2018.5 OPEL AMPERA E ESP

156Driving and operatingAt low vehicle speeds, R can be used
to rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice, or sand without
damaging the electric drive unit.
N : In this position, the propulsion
system does not transfer torque to the
wheels. To restart the propulsion
system when the vehicle is already
moving, use D only.
The vehicle is not designed to stay in N for extended periods of time. It will
automatically shift into P.
To shift into and out of N:
● To shift into N, move the selector
lever forward until N is illuminated
in red.
● If the vehicle is in P, press the
release button while pressing the selector lever forward until N is
illuminated in red.
To shift out of N, bring the vehicle
to a complete stop and shift into the desired gear.D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing,
and the vehicle speed is:
● less than 56 km/h, push the accelerator pedal about halfway
down.
● about 56 km/h or more, push the accelerator pedal all the way
down.Caution
If the vehicle seems to accelerate
slowly or not respond when you try to go faster, do not continue your
journey. The electric drive unit
could be damaged. Consult a
workshop as soon as possible.
Note
In slippery conditions, operate the
vehicle in D for enhanced riding and
handling performance.
To shift into and out of D:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. To shift into D, move the selector
lever back. If the vehicle is in P,
press the release button while
pressing the selector lever back.
D is illuminated in red.
To shift out of D, shift to the
desired gear.
When stopping on a steep hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
When shifting into P on a hill, use the
brakes to hold the vehicle. Then shift
into P.
L : This position reduces vehicle
speed without using the brakes. Use
L on very steep hills, in deep snow, in
mud or in stop-and-go traffic.Caution
Spinning the tyres or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the accelerator pedal may
damage the electric drive unit. If you are stuck, do not spin the
tyres. When stopping on a hill, use
the brakes to hold the vehicle in
place.

158Driving and operatingCar wash mode (vehicle off) - driver
out of vehicle
To place the vehicle in N with the
vehicle off and unoccupied:
1. Apply the brake pedal.2. Open the door.
3. Shift to N.
4. Turn off the vehicle and release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat steps
1-4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door.
The vehicle is now ready for the
car wash.
Car wash mode (vehicle on) - driver
in vehicle
To place the vehicle in N with the
vehicle on and occupied:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Shift to N.
3. Release the brake pedal.
The vehicle is now ready for the
car wash.Car wash mode (vehicle on) - driver
out of vehicle
To place the vehicle in N with the
vehicle on and unoccupied:
1. Apply the brake pedal.2. Open the door.
3. Shift to N.
4. Release the brake pedal.
5. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, repeat steps
1-4.
6. Exit the vehicle and close the door.
The vehicle is now ready for the
car wash.
The vehicle may have
automatically shifted to P upon re-
entry.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 vehicle is switched off, 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 79.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.

Driving and operating159ABS 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 79.
Fault9 Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS
are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can nolonger be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Electric parking brake
The electric parking brake can always
be activated, even if the vehicle is
switched off.
Do not operate electric parking brake
system too often when the vehicle is
switched off as this will discharge the 12 V vehicle battery.
In case of insufficient electric power,
the electric parking brake cannot be
applied or released.
Applying when vehicle is stationary9 Warning
Pull switch m for a minimum of
1 second until control indicator m
illuminates constantly and electric
parking brake is applied 3 79 . The
electric parking brake operates automatically with adequate force.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the electric parking brake status.
Control indicator m 3 79.
1. Be sure the vehicle is at a
complete stop.
2. Pull switch m for approx.
1 second.

164Driving and operatingFor very high-performance driving,
ESC can be deactivated:
Press and hold b until k and a
illuminate and a message appears in the Driver Information Centre.
ESC is reactivated by pressing the
b button again.
If cruise control is being used when
ESC is activated, cruise control will
automatically disengage. Press the
cruise control button to re-engage if
road conditions allow.
Cruise control 3 164.
Fault
If there is a fault in the system the
control indicator b illuminates
continuously and a message appears
in the Driver Information Centre. The
system is not operational.
Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.Resetting
If b illuminates and remains
illuminated, reset the system as
follows:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Switch off the vehicle and wait for
15 seconds.
3. Switch on the vehicle. If b still illuminates and remains
illuminated, seek the assistance
of a workshop.Driver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver stays in full control of
the vehicle and accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation and follow applicable
traffic rules.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of approx. 25 km/h
or more.
Deviations from the stored speeds may occur when driving uphill or
downhill.

Driving and operating167Exceeding the speed limit
When exceeding the limited speed
without driver input, the speed will
flash in the Driver Information Centre
and a chime sounds during this
period.
In the event of an emergency, it is possible to exceed the speed limit by
depressing the accelerator pedal
firmly nearly to the final point. In this
case no chime sounds.
Release the accelerator pedal and
the speed limiter function is
reactivated once a speed lower than
the limit speed is obtained.
Deactivation of the functionality
The limited speed will be stored and
is indicated in brackets in the Driver
Information Centre. Additionally, a
corresponding message appears.
Speed limiter is deactivated, but not
switched off. Last stored speed
remains in memory for later speed
resume.Resume limit speed
Press RES/+ . The stored speed limit
will be obtained.
Switching off the system
Press L, the speed limit indication
extinguishes in the Driver Information Centre. The stored speed is deleted.
By pressing m to activate cruise
control or adaptive cruise control,
speed limiter is also deactivated and
the stored speed is deleted.
By switching off the vehicle, speed
limiter is also deactivated, but the
speed limit will be stored for next
speed limiter activation.
Forward collision alert The forward collision alert may help to
avoid or reduce the harm caused by
front-end crashes.
The forward collision alert uses the
front camera system in the
windscreen to detect a vehicle
directly ahead, in your path, within a
distance of approx. 60 m.
A vehicle ahead is indicated by the
control indicator A.
If a vehicle directly ahead is
approached too quickly, a warning
chime is sounded.
Additionally, the driver is notified by a flashing red LED stripe which is
projected on the windscreen in the
driver's field of view.
A precondition is that forward collision alert is not deactivated in the vehicle
personalisation 3 91.
Activation
Forward collision alert operates
automatically above 8 km/h, if it is not deactivated in the vehicle
personalisation menu.

