OPEL MERIVA 2009 Owners Manual

165
Self-help, vehicle care
Self-help, vehicle care
Diesel fuel system, bleeding If the tank is allowed to run dry, the diesel
fuel system must be bled. Turn over the
ignition three times for 15 seconds at a
time. Then start the engine for a maximum
of 40 seconds
1). Repeat this process after
no less than 5 seconds. If the engine fails to
start, seek the assistance of a workshop.
Picture no: 16109s.tif
Bonnet Pull the release lever lo cated on the driver’s
side below the instru ment panel and push
it back to its original position.
Diesel fuel system, bleeding ............... 165
Bonnet .................................................. 165
Starting the engine with jump
leads 3............................................. 166
Towing .................................................. 168
Warning triangle ¨ 3,
First-aid kit +3................................. 171
Jack £ 3 and vehicle tools 3............ 171
Spare wheel 3...................................... 172
Changing wheels ................................. 174
Tyre repair kit 3................................... 178
Electrical system .................................. 181
Fuses and the most important circuits they protect ....................................... 182
Bulb replacement ................................ 185
Vehicle care.......................................... 196
1)For technical reasons, only 30 seconds are
possible on engines Y 17 DT and Z 17 DTH

166 Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 17883s.tif
Pull the safety catch and open the bonnet.
Any dirt or snow on the bonnet can slide
down toward the windscreen when the
bonnet is opened and block the air intake
3127.
Picture no: 14733s.tif
Secure the bonnet support. Before closing
the bonnet, press the support into the
holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to drop into
the catch. Check that the bonnet is
engaged.
Starting the engine with jump
leads
3
Do not use a rapid charger or push or two
the vehicle to get it started.
A vehicle with a discha rged battery can be
started using jump leads and the battery of
another vehicle.
9 Warning
Starting the engine with jump leads must
be carried out with the utmost caution.
Any deviation from the following
instruction may lead to injury or damage
due to the explosion of the batteries and
to damage of the electrics in both
vehicles.

167
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 15286a.tif
zNever expose the battery to naked
flames or sparks.
z A flat battery can fr eeze at temperatures
around 0 C. Defrost the battery before
connecting up jump leads.
z Do not allow battery fluid to come into
contact with eyes, skin, fabrics or
painted surfaces. The fluid contains
sulphuric acid which can cause injuries
and damage in the event of direct
contact.
z Wear eye protection and protective
clothing when handling a battery. z
Use a booster battery with the same
voltage (12 volts). Its capacity (Ah) must
not be much less than that of the
discharged battery.
z Use jump leads with insulated terminals
and a cross section of at least 16 mm
2
(25 mm
2 for diesel engines).
z Do not disconnect the discharged
battery from the vehicle.
z Switch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers.
z Do not lean over the battery during jump
starting.
z Do not allow the terminals of one lead to
touch those of the other lead.
z The vehicles must not come into contact
with each other during the jump starting
process.
z Apply the handbrake. Gear lever in
neutral.
Picture no: 16485s.tif
Lead connection order:
1. Connect the red lead to the positive
terminal 1 of the booster battery.
2. Connect the other red lead to the positive terminal 2 of the discharged
battery.
3. Connect the black lead to the negative terminal 3 of the booster battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black lead 4 to a vehicle grounding point, such
as the engine block or a screw
connection in the engine suspension.
Connect as far away from the
discharged battery as possible.

168 Self-help, vehicle careRoute 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 start.
2. After 5 minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts shou ld be made at
intervals of 1 minute not last longer
than 15 seconds.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads connected.
4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. light, heated rear window) of the vehicle
receiving the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.
Picture no: 17896s.tif
Towing Towing your own vehicle
Disengage cap at bottom and remove
downwards.
Picture no: 14198s.tif
The towing eye is in the tool kit 3 in the
luggage compartment underneath the
spare wheel 3, see Fig. above, or for
versions with tyre repair kit 3, in the
storage compartment underneath the floor
cover, see Fig. 17918 S.

169
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 17918s.tif
Screw in the towing eye anticlockwise as far
as it will go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope 3 – or better still a tow
rod 3 – to the eye.
The towing eye may only be used for
towing and not for recovery of the vehicle. Switch on ignition to release steering
column lock and to permit operation of
brake lamps, horn an
d windscreen wipers.
Gear lever in neutral.
Picture no: 17897s.tif
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to brake
and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust fumes from
the towing vehicle, switch on the air
recirculation 3 and close the windows.
Contact a workshop for assistance.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can damage
the vehicle.

