warning OPEL MERIVA 2009 Owner's Guide

72 Seats, InteriorThe curtain airbags will not be triggered in
the event of
zthe ignition is switched off,
z frontal collisions,
z accidents in which the vehicle overturns,
z collisions involving a rear impact,
z collisions involving a side impact outside
the passenger cell.
Picture no: 17885s.tif
Control indicator v for airbag systems
The function of the airbag systems and
seat occupancy recognition 3 is monitored
electronically and indicated via control
indicator v. When the ignition is turned on,
the control indicator comes on for
about 4 seconds. If it does not light, does
not go out after 4 seconds or comes on
during driving, there is a fault in the airbag
systems, the seat occupancy recognition
system 3 or the belt tensioners 361. The
systems may fail to deploy in the event of
an accident.
Deployed airbags are indicated by
continuous illumination of v. The system’s integrated self-diagnostics
allows faults to be quickly remedied.
Seat occupancy recognition
3
The seat occupancy recognition system
deactivates the front and side front
passenger airbags if the front passenger
seat is unoccupied or an Opel child
restraint system with transponders 3 has
been fitted to the front passenger seat. The
curtain airbag system 3 remains activated.
The control indicator for seat occupancy
recognition
y is located in the courtesy
lamp. If this control indicator
y illuminates
for approx. 4 seconds after the ignition is
switched on, the vehicle is equipped with
seat occupancy recognition 373,
Fig. 12097 S.
If an Opel child restraint system with
transponders 3 is fitted, this control
indicator
y lights permanently after the
ignition is switched on as soon as the
system has detected the child restraint
system. Only then may the child restraint
system with transponders 3 be used on the
passenger seat.
9 Warning
Keep the area in which the airbag
inflates clear of obstructions.
9 Warning
Have the cause of the fault remedied
immediately by a workshop.

73
Seats, Interior
Picture no: 15844t.tif
Vehicles with seat occupancy recognition
can be identified by the sticker on the front
passenger seat or on the side of the
instrument panel.
Opel child restraint systems with
transponders 3 are detected
automatically when installed properly on
the passenger seat. When these child
restraint systems are used on the
passenger seat, the front and side airbag
systems for the passenger seat are
deactivated. The curtain airbag system
remains activated. Observe the control
indicator
y for seat occupancy
recognition 3 373. Opel child restraint systems with
transponders
3 can be identified by a
sticker or badge.
Control indicator
y for Opel child
restraint systems with transponders 3
The presence of an Opel child restraint
system with transponders 3 is indicated
after the ignition has been switched on by
permanent illumination of the control
indicator
y in the courtesy lamp, as soon
as the seat occupanc y recognition system
has detected the child restraint system.
Picture no: 12097s.tif
If the control indicator does not come on
while driving, the front and side airbags for
the passenger are not de-activated and
there is a risk of injury or death to the child.
Fit child restraint syst ems on the rear seat.
Have the cause of the fault eliminated by a
workshop.
If the child restraint system is not correctly
installed or the transponders are defective,
the indicator lamp will flash. Check for
correct child restraint system installation.
For installation of ch ild restraint system
with transponders 3 – see instructions
provided with child restraint system.
9 Warning
Only Opel child restraint systems with
transponders 3 should be fitted on the
front passenger seats. Use of systems
without transponders poses a risk of
fatal injury.

74 Seats, InteriorIf the control indicator flashes when the
child restraint system with transponders 3
is correctly fitted, there is a fault with risk of
injury to the child. Fit child restraint systems
on the rear seat. Have the cause of the
fault eliminated by a workshop.
If no Opel child restraint system with
transponders 3 is fitted, the control
indicator must not light or flash as the
passenger airbag systems would not
deploy. Have the cause of the fault
eliminated by a workshop. Important
z
Placing accessories and objects in the
expansion region of the airbag systems
is not permitted due to the risk of injury if
the airbag is triggered.
z Do not place any objects between the
airbag systems and the vehicle
occupants; danger of injury.
z Use the hooks in the roof frame only to
hang up light articles of clothing or coat
hangers. Do not place any objects in the
pockets of the hanging items – risk of
injury.
z The airbag systems and belt tensioner
control electronics can be found in the
centre console area. In order to avoid
malfunctions, do not store magnetic
objects in this area. z
Do not stick anything on the steering
wheel, instrument panel, front seat
backrests or roof frame in the vicinity of
the airbags, or on the front passenger’s
seat cushion, or cover any of those areas
with other materials.
z Use only a dry cloth or interior cleaner to
clean the steering wheel, instrument
panel, front seat backrests, roof frame
and seat cushion of the front passenger
seat. Do not use any aggressive cleaning
agents.
z Only protective covers which are
approved for your vehicle with side
airbag may be fitted on the front seats.
When fitting the protective covers, make
sure that the airbag units on the
outboard sides of the front seat
backrests are not covered.
z The airbag systems are triggered
independently of each other depending
on the severity of the accident and the
type of impact. The side airbag system 3
and the curtain airbag system 3 are
triggered together.
z Each airbag deploys once only. Have a
workshop replace deployed airbags
immediately.
9 Warning
If the Opel child restraint system with
transponders 3 has been fitted
according to the inst ructions, the control
indicator for Opel restraint systems with
transponders must illuminate in the
courtesy lamp when the ignition is
switched on.
If the control indicator does not come on
while driving, the passenger airbag
systems are not de-activated and there
is a risk of injury or death. In this case fit
child restraint system s on the rear seat.
Have the cause of th e fault eliminated
by a workshop.
9 Warning
As with any other ob ject, child restraint
systems must not be carried on a
passenger’s lap. Danger to life.

