towing OPEL ASTRA K 2019.5 User Guide

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.

Driving and operating223Towing 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 operating225Illustration 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.

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.

252Vehicle careNo.Circuit1Fuel pump2Engine control module3Power supplyVehicle tools
Tools
5-door hatchback with spare
wheel
Open the floor cover of the load
compartment 3 80.
The jack, the towing eye and the tools
are located in the tool box below the
spare wheel.
Spare wheel 3 265.
Sports Tourer with spare wheel
Open the floor cover of the load
compartment 3 80.
The jack, the towing eye and the tools
are located in the tool box below the
spare wheel.
Spare wheel 3 265.

Vehicle care2535-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.
Wheels and tyres
Tyre condition, wheel condition Drive over edges slowly and at right
angles if possible. Driving over sharp
edges can cause tyre and wheel
damage. Do not trap tyres on the kerb when parking.
Regularly check the wheels for
damage. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in the event of damage or
unusual wear.
Winter tyres
Winter tyres improve driving safety at temperatures below 7 °C and should
therefore be fitted on all wheels.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker in
the driver's field of view.
All tyre sizes are permitted as winter
tyres 3 290.

268Vehicle careAttach 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.
7. Screw on the wheel nuts.
8. Lower the vehicle and remove jack.
9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring that it is located 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.
11. Stow and secure the replaced wheel, the vehicle tools 3 252 and
the adapter for the locking wheel
nuts 3 71.
12. 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, 5-
door hatchback
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 3 252.
To secure the wheel: 1. Position the wheel outside up close to one sidewall of the load
compartment.2. Place the loop end of the strap through the front lashing eye on
the appropriate 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.
4. Insert the strap through the spokes of the wheel as shown in
the illustration.
5. Mount the hook to the rear lashing
eye.
6. Tighten the strap and secure it using the buckle.

Vehicle care2699Danger
Always drive with folded up and
engaged rear seat backrests when stowing a damaged full size wheel
in the load compartment.
9 Warning
Storing a jack, a wheel or other
equipment in the load
compartment could cause injury if they are not fixed properly. During a sudden stop or a collision, looseequipment could strike someone.
Always store jack and tools in the
respective storage compartments
and secure them by fixing.
Damaged wheel placed in the load
compartment must always be
secured with the strap.
Stowing a damaged full size
wheel in the load compartment,
Sports Tourer
All permitted wheel sizes can be
stowed in the spare wheel well. To
secure the wheel:
1. Remove centre cap with the brand
emblem by pushing from the
inside.
2. Position the wheel outside down in the wheel well.
3. Secure the defective wheel withthe wing nut.
4. Depending on the tyre size, the floor cover can be placed on the
projecting wheel.
Spare wheel with directional tyre The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
● Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed
or repaired as soon as possible
and fit it instead of the spare
wheel.
● Drive particularly carefully on wet
and snow-covered road
surfaces.

Vehicle care271
Lead connection order:1. Connect the red lead to the positive terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.
2. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive terminal of the
discharged vehicle battery.
3. Connect the black lead to the negative terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black
lead to a vehicle grounding point
of your vehicle in the engine
compartment.
Route the leads so that they cannot
catch on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine: 1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the jump.
2. After 5 minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of one
minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads
connected.
4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
Wrap a cloth around the tip of a flat
screwdriver to prevent paint damage.
Insert the screwdriver in the slot at the
edge of the cap. Release the cap by
levering it out carefully.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 252.