ESP OPEL CORSA 2009 Owner's Manual

152 Driving and operationOverrun
zThe fuel supply is shut off automatically
on overrun, e.g. when descending steep
hills or when braking 3150.
z To enable the overrun cut-off to come
into action and save fuel, do not
accelerate or declutch during overrun.
Correct gear selection
z High revs increase engine wear and fuel
consumption.
z Do not race your engine. Avoid driving at
high engine speeds.
Making use of the tachometer helps to
save fuel. Drive in a low engine speed
range for each gear as much as possible
with uniform engine speeds. Drive as
often as possible in top gear, select the
next higher gear as soon as possible,
and only change down when the engine
is no longer running perfectly smoothly.
High speed
z The higher the speed, the higher the
consumption and the noise level. At top
speed, you consume a great deal of fuel
and produce excessive noise and
exhaust emissions. z
Slightly releasing th e accelerator pedal
results in distinct fu el savings with no
major loss of speed.
Drive at no more than around three
quarters of maximum speed and you will
use up to 50 % less fuel, without losing a
great deal of time.
Tyre pressure
z Inadequate tyre pressure, leading to
higher road resistance, costs money in
two ways: for more fuel and increased
tyre wear.
z Regular checks (every 14 days) pay off.
Electrical loads
z The power consumption of electrical
equipment increases fuel consumption.
z Switch off all additional consumers (e.g.
air conditioning 3, heated rear window)
when not needed.
Roof racks, ski-holders
z Roof loads can increase fuel consumption
by approximately 1l/100 km due to air
resistance.
z Remove them if they are not being used. Repair and maintenance
z
Improper repairs or adjustment and
maintenance work can increase fuel
consumption. Do not carry out work on
the engine yourself.
You may out of ignorance infringe
environmental laws by not disposing of
materials properly.
Appropriate parts might not be recycled.
Contact with some of the materials
involved may pose a health hazard.
z We recommend that repair and
maintenance be entrusted to your Opel
Partner.
Extreme driving conditions
z Driving up steep slopes, cornering,
driving on poor roads and driving in ice
and snow all increase fuel consumption.
Fuel consumption increases dramatically
in urban traffic and at low temperatures,
especially on short trips when the engine
operating temperature is not reached.
z Following the instructions given above
will minimise consumption under these
conditions.
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155
Driving and operation
Picture no: 17199t.tif
Catalytic converter, exhaust
gassesCatalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gas, such as carbon monoxide
(CO), hydrocarbons, CH) and nitrous
oxide (NO
x).
Fuel grades other than those listed on
pages 153, 252 (e. g. LRP = Lead
Replacement Petrol or leaded fuel) could
damage the catalytic converter or
electronic components. z
In the event of misfiring, uneven engine
running, a clear reduction in engine
performance or other unusual problems,
have the cause of the fault rectified by a
workshop as soon as possible. In an
emergency, driving can be continued for
a short period, keeping vehicle speed
and engine speed low.
This does not apply when the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP®
Plus
3) kicks in
3 151.
z If unburnt fuel enters the catalytic
converter of a petrol engine, this may
result in overheating and irreparable
damage to the catalytic converter.
You should therefore avoid
unnecessarily long use of the starter
when starting off, running the tank dry
and starting the engine by pushing or
towing.
Picture no: 18182s.tif
Controlling exhaust emission
Design measures, primarily in the fuel
injection system and ignition system zones
in combination with the catalytic converter,
the amount of hazardous substances in the
exhaust emissions, such as carbon
monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (CH) and
nitrogen oxides (NO
x), are reduced to a
minimum.
Caution
Damage to the catalytic converter or the
vehicle may result if the following points
are not observed.
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159
Driving and operation
Drive Control Systems Electronic Stability Program
(ESP
®Plus
) 3
ESP®
Plus
improves driving stability when
necessary in any driving situation
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 ready for operation as soon as
the ignition is switched on and control
indicator v goes out.
When the ESP®
Plus
comes into action,
v flashes. The vehicle is now in
a critical situation;
ESP®
Plus
allows you to keep control of the
vehicle and reminds you to match your
speed to the road conditions.
Picture no: 18252s.tif
Control indicator
v
The warning lamp lights up for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched on.
The system is now ready for operation.
