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Vehicle care175General Information
Accessories and vehicle modifications
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 warranty
offered 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.Caution
When transporting the vehicle on
a train or on a recovery vehicle, the
mud flaps might be damaged.
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of time
If the vehicle is to be stored for several months:
● Wash and wax the vehicle.
● Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
● Clean and preserve rubber seals.
● Change engine oil.
● Drain washer fluid reservoir. ● Check coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
● Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
● Park vehicle in a dry, well ventilated place. Engage first or
reverse gear. Prevent the vehicle
from rolling.
● Do not apply parking brake.
● Open bonnet, close all doors and
lock the vehicle.
● Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery. Beware that all systems
are not functional, e.g. anti-theft
alarm system.
Putting back into operation When the vehicle is to be put back into
operation:
● Connect the clamp to the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery. Activate the electronics
of the power windows.
● Check tyre pressure.
● Fill up the washer fluid reservoir. ● Check the engine oil level.
● Check the coolant level.
● Fit the number plate, if necessary.
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176Vehicle careEnd-of-life vehicle recoveryInformation on end-of-life vehicle
recovery centres and the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles is available on our website, where legally required. Only
entrust this work to an authorised
recycling centre.Vehicle checks
Performing work9 Warning
Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The vehicle must not be in an
Autostop 3 136.
The cooling fan may start
operating even if the ignition is off.
9 Danger
The ignition system generates
extremely high voltages. Do not
touch.
The caps for topping up the engine oil, the coolant, the washer fluid and the
oil dipstick handle are yellow for ease
of identification.
Bonnet
Opening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
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Vehicle care177
Pull the safety catch, located slightly
left of centre, and open the bonnet.
Pull up the support rod from its holder,
then secure it in the right side hook on the underside of the bonnet.
If the bonnet is opened during an Autostop, the engine will be restarted
automatically for safety reasons.
Stop-start system 3 136.Caution
Ensure the windscreen wiper is
switched off before opening the
bonnet 3 85.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to drop into the catch from a low height
(20-25 cm). Check that the bonnet is
engaged.
Caution
Do not press the bonnet into the
latch, to avoid dents.
9 Warning
In the event of even a minor head-
on collision, have the bonnet
safety catch checked by a
workshop.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil level manually on a regular basis to prevent damage
to the engine.
Ensure that the correct specification
of oil is used. Recommended fluids
and lubricants 3 222.
The maximum engine oil
consumption is 0.6 litres per
1000 km.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least ten minutes.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
insert it to the stop on the handle, pull
out and read the engine oil level.
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178Vehicle care
When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top-up
engine oil.
Caution
Do not allow the engine oil level to drop below the minimum level!
We recommend the use of the same
type of engine oil that was used at the
last change.
The engine oil level must not exceed the maximum mark MAX on the
dipstick.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out.
To prevent spillage when
replenishing the engine oil, we
recommend using a funnel. Ensure funnel is securely located onto the
filler pipe.
A stabilization of the engine oil
consumption will not take place until
the vehicle has been driven several
thousand kilometres. Only then can
the actual degree of consumption be
established.
If consumption exceeds more than
0.6 litres every 1000 km after this
running-in period, consult a
workshop.
Capacities 3 245, Engine oil level
monitor 3 92.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Engine coolant The coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -28 °C.Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
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Vehicle care179Coolant levelCaution
Too low a coolant level can causeengine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be just above the
MINI mark. Top up if the level is low.
9Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
Top up with antifreeze. If no
antifreeze is available, use clean tap
water or distilled water. Install the cap
tightly. Have the antifreeze
concentration checked and have the
cause of the coolant loss remedied by a workshop.
If a substantial amount of coolant is
required, it will be necessary to bleed
any trapped air from the cooling
system. Seek the assistance of 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 or from
entering the reservoir.
The fluid level normally does not need
to be checked. If an unusual noise is
heard during steering or if the power
steering reacts conspicuously, seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Depending on vehicle, the power
steering fluid reservoir may be
located in the engine compartment
(Type A) or below the front wheel
arch, behind a trim panel (Type B).
Type A
If the fluid level in the reservoir falls
below the MINI mark, consult a
workshop.
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180Vehicle careType B
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.
Use of washer fluid containing
isopropanol can damage exterior
lamps.
Brakes
In the event of minimum thickness ofthe brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake linings 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.
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Vehicle care181
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
When topping up, ensure maximum cleanliness as contamination of the
brake fluid can lead to brake system
malfunctions. Have the cause of the
loss of brake fluid remedied by a
workshop.
Only use brake fluid approved for your vehicle.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 222.
Vehicle battery
The jump start terminal is located in
the engine compartment.
Jump starting 3 213.
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Control indicator p illuminates if
there is a fault with the charging
system. Stop, switch off engine and
seek the assistance of a workshop.
Charging system 3 97.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
four weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
9 Danger
Ensure the ignition is switched off
completely (the vehicle must not
be in an Autostop) before
connecting or disconnecting the
vehicle battery.
Stop-start system 3 136.
Battery discharge protection 3 115.
Battery access
The battery is located behind a panel in the front left-hand door step.
Remove the panel to access the
battery.
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182Vehicle careReplacing the vehicle battery
In vehicles with an AGM (Absorptive
Glass Mat) battery, ensure the battery
is replaced with another AGM battery.
An AGM battery can be identified by
the label on the battery. We
recommend the use of an original
Opel vehicle battery.
Note
Using an AGM vehicle battery
different from the original Opel
vehicle battery may result in a lower performance of the stop-start
system.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
have the vehicle battery replaced.
Stop-start system 3 136.
Charging the vehicle battery9 Warning
On vehicles with stop-start
system, ensure that the charging potential does not exceed
14.6 volts when using a battery
charger. Otherwise the vehicle
battery might be damaged.
9 Danger
Ensure adequate ventilation when
charging the battery. There is a
risk of explosion if gases
generated during charging are
allowed to accumulate!
Jump starting 3 213.
Warning label
Meaning of symbols:
● No sparks, naked flames or smoking.
● Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
● Keep the vehicle battery out of reach of children.
● The vehicle battery contains sulfuric acid which could cause
blindness or serious burn
injuries.