tow OPEL CORSA 2009 Owner's Manual

138 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18433s.tif
Starting off
Depress the foot brake, release the
hand brake and move the selector lever
toA,
+or-. This will switch the manual
transmission automated to automatic
and engage first gear (or second gear if
the winter program is enabled). "A"
appears on the transmission display.
The vehicle begins to "creep" when the foot
brake is released. It is also possible to start off without
depressing the foot brake if the accelerator
pedal is operated directly after moving the
selector lever. If there
is no acceleration or
the foot brake is not depressed, no gear is
engaged and "A" flashes. After a few
seconds, the display resumes showing "N".
Start off by repeating the previously
described procedure.
In Automatic mode, selection of other
gears is automatic irrespective of driving
conditions.
Move selector lever toward A
Switch between Automatic and Manual
mode.
In Manual mode the gears can be shifted
manually. The transmission display shows
the currently engaged gear.
If the engine speed is too low the manual
transmission automated will automatically
shift to a lower gear even in Manual mode.
This prevents the engine from stalling.
Picture no: 18180s.tif
Move selector lever toward + or -
If a higher gear is selected when the
running speed is too low, or a lower gear
when the speed is too high, the gear
selection will not take place. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or too
high revs.
Gears can be skipped by jogging the
selector lever repeatedly at short intervals. +
Shift to a higher gear.
-
Shift to a lower gear.
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139
Driving and operation
If the vehicle is in automatic mode, on
movement of the selector lever to
+ or
- the
manual transmission automated shifts to
manual mode and changes up or down.
The gear currently engaged appears on
the transmission display.
Move selector lever toward R
Reverse gear. Engage only when vehicle is
stationary.
Depress the foot brake, release the hand
brake and move the selector lever to R.
Reverse gear is engaged. "R" appears in
the transmission display.
The vehicle begins to "creep" when the foot
brake is released.
It is also possible to start off in reverse
without depressing the foot brake if the
accelerator pedal is operated directly after
moving the selector lever. If there is no
acceleration or the foot brake is not
depressed, no gear is engaged and "R"
flashes. After a few seconds, the display
resumes showing "N". Start off by
repeating the previously described
procedure. Stopping the vehicle
In Automatic or Manual mode, when the
vehicle has stopped first gear (with Winter
mode engaged, second gear) is engaged
automatically and the clutch released. In
R
reverse remains engaged.
A warning buzzer sounds when the driver’s
door is opened if the engine is running, a
gear is engaged and the foot brake is not
depressed. The vehicle creeps if the hand
brake is not engaged. Move the selector
lever to N and apply the hand brake.
When stopping on gradients, engage the
hand brake or depress the brake pedal. To
prevent overheating of the clutch, do not
increase engine speed to ensure smooth
idling when in gear.
To prevent damage to the automated
manual transmission, the clutch is closed
automatically at high clutch temperatures.
Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy
period, e.g. in traffic jams or at level
crossings. Electronically controlled driving
programmes
z
Following a cold start, the operating
temperature program automatically
increases the engine revolutions to bring
the catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
z The adaptive program automatically
selects the gear according to the driving
conditions, e.g. increased load and
gradients.
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143
Driving and operation
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Interruption of power supply
The clutch is not disengaged if there is an
interruption of the power supply when a
gear is engaged. The vehicle cannot move.
If the battery is flat, start the car using
jump leads 3191. If the cause of the power supply
interruption is not a flat battery, contact a
workshop for assistance. If the vehicle has
to be moved out of flowing traffic,
disengage clutch as follows:
1. Apply hand brake and switch off
ignition.
2. Open bonnet and engage support.
3. Clean transmission around the cap (see Fig.) so that no dirt can get into
the opening when the cap is removed.
4. Rotate cap to slacken and remove by lifting upwards – see figure.
5. Turn the adjusting screw clockwise using a flathead screwdriver (vehicle
tools 3 3198) until clear resistance can
be felt. The clutch has now been
disengaged. 6. Fit cleaned cap again. The cap must be
in full contact with the housing.
Contact a workshop for assistance
immediately.
Caution
Do not turn any further after feeling
resistance, since this can damage the
manual transmission automated.
Caution
Towing the vehicle and starting the
engine is not permitted when the clutch
has been released in this way, although
the vehicle can be moved a short dis-
tance.
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149
Driving and operation
Driving hints The first 1000 km
Drive your vehicle at various speeds. Do
not use full throttle. Never allow the engine
to labour at low revs.
Make good use of all gears. Depress the
accelerator pedal a maximum of about
3/4
of the available pedal travel in all gears.
Do not drive faster than three quarters of
maximum speed.
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for the
first 200 km.
