ESP VAUXHALL ASTRA J 2016.25 Owner's Guide
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: VAUXHALL, Model Year: 2016.25, Model line: ASTRA J, Model: VAUXHALL ASTRA J 2016.25Pages: 267, PDF Size: 7.72 MB
Page 139 of 267

Climate control137Maintenance
Air intake
The air intake in front of the
windscreen in the engine
compartment must be kept clear to
allow air intake. Remove any leaves,
dirt or snow.
Pollen filter The pollen filter cleans dust, soot,
pollen and spores from the air
entering the vehicle through the air
intake.
Air conditioning regular
operation
In order to ensure continuously
efficient performance, cooling must
be operated for a few minutes once a
month, irrespective of the weather
and time of year. Operation with
cooling is not possible when the
outside temperature is too low.
Service For optimal cooling performance, it is recommended to annually check the
climate control system, starting
three years after initial vehicle
registration, including:
● functionality and pressure test
● heating functionality
● leakage check
● check of drive belts
● cleaning of condenser and evaporator drainage
● performance check 
Page 145 of 267

Driving and operating143Before restarting or to switch off the
engine when vehicle is stationary,
press  Engine Start/Stop  once more
briefly.
Manual transmission: during an
Autostop, the engine can be started
by depressing the clutch pedal
3  144.
Automatic transmission or manual
transmission automated: during an
Autostop, the engine can be started
by releasing the brake pedal  3 144.
Emergency shut off during driving If the engine needs to be switched offduring driving in case of emergency,
press  Engine Start/Stop  for longer
than two seconds or press twice briefly within five seconds.9 Danger
Switching off the engine during
driving may cause loss of power
support for brake and steering
systems. Assistance systems and
airbag systems are disabled.
Lighting and brake lights will
extinguish. Therefore power down the engine and ignition while
driving only when required in case of emergency.
Starting the vehicle at low
temperatures
Starting the engine without additional
heaters is possible down to -25 °С for diesel engines and -30 °C for petrol
engines. Required is an engine oil
with the correct viscosity, the correct
fuel, performed services and a
sufficiently charged vehicle battery.
With temperatures below -30 °C the
automatic transmission requires a
warming phase of approx.
five minutes. The selector lever must
be in position  P.
Automatic starter control
This function controls the engine
starting procedure. The driver does
not need to hold the key in position  3
or to hold  Engine Start/Stop  pressed.
Once applied, the system will go on
starting automatically until the engine
is running. Because of the checking procedure, the engine starts running
after a short delay.
Possible reasons for a non-starting
engine:
● Clutch pedal not operated (manual transmission).
● Brake pedal not operated or selector lever not in  P or  N
(automatic transmission).
● Brake pedal not operated (manual transmission
automated).
● Timeout occurred.
Turbo engine warm-up
Upon start-up, engine available
torque may be limited for a short time, especially when the engine
temperature is cold. The limitation is
to allow the lubrication system to fully protect the engine. 
Page 157 of 267

Driving and operating155If selector lever is moved from R to the
left,  D is directly engaged.
If selector lever is moved from  D to  +
or   -, manual mode  M is selected and
the transmission shifts.
Starting off Depress the foot brake and move the
selector lever to  D/M or R. If  D is
selected, transmission is in automatic mode and first gear is engaged. If  R
is selected, reverse gear is engaged.
The vehicle starts to move when the foot brake is released.
To start-off without depressing the
foot brake, accelerate immediately
after engaging a gear as long as  D or
R  flashes.
If neither the accelerator nor the
brake pedal are depressed, no gear
is engaged and  D or  R flashes for a
brief time in the display.
Stopping the vehicle
In  D, first gear is engaged and the
clutch is released when the vehicle is
stopped. In  R, reverse gear remains
engaged.Engine braking
Automatic mode
When driving downhill, the manual
transmission automated does not shift into higher gears until a fairly
high engine speed has been reached. It shifts down in good time when
braking.
Manual mode
To utilise the engine braking effect,
select a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill. Changing into
manual mode is only possible while the engine is running or during an
Autostop.
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between  R and  D in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.Parking
The most recently engaged gear (see transmission display) remains
engaged when switching off ignition.
With  N, no gear is engaged.
Therefore always apply the parking
brake when switching off ignition. If
parking brake is not applied,  P flashes
in the transmission display and the
key cannot be removed from the
ignition switch.  P stops flashing in the
transmission display as soon as the
parking brake is slightly applied.
When the ignition is switched off, the
transmission no longer responds to
movement of the selector lever.
Manual mode
If a higher gear is selected when the
engine speed is too low, or a lower
gear when the speed is too high, the
shift is not executed. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or
too high an engine speed. A warning
message is displayed in the Driver
Information Centre. Vehicle
messages  3 104. 
Page 158 of 267

