trailer VAUXHALL ASTRA J GTC 2018.5 User Guide

Driving and operating183Road signs
Beginning and end of:
● motorways
● A-roads
● play streetsAdd-on signs ● additional hints to traffic signs
● restriction of trailer towing
● tractor constraints
● wet warning
● ice warning
● direction arrows
Speed limit signs are displayed in the
Driver Information Centre until the
next speed limit sign or end of speed
limit is detected or up to a defined sign
timeout.
Indication of multiple signs on the
display is possible.
An exclamation mark in a frame
indicates that there is an add-on sign detected which cannot be recognised
by the system.
The system is active up to a speed of 124 mph depending on the lighting
conditions. At night the system is
active up to a speed of 99 mph.
As soon as vehicle speed becomes
slower than 34 mph the display will be
reset and the content of the traffic sign
page will be cleared. The next
recognized speed indication will be
displayed.
Display indication
Traffic signs are displayed on the Traffic sign detection page in the
Driver Information Centre.

Driving and operating193Trailer 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 4 x
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, 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 caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1300 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 50 mph.
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 3 268.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 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).

194Driving and operatingThe permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 256.
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
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 in the rear stowage
compartment on the floor.
Place the strap through the lashing
eye, wrap around twice and tighten
the strap to secure the bag.

196Driving 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.

Driving and operating197Dismounting 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.
All versions except 3-door hatchback:
Attach the rear side of the cover into
the recess of the bumper and fold the
front side upward.
Press fastenings outward.
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 3 154.

226Vehicle careNo.Circuit1–2Trailer outlet3Parking assist4–5–6–7Power seat8–9–10–11Trailer module/Trailer socket12Trailer module13Trailer outlet14Rear seat/Electrical folding15–16Interior mirror17Power outletNo.Circuit18–19Steering wheel heating20Sunroof21Heated front seats22–23–24–25–26Deactivated logistic mode27–28–29–30–31Amplifier/Subwoofer32Active damping system/Lane
departure warningVehicle tools
Tools
Vehicles without spare wheel Some tools and the towing eye are
located in a tool box in the load
compartment below the floor cover.

252Service and maintenanceService and
maintenanceGeneral information ...................252
Service information ..................252
Recommended fluids, lubricants
and parts .................................... 253
Recommended fluids and lubricants ................................ 253General information
Service information In order to ensure economical and
safe vehicle operation and to
maintain the value of your vehicle, it
is of vital importance that all
maintenance work is carried out at the proper intervals as specified.
The detailed, up-to-date service
schedule for your vehicle is available
at the workshop.
Service display 3 82.
European service intervals
Maintenance of your vehicle is
required every 20,000 miles or after
1 year , whichever occurs first, unless
otherwise indicated in the service
display.
A shorter service interval can be valid
for severe driving behaviour, e.g. for
taxis and police vehicles.
The European service intervals are
valid for the following countries:Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Greenland, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Service display 3 82.
International service intervals Maintenance of your vehicle is
required every 10,000 miles or after
1 year , whichever occurs first, unless
otherwise indicated in the service
display.
A shorter service interval can be valid for severe driving behaviour. Severe
operating conditions exist if one or
more of the following circumstances occur frequently: Cold starting, stop
and go operation, trailer operation,
mountain driving, driving on poor and
sandy road surfaces, increased air

289Power outlets ............................... 77
Power seat adjustment ................43
Power steering.............................. 88
Power steering fluid ....................203
Power windows ............................ 32
Preheating ................................... 89
Puncture ..................................... 237
Q Quickheat ................................... 135
R Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) .................................... 284
Radio remote control ...................21
REACH ....................................... 279
Reading lights ............................ 125
Rear floor storage cover ..............66
Rear fog light ............................... 91
Rear fog lights ........................... 123
Rear seats .................................... 46
Rear storage ................................. 65
Rear window wiper and washer ..75
Recommended fluids and lubricants ........................ 253, 258
Reduced engine power ................91
Refuelling ................................... 189 Registered trademarks ...............281
Retained power off .....................140
Reversing lights .........................124
Ride control systems ..................154Roof.............................................. 34
Roof load ...................................... 69
Roof rack ..................................... 69
S Safety belts ................................... 46
Seat adjustment ............................. 7 Seat belt ........................................ 9
Seat belt reminder .......................86
Seat belts ..................................... 46
Seat folding .................................. 42
Seat heating ................................. 45
Seat position ................................ 39
Selector lever ............................. 147 Service ............................... 137, 252
Service display ............................ 82
Service information ....................252
Service vehicle soon .................... 87
Side airbag system ......................50
Side blind spot alert ....................181
Sidelights .................................... 115
Side turn lights ........................... 218
Smartphone controller ..................98
Software acknowledgement .......279
Spare wheel ............................... 241
Speed limiter............................... 160
Speedometer ............................... 79
Starting and operating ................139
Starting off ................................... 18
Starting the engine ....................140Steering...................................... 139
Steering wheel adjustment ....10, 72
Steering wheel controls ...............72
Stop-start system........................ 141
Storage ......................................... 59
Storage compartments .................59
Sunroof ........................................ 34
Sunvisor lights ........................... 125
Sun visors .................................... 34
Symbols ......................................... 4
T
Tachometer ................................. 79
Tail lights ................................... 215
Three-point seat belt .................... 47
Tools .......................................... 226
Tow bar....................................... 193 Towing ................................ 193, 246
Towing another vehicle .............247
Towing equipment .....................194
Towing the vehicle .....................246
Traction Control system ............. 154
Traction Control system off .......... 89
Traffic sign assistant ...................182
Trailer coupling ........................... 193
Trailer stability assist .................197
Trailer towing ............................. 193
Transmission ............................... 17
Transmission display .................146
Tread depth ............................... 233