168Driving and operatingAlerting the driver
The vehicle ahead control indicator
A illuminates green in the instrument
cluster when the system has detected
a vehicle in the driving path.
The control indicator A changes to
yellow when the distance to a
preceding moving vehicle gets too
small or when approaching another
vehicle too rapidly.Caution
The colour lighting of this control
indicator does not correspond to
local traffic laws on following
distance. The driver bears full
responsibility for maintaining safe
following distance according to
applicable traffic rules, weather
and road conditions etc. at all
times.
When the time to a potential collision
with a vehicle in front gets too small
and a collision is imminent, the driver
is notified by a flashing red LED stripe which is projected on the windscreen
in the driver's field of view.
Simultaneously a warning chime
sounds. Depress the brake pedal and
steer the vehicle, if it is required by the
situation.
Selecting the alert sensitivity
The alert sensitivity to near, medium
or far.Press V, the current setting is shown
on the Driver Information Centre.
Press V repeatedly to change the
alert sensitivity. The selected setting is also displayed in the Driver
Information Centre. The last selected setting will be stored when the vehicle
is switched off.

Driving and operating169
DeactivationThe system can be deactivated in the
personalisation menu 3 91.
The forward collision alert will be activated again with the last selected
alert sensitivity when the vehicle is
switched on next time.
General information
9 Warning
Forward collision alert is just a
warning system and does not
apply the brakes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
rapidly, it may not provide you
enough time to avoid a collision.
The driver accepts full
responsibility for the appropriate
following distance based on traffic, weather and visibility conditions.
The complete attention of the
driver is always required while
driving. The driver must always be
ready to take action and apply the
brakes.
System limitations
Forward collision alert is designed to warn about vehicles only, but may
react also to other objects.
In the following cases, forward
collision alert may not detect a vehicle ahead or sensor performance is
limited:
● on winding roads
● when weather limits visibility, such as fog, rain, or snow
● when the sensor is blocked by snow, ice, slush, mud, dirt,
windscreen damage or affected
by foreign items, e.g. stickers
Following distance
indication
The following distance indication
displays the distance in seconds to a
preceding moving vehicle. The front
camera in the windscreen is used to
detect the distance of a vehicle
directly ahead in the vehicle's path. It
is active at speeds above 8 km/h.
When a preceding vehicle is detected
ahead, the distance is indicated in
seconds, displayed on a page in the
Driver Information Centre.
Select Information menu via steering
wheel buttons and press G to select
following distance indication 3 82.
The minimum indicated distance is
0.5 seconds.
If there is no vehicle ahead or the vehicle ahead is out of range, two
dashes will be displayed: -.- sec.

170Driving and operatingActive emergency braking
Active emergency braking can help to reduce the damage and injury from
crashes with vehicles, pedestrians
and obstacles directly ahead, when a
collision can no longer be avoided
either by manual braking or by
steering. Before the active
emergency braking applies, the driver is warned by the forward collision
alert 3 167 and front pedestrian
protection 3 172.
The feature uses various inputs (e.g.
camera sensor, brake pressure,
vehicle speed) to calculate the
probability of a frontal collision.9 Warning
This system is not intended to
replace the driver responsibility for driving the vehicle and looking
ahead. Its function is limited to
supplemental use only to reduce
the vehicle speed before a
collision.
The system may not react to
animals. After a sudden lane
change, the system needs a
certain time to detect the next
preceding vehicle.
The driver must always be ready
to take action and apply the brakes and steer to avoid collisions.
Functionality
If equipped only with front camera the
active emergency braking operates in
a forward gear above walking speed
up to 80 km/h.
A precondition is that the system is
not deactivated in the vehicle
personalisation menu 3 91.
The system includes: ● brake preparation system
● emergency automatic braking
● forward looking brake assist
● front pedestrian protection system
Brake preparation system
When approaching a vehicle ahead
or a pedestrian so quickly that a
collision is likely, the brake
preparation system slightly
pressurises the brakes. This reduces
the response time, when a manual or automatic braking is requested.
The brake system is prepared so that braking can occur more rapidly.
If equipped only with front camera the
system operates up to a speed of
80 km/h.
Emergency automatic braking
After activation of brake preparation
system and just before the imminent
collision, this function automatically
applies limited braking to reduce the
impact speed of the collision or
prevent a crash.
Depending on the situation, the
vehicle may automatically brake
moderately or hard. This front
automatic braking can only occur if a
vehicle ahead is detected, indicated
by the vehicle ahead indicator A
3 167. On vehicles with front