156Driving and operatingIf engine speed is too low, the
transmission automatically shifts to a
lower gear.
When  + or  - is selected in automatic
mode, the transmission switches to
manual mode and shifts accordingly.
Gear shift indication
The symbol  R or  S with a number
beside is indicated when gearshifting
is recommended for fuel saving
reasons.
Shift indication appears only in
manual mode.
Electronic driving programmes
● Following a cold start, the operating temperature
programme increases engine
speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
● The adaptive programme tailors gearshifting to the driving
conditions, e.g. greater load or
gradients.Kickdown
If the accelerator pedal is presseddown completely in automatic mode, the transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed.
Fault
To prevent damage to the manual transmission automated, the clutch is
engaged automatically at high clutch
temperatures.
In the event of a fault, a warning
message is displayed in the Driver
Information Centre. Vehicle
messages  3 104.
Continued driving is restricted or not
possible, depending on the fault.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.Brakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop beforecontinuing the journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator  R 3  93.
Antilock brake system Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking. 
Page 159 of 267

Driving and operating157ABS 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
through 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.
After starting off, the system performs a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator  u 3  94.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.
Fault9 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
9 Warning
Before leaving the vehicle, check
parking brake status. Control
indicator  m must illuminate
constantly.
Manual parking brake9 Warning
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release
button, and apply as firmly as
possible on a downhill or uphill
slope.
To release the parking brake, pull
the lever up slightly, press the
release button and fully lower the
lever. 
Page 164 of 267

162Driving and operatingHave the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Sport mode
Sport mode adapts the settings of
some vehicle systems to a sportier driving style.
● The engine reacts more quickly to the accelerator pedal.
● Steering reacts more direct to provide better contact with the
road surface.
● Shift points of automatic transmission occur later.
ActivationPress  SPORT  when engine is
running.
LED in the button lights up when sport
mode is active and a status message appears in the Driver Information
Centre.
Deactivation
Briefly press  SPORT. Sport mode is
deactivated the next time the ignition
is switched on.Driver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of approx. 20 mph to maximum vehicle speed. 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.
Activating in first gear is not possible. 
Page 167 of 267

Driving and operating165Activation
Illustrations show different versions.
Press L. If cruise control has been
activated before, it is switched off when speed limiter is activated and
control indicator  m extinguishes.
Set speed limit Accelerate to the desired speed and
briefly turn thumb wheel to  SET/-: the
current speed is stored as maximum speed. Speed limit is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre.
Change speed limit
With speed limiter active, hold or
briefly turn thumb wheel to  RES/+ to
increase or  SET/- to decrease the
desired maximum speed.
Exceeding the speed limit
When exceeding the limited speed
without driver input, the speed will
flash in the Driver Information Centre
and a chime sounds during this
period.
In the event of an emergency, it is
possible to exceed the speed limit by
depressing the accelerator pedal
firmly nearly to the final point. In this
case no chime appears.
Release the accelerator pedal and the speed limiter function is
reactivated once a speed lower than
the limit speed is obtained.
Deactivation Press  y: speed limiter is deactivated
and the vehicle can be driven without
speed limit.
The limited speed will be stored and
is indicated in brackets in the Driver
Information Centre. Additionally, a
corresponding message appears.
Resume limit speed Turn thumb wheel to  RES/+. The
stored speed limit will be obtained. 
Page 169 of 267

