brakes VAUXHALL ADAM 2015.5 Owner's Manual

In brief17Starting offCheck before starting off ■ tyre pressure and condition 3 181,
3 221
■ engine oil level and fluid levels 3 160
■ all windows, mirrors, exterior lighting and number plates are free
from dirt, snow and ice and are
operational
■ proper position of mirrors, seats, and seat belts 3 28, 3 34,
3 39
■ brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wetStarting the engine
■ Turn key to position 1.
■ Move the steering wheel slightly to release the steering wheel lock.
■ Manual transmission: operate clutch and brake pedal.
Manual transmission automated:
operate brake pedal.
■ Do not operate accelerator pedal.
■ Turn key to position 3 and release.
Starting the engine 3 123.
Stop-start system
If the vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill and certain conditions are
fulfilled, activate an Autostop as
follows:
Vehicles with manual transmission ■ Depress the clutch pedal.
■ Set the lever in neutral.
■ Release the clutch pedal.
An Autostop is indicated by the
needle at the AUTOSTOP position in
the tachometer.
To restart the engine, depress the clutch pedal again.

Instruments and controls99
Vehicle messages on the
Uplevel-Display
The vehicle messages are displayed
as text. Follow the instructions given
in the messages.
The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
■ fluid levels
■ anti-theft alarm system
■ brakes
■ ride control systems
■ cruise control, speed limiter
■ parking assist systems
■ lighting, bulb replacement
■ wiper/washer system
■ doors, windows
■ radio remote control
■ seat belts
■ airbag systems
■ engine and transmission
■ tyre pressure
■ vehicle battery
Vehicle messages on the
Colour-Info-Display Some important messages appear
additionally in the
Colour-Info-Display. Some
messages only pop-up for a few
seconds.
Warning chimes When starting the engine or
whilst driving
Only one warning chime will sound at a time.The warning chime regarding
unfastened seat belts has priority
over any other warning chime.
■ If seat belt is not fastened.
■ If a door or the tailgate is not fully closed when starting off.
■ If a certain speed is exceeded with parking brake applied.
■ If a programmed speed is exceeded.
■ If a warning message appears in the Driver Information Centre orInfo-Display.
■ If the parking assist detects an object.
■ If the reverse gear is engaged and the rear end carrier extended.
When the vehicle is parked and/ or the driver's door is opened ■ When the key is in the ignition switch.
■ With exterior lights on.
During an Autostop ■ If the driver's door is opened.

122Driving and operatingDriving and operatingDriving hints............................... 122
Starting and operating ...............122
Engine exhaust .......................... 127
Manual transmission ..................128
Manual transmission automa‐
ted .............................................. 129
Brakes ........................................ 132
Ride control systems .................134
Driver assistance systems .........138
Fuel ............................................ 151Driving hints
Control of the vehicleNever coast with engine not
running
Many systems will not function in this
situation ( e.g. brake servo unit, power
steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others.
All systems function during an
Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 124.
Idle boost
If charging of the vehicle battery is
required due to battery condition, the
power output of the generator must be increased. This will be achieved by
an idle boost which may be audible.
A message appears on the Uplevel-
Display.
Pedals To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in
the area of the pedals.Starting and operating
New vehicle running-in Do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
During the first drive, smoke may
occur because of wax and oil
evaporating off the exhaust system. Park the vehicle in the open for a
while after the first drive and avoid
inhaling the fumes.
During the running-in period fuel and engine oil consumption may be
higher.
Autostop may be inhibited to allow for charging the vehicle battery.

132Driving and operating
KickdownIf the accelerator pedal is pressed
down completely in automatic mode, the transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on engine speed.
Fault To prevent damage to the manual
transmission automated, the clutch is
engaged automatically at high clutch
temperatures.
In the event of a fault, control indicator g illuminates. Additionally, a
warning message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre. Vehicle
messages 3 97.
Continued driving is restricted or not
possible, depending on the fault.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.Brakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has
been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 87.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
After starting off the system performs a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 87.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.

Driving and operating133
Fault9Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Manual parking brake9 Warning
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release
button, and apply as firmly as
possible on a downhill or uphill
slope.
To release the parking brake, pull
the lever up slightly, press the
release button and fully lower the
lever.
To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
foot brake at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 87.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the brake pedal for as long as full braking is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist The system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further two seconds.
The brakes release automatically as

162Vehicle care
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
To top up use a 1:1 mixture of
released coolant concentrate mixed
with clean tap water. If no coolant
concentrate is available, use clean
tap water. Install the cap tightly. Have
the coolant concentration checked
and have the cause of the coolant
loss remedied by a workshop.
Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of windscreen
washer fluid which contains
antifreeze.
Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Brakes
In the event of minimum thickness ofthe brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake lining replaced as
soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid
9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.

226IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 158
Adjustable air vents ...................120
Airbag and belt tensioners ...........86
Airbag deactivation ................45, 86
Airbag label................................... 40 Airbag system .............................. 40
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 121
Air conditioning system .............. 113
Air intake .................................... 120
Air vents...................................... 120
Antilock brake system ................ 132
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......87
Anti-theft alarm system ................26
Anti-theft locking system .............. 26
Appearance care ........................203
Ashtrays ....................................... 79
Automatic anti-dazzle ..................29
Automatic light control ...............105
Automatic locking ........................24
B Battery discharge protection ......111
Battery voltage ........................... 100
Belts.............................................. 38
Bicycle rack .................................. 55
Bonnet ....................................... 160Brake and clutch fluid.................208
Brake and clutch system .............87
Brake assist ............................... 133
Brake fluid .................................. 162
Brakes ............................... 132, 162
Breakdown.................................. 200
Bulb replacement ....................... 165
C Capacities .................................. 220
Car Pass ...................................... 20
Catalytic converter .....................127
Central locking system ................22
Changing tyre and wheel size ...186
Charging system .......................... 86
Child restraint installation locations ................................... 48
Child restraints.............................. 47
Child restraint systems ................47
Cigarette lighter ........................... 79
City mode ................................... 136
Climate control ............................. 15
Climate control systems .............112
Clock ............................................ 77
Code ............................................. 97
Colour-Info-Display .......................95
Control indicators.......................... 83
Control of the vehicle .................122
Controls ........................................ 72
Convex shape .............................. 28