towing OPEL ZAFIRA C 2014 Manual user

218Driving and operating
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.Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Vehicles with natural gas engines
require special towing equipment.
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.
The bulb outage detection function for
trailer brake light cannot detect a
partial bulb outage. E.g. in case of
4x 5 Watt bulbs, the function only
detects lamp outage when only a
single 5 Watt lamp remains or none
remain.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle.Driving characteristics and
towing tips Before attaching a trailer, lubricatethe 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 caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1300 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 80 km/h.
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 3 285.

Driving and operating219Trailer towingTrailer 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 due to 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 plate3 271.
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
60 kg , the gross vehicle weight rating
may be exceeded by 60 kg. If the
permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
100 km/h applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.

222Driving and operating
■The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
■ The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when a coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bardoes not engage correctly, seekthe assistance of a workshop.
Dismounting the coupling ball
bar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold away socket.
Trailer stability assist If the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is
selectively braked until the snaking ceases. While system is working keep steering wheel as still as possible.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Control 3 177.

Vehicle care223Vehicle careGeneral Information...................223
Vehicle checks ........................... 224
Bulb replacement .......................231
Electrical system ........................240
Vehicle tools .............................. 246
Wheels and tyres .......................247
Jump starting ............................. 261
Towing ....................................... 262
Appearance care .......................264General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend the use of genuine parts and accessories and factory
approved parts specific for your
vehicle type. We cannot assess or
guarantee reliability of other products
- even if they have a regulatory or
otherwise granted approval.
Do not make any modifications to the electrical system, e.g. changes of
electronic control units (chip tuning).Caution
When transporting the vehicle on
a train or on a recovery vehicle, the
mud flaps might be damaged.
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of time
If the vehicle is to be stored for several months:
■ Wash and wax the vehicle.
■ Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
■ Clean and preserve the rubber seals.
■ Fill up fuel tank completely.
■ Change the engine oil.
■ Drain the washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check the coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park the vehicle in a dry, well ventilated place. Engage first orreverse gear or set selector lever to P . Prevent the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.

246Vehicle care
No.Circuit16Inside mirror, rear view camera17Power outlet18–19Steering wheel heating20Sunblind21Heated front seats22–23–24Selective catalytic reduction
system25–26–27–28–29–30–No.Circuit31–32Active damping system, lane
departure warningVehicle tools
Tools
Some tools, the towing eye and (only on vehicles with spare wheel) the
vehicle jacking equipment are placed
in the rear storage in the load
compartment floor.
Open the cover in front of the tailgate.

Vehicle care259
8. Lower holder all the way andremove spare wheel.
9. Change the wheel. The damaged wheel has to be
secured in the load compartment,
see below.
10. Lift the empty spare wheel holder and insert the safety cable.
11. Lift the spare wheel holder farther
and engage in both catches. The
open sides of the catches must
point in the direction of travel.
12. Close the empty spare wheel holder by turning both hexagon
bolts clockwise successively
using the wheel wrench.
13. Fit the caps above both hexagon bolts.
14. Stow wheel wrench and the jack in the stowage in front of the
tailgate.
15. Close the stowage compartment cover.
When stowing again the spare wheel
in the spare wheel holder, note that
the wheel is positioned with the tyre
valve above the recess of the wheel
holder.
Stowing a damaged wheel in the load compartment
The spare wheel holder is not
designed for other tyre sizes than
spare wheel.
A damaged wheel wider than the spare wheel has to be stowed in the
load compartment and secured with a strap. Vehicle tools 3 246.The seats of the third row must be
folded in 3 78.
1. Position the wheel close to the left
sidewall of the load compartment.
2. Place the loop end of the strap through the front lashing eye on
the left side.
3. Place the hook end of the strap through the loop and pull it until
the strap is fastened securely to
the lashing eye.

260Vehicle care
4. Insert the strap through thespokes of the wheel as shown in
the illustration.
5. Mount the hook to the rear left lashing eye.
6. Tighten the strap and secure it using the buckle.
9 Danger
Always drive with folded up and
engaged rear seat backrests when stowing a damaged full size wheel
in the load compartment.
9 Warning
Storing a jack, a wheel or other
equipment in the load
compartment could cause injury if they are not fixed properly. During a sudden stop or a collision, looseequipment could strike someone.
Store jack and tools always in the
respective storage compartments
and secure them by fixing.
Damaged wheel placed in the load
compartment must always be
secured by the strap.
Temporary spare wheel
The use of the temporary spare wheel
could affect driveability. Have the
defective tyre renewed or repaired as soon as possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
80 km/h. Take curves slowly. Do not
use for a long period of time.
If your vehicle gets a flat tyre on the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel in the front and the full tyre in the rear.
Tyre chains 3 252.
Directional tyres
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:
■ Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
■ Drive particularly carefully on wet and snow-covered road surfaces.

262Vehicle care
3. Connect the black lead to thenegative terminal of the booster
battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black
lead to a vehicle grounding point,
such as the engine block or an
engine mounting bolt. Connect as far away from the discharged
battery as possible, however at
least 60 cm.
Route 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.
2. After 5 minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of 1 minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads
connected.4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
short edge of the cap. Release the
cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver sidewards. To prevent
damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver and
the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 246.

Vehicle care263
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for towing and not for recovering the
vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering
wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Transmission in neutral.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust gases from the towing vehicle, switch on the
air recirculation and close the
windows.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: The vehicle must be towed facing
forwards, not faster than 80 km/h nor further than 100 km. In all other cases
and when the transmission is
defective, the front axle must be
raised off the ground.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the bottom and close.
Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower edge of the cap. Release the
cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver downwards. To prevent
damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver and
the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 246.

264Vehicle care
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
The lashing eye at the rear
underneath the vehicle must never be used as a towing eye.
Attach a tow rope – or even better a
tow bar – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering a
vehicle.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the bottom and engage.
Appearance care
Exterior care Locks
The locks are lubricated at the factory using a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use de-icing agent only when absolutely necessary, as this has adegreasing effect and impairs lockfunction. After using a de-icing agent,
have the locks regreased by a
workshop.
Washing The paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences.
Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.
When using automatic vehicle
washes, select a programme that
includes waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,
pollen and the like should be cleaned
off immediately, as they contain
aggressive constituents which can
cause paint damage.