2018 OPEL ASTRA J towing

Driving and operating195Trailer towingTrailer loads
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
3 257.
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
100 km/h applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.

198Driving and operatingAttach 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.
Dismounting the coupling ball bar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold away socket.
All versions except 3-door hatchback:
Attach the rear side of the cover into
the recess of the bumper and fold the
front side upward.
Press fastenings outward.
Trailer stability assist
If the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is selectively braked until the snaking
ceases. While system is working keep steering wheel as still as possible.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Control 3 155.

Vehicle care199Vehicle careGeneral Information...................200
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 200
Vehicle storage ........................200
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....201
Vehicle checks ........................... 201
Performing work ......................201
Bonnet ..................................... 201
Engine oil ................................. 202
Engine coolant ......................... 203
Power steering fluid .................204
Washer fluid ............................ 204
Brakes ..................................... 205
Brake fluid ............................... 205
Vehicle battery ......................... 205
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....207
Wiper blade replacement ........207
Bulb replacement .......................208
Halogen headlights ..................208
Adaptive forward lighting .........211
Fog lights ................................. 212
Front turn signal lights .............214
Tail lights ................................. 216
Side turn signal lights ..............219
Number plate light ...................221Interior lights ............................ 221
Instrument panel illumination ...221
Electrical system ........................222
Fuses ....................................... 222
Engine compartment fuse box . 223
Instrument panel fuse box .......225
Load compartment fuse box ....226
Vehicle tools .............................. 227
Tools ........................................ 227
Wheels and tyres .......................229
Winter tyres ............................. 229
Tyre designations ....................229
Tyre pressure .......................... 229
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 231
Tread depth ............................. 234
Changing tyre and wheel size . 234
Wheel covers ........................... 235
Tyre chains .............................. 235
Tyre repair kit .......................... 235
Wheel changing .......................238
Spare wheel ............................ 242
Jump starting ............................. 246
Towing ....................................... 247
Towing the vehicle ...................247
Towing another vehicle ...........248Appearance care .......................249
Exterior care ............................ 249
Interior care ............................. 252

Vehicle care227No.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.

228Vehicle careVehicles 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 3 242.
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 notchback
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 3 242.

Vehicle care243Stowing 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 3 227. 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 notchback
Vehicles equipped with a full size
spare wheel:
A damaged full size wheel must be
stowed outside up in the spare wheel
well secured with the wing nut.

244Vehicle careThe 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 3 227. 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 3 227 and screw it in
hand-tight using the hexagon key
of the wheel wrench.
4. Store the tool box and the damaged wheel with the side
facing upwards, 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 notchback 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 3 227.
4. Place spare wheel facing upwards, in the wheel well and
secure by tightening the wing nut.

Vehicle care245
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
80 km/h. 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 3 235.
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.