OPEL MERIVA 2009 Owners Manual

155
Driving and operation
Picture no: 9358t.tifPicture no: 15941s.tif
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 wheels for damage. Seek
the assistance of a workshop if there is any
damage or unusual wear.
Picture no: 6457u.tif
Tread depth
Check tread depth regularly.
For reasons of safety, tyres should be
replaced when their tread depth has worn
down to 2 to 3 mm (winter tyres: 4 mm).
The legally permissible minimum tread
depth (1.6 mm) has been reached when
the tread has worn down as far as one of
the wear indicators (TWI
1)). A number of
wear indicators are spaced at equal
intervals around the tyre within the tread.
Their position is indicated by markings on
the tyre sidewall.
9 Warning
If the pressure is too low, this can result
in considerable tyre warm-up and
internal damage, leading to tread
separation and even to tyre blow-out at
high speeds.
1)TWI
= Tread
Wear
Indicator.

156 Driving and operation
Picture no: 6456u.tif
If wear in the front is greater than that in
the rear, move the rear wheels to the front
axle and vice versa.
Correct tyre pressure. General information
z
The risk of aquaplaning is greater if the
tyres are worn.
z Tyres age, even if they are not used or
used infrequently. We recommend tyre
replacement every six years at the latest.
z Never fit used tyres the previous history
and use of which you do not know. Tyre designations
Meanings:
e.g.
175/70 R 14 88 T
Speed code letters:
175 = Tyre width in mm
70 = Cross-section ratio (tyre height to
tyre width in %)
R = Belt type Radial
14 = Rim diameter in inches
88 = Load index 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

157
Driving and operation
Winter tyres 3
Notes on fitting new tyres 3 154.
Restrictions 3228.
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: 6459u.tif
Tyre chains 3
Restrictions and further information 3 228.
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.

158 Driving and operationRemove the wheel trims if using tyre chains
3174.
Tyre chains may only be used at speeds up
to 50 km/h. When travelling on roads that
are free of snow, they may only be used for
brief periods.
Tyre chains must not be used on the
temporary spare wheel. If you need to use
tyre chains after suffering a flat front tyre,
fit the temporary spare on the rear axle
and transfer one of the rear wheels to the
front axle.
Roof rack
3
For safety reasons and to avoid roof
damage we recommend using the Opel
roof rack system that is approved for your
vehicle.
Follow the usage instructions for the roof
rack.
Remove the roof rack when not in use.
Disengage covers concealing roof rack
mounts by pushing sliders in direction of
arrow (e.g. with coin) and remove. To close
roof rack mounts, insert covers at front and
engage sliders at rear.
Driving hints 3 135
Towing 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
3232.
9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.

159
Driving and operation
Picture no: 14195s.tif
Towing equipment with
removable coupling ball bar
3
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The coupling ball bar is located in a bag
with the vehicle tools housed under the
spare wheel - see Fig. above.
Spare wheel 3 3172.
On vehicles with tyre repair kit 3, the
coupling ball bar is located in the left
stowage compartment beneath the floor
cover in the luggage compartment 3162,
Fig. 17923 S.
Picture no: 15271s.tif
Fitting the coupling ball bar
Fold down the socket. Remove the sealing
plug from the hole for the coupling ball bar
and stow it in the luggage compartment.
Picture no: 12416t.tif
Checking the tensioning of the coupling ball bar

z Red marking on rotary knob must point
towards white marking on coupling ball
bar.
z The gap between the rotary knob
and the coupling ball bar must be
approx. 4 mm.
z Key in the lock must be at position 1.
Caution
The coupling ball bar is to be removed
when not towing.

160 Driving and operation
Picture no: 12417t.tif
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be
tensioned before it is inserted into the
coupling housing:
zUnlock coupling ball bar by turning key
to position 1 3 159, Fig. 12416 T.
z Pull out rotary knob and turn clockwise
as far as it will go, see Fig.
Picture no: 12418t.tif
Inserting the coupling ball bar

Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar in the
housing and push firmly upwards until it
audibly engages.
The rotary handle snaps back into its home
position resting against the coupling ball
bar (no gap).
Picture no: 16484s.tif
Lock the coupling ball bar in position by
turning key to position 2 3 159,
Fig. 12416 T. Remove the key and press the
protective flap into place.
When the coupling ball bar is locked the
turn knob can no longer be pulled out.
9 Warning
Do not touch rotary handle during
insertion.

