engine OPEL AGILA 2009 Owner's Guide

9-10Driving and operating
Brake assist
Rapid powerful application of the
brake pedal automatically applies
maximum brake force amplification to
achieve the shortest possible braking
distance under full braking (brake
assist).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full-on
braking is to continue. When the
brake pedal is released, the
maximum brake force amplification is
taken away.
Ride control systems
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP®) 3
The Electronic Stability Program
improves driving stability when
necessary, independently of the type
of road surface and the tyre grip. It
also prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
The system monitors vehicle
movements. As soon as the vehicle
starts to swerve (understeers/
oversteers), engine output is reduced
(the sound of the engine changes)
and individual wheels are specifically
braked. This considerably improves
the driving stability of the vehicle on
snow and ice and on wet or slippery
road surfaces.
ESP
® is ready for operation as soon
as the ignition is switched on and the
control indicators
R, ESP and TCSS OFF extinguish.
When the ESP® comes into action,
control indicator
R flashes rapidly in
the instrument cluster. Some noise or
vibration may be apparent.ESP active control indicator 3 5-10.
Interruption of power supply
If the vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected and reconnected,
ESP
® is deactivated and control
indicator R flashes once per second.
Reactivate ESP® by driving in a
straight line at over 15 km/h (9 mph)
for a few seconds until flashing
ceases. Several seconds may lapse
before the control indicator
extinguishes, depending on road
conditions.
Caution
Do not let this special safety feature
tempt you into taking risks when
driving.
Traffic safety can only be achieved
by adopting a responsible driving
style.

9-12Driving and operating
Fuel
Petrol engine fuel
Use only unleaded fuels meeting the
specifications of DIN EN 228.
Refuel using the correct octane
number 3 12-3.
If the RON 95 label is attached to the
tank flap, unleaded fuel with an
octane rating of 95 or higher must be
used.
Diesel engine fuel
Use only diesel engine fuel meeting
the specifications of DIN EN 590.
Marine diesel fuel, fuel oils, diesel
fuels, which are entirely or partially
plant based such as rape seed oil or
bio-diesel, Aquazole and similar
diesel-water emulsions must not be
used.The flow and filterability of diesel
fuels are temperature-dependent.
Fuel filler cap
If replacing the fuel filler cap, be sure
to use the original fuel filler cap for
your model, to ensure full
functionality.
Refuelling
Caution
A fuel of too low an octane can lead
to engine damage.
9 Warning
Before refuelling, switch off the
engine and any heating systems
with combustion chambers.
Switch off mobile phones.
Fuel is inflammable and
explosive, therefore avoid dealing
with fuel near naked flames and
doing anything that would
generate sparks. No smoking!
This also applies where the smell
of fuel is noticeable. If the smell of
fuel vapour occurs in the vehicle
itself, have the cause remedied
immediately by a workshop.
Observe the operating and safety
instructions of the petrol station
when refuelling.

10-1Vehicle care
Vehicle care General information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend the use of ‘Opel
genuine parts and accessories’
expressly released for your vehicle
type. Do not make any changes to the
vehicle’s electrical systems.
End-of-life vehicle recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle
recovery centres and the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles is available at
www.opel.com.
Vehicle checks
Bonnet .................................. 10-2
Engine oil .............................. 10-3
Engine coolant ...................... 10-4
Windscreen/rear window
washer fluid ........................ 10-5
Windscreen/rear window
wipers ................................. 10-5
Brakes ................................... 10-6
Battery .................................. 10-6
Diesel fuel system, bleeding . 10-7
Bulb replacement .................. 10-7
Fuses .................................... 10-11
Wheels .................................. 10-15
Tyre repair kit 3 ..................... 10-18
Wheel changing .................... 10-22
Jump starting 3 ..................... 10-26
Towing .................................. 10-28
Interior care........................... 10-29
Exterior care ......................... 10-30
9 Warning
Only carry out engine
compartment checks when the
ignition is switched off.
The cooling fan can start to
operate unexpectedly, even when
the ignition is switched off.
9 Danger
Electronic ignition systems
generate very high voltages. Do
not touch the ignition system; high
voltage can be fatal.

10-3Vehicle care
To close, lift bonnet slightly, release
the support rod from the hole and
press it back into its retaining clip.
Lower the bonnet gradually, allowing
it to drop from a height of approx.
30 cm.
Check that the bonnet is locked in
position before driving, by pulling at
its front edge. If it is not engaged,
repeat closing procedure.
Engine oil
Information on engine oil is in the
chapter “Service and maintenance”
311-6.
We recommend the engine oil level is
checked before starting a long trip.
The engine oil level must be checked
with the vehicle horizontal and with
the engine (which must be at
operating temperature) switched off.
Wait a few minutes before checking
the level to allow the normal oil
accumulation in the engine to drain
back into the oil pan.
Pull out dipstick from the tube, wipe it
clean and re-insert it as far as it will
go. After pulling the dipstick out again, check the engine oil level,
ensuring it is between the lower and
upper (MIN and MAX) marks.
The illustrations show checking the
engine oil in the K 10 B and K 12 B
petrol engines and the diesel engines
respectively.
Top up if the engine oil level has
dropped to the "add oil" lower mark
(MIN mark).

