tow VAUXHALL COMBO 2014 User Guide

Driving and operating101Driving and operatingDriving hints............................... 101
Starting and operating ...............101
Engine exhaust .......................... 106
Manual transmission ..................107
Manual transmission automa‐
ted .............................................. 108
Brakes ........................................ 112
Ride control systems .................113
Cruise control ............................. 115
Object detection systems ........... 116
Fuel ............................................ 118
Towing ....................................... 123Driving hints
Control of the vehicleNever coast with engine not
running (except during Autostop)
Many systems will not function in this
situation ( e.g. brake servo unit, power
steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. All
systems function during an Autostop,
but there will be a controlled reduction
in power steering assist and vehicle
speed is reduced.
Stop-start system 3 103.
Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in the area of the pedals.Starting and operating
New vehicle running-in Do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
During the first drive, smoke may
occur because of wax and oil
evaporating off the exhaust system. Park the vehicle in the open for a
while after the first drive and avoid
inhaling the fumes.
During the running-in period fuel and engine oil consumption may be
higher and the cleaning process of the diesel particle filter may take
place more often. Autostop may be inhibited to allow for charging the
battery.
Diesel particle filter 3 106.

Driving and operating105
■ the ambient temperature is not toolow
■ the climate control system allows an Autostop
■ the self-cleaning function of the diesel particle filter is not active
■ the vehicle has moved since the last Autostop
■ the brake vacuum is sufficient
■ the windscreen wipers are not operating at fast speed
■ reverse gear is not selected
■ heated rear window is not operating
Ambient temperature near to the
freezing point can inhibit an Autostop.
For manual transmission automated
vehicles, an Autostop may be
inhibited until a speed of approx.
6 mph is reached.
New vehicle running-in 3 101.
Battery discharge protection
To ensure reliable engine restarts, several battery discharge protection
features are implemented as part of
the stop-start system.Restart the engine
Manual transmission
The selector lever must be in neutral to enable an automatic restart.
Depress the clutch pedal to restart the
engine.
Manual transmission automated
If the lever is in position N, select
another gear, otherwise release the brake pedal or move the lever to +, –
or R to enable an automatic restart.
When one of the following conditions
occurs during an Autostop, the
engine will need to be restarted
manually using the key.
■ the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened
■ three minutes have elapsed since the engine was switched off
If an electrical accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop
during the restart may be noticeable.Parking
■ Do not park the vehicle on an easily
ignitable surface. The high
temperature of the exhaust system
could ignite the surface.
■ Always apply parking brake. Apply manual parking brake without
pressing release button. Apply as
firmly as possible on downhill or uphill slopes. Depress the foot
brake at the same time to reduce
operating force.
■ Switch off the engine and ignition. Turn the steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock engages.
■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or
uphill slope, engage first gear. On
an uphill slope, turn the front
wheels away from the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill slope, engage reverse gear. Turn the front
wheels towards the kerb.
■ Lock the vehicle.

Driving and operating107Caution
If the cleaning process is
interrupted, there is a risk of
provoking severe engine damage.
Cleaning takes place quickest at high engine speeds and loads.
Control indicator [ extinguishes
as soon as the self-cleaning
operation is complete.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gases.
Caution
Fuel grades other than those listed on pages 3 118, 3 164 could
damage the catalytic converter or
electronic components.
Unburnt petrol will overheat and
damage the catalytic converter.
Therefore avoid excessive use of
the starter, running the fuel tank
dry and starting the engine by
pushing or towing.
In the event of misfiring, uneven
engine running, a reduction in engine performance or other unusual
problems, have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop as soon as
possible. In an emergency, driving
can be continued for a short period,
keeping vehicle speed and engine
speed low.
Manual transmission
To engage reverse, with the vehicle
stationary, wait 3 seconds after
depressing the clutch pedal, pull up
the collar on the selector lever and
engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, set the
lever to neutral, release the clutch
pedal and depress again; then repeat
gear selection.
Do not grind the clutch unnecessarily. When operating, depress the clutchpedal completely. Do not use the
pedal as a foot rest.

Driving and operating109Selector lever
Always move the selector lever in the
appropriate direction as far as it will
go.
After selecting A/M, + or - and
releasing the selector lever, the lever
automatically returns to the centre
position.
N=Neutral.o=Drive position.A/M=Switch between automatic
and manual mode.
The transmission display
shows AUTO when in
automatic mode.R=Reverse gear.
Engage only when vehicle is
stationary. The transmission
display shows "R" when
reverse gear is engaged.+=Shift to a higher gear.-=Shift to a lower gear.
Starting-off
When the engine is started, depress
the foot brake and move the selector
lever towards + to engage first gear.
Shift to a higher or lower gear by
moving selector lever to + or -.
Gears can be skipped by moving the selector lever repeatedly at short
intervals.
The driver will be alerted to an
incorrect gear selection by an audible warning chime in conjunction with a
message in the Driver Information
Centre 3 79. The system will
downshift, selecting the most
appropriate gear automatically.
If R is selected, reverse gear is
engaged. The vehicle starts to move
when the foot brake is released. To
start off quickly, release the foot brake
and accelerate immediately after
engaging a gear.
Move the selector lever towards A/M
to engage automatic mode; the
transmission shifts to other gears
automatically, dependent on driving
conditions.
To engage manual mode, move the
selector lever towards A/M. The
current gear will appear in the
transmission display.
Stopping the vehicle
In automatic or manual mode,
first gear is engaged and the clutch is
released when the vehicle is stopped. In R, reverse gear remains engaged.
When stopping on gradients, engage parking brake or depress the foot
brake. To prevent overheating of the
clutch, an intermittent audible
warning chime may sound as a signal
to depress the foot brake or apply the
parking brake.
Switch off engine if stopping for a
lengthy period, e.g. in traffic jams.

