towing VAUXHALL ASTRA J 2018 User Guide

Driving and operating221Furthermore, fuel consumption isdependent on personal driving style
as well as road and traffic conditions.Trailer hitch
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.
The bulb outage detection function for trailer brake light cannot detect a
partial bulb outage, e.g. in case of four
times five watt bulbs, the function only detects lamp outage when only a
single five 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 when
not in use.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.
During trailer towing do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph. A maximum speed
of 60 mph is only appropriate if an oscillation damper is used and the
permissible gross trailer weight does
not exceed the vehicle's curb weight.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers, the use of an
oscillation damper is strongly
recommended.
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 3 292.

222Driving and operatingTrailer towingTrailer loadsThe 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 12%.
The permissible trailer load applies
up to the specified incline and at 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 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
3 279.
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 loadWhen 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
40 kg. If the permissible rear axle load
is exceeded, a maximum speed of
60 mph applies.Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
stowed on the rear floor cover in the
load compartment.
Place the strap through the rear right
lashing eye, wrap around twice and
tighten the strap to secure the bag.
Illustration shows 5-door hatchback.

224Driving and operating
● Pull out rotary knob and turnclockwise as far as it will go.
Inserting the coupling ball bar
Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar
in the opening and push firmly
upwards until it audibly engages.
The rotary handle snaps back into its
original position resting against the
coupling ball bar without a gap.9 Warning
Do not touch rotary handle during
insertion.
Lock the coupling ball bar by turning
the key to position e. Remove the key
and close the protective flap.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach breakaway stopping cable to
eye.
Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly installed
● Green marking on rotary knob must point towards green
marking on coupling ball bar.
● There must be no gap between the rotary handle and the
coupling ball bar.
● The coupling ball bar must be firmly engaged in the opening.
● The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9Warning
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.

226Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................226
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 226
Vehicle storage ........................227
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....227
Vehicle checks ........................... 228
Performing work ......................228
Bonnet ..................................... 228
Engine oil ................................. 229
Engine coolant ......................... 230
Washer fluid ............................ 231
Brakes ..................................... 231
Brake fluid ............................... 231
Vehicle battery ......................... 232
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....233
Wiper blade replacement ........233
Bulb replacement .......................234
Halogen headlights ..................234
Fog lights ................................. 236
Tail lights ................................. 237
Side turn signal lights ..............243
Number plate light ...................243
Interior lights ............................ 244
Instrument panel illumination ...244Electrical system ........................244
Fuses ....................................... 244
Engine compartment fuse box . 245
Instrument panel fuse box .......247
Load compartment fuse box ....249
Vehicle tools .............................. 251
Tools ........................................ 251
Wheels and tyres .......................253
Winter tyres ............................. 253
Tyre designations ....................253
Tyre pressure .......................... 253
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 254
Tread depth ............................. 258
Changing tyre and wheel size . 259 Wheel covers ........................... 259
Tyre chains .............................. 259
Tyre repair kit .......................... 260
Wheel changing .......................263
Spare wheel ............................ 265
Jump starting ............................. 268
Towing ....................................... 270
Towing the vehicle ...................270
Towing another vehicle ...........271
Appearance care .......................272
Exterior care ............................ 272
Interior care ............................. 273General Information
Accessories and vehiclemodifications
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.
Any modification, conversion or other
changes made to standard vehicle
specifications (including, without
limitation, software modifications,
modifications of the electronic control units) may invalidate the warranty
offered by Vauxhall. Furthermore,
such changes may affect driver
assistance systems, may impact fuel
consumption, CO 2 emissions and
other emissions of the vehicle and
cause the vehicle to no longer
conform to the operating permit,
impacting the validity of your vehicle
registration.

Vehicle care251No.Circuit16Trailer outlet17Trailer outlet18–19–20–21Electrical rear seat folding22Power tailgate
After having changed defective fuses,
close the fuse box cover and press
until it engages.
Additional fuses are located near the
vehicle battery.
No.Circuit1Fuel pump2Engine control module3Power supplyVehicle tools
Tools
5-door hatchback with spare
wheel
Open the floor cover of the load
compartment 3 80.
The jack, the towing eye, a strap for
securing a damaged wheel and the
tools are located in the tool box below the spare wheel. Spare wheel
3 265.

252Vehicle careSports Tourer with spare wheel
Open the floor cover of the load
compartment 3 80.
The jack, the towing eye and the tools
are located in the tool box below the
spare wheel. Spare wheel 3 265.
5-door hatchback without spare
wheel
Open the cover in the right side wall
of the load compartment.
Some tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a tool box.
Sports Tourer without spare
wheel
Open the cover on the right side of the load compartment.
The tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a suitcase.

266Vehicle care
The spare wheel is located in the load
compartment beneath the floor
covering.
To remove: 1. Open the floor cover 3 80.
2. The spare wheel is secured with a
wing nut. Unscrew nut and take
out the spare wheel.
Under the spare wheel there is the
box with vehicle tools.
3. When, after a wheel change, no wheel is placed in the spare wheel
well, secure the tool box by
tightening the wing nut as far as it will go and close floor cover.
4. After wheel change back to full size wheel, place the spare wheel
outside up in the well and secure
with the wing nut.
Stowing a damaged full size
wheel in the load compartment, 5- door hatchback
The spare wheel well is not designed for other tyre sizes than the spare
wheel. A damaged full size wheel
must be stowed in the load
compartment and secured with a
strap. Vehicle tools 3 251. To secure
the wheel:
1. Position the wheel outside up close to one sidewall of the load
compartment.
2. Place the loop end of the strap through the front lashing eye on
the appropriate 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.

Vehicle care267
4. Insert the strap through thespokes of the wheel as shown in
the illustration.
5. Mount the hook to the rear 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.
Stowing a damaged full size
wheel in the load compartment,
Sports Tourer
All permitted wheel sizes can be
stowed in the spare wheel well. To
secure the wheel:
1. Remove centre cap with the brand
emblem by pushing from the
inside.
2. Position the wheel outside down in the wheel well.
3. Secure the defective wheel withthe wing nut.
4. Depending on the tyre size, the floor cover can be placed on the
projecting wheel.
Temporary spare wheelCaution
The use of a spare wheel that is smaller than the other wheels or in combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
50 mph. 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 3 259.

270Vehicle careTowingTowing the vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower part of the cap. Release the cap
by carefully moving the screwdriver
downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 251.
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.
Switch the selector lever to neutral.
Release the parking brake.
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 50 mph nor further than 60 miles. In all other
cases and when the transmission is
defective, the front axle must be
raised off the ground.
Vehicles with manual transmission
automated: the vehicle must only be
towed facing forwards with the front
axle raised off the ground.
Seek the assistance of a workshop. After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the top and engage
downwards.

Vehicle care271Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower bend of the cap. Release the
cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 251.
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 top and engage
downwards.