2020 OPEL ASTRA K tow

Driving and operating217Driving 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 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 3 285.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
3 276.
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.

218Driving and operatingTowing 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.
Illustration shows Sports Tourer.
Fitting the coupling ball bar
On Sports Tourer remove cover from
rear bumper by pushing.
Disengage and fold down the
connecting socket. Remove the
sealing plug from the opening for the
coupling ball bar and stow it.

Driving and operating219Checking the tensioning of the
coupling ball bar
● Red marking on rotary knob must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
● The gap between the rotary knob
and the coupling ball bar must be approx. 6 mm.
● The key must be in position c.
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before being inserted:
● Unlock coupling ball bar by turning key to position c.
● Pull out rotary knob and turn
clockwise as far as it will go.
Inserting the coupling ball bar
Insert 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

220Driving and operatingIllustration shows 5-door hatchback.
Illustration shows Sports Tourer.
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 connecting socket.
On Sports Tourer insert cover into
rear bumper as shown in the
illustration.

Driving and operating221
Stow the coupling ball bar in the bag
and secure by fixing the strap through the rear right lashing eye. Wrap
around twice and tighten the strap to
secure the bag.
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 system is working keep
steering wheel as still as possible.
Trailer stability assist is a function of
the Electronic Stability Control 3 174.

222Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................222
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 222
Vehicle storage ........................223
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....223
Vehicle checks ........................... 224
Performing work ......................224
Bonnet ..................................... 224
Engine oil ................................. 225
Engine coolant ......................... 226
Washer fluid ............................ 227
Brakes ..................................... 227
Brake fluid ............................... 227
Vehicle battery ......................... 228
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....229
Wiper blade replacement ........230
Bulb replacement .......................230
Halogen headlights ..................230
Front fog lights ......................... 232
Tail lights ................................. 233
Side turn lights ......................... 239
Number plate light ...................240
Interior lights ............................ 240
Electrical system ........................241
Fuses ....................................... 241Engine compartment fuse box . 242
Instrument panel fuse box .......244
Load compartment fuse box ....245
Vehicle tools .............................. 247
Tools ........................................ 247
Wheels and tyres .......................249
Winter tyres ............................. 249
Tyre designations ....................249
Tyre pressure .......................... 249
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 251
Tread depth ............................. 253
Changing tyre and wheel size . 254
Wheel covers ........................... 254
Tyre chains .............................. 255
Tyre repair kit .......................... 255
Wheel changing .......................258
Spare wheel ............................ 259
Jump starting ............................. 263
Towing ....................................... 265
Towing the vehicle ...................265
Towing another vehicle ...........266
Appearance care .......................267
Exterior care ............................ 267
Interior care ............................. 269
Floor mats ............................... 269General 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 care247No.Circuit17Trailer outlet18–19–20–21Electrical rear seat folding22–
After having changed defective fuses,
close the fuse box cover and press
until it engages.
Additional fuses are located near the
vehicle battery.
No.Circuit1Engine control module2Fuel pump3Power supplyVehicle tools
Tools
5-door hatchback with spare
wheel
Open the floor cover of the load
compartment 3 82.
The jack, the towing eye and the tools
are located in the tool box below the
spare wheel.
Spare wheel 3 259.

248Vehicle careSports Tourer with spare wheel
Open the floor cover of the load
compartment 3 82.
The jack, the towing eye and the tools
are located in the tool box below the
spare wheel.
Spare wheel 3 259.
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.