parking brake OPEL AGILA 2009 Owners Manual

1-10In brief
Parking the vehicle:
„Apply the parking brake firmly
without actuating the release
button. On a downhill or uphill
slope, apply as firmly as possible.
Depress foot brake at the same
time to reduce operating forces.
„Push key into ignition switch before
turning to LOCK position and
removing (vehicles with automatic
transmission3: depress foot brake
and shift into P). Turn steering
wheel until lock is felt to engage
(anti-theft protection).
„If the vehicle is parked on a level
surface or a hill, select 1st gear
before switching the ignition off,
(vehicles with automatic
transmission3: shift into P). Also
turn front wheels away from kerb if
parked on an uphill slope.
„If the vehicle is parked on a
downhill slope, select reverse gear
before switching the ignition off,
(vehicles with automatic
transmission3: shift into P). Also
turn front wheels towards kerb.„Lock doors and tailgate by pressing
buttone on the radio remote
control3. Press buttone twice
within 3 seconds to activate the
anti-theft locking system3.
Advice when parking:
„Do not park the vehicle on an easily
ignitable surface. The high
temperature of the exhaust system
could ignite the surface.
„Close the windows.
„The engine cooling fans may run
after the engine has been switched
off 310-1.
Radio remote control3 32-1,
central locking system 32-3.

4-3Storage compartments
Sunglasses storage
compartment 3
To open, pull cover down.
To close, push cover back up.
Luggage compartment
Notes on loading the vehicle
„Heavy objects in the luggage
compartment should be placed as
far forward as possible. If objects
are to be stacked, heavier objects
should be placed at the bottom.
„Secure heavy objects in luggage
compartment using lashing eyes 3.
If heavy loads slip when the vehicle
is braked heavily or driven around a
bend, handling of the vehicle may
change.„No objects should be placed on the
luggage compartment cover or the
instrument panel.
„Do not allow the load to protrude
above the upper edge of the rear
seatbacks, or if the rear seatbacks
have been folded down, above the
upper edge of the front seatbacks.
„Loads must not obstruct the
operation of the pedals, parking
brake and gearshift lever or hinder
the freedom of movement of the
driver. Do not place any unsecured
objects in the interior.
„Bulky objects should not be
transported with the tailgate open
or ajar, otherwise poisonous
exhaust fumes may enter the
vehicle.
„The payload is the difference
between the permissible Gross
Vehicle Weight (vehicle
identification plate 312-1) and the
EC kerb weight.
Optional equipment and
accessories increase the kerb
weight and in some cases also the

5-9Instruments and controls
X Driver’s seat belt
Will illuminate in red when ignition is
switched on if driver’s seat belt is not
engaged.
If vehicle speed exceeds 15 km/h
(9 mph) and driver’s seat belt is not
engaged, the control indicator will
flash for approx. 90 seconds along
with a warning chime and then
illuminate until driver’s seat belt is
fastened correctly.
Seat belts 3 3-5.
v Airbag systems, belt
tensioners
Will flash in red several times when
the ignition is switched on, then
extinguish.
If it does not flash when the ignition is
switched on, stays lit, illuminates or
flashes whilst driving, there is a fault
with the airbag systems or with the
belt tensioners. The systems might
not therefore be triggered in the event
of an accident. Seek the assistance
of a workshop immediately.
Belt tensioners 3 3-6, airbags 3 3-13.
p Charging system
Will illuminate in red when ignition is
switched on. Extinguishes after
engine is started.
If it stays lit after the ignition is
switched on or illuminates during
driving: stop vehicle and switch off
engine. The battery is not being
charged and the engine cooling may
be interrupted. The brake servo unit
may cease to be effective. Interrupt
your journey immediately.
Remove ignition key and check drive
belt condition and tensioning before
seeking the assistance of a
workshop.
s Service transmission 3
Will illuminate briefly in yellow when
the ignition is switched on.
If it flashes, there is a fault in the
automatic transmission. Seek the
assistance of a workshop
immediately.
Automatic transmission 39-3.
R Brake system
Will illuminate in red when ignition is
switched on. Extinguishes after
engine is started.
Illuminates when engine is running if
parking brake is applied and/or fluid
level for brake hydraulics is too low.
Further information 3 9-9,
brake fluid level 3 10-6.
u Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS)
Will illuminate briefly in yellow when
ignition is switched on.
At the same time, the system
performs a self-check. When the
control indicator extinguishes, the
system is ready for operation.
Caution
If it illuminates when the parking
brake is not applied: stop vehicle;
interrupt your journey immediately.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.

