2016.5 VAUXHALL MERIVA power steering

166Driving and operatingDriving characteristics andtowing tips
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
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1100 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 50 mph.
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 3 234.Trailer towing
Trailer loads9 Warning
Vehicles with engine A13DTE:
Use of towing equipment is
permissible for attaching
compatible bicycle carriers only.
Do not use towing equipment for
trailer towing.
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 sea
level. 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
3 223.
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 (75 kg) 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.

170Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................171
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 171
Vehicle storage ........................171
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....171
Vehicle checks ........................... 172
Performing work ......................172
Bonnet ..................................... 172
Engine oil ................................. 173
Engine coolant ......................... 174
Power steering fluid .................175
Washer fluid ............................ 175
Brakes ..................................... 175
Brake fluid ............................... 175
Vehicle battery ......................... 176
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....178
Wiper blade replacement ........178
Bulb replacement .......................179
Halogen headlights ..................179
Adaptive forward lighting .........181
Fog lights ................................. 183
Front turn signal lights .............183
Tail lights ................................. 184
Side turn signal lights ..............187
Number plate light ...................187Interior lights ............................ 188
Instrument panel illumination ...188
Electrical system ........................188
Fuses ....................................... 188
Engine compartment fuse box . 190
Instrument panel fuse box .......192
Load compartment fuse box ....193
Vehicle tools .............................. 194
Tools ........................................ 194
Wheels and tyres .......................195
Winter tyres ............................. 195
Tyre designations ....................195
Tyre pressure .......................... 196
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 197
Tread depth ............................. 200
Changing tyre and wheel size . 200
Wheel covers ........................... 201
Tyre chains .............................. 201
Tyre repair kit .......................... 201
Wheel changing .......................206
Spare wheel ............................ 209
Jump starting ............................. 212
Towing ....................................... 213
Towing the vehicle ...................213
Towing another vehicle ...........214Appearance care .......................215
Exterior care ............................ 215
Interior care ............................. 217

Vehicle care175the coolant concentration checked
and have the cause of the coolant
loss remedied by a workshop.
Power steering fluidCaution
Extremely small amounts of
contamination can cause steering
system damage and cause it to not work properly. Do not allow
contaminates to contact the fluid
side of the reservoir cap/dipstick or
from entering the reservoir.
Power steering fluid level normally
must not be checked. If an unusual
noise sounds during steering or the
power steering reacts conspicuous
seek the assistance of a workshop.
Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of approved
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
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
9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes,
skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.

246Fuel selector ................................ 89
Fuse box ..................................... 190
Fuses ......................................... 188
G Gauges ......................................... 88
General information ...................165
Glovebox ..................................... 60
Graphic-Info-Display, Colour- Info-Display ............................ 103
H Halogen headlights ....................179
Hand brake ......................... 149, 150
Hazard warning flashers ............123
Headlight flash ........................... 121
Headlight range adjustment ......121
Headlights .......................... 119, 121
Headlights when driving abroad 121
Head restraint adjustment .............8
Head restraints ............................ 34
Heated mirrors ............................. 29
Heated rear window ..................... 32
Heated steering wheel .................81
Heating ........................................ 40
Heating and ventilation system . 128
High beam ........................... 99, 121
Hill start assist ........................... 151
Horn ....................................... 13, 82I
Identification plate .....................223
Ignition switch positions .............139
Immobiliser ............................ 28, 98
Indicators ...................................... 88
Information displays.................... 100
Instrument cluster ........................88
Instrument panel fuse box .........192
Instrument panel illumination .....188
Instrument panel illumination control .................................... 125
Instrument panel overview ........... 10
Interior care ............................... 217
Interior lighting ............................ 125
Interior lights ...................... 125, 188
Interior mirrors .............................. 30
Interruption of power supply ......147
Introduction .................................... 3
ISOFIX child restraint systems ....59
J
Jump starting ............................. 212
K Keys ............................................. 19
Keys, locks ................................... 19
Keys, memorised settings ............21
L Lashing eyes ............................... 75
Light covers, misted.................... 124Lighting features .........................126
Light switch ................................ 119
Load compartment ................26, 72
Load compartment cover .............73
Load compartment fuse box ......193
Loading information .....................78
Low fuel ....................................... 98
M Malfunction indicator light ............95
Manual anti-dazzle ......................30
Manual mode ............................. 147
Manual transmission .................. 148
Manual windows ..........................31
Memorised settings ......................21
Midlevel-Display ......................... 100
Mirror adjustment ........................... 8
Misted light covers .....................124
Moonroof ..................................... 33
N New vehicle running-in ..............139
Number plate light .....................187
O
Object detection systems ...........155
Octane rating .............................. 227
Odometer ..................................... 88
Oil ............................................... 173
Oil, engine .......................... 220, 224
Oil pressure .................................. 98

247OnStar........................................ 115
Operate pedal ............................... 95
Outside temperature ....................84
Overrun cut-off ........................... 141
P
Parking ................................ 17, 143
Parking assist ............................ 155
Parking brake ............................ 150
Parking lights ............................. 124
Particulate filter ........................... 144
Performance .............................. 229
Performing work ........................172
Personalisation ........................... 111
Pollen filter ................................. 136
Power outlets ............................... 86
Power steering fluid ....................175
Power windows ............................ 31
Preheating ................................... 97
Puncture ..................................... 206
Q
Quickheat ................................... 135
R Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ..................................... 242
Radio remote control ...................20
Reading lights ............................ 126
Rear carrier system ......................63
Rear doors ................................... 26Rear floor storage cover ..............74
Rear fog light ............................... 99
Rear fog lights ........................... 124
Rear seats .................................... 41
Rear storage ................................. 73
Rear view camera ...................... 157
Rear window wiper/washer .......... 84
Recommended fluids and lubricants ........................ 220, 224
Reduced engine power ...............98
Refuelling ................................... 161 Remote control ............................. 20
Retained power off .....................139
Reversing lights .........................124
Ride control systems ..................152
Roof .............................................. 33
Roof load ...................................... 78
Roof rack ..................................... 78
S
Safety belts ................................... 44
Safety net .................................... 75
Seat adjustment ....................... 6, 37
Seat belt ........................................ 8
Seat belt reminder .......................94
Seat belts ..................................... 44
Seat heating ................................. 40
Seat position ................................ 36
Selector lever ............................. 146
Service ............................... 136, 219Service display ............................ 90
Service information ....................219
Service vehicle soon .................... 95
Side airbag system ......................51
Sidelights .................................... 119
Side turn signal lights ................187
Software acknowledgement .......239
Spare wheel ............................... 209
Speedometer ............................... 88
Starting and operating ................139
Starting off ................................... 16
Starting the engine ....................140
Steering ...................................... 139
Steering wheel adjustment ......9, 81
Steering wheel controls ...............81
Steering wheel, heated .................81
Stop-start system........................ 141
Storage ......................................... 60
Storage compartments .................60
Sunvisor lights ........................... 126
Sun visors .................................... 33
Symbols ......................................... 4
T
Tachometer ................................. 88
Tailgate ......................................... 26
Tail lights ................................... 184
Technical data ............................ 227
Three-point seat belt .................... 45
Tools .......................................... 194