ESP OPEL ASTRA SALOON 2014 User Guide

Driving and operating143
Starting off
Depress the foot brake and move the selector lever to A, + or -. The
transmission is in automatic mode
and first gear is engaged. If R is
selected, reverse gear is engaged.
The vehicle starts to move when the
brake is released.
To start off without depressing the
foot brake, accelerate immediately
after engaging a gear.
If neither the accelerator nor the
brake pedal are depressed, no gear
is engaged and A or R flashes for a
brief time in the display.
Stopping the vehicle
In A, first gear is engaged and the
clutch is released when the vehicle is stopped. In R, reverse gear remains
engaged.
Engine braking Automatic mode
When driving downhill, the manual
transmission automated does not
shift into higher gears until a fairlyhigh engine speed has been reached. It shifts down in good time when
braking.
Manual mode
To utilise the engine braking effect,
select a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill.
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between R and A in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake. The most recently engaged gear (see
transmission display) remains
engaged. With N, no gear is engaged.
When the ignition is switched off the
transmission no longer responds to
movement of the selector lever.Manual mode
If a higher gear is selected when the
engine speed is too low, or a lower
gear when the speed is too high, the
shift is not executed. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or
too high an engine speed.
If engine speed is too low, the
transmission automatically shifts to a
lower gear.
If engine speed is too high, the
transmission only switches to a higher gear via kickdown.
When + or - is selected in automatic
mode, the transmission switches to
manual mode and shifts accordingly.
Electronic driving
programmes ■ Following a cold start, the operating
temperature programme increases engine speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.

146Driving and operatingCaution
Towing the vehicle and starting
the engine is not permitted when
the clutch has been disengaged in this way, although the vehicle can
be moved a short distance.
Seek the immediate assistance of a
workshop.
Brakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when you depress the
brake pedal firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop beforecontinuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has
been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 98.
Antilock brake system Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency
to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
After starting off the system performs a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 98.
Adaptive brake lamp During full braking, all three brake
lamps flash for the duration of ABS
control.

Driving and operating147
Fault9Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release button,
and apply as firmly as possible on a
downhill or uphill slope.
To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the release
button and fully lower the lever.
To reduce the operating forces of the
parking brake, depress the foot brake
at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 98.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the brake pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist The system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further two seconds.
The brakes release automatically as
soon as the vehicle begins to
accelerate.Ride control systems
Electronic stability
program
Electronic stability program
(ESP® Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of the
type of road surface or tyre grip. It also prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
control indicator v extinguishes.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action v
flashes.

148Driving and operating9Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator v 3 99.
Deactivation
ESP® Plus
can be deactivated when
Sport mode is engaged for high-
performance driving:
Hold the SPORT button depressed
for about 4 seconds. Control indicator v illuminates. ESPoff also appears in
the service display.9 Warning
Do not deactivate ESP® Plus
if a
run-flat tyre has lost pressure.
ESP® Plus
is reactivated by pressing
the SPORT button. ESPon appears in
the service display. ESP® Plus
is also
reactivated the next time the ignition is switched on.
Sport mode 3 148.
Interactive driving system Interactive driving system (IDS Plus
)
combines the electronic stability
program (ESP® Plus
) with the antilock
brake system (ABS) and continuous damping control (CDC) to improve
driving dynamics and vehicle safety.
Sport mode
Suspension and steering become
more direct and provide better
contact with the road surface. The
engine reacts more quickly to
accelerator pedal movements.
Automatic gear changing is also more
responsive.
Control indicator IDS+ 3 100.
Activation
Press SPORT button.
Control indicator 1 3 98.

150Driving and operating
With automatic transmission or
manual transmission automated, only
activate cruise control in automatic
mode.
Control indicator m 3 102.
Activation
Briefly press the m button: the current
speed is stored and maintained.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the previously stored speed is resumed.
The speed is saved until the ignition
is switched off.
To resume the saved speed, briefly
press the g button at a speed above
30 km/h.
Increase speed
With cruise control active, hold down
button m or briefly press it repeatedly:
speed is increased continuously or in small increments.
When button m is released the
current speed is stored and
maintained.Reduce speed
With cruise control active, hold down button g or briefly press it repeatedly:
speed is reduced continuously or in
small increments.
When button g is released the current
speed is stored and maintained.
Deactivation
Briefly press the § button: cruise
control is deactivated.
Automatic deactivation: ■ Vehicle speed below approx. 30 km/h
■ The brake pedal is depressed
■ The clutch pedal is depressed
■ Selector lever in N.Object detection
systems
Parking assist
The parking assist makes parking
easier by measuring the distance between the vehicle and obstacles. It
is the driver, however, who bears full
responsibility for parking.
The system consists of four ultrasonic parking sensors in each of the front
and rear bumpers.
Control indicator r 3 98.

