2018 VAUXHALL ASTRA J ESP

222Driving and operatingTrailer towingTrailer loadsThe 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
3 279.
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 loadWhen 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
60 mph 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.

Vehicle care229If 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 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
3 276.
The maximum engine oil
consumption is 0.6 litres per
600 miles.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least five minutes.Caution
It is the owner's responsibility to
maintain the proper level of an
appropriate quality oil in the
engine.
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.

Vehicle care237Tail lights
5-door Hatchback
1. Release the cover on the respective side and remove it.
2. Vehicles with tyre repair kit: To replace bulbs on the right side,
first unscrew the plastic nut and
take out the insert with the sealant
bottle.
3. Unscrew the plastic securing nut from the inside by hand.
4. Carefully withdraw tail lightassembly from recess and
remove.
5. Detach the cable from the retainer.

240Vehicle care
On version with LED tail lights
only reverse light bulb ( 1) can be
removed and replaced.
7. Insert the bulb carrier into the tail light assembly. Attach plug to the
light assembly. Fit light assembly
on the tailgate and tighten the
screw from the inside. Attach
cover.
Depending on the version, tail lights are designed as LEDs. In case of failure, have LEDs replaced by aworkshop.
Sports Tourer
1. Release and open the cover on the respective side.
2. Unscrew both plastic securingnuts from the inside by hand.
3. Carefully withdraw tail light assembly from recess and
remove.
4. Detach the cable from the retainer.

244Vehicle care
2. Remove lamp downwards, takingcare not to pull on the cable.
3. Remove bulb holder from lamp housing by turning anticlockwise.
4. Pull bulb from bulb holder and replace it.
5. Insert bulb holder into lamp housing and turn clockwise.
6. Insert lamp into bumper and let engage.
Some versions have LED number
plate lights. In case of defective
LEDs, have them replaced by a
workshop.
Interior lights
Courtesy light, reading lights Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.
Load compartment light
Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.
Instrument panel illumination
Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.Electrical system
Fuses Data on the replacement fuse must
match the data on the defective fuse.
There are three fuse boxes in the
vehicle:
● engine compartment
● instrument panel
● load compartment
Before replacing a fuse, turn off the
respective switch and the ignition.
A blown fuse can be recognized by its melted wire. Do not replace the fuse
until the cause of the fault has been
remedied.
Some functions are protected by
several fuses.
Fuses may also be inserted without existence of a function.

252Vehicle careSports Tourer with spare wheel
Open the floor cover of the load
compartment 3 80.
The jack, the towing eye and the tools
are located in the tool box below the
spare wheel. Spare wheel 3 265.
5-door hatchback without spare
wheel
Open the cover in the right side wall
of the load compartment.
Some tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a tool box.
Sports Tourer without spare
wheel
Open the cover on the right side of the load compartment.
The tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a suitcase.

Vehicle care253Wheels and tyres
Tyre condition, wheel condition
Drive over edges slowly and at right
angles if possible. Driving over sharp
edges can cause tyre and wheel
damage. Do not trap tyres on the kerb when parking.
Regularly check the wheels for
damage. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in the event of damage or
unusual wear.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres improve driving safety at temperatures below 7 °C and should
therefore be fitted on all wheels.
All tyre sizes are permitted as winter
tyres 3 292.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker in
the driver's field of view.Tyre designations
E.g. 215/50 R 16 95 H215:Tyre width, mm50:Cross-section ratio (tyre height
to tyre width), %R:Belt type: RadialRF:Type: RunFlat16:Wheel diameter, inches95:Load index e.g. 95 is
equivalent to 690 kgH:Speed code letter
Speed code letter:
Q:up to 100 mphS:up to 112 mphT:up to 118 mphH:up to 130 mphV:up to 150 mphW:up to 168 mph
Choose a tyre appropriate for the
maximum speed of your vehicle.
The maximum speed is achievable at kerb weight with driver (75 kg) plus
125 kg payload. Optional equipment
could reduce the maximum speed of
the vehicle.
Performance 3 286.
Tyre pressure
Check the pressure of cold tyres atleast every 14 days and before any
long journey. Do not forget the spare
wheel.
This also applies to vehicles with tyre
pressure monitoring system.
Tyre pressure 3 292.
The tyre pressure information label
on the left door frame indicates the
original equipment tyres and the
correspondent tyre pressures.
The tyre pressure data refers to cold
tyres. It applies to summer and winter tyres.

254Vehicle careAlways inflate the spare tyre to the
pressure specified for full load.
The ECO tyre pressure serves to achieve the smallest amount of fuel
consumption possible.
Incorrect tyre pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and fuel economy and will increase tyre
wear.
Tyre pressures differ depending on
various options.
For the correct tyre pressure value,
follow the procedure below:
● Identify the engine identifier code. Engine data 3 284.
● Identify the respective tyre.
● The tyre pressure tables show all
possible tyre combinations
3 292.
For the tyres approved for your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of
Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
The driver is responsible for correct
adjustment of tyre pressure.9 Warning
If the pressure is too low, this can
result in considerable tyre warm-
up and internal damage, leading to tread separation and even to tyre
blow-out at high speeds.
9 Warning
For specific tyres the
recommended tyre pressure as
shown in the tyre pressure table may exceed the maximum tyre
pressure as indicated on the tyre.
Never exceed the maximum tyre
pressure as indicated on the tyre.
If the tyre pressure must be reduced
or increased on a vehicle with tyre
pressure monitoring system, switch
off ignition.
Temperature dependency
The tyre pressure depends on the
temperature of the tyre. During
driving, tyre temperature and
pressure increase. Tyre pressure
values provided on the tyre
information label and tyre pressure
chart are valid for cold tyres, which means at 20 °C.
The pressure increases by nearly
1.5 psi for a 10 °C temperature
increase. This must be considered
when warm tyres are checked.
The tyre pressure value displayed in
the Driver Information Centre shows
the real tyre pressure. A cooled down tyre will show a decreased value,
which does not indicate an air leak.
Tyre pressure monitoringsystem
The tyre pressure monitoring system
checks the pressure of all four tyres
once a minute when vehicle speed
exceeds a certain limit.Caution
Tyre pressure monitoring system
warns only about low tyre pressure condition and does not replace
regular tyre maintenance by the
driver.