2015 OPEL VIVARO brakes

18In brief
Electronic climate control system
■ Press button Ê. LED illuminates in
the button when activated.
■ Temperature, air distribution and cooling are regulated automatically
and the fan runs at high speed.
■ Switch on heated rear window Ü
3 42.
Electronic climate control system
3 103.
Transmission
Manual transmission
Reverse: with the vehicle stationary,
wait 3 seconds after depressing
clutch pedal and then pull up the
collar 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 3 121.
Starting off
Check before starting off ■ Tyre pressure and condition 3 157,
3 192.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 140.
■ 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 38, 3 44,
3 51.
■ Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.

112Driving and operatingDriving and operatingDriving hints............................... 112
Starting and operating ...............113
Engine exhaust .......................... 120
Manual transmission ..................121
Brakes ........................................ 122
Ride control systems .................124
Driver assistance systems .........126
Fuel ............................................ 134
Trailer hitch ................................ 136Driving hints
Driving economically ECO mode
ECO mode is a function that
optimises fuel consumption. It affects engine power and torque,
acceleration, gear shift indication,
heating, air conditioning and electrical consumers.
Activation
Press the ECO button. Control
indicator ECO illuminates in the
instrument cluster when activated.
During driving, it is possible to
temporarily disable ECO mode, e.g.
to increase engine performance, by
depressing the accelerator pedal
firmly. ECO flashes in the instrument
cluster.
ECO mode is reactivated when
pressure is reduced on the
accelerator pedal. ECO stops
flashing and illuminates continuously.
Deactivation
Press the ECO button again. Control
indicator ECO extinguishes in the
instrument cluster.

122Driving and operatingBrakes
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 you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force 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.
If control indicator R illuminates in
the instrument cluster while driving and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre, there is a fault in the braking
system. Seek the assistance of a
workshop immediately.Control indicator R 3 87.
Vehicle messages 3 91.
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.
Control indicator u 3 87.
Fault
If control indicator u does not go out
a few seconds after the ignition is
switched on, or if it illuminates while driving, there is a fault in the ABS.
Control indicator F 3 86 may alsoilluminate in the instrument cluster
together with a corresponding
message in the Driver Information
Centre. The brake system remains
operational but without ABS
regulation.9 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.
If control indicators u, F , R 3 87
and C 3 86 illuminate, there is a fault
in the braking system. A
corresponding message also
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 90. Have the cause of the
fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 91.

Driving and operating123Parking brake9Warning
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.
To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
foot brake at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 87.
Parking 3 119.
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.
Brake assist is not available during an
Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 117.
Hill start assist The system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline (with the
selector lever in a forward gear or
reverse gear), the brakes remain on
for a further 2 seconds. The brakes
release automatically as soon as the
vehicle begins to accelerate.Caution
The Hill start assist cannot
completely prevent vehicle
movement in all situations
(extremely steep gradients, etc.).
If necessary, depress the foot
brake to prevent the vehicle from
rolling forwards or backwards.
The Hill start assist is not active
during an Autostop. Stop-start system
3 117.

136Driving and operatingTrailer hitch
General information
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment. Only use
towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle.
Driving characteristics and
towing tips In the case of trailers with brakes,
attach the breakaway stopping cable.
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the coupling ball, is being used to reduce snaking movements. For trailers with
low driving stability the use of a
stabiliser is recommended.
A maximum speed of 80 km/h must
not be exceeded, even in countries
where higher speeds are permitted.If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 192.
Trailer towing Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 %.
The permitted trailer load applies up
to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sealevel. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10 %
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than
8 %, e.g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is specified on the identification plate
3 179.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load is specified on the
towing equipment identification plate
and in the vehicle documents. Always aim for the maximum load, especially
in the case of heavy trailers. The
vertical coupling load should never
fall below 25 kg.

Vehicle care143
If the fluid level in the reservoir falls
below the MIN mark consult a
workshop.
Washer 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
A squealing noise indicates that the
brake lining is at its minimum
thickness. 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.

196IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 138
Adaptive forward lighting .............97
Adjustable air vents ...................110
AGM (Absorptive Glass Mat) battery ..................................... 144
Airbag and belt tensioners ...........85
Airbag deactivation ................58, 85
Airbag label................................... 53
Airbag system .............................. 53
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 111
Air conditioning system .............. 102
Air intake .................................... 111
Air recirculation ...................102, 169
Air vents...................................... 110
Alert .............................................. 91
Antifreeze ................................... 142
Antilock brake system ................ 122
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......87
Anti-theft alarm system ................35
Anti-theft bolts............................. 165
Anti-theft locking system .............. 34
Anti-theft security lock ..................25
Appearance care ........................171
Armrest ........................................ 47
Ashtrays ....................................... 80
Automatic anti-dazzle ..................40Automatic fuel cut-off ..................117
Automatic light control .................95
Automatic locking ........................30
Autostop ............................... 89, 116
Auxiliary heater ........................... 106
B Battery ........................................ 144
Battery, jump starting.................. 168
Belts.............................................. 50
Bench seat.................................... 69
Bonnet ....................................... 140
Bottle holders................................ 68
Brake and clutch fluid .................176
Brake assist ............................... 123
Brake fluid .................................. 143 Brakes ............................... 122, 143
Brake system ............................... 87
Breakdown.................................. 169
Bulb replacement ....................... 147
C Capacities .................................. 191
Car Pass ...................................... 21
Catalytic converter .....................120
Central locking system ................25
Centre high-mounted brake light 149
Changing tyre and wheel size ...161
Charging system .......................... 86
Child locks ................................... 30