174Driving and operatingDriving characteristics andtowing 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
1000 kg a speed of 80 km/h must not
be exceeded; the use of a stabiliser is
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 3 233.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 loads apply 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
3 222.
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 The permissible axle loads (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) must not be exceeded.
178Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................178
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 178
Vehicle storage ........................179
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....179
Vehicle checks ........................... 180
Performing work ......................180
Bonnet ..................................... 180
Engine oil ................................. 181
Engine coolant ......................... 182
Power steering fluid .................182
Washer fluid ............................ 183
Brakes ..................................... 183
Brake fluid ............................... 183
Vehicle battery ......................... 184
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....185
Wiper blade replacement ........185
Bulb replacement .......................186
Halogen headlights ..................187
Fog lights ................................. 188
Tail lights ................................. 189
Number plate light ...................190
Electrical system ........................191
Fuses ....................................... 191
Engine compartment fuse box . 191Instrument panel fuse box .......193
Load compartment fuse box ....195
Vehicle tools .............................. 196
Tools ........................................ 196
Wheels and tyres .......................197
Winter tyres ............................. 197
Tyre designations ....................197
Tyre pressure .......................... 198
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 199
Tread depth ............................. 202
Changing tyre and wheel size . 203
Wheel covers ........................... 203
Tyre chains .............................. 204
Tyre repair kit .......................... 204
Wheel changing .......................207
Spare wheel ............................ 209
Jump starting ............................. 211
Towing ....................................... 213
Towing the vehicle ...................213
Towing another vehicle ...........214
Appearance care .......................215
Exterior care ............................ 215
Interior care ............................. 217General Information
Accessories and vehicle modifications
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, fuel consumption, CO 2
emissions and other emissions of the
vehicle. They may also invalidate the
vehicle operating permit.
Vehicle care179Caution
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.
Gas vehicles must be recycled by a
service centre authorised for gas
vehicles.
180Vehicle careVehicle 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 and Xenon
headlights use 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.
Vehicle care181Pull up the support rod lightly from the
holder. And then secure it at the left
side hook on the bonnet.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to 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
3 219.
The maximum engine oil
consumption is 0.6 l 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, insert it to the stop on the handle, pull
out and read the engine oil level.
Insert dipstick to the stop on the
handle.
When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top up
engine oil.
We recommend the use of the same
grade of engine oil that was used at
last change.
The engine oil level must not exceed
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
182Vehicle careThe engine oil filler cap is located on
the camshaft cover.Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out.
Capacities 3 232.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Engine coolant The coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -30 °C. In
northern countries with very low
temperatures the factory filled coolant
provides frost protection down to
approx. -40 °C.
Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant and antifreeze 3 219.
Coolant levelCaution
Too low a coolant level can cause
engine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
To top up use a 1:1 mixture of
released coolant concentrate mixed
with clean tap water. If no coolant
concentrate is available, use clean
tap water. Install the cap tightly. Have
the coolant concentration checked
and have the cause of the coolant
loss remedied by a workshop.
Power steering fluid
Caution
Extremely small amounts of
contamination can cause steering
system damage and cause it to not work properly. Do not allow
contaminates to contact the fluid
side of the reservoir cap/dipstick or
from entering the reservoir.
184Vehicle care
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and the MAX marks.
If fluid level is below MIN seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 219.
Vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
four weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off
before connecting or disconnecting
the vehicle battery.
Vehicle battery discharge protection
3 126.
Replacing the vehicle battery Note
Any deviation from the instructions
given in this section may lead to
temporary deactivation or
disturbance of the stop-start system.
When the vehicle battery is being
replaced, please ensure that there
are no open ventilation holes in the
vicinity of the positive terminal. If a
ventilation hole is open in this area, it
must be closed off with a dummy cap,
and the ventilation in the vicinity of the negative terminal must be opened.
Only use vehicle batteries that allow the fuse box to be mounted above the
vehicle battery.
Ensure that the battery is always replaced by the same type of battery.
We recommend that you have the
vehicle battery replaced by a
workshop.
Stop-start system 3 139.
Charging the vehicle battery9 Warning
On vehicles with stop-start
system, ensure that the charging
potential does not exceed
Vehicle care18514.6 volts when using a battery
charger. Otherwise the vehicle
battery might be damaged.
Jump starting 3 211.
Warning label
Meaning of symbols: ● No sparks, naked flames or smoking.
● Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
● Keep the vehicle battery out of reach of children.
● The vehicle battery containssulphuric acid which could cause
blindness or serious burn
injuries.
● See the Owner's Manual for further information.
● Explosive gas may be present in the vicinity of the vehicle battery.
Diesel fuel system bleeding If the tank has been run dry, the diesel
fuel system must be bled. Switch on
the ignition three times for
15 seconds at a time. Then crank the
engine for a maximum of 40 seconds. Repeat this process after
no less than 5 seconds. If the engine fails to start, seek the assistance of a
workshop.Wiper blade replacement
Lift the wiper arm, press button to
disengage the wiper blade and
remove.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled
to the wiper arm and push until it
engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.