2015.5 VAUXHALL MERIVA brakes

16In briefTransmission
Manual transmission
Reverse: with the vehicle stationary,
depress clutch pedal, 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.
Manual transmission 3 145.
Automatic transmissionP=parkR=reverseN=neutralD=drive
Manual mode: move selector lever
from D to the left.
<=higher gear]=lower gear
The selector lever can only be moved
out of P when the ignition is on and
the brake pedal is applied. To engage
P or R, press the release button.
Automatic transmission 3 142.
Starting off
Check before starting off ■ Tyre pressure and condition 3 194,
3 233.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 170.
■ 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 29, 3 36,
3 45.
■ Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.

Instruments and controls107
No.Vehicle message69Service suspension system70Service level control system71Service rear axle74Service AFL75Service air conditioning76Service side blind zone alert
system79Top up engine oil81Service transmission82Change engine oil soon83Service adaptive cruise control84Engine power is reduced89Service vehicle soon94Shift to park before exiting95Service airbag128Bonnet open134Park assist fault, clean bumperNo.Vehicle message136Service parking assist174Low 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

Driving and operating135Driving and operatingDriving hints............................... 135
Starting and operating ...............136
Engine exhaust .......................... 141
Automatic transmission .............. 142
Manual transmission ..................145
Brakes ........................................ 146
Ride control systems .................149
Driver assistance systems .........150
Fuel ............................................ 156
Trailer hitch ................................ 163Driving hints
Control of the vehicleNever coast with engine not
running (except during Autostop)
Many systems will not function in this
situation (e.g. brake servo unit, power steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. All
systems function during an Autostop,
but there will be a controlled reduction
in power steering assist and vehicle
speed is reduced.
Stop-start system 3 138.
Idle boost
If charging of the vehicle battery is
required due to vehicle battery
condition, the power output of the
generator must be increased. This will be achieved by an idle boost which
may be audible.
On vehicles with Uplevel-Display or
Uplevel-Combi-Display, a message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre.Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in
the area of the pedals.
Steering If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or due to a system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered but may require a higher
or lower steering effort.
Control indicator c 3 97.Caution
Vehicles equipped with hydraulic
power steering:
If the steering wheel is turned until it reaches the end of its travel, and
is held in that position for more
than 15 seconds, damage may
occur to the power steering
system and there may be loss of
power steering assist.

146Driving and operatingCaution
It is not advisable to drive with thehand resting on the selector lever.
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 the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop before
continuing 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 96.
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 96.
Adaptive brake light During full braking, all three brakelights flash for the duration of ABS
control.

148Driving and operating
automatically. This is not possible
when the switch m is pulled at the
same time.
This function also helps driving away
on inclines.
Aggressive drive-away may reduce
lifetime of wear parts.
Dynamic braking when vehicle is
moving
When the vehicle is moving and
switch m is kept pulled, the electric
parking brake system will decelerate the vehicle, but will not apply
statically.
As soon as switch m is released,
dynamic braking will be stopped.
Fault
Failure mode of electric parking brake
is indicated by control indicator j and
by a code number or a vehicle
message which is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre.
Control indicator j 3 96, vehicle
messages 3 105.Apply electric parking brake: pull and
hold switch m for more than
5 seconds. If control indicator m
illuminates, electric parking brake is
applied.
Release electric parking brake: push
and hold switch m for more than
2 seconds. If control indicator m
extinguishes, electric parking brake is
released.
Control indicator m flashes: electric
parking brake is not fully applied or released. When continuously
flashing, release electric parking
brake and retry applying.
Control indicator m 3 96.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further 2 seconds. The brakes release automatically as soon
as the vehicle begins to accelerate.
The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.

Vehicle care173Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of 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 the MAX marks.
When topping up, ensure maximum cleanliness as contamination of the
brake fluid can lead to brake system
malfunctions. Have the cause of the
loss of brake fluid remedied by a
workshop.
Only use high-performance brake
fluid approved for the vehicle.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 218.

240IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 168
Active head restraints ..................35
Adaptive brake light ....................146
Adaptive forward lighting ..........
.................................. 99, 119, 179
Adjustable air vents ...................132
Airbag and belt tensioners ...........94
Airbag deactivation ................53, 95
Airbag label................................... 48 Airbag system .............................. 48
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 133
Air conditioning system .............. 126
Air intake .................................... 133
Air vents...................................... 132
Alert ............................................ 108
Antifreeze ................................... 171
Antilock brake system ................ 146
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......96
Anti-theft alarm system ................27
Anti-theft locking system .............. 27 Appearance care ........................214
Armrest ................................... 39, 42
Armrest storage ........................... 63
Ashtrays ....................................... 89
Automatic anti-dazzle ..................30
Automatic light control ...............117Automatic locking ..................24, 99
Automatic transmission .............142
Auxiliary heater .......................... 132
B Battery discharge protection ......124
Battery voltage ........................... 108
Belts.............................................. 44 Bicycle rack .................................. 64
Bonnet ....................................... 170
Brake and clutch fluid .................218
Brake and clutch system .............96
Brake assist ............................... 148
Brake fluid .................................. 173
Brakes ............................... 146, 173
Breakdown.................................. 212
Bulb replacement ....................... 176
C Capacities .................................. 232
Car Pass ...................................... 19
Catalytic converter .....................142
Central locking system ................21
Centre console lighting ..............123
Changing tyre and wheel size ...198
Charging system .......................... 95
Child locks ................................... 25
Child restraint installation locations ................................... 57
Child restraints.............................. 54