light OPEL MERIVA 2009 Workshop Manual

147
Driving and operation
Control indicator
v
The warning light lights up for a few
seconds when ignition is switched on. Once
it goes out, the system is ready for
operation.
Flashing during driving:
This shows the system has come into
action. The engine output may be reduced
(the sound of the engine changes) and the
vehicle may be braked automatically to a
small degree.
Picture no: 17892s.tif
Illuminates while driving:
Fault in the system. Driving can be
continued. Poor road surface conditions
may however still cause vehicle stability to
be impaired.
Have the cause of the fault eliminated.
Self-diagnosis integrated into the system
allows rapid fault identification. Illuminates after interruption of power
supply e.g. after disconnecting battery.
After a power supply interruption the
steering angle sensor must be calibrated to
make the system operational:
z
Automatic calibration driving in straight
line at constant slow (20 to 40 km/h)
speed on level, dry road.
z Manual calibration by turning steering
wheel from limit position to limit position.
If the indicator lamp does not go off after
successful calibration , observe notes in
middle column.

148 Driving and operationCruise control 3
Cruise control can store and maintain
speeds of approx. 30 to 200 km/h.
Deviation from the stored speed is possible
on uphill or downhill inclines.
For safety reasons the cruise control
cannot be activated until the foot brake
has been operated once.
The cruise control is operated with the
buttons I, R and O on the turn signal lever.
Do not use the cruise control if it is not
advisable to maintain a constant speed
(e.g. in situations presenting a danger to
yourself and other road users, in heavy
traffic or on winding, slippery or greasy
roads). For manual transmission automated
3,
engage cruise control in automatic mode
only.
Picture no: 17893s.tif
Control indicator
m 3
The warning lamp lights up for a few
seconds 3 when the ignition is switched on.
The system is now ready for operation.
When driving, th e warning lamp m lights
up as soon as the sy stem is switched on.
9 Warning
When the cruise control is active,
reaction times may be increased due to
the different position of the feet.

153
Driving and operation
Picture no: 14723s.tif
Hand brake Always apply hand brake firmly without
pressing the release button, and apply as
firmly as possible on steep slopes.
To release the hand brake pull lever up
slightly, press release button, and lower
lever all the way down.
To reduce the operating forces of the hand
brake, depress the foot brake at the same
time.
Brake assist If the brake pedal is operated quickly with
a powerful push, the vehicle is
automatically braked at full braking power
in order to achieve the shortest possible
braking distance when full-on braking
occurs (brake assist).
Maintain steady pressure on the brake
pedal for as long as full-on braking is to
continue. When the brake pedal is
released, the maximum brake force
amplification is taken away. Hill Start Assist
3 (HSA)
The system helps pull away on inclines.
After releasing the footbrake, if the hand
brake is not applied the brakes are only
released after 2 seconds. As soon as the
acceleration is sufficient to prevent rolling
back, the brake is released.
Wheels, tyresSuitable tyres and restrictions 3 228.
Tyres fitted in the factory are adapted to
the chassis and provide optimum driving
comfort and safety.
Changing tyre/wheel type
If tyres of a different size than those fitted
at the factory are used, it may be
necessary to reprogram the electronic
speedometer and make other vehicle
modifications.
After converting to a different tyre size,
have the adhesive label with tyre pressures
replaced.
9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheels may
lead to accidents and render the vehicle
unroadworthy.

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.

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.

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.

177
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 14763s.tif
The edge of the jack base must be
planted firmly and vertically in line with
the contact point.
Raise vehicle by turning crank handle.
If this is not the case, carefully lower the
vehicle immediately and reposition the
jack.
5. Unscrew the wheel bolts.
Picture no: 11647s.tif
If the wheel bolt s have retaining
washers 3, they must not be removed.
6. Change wheel. Notes on spare wheel 3172. Notes on temporary spare wheel
3 173.
7. Screw in the wheel bolts. Push the wheel bolt wrench 3 on as far as possible and
tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
8. Lower vehicle.
9. Push the wheel bolt wrench 3 on as far
as possible and tighten crosswise.
Tightening torque is 110 Nm. 10. Before refitting the wheel trim, clean the
wheel around the retaining clips. Valve
symbol 3 on back of wheel trim must
point towards valve on wheel.
Align and refit wheel trim or wheel bolt
caps 3.
Alloy wheels 3: put hub cap on and
engage, inserting pin on rear of hub
cap into relevant hole in wheel.
Alloy wheels with anti-theft lock 3: Put
hub cap on. Insert and tighten anti-
theft lock 3.
11. Stow removed wheel, tool kit and warning triangle in the luggage
compartment 3171.
12. Check the tyre pressure of the newly mounted wheel.
13. Have the wheel bolt tightening torque (110 Nm) checked.
14. Replace the faulty tyre on the wheel that was removed.

179
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 15319t.tif
4. Screw the compressor air hose to the connection on the sealant bottle.
5. Fit the sealant bottle in the retainer on the compressor.
Set the compressor near the tyre in such
a way that the sealant bottle is upright.
6. Remove the valve cap from the defective tyre.
Picture no: 15795t.tif
7. Screw the filler hose to the tyre valve.
8. The switch on the compressor must be set to §.
9. Plug the compressor connector into the accessory socket or the cigarette lighter
socket. For accessory sockets 378.
Picture no: 15796t.tif
10. Switch on ignition.
11. Set the rocker switch on the compressor
to I. The tyre is filled with sealant.
12. While the sealant bottle drains (approx. 30 seconds) the pressure
indicator on the compressor briefly
points to 6 bar. Pressure then sinks
again.
13. All of the sealant is pumped into the tyre. Afterwards, the tyre is filled with
air.
14. The prescribed tyre pressure should be reached within 10 minutes. Tyre
pressure 3228. Switch off the
compressor when the correct pressure is
obtained.

182 Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 14725s.tif
Keep spare fuses in the fuse box lid (shown
in yellow in the Fig.). Open lid 3182.
Before replacing a fuse, turn off the
respective switch and the ignition.
A blown fuse can be recognised by its
melted wire. Do not replace the fuse until
the cause of the fault has been remedied.
To help in replacing fuses, there is a special
fuse-gripping tool in the fuse box 3.
Picture no: 12892j.tif
Slot fuse-gripping tool onto fuse and
withdraw it.
Some functions are protected by several
fuses.
There may be fuses inserted with no
function.
Always use fuses with the correct current
value. This is shown on each fuse, and is
also indicated by the fuse colour and the
plug-in location in the fuse box.
Different versions of fuses are used.
Picture no: 14211s.tif
Fuses and the most important
circuits they protect Fuse box in passenger compartment
Disengage fuse box cover at bottom and
remove. No. Circuit
1 Central control unit
2 Immobiliser, hazard warning
lamps, exterior lighting
3 Headlamp washer system