Driving and operating175The vehicle starts to move when the
brake pedal is released.
To start-off without depressing the
brake pedal, accelerate immediately
after engaging a gear as long as D or
R flashes.
If neither the accelerator nor the
brake pedal are depressed, no gear is engaged and D or R flashes for a
brief time in the display.
Stopping the vehicle
In D, first gear is engaged and the
clutch is released when the vehicle is
stopped. In R, reverse gear remains
engaged.
Engine braking
Automatic mode
When driving downhill, the manual
transmission automated does not shift into higher gears until a fairly
high engine speed has been reached. It shifts down in good time when
braking.Manual mode
To utilise the engine braking effect,
select a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill. Changing into
manual mode is only possible while the engine is running or during an
Autostop.
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between R and D in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
Parking
The most recently engaged gear (see transmission display) remains
engaged when switching off ignition.
With N, no gear is engaged.
Therefore always apply the parking
brake when switching off ignition. If
parking brake is not applied, P flashes
in the transmission display and the
key cannot be removed from the
ignition switch. P stops flashing in the
transmission display as soon as the
parking brake is slightly applied.When the ignition is switched off, the
transmission no longer responds to
movement of the selector lever.
Emergency operation to avoid
freezing of the parking brake 3 166.
Manual mode
If a higher gear is selected when the
engine speed is too low, or a lower
gear when the speed is too high, the
shift is not executed. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or
too high an engine speed. A warning
message is displayed in the Driver
Information Centre. Vehicle
messages 3 123.
If engine speed is too low, the
transmission automatically shifts to a
lower gear.
When + or - is selected in automatic
mode, the transmission switches to
manual mode and shifts accordingly.
Gear shift indication
The symbol R or S with a number
beside is indicated when gearshifting
is recommended for fuel saving
reasons.
Driving and operating2179Warning
Always keep your attention on the
road and maintain proper vehicle
position within the lane, otherwise
vehicle damage, injury or death
could occur.
Lane keep assist does not
continuously steer the vehicle.
The system may not keep the
vehicle in the lane or give an alert,
even if a lane marking is detected.
The steering of the lane keep
assist may not be sufficient to
avoid a lane departure.
The system may not detect hands-
off driving due to external
influences (road condition and
surface, weather etc). The driver
has full responsibility to control the vehicle and is always required tokeep the hands on the steeringwheel while driving.
Using the system while towing a
trailer or on slippery roads could
cause loss of control of the vehicle
and a crash. Switch the system off.
Fuel
Fuel for petrol engines Only use unleaded fuel that complies
with European standard EN 228 or equivalent.
The engine is capable of running with fuel that contains up to 10% ethanol
(e.g. named E10).
Use fuel with the recommended
octane rating. A lower octane rating
can reduce engine power and torque
and slightly increases fuel
consumption.Caution
Do not use fuel or fuel additives
that contain metallic compounds
such as manganese-based
additives. This may cause engine
damage.
Caution
Use of fuel that does not comply to EN 228 or equivalent can lead todeposits or engine damage.
Caution
Use of fuel with a lower octane
rating than the lowest possible
rating could lead to uncontrolled combustion and engine damage.
The engine-specific requirements
regarding octane rating are given in
the engine data overview 3 285. A
country-specific label at the fuel filler
flap can supersede the requirement.
Fuel additives outside Europe
Fuel should contain detergent
additives that help prevent engine
and fuel system deposits from
forming. Clean fuel injectors and
intake valves will allow the emission
control system to work properly.
218Driving and operatingSome fuel does not contain sufficient
quantities of additive to keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean.
To make up for this lack of
detergency, add Fuel System
Treatment PLUS to the fuel tank at
every engine oil change or every
15,000 km, whichever occurs first. It
is available at your workshop.
Fuels containing oxygenates such as
ethers and ethanol, as well as
reformulated fuel, are available in
some cities. If these fuels comply with the previously described
specification, then they are
acceptable to use. However, E85
(85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 15% ethanol
must be used only in FlexFuel
vehicles.Caution
Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also
damage plastic and rubber parts.
This damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Some fuels, mainly high octane
racing fuels, can contain an octane
enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). Do not use fuels or fuel additives with MMT as they can
reduce spark plug life and affect
emission control system
performance. The malfunction
indicator light Z may turn on 3 111.
If this occurs, seek the assistance of
a workshop.
Fuel for diesel engines
Only use diesel fuel that complies
with EN 590 and which has a sulphur
concentration of max. 10 ppm.
Fuels with a biodiesel (compliant with
EN 14214) content of max. 7% by
volume may be used (e.g. named
B7).
If travelling in countries outside the
European Union occasional use of
Euro-Diesel fuel with a sulphur
concentration below 50 ppm is
possible.Caution
Frequent usage of diesel fuel containing more than 15 ppm
sulphur will cause severe engine
damage.
Caution
Use of fuel that does not comply to EN 590 or similar can lead to
engine powerloss, increased wear
or engine damage and may affect
your warranty.
