2018.5 OPEL KARL brake

Driving and operating119Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.Brakes
The brake system comprises twoindependent 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 engine is not running, 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 74.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.ABS 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 75.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.

120Driving and operatingFault9Warning
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 no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Manual parking brake9 Warning
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release
button, and apply as firmly as
possible on a downhill or uphill
slope.
To release the parking brake, pull
the lever up slightly, press the
release button and fully lower the
lever.
To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
brake pedal at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 74.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the brake pedal after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further 2 seconds. The brakes release automatically as soon
as the vehicle begins to accelerate or the 2 seconds holding time is over.

Driving and operating121The hill start assist is only active when
the engine is running.Ride control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction Control system (TC) is a component of the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC).
TC improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels start to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator
b extinguishes.
When TC operates b flashes.
9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Deactivation
TC can be switched off when spinning of drive wheels is required: press t
briefly.

122Driving and operating
Control indicator k illuminates.
When TC is deactivated, ESC
remains active.
TC is reactivated by pressing t again.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If there is a fault in the system the
control indicator b illuminates
continuously and a warning code
appears in the Driver Information
Centre. The system is not
operational.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer / oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the wheels are braked individually.
ESC operates in combination with the Traction Control system (TC). It
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
ESC is operational after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator
b extinguishes.
When ESC operates b flashes.
9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 75.
Deactivation
For very high-performance driving
ESC can be deactivated:
Press and hold t for a minimum of
5 seconds. Control indicator t
illuminates.

124Driving and operatingIn the event of a fault in the system,
control indicator c illuminates.
Vehicle messages 3 84.Driver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of approx. 25 km/h
to 170 km/h. Deviations from the
stored speeds may occur when
driving uphill or downhill.
For safety reasons, the cruise control cannot be activated until the brake
pedal has been operated once.
Activating in first gear is not possible.
Do not use the cruise control if it is not advisable to maintain a constant
speed.
On vehicles with manual transmission
automated, cruise control can be
activated in automatic mode and
manual mode.
Control indicator m 3 77.
Switching on the system

Driving and operating125Press m; control indicator m in
instrument cluster illuminates white.
Activation of the functionality Accelerate to the desired speed and
turn thumb wheel to SET/-, the
current speed is stored and
maintained. Control indicator m in
instrument cluster illuminates green. Set speed is indicated on the display.
Accelerator pedal can be released.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the previously stored speed is resumed.
Cruise control remains activated
while gearshifting.
Increase speed
With cruise control active, hold thumb wheel turned to RES/+ or briefly turn
to RES/+ repeatedly: speed
increases continuously or in small
increments.
Alternatively accelerate to the desired
speed and store by turning to SET/-.Reduce speed
With cruise control active, hold thumb wheel turned to SET/- or briefly turn to
SET/- repeatedly: speed decreases
continuously or in small increments.
Deactivation of the functionality
Press y; control indicator m in
instrument cluster illuminates white.
Cruise control is deactivated. Last
stored speed remains in memory for
later speed resume.
Automatic deactivation: ● Vehicle speed is below approx. 25 km/h.
● The brake pedal is depressed.
● The clutch pedal is depressed for
a few seconds.
● The selector lever is in N.
● Engine speed is in a very low range.
● The Traction Control system or Electronic Stability Control is
operating.Resume stored speed
Turn thumb wheel to RES/+ at a
speed above 25 km/h. The stored
speed will be obtained.
Switching off the system
Press m, control indicator m in
instrument cluster extinguishes. The
stored speed is deleted.
Pressing L to activate the speed
limiter or switching off the ignition also switches off cruise control and
deletes the stored speed.
Speed limiter
The speed limiter prevents exceeding a preset maximum speed.
The maximum speed can be set at
speeds above 30 km/h.
The driver can only accelerate up to
the preset speed. Deviations from the
limited speed may occur when driving
downhill.
The preset speed limit is displayed in
the Driver Information Centre when
the system is active.

128Driving and operatingBasic notes on parking assist
systems9 Warning
Under certain circumstances,
various reflective surfaces on
objects or clothing as well as
external noise sources may cause the system to fail to detect
obstacles.
Special attention must be paid to
low obstacles which can damage
the lower part of the bumper.
Caution
Performance of the system can be reduced when sensors are
covered, e.g. by ice or snow.
Performance of the parking assist
system can be reduced due to
heavy loading.
Special conditions apply if there
are taller vehicles in the vicinity
(e.g. off-road vehicles, mini vans,
vans). Object identification and
correct distance indication in the
upper part of these vehicles
cannot be guaranteed.
Objects with a very small reflection
cross-section, e.g. objects of
narrow size or soft materials, may
not be detected by the system.
Parking assist systems do not
detect objects outside the
detection range.
Lane departure warning
The lane departure warning system
observes the lane markings between
which the vehicle is driving via a front camera. The system detects lane
changes and warns the driver in the
event of an unintended lane change
via visual and acoustic signals.
Criteria for the detection of an
unintended lane change are:
● No operation of turn lights.
● No brake pedal operation.
● No active accelerator operation or speeding-up.
● No active steering.
If the driver is performing these
actions, no warning will be issued.
Activation
The lane departure warning system is activated by pressing ). The
illuminated LED in the button
indicates that the system is switched
on. When control indicator ) in the
instrument cluster illuminates green, the system is ready to operate.
The system is only operable at
vehicle speeds above 56 km/h and if lane markings are available.

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.