towing OPEL ASTRA J 2014 Owner's Guide

Vehicle care279Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust gases from the towing vehicle, switch on the
air recirculation and close the
windows.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: The vehicle must be towed facing
forwards, not faster than 80 km/h nor further than 100 km. In all other cases
and when the transmission is
defective, the front axle must be
raised off the ground.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the top and engage
downwards.
Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower bend of the cap. Release the
cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 258.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
The lashing eye at the rear
underneath the vehicle must never be used as a towing eye.
Attach a tow rope – or even better a
tow bar – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering a
vehicle.

280Vehicle careCaution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the top and engage
downwards.
Appearance care
Exterior care
Locks The locks are lubricated at the factory
using a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use de-icing agent only when absolutely necessary, as this has a
degreasing effect and impairs lock
function. After using a de-icing agent,
have the locks regreased by a
workshop.
Washing The paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences.
Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.
When using automatic vehicle
washes, select a programme that
includes waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,
pollen and the like should be cleaned off immediately, as they contain
aggressive constituents which can
cause paint damage.If using a vehicle wash, comply with
the vehicle wash manufacturer's instructions. The windscreen wiperand rear window wiper must be
switched off. Remove antenna and
external accessories such as roof
racks etc.
If you wash your vehicle by hand,
make sure that the insides of the
wheel housings are also thoroughly
rinsed out.
Clean edges and folds on opened
doors and the bonnet as well as the
areas they cover.Caution
Always use a cleaning agent with
a pH value of 4 to 9.
Do not use cleaning agents on hot surfaces.
Have the door hinges of all doors
greased by a workshop.
Do not clean the engine compartment with a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.

282Vehicle care
Paintwork damageRectify minor paintwork damage with
a touch-up pen before rust forms.
Have more extensive damage or rust
areas repaired by a workshop.
UnderbodySome areas of the vehicle underbody
have a PVC undercoating while other
critical areas have a durable
protective wax coating.
After the underbody is washed, check
the underbody and have it waxed if
necessary.
Bitumen/rubber materials could
damage the PVC coating. Have
underbody work carried out by a
workshop.
Before and after winter, wash the
underbody and have the protective
wax coating checked.Liquid gas system9 Danger
Liquid gas is heavier than air and
can collect in sink points.
Take care when performing work
at the underbody in a pit.
For painting work and when using a
drying booth at a temperature above
60 °C, the liquid gas tank must be
removed.
Do not make any modifications to the
liquid gas system.
Towing equipment Do not clean the coupling ball bar with
a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.
Rear carrier system Clean the rear carrier system with a
steam-jet or high-pressure jet cleaner
at least once a year.
Operate the rear carrier system
periodically if not in regular use, in
particular during winter.
Air shutter
Clean the shutter system in the front
bumper to maintain correct
functionality.
Interior care Interior and upholsteryOnly clean the vehicle interior,
including the instrument panel fascia
and panelling, with a dry cloth or
interior cleaner.
Clean the leather upholstery with
clear water and a soft cloth. In case of
heavy soiling, use leather care.
The instrument cluster and the
displays should only be cleaned using
a soft damp cloth. If necessary use a weak soap solution.
Clean fabric upholstery with a
vacuum cleaner and brush. Remove
stains with an upholstery cleaner.
Clothing fabrics may not be
colourfast. This could cause visible
discolourations, especially on light-

325
Child restraints.............................. 56
Child restraint systems ................56
Cigarette lighter .........................109
Climate control ............................. 19
Climate control systems .............155
Clock........................................... 107
Code ........................................... 128
Control indicators........................ 113
Control of the vehicle .................164
Controls ...................................... 102
Convex shape .............................. 33
Coolant and antifreeze ...............285
Cruise control ....................121, 183
Cupholders .................................. 62
Curtain airbag system .................. 54
Curve lighting.............................. 145
D Danger, Warnings and Cautions ...4
Daytime running lights ...............145
Declaration of conformity ............321
Diesel fuel system bleeding .......231
Diesel particle filter .............119, 170
Door open .................................. 121
Doors ............................................ 28
Driver assistance systems ..........183
Driver Information Centre ...........121
Driving characteristics and towing tips .............................. 220
Driving hints ................................ 164E
Electric adjustment ......................33
Electrical system......................... 252
Electric parking brake .................117
Electric parking brake fault .........117
Electronic climate control system 158
Electronic driving programmes ..173
Electronic Stability Control.......... 179
Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control system ..........118
Electronic Stability Control off..... 118
End-of-life vehicle recovery .......225
Engine compartment fuse box ...253
Engine coolant ........................... 227
Engine coolant temperature gauge ..................................... 111
Engine data ............................... 292
Engine exhaust .......................... 170
Engine identification ...................288
Engine oil ................... 226, 285, 289
Engine oil pressure ....................119
Entry lighting .............................. 152
Event data recorders ..................321
Exit lighting ................................ 153
Exterior care .............................. 280
Exterior light ............................... 120
Exterior lighting ....................16, 142
Exterior mirrors ............................. 33F
Fault ........................................... 173
First aid ......................................... 97
First aid kit ................................... 97
Fixed air vents ........................... 163
Flex-Fix system ............................ 66
Fog light ..................................... 120
Fog lights ................................... 237
Folding mirrors ............................. 33
Following distance indication ......196
Forward collision alert................. 193
Front airbag system .....................53
Front fog lights ........................... 149
Front seats.................................... 42
Front storage ................................ 63
Front turn signal lights ...............239
Fuel............................................. 213
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions ............................... 219
Fuel for diesel engines ..............213
Fuel for liquid gas operation .......213
Fuel for petrol engines ...............213
Fuel gauge ................................. 111 Fuel selector .............................. 111
Fuses ......................................... 252
G
Gauges ....................................... 110
General information ...................219

