OPEL KARL 2018 Owner's Manual

Vehicle care139Vehicle checks
Performing work9 Warning
Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The cooling fan may start
operating even if the ignition is off.
9 Danger
The ignition system uses
extremely high voltage. Do not
touch.
Bonnet
Opening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
Move the safety catch sideways to the left vehicle side and open the bonnet.

140Vehicle care9Warning
When the engine is hot, touch the
bonnet support rod at the foam
padding only.
Lift the bonnet, remove the bonnet
support rod from the holder and
secure the bonnet support rod
properly.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, make sure that all caps are closed properly, then
press the support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to fall
into the latch from a low height
(20-25 cm). Check that the bonnet is
engaged.
Caution
Do not press the bonnet into the
latch, to avoid dents.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil level manually
on a regular basis to prevent damage
to the engine.
Ensure that the correct specification
of oil is used. Recommended fluids
and lubricants 3 176.
The maximum engine oil
consumption is 0.6 l per 1000 km.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least five minutes.Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
reinsert it fully, pull out and read the
engine oil level.
When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top up
engine oil.
We recommend the use of the same
grade of engine oil that was used at
last change.
The engine oil level must not exceed
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out.

Vehicle care141Capacities 3 187.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Engine coolant
The coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -28 °C. In
northern countries with very low
temperatures the factory filled coolant provides frost protection down to
approx. -37 °C.Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant and antifreeze 3 176.
Coolant level
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause engine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
To top up use a 1:1 mixture of
released coolant concentrate mixed
with clean tap water. If no coolant
concentrate is available, use clean
tap water. Install the cap tightly. Have
the coolant concentration checked
and have the cause of the coolant
loss remedied by a workshop.
Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of approved
windscreen washer fluid which
contains antifreeze.

142Vehicle careCaution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Washer fluid 3 176.
Brakes In the event of minimum thickness of
the brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake lining replaced as
soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid
9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes,
skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
If fluid level is below MIN seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 176.
Vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the vehicle battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
four weeks can lead to vehicle battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from
the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off
before connecting or disconnecting
the vehicle battery.
Battery discharge protection 3 98.
Disconnecting the battery
If the vehicle's battery is to be
disconnected (e.g. for maintenance
work), the alarm siren must be
deactivated as follows: Switch the
ignition on then off, then disconnect
the vehicle's battery within
15 seconds.

Vehicle care143Replacing the vehicle batteryNote
Any deviation from the instructions
given in this section may lead to
temporary deactivation or
disturbance of the stop-start system.
When the vehicle battery is being
replaced, please ensure that there
are no open ventilation holes in the
vicinity of the positive terminal. If a
ventilation hole is open in this area, it
must be closed off with a dummy cap, and the ventilation in the vicinity of the
negative terminal must be opened.
Ensure that the battery is always replaced by the same type of battery.
We recommend the use of an originalOpel battery.
Note
Using an AGM vehicle battery
different from the original Opel
vehicle battery may result in a lower
performance.
We recommend that you have the
vehicle battery replaced by a
workshop.Charging the vehicle battery9 Warning
On vehicles with stop-start
system, ensure that the charging potential does not exceed 14.6
volts when using a battery
charger. Otherwise the battery
might be damaged.
Jump starting 3 169.
Stop-start system 3 111.
Warning label
Meaning of symbols: ● No sparks, naked flames or smoking.
● Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
● Keep the vehicle battery out of the reach of children.
● The vehicle battery contains sulfuric acid which could cause
blindness or serious burn
injuries.
● See the Owner's manual for further information.
● Explosive gas may be present in the vicinity of the battery.

144Vehicle careWiper blade replacement
Lift the wiper arm. Press release lever
and detach the wiper blade.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled to the wiper arm and push until it
engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.
Wiper blade on the rear window
Lift wiper arm. Push the wiper blade,
slightly angled to the wiper arm
downwards until it disengages.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled
to the wiper arm and push until it
engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.
Bulb replacement
Switch off the ignition and switch off
the relevant switch or close the doors.
Only hold a new bulb at the base! Do
not touch the bulb glass with bare
hands.
Use only the same bulb type for
replacement.
Replace headlight bulbs from within
the engine compartment.
Bulb check
After a bulb replacement switch on
the ignition, operate and check the
lights.

Vehicle care145Halogen headlights
Low beam and high beam
1. On left vehicle side: rotate and pull
out the filling pipe of the
windscreen washer fluid
container.
2. Remove fuse box cover (left side of the vehicle only).
3. Press both clips together anddetach plug connector from bulb.
4. Remove protective cover.
5. Press spring clip and disengage.

146Vehicle care
6. Remove bulb from reflectorhousing.
7. When fitting a new bulb, engage the lugs in the recesses on the
reflector.
8. Engage the spring clip.
9. Place headlight protective cover in position and close.
10. Ensure the protective cover is placed correctly to prevent water
leak and heavy condensations.
Sidelight/Daytime running light 1. Remove fuse box cover (left side of the vehicle only).2. Rotate the bulb holder anticlockwise and remove.
3. Detach bulb from the bulb holderand replace it.
4. Insert the bulb socket into the reflector and turn clockwise.
Sidelight/daytime running light
with LEDs
Sidelights and daytime running lights
are designed as LEDs and cannot be
changed. Consult a workshop in case
of a defective LED.
Fog lights
1. Tilt the wheel and remove the two
push nuts on the outside of the
wheel liner.

Vehicle care147
2. Disconnect the electricalconnector from the bulb holder.
3. Remove the bulb assembly anticlockwise and pull it straight
out.
4. Insert a new bulb assembly straight into the lamp and rotate
clockwise.
5. Reconnect the electrical connector.
Front turn signal lights
1. Rotate the bulb holderanticlockwise and remove.
2. Rotate bulb anticlockwise and remove from bulb holder.
3. Replace bulb.
4. Insert the bulb holder into the reflector and rotate clockwise.
Tail lightsTail lights, turn signal lights, brake
lights and reversing lights
1. Unscrew both screws.
2. Remove tail light assembly. Take care that the cable duct remains in
position.

148Vehicle care
3. tail light / brake light 1
turn signal light 2
tail light 3
reversing light (passenger side) /
rear fog light (driver's side) 4.4. Rotate bulb holder anticlockwise.
5. Remove bulb holder. Push bulb
into socket slightly, rotate anti-
clockwise, remove and renew
bulb.
6. Insert bulb holder into the tail light
assembly and screw into place.
Connect wiring plug. Install tail
light assembly in body and tighten screws. Close covers and
engage.
7. Switch on ignition, operate and check all lights.
Side turn signal lights
To replace bulb, remove lamp
housing:
1. Slide lamp to the front and remove
it out of the front wing with the rear
end.