tyre pressure OPEL MERIVA 2009 Owners Manual

Data specific to your vehiclePlease enter your vehicle’s data here so that it is readily accessible. Please refer to the sections "Servicing and maintenance" and "Technical
data" and the identification plate. Fuel
Designation
Engine oil
Grade
Viscosity
Tyre pressure
Tyre size Front
Rear
Summer tyres
Winter tyres
Weights
Gross vehicle weight rating
– EC kerb weight
=Loading

15
In Brief
Picture no: 14175s.tif
Automated manual
transmission
3
To move the selector lever from N to R
press the button on the lever.
Only start in N with foot brake applied.
Automated manual transmission 3 3 129.
Before starting off, checkz Tyre pressure and tyre condition 3155,
3 228.
z Engine oil level and fluid levels 3209 to
3 216.
z All windows, mirrors, exterior lighting
and number plates are free from dirt,
snow and ice and operational.
z Seats, seat belts and mirrors are
correctly adjusted. 344, 359, 336.
z Check brake function at low speed,
particularly if the brakes are wet.
Picture no: 15678t.tif
Steering wheel lock and ignitionTurn key to position 1. Move the steering
wheel slightly to release the steering wheel
lock.
N
=Idle/start position
o =Driving position
+ = Higher gear
- = Lower gear
A/M = Switch between Automatic and
Manual mode
R = Reverse gear
(with selector lever lock) 0=Ignition off
1 = Steering free, ignition off
2 =Ignition on, with diesel engine: pre-
heating
3 =Starting

58 Seats, Interior
Picture no: 14110s.tif
Notes on loading the vehicle zHeavy objects in the luggage
compartment should be placed as far
forward as possible against the properly
engaged rear seat backrests or, if the
rear seat backrests are folded down,
against the front seat backrests. If
objects are to be stacked, the heavier
objects should be placed at the bottom.
z Secure heavy objects with lashing
straps 3 attached to lashing eyes 357.
z When transporting objects with rear seat
backrests tilted forward, fit the safety net
356. z
Close luggage compartment cover 3
3 55.
z If the backrests are not folded down
when transporting objects in the
luggage compartment, they must be
engaged in an upright position 355.
z Do not allow the load to protrude above
the upper edge of the backrests.
z The warning triangle 3 and first-aid kit
(cushion) 3 must always be freely
accessible.
z Do not place any objects on the luggage
compartment cover 3 or the instrument
panel.
z No objects must be placed in the airbag
inflation area, since they could cause
injury when the systems are triggered.
z Items loaded must not prevent operation
of the pedals, hand brake and gears or
obstruct the freedom of movement of
the driver. Do not place loose objects in
the interior.
z Do not drive with luggage compartment
open when transporting bulky objects,
for example, since toxic exhaust fumes
could penetrate the interior.
z The payload is the difference between
the permitted gross vehicle weight (see
identification plate 3218) and the EC
kerb weight. z
To calculate the EC kerb weight, enter
the data for your vehicle on page 3 226.
z The EC kerb weight includes allowances
for the driver (68 kg), luggage (7 kg) and
all fluids (tank 90 % full).
z Optional equipment and accessories
increase the kerb weight.
z Weights and loads 3226.
z Driving with a roof load increases the
sensitivity of the vehicle to cross-winds
and has a detrimental effect on vehicle
handling due to the vehicle’s higher
centre of gravity. Distribute the load
evenly and secure it properly with
retaining straps. Adjust the tyre pressure
to the load conditions. Do not drive
faster than 120 km/h. Check and re-
tighten the straps frequently. Observe
country-specific regulations.
z The permissible roof load is 100 kg. The
roof load consists of the weight of the
roof rack plus the load carried.

