Driving and operating177Trailer towingTrailer 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 m 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 m 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
3 224.
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.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 in the rear stowage
compartment on the floor.
Place the strap through the lashing
eye, wrap around twice and tighten
the strap to secure the bag.
Driving and operating179Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar
in the opening and push firmly
upwards until it audibly engages.
The rotary handle snaps back into its
original position resting against the
coupling ball bar without a gap.9 Warning
Do not touch rotary handle during
insertion.
Lock the coupling ball bar by turning
the key to position e. Remove the key
and close the protective flap.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach breakaway stopping cable to
eye.
Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly installed
● Green marking on rotary knob must point towards green
marking on coupling ball bar.
● There must be no gap between the rotary handle and the
coupling ball bar.
● The coupling ball bar must be firmly engaged in the opening.
● The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when a coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bardoes not engage correctly, seekthe assistance of a workshop.
Dismounting the coupling ball bar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold away socket.
180Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................180
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 180
Vehicle storage ........................181
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....181
Vehicle checks ........................... 182
Performing work ......................182
Bonnet ..................................... 182
Engine oil ................................. 183
Engine coolant ......................... 184
Power steering fluid .................184
Washer fluid ............................ 185
Brakes ..................................... 185
Brake fluid ............................... 185
Vehicle battery ......................... 186
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....187
Wiper blade replacement ........187
Bulb replacement .......................188
Halogen headlights ..................189
Front fog lights ......................... 190
Tail lights ................................. 191
Number plate light ...................192
Rear fog light ........................... 192
Electrical system ........................193
Fuses ....................................... 193Engine compartment fuse box . 194
Instrument panel fuse box .......195
Load compartment fuse box ....197
Vehicle tools .............................. 199
Tools ........................................ 199
Wheels and tyres .......................199
Winter tyres ............................. 199
Tyre designations ....................200
Tyre pressure .......................... 200
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 201
Tread depth ............................. 205
Changing tyre and wheel size . 206
Wheel covers ........................... 206
Tyre chains .............................. 206
Tyre repair kit .......................... 207
Wheel changing .......................210
Spare wheel ............................ 211
Jump starting ............................. 214
Towing ....................................... 216
Towing the vehicle ...................216
Towing another vehicle ...........217
Appearance care .......................218
Exterior care ............................ 218
Interior care ............................. 220General 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 care213
Attach wheel wrench and with the
jack correctly aligned rotate wheel wrench until wheel is clear of the
ground.
5. Unscrew the wheel nuts. 6. Change the wheel. Spare wheel 3 211.
7. Screw on the wheel nuts.
8. Lower the vehicle and remove jack.
9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring that it locates securely and tighten
each nut in a crosswise
sequence. Tightening torque is
140 Nm.
10. Align the valve hole in the wheel cover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel nut caps.
Install centre cap on alloy wheels.
11. Install vehicle jacking point cover on versions with sill panels.
12. Stow the replaced wheel 3 211
and the vehicle tools 3 199.
13. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and the wheel nut
torque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
Stowing a damaged full size
wheel in the load compartment
The spare wheel well is not designed for other tyre sizes than the spare
wheel.
A damaged full size wheel must be stowed in the load compartment and
secured with a strap.
Vehicle tools 3 199.
To secure the wheel: 1. Position the wheel in the middle of
the load compartment.
2. Place the loop end of the strap through the lashing eye on one
side.
3. Place the hook end of the strap through the loop and pull it until
the strap is fastened securely to
the lashing eye.
214Vehicle care
4. Insert the strap through thespokes of the wheel as shown in
the illustration.
5. Mount the hook to the opposite lashing eye.
6. Tighten the strap and secure it using the buckle.
9 Danger
Always drive with folded up and
engaged rear seat backrests when stowing a damaged full size wheel
in the load compartment.
Jump starting
Do not start with a quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged battery
can be started using jump leads and the battery of another vehicle.9 Warning
Be extremely careful when starting
with jump leads. Any deviation
from the following instructions can
lead to injuries or damage caused
by battery explosion or damage to the electrical systems of both
vehicles.
9 Warning
Avoid contact of the battery with
eyes, skin, fabrics and painted
surfaces. The fluid contains
sulphuric acid which can cause
injuries and damage in the event
of direct contact.
● Never expose the battery to naked flames or sparks.
●A discharged battery can already
freeze at a temperature of 0 °C.
Defrost the frozen battery before
connecting jump leads.
● Wear eye protection and protective clothing when
handling a battery.
● Use a booster battery with the same voltage (12 V). Its capacity
(Ah) must not be much less than
that of the discharged battery.
● Use jump leads with insulated terminals and a cross section of
at least 16 mm 2
(25 mm 2
for
diesel engines).
● Do not disconnect the discharged
battery from the vehicle.
● Switch off all unnecessary electrical consumers.
● Do not lean over the battery during jump starting.
● Do not allow the terminals of one
lead to touch those of the other
lead.
● The vehicles must not come into contact with each other during
the jump starting process.
216Vehicle careTowingTowing the vehicle
Wrap a cloth around the tip of a flat
screwdriver to prevent paint damage.
Insert the screwdriver in the slot at the
lower part of the cap. Release the cap by carefully moving the screwdriver
downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 199.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering the
vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Switch the selector lever to neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Caution
Never tow a vehicle equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD) with the
front or rear tyres on the road. If
you tow a vehicle equipped with
AWD while the front or rear tyres
are rolling on the road, the drive
system in the vehicle could be
severely damaged. When towing
vehicles equipped with AWD, all
four tyres must not be in contact
with the road.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust gases from the towing vehicle, switch on the
air recirculation system 3 128 and
close the windows.
Vehicle care217Vehicles with manual transmission:
The vehicle must be towed facing
forwards. The maximum speed is
80 km/h . In all other cases, and when
the transmission is defective, the front
axle must be raised off the ground.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: Do not tow the vehicle using a towingeye. Towing with a tow rope could
cause severe automatic transmission damage. When towing vehicles with
automatic transmission, use flat bed
or wheel lift equipment.
Seek the assistance of a workshop. After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap and close cap.Towing another vehicle
Wrap a cloth around the tip of a flat
screwdriver to prevent paint damage. Insert the screwdriver in the slot at the
lower bend of the cap. Release the
cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 199.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
The lashing eye at the rear
underneath the vehicle must never be used as a towing eye.
Attach a tow rope – or even better a
tow bar – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering a
vehicle.
218Vehicle careCaution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the bottom and engage
cap.
Appearance care
Exterior care
Locks The locks are lubricated at the factoryusing a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, as this has a
degreasing effect and impairs lock function. After using a de-icing agent, have the locks regreased by a
workshop.
Washing The paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences. Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.
When using automatic vehicle
washes, select a programme that
includes waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,
pollen and the like should be cleaned
off immediately, as they contain
aggressive constituents which can
cause paint damage.If using a vehicle wash, comply with
the vehicle wash manufacturer's
instructions. The windscreen wiper
and rear window wiper must be
switched off. Remove antenna and
external accessories such as roof
racks etc.
If you wash your vehicle by hand,
make sure that the insides of the
wheel housings are also thoroughly
rinsed out.
Clean edges and folds on opened
doors and the bonnet as well as the
areas they cover.Caution
Always use a cleaning agent with
a pH value of 4 to 9.
Do not use cleaning agents on hot surfaces.
Have the door hinges of all doors
greased by a workshop.
Do not clean the engine compartment with a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.