Flashing during driving:
This shows the system has come into
action. The engine output may be reduced
(the sound of the engine changes) and the
vehicle may be braked automatically to a
small degree.
Illuminates while driving:
The system is switched off 3 or a fault is
present. Continued driving is possible.
However, directional control may
deteriorate depending on the road surface
conditions.
Switch on ESP®
Plus
again and have cause
of fault remedied by a workshop. The self-
diagnosis that is integrated in the system
will help you to find a solution quickly.
9
Warning
Do not let this special safety feature
tempt you into taking risks when driving.
ESP®
Plus
does not negate the laws of
physics.
Adapt speed to the road conditions.
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160 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18470s.tif
Switching off
3
ESP®
Plus
can be deactivated by pressing
button v 3 .
Switching off is indicated by the control
indicator v lighting up in the
instrument. Also appears on the service
display ESPoff391.
Pressing the v button again or turning on
the ignition switches the ESP®
Plus
on again. Cruise control
3
Cruise control can store and maintain
speeds between 30 and 200 km/h.
Deviation from the stored speed may occur
when driving up or downhill.
For safety reasons the cruise control
system cannot be activated until the foot
brake has been operated, otherwise the
control indicator flashes m.
Cruise control is operated with switch m, g,
and button 0 on the turn signal stalk.
Do not use the cruise control if it is not
advisable to maintain a constant speed
(e.g. in situations presenting a danger to
yourself and other road users, in heavy
traffic or on winding, slippery or greasy
roads). With automatic transmission
3, engage
cruise control only in D, or with manual
transmission automated 3 in automatic
mode only.
9
Warning
If the vehicle has run-flat tyres 3 the
ESP®
Plus
must not be deactivated with
depressurised tyres.
9
Warning
When the cruise control is active, reac-
tion times may be increased due to the
different position of the feet.
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162 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18189s.tif
Ultrasonic parking sensors 3
Park pilot makes reverse parking easier by
measuring the distance between the back
of the vehicle and obstacles to the rear. It is
the driver, however, who maintains full
responsibility for parking.
The system records the distance using four
sensors in the rear bumper.
Picture no: 18254s.tif
To activateThe park pilot system activates
automatically when the ignition is switched
on and reverse gear is engaged.
Its operational readin ess is indicated by
illumination of the LED in the button r 3. If the vehicle approaches an obstacle, a
series of acoustic signals sound. The
interval between the signals becomes
shorter as the vehicle gets closer to the
obstacle. When the distance is less
than 30 cm, the signal is continuous.
9
Warning
Under certain circum
stances, various
reflective surfaces on objects or clothing
as well as external noise sources may
cause the system to fail to detect obsta-
cles.
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165
Driving and operation
Picture no: 17206t.tif
Hydraulic brake system The foot brake comprises two independent
brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can still be
braked using the other brake circuit.
However, the brake pedal must be
depressed a considerable way before any
braking effect occurs, and much more
force is required. The braking distance is
longer. Contact a workshop for assistance
before continuing to drive. To ensure that full
pedal travel can be
utilised, especially in case of a fault in one
of the brake circuits, there must be no mats
in the vicinity of the pedals 3150.
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. This is especially important
to bear in mind when towing.
The brake fluid level should be checked
regularly. If the brake fluid level is too low
and the hand brake is not applied, control
indicator R on the instrument panel
illuminates 389.
Picture no: 18257s.tif
Brake system control indicator R
The control indicator lights up when the
ignition is switched on when the hand
brake is applied or when the brake or
clutch fluid level is too low. Brake fluid
level 3246.
For vehicles with manual transmission
automated 3, the control indicator flashes
for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned off when the hand brake is not
applied.
9
Warning
If the control indicator illuminates when
the hand brake is released, stop driving
immediately. Contact a workshop for
assistance.
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166 Driving and operationAnti-lock brake system (ABS
u)
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.
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.
Picture no: 18258s.tif
Control indicator u for ABS
It illuminates for a few seconds when
ignition is switched on. Once the control
indicator goes out, the system is ready for
operation.
If the control indica tor does not go out
after a few seconds, or if it illuminates while
driving, there is a fault in the ABS. The
brake system remains operational without
ABS regulation.
Adaptive brake lamp 3
During full-on braking, all three brake
lamps flash for the duration of ABS control. Self testing
When the engine is started and the vehicle
starts off, the system performs a self-check,
which may be audible.
