2020 VAUXHALL ASTRA K tow

216Driving 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 50 mph. A maximum speed
of 60 mph 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 3 283.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
3 274.
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
60 mph applies.

Driving and operating217Towing 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.

218Driving and operatingChecking 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

Driving and operating219Illustration 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.

220Driving and operating
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 3 173.

Vehicle care221Vehicle careGeneral Information...................221
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 221
Vehicle storage ........................222
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....222
Vehicle checks ........................... 223
Performing work ......................223
Bonnet ..................................... 223
Engine oil ................................. 224
Engine coolant ......................... 225
Washer fluid ............................ 226
Brakes ..................................... 226
Brake fluid ............................... 226
Vehicle battery ......................... 227
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....228
Wiper blade replacement ........229
Bulb replacement .......................229
Halogen headlights ..................229
Front fog lights ......................... 231
Tail lights ................................. 232
Side turn lights ......................... 238
Number plate light ...................239
Interior lights ............................ 239
Electrical system ........................240
Fuses ....................................... 240Engine compartment fuse box . 241
Instrument panel fuse box .......243
Load compartment fuse box ....244
Vehicle tools .............................. 246
Tools ........................................ 246
Wheels and tyres .......................248
Winter tyres ............................. 248
Tyre designations ....................248
Tyre pressure .......................... 248
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 250
Tread depth ............................. 252
Changing tyre and wheel size . 253
Wheel covers ........................... 253
Tyre chains .............................. 254
Tyre repair kit .......................... 254
Wheel changing .......................257
Spare wheel ............................ 258
Jump starting ............................. 262
Towing ....................................... 264
Towing the vehicle ...................264
Towing another vehicle ...........265
Appearance care .......................266
Exterior care ............................ 266
Interior care ............................. 268
Floor mats ............................... 268General 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 Vauxhall. 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.

246Vehicle careNo.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 81.
The jack, the towing eye and the tools
are located in the tool box below the
spare wheel.
Spare wheel 3 258.

Vehicle care247Sports Tourer with spare wheelOpen the floor cover of the load
compartment 3 81.
The jack, the towing eye and the tools
are located in the tool box below the
spare wheel.
Spare wheel 3 258.
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.