75
Seats, Interior
zThe speeds, directions of movement and
deformation properties of the vehicles,
and the properties of the obstacle
concerned, determine the severity of the
accident and triggering of the airbags.
The degree of damage to your vehicle
and the resulting repair costs alone are
not indicative that the criteria for
triggering of the airbags were met.
z Do not perform any alterations on the
components of the airbag system, as this
would render the vehicle unroadworthy.
z We recommend having the steering
wheel, the instrument panel, all panelling
parts, the door seals, the handles and
the seats removed by a workshop. z
The applicable safety regulations must
be adhered to when the vehicle is
disposed of. The vehicle should therefore
be disposed of by a recycling company.
z Persons weighing less than 35 kg should
only travel on the rear seats. This does
not apply to children who are travelling
in child restraint systems with
transponders 3.
z In vehicles with seat occupancy
recognition 3, do not place any heavy
objects on the front passenger seat
otherwise the airbag systems for the
front passenger seat may be triggered in
the event of an accident.
z In vehicles with seat occupancy
recognition 3, to prevent malfunctions
do not use protective covers or seat
cushions on the front passenger seat. z
When using an Opel child restraint
system with transponders 3 on the front
passenger seat, in order to prevent
malfunctions, no objects (e.g. plastic
sheet, stickers or heated mats) may be
placed under the child restraint system.
9 Warning
If handled improperly the airbag
systems can be triggered in an explosive
manner – risk of injury!
9 Warning
Child restraint system s or other objects
must never be carried on the laps of
passengers; If carried in this way, child
restraint systems with transponders 3 in
vehicles with seat occupancy
recognition 3 could lead to front
passenger airbag systems not being
triggered in the event of an accident.

76 Seats, InteriorUse of child restraint systems 3 on the
front passenger seat in vehicles with
airbag systems 3, but without seat
occupancy recognition 3
Picture no: 11704a.tif
Vehicles with front passenger airbag can
be recognised by the word AIRBAG above
the glove compartment and by the sticker
on the instrument panel on the passenger
side - see Fig. 11704 A.
Picture no: 14791s.tif
A vehicle with side airbags can be
identified by the word AIRBAG on the
outboard sides of the front seat backrests.
Seat occupancy recognition 3 372.
9 Warning
Vehicles with fron t passenger airbag 3
without side airbag 3: Child seats facing
the rear of the vehicle must not be
installed on the front passenger seat,
risk of fatal injury. Child seats facing the
direction of travel (child seats for weight
classes I, II and III, following pages) may
be installed on the front passenger seat
if the seat has been pushed back as far
as it will go and the backrest has been
adjusted such that the lap belt fits
snugly.
9 Warning
Vehicles with side airbag 3: No child
restraint system 3 may be fitted on the
front passenger’s seat; risk of fatal
injury.

77
Seats, Interior
Picture no: 15844t.tif
Use of child restraint systems 3 on front
passenger seat in vehicles with airbag
systems 3 and with seat occupancy
recognition 3
Vehicles with seat occupancy recognition
are identified by a sticker on the lower
panel of the front passenger seat –
see Fig. above.
Picture no: 12097s.tif
Vehicles with seat occupancy recognition
can also be recognised by control
indicator
y. If control indicator
y
illuminates for approx. 4 seconds after the
ignition is switched on, the vehicle is
equipped with seat occupancy recognition
3 72. The seat occupancy recognition system
detects Opel child restraint systems with
transponders
3 and switches off the front
and side airbag sy stems for the front
passenger seat. The curtain airbag system
remains activated. Seat occupancy
recognition 3 72.
Opel child restraint systems with
transponders 3 can be identified by a
sticker or badge.
9 Warning
Only Opel child restraint systems with
transponders 3 can be fitted on the
front passenger seats. Use of systems
without transponders poses a risk of
fatal injury.