112Driving and operatingBrakes
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 before
continuing your 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 74.
Antilock brake system Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.ABS 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 75.
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 nolonger be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake Manual parking brake
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release button,
and apply as firmly as possible on a
downhill or uphill slope.

118Driving and operatingCaution
Performance of the sensor can bereduced when sensors are
covered, e.g. by ice or snow.
Performance of the parking assist
systems can be reduced due to
heavy loading.
Special conditions apply if there
are taller vehicles involved (e.g.
off-road vehicles, mini vans,
vans). Object identification in the upper part of these vehicles
cannot be guaranteed.
Objects with a very small reflection
cross section, like objects of
narrow size or soft materials, may
not be detected by the system.
Parking assist will not avoid a
collision with objects which are out
of the detection range of the
sensors.
Notice
The parking assist system
automatically detects factory-fitted
towing equipment. It is deactivated
when the connector is plugged in.
The sensor may detect a non-
existent object (echo disturbance)
caused by external acoustic or
mechanical disturbances.Fuel
Fuel for petrol engines Only use unleaded fuel that complies
with European standard EN 228 or
E DIN 51626-1 or equivalent.
Your engine is capable of running
with E10 fuel that fulfills these
standards. E10 fuel contains up to
10 % bioethanol.
Use fuel with the recommended
octane rating 3 164. Use of fuel with
too low an octane rating can reduce
engine power and torque and slightly increases fuel consumption.Caution
Do not use fuel or fuel additives
that contain metallic compounds
such as manganese-based
additives. This may cause engine
damage.

120Driving and operating
indicator Y illuminates in the Driver
Information Centre 3 79 until the
ignition is switched off.
A slight loss of power and torque can be expected in petrol operation. You
must therefore adapt your driving style (e.g. during overtaking
manoeuvres) and vehicle loads (e.g.
towing loads) accordingly.
Every six months run the petrol tank
down until control indicator §
illuminates and then refuel. This is
necessary to maintain fuel quality as
well as system function necessary for
petrol operation.
Fill the tank completely at regular
intervals to prevent corrosion in the
tank.
Refuelling
Fuel filler flap is located at left rear
side of vehicle.9 Danger
Before refuelling, switch off engine
and any external heaters with
combustion chambers. Switch off
any mobile phones.
Follow the operating and safety
instructions of the filling station
when refuelling.
9 Danger
Fuel is flammable and explosive.
No smoking. No naked flames or
sparks.
If you can smell fuel in your
vehicle, have the cause of this
remedied immediately by a
workshop.
Caution
In case of misfuelling, do not
switch on ignition.
Release the fuel filler flap by pulling
the flap by hand.
Insert key into fuel filler cap and turn
anticlockwise to unlock.
To remove fuel filler cap, rotate
anticlockwise.Caution
To avoid damage, do not attempt
to operate the sliding side door
when the fuel filler flap is open.
Notice
Depending on model, the sliding
side door may be fitted with a safety system that prevents the door from
being opened fully when the fuel
filler flap is open.
Sliding side door 3 23.

Driving and operating123Towing
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Vehicles with natural gas engine may
require special towing equipment.
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.
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, lubricatethe 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 3 174.
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).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 161.
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.

124Driving and operating
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 The permissible axle loads (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) must not be exceeded.

Vehicle care125Vehicle careGeneral Information...................125
Vehicle checks ........................... 126
Bulb replacement .......................132
Electrical system ........................138
Vehicle tools .............................. 142
Wheels and tyres .......................142
Jump starting ............................. 152
Towing ....................................... 153
Appearance care .......................155General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
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.
Do not make any modifications to the electrical system, e.g. changes of
electronic control units (chip tuning).Caution
When transporting the vehicle on
a train or on a recovery vehicle, the
mud flaps might be damaged.
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of time
If the vehicle is to be stored for several months:
■ Wash and wax the vehicle.
■ Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
■ Clean and preserve the rubber seals.
■ Fill up fuel tank completely.
■ Change the engine oil.
■ Drain the washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check the coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park the vehicle in a dry, well ventilated place. Engage first orreverse gear to prevent the vehicle
from rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.