2015.75 VAUXHALL ASTRA J brake

Driving and operating161
Do not operate the accelerator pedal.Diesel engine: turn the key to position2 for preheating until control
indicator ! extinguishes.
Turn the key briefly to position 3 and
release: an automatic procedure
operates the starter with a short delay
as long as the engine is running, see
Automatic Starter Control.
Before restarting or to switch off the
engine, turn the key back to position
0 .
During an Autostop, the engine can
be started by depressing the clutch
pedal.Starting the vehicle at low
temperatures
Starting the engine without additional heaters is possible down to -25 °С for
diesel engines and -30 °C for petrol
engines. Required is an engine oil
with the correct viscosity, the correct
fuel, performed services and a
sufficiently charged vehicle battery.
With temperatures below -30 °C the
automatic transmission needs a
warming phase of approx. 5 minutes.
The selector lever must be in position P .
Automatic Starter Control
This function controls the engine
starting procedure. The driver does
not need to hold the key in position 3.
Once applied, the system will go on
starting automatically until the engine
is running. Because of the checking
procedure, the engine starts running after a short delay.Possible reasons for a non-startingengine:
■ Clutch pedal not operated (manual transmission).
■ Brake pedal not operated or selector lever not in P or N
(automatic transmission).
■ Timeout occurred.
Turbo engine warm-up Upon start-up, engine available
torque may be limited for a short time, especially when the engine
temperature is cold. The limitation is
to allow the lubrication system to fully
protect the engine.
Overrun cut-off The fuel supply is automatically cut-
off during overrun, i.e. when the
vehicle is driven with a gear engaged but accelerator is released.

162Driving and operatingStop-start systemThe stop-start system helps to save
fuel and to reduce the exhaust
emissions. When conditions allow, it
switches off the engine as soon as the
vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill, e.g. at a traffic light or in a
traffic jam. It starts the engine
automatically as soon as the clutch is depressed. A battery sensor ensures
that an Autostop is only performed if
the vehicle battery is sufficiently
charged for a restart.
Activation
The stop-start system is available as
soon as the engine is started, the
vehicle starts-off and the conditions
as stated below in this section are
fulfilled.Deactivation
Deactivate the stop-start system
manually by pressing eco.
Deactivation is indicated when the
LED in the button extinguishes.
Autostop
If the vehicle is at a low speed or at a standstill, activate an Autostop as
follows:
■ Depress the clutch pedal.
■ Set the lever in neutral.
■ Release the clutch pedal.
The engine will be switched off while
the ignition stays on.
An Autostop is indicated by the
needle at the AUTOSTOP position in
the tachometer.
During an Autostop, the heating and
brake performance will be
maintained.
Caution
The steering assist can be
reduced during an Autostop.

Driving and operating163
Conditions for an Autostop
The stop-start system checks if each
of the following conditions is fulfilled:
■ The stop-start system is not manually deactivated.
■ The bonnet is fully closed.
■ The driver's door is closed or the driver's seat belt is fastened.
■ The vehicle battery is sufficiently charged and in good condition.
■ The engine is warmed up.
■ The engine coolant temperature is not too high.
■ The engine exhaust temperature is
not too high, e.g. after driving with
high engine load.
■ The ambient temperature is above -5° C.
■ The climate control system allows an Autostop.
■ The brake vacuum is sufficient.
■ The self-cleaning function of the diesel particle filter is not active.
■ The vehicle was driven at least at walking speed since the last
Autostop.Otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited.
Certain settings of the climate control
system may inhibit an Autostop. See
Climate control chapter for more
details 3 152.
Immediately after motorway driving
an Autostop may be inhibited.
New vehicle running-in 3 160.
Vehicle battery discharge protection
To ensure reliable engine restarts, several battery discharge protection
features are implemented as part of
the stop-start system.
Power saving measures
During an Autostop, several electric
features, e.g. auxiliary electric heater
or rear window heating are disabled
or switched into a power saving
mode. The fan speed of the climate
control system is reduced to save
power.Restart of the engine by the
driver
Depress the clutch pedal to restart the
engine.
The engine start is indicated by the
needle at the idle speed position in
the tachometer.
If the selector lever is shifted out of
neutral before depressing the clutch
first, control indicator - illuminates
or is shown as a symbol in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC).
Control indicator - 3 113.
Restart of the engine by the
stop-start system
The selector lever has to be in neutral to enable an automatic restart.
If one of the following conditions occurs during an Autostop, the
engine will be restarted automatically
by the stop-start system:
■ The stop-start system is manually deactivated.
■ The bonnet is opened.
■ The driver's seat belt is unfastened
and the driver's door is opened.