170 Self-help, vehicle careIf the automatic clutch has been manually
disengaged in vehicles with manual
automated transmission 3 towing is not
permitted 3134. In this case, contact a
workshop for assistance immediately.
After towing, unscrew towing eye by
rotating clockwise and insert and close the
cap.
Picture no: 14199s.tif
Towing another vehicle
Attach a tow rope 3 – or better still a tow
rod 3 – to the rear towing eye on the right
side of the vehicle underbody, but never to
the rear axle.
Picture no: 17898s.tif
On some versions, the towing eye is located
behind a cover.
Slacken the screw a quarter turn with a
screwdriver (see Fig.) and remove the
cover.
The towing eye may only be used for
towing and not for recovery of the vehicle.
After towing, fit cover 3 and secure with
bolt.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can damage the
vehicle.

171
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 16140s.tif
Warning triangle
¨ 3
,
First-aid kit
+3

The warning triangle and first aid cushion
are strapped with a rubber band in the
compartment on the le ft of the luggage
compartment beneath the floor covering.
Picture no: 14201s.tif
To open, remove the luggage
compartment cover 3 3 55, lift the floor
using the handle and raise toward the
front.
Picture no: 14203s.tif
Jack
£
3 and vehicle tools
3
Vehicles with spare wheel 3
The jack and vehicle tools are stowed in a
bag underneath the spare wheel in the
luggage compartment.
The jack 3 and the vehicle tools 3 have
been specially developed for your vehicle
and must only be used on that vehicle.
Only use jack for changing wheels.

172 Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 17918s.tif
Vehicles with tyre repair kit 3
The jack and tyre repair kit are located in
the storage compartment below the floor
covering in the luggage compartment.
Picture no: 16141s.tif
Spare wheel
3
Some vehicles are equipped with a tyre
repair kit instead of a spare wheel 3178.
Storing the spare wheel in the luggage
compartment
The spare wheel is in the luggage
compartment below the floor cover. It is
mounted via a wing nut in a well in the
vehicle floor.
To access the spare wheel, remove the
luggage compartment cover 3 3 55, lift
the floor cover using the handle and raise
toward the front. Fold the spare wheel
cover up toward the front. Placing wide wheels in the spare wheel
well
The spare wheel well is not designed for all
sizes of permitted tyres. If a wider wheel is
stowed in the spare wheel well after
changing wheels, the floor cover can rest
on the protruding wheel.
This must be taken into account when
loading the luggage compartment.

173
Self-help, vehicle care
General information
Depending on version, the spare wheel
may be in the form of a temporary spare
wheel 3. Refer to the notes on this page
and 3157, 3228.
On vehicles with alloy wheels 3 the spare
wheel may have a steel rim.
Use of a spare wheel together with winter
tyres could alter driving conditions. Have
the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
Use of a spare wheel that is smaller than
the other wheels could alter driving
conditions. In many countries, it is only
permitted as a temporary spare wheel.
Have the defective tyre replaced as soon
as possible. Notes on temporary spare wheel
3
z The use of the temporary spare wheel
may affect the handling of the vehicle,
particularly if winter tyres are being
used 3. The Electronic Stability Program
ESP®
Plus
3 may switch itself off. Replace
defective tyre as soon as possible,
balance wheel and fit to vehicle.
z Fit only one temporary spare wheel.
z Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.
z Take curves slowly.
z Do not use the temporary spare wheel
for a lengthy period.
z Replace temporary spare wheel with full
specification wheel without delay.
z Tyre chains are not permitted on the
temporary spare wheel. If tyre chains
have to be used after a front wheel
puncture, fit tempor ary spare wheel to
the rear axle and fit a rear wheel to the
front axle. Check tyre pressure and
correct if necessary 3228.
z Observe notes on temporary spare
wheel on 3157, 3228. Notes 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
3 154.

174 Self-help, vehicle careChanging wheels There may be a tyre repair kit instead of a
spare wheel 3178.
Make the following preparations and
observe the following information:
z Park the vehicle on a level, firm and non-
skid surface. The front wheels must be in
the straight-ahead position.
z Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
apply the hand brake, engage first gear
or reverse.
z Erect warning triangle as specified.
Warning triangle 3171.
z Remove the spare wheel 3 172.
z Never change more than one wheel at
once.
z Use the jack 3 only to change wheels. z
If the ground on which the vehicle is
standing is soft, a solid board (max. 1 cm
thick) should be placed under the jack 3.
z Block the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel to be changed by placing wedge
blocks or equivalent in front and behind
the wheel. z
No people or animals may be in the
vehicle when it is jacked up.
z Never crawl under a jacked-up vehicle.
z Do not start the vehicle when it is raised
on the jack.
z Before screwing in the wheel bolts, clean
them and lightly coat the taper of each
wheel bolt with comm ercially available
grease.