tow VAUXHALL ASTRA J GTC 2018.5 Owner's Guide

Driving and operating167Hill and trailer considerations
System performance on hills and
when towing a trailer depends on your
vehicle speed, vehicle load, traffic
conditions and the road gradient. It
may not detect a vehicle in your path
while driving on hills. On steep hills,
you may have to use the accelerator
pedal to maintain your vehicle speed. When going downhill, especially
when towing a trailer, you may have
to brake to maintain or reduce your
speed.
Note that applying the brake
deactivates the system. It is not
recommended to use adaptive cruise
control on steep hills especially when towing a trailer.
Radar unit
The radar unit is mounted behind the
radiator grille below the brand
emblem.
9 Warning
The radar unit was aligned
carefully during manufacture.
Therefore, after a frontal accident, do not use the system. The front
bumper may appear to be intact,
however the sensor behind can be
out of position and react
incorrectly. After an accident,
consult a workshop to verify and
correct the adaptive cruise control
sensor position.
Settings
Settings can be changed in the Auto
collision preparation menu in the
vehicle personalisation, 3 104.
Fault
If the adaptive cruise control does not
work due to temporary conditions
(e.g. blockage by ice) or if there is a
permanent system error, then a
message is displayed in the Driver
Information Centre.

Driving and operating181Notice
The parking assist system
automatically detects factory-fitted
towing equipment. It is deactivated
when the connector is plugged in.
It is possible that the sensor detects
a non-existing object (echo
disturbance) caused by external
acoustical or mechanic
disturbances.
Advanced parking assist system
may not respond to changes in the
parking space after initiating a
parallel parking manoeuvre.
Notice
After use the advanced parking
assist requires a calibration. For
optimal parking guidance, a driving
distance of at least 22 miles,
including a number of bends, is
required.
Side blind spot alert
The Side blind spot alert system
detects and reports objects on either
side of the vehicle, within a specified
"blind spot" zone. The system alerts
visually in each exterior mirror, whendetecting objects that may not be
visible in the interior and exterior
mirrors.
The system's sensors are located in
the bumper on the left and right side
of the vehicle.9 Warning
Side blind spot alert does not
replace driver vision.
The system does not detect:
● vehicles outside the side blind zones which may be rapidly
approaching
● pedestrians, cyclists or animals
Before changing a lane, always
check all mirrors, look over the
shoulder and use the turn signal.
When the system detects a vehicle in the side blind zone while driving
forward, either while passing a
vehicle or being passed, an amber
warning symbol B will illuminate in
the relevant exterior mirror. If the
driver then activates the turn signal,
the warning symbol B starts flashing
amber as a warning not to change
lanes.
Notice
If the overtaking vehicle is at least
6 mph faster than the vehicle being
overtaken, the warning symbol B in
the relevant exterior mirror may not
illuminate.
Side blind spot alert is active from
speeds of 6 mph up to 87 mph.
Driving faster than 87 mph
deactivates the system, indicated by
low lighting warning symbols B in
both exterior mirrors. Reducing the speed again will extinguish the

182Driving and operatingwarning symbols. If a vehicle is then
detected in the blind zone, the
warning symbol B will illuminate as
normal on the relevant side.
When the vehicle is started, both
exterior mirror displays will briefly
come on to indicate that the system is operating.
The system can be activated or
deactivated in the menu Settings in
the Info-Display. Vehicle
personalisation 3 104.
Deactivation is indicated by a
message in the Driver Information
Centre.
Detection zones The system sensor covers a zone of
approx. three metres on both sides of
the vehicle. This zone starts at each
exterior mirror and extends rearwards by approx. three metres. The height
of the zone is approx. between
0.5 metres and two metres off the
ground.
The system is deactivated if the
vehicle is towing a trailer.Side blind spot alert is designed to
ignore stationary objects such as
guardrails, posts, curbs, walls and
beams. Parked vehicles or oncoming
vehicles are not detected.
Fault
Occasional missed alerts can occur under normal circumstances.
Side blind spot alert does not operate when the left or right corners of the
rear bumper are covered with mud,
dirt, snow, ice or slush. Cleaning
instructions 3 248.
In the event of a fault in the system or if the system does not work due to
temporary conditions, a message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in case of a permanent fault.Traffic sign assistant
Functionality The traffic sign assistant system
detects designated traffic signs via a
front camera and displays them in the
Driver Information Centre.
Traffic signs which will be detected
are:
Limit and no passing signs ● speed limit
● no passing
● end of speed limit
● end of no passing

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.

