VAUXHALL ASTRA J 2016 Owner's Manual

Driving and operating1799Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 115.
Deactivation
TC can be switched off when spinning of drive wheels is required:
press b briefly to deactivate TC, k
illuminates. Deactivation is displayed
as status message in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC).
TC is reactivated by pressing b
again.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning. ESC operates in
combination with the Traction Control system (TC) 3 178.
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.
ESC is operational after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator
b extinguishes.When ESC operates b 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 b 3 115.
Deactivation

180Driving and operatingFor a more sporty behaviour ESC and
TC can be deactivated separately:
● Press b briefly: only Traction
control system is inactive, ESC
remains active, k illuminates.
● Hold b pressed for min.
5 seconds: TC and ESC are
deactivated, k and n illuminate.
Additionally the selected mode is
displayed as status message in the
Driver Information Centre (DIC).
If the vehicle comes into threshold
with deactivated ESP, the system will reactivate ESP for the time duration
of the threshold, when the brake
pedal is depressed once.
ESC is reactivated by pressing b
again. If the TC system was
previously disabled, both TC and
ESC are reactivated.
ESC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.Deactivation, VXR version
For very high-performance driving
ESC and TC can be deactivated
separately. The following modes are
selectable:
● Press b briefly: only Traction
control system is inactive, ESC
remains active, k illuminates.
● Press b twice briefly within
2 seconds: TC is inactive, ESC is
operable without engine power
reduction, k and n illuminate.
● Hold b pressed for min.
5 seconds: TC and ESC are
completely inactive, k and n
illuminate.
Additionally the selected mode is
displayed as status message in the
DIC.
On VXR version TC and ESC remain
deactivated even if the vehicle comes into threshold with unstable
driveability.
ESC is reactivated by pressing b
again. If the TC system was
previously disabled, both TC and
ESC are reactivated.
ESC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Interactive driving system Flex Ride Flex Ride driving system allows the
driver to select between three driving
modes:
● SPORT mode: press SPORT,
LED illuminates.
● TOUR mode: press TOUR, LED
illuminates.
● NORMAL mode: both SPORT
and TOUR are not pressed, no
LED illuminates.

Driving and operating181Deactivate SPORT mode and TOUR
mode by pressing the corresponding
button once more.
In each driving mode, Flex Ride
networks the following electronic
systems:
● Continuous Damping Control
● Accelerator Pedal Control
● Steering Control
● Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
● Antilock brake system (ABS) with
cornering brake control (CBC)
● Automatic transmissionSPORT mode
The settings of the systems are
adapted to a sportier driving style:
● Damping of shock absorbers reacts more stiffly to providebetter contact with the road
surface.
● The engine reacts more quickly to the accelerator pedal.
● Steering support is reduced.
● Shift points of automatic transmission occur later.
● With SPORT mode activated, the
illumination of main instruments changes from white to red.
TOUR mode
The settings of the systems are
adapted to a comfort driving style:
● Damping of shock absorbers reacts more softly.
● Accelerator pedal reacts with standard settings.
● Steering support is in standard mode.● Shift points of automatictransmission occur in a comfort
mode.
● Illumination of main instruments is white.
NORMAL mode
All settings of the systems are
adapted to standard values.
Drive mode control Within each manual selected driving
mode SPORT, TOUR or NORMAL,
the Drive Mode Control (DMC)
detects and analyses continuously the real driving characteristic,
responses by the driver, and the
active dynamic state of the vehicle. If
necessary, the control unit of DMC
automatically changes the settings
within the selected driving mode or,
when recognising greater variations,
the driving mode is changed for the
length of variation.
If, for example, NORMAL mode is
selected and DMC detects a sporty
driving behaviour, DMC changes
several settings of the Normal mode

