OPEL ZAFIRA 2009 Owners Manual

Driving and operating
141
ABS starts to regulate brake pressure
as soon as a wheel shows a tendency
to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent though
a pulse in the brake pedal and the
noise of the regulation process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
Control indicator u 3 89.
Adaptive brake lamp
During full braking, all three brake
lamps flash for the duration of ABS
control. Fault
9
Warning If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS
are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no
longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop. Parking brake
Always apply hand brake firmly
without operating the release button,
and apply as firmly as possible on
a downhill or uphill slope.
To release the hand brake, pull the
lever up slightly, press the release
button and fully lower the lever.
To

reduce the operating forces of the
hand brake, depress the foot brake at
the same time.
Control indicator R 3 89.

142
Driving and operating
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake
pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist
The system helps pull away on
inclines. After releasing the brake
pedal, if the hand brake is not applied
the brakes are released after a 2-
second delay. Ride control systems
Electronic stability
program
Electronic stability program
(ESP®
Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of the
type
of road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
control indicator v extinguishes.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action v
flashes. 9
Warning Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator
v 3 89.
Deactivation ESP®
Plus
can be deactivated when
Sport mode is engaged for high-
performance driving:

Driving and operating
143
Hold the SPORT button depressed
for about 4 seconds. Control indicator
v illuminates. ESPoff also appears in
the service display. 9
Warning Do not deactivate ESP®
Plus
if
a
run-flat tyre 3 has lost pressure.ESP®
Plus
is reactivated by pressing
the SPORT

button. ESPon appears in
the service display. ESP® Plus
is also
reactivated the next time the ignition
is switched on.
Sport mode 3 143.
Interactive driving system
Interactive driving system (IDS Plus
)
combines the electronic stability
program (ESP® Plus
) with the antilock
brake system (ABS) and continuous
damping control (CDC) to improve
driving dynamics and vehicle safety. Sport mode
Suspension and steering become
more direct and provide better
contact with the road surface. The
engine reacts more quickly to
accelerator pedal movements.
Automatic

gear changing is also more
responsive.
Control indicator IDSPlus
3 91.
Activation Press SPORT button.
Control indicator
1 3 89. Winter programme activation not
possible.
Deactivation
Briefly press the SPORT button.
Sport mode is deactivated the next
time the ignition is switched on or if
the Winter programme is activated.
Continuous damping
control
Continuous damping control (CDC)
changes suspension with damping
adaptation
of each shock absorber to
the current driving situation and road
conditions.
When Sport mode is engaged, the
damping control is adapted to
a sportier driving style.
Control indicator IDS+ 3 91.

144
Driving and operating
Automatic level control The rear level of the vehicle is
automatically adjusted to the load
conditions while driving. Suspension
and ground clearance are increased,
which improves driving conditions.
The automatic level control is
activated after the vehicle has been
driven for some distance, depending
on the vehicle loading and the road
conditions.
Do
not use full payload in the event of
a fault. Have the cause of the fault
remedied by a workshop. Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain

speeds of approx. 30 to 200
km/h. Deviations from the stored
speeds may occur when driving uphill
or downhill.
For safety reasons the cruise control
cannot be activated until the foot
brake has been operated once. Do not use the cruise control if it is not
advisable to maintain a constant
speed. With automatic transmission or
manual
transmission automated, only
activate cruise control in automatic
mode.
Control indicator m 3 93.
Activation
Briefly press the m button: the current
speed is stored and maintained.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the previously stored speed
is resumed.
The speed is saved until the ignition
is switched off.
To resume the saved speed, briefly
press the g button at a speed above
30 km/h.
Increase
With cruise control active, hold down
button m or briefly press it repeatedly:
speed is increased continuously or in
small increments.
When button m is released the
current speed is stored and
maintained.

Driving and operating
145
Reduction
With cruise control active, hold down
button g
or briefly press it repeatedly:
speed is reduced continuously or in
small increments.
When button g is released the current
speed is stored and maintained.
Deactivation
Briefly press the § button: cruise
control is deactivated.
Automatic deactivation:
■ Vehicle speed below approx. 30 km/h
■ The brake pedal is depressed
■ The clutch pedal is depressed
■ Selector lever in N. Object detection
systems
Parking assist Parking assist makes parking easier
by measuring the distance between
the vehicle and obstacles. It is the
driver, however, who maintains full
responsibility for parking.
The
system consists of four ultrasonic
parking sensors bumper mounted.
Control indicator r 3 89.
Note
Attached parts in the detection area
cause system malfunction.
Activation When reverse gear is engaged, the
system switches itself on
automatically.

