2017 OPEL ASTRA J towing

196Driving and operatingThe permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 257.
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.Rear axle load
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by 60 kg , the gross vehicle weight rating
may be exceeded by 60 kg. If the
permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
100 km/h applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
stowed in the rear stowage
compartment on the floor.
Place the strap through the lashing
eye, wrap around twice and tighten
the strap to secure the bag.

198Driving and operating
● Pull out rotary knob and turnclockwise as far as it will go.
Inserting the coupling ball bar
Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar
in the opening and push firmly
upwards until it audibly engages.
The rotary handle snaps back into its
original position resting against the
coupling ball bar without a gap.9 Warning
Do not touch rotary handle during
insertion.
Lock the coupling ball bar by turning
the key to position e. Remove the key
and close the protective flap.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach breakaway stopping cable to
eye.
Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly installed
● Green marking on rotary knob must point towards green
marking on coupling ball bar.
● There must be no gap between the rotary handle and the
coupling ball bar.
● The coupling ball bar must be firmly engaged in the opening.
● The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when a coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bardoes not engage correctly, seekthe assistance of a workshop.

200Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................201
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 201
Vehicle storage ........................201
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....202
Vehicle checks ........................... 202
Performing work ......................202
Bonnet ..................................... 202
Engine oil ................................. 203
Engine coolant ......................... 204
Power steering fluid .................205
Washer fluid ............................ 205
Brakes ..................................... 206
Brake fluid ............................... 206
Vehicle battery ......................... 206
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....208
Wiper blade replacement ........208
Bulb replacement .......................209
Halogen headlights ..................209
Adaptive forward lighting .........212
Fog lights ................................. 213
Front turn signal lights .............215
Tail lights ................................. 217
Side turn signal lights ..............220
Number plate light ...................222Interior lights ............................ 222
Instrument panel illumination ...222
Electrical system ........................223
Fuses ....................................... 223
Engine compartment fuse box . 224
Instrument panel fuse box .......226
Load compartment fuse box ....227
Vehicle tools .............................. 228
Tools ........................................ 228
Wheels and tyres .......................230
Winter tyres ............................. 230
Tyre designations ....................230
Tyre pressure .......................... 230
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 232
Tread depth ............................. 235
Changing tyre and wheel size . 235
Wheel covers ........................... 236
Tyre chains .............................. 236
Tyre repair kit .......................... 236
Wheel changing .......................239
Spare wheel ............................ 243
Jump starting ............................. 247
Towing ....................................... 248
Towing the vehicle ...................248
Towing another vehicle ...........249Appearance care .......................250
Exterior care ............................ 250
Interior care ............................. 253

228Vehicle careNo.Circuit1–2Trailer outlet3Parking assist4–5–6–7Power seat8–9–10–11Trailer module/Trailer socket12Trailer module13Trailer outlet14Rear seat/Electrical folding15–16Interior mirror17Power outletNo.Circuit18–19Steering wheel heating20Sunroof21Heated front seats22–23–24–25–26Deactivated logistic mode27–28–29–30–31Amplifier/Subwoofer32Active damping system/Lane
departure warningVehicle tools
Tools
Vehicles with tyre repair kit Some tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a tool box in the load
compartment below the floor cover.3-door hatchback

Vehicle care2294-door notchback
Vehicles with spare wheel
Variant 1a: 3-door hatchback with
rigid wheel wrenchThe jack, the tools and a strap for
securing a damaged wheel are in the
tool box below the spare wheel in the load compartment. The wheel wrenchand the towing eye are in the tool bag
located in the spare wheel well near
the tool box. Spare wheel 3 243.Variant 1b: 3-door hatchback with
foldable wheel wrench
Same content as variant 1a, but with
a foldable wheel wrench instead of
the rigid wheel wrench located in the
tool bag.
Variant 3: 4-door notchback
The jack and the tools are in the tool
box below the spare wheel in the load
compartment. The wheel wrench, the towing eye and an extension bolt for
securing a damaged wheel (only
vehicles with temporary spare wheel)
are in the tool bag located in the spare wheel well near the tool box. Spare
wheel 3 243.

244Vehicle careStowing a damaged full size
wheel in the load compartment,
3-door hatchback
The spare wheel well is not designed for other tyre sizes than the spare
wheel. A damaged full size wheel
must be stowed in the load
compartment and secured with a
strap. Vehicle tools 3 228. To secure
the wheel:
1. Position the wheel facing upwards, close to one sidewall of
the load compartment.
2. Place the loop end of the strap through the front lashing eye on
the appropriate side.
3. Place the hook end of the strap through the loop and pull it until
the strap is fastened securely to
the lashing eye.
4. Insert the strap through the spokes of the wheel as shown in
the illustration.
5. Mount the hook to the rear lashing
eye.
6. Tighten the strap and secure it using the buckle.
9 Danger
Always drive with folded up and
engaged rear seat backrests when stowing a damaged full size wheel
in the load compartment.
Stowing a damaged full size
wheel in the spare wheel well,
4-door notchback
Vehicles equipped with a full size
spare wheel:
A damaged full size wheel must be
stowed outside up in the spare wheel
well secured with the wing nut.

Vehicle care245The floor cover can be placed on the
projecting wheel.Vehicles equipped with a temporary
spare wheel:
Secure a damaged full size wheel
facing upwards with the wing nut in the spare wheel well after exchanging
the thread bolt by an extension bolt,
placed in the tool bag 3 228. To
replace the bolt:
1. Install the hexagon key of the wheel wrench ensuring that it
locates securely on the bolt.
2. Turn the wheel wrench anticlockwise to loosen the bolt.
Remove the bolt.
3. Take the extension bolt from the tool bag 3 228 and screw it in
hand-tight using the hexagon key
of the wheel wrench.
4. Store the tool box and the damaged wheel with the side
facing upwards, in the spare
wheel well and secure it by turning
the wing nut clockwise on the bolt.
The floor cover can be placed on the
projecting wheel.
Replace the extension bolt with the short bolt before placing the
temporary spare wheel in the well
after renewing or repairing the
defective wheel.
Stowing the spare wheel back in
the well after replacing the
damaged wheel
1. Open the floor cover, loosen and remove wing nut.
Only 3-door hatchback: open floor
cover, remove rear storage,
loosen and remove wing nut and
conus.
2. Only 4-door notchback with temporary spare wheel: replace
the extension bolt with the short
bolt by using the hexagon key of
the wheel wrench.
3. Place the tools in the tool box or the tool bag 3 228.
4. Place spare wheel facing upwards, in the wheel well and
secure by tightening the wing nut.

246Vehicle care
Only 3-door hatchback: position
the excentric conus in the recess
of the spare wheel before
tightening the wing nut.
5. Close floor cover and insert rear storage (only 3-door hatchback).
9 Warning
Storing a jack, a wheel or other
equipment in the load
compartment could cause injury if they are not secured properly.
During a sudden stop or a
collision, loose equipment could strike someone.
Always store jack and tools in the
respective storage compartments
and secure them by fixing.
Damaged wheel placed in the load compartment must always be
secured with the strap.
Temporary spare wheel
Caution
The use of a spare wheel that is smaller than the other wheels or in combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
80 km/h. Take curves slowly. Do not use for a long period of time.
If your vehicle gets a flat tyre on the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel at
the front and the full tyre at the rear.
Tyre chains 3 236.
Spare wheel with directional tyre
Fit directional tyres such that they roll in the direction of travel. The rolling
direction is indicated by a symbol
(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
● Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed
or repaired as soon as possible
and fit it instead of the spare
wheel.
● Drive particularly carefully on wet
and snow-covered road
surfaces.