tow VAUXHALL MERIVA 2016 Owner's Guide

166Driving 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.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1100 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 50 mph.
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 3 234.Trailer towing
Trailer loads9 Warning
Vehicles with engine A13DTE:
Use of towing equipment is
permissible for attaching
compatible bicycle carriers only.
Do not use towing equipment for
trailer towing.
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 max. 12%.
The permitted trailer load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above 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 metres of additional
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
3 223.
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 (75 kg) 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.

Driving and operating167Rear axle loadWhen 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
80 kg (vehicles with LPG system:
110 kg), the gross vehicle weight
rating may be exceeded by 70 kg
(vehicles with LPG system: 95 kg). If
the permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
60 mph applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Stowage of the detachable
coupling ball bar
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
stowed in the rear stowage
compartment on the floor.
Run the strap through the lashing eye and tighten the strap to secure the
bag.
Fitting the detachable coupling
ball bar
Disengage and fold down the socket. Remove the sealing plug from the
opening for the coupling ball bar and
stow it.

168Driving 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. 5 mm.
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before being inserted:
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 clockwise. Remove the key
and close the protective flap.
Eye for break-away stopping cable

Driving and operating169Attach 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 detachable
coupling ball bar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key clockwise 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 socket.

170Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................171
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 171
Vehicle storage ........................171
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....171
Vehicle checks ........................... 172
Performing work ......................172
Bonnet ..................................... 172
Engine oil ................................. 173
Engine coolant ......................... 174
Power steering fluid .................175
Washer fluid ............................ 175
Brakes ..................................... 175
Brake fluid ............................... 175
Vehicle battery ......................... 176
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....178
Wiper blade replacement ........178
Bulb replacement .......................179
Halogen headlights ..................179
Adaptive forward lighting .........181
Fog lights ................................. 183
Front turn signal lights .............183
Tail lights ................................. 184
Side turn signal lights ..............187
Number plate light ...................187Interior lights ............................ 188
Instrument panel illumination ...188
Electrical system ........................188
Fuses ....................................... 188
Engine compartment fuse box . 190
Instrument panel fuse box .......192
Load compartment fuse box ....193
Vehicle tools .............................. 194
Tools ........................................ 194
Wheels and tyres .......................195
Winter tyres ............................. 195
Tyre designations ....................195
Tyre pressure .......................... 196
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 197
Tread depth ............................. 200
Changing tyre and wheel size . 200
Wheel covers ........................... 201
Tyre chains .............................. 201
Tyre repair kit .......................... 201
Wheel changing .......................206
Spare wheel ............................ 209
Jump starting ............................. 212
Towing ....................................... 213
Towing the vehicle ...................213
Towing another vehicle ...........214Appearance care .......................215
Exterior care ............................ 215
Interior care ............................. 217

202Vehicle careApply the parking brake and engagefirst gear, reverse gear or P.
The tyre repair kit is stowed in the load compartment.
Depending on the equipment, the tyre repair kit is in a compartment in the
right sidewall or in a compartment
under the floor cover.
Vehicles with tyre repair kit in the
sidewall
To open the compartment, disengage the cover and open it.
1. Take the sealant bottle and bracket with air hose from the
insert.
2. Detach air hose from bracket and screw onto sealant bottle
connection.
3. Position the sealant bottle on the bracket. Make sure that the bottle
does not fall.

Vehicle care203
4.Unscrew valve cap from defective
tyre.
5. Screw tyre inflation hose to valve.
6. Screw air hose onto compressor connection.
7. Switch on ignition. To avoid discharging the vehicle
battery, we recommend running
the engine.8. Press on/off switch on the compressor. The tyre is filled withsealant.
9. The compressor pressure gauge briefly indicates up to 6 bar whilst
the sealant bottle is emptying
(approx. 30 seconds). Then the
pressure starts to drop.
10. All of the sealant is pumped into the tyre. Then the tyre is inflated.
11. The prescribed tyre pressure should be obtained within
10 minutes. Tyre pressure
3 234 . When the correct pressure
is obtained, switch off the
compressor by pressing the on/off switch again.
If the prescribed tyre pressure is
not obtained within 10 minutes,
remove the tyre repair kit. Move
the vehicle one tyre rotation.
Reattach the tyre repair kit and
continue the filling procedure for 10 minutes. If the prescribed tyre
pressure is still not obtained, the
tyre is too badly damaged. Seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Release excess tyre pressure by
pressing ].
Do not run the compressor longer
than 10 minutes.
12. Push catch on bracket to remove sealant bottle from bracket. Screwthe tyre inflation hose to the free
connection of the sealant bottle.
This prevents sealant from
escaping. Stow tyre repair kit in
load compartment.
13. Remove any excess sealant using a cloth.
14. Take the label indicating maximum permitted speed from
the sealant bottle and affix in the
driver's field of view.

