OPEL MERIVA 2009 Owners Manual

205
Service and maintenance
⊕ additional work.
o The intervals are shorter where driving conditions are more arduous or country-specific.
Service work
after year
1)
km (x 1000)
1)
1)Depending on what occurs first.
1
15 2
30 3
45 4
60 5
75
⊕o
Remove brake drum, clean, carry out visual check every 4 years/60 000 km
Visually inspect steering system boots, track rods, final drive xxxxx
Check track rod end and supporting ball joint xxxxx
⊕
Change brake and clutch fluids (manual transmission automated) every 2 years
Loosen wheel mountings and tighten to 110 Nm
xx
Grease or apply oil to
bolt taper when fitting.
Check tyre condition and pressure (inclu ding spare wheel), correct if necessary.
If there is a tyre inflation system, check that the set is complete and the use-by date is
still valid. Replace sealant bottle every four years.
⊕
Annual service check if the annual distance travelled is greater than 20 000 km.
Visually check the first aid kit (that it is wher e it should be, that it is undamaged and that
the use by date is still valid), lashing eyes and warning triangle every 2 years
Check headlamp settings (including auxi liary headlamps), adjust if necessary xx
Lubricate door hinges, check arms, cylinder lo ck, door latch, bonnet catch, rear panel
hinge xx
Test run, final check (check steering and ig nition lock, instrument and warning lamps,
entire brake system, steering, air conditioni ng system, engine, bodywork and chassis,
reset service/interval display with TECH 2. xxxxx

206 Service and maintenanceAdditional service workAdditional work ⊕
Additional work is not always necessary at
each service, but can be carried out at the
same time as a regular service.
T h e c o s t o f th i s t y p e o f w o r k i s n o t i n c l ud e d
in the charge for a regular service and will
be invoiced separately. It is, however, more
c o s t - e f f e c t i v e t o h a v e t h i s w o r k d o n e a t t h e
same time as a scheduled service rather
than have it done separately.
Hard driving conditions o
Conditions are considered hard when one
or more of the following situations occurs
more frequently:
z cold start,
z stop and go,
z caravan/trailer towing,
z inclines or steep climbs,
z poor road conditions,
z sand and dust,
z extreme temperature fluctuations.
Police vehicles, taxis and driving school
vehicles are classified as being subjected to
hard driving conditions. With hard driving conditions it might be
necessary to carry out certain service work
more frequently than the scheduled
intervals.
We recommend seeking technical advice
with regard to servic
ing requirements for
your particular driving circumstances.
Recommended fluids and
lubricants Only use products which have been tested
and approved. Damage caused by using
operating materials which have not been
approved is not covere d by the guarantee.
9 Warning
Operating materials are dangerous and
must be handled carefully. If swallowed,
seek medical help immediately. Do not
breath in fumes and avoid contact with
the skin. Keep away from children.
These materials are forbidden to
contaminate waste water, surface
water, groundwater or soil. Dispose of
empty containers correctly. Always
remember that operating materials are
dangerous.

207
Service and maintenance
Engine oil
Engine oil is graded by quality and
viscosity. When choosing an engine oil, the
quality grade is more important than the
viscosity.
Engine oil for Service schedule Europe
Opel engine oil is GM-LL-A-025 and
GM-LL-B-025 grade and therefore suitable
for both petrol and diesel engines.
Engine oil for International service
scheduleEngine oil: top up
Oils from different manufacturers and
different brands of oil can be mixed as long
as the grades (quality and viscosity) are
the same.
Not all the engine oils available on the
market are of a suitable quality. Always
check that the required specification and
classification are given on the cans.
If engine oil of a suitable quality cannot be
obtained, use no more than 1 litre of
category ACEA A3/B4 or A3/B3 (once
between two oil changes). The viscosity
must be suitable for requirements.
It is forbidden to use engine oil of
grades ACEA A1/B1 and A5/B5. Under
certain circumstances, these oils can cause
long-term damage to the engine.
Engine oil additives
The use of motor oil additives can lead to
damage and will invalidate the guarantee.
Engine oil viscosity
Only use engine oils with viscosity
grades 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30 or 5W-40.
The SAE viscosity grading system indicates
the oil’s flowability. Oil is more viscous
when cold than when warm.
Multigrade oil has two numbers. The first,
followed by a W, indicates the viscosity at
low temperatures and the second indicates
the viscosity at high temperatures.
GM-LL-A-025: Petrol engines
GM-LL-B-025: Diesel engines
GM General Motors Europe
LL Long life
A or B Details of engine oil grade
025 Validity code
ACEA-A3: Petrol engines
ACEA-B4: Diesel engines
without diesel
particulate filter
ACEA-C3 Diesel engines with diesel particulate
filter