182Driving and operatinginto sporty settings. The DMC
changes to SPORT mode in case of
very sporty driving behaviour.
If, for example, TOUR mode is
selected and whilst driving on a
winding road a sudden hard brake is
necessary, DMC will detect the
dynamic vehicle condition and
changes the settings for suspension
to SPORT mode to increase vehicle
stability.
When the driving characteristic or the
dynamic vehicle state returns to
former state, DMC will change the
settings to the preselected driving
mode.
Personalised settings in the Sport mode
The driver can select the functions of
the SPORT mode when SPORT is
pressed. These settings can be
changed in the Settings menu in the
Info-Display. Vehicle personalisation
3 130.Flex Ride - VXR Version
The VXR Version of Flex Ride system works in the same way as the
standard Flex Ride system with the
difference that the modes have a
more sporty characteristic.VXR Flex Ride driving system allows
the driver to select between three
driving modes:
● VXR mode: press VXR, LED
illuminates.
● SPORT mode: press SPORT,
LED illuminates.
● NORMAL mode: neither SPORT
nor VXR is pressed, no LED
illuminates.
Deactivate SPORT mode and VXR
mode by pressing the corresponding
button once more.
In each driving mode,
VXR Flex Ride networks the following electronic systems:
● Continuous Damping Control
● Accelerator Pedal Control
● Steering Control
● Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
● Antilock brake system (ABS) with
cornering brake control (CBC)

Driving and operating183NORMAL mode
In NORMAL mode, when neither
SPORT nor VXR is pressed, all
settings of the systems are adapted
to standard values.
SPORT mode
The settings of the systems are
adapted to a sportier driving style.
VXR mode
The drive dynamic characteristics are
adapted to high performance
settings.
In this mode, the illumination of main
instruments is switched to red.
Personalised settings in the VXR
mode
The driver can select the functions of
the VXR mode when VXR is pressed.
These settings can be changed in the Settings menu in the Info-Display.
Vehicle personalisation 3 130.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 to
120 mph. 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.
Do not use the cruise control if it is not advisable to maintain a constant
speed.
With automatic transmission, only activate cruise control in automatic
mode.
Control indicator m 3 117.
Switching on
Press m; control indicator m in
instrument cluster illuminates white.
Activation Accelerate to the desired speed and
turn thumb wheel to SET/-; the
current speed is stored and

184Driving and operatingmaintained. Control indicator m in
instrument cluster illuminates green.
Accelerator pedal can be released.
Vehicle speed can be increased by depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the previously stored speed
is resumed.
Cruise control remains activated
while gearshifting.
Increase speed With cruise control active, hold thumb
wheel turned to RES/+ or briefly turn
to RES/+ repeatedly: speed
increases continuously or in small
increments.
Alternatively, accelerate to the
desired speed and store by turning to SET/- .
Reduce speed
With cruise control active, hold thumb
wheel turned to SET/- or briefly turn to
SET/- repeatedly: speed decreases
continuously or in small increments.
Deactivation
Press y; control indicator m in
instrument cluster illuminates white.
Cruise control is deactivated. Last
stored speed remains in memory for
later speed resume.
Automatic deactivation:
● Vehicle speed is below approx. 20 mph.
● Vehicle speed is above approx. 125 mph.
● The brake pedal is depressed.
● The clutch pedal is depressed for
a few seconds.
● Selector lever is in N.
● Engine speed is in a very low range.
● The Traction Control system (TC)
or Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) is operating.
Resume stored speed Turn thumb wheel to RES/+ at a
speed above 20 mph. The stored speed will be obtained.
Switching off
Press m; control indicator m in
instrument cluster extinguishes. The
stored speed is deleted.

Driving and operating185Pressing L for activating speed
limiter or switching off the ignition also
switches off cruise control and
deletes the stored speed.
Speed limiter
The speed limiter prevents the
vehicle exceeding a preset maximum speed.
The maximum speed can be set at a
speed above 15 mph.
The driver can only accelerate up to
the preset speed. Deviations from the
limited speed may occur when driving
downhill.
The preset speed limit is displayed in
the top line of the Driver Information
Centre (DIC) when the system is
active.Activation
Press L. If cruise control or adaptive
cruise control has been activated
before, it is switched off when speed
limiter is activated and control
indicator m extinguishes.
Set speed limit
With speed limiter active, hold thumb
wheel turned to RES/+ or briefly turn
to RES/+ repeatedly until the desired
maximum speed is displayed in the
DIC.
Alternatively 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 DIC.

