winter tyres 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

129
Driving and operation
Driving and operation
Manual transmission
automated
3
The manual transmission automated
transmission 3 permits manual ( manual
mode ) or automatic gear shifting
(automatic mode ), both with automatic
clutch control.
Picture no: 17878s.tif
Transmission display
Shows the mode and current gear.
If the Winter programme is activated, T is
illuminated.
Manual transmission automated
3... 129
Manual transmission ........................... 134
Driving hints ......................................... 135
Saving fuel, protecting the environment ...................................... 137
Fuels, refuelling .................................... 139
Catalytic converter, exhaust gasses .. 142
Drive Control Systems ......................... 146
Hydraulic brake system ...................... 151
Anti-lock brake system (ABS u ) ........ 152
Hand brake .......................................... 153
Brake assist .......................................... 153
Hill Start Assist 3 (HSA) ...................... 153
Wheels, tyres ........................................ 153
Roof rack 3.......................................... 158
Towing equipment 3........................... 158
Towing equipment with removable coupling ball bar 3........................... 159
Caravan/trailer towing ........................ 162

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.

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.

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.

228 Technical DataTyres Restrictions
Not all tyres available on the market
currently meet the structural requirements.
We recommend that you consult an Opel
Partner concerning suitable tyre makes.
These tyres have undergone special tests
to establish their reliability, safety and
specific suitability for Opel vehicles.
Despite continuous market monitoring, we
are unable to assess these attributes for
other tyres, even if they have been granted
approval by the relevant authorities or in
some other form.
Further information 3153. Winter tyres
3
Tyres of size 205/50 R 16 are not suitable
for use as winter tyres except on vehicles
with the Z 16 LET engine.
Tyres of size 205/45 R 17 are not suitable
for use as winter tyres. If winter tyres are in use, the spare wheel
may still be fitted with a summer tyre. Use
of the spare wheel may alter vehicle
handling. Obtain a replacement for the
faulty tyre as soon as possible, and have
the wheel balanced and fitted to the
vehicle.
Further information 3
157.
Tyre chains
3
Tyre chains may be used on the front
wheels only.
We recommend the use of tyre chains with
a fine mesh that add no more than 10 mm
to the running surface and the insides of
the tyres (including chain lock).
Tyre chains are not permitted on tyre
sizes 205/50 R 16 and 205/45 R 17.
Further information 3157. Wheels Wheel bolt tightening torque: 110 Nm.
Spare wheel
3
Depending on model, the spare wheel is
designed as a temporary spare wheel 3.
When using the spare wheel, the driving
behaviour may be modified. Replace the
faulty tyre as soon as possible, balance the
wheel and refit to vehicle. Follow the notes
on this page and 3157, 3173.
On vehicles with alloy wheels 3 the spare
wheel may have a steel rim.
The spare wheel can be fitted with a
smaller tyre
1)and a smaller rim than the
wheels fitted on the vehicle.
Tyre pressure (overpressure) The specified tyre pressures are valid for
cold tyres. The increased tyre pressure
resulting from extensive driving must not
be reduced. The tyre pressures specified on
the following pages apply to both summer
and winter tyres.
The spare wheel must always be inflated to
the tyre pressure for a full load – see table
on following pages.
Further information 3153 to 3157. 1)Country-specific version: The spare wheel is
only to be used as a temporary spare wheel.

229
Technical Data
Tyre pressure (overpressure)
Suspension behavior when loaded with up
to 3 people With full load
Tyres – front [kPa/bar] rear [kPa/bar] front [kPa/bar] rear [kPa/bar]
Z 14 XEP 175/70 R 14,
185/60 R 15,
205/50 R 16,
205/45 R 17 240/2.4
220/2.2260/2.6 300/3.0
Z 16 XEP,
Z 18 XE 185/60 R 15,
205/50 R 16,
205/45 R 17 240/2.4
220/2.2260/2.6 300/3.0
Z 16 LET 185/55 R 16
1),
195/50 R 161),
205/50 R 16,
205/45 R 17
1)Only permitted as winter tyres.
280/2.8 260/2.6300/3.0 340/3.4
Z 13 DTJ 185/60 R 15,
205/50 R 16,
205/45 R 17 240/2.4
220/2.2260/2.6 300/3.0
Z 17 DT, Z 17 DTR 185/60 R 15, 205/50 R 16,
205/45 R 17 280/2.8
260/2.6300/3.0 340/3.4
Z 17 DTH 185/60 R 15,
205/50 R 16,
205/45 R 17 260/2.6
240/2.4280/2.8 320/3.2

239
Index
Tyre chains ...................................... 157, 228
Tyre condition ......................................... 155
Tyre pressure................................... 154, 228
Tyre repair kit .......................................... 178UUnits of measure....................................... 96
Unleaded fuel ........................ 142, 220, 221VValve cap key ......................................... 154
Vehicle care............................................. 196
Vehicle decommissioning....................... 217
Vehicle identification number................ 219
Vehicle keys, see Keys .............................. 26
Vehicle recommissioning........................ 217
Ventilation .............................. 114, 117, 125WWarning buzzers..................................... 100
Warning triangle ..................................... 171
Washer fluid reservoir, windscreen washer system .................. 215
Weights.................................................... 226
Wheels ..................................................... 153
Wheels, tyres ........................................... 153
Windows .................................................... 39 Demisting and defrosting . 118, 121, 124
Windscreen washer system............................. 13, 100, 101, 215Antifreeze protection.......................... 216
Washer fluid reservoir......................... 215
Windscreen wipers ....................12, 100, 215 Winter mode
Starting-off aid ................................... 132
Winter operation Battery ................................................. 136
Coolant, antifreeze ............................. 212
Fuel consumption ............................... 138
Fuel for diesel engines........................ 139
Heating................................................ 114
Locks .................................................... 198
Tyre chains .................................. 157, 228
Window demisting and
defrosting ............................118, 121, 124
Windscreen washer system,
antifreeze protection .......................... 216
Winter programme ................................. 132
Winter tyres ............................................. 228
XXenon headlamp system Bulb replacement ............................... 188
Driving abroad.................................... 110