2016.5 VAUXHALL MERIVA brakes

16In briefTransmission
Manual transmission
Reverse: with the vehicle stationary,
depress clutch pedal, 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.
Manual transmission 3 148.
Automatic transmissionP:parkR:reverseN:neutralD:drive
Manual mode: move selector lever
from D to the left.
<:higher gear]:lower gear
The selector lever can only be moved
out of P when the ignition is on and
the brake pedal is applied. To engage
P or R, press the release button.
Automatic transmission 3 145.
Starting off
Check before starting off ● Tyre pressure and condition 3 196, 3 234.
● Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 173.
● 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 29, 3 36,
3 45.
● Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.

Instruments and controls107No.Vehicle message174Low vehicle battery258Park assist off
Vehicle messages on the
Uplevel-Display or
Uplevel-Combi-Display
The vehicle messages are displayed
as text. Follow the instructions given
in the messages.
The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
● fluid levels
● anti-theft alarm system
● brakes
● drive systems
● ride control systems
● cruise control
● object detection systems
● lighting, bulb replacement
● wiper/washer system
● doors, windows
● radio remote control
● seat belts
● airbag systems
● engine and transmission
● tyre pressure
● diesel particle filter
Vehicle messages on the
Colour-Info-Display
Some important messages appear
additionally in the
Colour-Info-Display. Press the
multifunction knob to confirm a
message. Some messages only pop- up for a few seconds.Warning chimes
Only one warning chime will sound at
a time.
The warning chime regarding
unfastened seat belts has priority
over any other warning chime.
When starting the engine or whilst
driving
● If seat belt is not fastened.
● If a door or the tailgate is not fully
closed when starting-off.
● If a certain speed is exceeded with parking brake applied.
● If a programmed speed is exceeded.
● If a warning message or a warning code appears in the
Driver Information Centre.
● If the parking assist detects an object.
● If reverse gear is engaged and the rear end carrier is extended.

138Driving and operatingDriving and
operatingDriving hints ............................... 138
Control of the vehicle ...............138
Steering ................................... 139
Starting and operating ...............139
New vehicle running-in ............139
Ignition switch positions ...........139
Retained power off ..................139
Starting the engine ..................140
Overrun cut-off ........................ 141
Stop-start system ....................141
Parking .................................... 143
Engine exhaust .......................... 144
Diesel particle filter ..................144
Catalytic converter ...................145
Automatic transmission ..............145
Transmission display ...............145
Selector lever .......................... 146
Manual mode ........................... 147
Electronic driving programmes 147
Fault ........................................ 147
Interruption of power supply ....147
Manual transmission ..................148Brakes........................................ 149
Antilock brake system .............149
Parking brake .......................... 150
Brake assist ............................. 151
Hill start assist ......................... 151
Ride control systems .................152
Traction Control system ..........152
Electronic Stability Control ......152
Driver assistance systems .........153
Cruise control .......................... 153
Parking assist .......................... 155
Rear view camera ...................157
Fuel ............................................ 159
Fuel for petrol engines .............159
Fuel for diesel engines ............159
Fuel for liquid gas operation ....159
Refuelling ................................ 161
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions .............................. 164
Trailer hitch ................................ 165
General information .................165
Driving characteristics and towing tips .............................. 166
Trailer towing ........................... 166
Towing equipment ...................167Driving hints
Control of the vehicle
Never coast with engine not
running (except during Autostop)
Many systems will not function in this
situation (e.g. brake servo unit, power steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. All
systems function during an Autostop,
but there will be a controlled reduction
in power steering assist and vehicle
speed is reduced.
Stop-start system 3 141.
Idle boost
If charging of the vehicle battery is
required due to vehicle battery
condition, the power output of the
generator must be increased. This will be achieved by an idle boost whichmay be audible.
On vehicles with Uplevel-Display or
Uplevel-Combi-Display, a message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre.

Driving and operating149Caution
It is not advisable to drive with thehand resting on the selector lever.
Stop-start system 3 141.
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 the 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 95.
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.
After starting off, the system performs
a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 96.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.

Driving and operating151brake automatically. This is not
possible when the switch m is pulled
at the same time.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Engaging D and then depressing the
accelerator pedal releases the
electric parking brake automatically.
This is not possible when the switch
m is pulled at the same time.
Dynamic braking when vehicle is
moving
When the vehicle is moving and
switch m is kept pulled, the electric
parking brake system will decelerate the vehicle, but will not apply
statically.
As soon as switch m is released,
dynamic braking will be stopped.
Fault
Failure mode of electric parking brake
is indicated by control indicator j and
by a code number or a vehicle
message which is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre.
Control indicator j 3 96, vehicle
messages 3 105.Apply electric parking brake: pull and
hold switch m for more than
five seconds. If control indicator m
illuminates, electric parking brake is
applied.
Release electric parking brake: push
and hold switch m for more than
two seconds. If control indicator m
extinguishes, electric parking brake is
released.
Control indicator m flashes: electric
parking brake is not fully applied or released. When continuously
flashing, release electric parking
brake and retry applying.
Control indicator m 3 96.
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.
The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 141.

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.

244IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 171
Active head restraints ..................35
Adaptive brake light ....................149
Adaptive forward lighting ....99,
122, 181
Adjustable air vents ...................135
Airbag and belt tensioners ...........94
Airbag deactivation ................52, 94
Airbag label................................... 48 Airbag system .............................. 48
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 136
Air conditioning system .............. 129
Air intake .................................... 136
Air vents...................................... 135
Alert ............................................ 107
Antifreeze ................................... 174
Antilock brake system ................ 149
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......96
Anti-theft alarm system ................27
Anti-theft locking system .............. 27 Appearance care ........................215
Armrest ................................... 39, 42
Armrest storage ........................... 62
Ashtrays ....................................... 87 Automatic anti-dazzle ..................30
Automatic light control ...............120
Automatic locking ..................24, 99Automatic transmission .............145
Autostop ..................................... 141
Auxiliary heater .......................... 135
B Battery discharge protection ......127
Battery voltage ........................... 108 Belts.............................................. 44
Bicycle rack .................................. 63
Bonnet ....................................... 172
Brake and clutch fluid .................220
Brake and clutch system .............95
Brake assist ............................... 151
Brake fluid .................................. 175
Brakes ............................... 149, 175
Breakdown.................................. 213
Bulb replacement ....................... 179
C Capacities .................................. 233
Car Pass ...................................... 20
Catalytic converter .....................145
Central locking system ................22
Centre console lighting ..............126
Changing tyre and wheel size ...200
Charging system .......................... 95
Child locks ................................... 25
Child restraint installation locations ................................... 56
Child restraints.............................. 54
Child restraint systems ................54