2018.5 OPEL KARL Manual user

Vehicle care135Vehicle careGeneral Information...................135
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 135
Vehicle storage ........................136
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....136
Vehicle checks ........................... 137
Performing work ......................137
Bonnet ..................................... 137
Engine oil ................................. 138
Engine coolant ......................... 139
Washer fluid ............................ 140
Brakes ..................................... 140
Brake fluid ............................... 140
Vehicle battery ......................... 140
Wiper blade replacement ........142
Bulb replacement .......................143
Halogen headlights ..................143
Fog lights ................................. 145
Front turn lights .......................145
Tail lights ................................. 146
Side turn lights ......................... 147
Centre high-mounted brake light ......................................... 147
Number plate light ...................148Interior lights ............................ 148
Instrument panel illumination ...148
Electrical system ........................149
Fuses ....................................... 149
Engine compartment fuse box . 150
Instrument panel fuse box .......152
Vehicle tools .............................. 153
Tools ........................................ 153
Wheels and tyres .......................154
Winter tyres ............................. 154
Tyre designations ....................154
Tyre pressure .......................... 155
Tyre pressure monitoring
system .................................... 156
Tread depth ............................. 159
Changing tyre and wheel size . 159 Wheel covers ........................... 160
Tyre chains .............................. 160
Tyre repair kit .......................... 160
Wheel changing .......................163
Spare wheel ............................ 166
Jump starting ............................. 168
Towing ....................................... 169
Towing the vehicle ...................169
Appearance care .......................170
Exterior care ............................ 170
Interior care ............................. 172General 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 warranty
offered by Opel. Furthermore, such
changes may affect driver assistance
systems, fuel consumption, CO 2
emissions and other emissions of the
vehicle. They may also invalidate the
vehicle operating permit.

136Vehicle careCaution
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 the rubber seals.
● Fill up fuel tank completely.
● Change the engine oil.
● Drain the washer fluid reservoir.
● Check the coolant antifreeze and
corrosion protection.
● Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
● Park the vehicle in a dry, wellventilated place. Engage first or
reverse gear. Prevent the vehicle from rolling.
● Do not apply the parking brake.
● Open the 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.End-of-life vehicle recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle
recovery centres and the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles is available on our
website. Only entrust this work to an
authorised recycling centre.
Gas vehicles must be recycled by a
service centre authorised for gas
vehicles.

Vehicle care137Vehicle checks
Performing work9 Warning
Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The cooling fan may start
operating even if the ignition is off.
9 Danger
The ignition system uses
extremely high voltage. Do not
touch.
Bonnet
Opening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
Move the safety catch sideways to the left vehicle side and open the bonnet.

138Vehicle care9Warning
When the engine is hot, touch the
bonnet support rod at the foam
padding only.
Lift the bonnet, remove the bonnet
support rod from the holder and
secure the bonnet support rod
properly.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, make sure that all caps are closed properly, then
press the support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to fall
into the latch 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.
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
3 175.
The maximum engine oil
consumption is 0.6 l per 1000 km.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 5 minutes.Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
reinsert it fully, pull out and read the
engine oil level.
When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top up
engine oil.
We recommend the use of the same
grade of engine oil that was used at
last change.
The engine oil level must not exceed
the MAX mark on the dipstick.

Vehicle care139Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out. If the oil exceeds the maximum level, do
not start the vehicle and contact a
workshop.
Capacities 3 185.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Engine coolant The coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -28 °C. In
northern countries with very low
temperatures the factory filled coolant
provides frost protection down to
approx. -37 °C.
Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant and antifreeze 3 175.
Coolant levelCaution
Too low a coolant level can cause
engine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
To top up use a 1:1 mixture of
released coolant concentrate mixed
with clean tap water. If no coolant
concentrate is available, use clean
tap water. Install the cap tightly. Have
the coolant concentration checked
and have the cause of the coolant
loss remedied by a workshop.

140Vehicle careWasher 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.
Washer fluid 3 175.
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 fluid9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
If fluid level is below MIN seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 175.
Vehicle battery
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 vehicle battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.

Vehicle care141
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 vehicle battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from
the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off
before connecting or disconnecting
the vehicle battery.
Battery discharge protection 3 99.
Disconnecting the battery
If the vehicle's battery is to be
disconnected (e.g. for maintenance
work), the alarm siren must be
deactivated as follows: Switch the
ignition on then off, then disconnect
the vehicle's battery within
15 seconds.
Replacing the vehicle battery
Note
Any deviation from the instructions
given in this section may lead to
temporary deactivation or
disturbance of the stop-start system.
When the vehicle battery is being
replaced, please ensure that there
are no open ventilation holes in the
vicinity of the positive terminal. If a
ventilation hole is open in this area, it
must be closed off with a dummy cap, and the ventilation in the vicinity of the
negative terminal must be opened.
Ensure that the battery is always
replaced by the same type of battery.
We recommend the use of an original
Opel battery.
Note
Using an AGM vehicle battery
different from the original Opel
vehicle battery may result in a lower performance.
We recommend that you have the
vehicle battery replaced by a
workshop.Charging the vehicle battery9 Warning
On vehicles with stop-start
system, ensure that the charging potential does not exceed 14.6 V
when using a battery charger.
Otherwise the vehicle battery may be damaged.
Jump starting 3 168.
Stop-start system 3 111.
Warning label

142Vehicle careMeaning of symbols:● No sparks, naked flames or smoking.
● Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
● Keep the vehicle battery out of the reach of children.
● The vehicle battery contains sulfuric acid which could cause
blindness or serious burn
injuries.
● See the Owner's manual for further information.
● Explosive gas may be present in the vicinity of the battery.Wiper blade replacement
Windscreen
Lift the wiper arm. Press release lever
and detach the wiper blade.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled to the wiper arm and push until it
engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.
Rear window
Lift wiper arm. Push the wiper blade,
slightly angled to the wiper arm
downwards until it disengages.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled
to the wiper arm and push until it
engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.