2018 OPEL KARL parking brake

Instruments and controls85No.Vehicle message77Service lane departure warning79Top up engine oil81Service transmission / trans‐
mission malfunction
Manual transmission auto‐
mated 3 11782Change engine oil soon84Engine power reduced89Service vehicle soon90Service brake assist95Service airbag145Check washer fluid level151Press clutch to start174Low vehicle battery258Parking assist offVehicle messages on
Colour-Info-Display
Some important messages appear
additionally in the
Colour-Info-Display. Some
messages only pop-up for a few
seconds.
Warning chimes
When starting the engine or whilst driving
Only one warning chime will sound at a time.
The warning chime regarding
unfastened seat belts has priority
over any other warning chime.
● If seat belt is not fastened.
● If a door or the tailgate is not fully
closed when starting off.
● If a certain speed is exceeded with parking brake applied.
● If a programmed speed is exceeded.
● If a warning message appears in the Driver Information Centre orInfo-Display.● If the parking assist detects an object.
● If unintended lane change occurs.
● If a fault in the automatic locking system is detected.
When the vehicle is parked and/or the driver's door is opened
● With exterior lights on.
During an Autostop ● If the driver's door is opened.
Battery voltage
When the vehicle battery voltage is
running low, the warning code 174 will
appear in the Driver Information
Centre.
1. Switch off immediately any electrical consumers which are
not required for a safe drive, e.g.

108Driving and operatingDriving and
operatingDriving hints ............................... 108
Control of the vehicle ...............108
Steering ................................... 109
Starting and operating ...............109
New vehicle running-in ............109
Ignition switch positions ...........109
Retained power off ..................110
Starting the engine ..................110
Overrun cut-off ........................ 111
Stop-start system ....................111
Parking .................................... 114
Engine exhaust .......................... 115
Catalytic converter ...................115
Manual transmission ..................115
Manual transmission automa‐ ted .............................................. 116
Transmission display ...............116
Starting the engine ..................116
Selector lever .......................... 117
Manual mode ........................... 118
Electronic driving programmes 118
Fault ........................................ 118Brakes........................................ 119
Antilock brake system .............119
Parking brake .......................... 120
Brake assist ............................. 120
Hill start assist ......................... 120
Ride control systems .................121
Traction Control system ..........121
Electronic Stability Control ......122
City mode ................................ 123
Driver assistance systems .........124
Cruise control .......................... 124
Speed limiter ........................... 125
Parking assist .......................... 127
Lane departure warning ..........128
Fuel ............................................ 129
Fuel for petrol engines .............129
Fuel for liquid gas operation ....130
Refuelling ................................ 132
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions ............................... 136Driving hints
Control of the vehicle
Never coast with engine not
running
Many systems will not function in this situation (e.g. brake servo unit, power
steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others.
All systems function during an
Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 111.
Idle boost
If charging of the vehicle battery is
required due to battery condition, the
power output of the generator must be increased. This will be achieved by an idle boost which may be audible.
A message appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in
the area of the pedals.

114Driving and operatingParking9Warning
● Do not park the vehicle on an
easily ignitable surface. The
high temperature of the
exhaust system could ignite the
surface.
● Always apply the parking brake. Activate the manual
parking brake without pressing the release button. Apply as
firmly as possible on a downhill slope or uphill slope. Depress
brake pedal at the same time to
reduce operating force.
● Switch off the engine.
● If the vehicle is on a level surface or uphill slope, engage
first gear before removing the ignition key. On an uphill slope,
turn the front wheels away from
the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill
slope, engage reverse gear
before removing the ignition
key. Turn the front wheels
towards the kerb.
● Close the windows and the sunroof.
● Remove the ignition key from the ignition switch. Turn the
steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock is felt to
engage.
For vehicles with manual
transmission automated, the key
can only be removed from the
ignition switch when the parking
brake is applied.
● Lock the vehicle.
● Activate the anti-theft alarm system.
● The engine cooling fans may run
after the engine has been
switched off 3 139.
Caution
After running at high engine
speeds or with high engine loads,
operate the engine briefly at a low
load or run in neutral for
approx. 30 seconds before
switching off, in order to protect
the turbocharger.
Note
In the event of an accident with
airbag deployment, the engine is
switched off automatically if the
vehicle comes to a standstill within a
certain time.