82 Instruments, ControlsInstruments, ControlsControl indicators ................................ 82
Instrument display ............................... 87
Information display ............................. 90
Warning buzzers.................................. 100
Windscreen wipers ............................... 100
Picture no: 17876s.tif
Control indicators The control indicators described here are
not present in all vehicles. The description
applies to all instrument versions.
The colours of the control indicators mean:
Picture no:
X
Seat belt 3
Control indicator lights up red.
This comes on after turning on the ignition
(with warning tone) until the seat belt is
done up.
Fasten seat belt 362. B
Adaptive headlamp 3 (AFL)
Control indicator lights up and/or flashes
yellow.
Lamps

Fault in system. Contact a workshop for
assistance.
z
Red
Danger, important reminder.
z Yellow
Warning, information, fault.
z Green
Switch-on confirmation.
z Blue
Switch-on confirmation.

84 Instruments, Controls
Picture no: 17876s.tif
I

Engine oil pressure
Control indicator lights up red
It illuminates when the ignition is switched
on and goes out shortly after the engine
starts.
Illuminates when the engine is running
1. Depress clutch.
2. Move gearshift lever to neutral, or with
manual transmissi on automated 3 place
selector lever in N.
Picture no:
3. Move out of the flow of traffic as quickly
as possible without impeding other
vehicles.
4. Switch off ignition.
Contact a workshop for assistance.
Caution
Engine lubrication may be interrupted.
This may result in damage to the engine
and/or locking of the drive wheels.
9 Warning
When the engine is off, considerably
more force is needed to brake and steer.
Do not remove key until vehicle has
come to a standstill, otherwise the
steering column lock could engage
unexpectedly.
O

Turn signal lamps
Control indicator flashes green.
The control indicator flashes if a turn signal
or the hazard warning flashers are
activated.
Rapid flashing: failure of a direction
indicator lamp or associated fuse.
Change bulbs 3 185. Fuses 3182.
C

Main beam
Control indicator lights up blue.
It is illuminated when main beam is on and
during headlamp flash 311, 3102.
j

Automatic transmission 3, start engine.
Control indicator lights up yellow.
The engine can only be started if the foot
brake is depressed. If the foot brake is not
depressed, the control indicator illuminates
3 130.

85
Instruments, Controls
Picture no: 18385s.tif
T
Winter mode for manual transmission
automated 3
Control indicator lights up yellow.
Control indicator lights up when winter
program is enabled 3132. m

Cruise control 3
Control indicator lights up green
This comes on when the system is switched
on 3148.
r
Fog tail lamp
Control indicator lights up yellow.
This comes on when the fog tail lamp is
switched on 3104.
Picture no:
p

Alternator
Control indicator lights up red.
It illuminates when the ignition is switched
on and goes out shortly after the engine
starts.
Illuminates when the engine is running
Stop, switch off engine. Battery is not
charging. Contact a workshop
immediately. R

Brake system, clutch system
Control indicator lights up or flashes red.
Illuminated
Illuminates when the ignition is switched on
if the hand brake is applied 3151.
Lights up when the hand brake is released
when the fluid level for the brake or clutch
systems is low 3214.
FlashesOn vehicles with manual transmission
automated 3, control indicator R flashes
for a few seconds after the ignition is
switched off when the hand brake has not
been applied. u

Anti-lock brake system
Control indicator lights up red.
Illuminates while driving
Fault in anti-lock braking system 3152. S

Engine oil level 3
Control indicator lights up yellow.
The engine oil level is checked
automatically 3.
Illuminates when the engine is running

Engine oil level too lo w. Check engine oil
level and top up engine oil if necessary
3 210.
9 Warning
Stop. Do not continue your journey.
Consult a workshop.

87
Instruments, Controls
Picture no: 12097s.tif
y

Seat occupancy recognition 3
3 67, 372.
Picture no: 17879s.tif
Instrument display In some versions, the indicators of the
instruments briefly rotate to the end
position when the ignition is switched on.
Tachometer
Displays the engine rpm.
Drive in a low engine speed range for each
gear as much as possible.
Speedometer
Speed display. Picture no:
Kilometre display
If the ignition is off the mileage is displayed
for approx. 15 seconds by briefly pressing
the reset knob.
Top line:
Trip odometerDisplays the number of
kilometres since the
gauge was reset.
To reset, hold the reset knob depressed for
a few seconds with the ignition on.
Bottom line:
OdometerRecords the number of kilometres.
Maintenance, Inspection system, 389,
3 208.
Caution
If the pointer is in the warning zone, the
maximum permitted engine speed is
exceeded. Engine at risk.