towing OPEL INSIGNIA 2014 Manual user

198Driving and operating
■the vehicle had a rear end accident,
■ there are extreme temperature changes.
Traffic sign assistant Functionality
The traffic sign assistant system
detects designated traffic signs via a
front camera and displays them in the
Driver Information Centre.
Traffic signs, which will be detected,
are:
Limit- and no passing signs ■ speed limit
■ no passing
■ end of speed limit
■ end of no passingRoad signs
beginning and end of:
■ motorways
■ A-roads
■ play streetsAdd on signs ■ additional hints to traffic signs
■ restriction of trailer towing
■ wet warning
■ ice warning
■ direction arrows
Speed limit signs are displayed in the
Driver Information Centre until the
next speed limit sign or end of speed
limit is detected or up to a defined sign timeout.
Combinations of more signs in the
display are possible.
An exclamation mark in a frame
indicates that there are additional
signs detected which cannot be
recognised by the system.
The system is active up to a speed of
200 km/h depending on the lighting
conditions. At night the system is
active up to a speed of 160 km/h.
As soon as the speed becomes
slower than 55 km/h the display will
be reset and the content of the traffic
sign page will be cleared, e. g. when
entering a city zone. The next
recognized speed indication will be
displayed.
Display indication Traffic signs are displayed on the
Traffic sign detection page in the
Driver Information Centre.

Driving and operating209
General informationThe official fuel consumption and
specific CO 2 emission figures quoted
relate to the EU base model with standard equipment.
Fuel consumption data and CO 2
emission data are determined
according to regulation R (EC) No.
715/2007 (in the version respectively
applicable), taking into consideration
the vehicle weight in running order, as specified by the regulation.
The figures are provided only for the
purpose of comparison between
different vehicle variants and must not be taken as a guarantee for the
actual fuel consumption of a
particular vehicle. Additional
equipment may result in slightly
higher results than the stated
consumption and CO 2 figures.
Furthermore, fuel consumption is
dependent on personal driving style
as well as road and traffic conditions.Trailer hitch
General information
The factory-fitted towing equipment is folded up under the rear bumper
fascia.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment. Only use
towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle.
To avoid vehicle damage, the power
tailgate cannot be operated with the
radio remote control when a trailer is
electrically connected.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball
bar for towing.Driving characteristics and
towing tips Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the coupling ball, is being used to reduce snaking movements.
For trailers with low driving stability
and trailers with a permitted gross
vehicle weight of more than 1400 kg
(Front-wheel drive)/1600 kg (All- wheel drive) the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 80 km/h.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 289.

210Driving and operatingTrailer 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 plate
3 264.
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 (85 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
90 kg for the 5-door Hatchback/4-
door Saloon and 85 kg for the Sports
Tourer/Country Tourer, the gross
vehicle weight rating may be
exceeded by 65 kg for the 5-door
Hatchback/4-door Saloon and 60 kg for the Sports Tourer/Country Tourer.
If the permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
100 km/h applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
The folding coupling ball bar
cannot be removed from the
vehicle. When driving without a
trailer, fold in the coupling ball bar.

212Driving and operating
A buzzing tone sounds as a warning
when the release handle is pulled out and the ball neck is disengaged.
With the flat of the hand, swivel the
released coupling ball bar to the right
until it engages under the floor. Make sure that the release handle is back inits hidden initial position, otherwise
the buzzing tone will not stop.9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when the coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bar
does not engage correctly or if the
release handle is impossible to guide to its hidden initial position in the housing or if the buzzing tone
sounds after engaging the
coupling ball bar, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach break-away stopping cable to
eye.
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. While system is working keep
steering wheel as still as possible.
Trailer stability assistant (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Control 3 167.

Vehicle care213Vehicle careGeneral Information...................213
Vehicle checks ........................... 214
Bulb replacement .......................222
Electrical system ........................232
Vehicle tools .............................. 239
Wheels and tyres .......................240
Jump starting ............................. 252
Towing ....................................... 254
Appearance care .......................257General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend to use genuine parts and accessories and factory
approved parts specific for your
vehicle type. We cannot assess or
guarantee reliability of other products
- even if they have a regulatory or
otherwise granted approval.
Do not make any modifications to the
electrical system, e.g. changes of
electronic control units (chip tuning).Caution
When transporting the vehicle on
a train or on a recovery vehicle, the
mud flaps might be damaged.
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of time
If the vehicle is to be stored for several months:
■ Wash and wax the vehicle.
■ Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
■ Clean and preserve rubber seals.
■ Fill up fuel tank completely.
■ Change engine oil.
■ Drain washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park vehicle in dry, well ventilated place. Engage first or reverse gear
or set selector lever to P. Prevent
the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply parking brake.