Do not use marine diesel oils, heating
oils, Aquazole and similar diesel-
water emulsions. Diesel fuels must
not be diluted with fuels for petrol
engines.
Low temperature operation At temperatures below 0° C, some
diesel products with biodiesel blends may clog, freeze or gel, which mayaffect the fuel supply system. Starting
and engine operation may not work
Driving and operating219properly. Make sure to fill winter
grade diesel fuel at ambient
temperatures below 0°C.
Arctic grade diesel fuel can be used
in extreme cold temperatures below
-20° C. Using this fuel grade in warm
or hot climates is not recommended
and may cause engine stalling, poor
starting or damage on the fuel
injection system.
Fuel for natural gas
operation
Natural gas is known as CNG
(Compressed Natural Gas).
Use natural gas with a methane
content of approx. 78 - 99%. L-gas
(low) has approx. 78 - 87% and H-gas (high) has approx. 87 - 99%. Biogas
with the same methane content can
also be used if it has been chemically
prepared and desulphurised.
Only use natural gas or biogas that complies with DIN 51624.
Liquid gas or LPG must not be used.Refuelling9 Danger
Before refuelling, switch off
ignition and any external heaters
with combustion chambers.
Follow the operating and safety
instructions of the filling station
when refuelling.
9 Danger
Fuel is flammable and explosive.
No smoking. No naked flames or
sparks.
If you can smell fuel in your
vehicle, have the cause of this
remedied immediately by a
workshop.
Caution
In case of misfuelling, do not
switch on ignition.
Fuel filler flap is located at right rear
side of the vehicle.
220Driving and operating
The fuel filler flap can only be opened
if the vehicle is unlocked. Release the
fuel filler flap by pushing the flap.
Petrol and Diesel refuelling To open, turn the cap slowly
anticlockwise.The fuel filler cap can be retained in
the bracket on the fuel filler flap.
To refuel, fully insert the pump nozzle
and switch it on.
After the automatic cut-off, the tank can be topped up by operating the
pump nozzle a maximum of two more
times.
Caution
Wipe off any overflowing fuel
immediately.
To close, turn the fuel filler cap
clockwise until it clicks.
Close the flap and engage.
Natural gas refuelling
The fuel filler flap can only be opened
if the vehicle is unlocked. Release the
fuel filler flap by pushing the flap.
9 Warning
Refuel only with a maximum
output pressure of 250 bar. Use
only temperature-compensated
filling stations.
The refuelling procedure must be
completed, i.e. the filler neck must be
vented.
Driving and operating221The capacity of the natural gas tank
depends on outside temperature,
filling pressure, gas composition and type of refuelling system. Capacities
3 292.
Close the flap and allow it to engage. Terms for "natural gas vehicles"
abroad:GermanErdgasfahrzeugeEnglishNGVs = Natural Gas Vehi‐
clesFrenchVéhicules au gaz naturel -
or - Véhicules GNVItalianMetano auto
Terms for "natural gas" abroad:
GermanErdgasEnglishCNG = Compressed
Natural GasFrenchGNV = Gaz Naturel (pour)
Véhicules - or -
CGN = carburantgaz
naturelItalianMetano (per auto)Fuel filler cap
Only use genuine fuel filler caps. Diesel-engined vehicles have special fuel filler caps.
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions
Petrol and Diesel engines
The fuel consumption (combined) of
the model Opel Astra is within a range of 6.2 to 3.3 l/100 km.
The CO 2 emission (combined) is
within a range of 142 to 88 g/km.
For the values specific for your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
Natural gas enginesThe gas consumption (combined) of
the model Opel Astra is
4.5 kg/100 km.
The CO 2 emission (combined) is
123 g/km.For the values specific to your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
General information The official fuel consumption and
specific CO 2 emission figures quoted
relate to the EU base model with
standard equipment.
Fuel consumption data and CO 2
emission data are determined
according to regulation R (EC)
No. 715/2007 (in the latest applicable version), taking into consideration the
vehicle weight in running order, as specified by the regulation.
The figures are provided only for the
purpose of comparison between
different vehicle variants and must
not be taken as a guarantee for the
actual fuel consumption of a
particular vehicle. Additional
equipment may result in slightly
higher results than the stated
consumption and CO 2 figures.
222Driving and operatingFurthermore, fuel consumption is
dependent on personal driving style as well as road and traffic conditions.Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
The bulb outage detection function for trailer brake light cannot detect a
partial bulb outage, e.g. in case of four
times five watt bulbs, the function only detects lamp outage when only a
single five Watt lamp remains or none remain.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball
bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle when
not in use.Driving characteristics and
towing tips
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the coupling ball, is being used to reduce snaking movements.
During trailer towing do not exceed a
speed of 80 km/h. A maximum speed
of 100 km/h is only appropriate if an
oscillation damper is used and the
permissible gross trailer weight does
not exceed the vehicle’s curb weight.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers, the use of an
oscillation damper is strongly
recommended.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 293.
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.