Fault
Have cause of fault remedied by a
workshop. The system’s integrated self
diagnostics allow faults to be quickly
remedied.
9
Warning
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.
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171
Driving and operation
Tyre designations
Meanings:
e.g. 185/65 R 15 88 T
Speed code letters: Run-flat tyres (RFT)
3
Run-flat tyres have reinforced, self-
supporting sidewalls, which ensure that the
tyres always have a certain amount of
driveability, even when there is no pressure.
Run-flat tyres are permitted only in the
case of vehicles with ESP®
Plus
3 and a
deflation detection system.
Depending on the tyre manufacturer, run-
flat tyres can be identified from a marking
on the tyre wall, e.g. ROF = RunonFlat for
Dunlop or SSR = Self Supporting Runflat
Tyre for Continental.
Run-flat tyres can be used only in
combination with the alloy wheels issued
by Opel: this also applies to winter tyres. Driving with a damaged tyre
The deflation of a tyre is displayed via the
deflation detection system
3.
If a tyre has no pressure, continued driving
is possible
z at a speed of max. 80 km/h,
z up to a distance of 80 km.
Do not use a tyre repair kit.
Deflation detection system 3 3 164.
185
= Tyre width in mm
65 = Cross-section ratio
(tyre height to tyre width in %)
R = Belt type Radial
RF = Type: Run-flat
15 = Rim diameter in inches
88 = Load-bearing capacity code
e.g.: 88 corresponds to 567 kg
T = Speed code letter:
Q = Up to 160 km/h
S = Up to 180 km/h
T = Up to 190 km/h
H = Up to 210 km/h
V = Up to 240 km/h
W = Up to 270 km/h
9
Warning
Even the tyre pressure of run-flat tyres
must be checked regularly.
Check tyre pressures at least every
14 days and prior to any long journey;
the tyres should be checked when cold.
9
Warning
When driving with a flat tyre, do not
exceed a speed of 80 km/h or a distance
of 80 km.
The vehicle will be more difficult to steer
and handle and the braking distance
will be longer.
Adapt driving style and speed to the
conditions at hand.
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172 Driving and operationWinter tyres 3
Notes on fitting new tyres 3 168.
Restrictions 3171, 3264.
Winter tyres improve driving safety at
temperatures below 7 C.
The design of summer tyres means they
have limited qualities for winter driving.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker 3 in the
driver’s field of view.
If you use the spare wheel when it is fitted
with a summer tyre, the vehicle’s
driveability may be affected, especially on
slippery road surfaces. Obtain a
replacement for the faulty tyre as soon as
possible, and have the wheel balanced
and fitted to the vehicle.
Wheel covers 3
Use of wheel trims and tyres that approved
by Opel for the vehicle in question and
thereby fulfil all requirements for the wheel
and tyre combination.
If the wheel trims and tyres used are not
Opel-approved, the ty res must not have a
beaded edge. Wheel trims must not impair brake cooling.
Remove the wheel trims if fitting tyre
chains
3.
Picture no: 17217t.tif
Tyre chains
Restrictions and further information 3264.
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
driven wheels (front axle). They must be
fitted to the tyres symmetrically in order to
achieve a concentric fit.
Always use fine mesh chains that add no
more than 10 mm to the tyre tread and the
inboard sides (including chain lock).
9
Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel trims
could lead to sudden loss of air and
thereby accidents.
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198 Self-help, vehicle careNotes on directional tyres 3
Fit directional tyres such that they roll in the
direction of travel. The rolling direction is
indicated by a symbol (e.g. an arrow) on
the sidewall.
The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
z Driving conditions may be altered. Have
the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
z Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.
z Be especially careful when driving in rain
and snow.
Further information on directional tyres
3 168.
Jack
£
3 and vehicle tools
3
The jack and the vehicle tools have been
specially developed for your vehicle and
must only be used on that vehicle. Only use
jack for changing wheels.
With versions of the Corsa OPC with sill
panelling 3 or retrofitted sill panelling 3 no
jack 3 must be used. The vehicle may be
damaged.
Picture no: 18317s.tif
Vehicles with spare wheel 3
The jack and the vehicle tools are in the
right-hand compartm ent in the luggage
compartment.
To open the compartment, disengage the
cover and open it.
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