208 Service and maintenance
Picture no: 18602s.tif
Inspection system In order to guarantee economical and safe
vehicle operation and to maintain the
value of your vehicle, it is of vital
importance that all maintenance work is
carried out at the proper intervals.
Fixed service interval
When service is due, InSP appears in the
odometer display for
approximately 10 seconds when the
ignition is switched on. Have the next
service performed by a workshop within
one week or 500 km (whichever occurs
first). The service interval display takes account
of off-the-road periods during which the
battery is disconnected.
Flexible service interval
3
The length of the service intervals is based
on several parameters stemming from
usage. For this reason, various
engine-specific data is continually
gathered and is used to calculate the
remaining distance until the next service.
If the remaining distance is less
than 1500 km, InSP is displayed with a
remaining distance of 1000 km when the
ignition is switched on and off. If less
than 1000 km remains, InSP is displayed for
several seconds. Have the next service
performed by a workshop within one week
or 500 km (whichever occurs first).
Display of remaining distance:
1. Switch off ignition.
2. Briefly press the trip odometer reset button. The odometer reading is shown.
3. Press and hold the reset button for about 2 seconds. InSP and the remaining
distance are displayed. Further information
on maintenance and
the inspection system can be found in the
Service and Warranty Booklet, which is in
the glove compartment.
Have maintenance work – and repair work
on the body and the equipment – carried
out professionally by a workshop. We
recommend using your Opel partner, who
has excellent knowledge of Opel vehicles
and has the necessary special tools and
up-to-date service inst ructions from Opel.
It is particularly advisable to use an Opel
Partner during the warranty period in order
to prevent loss of warranty. Further
information can be found in the Service
and Warranty Booklet.
Separate anti-corrosion service
Have this work done at the intervals given
in the Service and Warranty Booklet.

209
Service and maintenance
Genuine Opel Parts and
Accessories We recommend that you use "Genuine
Opel Parts and Accessories" and
conversion parts released expressly for
your vehicle type. These parts have
undergone special tests to establish their
reliability, safety and specific suitability for
Opel vehicles. Despit e continuous market
monitoring, we cannot assess or guarantee
these attributes for other products, even if
they have been granted approval by the
relevant authorities or in some other form.
"Genuine Opel Parts and Accessories" and
conversion parts approved by Opel can be
obtained from your Op el Partner, who can
provide expert advice on permitted
technical changes and ensure correct
installation.
Picture no: 17922S.tif
Performing work To avoid injury from moving parts and
cables conducting ignition voltage, only
carry out engine compartment checks
(e. g. checking brake fluid or engine oil
level) when the igniti on is switched off.
Picture no: 14234s.tif
To aid identification, the caps to be
removed for topping up engine oil, coolant
and washer fluid and the dipstick handle
may be coloured yellow.
9 Warning
Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The cooling fan may start operating
even if the ignition is off.
9 Warning
The ignition system 3 and Xenon
headlamps 3 use extremely high
voltage. Do not touch.