146
Driving and operating
The system can also be activated at
low speed by pressing the r button.
An obstacle is indicated by buzzers.
The interval between the buzzers
becomes shorter as the vehicle gets
closer to the obstacle. When the
distance is less than 30 cm, the
buzzer is continuous. 9
Warning Under certain circumstances,
various reflective surfaces on
objects or clothing as well as
external

noise sources may cause
the system to fail to detect
obstacles. Deactivation
Deactivate the system by pressing
the r button.
The system automatically switches
itself off when the vehicle is driven
above a certain speed.
Towing equipment
The system automatically considers
a factory-fitted towing equipment. The rear parking sensors are
deactivated when towing.
Fuel
Fuel for petrol engines
Only

use unleaded fuel that complies
with DIN EN 228.
Fuels with ethanol content greater
than 5% may only be used if the
vehicle has been specifically
developed and approved for these
fuels.
Use fuel with the recommended
octane rating 3 209. Use of fuel with
too low an octane rating can reduce
engine power and torque and slightly
increases fuel consumption. Caution
Use of fuel with too low an octane
rating could lead to uncontrolled
combustion and engine damage.
Fuel for diesel engines
Only use diesel fuel that complies
with

DIN EN 590. The fuel must have
low sulphur content (max. 50 ppm).

Driving and operating
147
Do not use marine diesel oils, heating
oils or entirely or partially plant-based
diesel fuels, such as rape seed oil or
bio diesel, Aquazole and similar
diesel-water emulsions. Diesel fuels
must not be diluted with fuels for
petrol engines.
The flow and filterability of diesel fuel
are temperature-dependent. When
temperatures are low, refuel with
diesel fuel with guaranteed winter
properties.
Fuel for natural gas
operation
Use natural gas with a methane
content of approx. 78 - 99 %. L-gas
(low) has approx. 78 - 87 % and H-gas
(high) has approx. 87 - 99 %. Biogas
with the same methane content can
also be used if it has been chemically
prepared and desulphurised.
Liquid gas or LPG must not be used. Refuelling
9
Danger Before refuelling, switch off engine
and any external heaters with
combustion chambers (identified
by

sticker on fuel filler flap). Switch
off any mobile phones.
Follow the operating and safety
instructions of the filling station
when refuelling. 9
Danger Fuel is flammable and explosive.
No smoking. No naked flames or
sparks.
If you can smell fuel in your
vehicle, have the cause of this
remedied immediately by
a workshop.
Fuel filler flap is located at right rear
side of vehicle.
The

fuel filler flap can only be opened
if the vehicle is unlocked.

148
Driving and operating
The fuel filler cap can be retained in
the bracket on the fuel filler flap. Caution
Wipe off any overflowing fuel
immediately.
Natural gas refuelling
When filling with natural gas, remove
the
protective cap from the filler neck. 9
Warning Refuel only with a maximum
output pressure of 250 bar. Use
only temperature compensated
filling stations.
The refuelling procedure must be
completed,

i.e. the filler neck must be
vented. Refit the protective cap.
The capacity of the natural gas tank
depends on outside temperature,
filling pressure and type of refuelling
system.
Terms for "natural gas vehicles"
abroad:
German Erdgasfahrzeuge
English NGVs = Natural Gas Vehicles
French Véhicules au gaz naturel – or – Véhicules GNV
Italian Metano auto
Terms for "natural gas" abroad: German Erdgas
English CNG = Compressed
Natural Gas
French GNV = Gaz Naturel (pour) Véhicules - or -
CGN = carburantgaz
naturel
Italian Metano (per auto)
Fuel filler cap
Only
a genuine fuel filler cap provides
full functionality. Diesel-engined
vehicles have special fuel filler caps.
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions
The determination of fuel
consumption is regulated by
European directive 80/1268/EEC
(latest edition 2004/3/EC).
The directive is oriented to actual
driving practices: Urban driving is
rated at approx. 1
/3 and extra urban

Driving and operating
149
driving with approx. 2
/3 . Cold starts
and acceleration phases are also
taken into consideration.
The specification of CO 2 emission is
also a constituent of the directive.
The figures given must not be taken
as a guarantee for the actual fuel
consumption of a particular vehicle.
Furthermore, fuel consumption is
dependent on personal driving style
as
well as road and traffic conditions.
All values are based on the EU base
model with standard equipment.
The calculation of fuel consumption
takes account of the vehicle’s kerb
weight, ascertained in accordance
with the regulations. Options may
result in slightly higher fuel
consumption and CO 2 emission
levels and a lower top speed.
Fuel consumption, CO 2 emissions
3 213. Natural gas
The fuel consumption information
was obtained using reference fuel
G20 (methane proportion 99 - 100
mol%) under prescribed driving
conditions. When using natural gas
with a lower proportion of methane,
the fuel consumption can differ from
the specified values.
Towing
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
Installation dimensions of factory-
fitted towing equipment
3 223.
Driving characteristics and
towing tips
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the
coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements.
For trailers with low driving stability
and trailers with a permitted gross
vehicle weight of more than 1300 kg
a speed of 80 km/h must not be
exceeded; the use of a stabiliser is
recommended.

150
Driving and operating
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
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 3 220.
Trailer towing
Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified
in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 % The permitted 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
permissible gross train weight also
decreases by 10 % for every 1000
metres of additional altitude. The
gross
train 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 weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 208.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (75 kg) is specified on
the towing equipment identification
plate and in the vehicle documents. Always aim for the maximum load,
especially in the case of heavy
trailers. The vertical coupling load
should never fall below 25 kg.
Rear axle load
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by 90
kg
and the gross vehicle weight rating
by 75 kg. If the permissible rear axle
load is exceeded, a maximum speed
of 100 km/h applies.
Towing equipment Caution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.