2018.5 VAUXHALL ASTRA J GTC towing

194Driving and operatingThe permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 256.
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
60 mph 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.

196Driving 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.

198Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................199
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 199
Vehicle storage ........................199
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....200
Vehicle checks ........................... 200
Performing work ......................200
Bonnet ..................................... 200
Engine oil ................................. 201
Engine coolant ......................... 202
Power steering fluid .................203
Washer fluid ............................ 203
Brakes ..................................... 204
Brake fluid ............................... 204
Vehicle battery ......................... 204
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....206
Wiper blade replacement ........206
Bulb replacement .......................207
Halogen headlights ..................207
Adaptive forward lighting .........210
Fog lights ................................. 211
Front turn lights .......................213
Tail lights ................................. 215
Side turn lights ......................... 218
Number plate light ...................220Interior lights ............................ 220
Instrument panel illumination ...220
Electrical system ........................221
Fuses ....................................... 221
Engine compartment fuse box . 222
Instrument panel fuse box .......224
Load compartment fuse box ....225
Vehicle tools .............................. 226
Tools ........................................ 226
Wheels and tyres .......................228
Winter tyres ............................. 228
Tyre designations ....................228
Tyre pressure .......................... 229
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 230
Tread depth ............................. 233
Changing tyre and wheel size . 233
Wheel covers ........................... 234
Tyre chains .............................. 234
Tyre repair kit .......................... 234
Wheel changing .......................237
Spare wheel ............................ 241
Jump starting ............................. 245
Towing ....................................... 246
Towing the vehicle ...................246
Towing another vehicle ...........247Appearance care .......................248
Exterior care ............................ 248
Interior care ............................. 251

226Vehicle 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 without spare wheel Some tools and the towing eye are
located in a tool box in the load
compartment below the floor cover.

Vehicle care227Vehicles with spare wheelVariant 1a: 3-door hatchback with
rigid wheel wrench
The 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 3 241.
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 2: 4-door saloon
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 3 241.

242Vehicle 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 3 226. 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 saloon
Vehicles equipped with a full size spare wheel:
A damaged full size wheel must be
stowed facing upwards in the spare
wheel well secured with the wing nut.

Vehicle care243The 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 3 226. 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 3 226 and screw it in
hand-tight using the hexagon key
of the wheel wrench.
4. Store the tool box and the damaged wheel outside up 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 saloon 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 3 226.
4. Place spare wheel facing upwards, in the wheel well and
secure by tightening the wing nut.

244Vehicle 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
50 mph. 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 3 234.
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.