2019.5 OPEL ASTRA K spec

Driving and operating217Caution
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 3 284. A
country-specific label at the fuel filler
flap can supersede the requirement.
Fuel additive
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. In
certain countries fuel does not
contain sufficient quantities of
additive to keep fuel injectors and
intake valves clean. In these
countries a fuel additive is required for
some engines to make up for this lack
of detergency. Only use fuel additive
approved for the vehicle.
Adding fuel additive to the filled fuel
tank is required at least every
15,000 km or after one year,
whichever occurs first. For further
information, contact your workshop.
Prohibited fuels
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 illuminate
3 109. If this occurs, seek the
assistance of a workshop.

Driving and operating221The refuelling procedure must becompleted, i.e. the filler neck must be
vented.
The capacity of the natural gas tank
depends on outside temperature,
filling pressure, gas composition and
type of refuelling system.
Capacities 3 289.
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.
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 bulbs with a power of 5 W each,
the function only detects light outage
when only a single 5 W bulb 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.

222Driving 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.
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 3 290.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 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 m 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
3 281.
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 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 When 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
100 km/h applies.

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
Front fog lights ......................... 237
Tail lights ................................. 238
Side turn lights ......................... 244
Number plate light ...................244
Interior lights ............................ 245
Electrical system ........................245
Fuses ....................................... 245Engine compartment fuse box . 246
Instrument panel fuse box .......248
Load compartment fuse box ....250
Vehicle tools .............................. 252
Tools ........................................ 252
Wheels and tyres .......................253
Winter tyres ............................. 253
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 .............................. 261
Tyre repair kit .......................... 261
Wheel changing .......................264
Spare wheel ............................ 265
Jump starting ............................. 270
Towing ....................................... 271
Towing the vehicle ...................271
Towing another vehicle ...........272
Appearance care .......................273
Exterior care ............................ 273
Interior care ............................. 275General 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.

228Vehicle 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 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. Note 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. Initialize the power
windows 3 41.
● 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.

230Vehicle careIf the bonnet is opened during anAutostop, 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
3 278.
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 5 minutes.
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.

238Vehicle careTail lights5-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.

Vehicle care241
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.