length OPEL ANTARA 2009 Owners Manual

Driving and operation118
Kickdown
Depress accelerator pedal past the
pressure point and hold in position;
below certain speeds, the transmission
shifts down into a lower gear. Full engine
power is available for acceleration.
When the desired speed is reached, ease
off the accelerator; the transmission shifts
up into a higher gear.
For safety reasons, kickdown is available in
both automatic and manual mode. Engine braking assistance
Automatic mode
The automatic transmi
ssion automatically
selects the driving programs with the best
possible braking effect.
If necessary, lower gears can also be
selected in manual mo de to increase the
braking effect. 1st gear has the greatest
braking effect.
Manual mode
In order to utilize the engine braking effect
when driving downhill, select drive range 3,
2 or, if necessary, 1 in good time.
The braking action is mo st effective in drive
range 1. If drive range 1 is selected at too
high a speed, the transmission remains in
the current gear until the shift point for
drive range 1 is reached, e.g. as a result of
deceleration.
Use of the engine braking effect, as
opposed to the use of the foot brake when
driving downhill, can ex tend the life of the
brakes. Stopping the vehicle
The selector lever can be
left in the current
drive range when the engine is running.
In automatic or manual mode, once the
vehicle is stationary, first gear engages
automatically and the clutch opens.
In position R, reverse remains engaged.
When stopping on gradients, engage
hand brake or depress brake pedal. Do not
hold the vehicle in place with the
accelerator.
Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy
period, e.g. in traffic jams.

Self-help, vehicle care178
Notes on temporary spare wheel
zUsing a temporary spare wheel may
change the driving behaviour of the
vehicle, particularly if using winter
tyres 3. Replace defective tyre as quickly
as possible, balanc e wheel and fit to
vehicle.
z Fit only one temporary spare wheel.
z Do not drive faster than 80 km/h
(50 mph).
z Take curves slowly.
z Do not use the temporary spare wheel
for a lengthy period.
z Replace temporary spare wheel with full
specification wheel without delay.
z When temporary spare wheel is fitted, do
not take the vehicle through an
automatic car wash with guide rails. The
temporary spare wheel may get caught
on the rails, causing damage to the tyre,
wheel and other vehicle parts.
z Tyre chains are not permitted on the
temporary spare wheel.
If tyre chains are necessary after a front
wheel puncture, fit the temporary spare
wheel to the rear and a rear wheel to the
front. Check tyre pressure and adjust if
necessary - see page 224.
z Follow the temporary spare wheel
instructions on pages 153, 181, 223. Notes on directional tyres
3
Tyres with a prescribed rotating direction
can only achieve their maximum
performance if they are fitted in the
prescribed rotating direction.
If a tyre or spare wheel is fitted that is
rotating in the wrong direction due to a
puncture, the following must be noted:
z The handling of the vehicle may be
different. Replace defective tyres as soon
as possible, have wheel balanced and
fitted to the vehicle.
z Do not drive faster than 80 km/h
(50 mph).
z Drive particularly carefully on wet and
snow-covered road surfaces.
z For more information on tyres with a
prescribed rotating direction -
see page 149.Wheel changing
In order to reduce the chance of possible
injuries, make the following preparations
and note the procedure:
zPark on a level, firm and non-slippery
surface.
z Switch on hazard warning lamps and
apply hand brake. Engage 1st gear or
reverse (automatic transmission 3 in P).
z Correctly set up warning triangle 3.
z Ensure all vehicle passengers are out of
the vehicle and clear of the vehicle and
other traffic.
z Take the spare wheel from under the
luggage compartment floor cover -
see page 177.
z Before raising the vehicle, turn front
wheels to straight-ahead position.

226 Technical data
Dimensions
Overall length (mm)4576
Width (mm) 1850
Overall height with roof rails (mm) 1747
Wheelbase (mm) 2707
Track width (mm): Front
Rear 1562
1572
Turning circle diameter, wall to wall (m) 12.78
Maximum wading depth (mm)
(at 5 km/h (3 mph)) 450
Approach angle 24°
Ramp angle 17.6°
Departure angle 23°