10-4 Vehicle care
When replenishing, attempt to use
the same type of engine oil as used at
the last oil change.
The engine oil level must not go
above the upper (MAX) mark on the
dipstick.
Capacities 3 12-5.
Engine oil life monitor 3 3 5-14.
Engine coolant
Antifreeze and corrosion
protection
The antifreeze provides freeze
protection down to -28 °C.
Coolant level
The illustrations show the LOW and
FULL coolant level marks in the
petrol and diesel engines
respectively.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be drained
or syphoned out.
Caution
Use only approved antifreeze.
9 Warning
Allow engine to cool down before
removing coolant filler cap. If
steam is visible, move away from
the vehicle until the engine is
cool.
Remove coolant filler cap
carefully so that pressure can
escape slowly.

10-5Vehicle care
If it falls below the LOW mark when
the system is cold, the coolant must
be replenished.
Top up coolant level to the FULL
mark, using a 50/50 mixture of
antifreeze and distilled water. Ensure
that the coolant level does not go
over the FULL mark.
If no antifreeze is available, top up
with distilled water and have the
concentration checked and more
antifreeze added as necessary.
When closing, tighten coolant filler
cap and ensure that the cap is
returned to its original position (with
the arrows on the cap and the tank
aligned correctly).Windscreen/rear window
washer fluid
Fill only with clean water and washer
fluid with antifreeze.
Windscreen/rear window
wipers
Replacing windscreen wipers
Lift wiper arm, press retaining clip
towards wiper arm and detach wiper
blade.
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause
engine damage.

10-6 Vehicle care
Replacing rear window wiper
Lift wiper arm. Disengage wiper blade
as shown in illustration and remove.
Brakes
Brake pads worn to their minimum
thickness may generate a grinding
noise. It is possible to continue
driving.
Have your brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
Do not brake unnecessarily hard
during the first 200 km (125 miles)
after new brakes have been fitted.Brake/clutch fluid level
The brake fluid level in the reservoir
must not be higher than the MAX
mark or lower than the MIN mark.
Use only approved high performance
brake fluid.Extreme cleanliness is important,
since brake fluid contamination can
lead to brake system malfunctions.
After correcting the brake fluid level,
seek the assistance of a workshop to
rectify the cause of the fluid loss.
Battery
The battery is maintenance-free.
Batteries are not to be treated as
household waste. They should be
disposed of at a designated collection
point for recycling.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
4 weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect battery from
on-board power supply by detaching
negative terminal.
Ensure that the ignition is switched off
before reconnecting the battery.
Control indicator Z illuminates in the
instrument cluster then extinguishes
after the engine is started when the
system has been correctly calibrated.
9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Do not allow it to
contact eyes, skin, fabrics or
painted surfaces; direct contact
may cause injuries and damage.

10-7Vehicle care
Diesel fuel system, bleeding
It is possible to restart the engine if
the tank has been run dry.
With vehicle stationary, turn key to
ignition switch position ON for more
than 5 seconds, then turn to START.
If engine does not start, wait
approx.15 seconds before repeating
starting procedure.
If the engine will still not start, seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Bulb replacement
Before replacing a bulb, switch off
ignition and relevant switch.
Only hold new bulbs at base! Do not
touch the bulb glass with bare hands.
Replacement bulb must be in
accordance with data on base of
defective bulb. Do not exceed
wattage given on bulb base.
Headlamps
Battery removal
Diesel engines: for headlamp bulb
replacement on the battery side, it is
necessary to first disconnect and
remove the battery then remove the
coolant expansion tank and fuse box.
1. Switch off ignition and exterior
lamps.
2. Open bonnet and disconnect
battery by detaching negative (-)
terminal followed by positive (+)
terminal.3. Unscrew the retaining bolt using a
suitable tool and remove battery,
coolant expansion tank and fuse
box.
When reinstalling the battery,
reconnect the positive (+) terminal
first and then the negative (-)
terminal.

10-11Vehicle care
Interior lamps
1. Using a suitable screwdriver
covered by a cloth, pry lens away
from roof lining.
2. Remove bulb by pulling straight
out.
3. Insert new bulb, ensuring contact
springs hold the bulb securely.
4. Reinstall lens in roof lining by
pushing it back into original
position.
Instrument illumination
Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.
Electrical system
Fuses
Only install fuses of the specified
rating. Each fuse has its rating written
on it, in addition the fuses are colour
coded.
There are two fuse boxes in the
vehicle: the instrument panel fuse
box is located on the left-hand side of
the vehicle below the instrument
panel and the engine compartment
fuse box is located next to the battery.
It is advisable to carry a full set of
fuses.
Spare fuses can be kept in the engine
compartment fuse box.
When replacing a fuse, turn off the
respective switch and the ignition.

10-12 Vehicle care
A defective fuse can be recognized
by its melted wire. A new fuse should
only be installed after the cause of the
trouble has been eliminated.
To help in replacing fuses, a fuse
extractor is located in the instrument
panel fuse box and in the engine
compartment fuse box.
Do not use tools that conduct
electricity when changing fuses.Instrument panel fuse box
Located on the left-hand side of the
vehicle, below the instrument panel.
To open the fuse box, push the cover
at both ends and remove.
Do not store any objects behind the
cover.