135
Driving and operation
Driving hintsThe first 1000 km
Drive your vehicle at various speeds. Do
not use full throttle. Never allow the engine
to labour at low revs.
Drive moderately. In all gears, only depress
the accelerator pedal around
3/4 of the way
down.
Do not drive faster than three quarters of
maximum speed.
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for the
first 200 km.
During the first drive smoke may develop
because of wax and oil evaporating on the
exhaust system. Park the vehicle in the
open for a while after the first drive and
avoid inhaling the fumes.
Fuel and engine oil consumption is higher
than normal during the running-in period.
Never coast with engine not running
Many units will not function in this situation
(e.g. brake servo unit, power steering 3).
Driving in this manner is a danger to
yourself and others. Brake servo unit
When the engine is not running, the brake
servo unit is no longer effective once the
brake pedal has been depressed once or
twice. Braking effect is not reduced, but
significantly greater force is required for
braking.
Electric power steering
3
If the power assisted steering fails when
being towed with the engine switched off,
the vehicle can still be steered, but
considerably more force is required.
Driving in mountainous terrain or with a
trailer/caravan
The cooling fan is elec trically operated. Its
cooling power is therefore independent of
the engine speed.
Since a considerable amount of heat is
generated at high engine speeds and less
at slower speeds, do not shift down when
climbing hills whilst the vehicle is still coping
with the gradient in the higher gear. Driving with a roof load
Do not exceed the permissible roof load
3
226. For reasons of safety, distribute the
load evenly and secure it properly with
retaining straps. Adjust tyre pressure to
load conditions. Do not drive faster
than 120 km/h. Check and retighten the
straps frequently. Observe country-specific
regulations.
Switching off the engine
When you switch off, fans in the engine
compartment may continue running for a
time to cool the engine.
If the engine temperature is very high, e.g.
after driving in mountainous terrain: allow
the engine to idle for approximately two
minutes in order to prevent heat
accumulation.
Vehicles with turbocharged engine
3
After running at high engine speeds or high
engine loads, operate the engine briefly
at a low load or run in neutral for
approx. 30 seconds before switching off in
order to protect the turbocharger.

138 Driving and operationOverrun
zThe fuel supply is shut off automatically
on overrun, e.g. when descending steep
hills or when braking 3136.
z To enable the overrun cut-off to come
into action and save fuel, do not
accelerate or declutch during overrun.
Correct gear selection
z High revs increase engine wear and fuel
consumption.
z Do not race your engine. Avoid driving at
high engine speeds.
Making use of the tachometer helps to
save fuel. Drive in a low engine speed
range for each gear as much as possible
with uniform engine speeds. Drive as
often as possible in top gear, select the
next higher gear as soon as possible,
and only change down when the engine
is no longer running perfectly smoothly.
High speed
z The higher the speed, the higher the
consumption and the noise level. At top
speed, you consume a great deal of fuel
and produce excessive noise and
exhaust emissions. z
Slightly releasing th e accelerator pedal
results in distinct fu el savings with no
major loss of speed.
Drive at no more than around three
quarters of maximum speed and you will
use up to 50 % less fuel, without losing a
great deal of time.
Tyre pressure
z Inadequate tyre pressure, leading to
higher road resistance, costs money in
two ways: for more fuel and increased
tyre wear.
z Regular checks (every 14 days) pay off.
Electrical loads
z The power consumption of electrical
equipment increases fuel consumption.
z Switch off all auxiliary electrical loads
(e.g. air conditioning 3, heated rear
window) when not needed.
Roof racks, ski-holders
z Due to air resistance, a roof load can
increase fuel consumption by
approx. 1l/100 km.
z Remove them if they are not being used. Repair and maintenance
z
Improper repairs or adjustment and
maintenance work can increase fuel
consumption. Do not carry out work on
the engine yourself.
You may out of ignorance infringe
environmental laws by not disposing of
materials properly.
Appropriate parts might not be recycled.
Contact with some of the materials
involved may pose a health hazard.
z We recommend that repair and
maintenance be entrusted to your Opel
Partner.
Extreme driving conditions
z Going up steep slopes, cornering, driving
on poor roads and winter driving all
increase fuel consumption.
Fuel consumption increases dramatically
in urban traffic and at winter
temperatures, especially on short trips
when the engine operating temperature
is not reached.
z Follow the hints given above to keep
consumption to a minimum under such
conditions.

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.

154 Driving and operationFitting new tyres
Fit tyres in pairs or in sets, which is even
better. Ensure that tyres on one axle are
zthe same size
z the same design
z the same make
z and have the same tread pattern
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.
Tyres fitted opposing the rolling direction
(such as when changing a tyre) should be
refitted as soon as possible. This is the only
way to benefit fully from the design
properties of the tyre.
Pay attention to legal requirements when
disposing of tyres.
Picture no: 14194s.tif
Tyre pressure
Check tyre pressure, including the spare
wheel, at least every 14 days and prior to
any long journey; the tyres should be
checked when cold. Do n’t forget to check
the spare wheel 3.
Remove the valve cap key from the tank
flap and use it to unscrew the valve cap.
Tyre pressure 3228 and on the adhesive
label 3 on the inside of the tank flap.
The tyre pressure data is for cold tyres. It
applies to both summer and winter tyres. Always inflate the spare wheel
3 to the
pressure specified for full load.
Do not reduce tyre pressure when the tyres
are warm. Otherwise the pressure may
drop below the permissible minimum when
the tyres cool down.
After having checked the tyre pressure,
tighten the valve caps using the valve cap
key.
Incorrect inflation pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and fuel
economy and will increase tyre wear.

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

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.