2015 VAUXHALL ADAM Engine

Driving and operating125
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 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
Driver Information Centre.If an electrical 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 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.
■ Switch off the engine.
■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or uphill slope, engage
first gear 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
before removing the ignition
key. Turn the front wheels
towards the kerb.
■ Close the windows.
■ Remove the ignition key. Turn the steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock is felt to
engage.
■ Lock the vehicle.
■ Activate the anti-theft alarm system.
■ The engine cooling fans may run after the engine has been switchedoff 3 153.
■ After running at high engine speeds
or with high engine loads, operate
the engine briefly at a low load or
run in neutral for
approx. 30 seconds before
switching off, in order to protect the turbocharger.

126Driving and operating
Notice
In the event of an accident with
airbag deployment, the engine is
turned off automatically if the vehicle
comes to a standstill within a certain time.Engine exhaust9 Danger
Engine exhaust gases contain
poisonous carbon monoxide,
which is colourless and odourless and could be fatal if inhaled.
If exhaust gases enter the interior
of the vehicle, open the windows.
Have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop.
Avoid driving with an open load
compartment, otherwise exhaust
gases could enter the vehicle.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gases.
Caution
Fuel grades other than those listed on pages 3 146, 3 209 could
damage the catalytic converter or
electronic components.
Unburnt petrol will overheat and
damage the catalytic converter.
Therefore avoid excessive use of the starter, running the fuel tank
dry and starting the engine by
pushing or towing.
In the event of misfiring, uneven
engine running, a reduction in engine performance or other unusual
problems, have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop as soon as
possible. In an emergency, driving
can be continued for a short period,
keeping vehicle speed and engine
speed low.

Driving and operating127Manual transmission
To engage reverse, depress the
clutch pedal and 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.
Do not slip the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch
pedal completely. Do not use the
pedal as a foot rest.
Caution
It is not advisable to drive with the hand 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 86.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.

Driving and operating129To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
foot brake at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 86.
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 unintendedmovement 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 or the two seconds holding
time is over.
The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.Ride control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction Control system (TC) is a
component of the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC).
TC improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type 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.

130Driving and operating
TC is operational after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator
b extinguishes.
When TC operates b flashes.
9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Fault
If there is a fault in the system the
control indicator b illuminates
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 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. ESC operates in
combination with the Traction Control system (TC).
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 after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator
b extinguishes.
When ESC operates b flashes.
9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.

Driving and operating131
FaultIf there is a fault in the system the
control indicator b illuminates
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 button B when engine is
running. The system works from
standstill up to 22 mph, and in reverse gear. Above this speed the system
changes to normal mode. When
activated, City mode engages
automatically below 22 mph.
An illuminated LED in the City mode
button indicates that the system is
active.
Additionally, a message pops-up in
the Driver Information Centre.
City mode remains active during an
Autostop, but is only operational
when the engine is running.
Stop-start system 3 123.
Deactivation
Press button B; LED in the button
extinguishes and a message pops-up
in the Driver Information Centre.
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.

134Driving and operating
Automatic deactivation:■ Vehicle speed is below approx. 20 mph.
■ Vehicle speed is above approx. 125 mph.
■ The brake pedal is depressed.
■ The clutch pedal is depressed for a
few seconds.
■ Engine speed is in a very low range.
■ The Traction Control system or Electronic Stability Control is
operating.
Resume stored speed
Turn thumb wheel to RES/+ at a
speed above 20 mph. The stored
speed will be obtained.
Switching off
Press button m, control indicator m in
instrument cluster extinguishes. The
stored speed is deleted.
Switching off the ignition also
switches off cruise control and
deletes the stored speed.Speed limiter
The speed limiter prevents thevehicle exceeding a preset maximum speed.
The maximum speed can be set at a
speed above 15 mph.
The driver can only accelerate up to
the preset speed. Deviations from the
limited speed may occur when driving
downhill.
The preset speed limit is displayed in
the top line of the Driver Information
Centre when the system is active.
ActivationPress button L. If cruise control has
been activated before, it is switched
off when speed limiter is activated
and the control indicator m
extinguishes.
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
Driver Information Centre.
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 Driver Information
Centre.

146Driving and operatingFuel
Fuel for petrol engines Only use unleaded fuel that complies
with European standard EN 228 or E DIN 51626-1 or equivalent.
The engine is capable of running with E10 fuel that fulfills these standards.
E10 fuel contains up to 10 %
bioethanol.
Use fuel with the recommended
octane rating 3 209. Use of fuel with
too low an octane rating can reduce engine power and torque and slightly
increases fuel consumption.Caution
Do not use fuel or fuel additives
that contain metallic compounds
such as manganese-based
additives. This may cause engine
damage.
Caution
Use of fuel that does not comply to EN 228 or E DIN 51626-1 or
equivalent can lead to deposits or
engine damage and may affect
your warranty.
Caution
Use of fuel with too low an octane
rating could lead to uncontrolled combustion and engine damage.
Fuel for liquid gas
operation Liquid gas is known as LPG
(Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or under
its French name GPL (Gaz de Pétrole Liquéfié). LPG is also known as
Autogas.
LPG consists mainly of propane and
butane. The octane rating is between
105 and 115, depending on the
butane proportion. LPG is stored
liquid at around 5 - 10 bar pressure.
The boiling point depends on the
pressure and mixing ratio. At ambient
pressure, it is between -42 °C (pure
propane) and -0.5 °C (pure butane).Caution
The system works at an ambient
temperature of approx. -8 °C to
100 °C.
Full function of the LPG system can
only be guaranteed with liquid gas
which complies with the minimum
requirements of DIN EN 589.
Fuel selector