checking oil OPEL ANTARA 2009 Owners Manual

Driving and operation135
Exhaust gases
Do not run engine in enclosed spaces, e.g.
in a garage, or sit in a parked vehicle for an
extended period with the engine running.
Do not drive with tailgate open. If driving
with the tailgate open is necessary, set fan
to highest speed, close windows and
ensure air recirculation mode is off, to allow
entry of outside air.
If the underbody or rear of vehicle is
damaged or corroded, you notice a
change in the sound of the exhaust system,
or whenever you suspect exhaust gases are
penetrating the vehicle interior, consult a
workshop immediately.
When the vehicle is driven for the first time,
wax and oil on the exhaust system may
evaporate, producing smoke-like emissions
which should not be inhaled. Allow wax
and oil to evaporate while the vehicle is in
the open air. Diesel particle filter (DPF) 3
The diesel particle filter removes polluting
soot particles out of the exhaust.
The system contains a self-cleaning
function at certain intervals. The filter is
cleaned by burning the soot particles at
high temperature. This procedure runs
automatically under certain vehicle
conditions and can take up to 15 minutes,
during which time fuel consumption may
increase. The smell and the noise that
occur are normal.
The system cannot automatically clean
itself under certain vehicle conditions, such
as driving short distances.
If control indicator
I illuminates, you
should continue driving, and as soon as the
road and traffic situation permits it,
increase speed to more than 50 km/h
(30 mph) and diesel particle filter cleaning
will start.
Cleaning is quicker at faster speeds and
under load. The engine speed should not
drop below 2000 rpm. The control indicator
extinguishes as soon as cleaning is
complete.
We recommend that you do not turn the
ignition off during cleaning. Maintenance
Have all maintenance work carried out at
the intervals specified by Opel. We
recommend that you entrust this work to
your Opel Partner, who has proper
equipment and trained personnel
available. Electronic testing of systems
permits rapid diagnosis and remedy of
faults. This way, you can be certain that all
components of the vehicle’s electrical,
injection and ignition systems operate
correctly, that your ve
hicle has a low level
of pollutant emission and that the catalytic
converter system will have a long service
life.
You are thereby making an important
contribution towards keeping the air clean
and compliance with emissions legislation.
Checking and adjustment of the fuel-
injection and ignition systems is part of the
scope of a Service. For this reason, you
should have all maintenance work carried
out at the intervals specified in the chapter
"Service, Maintanance" on page 206.
9 Warning
Engine exhaust gases contain poisonous
carbon monoxide, which has no colour or
odour and can be lethal if inhaled.
If exhaust fumes penetrate the vehicle
interior, open the windows and consult a
workshop immediately.

Self-help, vehicle care191
Centre high-mounted stop lamp,
instrument panel and glove compartment
illumination
We recommend having bulb replacements
carried out by a workshop.
Opel genuine parts and
accessories
We recommend the use of “Opel genuine
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 your vehicle. Despite
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.
“Opel genuine parts and accessories” and
conversion parts approved by Opel can be
obtained from your Op el Partner, who can
provide comprehensive advice about
permitted technical changes and ensure
that the part is installed correctly.
A note on safety
To avoid the possibility of injury, only carry
out engine compartment checks (e.g.
checking the brake fluid level or the engine
oil level) when the igni tion is switched off. Never carry out any re
pairs or adjustment
and maintenance work on the vehicle
yourself. This especially applies to the
engine, chassis and safety parts. You may,
out of ignorance, infringe the provisions of
the law and, by not performing the work
properly, you may endanger yourself and
other road users.
Checking and topping up fluids
To aid identification, the engine oil filler
cap, the coolant filler cap, the lid of the
fluid container for the windscreen washer
system and the handle of the engine oil
gauge (dipstick) may be coloured yellow.
9 Warning
The cooling fan may be operated by a
thermoswitch and can therefore start to
operate unexpectedly, even when the
ignition is switched off; risk of injury.
Electronic ignition systems generate very
high voltages. Do not touch the ignition
system; high voltage can be fatal.

Self-help, vehicle care192
Engine oil
Information on engine oils - see page 213.
Engine oil level and consumption
It is normal for every engine to consume
some oil, and it is sometimes necessary to
check and top up the engine oil level
between oil changes.
For this reason, the engine oil level should
be checked every 500 km (300 miles) or
before starting a long trip. The illustrations show checking and
replenishing the engine oil in the Z 24, Z 32
petrol engines and the
Z 20 diesel engines
respectively.
To check the level, remove dipstick from
the dipstick tube, wipe it clean and re-insert
it as far as it will go. After pulling the
dipstick out again, check the oil level,
ensuring it is between the lower and upper
(or MIN and MAX) marks. Engine oil level check and topping up
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.
9 Warning
Do not allow the engine oil level to drop
below the minimum level.

Service, maintenance213
Additional servicing
Additional operations ⊕
Additional work is work that is not required
every service but can be performed in
conjunction with a regular service.
Time allowances for such work are not
included in the scope of regular services
and will be charged for additionally. It is
more economic if these operations are
performed as part of a scheduled service
than having them performed separately.
Severe operating conditions o
Operating conditions are classified as
severe when one or more of the following
occurs frequently:
z cold starts,
z stop and go,
z trailer/caravan towing,
z gradients and/or high altitudes,
z poor road surfaces,
z sand and dust,
z extreme temperature fluctuations.
Police vehicles, taxis and driving school
vehicles are also cla ssified as operating
under severe conditions.
Under severe operating conditions, it may
be necessary to have certain scheduled
service work done more frequently than the
scheduled intervals.
For example, if fuel is used that does not
comply with required standards, the fuel
filter may need more frequent draining or
replacement and it may also be necessary
to change other components more often
(e.g. spark plugs). It is recommended to seek technical advice
on the servicing requirements dependent
on the specific operating conditions of your
vehicle.
Recommended fluids and
lubricants
Only use products that have been tested
and approved. Damage resulting from the
use of non-approved materials will not be
covered by the warranty.
Checking and topping up fluids
see page 191.
Engine oil
Engine oil is identified by its quality and
also its viscosity. Quality is more important
than viscosity when selecting which engine
oil to use.
Engine oil quality
European specifications
Opel engine oil m
eets classifications
GM-LL-A-025 and GM-LL-B-025 and is
therefore suitable for both petrol and
diesel engines.
International specifications
The above specification is valid only if the
service interval is reduced to that shown for
the international service schedule -
see pages 209 to 212.
Topping up engine oil
Oils of different manufacturers and brands
can be mixed as long as you comply with
the specified engine oil criteria (quality and
viscosity).
9 Warning
Operating materials are hazardous and
must be handled with the appropriate
level of care. If consumed, seek medical
attention immediatel y. Do not inhale
fumes and avoid skin contact. Keep out
of reach of children. Do not allow
operating materials to contaminate the
sewage system, surface water, ground
water or soil. Dispose of empty containers
properly. Always bear in mind that
operating materials are hazardous to
your health.
GM-LL-A-025: Petrol engines
GM-LL-B-025: Diesel engines without DPF
ACEA-C3 Diesel engines with DPF
GM General Motors Europe
LL Longlife
A or B Engine oil quality specification
025 Validity index
ACEA-A3: Petrol engines
ACEA-B4: Diesel engines without DPF
ACEA-C3: Diesel engines with DPF