Driving and operating167
Alerting the driver
The vehicle ahead control indicator A  illuminates green in the instrument
cluster when the system has detected
a vehicle in the driving path.
The control indicator  A changes to
yellow when the distance to a
preceding moving vehicle gets too
small or when approaching another
vehicle too rapidly.
Caution
The colour lighting of this control
indicator does not correspond to
local traffic laws on following
distance. The driver bears full
responsibility for maintaining safe
following distance according to
applicable traffic rules, weather
and road conditions etc. at all
times.
When the time to a potential collision
with a vehicle in front gets too small
and a collision is imminent, the
collision alert symbol pops-up in the
Driver Information Centre and the
driver gets notified by a flashing red
LED stripe which is projected on the
windscreen in the driver's field of
view.
Simultaneously a warning chime sounds. Depress the brake pedal and
steer the vehicle, if it is required by the
situation.
Deactivation The system can be deactivated.
Press  V repeatedly until  Forward
Collision Alert Off  appears in the
Driver Information Centre.
If the forward collision alert was
deactivated, alert sensitivity is set to
"medium" when ignition is switched
on next time.
The settings "near", "medium" or "far" will be stored when the ignition is
switched off. 
Page 170 of 267

168Driving and operatingGeneral information9Warning
Forward collision alert is just a
warning system and does not
apply the brakes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
rapidly, it may not provide you
enough time to avoid a collision.
The driver accepts full
responsibility for the appropriate
following distance based on traffic, weather and visibility conditions.
The complete attention of the
driver is always required while
driving. The driver must always be
ready to take action and apply the
brakes.
System limitations
The system is designed to warn on vehicles only, but may react also to
other objects.
In the following cases, forward
collision alert may not detect a vehicle ahead or sensor performance is
limited:
● on winding roads
● when weather limits visibility, such as fog, rain, or snow
● when the sensor is blocked by snow, ice, slush, mud, dirt,
windscreen damage or affected
by foreign items, e.g. stickers
Following distance indication
The following distance indication
displays the distance to a preceding
moving vehicle. The front camera in
the windscreen is used to detect the
distance of a vehicle directly ahead in
the vehicle's path. It is active at
speeds above 25 mph.
When a preceding vehicle is detected
ahead, the distance is indicated in
seconds, displayed on a page in the
Driver Information Centre.On Midlevel display, choose  Info
Menu  ? via MENU  on the turn
signal lever and turn the adjuster wheel to choose following distance
indication page, 3 97
On Uplevel display, select  Info menu
via steering wheel buttons and press o  to select following distance
indication  3 97.
The minimum indicated distance is 0.5 seconds.
If there is no vehicle ahead or the
vehicle ahead is out of range, two
dashes will be displayed: -.- sec. 
Page 171 of 267

Driving and operating169Active emergency braking
Active emergency braking can help to reduce the damage and injury from
crashes with vehicles and obstacles
directly ahead, when a collision can no longer be avoided either by
manual braking or by steering. Before the active emergency braking
applies, the driver is warned by the
forward collision alert  3 166.
The feature uses various inputs (e.g.
camera sensor, brake pressure,
vehicle speed) to calculate the
probability of a frontal collision.
Active emergency braking operates
above walking speed up to 53 mph. A precondition is that the system is not
deactivated by toggling the gap
switch  V to  Off setting,  3 166.
The system includes: ● brake preparation system
● emergency automatic braking
● forward looking brake assist9 Warning
This system is not intended to
replace the driver responsibility for driving the vehicle and looking
ahead. Its function is limited to
supplemental use only. The driver must continue to apply the brake
pedal as the driving situation
dictates.
Brake preparation system
When approaching a vehicle ahead
so quickly that a collision is likely, the
brake preparation system slightly
pressurises the brakes. This reduces
the response time, when a manual or automatic braking is requested.
The brake system is prepared so that braking can occur more rapidly.
The system operates up to a speed of 50 mph.
Emergency automatic braking
After the brake preparation and just
before the imminent collision, this
function automatically applies limited
braking to reduce the impact speed of the collision or prohibit a crash.
The system operates up to a speed of 37 mph.
Below a speed of 25 mph the system
can apply full braking.
Forward looking brake assist
In addition to the brake preparation
system and emergency automatic
braking, the forward looking brake
assist function makes the brake assist more sensitive. Therefore,
depressing the brake pedal less
strongly results in immediate hard
braking. This function helps the driver
brake quicker and harder before the
imminent collision.
The system operates up to a speed of 53 mph.