327
PParking ................................ 21, 169
Parking assist ............................ 198
Parking brake ............................ 176
Parking lights ............................. 150
Particulate filter ........................... 170
Performance .............................. 295
Performing work ........................225
Pollen filter ................................. 163
Power outlets ............................. 108
Power seat adjustment ................46
Power steering............................ 118
Power windows ............................ 35
Preheating ................................. 119
Puncture ..................................... 268
Q
Quickheat ................................... 162
R Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ..................................... 322
Radio remote control ...................23
Reading lights ............................ 152
Rear carrier system ......................66
Rear floor storage cover ..............90
Rear fog light ............................. 121
Rear fog lights ........................... 150
Rear seats .................................... 49
Rear storage ................................. 88Rear view camera ...................... 206
Rear window wiper/washer ........ 106
Recommended fluids and lubricants ........................ 285, 289
Reduced engine power ..............120
Refuelling ................................... 215 Retained power off .....................165
Reversing lights .........................150
Ride control systems ..................178
Roof .............................................. 38
Roof load .................................... 100
Roof rack ..................................... 99
S Safety belts ................................... 49
Safety net .................................... 95
Seat adjustment ....................... 7, 42
Seat belt ...................................... 10
Seat belt reminder .....................115
Seat belts ..................................... 49
Seat folding .................................. 45
Seat position ................................ 42
Selector lever ............................. 172
Service ............................... 163, 284
Service display .......................... 112
Service information ....................284
Service vehicle soon .................. 116
Side airbag system ......................54
Side blind spot alert ....................205
Sidelights .................................... 142Side turn signal lights ................249
Smartphone controller ................128
Spare wheel ............................... 272
Speed limiter............................... 185
Speedometer ............................. 110
Starting and operating ................165
Starting off ................................... 20
Starting the engine ....................165
Steering ...................................... 164
Steering wheel adjustment ..11, 102
Steering wheel controls .............102
Stop-start system........................ 167
Storage ......................................... 62
Storage compartments .................62
Sunroof ........................................ 38
Sunvisor lights ........................... 152
Sun visors .................................... 37
Symbols ......................................... 4
T
Tachometer ............................... 110
Tail lights ................................... 241
Three-point seat belt .................... 50
Tools .......................................... 258
Top-tether fastening eyes ............61
Tow bar....................................... 219
Towing ................................ 219, 278
Towing another vehicle .............279
Towing equipment .....................221
Towing the vehicle .....................278

328
Traction Control system ............. 178
Traction Control system off......... 119
Traffic sign assistant ...................208
Trailer coupling ........................... 219
Trailer stability assist .................223
Trailer towing ............................. 220
Transmission ............................... 20
Transmission display .................171
Tread depth ............................... 264
Trip computer ............................ 132
Trip odometer ............................ 110
Turn and lane-change signals ...149
Turn signal ................................. 115
Tyre chains ................................ 265
Tyre designations ......................260
Tyre pressure ............................ 260
Tyre pressure monitoring system ............................. 119, 261
Tyre pressures ........................... 309
Tyre repair kit ............................. 265
U
Ultrasonic parking assist ...118, 198
Underseat storage .......................64
Upholstery .................................. 282
Upshift ........................................ 117
Using this manual ..........................3V
Vehicle battery ........................... 229
Vehicle checks............................ 225
Vehicle data ................................ 289
Vehicle data recording and privacy ..................................... 321
Vehicle detected ahead ..............121
Vehicle dimensions .................... 307
Vehicle Identification Number ....287
Vehicle jack ................................ 258
Vehicle messages .....................128
Vehicle personalisation .............134
Vehicle security ............................ 30
Vehicle specific data ......................3
Vehicle storage ........................... 224
Vehicle tools ............................... 258
Vehicle unlocking ........................... 6
Vehicle weight ........................... 299
Ventilation ................................... 155
W Warning chimes .........................131
Warning lights ............................. 110
Warning triangle .......................... 96
Washer and wiper systems .........18
Washer fluid ............................... 228
Wheel changing .........................268
Wheel covers ............................. 264
Wheels and tyres .......................260Windows....................................... 35
Windscreen................................... 35 Windscreen wiper/washer .........104
Winter tyres ............................... 260
Wiper blade replacement ..........231