Driving and operating155Trailer towingTrailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 %.
The permitted trailer load applies up
to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea
level. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10 %
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than
8 %, e. g. motorways).The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is specified on the identification plate3 212.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (75 kg) is specified on
the towing equipment identification
plate and in the vehicle documents.
Always aim for the maximum load,
especially in the case of heavy
trailers. The vertical coupling load
should never fall below 25 kg.Rear axle load
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by
65 kg and the permissible gross
vehicle weight by 45 kg for the
Saloon. For the Station wagon, the
permissible rear axle load may be
exceeded by 60 kg and the
permissible gross vehicle weight by
30 kg. If the permissible rear axle load
is exceeded, a maximum speed of
100 km/h applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.

158Driving and operating
Dismounting the coupling ballbar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c ( 1) to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out
coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold away socket.
Trailer stability assist
If the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is selectively braked until the snaking
ceases.
Trailer stability assistant (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP® Plus
) 3 147.

Vehicle care181Electrical systemFuses
Data on the replacement fuse must match data on the defective fuse.
The vehicle has two fuse boxes: one
behind a cover on the left side of the
load compartment and one in the front left of the engine compartment.
Store spare fuses in the load
compartment fuse box version B.
Open the cover 3 185.
Before replacing a fuse, turn off the
respective switch and the ignition.
A blown fuse can be recognised by its melted wire. Do not replace the fuse
until the cause of the fault has been
remedied.
Some functions are protected by
several fuses.
Fuses may also be inserted without existence of a function.
Fuse extractor
A fuse extractor may be located in the
fuse box in the load compartment.

188Vehicle care
TwinTop
The tools for emergency operation of
the convertible hardtop are stowed in
the glove compartment.Wheels and tyres
Tyre condition, wheel condition
Drive over edges slowly and at right
angles if possible. Driving over sharp
edges can cause tyre and wheel
damage. Do not trap tyres on the kerb when parking.
Regularly check the wheels for
damage. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in the event of damage or
unusual wear.
Tyres
Tyres of size 225/45 R 17 are only
permitted if the vehicle is equipped
with electronic stability program.Astra OPC "Nürburgring
Edition" with tyres 225/40 ZR 18
This model is factory-fitted with high-
performance sports tyres, size
225/40 ZR 18. These tyres are
approved for use on public roads but
have typical racing characteristics
and a correspondingly shallow tread.
The tyres provide sportily oriented
and experienced drivers with better
performance at faster speeds on dry
road surfaces but can cause the
vehicle to break away without
warning if this limit is exceeded. Avoid adopting a risky driving style because
of this improved performance. In wet conditions adapt your driving style
and speed to the shallow tread.
Winter tyres Winter tyres improve driving safety at
temperatures below 7 °C and should
therefore be fitted on all wheels.

190Vehicle careTyre designationsE.g. 195/65 R 15 91 H195=Tyre width, mm65=Cross-section ratio (tyre
height to tyre width), %R=Belt type: RadialRF=Type: RunFlat15=Wheel diameter, inches91=Load index e.g. 91 is
equivalent to 618 kgH=Speed code letter
Speed code letter:
Q=up to 160 km/hS=up to 180 km/hT=up to 190 km/hH=up to 210 km/hV=up to 240 km/hW=up to 270 km/h
Tyre pressure
Check the pressure of cold tyres at
least every 14 days and before any
long journey. Do not forget the spare
wheel. This also applies to vehicles
with tyre pressure monitoring.
Remove the valve cap key from the
fuel filler flap and use it to unscrew the
valve cap.
On vehicles with tyre pressure
monitoring system, screw the adapter
to the valve.
Tyre pressure 3 225 and on the label
on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The tyre pressure data refer to cold
tyres. It applies to summer and winter tyres.
Always inflate the spare wheel to the
pressure specified for full load.
The ECO tyre pressure serves to
achieve the smallest amount of fuel
consumption possible. It must not be used with run-flat tyres.
Incorrect tyre pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and
fuel economy and will increase tyre
wear.
Tyre pressures differ depending on
various options. For the correct tyre
pressure value, follow the procedure
below:
1. Identify drive axle and body style.
2. Identify the engine identifier code.
Engine data 3 216.
3. Identify the respective tyre.