Driving and operating139Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Vehicles with natural gas engine may
require special towing equipment.
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.
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.
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.For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1300 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 80 km/h.
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 3 191.
Trailer towing
Trailer 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
3 181.
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.
140Driving and operatingThe maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (60 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 The permissible axle loads (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) must not be exceeded.
Vehicle care141Vehicle careGeneral Information...................141
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 141
Vehicle storage ........................142
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....142
Vehicle checks ........................... 143
Performing work ......................143
Bonnet ..................................... 143
Engine oil ................................. 144
Engine coolant ......................... 145
Power steering fluid .................145
Washer fluid ............................ 146
Brakes ..................................... 146
Brake fluid ............................... 146
Vehicle battery ......................... 147
Wiper blade replacement ........148
Bulb replacement .......................149
Halogen headlights ..................149
Fog lights ................................. 151
Tail lights ................................. 151
Side turn signal lights ..............152
Centre high-mounted brake light ......................................... 152
Number plate light ...................153Interior lights ............................ 154
Instrument panel illumination ...155
Electrical system ........................155
Fuses ....................................... 155
Engine compartment fuse box . 156
Instrument panel fuse box .......157
Vehicle tools .............................. 159
Tools ........................................ 159
Wheels and tyres .......................160
Winter tyres ............................. 160
Tyre designations ....................160
Tyre pressure .......................... 160
Tyre pressure monitoring
system .................................... 161
Tread depth ............................. 163
Changing tyre and wheel size . 163 Wheel covers ........................... 163
Tyre chains .............................. 164
Tyre repair kit .......................... 164
Wheel changing .......................166
Spare wheel ............................ 168
Jump starting ............................. 170
Towing ....................................... 172
Towing the vehicle ...................172
Towing another vehicle ...........173
Appearance care .......................173
Exterior care ............................ 173
Interior care ............................. 176General 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 warrantyoffered 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.
Vehicle care153Number plate light
Tailgate
1. Insert screwdriver as indicated by
the arrows, press to the side and
release the bulb housing.
2. Turn the bulb holder anticlockwise
to remove from the bulb housing.
Remove the bulb by pulling.
3. Replace the bulb.
4. Insert bulb holder in bulb housing and rotate clockwise
5. Install the bulb housing ensuring it
engages correctly.
Rear doors
1. Insert screwdriver as indicated by
the arrows, press to the left and
release the bulb housing.
2. Press bulb slightly towards spring
clip and remove.
3. Replace the bulb.
4. Install the bulb housing ensuring it
engages correctly.
166Vehicle care
If tyre pressure is more than
1.8 bar , set it to the correct value.
Repeat the procedure until there
is no more loss of pressure.
If the tyre pressure has fallen
below 1.8 bar, the vehicle must
not be used. Seek the assistance
of a workshop.
15. Stow away tyre repair kit in load compartment.
Note
The driving characteristics of the
repaired tyre are severely affected,
therefore have this tyre replaced.
If unusual noise is heard or the
compressor becomes hot, turn
compressor off and allow to cool.
Note the expiry date of the kit. After
this date its sealing capability is no
longer guaranteed. Pay attention to
storage information on sealant
bottle.
Replace the used sealant bottle.
Dispose of the bottle as prescribed
by applicable laws.
The compressor and sealant can be used from approx. -20 °C.
Replacing the sealant canister
To replace the sealant canister: 1. Disconnect the compressor air hose.2. Turn the canister anticlockwise to lift it out.
3. Insert the new canister and turn it clockwise.
4. Connect the compressor air hose to the canister and fit the flexible
filler tube into its allocated space.
Wheel changing
Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel 3 164.
Make the following preparations and
observe the following information:
● Park the vehicle on a level, firm and non-skid surface. The front
wheels must be in the straight- ahead position.
● Apply the parking brake and engage first or reverse gear.
● Remove the spare wheel 3 168.
● Never change more than one wheel at once.
● Use the jack only to change wheels in case of puncture, not
for seasonal winter or summer
tyre change.
168Vehicle carethe jacking point in a manner that
prevents it from slipping.
With the jack correctly aligned,
rotate until wheel is clear of the
ground.
5. Unscrew the wheel nuts. 6. Change the wheel. Spare wheel 3 168.
7. Screw on the wheel nuts.
8. Lower vehicle.
9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring that it is securely located and
tighten each nut in a crosswise
sequence. Tightening torque is
85 Nm (steel wheel) or 120 Nm
(alloy wheel).
10. Align the valve hole in the wheel cover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel nut caps.
11. Stow the replaced wheel 3 168
and the vehicle tools 3 159.
12. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and the wheel nuttorque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with atyre repair kit 3 164 instead of a spare
wheel.
If mounting a spare wheel which is
different from the other wheels, this
wheel might be classified as a
temporary spare wheel and the
corresponding speed limits apply,
even though no label indicates this.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
check the applicable speed limit.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.
Depending on model variant, the
spare wheel is stored beneath the
floor or in the load compartment.
1. Attach the extension bar 2 to the
wheel wrench 1. Vehicle tools
3 159.
172Vehicle care4. Switch on electrical consumers(e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
Release the cap by carefully lifting
with a screwdriver. To prevent
damage, it is recommended to place
a cloth between the screwdriver and
the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 159.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
Caution
The towing eye must only be used for towing and not for recovering
the vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering
wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Switch the selector lever to neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Note
If neutral cannot be selected on
vehicles with manual transmission
automated (MTA), the vehicle must
only be towed with the drive wheels
raised off the ground.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
Vehicle care173To prevent the entry of exhaust gases
from the towing vehicle, switch on the
air recirculation 3 108 and close the
windows.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye
and replace the cap.
Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
side of the cap. Release the cap by
carefully levering the screwdriver. To
prevent damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver
and the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 159.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or even better a tow bar – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering a
vehicle.Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap.
Appearance care
Exterior care Locks
The locks are lubricated at the factory using a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use de-icing agent only when absolutely necessary, as this has a
degreasing effect and impairs lock
function. After using a de-icing agent,
have the locks regreased by a
workshop.
WashingThe paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences.
Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.
When using automatic vehicle
washes, select a programme that
includes waxing. Restrictions for
filmed or matt painted body parts or
decor tapes, see "Polishing and
waxing".
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,
pollen and the like should be cleaned
off immediately, as they contain
aggressive constituents which can
cause paint damage.