OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
5/7/15
136 Driving and Operating
Starting the Engine
Manual gearbox: Operate clutch
Automatic transmission : Operate
brake and move the selector lever
to P or N
Do not operate accelerator pedal.
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
The start of the engine without
additional heaters is possible down
to -25 °C for diesel engines and
-30 °C for petrol engines.
Diesel engines The start of the
engine without additional heaters is
possible down to -25 °C.
Petrol engines The start of the
engine without additional heaters is
possible down to -30 °C.
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 requires 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-starting
engine:
.
clutch pedal not operated
(manual gearbox)
. time out occurred
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.
OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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Driving and Operating 137
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
Retained power off
The following electronic systems
can work until the driver's door is
opened or at the latest for
10 minutes after the ignition is
switched off :
.power windows
. power outlets
Power to the Infotainment system
will continue to operate for
30 minutes or until the key is
removed from the ignition,
regardless of whether any door will
be opened.
Automatic Engine Start/
Stop Feature
The stop-start system helps to save
fuel. 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 vehicle 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 the button.
The deactivation is indicated by the
LED in the button extinguishing.
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.
OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
5/7/15
138 Driving and Operating
During an Autostop, the heating and
brake performance will be
maintained.
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 not
too low.
. The defrost selection does not
inhibit an Autostop. .
The climate control system
allows an Autostop.
. The brake vacuum is sufficient.
. The vehicle has moved since the
last Autostop.
Otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited.
An Autostop may become less
available as the ambient
temperature approaches the
freezing point.
Certain settings of the climate
control system may inhibit an
Autostop. See Climate control
chapter for more details.
Immediately after motorway driving
an Autostop may be inhibited.
New vehicle running-in
0New
Vehicle Run-In 0135.
Vehicle battery discharge
protection
To ensure reliable engine restarts,
several vehicle battery discharge
protection features are implemented
as part of the stop-start system. Power saving measures
During an Autostop, several
electrical features such as 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.
Control indicator
# 0Control
Indicators 065.
OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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Driving and Operating 139
Restart of the engine by the
stop-start system
The selector lever must 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.
. The engine temperature is
too low.
. The vehicle battery is
discharged.
. The brake vacuum is not
sufficient.
. The vehicle starts to move.
. 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
Driver Information Centre.
If an electrical accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power socket, a brief power
drop during restart might be
noticeable.
Parking
{Warning
. Do not park the vehicle on
an easily ignitable surface.
The high temperature of the
exhaust system could ignite
the surface.
. Always apply parking brake.
Apply manual parking brake
without pressing release
button. Apply as firmly as
possible on downhill or
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
uphill slopes. Depress the
foot brake at the same time
to reduce operating force.
. Switch off the engine and
ignition. Turn the steering
wheel until the steering
wheel lock engages.
. If the vehicle is on a level
surface or uphill slope,
engage first gear before
switching off the ignition. On
an uphill slope, turn the
front wheels away from
the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a
downhill slope, engage
reverse gear before
switching off the ignition.
Turn the front wheels
towards the kerb.
. Lock the vehicle and
activate the anti-theft alarm
system.
OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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Driving and Operating 143
Warning (Continued)
To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
foot brake at the same time.
See Brake and Clutch System
Warning Light 071.
Brake Assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain continuous 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 (HSA)
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 two seconds. The brakes release automatically as
soon as the vehicle begins to
accelerate.
The hill start assist is not active
during an Autostop.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The Traction Control system (TC) is
a component of the Electronic
Stability Control system.
TC improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the tyre of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts
to spin, engine output is reduced
and the wheel spinning the most is
braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery
road surfaces.
TC is operational as soon as the
control indicator
Gextinguishes.
When TC is active
Gflashes.
OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
5/7/15
158 Vehicle Care
Push the safety catch and open the
bonnet.
Secure the bonnet support.If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be
restarted automatically for safety
reasons.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder. Lower the
bonnet and allow it to fall into the
latch from a low height (20-25 cm).
Check that the bonnet is engaged.
Caution
Do not press the bonnet into the
latch, to avoid dents.
Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level manually
on a regular basis to prevent
damage to the engine.
Ensure that the correct specification
of oil is used. Recommended fluids
and lubricants
0Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0195. Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 5 minutes.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
insert it to the stop on the handle,
pull out and read the engine oil
level.
Insert dipstick to the stop on the
handle and make half a turn.When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top up
engine oil.
OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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160 Vehicle Care
checked and have the cause of the
coolant loss remedied by a
workshop.
Washer 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.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
Use of washer fluid containing
isopropanol can damage exterior
lamps.
Brakes
In the event of minimum thickness
of the 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 Fluid
{Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
eyes, skin, fabrics and painted
surfaces.
The brake fluid level must be
between theMINand the MAX
marks.
If fluid level is below the MINmark,
seek the assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid
0
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0195.
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.
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Vehicle Care 161
The vehicle battery is
maintenance-free provided that the
driving profile allows sufficient
charging of the battery.
Short-distance-driving and frequent
engine starts can discharge the
battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in
household waste. They must be
disposed of at an appropriate
recycling collection point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
4 weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp
from the negative terminal of the
vehicle battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off
before connecting or disconnecting
the vehicle battery.
Replacing the vehicle battery
Note
Any deviation from the instructions
given in this paragraph may lead to
a temporary deactivation of the
stop-start system.
When the vehicle battery is being
replaced, please ensure that there
are no open ventilation holes in the
vicinity of the positive terminal. If a
ventilation hole is open in this area,
it must be closed off with a dummy
cap, and the ventilation in the
vicinity of the negative terminal must
be opened.
Only use vehicle batteries that allow
the fuse box to be mounted above
the vehicle battery.
In vehicles with stop-start system,
ensure to have the AGM (Absorptive
Glass Mat) battery replaced with an
AGM battery again.
An AGM battery can be identified by
the label on the battery. We
recommend the use of an original
Opel vehicle battery.
Note
Using an AGM vehicle battery
different from the original Opel
vehicle battery may result in a lower
performance of the stop-start
system.
We recommend that you have the
vehicle battery replaced by a
workshop. Stop-start system
0
Automatic Engine Start/Stop
Feature0137.