161
Driving and operation
Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly installedzGreen marking on rotary knob must
point towards white ma rking on coupling
ball bar
z There must be no gap between the
rotary handle and the 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: 12421t.tif
Eye for break-away stopping cable
In the case of trailers/caravans with brakes,
attach breakaway stopping cable to eye.
Picture no: 13670t.tif
Dismounting the coupling ball bar
Open the protective flap and turn the key
to position 1 to unlock the coupling ball bar
3 159, Fig. 12416 T.
Pull out rotary handle and turn clockwise
as far as it will go. Pull out coupling ball bar
downwards.
Insert the sealing plug in the opening for
the coupling ball bar. Close the socket
3 159, Fig. 15271 S.
9 Warning
Towing a caravan/trailer is only
permitted with a properly fitted coupling
ball bar. If the coupling ball bar cannot
be correctly fitted, please contact a
workshop for assistance.

162 Driving and operation
Picture no: 17923s.tif
Stowage of coupling ball bar
Place coupling ball bar in bag and clip onto
the tool kit below the spare wheel 3159,
Fig. 14195 S.
On vehicles with tyre repair kit 3, the
coupling ball bar is stored in the left
stowage compartment beneath the floor
cover in the luggage compartment - see
Fig. above.
Caravan/trailer towingCaravan and trailer loads
1)
The permissible caravan/trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent maximum
values which must not be exceeded. The
actual caravan/trailer load is the difference
between the actual gross weight of the
caravan/trailer and the actual coupling
socket load with the caravan/trailer
coupled.
The permissible caravan/trailer loads are
specified in the vehi cle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients up to
maximum 12% The permitted caravan/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 because of the air becoming
thinner, therefore reducing climbing ability,
the permitted towing weight also
decreases by 10 % for
every 1000 metres of
additional altitude. The towing 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 weig ht is specified on
the identification plate 3218. 1)Observe national regulations.

163
Driving and operation
Coupling socket load
The coupling socket load is the load
exerted by the trailer/caravan on the
coupling ball. It can be varied by changing
the weight distribution when loading the
trailer/caravan.
The maximum permissible coupling socket
load (55 kg) of the towing vehicle is
specified on the towing equipment
identification plate and in the vehicle
documents. This must always be complied
with, particularly in the case of heavy
caravans/trailers. The coupling socket load
should be no less than 25 kg.
When measuring the coupling socket load,
make sure that the drawbar of the loaded
trailer/caravan is at the same height as it
will be when the trailer/caravan is coupled
with the towing vehicle loaded. Particularly
important for trailers/caravans with
tandem axle. Rear axle load during towing
With the trailer connected and the towing
vehicle fully loaded including all
occupants, the permitted rear axle load
(specified on the identification plate and
vehicle documents) must be exceeded by
no more than 25 kg and the maximum
permitted gross vehicle weight by no more
than 30 kg. If the maximum permitted rear
axle load is exceeded, a maximum speed
of 100 km/h applies, and 80 km/h for
commercial vehicles.
Driving characteristics, towing tips
Before attaching th
e trailer/caravan,
lubricate the ball of the trailer/caravan
towing device. However, do not lubricate
the ball if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to damp
hunting.
Check caravan/traile r lighting before
starting to drive. The fog tail lamps on the
vehicle are deactivated when towing a
caravan or trailer.
Trailers with LED turn signals must have a
provision enables lamp monitoring for
commercial bulbs.
Handling is greatly influenced by the
loading of the trailer/caravan. Loads
should therefore be secured so that they
cannot slip and be placed in the centre of
the trailer/caravan if possible, i.e. above
the axle.
In the case of trailers with low driving
stability, do not exceed a speed of 80 km/h;
the use of a friction-type stabiliser is
strongly recommended.

164 Driving and operationIf the trailer/caravan starts to sway, drive
more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if necessary.
If it is necessary to apply the brakes fully,
depress the brake pedal as hard as
possible.
Remember that the braking distance for
vehicles towing carava ns/trailers with and
without brake is always greater than that
for vehicles not towing a caravan/trailer.
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 3228. Starting on inclines
For vehicles with ma
nual transmission,
the most favourable engine speed
when starting off on an incline is
between 2500 and 3000 rpm for petrol
engines and between 2000 and 2500 rpm
for diesel engines. Hold engine speed
constant, engage clutch gradually (let slip)
– release hand brake – and open throttle. If
possible, the engine speed should not drop
during this procedure.
For vehicles with ma nual transmission
automated 3 in Automatic mode simply
apply full gas. Before starting off under extreme
operating conditions, switch off
unnecessary consumers.