Driving and operating249Driving 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.
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 kerb 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 3 317.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 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
3 302.
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 of:
● 60 kg (Grand Sport with all engines except B20DTH /
B20NFT / D20DTR)
● 75 kg (Sports Tourer, Country Tourer with all engines except
B20DTH / B20NFT / D20DTR)
● 90 kg (All bodystyles with engines B20DTH / B20NFT /
D20DTR)
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.
Driving and operating251Stow/hide coupling ball bar
Pull the grip located left of the number
plate under the rear bumper fascia at an angle of approx. 45° to the ground.
A buzzing tone sounds as a warning
when the release handle is pulled out and the ball neck is disengaged.
With the flat of the hand, swivel the
released coupling ball bar to the right
until it engages under the floor. Make sure that the release handle is back inits hidden initial position, otherwise
the buzzing tone will not stop.
9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when the coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bar
does not engage correctly or if the
release handle is impossible to guide to its hidden initial position in the housing or if the buzzing tone
sounds after engaging the
coupling ball bar, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach break-away stopping cable to
eye.
Trailer stability assist
If the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is
selectively braked until the snaking ceases. While the system is working
keep steering wheel as still as
possible.
Trailer stability assistant is a function
of the Electronic Stability Control
3 197.
252Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................252
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 252
Vehicle storage ........................253
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....253
Vehicle checks ........................... 254
Performing work ......................254
Bonnet ..................................... 254
Engine oil ................................. 255
Engine coolant ......................... 256
Washer fluid ............................ 257
Brakes ..................................... 257
Brake fluid ............................... 257
Vehicle battery ......................... 258
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....259
Wiper blade replacement ........259
Bulb replacement .......................260
Halogen headlights ..................260
LED headlights ........................ 262
Front fog lights ......................... 262
Tail lights ................................. 264
Side turn lights ......................... 269
Number plate light ...................270
Interior lights ............................ 270
Instrument panel illumination ...270Electrical system ........................270
Fuses ....................................... 270
Engine compartment fuse box . 271
Instrument panel fuse box .......274
Vehicle tools .............................. 275
Tools ........................................ 275
Wheels and tyres .......................276
Winter tyres ............................. 276
Tyre designations ....................277
Tyre pressure .......................... 277
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 278
Tread depth ............................. 281
Changing tyre and wheel size . 281
Wheel covers ........................... 281
Tyre chains .............................. 282
Tyre repair kit .......................... 282
Wheel changing .......................287
Spare wheel ............................ 288
Jump starting ............................. 291
Towing ....................................... 293
Towing the vehicle ...................293
Towing another vehicle ...........294
Appearance care .......................295
Exterior care ............................ 295
Interior care ............................. 297General 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 warranty
offered 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 care253Caution
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.
Vehicle care257
Depending on the engine, the
position of the coolant container may be different.
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.
Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of approved
windscreen washer fluid which
contains antifreeze.
Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Washer fluid 3 300.
Brakes In the event of minimum thickness of
the brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake lining replaced as
soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.
258Vehicle care
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
If fluid level is below MIN seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 300.
Vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is located in the
engine compartment.
There are connecting points for jump
starting. 3 291
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.
Battery discharge protection 3 142.
Disconnecting the battery
If the vehicle's battery is to be
disconnected (e.g. for maintenance
work), the alarm siren must be
deactivated as follows: Switch the
ignition on then off, then disconnect
the vehicle's battery within
15 seconds.
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.
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.
264Vehicle care
4. Turn the bulb socketanticlockwise and remove it from
the light assembly.
5. Disengage the plug connector by pressing the retaining lug.
6.Remove and replace the bulb unit
and attach the plug connector.
Note that the bulb and the socket
are one unit and have to be
changed together.
7. Insert the bulb socket into the light
assembly by turning clockwise
and engage.
8. Mount the light assembly by tightening the three screws.
9. Attach the faceplate and tighten the screw.
10. Grand Sport, Sports Tourer
Attach and engage the cover.
Tail lights Tail lights and brake lights are
designed as LEDs. In case of failure,
have LEDs replaced by a workshop.
Turn signal lights, rear fog lights and
reverse lights are designed for bulbs
and can be changed as follows.Grand Sport
Light assembly in the body
1. Remove the cover on the respective side.
280Vehicle careilluminates. For the further three
wheels 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 clipped
sensor replace complete valve stem.
Use only original plastic valve caps to protect valve on any damage.Caution
Do not use metal valve caps as
they lead to valve oxidation and
damage.
Vehicle loading status
Adjust tyre pressure to load condition
according tyre information label or
tyre pressure chart 3 317, and select
the appropriate setting in the Tyre
loading page under the Settings
menu in the Driver Information Centre 3 112. This setting determines the
reference pressures for the tyre
pressure warnings.
Depending on the display, the menu
Tyre loading only appears if the
vehicle is at a standstill and the
parking brake is applied. On vehicles
with automatic transmission the
selector lever must be in P.Select:
● Light for comfort pressure up to
3 people.
● Eco for Eco pressure up to
3 people.
● Max for full loading.
Auto learn function After changing wheels or wheel
positions the vehicle must be
stationary for approx. 20 minutes,
before the system recalculates. The
following relearn process takes up to
10 minutes of driving in a speed range
of 40 to 100 km/h. Avoid to drive
outside of this range for a longer time.
If possible, use a country road or
similar which allows continuous
driving. During relearn process $
can be displayed or pressure values can swap in the Driver Information
Centre.
If problems occur during the relearn
process, a failure message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre. w will flash for 60 seconds
and then illuminate continuously.