186Driving and operating
Change speed limit
With speed limiter active, turn thumb
wheel to RES/+ to increase or SET/-
to decrease the desired maximum
speed.
Exceeding the speed limit
In the event of an emergency, it is
possible to exceed the speed limit by
depressing the accelerator pedal
firmly beyond the point of resistance.
The limited speed will flash in the DIC and (depending on vehicle)
additionally a chime sounds during
this period.
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 is stored and a
corresponding message appears in
the DIC.
Resume limit speed Turn thumb wheel to RES/+. The
stored speed limit will be obtained.
Switching off
Press L, the speed limit indication in
the DIC extinguishes. The stored
speed is deleted.
By pressing m to activate cruise
control or adaptive cruise control or
by switching off the ignition, speed limiter is also deactivated and the
stored speed is deleted.Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive cruise control is an
enhancement to traditional cruise
control with the additional feature of maintaining a certain distance behind the vehicle ahead.
Adaptive cruise control automatically
decelerates the vehicle when
approaching a slower moving vehicle. It then adjusts the vehicle speed to
follow the vehicle ahead at the
selected following distance. The
vehicle speed increases or decreases
to follow the vehicle in front, but will
not exceed the set speed. It may
apply limited braking with activated
brake lights.
The adaptive cruise control can store and maintain speeds over approx.
31 mph and brakes automatically to
follow a slower vehicle driving ahead
to a minimum speed of 18 mph.

Driving and operating187Adaptive cruise control uses a radar
sensor to detect the vehicles ahead.
If no vehicle is detected in the driving
path, the adaptive cruise control will
behave like a traditional cruise
control.
For safety reasons, the system
cannot be activated before the brake
pedal has been depressed once
since switching on ignition. Activation
in first gear is not possible.
Adaptive cruise control is mainly
advised to be used on long straight
roads, e.g. highways or country roads
with steady traffic. Do not use the
system if it is not advisable to
maintain a constant speed.
Control indicator A 3 118, m 3 117.9 Warning
The complete driver attention is
always required while driving with adaptive cruise control. The driver
stays fully in control of the vehicle
because the brake pedal, the
accelerator pedal and the cancel
switch have priority over any
adaptive cruise control operation.
Switching on
Press C to switch on adaptive cruise
control. The control indicator m
illuminates white.
Activation by setting the speed
Adaptive cruise control can be
activated between 31 mph and
112 mph.
Accelerate to the desired speed and
turn thumb wheel to SET/-, the
current speed is stored and
maintained. Control indicator m
illuminates green.
The adaptive cruise control symbol,
the following distance setting and set
speed are indicated in the top line of
the Driver Information Centre (DIC).
The accelerator pedal can be
released. Adaptive cruise control
remains activated while gearshifting.
Overriding set speedIt is always possible to drive faster
than the selected set speed by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the vehicle returns to the
desired distance if a slower vehicle is
ahead. Otherwise it returns to the
stored speed.

188Driving and operatingOnce the system is activated,
adaptive cruise control decelerates or
brakes if it detects a vehicle ahead,
which is slower or closer than the
desired following distance.9 Warning
Accelerating by the driver
deactivates automatic braking by
the system. This is indicated as a
pop-up warning in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC).
Increase speed
With adaptive cruise control active, hold thumb wheel turned to RES/+:
speed increases continuously in large increments, or activate repeatedly
RES/+ : speed increases in small
increments.
If the vehicle is driven with adaptive cruise control active much faster than
the desired speed, e.g. after
depressing the accelerator pedal,
then the current speed can be stored and maintained by turning the thumb
wheel to SET/-.
Reduce speed
With adaptive cruise control active,
hold thumb wheel turned to SET/-:
speed decreases continuously in
large increments, or activate
repeatedly SET/-: speed decreases in
small increments.
If the vehicle is driven with adaptive cruise control active much slower
than the desired speed, e.g. because
of a slower vehicle ahead, then the
current speed can be stored and
maintained by turning the thumb
wheel to SET/-.
Resume stored speed
If the system is switched on but
inactive, then turn thumb wheel to
RES/+ at a speed above 31 mph to
resume the stored speed.
Setting the following distance
When adaptive cruise control detects
a slower moving vehicle in the driving path, it will adjust the vehicle speed to
maintain the following distance
selected by the driver.The following distance can be set to
near, medium or far.
Press E; the current setting is shown
in the DIC. Press E again to change
the following distance. The setting is
also displayed in the top line of the
DIC.