
OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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142 Driving and Operating
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Anti-lock 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
!0Antilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light 071.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.
Fault
{Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS
are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no
longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault
remedied by a workshop.
Parking Brake
{Warning
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release
button, and apply as firmly as
possible on a downhill or uphill
slope.
To release the parking brake, pull
the lever up slightly, press the
release button and fully lower the
lever. (Continued)

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 -
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144 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator
G 0Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) Indicator
Light 072.
Deactivation
TC can be switched off when
spinning of drive wheels is
required : Press
Gbriefly.
Control indicator
iilluminates.
TC is reactivated by pressing
G
again.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If there is a fault in the system the
control indicator
iilluminates
continuously and a message or a
warning code appears in the Driver
Information Centre. The system is
not operational.
Have the cause of the fault
remedied by a workshop.
Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning. As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery
road surfaces.
ESC is operational as soon as the
control indicator
dextinguishes.
When ESC is active
dflashes.
{Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator
G 0Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) Indicator
Light 072.

OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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Driving and Operating 145
Deactivation
For very high-performance driving
ESC can be deactivated : Hold
d
depressed for approx. 5 seconds.
Control indicator
gilluminates.
ESC is reactivated by pressing
d
again. If the TC system was
previously disabled, both TC and
ESC are reactivated.
ESC is also reactivated the next
time the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If there is a fault in the system the
control indicator
gilluminates
continuously and a message or a
warning code appears in the Driver
Information Centre. The system is
not operational.
Have the cause of the fault
remedied by a workshop.
City mode
City mode is a feature which
enables increased steering
assistance during lower speed
conditions, e.g. city traffic or
parking. Steering assistance is
increased for greater convenience. Activation
Press
“CITY” when engine is
running. The system works from
standstill up to 60 km/h, and in
reverse gear. Above this speed the
system changes to normal mode.
When activated, City mode engages
automatically below 60 km/h.
An illuminated LED in the City mode
button indicates that the system is
active.
Deactivation
Press CITY: LED in the button
extinguishes.

OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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146 Driving and Operating
Each time the engine is started, City
mode is deactivated.
Overload
If the steering in City mode is
heavily loaded, e.g. in long parking
manoeuvres or heavy city traffic, the
system is deactivated for overheat
protection. Steering operates in
normal mode until City mode
activates automatically.
Fault
In the event of a fault in the system,milluminates and a message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre. Vehicle messages
0Vehicle
Messages 080.Object Detection
Systems
Parking Assist
{Warning
It is the driver who bears full
responsibility for the parking
manoeuvre.
Always check the surrounding
area while reversing and using
the rear parking assist system.

OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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Driving and Operating 147
The rear parking assist makes
parking easier by measuring the
distance between the vehicle and
rear obstacles. It informs and warns
the driver by giving acoustic signals
and display indication.
The system has three ultrasonic
parking sensors in the rear bumper.
Note
The attached parts in the detection
area cause system malfunction.
Activation
When reverse gear is engaged, the
system is activated automatically.
An obstacle is indicated by audio.
The interval between the audios
becomes shorter as the vehicle gets
closer to the obstacle. When the
distance is less than 40 cm, the
audio sounds continue.
{Warning
Under certain circumstances,
various reflective surfaces on
objects or clothing as well as(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
external noise sources may cause
the system to fail to detect
obstacles. Special attention has
to be paid to low obstacles which
can damage the lower part of the
bumper.
Deactivation
The system automatically switches
off when reverse gear is
disengaged.
The system might not detect the
obstacle when the vehicle is driven
above a 10 km/h.
Fault
In the event of a fault in the system,Xilluminates.
Additionally if the system does not
work due to temporary conditions
like snow covered sensors,
X
illuminates.
Caution
Performance of the system can
be reduced when sensors are
covered, e.g. by ice or snow.
Performance of the parking assist
system can be reduced due to
heavy loading.
Special conditions apply if there
are taller vehicles involved in the
parking scene (e.g. off-road
vehicles, MPVs, vans, campers,
trailers and trucks). Object
identification and correct distance
indication in the upper part of
these vehicles cannot be
guaranteed.
Objects with a very small
reflection cross section, like
objects of narrow size or soft
materials, may not be detected by
the system.
Parking assist will not detect
objects out of the detection range.

OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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148 Driving and Operating
Driver Assistance
Systems
{Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise Control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of approx. 25 to
170 km/h. Deviations from the
stored speeds may occur when
driving uphill or downhill.
For safety reasons, the cruise
control cannot be activated until the
foot brake has been operated once.Activating in first gear is not
possible.
Do not use the cruise control if it is
not advisable to maintain a constant
speed.
Control indicator
5
0Control
Indicators 065.
Switching on
Press5; control indicator5in
instrument cluster illuminates white.
Activation
Accelerate to the desired speed and
turn thumb wheel to SET/-, the
current speed is stored and
maintained. Control indicator
5in
instrument cluster illuminates green.
Accelerator pedal can be released.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the previously stored
speed is resumed.
Cruise control remains activated
while changing gear.
Increase speed
With cruise control active, hold
thumb wheel turned to RES/+or
briefly turn to RES/+repeatedly:
speed increases continuously or in
small increments.
Alternatively accelerate to the
desired speed and store by turning
to SET/-.

OPEL Karl Owner Manual (GMK-Localizing-EU RHD-9231168) - 2016 - crc -
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150 Driving and Operating
Presss. If cruise control has been
activated before, it is switched off
when speed limiter is activated and
control indicator
5extinguishes.
Set speed limit
With speed limiter active, hold
thumb wheel turned to RES/+or
briefly turn to RES/+repeatedly until
the desired maximum speed is
displayed in the DIC.
Alternatively, accelerate to the
desired speed and briefly turn
thumb wheel to SET/-: the current
speed is stored as maximum speed.
Speed limit is displayed in the DIC.
Change speed limit
With speed limiter active, turn thumb
wheel to RES/+to increase or SET/-
to decrease the desired maximum
speed.
Exceeding the speed limit
In the event of an emergency, it is
possible to exceed the speed limit
by depressing the accelerator pedal
firmly beyond the point of
resistance. The limited speed will
flash in the DIC and a chime sounds
during this period.
Release the accelerator pedal and
the speed limiter function is
reactivated once a speed lower than
the limit speed is obtained.
Deactivation
Press*: speed limiter is
deactivated and the vehicle can be
driven without speed limit.
The limited speed will be stored and
is indicated in brackets in the DIC.
Additionally, a corresponding
message appears.
Resume limit speed
Turn thumb wheel to RES/+. The
stored speed limit will be obtained.
Switching off
Presss, the speed limit indication
extinguishes in the DIC. The stored
speed is deleted.
By pressing
5to activate cruise
control, speed limiter is also
deactivated and the stored speed is
deleted.
By switching off the ignition, speed
limiter is also deactivated, but the
speed limit will be stored for next
speed limiter activation.
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
The lane departure warning system
observes the lane markings
between which the vehicle is
driving, via a front camera. The
system detects lane changes and
warns the driver in the event of an
unintended lane change by visual
and acoustic signals.
Criteria for the detection of an
unintended lane change are :
. no operation of indicators