164Driving and operating
■ The engine temperature is too low.
■ The charging level of the vehicle battery is below a defined level.
■ The brake vacuum is not sufficient.
■ The vehicle is driven at least at walking speed.
■ The climate control system requests an engine start.
■ The air conditioning is manually switched on.
If the bonnet is not fully closed, a warning message is displayed in the
DIC.
If an electric accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop
during restart might be noticeable.
Parking9 Warning
■ Do not park the vehicle on an
easily ignitable surface. The
high temperature of the exhaust system could ignite the surface.
■ Always apply the parking brake.
Activate the manual parking
brake without pressing the
release button. Apply as firmly
as possible on a downhill slope
or uphill slope. Depress foot
brake at the same time to
reduce operating force.
For vehicles with electric
parking brake, pull switch m for
approx. one second.
The electric parking brake is
applied when control indicator
m illuminates 3 113.
■ Switch off the engine. ■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or uphill slope, engage
first gear or set the selector lever
to position P before removing
the ignition key. On an uphill
slope, turn the front wheels
away from the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill
slope, engage reverse gear or
set the selector lever to position P before removing the ignitionkey. Turn the front wheels
towards the kerb.
■ Close the windows and the sunroof.
■ Remove the ignition key. Turn the steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock is felt to
engage.
For vehicles with automatic
transmission, the key can only
be removed when the selector
lever is in position P.
■ Lock the vehicle.
■ Activate the anti-theft alarm system.
■ The engine cooling fans may run after the engine has been switched
off 3 224.
Caution
After running at high engine
speeds or with high engine loads,
operate the engine briefly at a low load or run in neutral for

Driving and operating167Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission permits
automatic gearshifting (automatic
mode) or manual gearshifting
(manual mode).
Manual shifting is possible in manual
mode by tapping the selector lever
3 168.
Transmission display
The mode or selected gear is shown
in the transmission display.
In automatic mode, the driving
programme is indicated by D in the
Driver Information Centre (DIC).
R indicates reverse gear.
N indicates neutral position.
P indicates park position.
Midlevel display: in manual mode the
number of the selected gear is
indicated.
Uplevel display: in manual mode, M
and the number of the selected gear
is indicated.
Selector leverP=park position, press release
button, wheels are locked,
engage only when the vehicle is
stationary and parking brake is
appliedR=reverse gear, press release
button, engage only when
vehicle is stationaryN=neutralD=automatic modeM=manual mode: move selector
lever from D to the left.

168Driving and operating
<=manual mode upshifting: move
selector lever in position M and
tap upwards]=manual mode downshifting:
move selector lever in position
M and tap rearwards
The selector lever is locked in P and
can only be moved when the ignition
is on and the brake pedal is applied.
Without brake pedal applied, the
control indicator j illuminates.
If the selector lever is not in P when
the ignition is switched off, the control
indicators j and P flash.
To engage P or R, press the release
button.
The engine can only be started with the lever in position P or N. When
position N is selected, press the brake
pedal or apply the 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
brake is released.
Engine braking To utilise the engine braking effect,select a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill, see manual mode.
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between D and R in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.Parking
Apply the parking brake and engage P .
The ignition key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in position
P .
Manual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left to select manual
mode M.
Tap selector lever
forwards <=shift to a higher gearbackwards ]=shift to a lower gear

Driving and operating169
The selected gear is indicated in the
instrument cluster.
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. This can
cause a message in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC).
In manual mode, no automatic
shifting to a higher gear takes place
at high engine revolutions.
Electronic driving
programmes ■ Following a cold start, the operating
temperature programme increasesengine speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
■ The automatic neutral shift function
automatically shifts to idling when
the vehicle is stopped with a
forward gear engaged and the
brake pedal is pressed.■ When SPORT mode is engaged, the vehicle shifts at higher engine
speeds (unless cruise control is
on). SPORT mode 3 176.
■ Special programmes automatically adapt the shifting points when
driving up inclines or down hills.
■ When starting off in snowy or icy conditions or on other slippery
surfaces, the electronic
transmission control selects a
higher gear automatically.
Kickdown If the accelerator pedal is pressed
down completely in automatic mode, the transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed.
Fault
In the event of a fault, control indicator g illuminates. Additionally, a code
number or a vehicle message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre (DIC). Vehicle messages
3 125.The transmission no longer shifts
automatically. Continued travel ispossible with manual shifting.
Only the highest gear is available.
Depending on the fault, 2nd gear may also be available in manual mode.
Shift only when vehicle is at a
standstill.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Interruption of power
supply
In the event of an interruption of
power supply, the selector lever
cannot be moved out of the P
position. The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition switch.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 277.
If the vehicle battery is not the cause
of the fault, release the selector lever.
1. Apply the parking brake.

Driving and operating171Caution
It is not advisable to drive with thehand resting on the selector lever.
Upshift indication 3 115.
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 3 113.
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 3 114.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.