ignition is
switched on and extinguishes shortly
after the engine starts.
Illuminates when the engine isrunning
Fault in the emission control system. The permitted emission limits may be
exceeded. Seek the assistance of a
workshop immediately.Flashes when the engine is
running
Fault that could lead to catalytic
converter damage. Ease up on the
accelerator until the flashing stops.
Seek the assistance of a workshop
immediately.
Service vehicle soon g illuminates yellow.
Additionally a warning message or a
warning code is displayed.
The vehicle needs a service.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 126.
Brake and clutch system
R illuminates red.
The brake and clutch fluid level is too low 3 226.

128Instruments and controls
No.Vehicle message68Service power steering69Service suspension system70Service level control system71Service rear axle74Service AFL75Service air conditioning76Service side blind zone alert
system77Service lane departure warning79Top up engine oil81Service transmission82Change engine oil soon83Service adaptive cruise control84Engine power is reduced89Service vehicle soon94Shift to park before exiting95Service airbagNo.Vehicle message128Bonnet open134Park assist fault, clean bumper136Service parking assist145Check washer fluid level174Low vehicle battery258Park assist off
Vehicle messages on the
Uplevel-Display or Uplevel- Combi-Display
The vehicle messages are displayed
as text. Follow the instructions given
in the messages.
The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
■ Fluid levels
■ Anti-theft alarm system
■ Brakes
■ Drive systems
■ Ride control systems
■ Cruise control
■ Object detection systems
■ Lighting, bulb replacement
■ Wiper/washer system
■ Doors, windows
■ Radio remote control
■ Seat belts
■ Airbag systems
■ Engine and transmission
■ Tyre pressure
■ Diesel particle filter
■ Vehicle battery status

Vehicle care221Vehicle careGeneral Information...................221
Vehicle checks ........................... 222
Bulb replacement .......................229
Electrical system ........................249
Vehicle tools .............................. 255
Wheels and tyres .......................257
Jump starting ............................. 274
Towing ....................................... 275
Appearance care .......................277General 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 or set selector lever to P . Prevent the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.

226Vehicle careWasher fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of windscreen
washer fluid which contains
antifreeze.
Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Brakes
In the event of minimum thickness ofthe brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake lining replaced as
soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
If fluid level is below MIN seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 282.
Vehicle battery Vehicles without stop-start system
will be equipped with a lead acid
battery. Vehicles with stop-start
system will be equipped with an
AGM battery which is not a lead acid
battery.

274Vehicle careJump startingDo not start with 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.
■ Never expose the vehicle battery to
naked flames or sparks.
■ A discharged vehicle battery can already freeze at a temperature of
0 °C. Defrost the frozen vehicle
battery before connecting jump
leads.
■ Wear eye protection and protective
clothing when handling a vehicle
battery.
■ Use a booster vehicle battery with the same voltage (12 Volts). Its
capacity (Ah) must not be much less than that of the discharged
vehicle battery.
■ Use jump leads with insulated terminals and a cross section of at
least 16 mm 2
(25 mm 2
for diesel
engines).
■ Do not disconnect the discharged vehicle battery from the vehicle.
■ Switch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers.
■ Do not lean over the vehicle battery
during jump starting.■ Do not allow the terminals of one lead to touch those of the other
lead.
■ The vehicles must not come into contact with each other during the
jump starting process.
■ Apply the parking brake, transmission in neutral, automatic
transmission in P.
■ Open the positive terminal protection caps of both vehicle
batteries.

Service and maintenance283
Select the appropriate engine oil
based on its quality and on the
minimum ambient temperature
3 286.
Additional engine oil additives
The use of additional engine oil
additives could cause damage and
invalidate the warranty.
Engine oil viscosity grades
The SAE viscosity grade gives
information of the thickness of the oil.
Multigrade oil is indicated by two
figures, e.g. SAE 5W-30. The first
figure, followed by a W, indicates the
low temperature viscosity and the
second figure the high temperature viscosity.
Select the appropriate viscosity grade depending on the minimum ambient
temperature 3 286.
All of the recommended viscosity
grades are suitable for high ambient
temperatures.Coolant and antifreeze
Use only organic acid type-long life
coolant (LLC) antifreeze approved for
the vehicle. Consult a workshop.
The system is factory filled with
coolant designed for excellent
corrosion protection and frost
protection down to approx. -28 °C. In
northern countries with very low
temperatures the factory filled coolant provides frost protection down to
approx. -37°C. This concentration
should be maintained all year round.
The use of additional coolant
additives that intend to give additional
corrosion protection or seal against
minor leaks can cause function
problems. Liability for consequences
resulting from the use of additional
coolant additives will be rejected.
Brake and clutch fluid Over time, brake fluid absorbs
moisture which will reduce braking
effectiveness. The brake fluid should
therefore be replaced at the specified
interval.

322IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 221
Active Emergency Braking .........193
Active head restraints ..................39
Adaptive cruise control .......119, 182
Adaptive forward lighting ..........
................................ 118, 141, 233
Adjustable air vents ...................158
Advanced parking assist ............198
Airbag and belt tensioners .........113
Airbag deactivation ..............52, 113
Airbag system .............................. 50
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 159
Air conditioning system .............. 152
Air intake .................................... 159
Air vents...................................... 158
Antilock brake system ................ 171
Antilock brake system (ABS) .....115
Anti-theft alarm system ................29
Anti-theft locking system .............. 28
Appearance care ........................277
Armrest .................................. 46, 47
Armrest storage ........................... 62
Ashtrays ..................................... 107
Automatic anti-dazzle ..................33
Automatic light control ...............139
Automatic locking ........................25Automatic transmission .............167
Auxiliary heater ........................... 158
B Battery discharge protection ......149
Battery voltage ........................... 129
Belts.............................................. 47 Bicycle rack .................................. 64
Bonnet ....................................... 223
Brake and clutch fluid .................282
Brake and clutch system ...........114
Brake assist ............................... 174
Brake fluid .................................. 226
Brakes ............................... 171, 226
Breakdown.................................. 275
Bulb replacement ....................... 229
C Capacities .................................. 305
Cargo management system ........91
Car Pass ...................................... 21
Catalytic converter .....................167
Central locking system ................23
Centre console lighting ..............148
Centre console storage ...............63
Changing tyre and wheel size ...261
Charging system ........................ 114
Child locks ................................... 25
Child restraint installation locations ................................... 56