9-2Driving and operating
To release the steering column lock,
turn ignition key to position ACC and
rotate steering wheel slightly.
Before starting-off, check:
„Tyre pressures and condition.
„Engine oil level and fluid levels in
engine compartment 3 10-3.
„All windows, mirrors, exterior
lighting and license plates are free
from dirt, snow and ice and are
operational.
„Objects are securely located and
will not be thrown forward in the
event of sudden braking.
„Seats, seat belts and mirrors are
correctly adjusted.
„All gauges and control indicators.
„Brake operation.
Starting the engine
With manual transmission in neutral,
depress clutch and foot brake,
(automatic transmission 3 in P or N),
do not accelerate.
Petrol engines: Turn key to START
and release it.
Diesel engines: Turn key to ON,
when preheating control indicator N
extinguishes, turn key to START and
release it.
Preheating system switches on only if
outside temperature is low.
Key returns automatically to ON
position when released.Start attempts should not last longer
than 15 seconds. If engine does not
start, wait 15 seconds before
repeating starting procedure. If
necessary, depress accelerator
before repeating starting procedure.
Parking the vehicle
„Apply the parking brake firmly
without actuating the release
button. On a downhill or uphill
slope, apply as firmly as possible.
Depress foot brake at the same
time to reduce operating forces.
„Push key into ignition switch before
turning to LOCK position and
removing (vehicles with automatic
transmission3: depress foot brake
and shift into P). Turn steering
wheel until lock is felt to engage
(anti-theft protection).
„If the vehicle is parked on a level
surface or a hill, select 1st gear
before switching the ignition off,
(vehicles with automatic
transmission 3: shift into P). Also
turn front wheels away from kerb if
parked on an uphill slope.

9-3 Driving and operating
„If the vehicle is parked on a
downhill slope, select reverse gear
before switching the ignition off,
(vehicles with automatic
transmission 3: shift into P). Also
turn front wheels towards kerb.
„Switch off exterior lamps, otherwise
the headlamp warning device will
sound when the driver’s door is
opened.
„Cooling fans may run on after the
engine has been switched off 3
10-1.
Parking over things that
burn
Do not park vehicle on easily ignitable
surfaces as the hot exhaust system
temperatures could cause the
surface to ignite.
Transmission
Automatic transmission 3
The engine can only be started when
the selector lever is in position P or N.
When starting in P or N, depress foot
brake before selecting a gear, then
release the parking brake.
Do not accelerate whilst gearshifting.
If a gear has been selected and the
foot brake is released without
accelerating, the vehicle will "creep".
Never operate the foot brake and
accelerator simultaneously.
Selecting D puts the transmission in
automatic mode.
Only select 3, 2 or L to prevent
automatic upshifting above the
selected gear or as an aid to engine
braking.
The selected gear is shown in the
transmission display.
Transmission display
Displays the selected mode or
current gear.

9-4Driving and operating
Selector lever settings
Selector lever can only be moved out
of P or N with the ignition switched on
and the foot brake depressed.
Never shift to P or R while the vehicle
is moving.
Gears 3, 2, L
The transmission does not shift
above the selected gear.
The current gear appears in the
transmission display.
Kickdown
Depress accelerator pedal past the
pressure point and hold in position;
below certain speeds, the
transmission shifts down into a lower
gear.
Engine braking assistance
In order to utilize the engine braking
effect when driving downhill, select
drive range 3, 2 or, if necessary, L in
good time. P Park position. Front wheels
locked. Only engage when the
vehicle is stationary and the
parking brake is applied. "P"
appears in the transmission
display.
R Reverse gear. Only engage
when the vehicle is stationary.
"R" appears in the
transmission display.
N Neutral or idle. "N" appears in
the transmission display.
D Drive position for normal
driving in 1st gear to 4th gear.
"D" appears in the
transmission display.
3 Transmission shifts
automatically up to 3rd gear
only. The current gear appears
in the transmission display.
2 2nd gear only. The current
gear appears in the
transmission display.
L 1st gear only. The current gear
appears in the transmission
display.