Vehicle care239
No.Circuit29Trailer module, transportation
fuse30Side obstacle detector31–32–33–34Sunroof35–36–37–Vehicle tools
Tools
Vehicles with tyre repair kit
The tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a tool box below the floor cover
in the load compartment.
Vehicles with spare wheel
The jack with wheel wrench, the tools,
an extension bolt for securing a
damaged wheel and the towing eye
are placed in the tool box below the
spare wheel in the load compartment. Spare wheel 3 250.

Vehicle care251
2.The spare wheel is secured with a
wing nut. Turn wing nut
anticlockwise and remove the
spare wheel.
Under the spare wheel there is the box with vehicle tools.
3. When, after a wheel change, no wheel is placed in the spare wheel
well, secure the tool box by
turning right back the wing nut and close the floor cover.
Stowing the replaced full size wheel in the spare wheel well
The spare wheel well is not designed for all permitted tyre sizes. If a wheel
wider than the spare must be stowed
in the spare wheel well, the thread
bolt for mounting the wheel must be
replaced by an extension bolt, located
in the tool box 3 239. To replace the
bolt:
■ Remove tool box from the spare wheel well.
■Install the hexagon key of the wheel
wrench ensuring that it locates
securely on the bolt.
■ Turn the wheel wrench anticlockwise to loosen the bolt.
Remove the bolt.
■ Take the extension bolt from the tool box 3 239 and screw it in hand-
tight using the hexagon key of the
wheel wrench.■ Store the tool box and the damaged
wheel outside up in the spare wheel
well and secure it by turning the
wing nut clockwise on the bolt.
The floor cover can be placed on the
projecting wheel.
To fit the spare wheel in the well after
renewing the defective wheel use the
short thread bolt again. Exchange the
bolt in the same way.

252Vehicle care9Warning
Storing a jack, a wheel or other
equipment in the load
compartment could cause injury if they are not fixed properly. During a sudden stop or a collision, looseequipment could strike someone.
Store wheel, jack and tools always
in the original storage location and secure them by fixing.
Temporary spare wheel
Caution
The use of a spare wheel that issmaller than the other wheels or in
combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
80 km/h. Take curves slowly. Do not use for a long period of time.
If your vehicle gets a flat tyre on the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel in the front and the full tyre in the rear.
Tyre chains 3 244.
Directional tyres 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:
■ Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
■ Drive particularly carefully on wet and snow-covered road surfaces.Jump starting
Do not start with quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged vehicle
battery can be started using jump
leads and the vehicle battery of
another vehicle.9 Warning
Be extremely careful when starting
with jump leads. Any deviation
from the following instructions can
lead to injuries or damage caused
by battery explosion or damage to the electrical systems of both
vehicles.
9 Warning
Avoid contact of the battery with
eyes, skin, fabrics and painted
surfaces. The fluid contains
sulphuric acid which can cause
injuries and damage in the event
of direct contact.

254Vehicle care
far away from the discharged
battery as possible, however at
least 60 cm.
Route the leads so that they cannot
catch on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine: 1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the jump.
2. After 5 minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of
1 minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads
connected.
4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
5-door Hatchback, 4-door Saloon,
Sports Tourer: disengage cap at
bottom and remove downwards.
Country Tourer: insert a screwdriver
in the slot at the lower edge of the cap. Release the cap by carefully moving
the screwdriver downwards. To
prevent damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver
and the frame.

Vehicle care255
OPC: insert screwdriver in the slot at
the upper bend of the cap. Release
the cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver downwards. To prevent
damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver and
the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 239.Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for towing and not for recovering the
vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Transmission in neutral.
Caution
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 manual transmission
and All-wheel drive: If the vehicle is
towed with all four wheels on the
ground then there are no technical
limitations for speed and distance. If
only one axle has been raised, the
maximum speed is 50 km/h. There is
no distance limitation.
Vehicles with automatic transmission and Front-wheel drive: 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.