During the first drive smoke may develop
because of wax and oil evaporating on the
exhaust system. Park the vehicle in the
open for a while after the first drive and
avoid inhaling the fumes.
Fuel and engine oil consumption is higher
than normal during the running-in period.
Never coast with engine not running
Many units will not function in this situation
(e.g. brake servo unit, electro-hydraulic
power steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. Brake servo unit
When the engine is not running, the brake
servo unit is no longer effective once the
brake pedal has been depressed once or
twice. Braking effect is not reduced, but
significantly greater force is required for
braking.
Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering
If the power assisted steering fails when
being towed with the engine switched off,
the vehicle can still be steered, but
considerably more force is required.
Driving in mountainous terrain or with a
trailer/caravan
The cooling fan is elec
trically operated. Its
cooling power is therefore independent of
the engine speed.
Since a considerable amount of heat is
generated at high engine speeds and less
at slower speeds, do not shift down when
climbing hills whilst the vehicle is still coping
with the gradient in the higher gear. Driving with a roof load
Do not exceed the permissible roof load
3
173, 3259. For reasons of safety,
distribute the load evenly and secure it
properly with retaining straps. Adjust tyre
pressure to load conditions. Do not drive
faster than 120 km/h. Check and re-tighten
the straps frequently. Observe country-
specific regulations.
Switching off the engine
When you switch off, fans in the engine
compartment may continue running for a
time to cool the engine.
If the engine temperature is very high, e.g.
after driving in mountainous terrain: allow
the engine to idle for approximately two
minutes in order to prevent heat
accumulation.
Vehicles with turbocharged engine
After running at high engine speeds or
high engine loads, operate the engine
briefly at a low load or run in neutral for
approx. 30 seconds befo re switching off
in order to protect the turbocharger.
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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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158 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18540t.tif
We recommend not stopping driving
during cleaning, and not switching off the
ignition. Cleaning is fa stest at high engine
revs and high loads.
Picture no: 18545s.tif
The control indicator
! goes off as soon as
the self-cleaning operation is complete. Maintenance
Have all maintenance work carried out at
the specified intervals. We recommend
that you entrust this work to your Opel
Partner, who has proper equipment and
trained personnel available. Electronic
testing systems permit 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 vehicle 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 included in
the inspection. For this reason, you should
have all maintenance work carried out at
the intervals specified in your Service and
Warranty Booklet.
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163
Driving and operation
To deactivateThe system deactivates automatically
when reverse gear is disengaged.
If the system is switched of with reverse
gear engaged, press button r 3, the LED
in the button goes out.
To reactivate, press button r again.
Picture no: 18255s.tif
Control indicator
r
Illuminates:
Fault in system. The system is not
operational. Have cause of fault remedied
by a workshop. The system’s integrated
self diagnostics allows faults to be quickly
remedied.
Flashes:
The fault is due to sensors obstructed with
snow or ice. The sensors must be
undamaged and free of dirt, snow and ice.
Interference due to external sources of
ultra sound (e.g. pneumatic drills, rotary
machines). Once the source of interference
is removed, the system will operate
normally. Caravan/trailer towing equipment
3,
caravan/trailer towing When towing, park pilot is automatically
deactivated when the trailer cable is
plugged into the socket.
Fitting rear load racks
3
Rear carriers, e. g. bike carriers, could
cause system malfunction.
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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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184 Driving and operationTowing equipment
3
Only use towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle. Ask a workshop
to retrofit towing equipment. It may be
necessary to make changes that affect the
cooling system, heat shields or other
equipment.
Mounting dimensions of towing equipment
3269.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The coupling ball bar is stowed in a bag in
the spare wheel well and secured to the
lashing eyes in the luggage compartment
3 187.
Picture no: 18389s.tif
Fitting the coupling ball bar
Push both bolts inwards and remove the
cover on the bumper.
Picture no: 18390s.tif
Fold down socket. Pull sealing plug out of
coupling ball bar opening. Place cover and
coupling ball bar in luggage compartment.
Caution
The coupling ball bar is to be removed
when not towing.
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186 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18394s.tif
Green marking on the rotary lever is visible.
Lock coupling ball bar and remove key. Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly
installedz
Green marking on the rotary lever is
visible.
z There must be no gap between the
rotary handle and th e coupling ball bar.
z The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
z The coupling ball bar must be locked
and the key removed.
Picture no: 18397s.tif
Eye for break-away stopping cable
In the case of trailers/caravans with brakes,
attach breakaway stopping cable to eye.
9
Warning
Towing a caravan/trailer is only per-
mitted with a properly fitted coupling
ball bar. If the coupling ball bar cannot
be correctly fitted, please contact a
workshop for assistance.
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