9-5 Driving and operating
Stopping the vehicle
Engage parking brake and move
selector lever to position P. It will not
be possible to turn the ignition key to
the LOCK position unless the selector
lever is in positionP.
Rocking the vehicle
If it becomes necessary to rock the
vehicle to free it from water, ice, sand,
mud, snow or a dip, observe the
following:
Move the selector lever between R
and a forward gear in a repeat pattern
while applying light pressure to the
accelerator pedal when the vehicle is
in gear.
Do not spin the wheels or race the
engine and avoid sudden
acceleration.
Manoeuvring the vehicle
To manoeuvre the vehicle back and
forth during attempts to park or in
garage entrances, the creeping
movement can be utilized by
releasing the foot brake.
Never actuate the accelerator and
brake pedals simultaneously.
Fault
If there is a problem with the
automatic transmission, control
indicator
s flashes. The transmission
no longer shifts automatically.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
rectify the cause of the fault.
Interruption of power supply
If the vehicle battery is flat, the
selector lever cannot be moved out of
position P.
Start the vehicle using jump leads 3
10-26.

9-6Driving and operating
If the battery is not the cause of the
fault, release selector lever as
follows:This procedure is for emergency use
only. If repeated use of this procedure
is necessary, or the procedure does
not work as described, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Manual transmission
Reverse: with the vehicle stationary,
wait 3 seconds after declutching
before engaging gear. If the gear
does not engage, set the lever in
neutral, release the clutch pedal and
depress again; then repeat gear
selection.When driving, do not use the clutch
pedal as a foot rest; this will cause
substantial clutch wear.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Switch off engine then turn
key to ignition switch position
ACC or ON.
3. Remove cap concealing
release button and using a
suitable tool, push the button.
Then move selector lever.
On variants with SHIFT LOCK
button3, push button and
move selector lever.

9-9 Driving and operating
Brakes
Foot brake
The brake system comprises two
separate brake circuits.
If one brake circuit should fail, the
vehicle can still be braked with the
second remaining circuit.
If this happens, the brake pedal must
be fully depressed with greater pedal
pressure. The distance required for
braking will be greater. Seek the
assistance of a workshop.
In order to utilise the full pedal travel,
particularly in the event of a brake
circuit fault, there must be no mats in
the area of the pedals 3 9-1.
With the engine stopped, the brake
servo assistance is discontinued after
the brake pedal has been depressed
once or twice. The braking effect is
not reduced, but increased foot
pressure will be necessary. Take
extra care if the vehicle is being
towed.
Brake system control indicator 3 5-9.
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) u
The ABS prevents the wheels from
locking during heavy braking.
It starts to regulate braking pressure
as soon as a wheel shows a tendency
to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during heavy braking,
e.g. on bends or when swerving to
avoid an obstacle. Even in the case of
extreme braking, ABS makes it
possible to drive round obstacles
without releasing the foot brake.
ABS control indicator 3 5-9.
Fault
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Always apply the parking brake firmly
without actuating the release button.
Apply as fully as possible on uphill or
downhill inclines.
To release the parking brake, press
and hold the button, pull the lever up
slightly and lower lever while holding
the button in.
To reduce the operating forces of the
parking brake, depress the foot brake
at the same time.
Brake system control indicator 3 5-9.
Caution
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may lock during heavy
braking. This may cause the vehicle
to swerve.

10-22 Vehicle care
Wheel changing
In order to reduce the chance of
possible injuries, make the following
preparations and note the procedure:
„Park on a level, firm and non-
slippery surface.
„Switch on hazard warning lamps
and apply parking brake. Engage
reverse gear (automatic
transmission 3 in P).
„Take the spare wheel from under
the luggage compartment floor
cover 3 10-24.
„Before raising the vehicle, turn front
wheels to straight-ahead position.
„Never change more than one
wheel at a time.
„Block wheel diagonally opposite
the wheel to be changed, by
placing wedge blocks or equivalent
in front and behind the wheel.
„Use jack only when changing
wheels.
„If the ground on which the vehicle is
parked is soft, a solid board (max.
1 cm thick) should be placed under the jack. Using a thicker board
could lead to damage of the jack
and the vehicle.
„Do not raise the vehicle more than
is necessary to change a wheel.
„No people or animals may be in the
vehicle when it is jacked-up.
„Never start or run the engine or
crawl under a jacked-up vehicle.
„Before screwing on the wheel bolts
when changing a wheel, apply a
light coating of grease to the cone
of each wheel bolt.
1. Prise off the wheel cover 3.
2. Slacken the wheel bolts by one
turn each using the wheel bolt
wrench, putting the wrench on
as far as possible.
3. The location of front and rear
jacking bars may be indicated
by notches on the bottom edge
of the vehicle, under the doors.