204Vehicle care15. Continue driving immediately sothat sealant is evenly distributed
in the tyre. After driving approx.
6 miles (but no more than 10 minutes), stop and check tyre
pressure. Screw compressor air
hose directly onto tyre valve and
compressor when doing this.
If tyre pressure is more than
1.3 bar , set it to the correct value.
Repeat the procedure until there
is no more loss of pressure.
If the tyre pressure has fallen
below 1.3 bar, the vehicle must
not be used. Seek the assistance
of a workshop.
16. Stow away tyre repair kit in load compartment.Vehicles with tyre repair kit under
the floor cover
1. Take the tyre repair kit from the compartment.
2. Remove the compressor.
3. Remove the electrical connection cable and air hose from the
stowage compartments on the
underside of the compressor.

206Vehicle careDrain excess tyre pressure with
the button over the pressure indicator.
Do not run the compressor longer than 10 minutes.
14. Detach the tyre repair kit. Push catch on bracket to remove
sealant bottle from bracket. Screw
the tyre inflation hose to the free
connection of the sealant bottle.
This prevents sealant from
escaping. Stow tyre repair kit in
load compartment.
15. Remove any excess sealant using a cloth.
16. Take the label indicating maximum permitted speed from
the sealant bottle and affix in the
driver's field of view.
17. Continue driving immediately so that sealant is evenly distributedin the tyre. After driving approx.
6 miles (but no more than 10 minutes), stop and check tyre
pressure. Screw compressor air
hose directly onto tyre valve and
compressor when doing this.
If tyre pressure is more than
1.3 bar , set it to the correct value.
Repeat the procedure until there
is no more loss of pressure.
If the tyre pressure has fallen
below 1.3 bar, the vehicle must
not be used. Seek the assistance
of a workshop.
18. Stow away tyre repair kit in load compartment.
General information Notice
The driving characteristics of the
repaired tyre are severely affected, therefore have this tyre replaced.
If unusual noise is heard or the
compressor becomes hot, turn
compressor off for at least
30 minutes.
The built-in safety valve opens at a
pressure of 7 bar (102 psi).
Note the expiry date of the kit. After
this date its sealing capability is no
longer guaranteed. Pay attention to
storage information on sealant
bottle.
Replace the used sealant bottle. Dispose of the bottle as prescribed
by applicable laws.
The compressor and sealant can be used from approx. -30 °C.
The adapters supplied can be used
to pump up other items e.g.
footballs, air mattresses, inflatable
dinghies etc. They are located on the underside of the compressor. To
remove, screw on compressor air hose and withdraw adapter.
Wheel changing
Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel
3 201.

Vehicle care209
Attach wheel wrench and with the
jack correctly aligned rotate wheel wrench until wheel is clear of the
ground.
5. Unscrew the wheel bolts. 6. Change the wheel.
7. Screw on the wheel bolts.
8. Lower vehicle.
9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring that it locates securely and tighten
each bolt in a crosswise
sequence. Tightening torque is
110 Nm.
10. Align the valve hole in the wheel cover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel bolt caps.
11. Stow the replaced wheel 3 209,
the vehicle tools 3 194 and the
adapter for the locking wheel bolts 3 60.
12. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and also the wheel
bolt torque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or repaired.
Jacking position for lifting platform
Rear arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
Front arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare
wheel.
If mounting a spare wheel, which is
different from the other wheels, this
wheel might be classified as a
temporary spare wheel and the
corresponding speed limits apply,
even though no label indicates this.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
check the applicable speed limit.
The spare wheel has a steel rim.