2018 OPEL ASTRA K Manual user

Driving and operating223Trailer 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 12%.
The permissible trailer load applies
up to the specified incline and at 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 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
3 280.
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 40 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.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
stowed on the rear floor cover in the
load compartment.
Place the strap through the rear right
lashing eye, wrap around twice and
tighten the strap to secure the bag.
Illustration shows 5-door hatchback.

224Driving and operating
Illustration shows Sports Tourer.Fitting the coupling ball bar
On Sports Tourer remove cover from
rear bumper by pushing.
Disengage and fold down the
connecting socket. Remove the
sealing plug from the opening for the
coupling ball bar and stow it.
Checking the tensioning of the
coupling ball bar
● Red marking on rotary knob must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
● The gap between the rotary knob
and the coupling ball bar must be approx. 6 mm.
● The key must be in position c.
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before being inserted:
● Unlock coupling ball bar by turning key to position c.

Driving and operating225
● 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.

226Driving and operatingDismounting 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 connecting socket.
On Sports Tourer insert cover into
rear bumper as shown in the
illustration.
Stow the coupling ball bar in the bag
and secure by fixing the strap through the rear right lashing eye. Wrap
around twice and tighten the strap to
secure the bag.
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 is a function of
the Electronic Stability Control 3 180.

Vehicle care227Vehicle careGeneral Information...................227
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 227
Vehicle storage ........................228
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....228
Vehicle checks ........................... 229
Performing work ......................229
Bonnet ..................................... 229
Engine oil ................................. 230
Engine coolant ......................... 231
Washer fluid ............................ 232
Brakes ..................................... 232
Brake fluid ............................... 232
Vehicle battery ......................... 233
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....234
Wiper blade replacement ........234
Bulb replacement .......................235
Halogen headlights ..................235
Fog lights ................................. 237
Tail lights ................................. 238
Side turn signal lights ..............244
Number plate light ...................244
Interior lights ............................ 245
Instrument panel illumination ...245Electrical system ........................245
Fuses ....................................... 245
Engine compartment fuse box . 246
Instrument panel fuse box .......248
Load compartment fuse box ....250
Vehicle tools .............................. 252
Tools ........................................ 252
Wheels and tyres .......................254
Winter tyres ............................. 254
Tyre designations ....................254
Tyre pressure .......................... 254
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 255
Tread depth ............................. 259
Changing tyre and wheel size . 260 Wheel covers ........................... 260
Tyre chains .............................. 260
Tyre repair kit .......................... 261
Wheel changing .......................264
Spare wheel ............................ 266
Jump starting ............................. 269
Towing ....................................... 271
Towing the vehicle ...................271
Towing another vehicle ...........272
Appearance care .......................273
Exterior care ............................ 273
Interior care ............................. 274General 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, may impact fuel
consumption, CO 2 emissions and
other emissions of the vehicle and
cause the vehicle to no longer
conform to the operating permit,
impacting the validity of your vehicle
registration.

228Vehicle 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 or set selector lever
to P. 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, where legally required. Only
entrust this work to an authorised
recycling centre.

Vehicle care229Vehicle 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.
Secure the bonnet support.

230Vehicle careIf the bonnet is opened during anAutostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and let it 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
3 277.
The maximum engine oil
consumption is 0.6 litres per
1000 km.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least five minutes.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
reinsert fully, pull out and read the
engine oil level.
Different dipsticks are used
depending on engine variant.