2017 OPEL MERIVA power steering

Driving and operating167Driving 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
1100 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 3 235.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
3 224.
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.

Vehicle care171Vehicle careGeneral Information...................172
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 172
Vehicle storage ........................172
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....172
Vehicle checks ........................... 173
Performing work ......................173
Bonnet ..................................... 173
Engine oil ................................. 174
Engine coolant ......................... 175
Power steering fluid .................176
Washer fluid ............................ 176
Brakes ..................................... 176
Brake fluid ............................... 176
Vehicle battery ......................... 177
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....179
Wiper blade replacement ........179
Bulb replacement .......................180
Halogen headlights ..................180
Adaptive forward lighting .........182
Fog lights ................................. 184
Front turn signal lights .............184
Tail lights ................................. 185
Side turn signal lights ..............188
Number plate light ...................188Interior lights ............................ 189
Instrument panel illumination ...189
Electrical system ........................189
Fuses ....................................... 189
Engine compartment fuse box . 191
Instrument panel fuse box .......193
Load compartment fuse box ....194
Vehicle tools .............................. 195
Tools ........................................ 195
Wheels and tyres .......................196
Winter tyres ............................. 196
Tyre designations ....................196
Tyre pressure .......................... 197
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 198
Tread depth ............................. 201
Changing tyre and wheel size . 201
Wheel covers ........................... 202
Tyre chains .............................. 202
Tyre repair kit .......................... 202
Wheel changing .......................207
Spare wheel ............................ 210
Jump starting ............................. 213
Towing ....................................... 214
Towing the vehicle ...................214
Towing another vehicle ...........215Appearance care .......................216
Exterior care ............................ 216
Interior care ............................. 218

176Vehicle carethe 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 ................................ 90
Fuse box ..................................... 191
Fuses ......................................... 189
G Gauges ......................................... 89
General information ...................166
Glovebox ..................................... 61
Graphic-Info-Display, Colour- Info-Display ............................ 104
H Halogen headlights ....................180
Hand brake ......................... 150, 151
Hazard warning flashers ............124
Headlight flash ........................... 122
Headlight range adjustment ......122
Headlights .......................... 120, 122
Headlights when driving abroad 122
Head restraint adjustment .............8
Head restraints ............................ 35
Heated mirrors ............................. 30
Heated rear window ..................... 33
Heated steering wheel .................82
Heating ........................................ 41
Heating and ventilation system . 129
High beam ......................... 100, 122
Hill start assist ........................... 152
Horn ....................................... 14, 83I
Identification plate .....................224
Ignition switch positions .............140
Immobiliser ............................ 29, 99
Indicators ...................................... 89
Information displays.................... 101
Instrument cluster ........................89
Instrument panel fuse box .........193
Instrument panel illumination .....189
Instrument panel illumination control .................................... 126
Instrument panel overview ........... 10
Interior care ............................... 218
Interior lighting ............................ 126
Interior lights ...................... 126, 189
Interior mirrors .............................. 30
Interruption of power supply ......148
Introduction .................................... 3
ISOFIX child restraint systems ....60
J
Jump starting ............................. 213
K Keys ............................................. 20
Keys, locks ................................... 20
Keys, memorised settings ............22
L Lashing eyes ............................... 76
Light covers, misted.................... 125Lighting features .........................127
Light switch ................................ 120
Load compartment ................27, 73
Load compartment cover .............74
Load compartment fuse box ......194
Loading information .....................79
Low fuel ....................................... 99
M Malfunction indicator light ............96
Manual anti-dazzle ......................30
Manual mode ............................. 148
Manual transmission .................. 149
Manual windows ..........................31
Memorised settings ......................22
Midlevel-Display ......................... 101
Mirror adjustment ........................... 8
Misted light covers .....................125
Moonroof ..................................... 34
N New vehicle running-in ..............140
Number plate light .....................188
O
Object detection systems ...........156
Octane rating .............................. 228
Odometer ..................................... 89
Oil ............................................... 174
Oil, engine .......................... 221, 225
Oil pressure .................................. 99

247OnStar........................................ 116
Operate pedal ............................... 96
Outside temperature ....................85
Overrun cut-off ........................... 142
P
Parking ................................ 18, 144
Parking assist ............................ 156
Parking brake ............................ 151
Parking lights ............................. 125
Particulate filter ........................... 145
Performance .............................. 230
Performing work ........................173
Personalisation ........................... 112
Pollen filter ................................. 137
Power outlets ............................... 87
Power steering fluid ....................176
Power windows ............................ 31
Preheating ................................... 98
Puncture ..................................... 207
Q
Quickheat ................................... 136
R Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ..................................... 243
Radio remote control ...................21
Reading lights ............................ 127
Rear carrier system ......................64
Rear doors ................................... 26Rear floor storage cover ..............75
Rear fog light ............................. 100
Rear fog lights ........................... 125
Rear seats .................................... 42
Rear storage ................................. 74
Rear view camera ...................... 158
Rear window wiper/washer .......... 85 Recommended fluids and lubricants ........................ 221, 225
Reduced engine power ................99
Refuelling ................................... 162
Remote control ............................. 21
Retained power off .....................140
Reversing lights .........................125
Ride control systems ..................153
Roof .............................................. 34
Roof load ...................................... 79
Roof rack ..................................... 79
S Safety belts ................................... 45
Safety net .................................... 76
Seat adjustment ....................... 6, 38
Seat belt ........................................ 8
Seat belt reminder .......................95
Seat belts ..................................... 45
Seat heating ................................. 41
Seat position ................................ 37
Selector lever ............................. 147
Service ............................... 137, 220Service display ............................ 91
Service information ....................220
Service vehicle soon .................... 96
Side airbag system ......................52
Sidelights .................................... 120
Side turn signal lights ................188
Software acknowledgement .......240
Spare wheel ............................... 210
Speedometer ............................... 89
Starting and operating ................140
Starting off ................................... 17
Starting the engine ....................141
Steering ...................................... 140
Steering wheel adjustment ......9, 82
Steering wheel controls ...............82
Steering wheel, heated .................82
Stop-start system........................ 142
Storage ......................................... 61
Storage compartments .................61
Sunvisor lights ........................... 127
Sun visors .................................... 33
Symbols ......................................... 4
T
Tachometer ................................. 89
Tailgate ......................................... 27
Tail lights ................................... 185
Technical data ............................ 228
Three-point seat belt .................... 46
Tools .......................................... 195