118Driving and operatingEngine 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.
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.
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. M and the
number of the selected gear will be
flashed, then the current gear is
displayed again..
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 with a number
alongside it, is indicated when
gearshifting is recommended for fuel
saving reasons.
Shift indication appears only in
manual mode.
Electronic driving programmes
The adaptive programme tailors
gearshifting to the driving conditions, e.g. greater load or gradients.
Fault
To prevent damage to the manual
transmission automated, the clutch is engaged automatically at high clutch
temperatures.
In the event of a fault, control indicator
g illuminates. Additionally, a
warning message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre. Vehicle
messages 3 83.
Continued driving is restricted or not
possible, depending on the fault.

120Driving and operatingFault9Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Manual parking brake9 Warning
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release
button, and apply as firmly as
possible on a downhill or uphill
slope.
To release the parking brake, pull
the lever up slightly, press the
release button and fully lower the
lever.
To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
brake pedal at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 73.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the brake pedal after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further two seconds.
The brakes release automatically as

128Driving and operatingBasic notes on parking assist
systems9 Warning
Under certain circumstances,
various reflective surfaces on
objects or clothing as well as
external noise sources may cause the system to fail to detect
obstacles.
Special attention must be paid to
low obstacles which can damage
the lower part of the bumper.
Caution
Performance of the system can be reduced when sensors are
covered, e.g. by ice or snow.
Performance of the parking assist
system can be reduced due to
heavy loading.
Special conditions apply if there
are taller vehicles in the vicinity
(e.g. off-road vehicles, mini vans,
vans). Object identification and
correct distance indication in the
upper part of these vehicles
cannot be guaranteed.
Objects with a very small reflection
cross-section, e.g. objects of
narrow size or soft materials, may
not be detected by the system.
Parking assist systems do not
detect objects outside the
detection range.
Lane departure warning
The lane departure warning system
observes the lane markings between
which the vehicle is driving via a front camera. The system detects lane
changes and warns the driver in the
event of an unintended lane change
via visual and acoustic signals.
Criteria for the detection of an
unintended lane change are:
● No operation of turn signals.
● No brake pedal operation.
● No active accelerator operation or speeding-up.
● No active steering.
If the driver is performing these
actions, no warning will be issued.
Activation
The lane departure warning system is activated by pressing ). The
illuminated LED in the button
indicates that the system is switched
on. When control indicator ) in the
instrument cluster illuminates green, the system is ready to operate.
The system is only operable at
vehicle speeds above 56 km/h and if lane markings are available.

138Vehicle 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. 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. Only entrust this work to an
authorised recycling centre.
Gas vehicles must be recycled by a
service centre authorised for gas
vehicles.

Vehicle care159If w flashes for 60-90 seconds then
illuminates continuously, there is a fault in the system. Consult a
workshop.
After inflating, some driving may be
required to update the tyre pressure
values in the Driver Information
Centre. During this time w may
illuminate.
If w illuminates at lower temperatures
and extinguishes after some driving,
this could be an indicator for
approaching a low tyre pressure
condition. Check tyre pressure.
Vehicle messages 3 83.
If the tyre pressure must be reduced
or increased, switch off ignition.
Only mount wheels with pressure
sensors, otherwise the tyre pressure
will not be displayed and w
illuminates continuously.
A temporary spare wheel is not
equipped with pressure sensors. The
tyre pressure monitoring system is
not operational for these tyres.
Control indicator w illuminates. For
the further three tyres, the system
remains operational.The use of commercially-available
liquid tyre repair kits can impair the
function of the system. Factory-
approved repair kits can be used.
Operating electronic devices or being
close to facilities using similar wave
frequencies could disrupt the tyre
pressure monitoring system.
Each time the tyres are replaced, tyre pressure monitoring system sensors
must be dismounted and serviced.
For the screwed sensor; replace
valve core and sealing ring. For the
clipped sensor; replace complete
valve stem.
Vehicle loading status
Adjust tyre pressure to load condition according to the tyre information label
or tyre pressure chart 3 188, and
select the appropriate setting in the
menu Tyre Load in the Driver
Information Centre, Vehicle
Information Menu 3 77 . This setting is
the reference for the tyre pressure
warnings.The Tyre Load menu only appears if
the vehicle is in a standstill and the
parking brake is applied. On vehicles
with automatic transmission the
selector lever has to be in P.
Select:
● Lo for comfort pressure up to
3 people.
● Eco for Eco pressure up to
3 people.
● Hi for full loading.