Driving and operating113Driving and
operatingDriving hints ............................... 113
Control of the vehicle ...............113
Steering ................................... 114
Starting and operating ...............114
New vehicle running-in ............114
Ignition switch positions ...........114
Starting the engine ..................115
Vehicle shutdown ....................115
Overrun cut-off ........................ 116
Stop-start system ....................116
Parking .................................... 119
Engine exhaust .......................... 120
Diesel particle filter ..................120
Catalytic converter ...................120
Manual transmission ..................121
Manual transmission automa‐ ted .............................................. 122
Transmission display ...............122
Starting the engine ..................122
Selector lever .......................... 122
Manual mode ........................... 124
Electronic driving programmes 124
Fault ........................................ 125Brakes........................................ 126
Antilock brake system .............126
Parking brake .......................... 127
Brake assist ............................. 127
Hill start assist ......................... 127
Ride control systems .................128
Traction Control system ..........128
Electronic Stability Control ......129
Driver assistance systems .........130
Cruise control .......................... 130
Parking assist .......................... 131
Fuel ............................................ 134
Fuel for petrol engines .............134
Fuel for diesel engines ............134
Fuel for natural gas operation . 134
Refuelling ................................ 135
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions ............................... 137
Trailer hitch ................................ 138
General information .................138
Driving characteristics and towing tips .............................. 138
Trailer towing ........................... 138Driving 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 may be a controlled
reduction in power steering assist and
vehicle speed is reduced.
Stop-start system 3 116.
Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in the area of the pedals.
Use only floor mats which fit properly
and are fixed by the retainers on the
driver's side.
Driving downhill
Engage a gear when driving downhill to ensure that sufficient brake
pressure is available.
Driving and operating121Caution
Fuel grades other than those listedon pages 3 134, 3 182 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.
Manual transmission
To engage reverse, with the vehicle
stationary, wait three seconds after
depressing the clutch pedal, 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.
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 inadvisable to drive with hand
resting on the selector lever.
When gearshifting is recommended
to improve fuel economy, control
indicator [ or Ò illuminates in the
Driver Information Centre.
Gear shifting control indicator 3 85.
Stop-start system 3 116.
Driving and operating133A warning chime is also sounded
briefly if a fault is present when
reverse gear is engaged 3 95.
Note
The volume of the warning chime
can also be adjusted via the Driver
Information Centre 3 90.
Important hints for using the
parking assist systems9 Warning
Under certain circumstances,
various reflective surfaces on
objects or clothing as well as
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. If
such obstacles leave the detection area of the sensors during
approach of the vehicle, a
continuous warning tone will
sound.
Caution
Performance of the sensor can be reduced when sensors are
covered, e.g. by ice or snow.
Performance of the parking assist
systems can be reduced due to
heavy loading.
Special conditions apply if there
are taller vehicles involved (e.g.
off-road vehicles, mini vans,
vans). Object identification 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 avoid a
collision with objects which are out
of the detection range of the
sensors.
Note
The parking assist system
automatically detects factory-fitted
towing equipment. It is deactivated
when the connector is plugged in.
The sensor may detect a non-
existent object (echo disturbance)
caused by external acoustic or
mechanical disturbances.
138Driving and operatingTrailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Vehicles with natural gas engine may
require special towing equipment.
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.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle.
Driving characteristics and towing 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
1300 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 80 km/h.
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 3 190.
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 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
3 180.
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.
Driving and operating139The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (60 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.
Rear axle load The permissible axle loads (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) must not be exceeded.
140Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................140
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 140
Vehicle storage ........................141
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....141
Vehicle checks ........................... 142
Performing work ......................142
Bonnet ..................................... 142
Engine oil ................................. 143
Engine coolant ......................... 144
Power steering fluid .................144
Washer fluid ............................ 145
Brakes ..................................... 145
Brake fluid ............................... 145
Vehicle battery ......................... 146
Wiper blade replacement ........147
Bulb replacement .......................148
Halogen headlights ..................148
Fog lights ................................. 150
Tail lights ................................. 150
Side turn signal lights ..............151
Centre high-mounted brake light ......................................... 151
Number plate light ...................152Interior lights ............................ 153
Instrument panel illumination ...154
Electrical system ........................154
Fuses ....................................... 154
Engine compartment fuse box . 155
Instrument panel fuse box .......156
Vehicle tools .............................. 158
Tools ........................................ 158
Wheels and tyres .......................159
Winter tyres ............................. 159
Tyre designations ....................159
Tyre pressure .......................... 159
Tyre pressure monitoring
system .................................... 160
Tread depth ............................. 162
Changing tyre and wheel size . 162 Wheel covers ........................... 162
Tyre chains .............................. 163
Tyre repair kit .......................... 163
Wheel changing .......................165
Spare wheel ............................ 167
Jump starting ............................. 169
Towing ....................................... 171
Towing the vehicle ...................171
Towing another vehicle ...........172
Appearance care .......................172
Exterior care ............................ 172
Interior care ............................. 175General Information
Accessories and vehiclemodifications
We recommend the use of genuine
parts and accessories and factory
approved parts specific for your
vehicle type. We cannot assess or guarantee reliability of other products
- even if they have a regulatory or
otherwise granted approval.
Any modification, conversion or other
changes made to standard vehicle
specifications (including, without
limitation, software modifications,
modifications of the electronic control units) may invalidate the warrantyoffered by Opel. Furthermore, such
changes may impact fuel
consumption, CO 2 emissions and
other emissions of the vehicle and
cause the vehicle to no longer
conform to the type approval,
impacting the validity of your vehicle
registration.
Vehicle care1714. Switch on electrical consumers(e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
Release the cap by carefully lifting
with a screwdriver. To prevent
damage, it is recommended to place
a cloth between the screwdriver and
the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 158.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
Caution
The towing eye must only be used for towing and not for recovering
the vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering
wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Transmission in neutral.
Note
If neutral cannot be selected on
vehicles with manual transmission
automated (MTA), the vehicle must
only be towed with the drive wheels
raised off the ground.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
172Vehicle careTo prevent the entry of exhaust gasesfrom the towing vehicle, switch on the
air recirculation 3 107 and close the
windows.
Seek the assistance of a workshop. After towing, unscrew the towing eye
and replace the cap.
Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
side of the cap. Release the cap by
carefully levering the screwdriver. To
prevent damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver
and the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 158.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or even better a tow bar – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering a
vehicle.Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap.
Appearance care
Exterior care Locks
The locks are lubricated at the factory using a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use de-icing agent only when absolutely necessary, as this has a
degreasing effect and impairs lock
function. After using a de-icing agent,
have the locks regreased by a
workshop.
WashingThe paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences.
Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.
When using automatic vehicle
washes, select a programme that
includes waxing. Restrictions for
filmed or matt painted body parts or
decor tapes, see "Polishing and
waxing".
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,
pollen and the like should be cleaned
off immediately, as they contain
aggressive constituents which can
cause paint damage.