210 Service and maintenance
Picture no: 16486s.tif
Engine oil In vehicles fitted with engine oil level
monitoring 3, the engine oil level is
checked automatically 385. We
recommend checking the engine oil level
before embarking on long journeys.
Picture no: 16487s.tif
Check with the vehicle on a level surface.
The engine must be at operating
temperature and switched off for at least
5minutes.
Picture no: 17903s.tif
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, insert it
to the stop on the handle, pull out and read
the engine oil level.
Push the dipstick in as far as it will go and
twist it by half a turn.
Different dipsticks are used depending on
engine variant.
When the engine oil level has dropped to
the MIN mark, top up engine oil.

211
Service and maintenance
Picture no: 15972s.tif
We recommend that you use the same
engine oil as was used the last time it was
topped up.
Picture no: 14238s.tif
The engine oil level must not exceed
theMAX mark on the dipstick.
Picture no: 17902s.tif
The amount filled must be between the
MIN and MAX marks 3230.
Fit the cap on straig ht and tighten it.
Caution
If there is too much engine oil, the excess
must be drained or suctioned out.

212 Service and maintenanceDiesel fuel filter On the event of engine oil change, have
fuel filter checked for possible water
residue by a workshop.
Illumination of A indicates water in the
fuel filter 3.
Have fuel filter checked at shorter intervals
if the vehicle is subjected to extreme
operating conditions such as high humidity
(primarily in coastal areas), extremely high
or low outside temperatures and
substantially varying daytime and
night-time temperatures.
Coolant The coolant provid es anti-freeze
protection down to approx. -28 C. .
Picture no: 17905s.tif
Antifreeze and corrosion protection
Have the concentration of the radiator
contents tested by a workshop before
winter starts. The amount of antifreeze
must provide protection down to
approx. -28 C. A lower antifreeze
concentration will reduce the amount of
protection from fros t and corrosion. Add
antifreeze if necessary.
If coolant loss is topped up with water,
have concentration checked and add
antifreeze if necessary.
Caution
Only use approved anti-freeze.
Coolant additives used to give
additional protection against corrosion
and prevention against small leaks can
lead to functional problems. No liability
is accepted for damage caused by using
coolant additives.
9 Warning
Antifreeze is a danger to health; it must
therefore be kept in the original
container and out of the reach of
children.

213
Service and maintenance
Picture no: 17904s.tif
Coolant level
In a closed cooling system, there is hardly
any loss.
If the cooling system is cold, the coolant
should lie above the KALT/COLD mark.
Top up if the level is low. Top up with anti-freeze. If no anti-freeze is
available, fill with clean tap water or
distilled water. Have the anti-freeze
concentration checked.
Have the cause of coolant loss rectified by
a workshop.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Brakes A screeching noise indicates that the brake
lining is at its minimum thickness.
Continued driving is possible. Have the
brake lining replace as soon as possible.
Once new brake lining is fitted, do not
brake unnecessarily hard for the
first 200 km.
9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before opening
the cap. Carefully open the cap,
relieving the overpressure slowly.
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause
engine damage.

214 Service and maintenance
Picture no: 14765s.tif
Brake fluid The brake fluid level must be between
theMIN and the MAX marks. When topping up, ensure maximum
cleanliness as contamination of the brake
fluid can lead to func
tion problems in the
braking system.
Only use approved high performance
brake fluids. Only us e brake fluid DOT4.
After correcting the brake fluid level, have
the cause of the loss of brake fluid
remedied by a workshop. Brake fluid change
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, i.e. it absorbs
water. If the brakes become hot, such as
when driving on long downhill stretches,
vapour bubbles can occur in the water,
which can have an extremely adverse
effect on braking power (depending on the
proportion of water).
Keep to the specified intervals.
9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and corrosive.
Do not allow it to come into contact with
eyes, skin, fabrics or painted surfaces.
9 Warning
Have the brake fluid change performed
by a workshop. Please comply with the
legal environmental and health
regulations – concerning the disposal
of brake fluid.