192Driving and operatingThe filling valve for the liquid gas is
behind the fuel filler cap.
Unscrew protective cap from the filler
neck.
Screw the required adapter hand-
tight onto the filler neck.
ACME adapter: Screw the nut of the
filling nozzle onto the adapter.
Engage the locking lever of the filler
nozzle.
DISH adapter: Place the filler nozzle
into the adapter. Engage the locking
lever of the filler nozzle.
Bayonet adapter: Place filler nozzle
on the adapter and turn one quarter
turn. Engage the locking lever of the
filler nozzle.
EURO adapter: Press the filler nozzle
onto the adapter. Engage the locking
lever of the filler nozzle.
Press the button of the liquid gas supply point. The filling system stops
or begins to run slowly when 80% of
the tank volume is reached
(maximum fill level).
Release button on filling system to
stop the filling process. Release the
locking lever and remove the filler
nozzle. A small quantity of liquid gas
can escape.
Remove adapter and stow in vehicle.Fit protective cap to prevent the
penetration of foreign bodies into the
filler opening and the system.9 Warning
Due to the system design, an
escape of liquid gas after
releasing the locking lever is
unavoidable. Avoid inhaling.
9 Warning
The liquid gas tank may only be
filled to 80% for safety reasons.
The multivalve on the liquid gas tank
automatically limits the fill quantity. If
a larger quantity is added, we
recommend not exposing the vehicle
to the sun until the excess amount
has been used up.
Fuel filler cap
Only use genuine fuel filler caps. Diesel-engined vehicles have special fuel filler caps.

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.

Driving and operating195Fitting the coupling ball bar
All versions except 3-door hatchback:
Press fastenings inward and fold the
cover downward at the front. Remove
cover.
Disengage and fold down the socket. Remove the sealing plug from the
opening for the coupling ball bar and
stow it.
Checking the tensioning of the
coupling ball bar
● Red marking on rotary knob must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
● The gap between the rotary knob
and the coupling ball bar must be approx. 6 mm.
● The key must be in position c.
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before being inserted:
● Unlock coupling ball bar by turning key to position c.

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.

198Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................199
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 199
Vehicle storage ........................199
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....200
Vehicle checks ........................... 200
Performing work ......................200
Bonnet ..................................... 200
Engine oil ................................. 201
Engine coolant ......................... 202
Power steering fluid .................203
Washer fluid ............................ 203
Brakes ..................................... 204
Brake fluid ............................... 204
Vehicle battery ......................... 204
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....206
Wiper blade replacement ........206
Bulb replacement .......................207
Halogen headlights ..................207
Adaptive forward lighting .........210
Fog lights ................................. 211
Front turn lights .......................213
Tail lights ................................. 215
Side turn lights ......................... 218
Number plate light ...................220Interior lights ............................ 220
Instrument panel illumination ...220
Electrical system ........................221
Fuses ....................................... 221
Engine compartment fuse box . 222
Instrument panel fuse box .......224
Load compartment fuse box ....225
Vehicle tools .............................. 226
Tools ........................................ 226
Wheels and tyres .......................228
Winter tyres ............................. 228
Tyre designations ....................228
Tyre pressure .......................... 229
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 230
Tread depth ............................. 233
Changing tyre and wheel size . 233
Wheel covers ........................... 234
Tyre chains .............................. 234
Tyre repair kit .......................... 234
Wheel changing .......................237
Spare wheel ............................ 241
Jump starting ............................. 245
Towing ....................................... 246
Towing the vehicle ...................246
Towing another vehicle ...........247Appearance care .......................248
Exterior care ............................ 248
Interior care ............................. 251