tow VAUXHALL COMBO 2016 Owner's Guide

130Driving and operatingTrailer hitch
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, 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 3 179.
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
3 170.
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.

Driving and operating131The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (60 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.

132Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................132
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 132
Vehicle storage ........................133
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....133
Vehicle checks ........................... 134
Performing work ......................134
Bonnet ..................................... 134
Engine oil ................................. 135
Engine coolant ......................... 136
Power steering fluid .................136
Washer fluid ............................ 137
Brakes ..................................... 137
Brake fluid ............................... 137
Vehicle battery ......................... 137
Wiper blade replacement ........139
Bulb replacement .......................140
Halogen headlights ..................140
Fog lights ................................. 142
Tail lights ................................. 142
Side turn signal lights ..............143
Centre high-mounted brake light ......................................... 143
Number plate light ...................143Interior lights ............................ 144
Instrument panel illumination ...145
Electrical system ........................146
Fuses ....................................... 146
Engine compartment fuse box . 147
Instrument panel fuse box .......148
Vehicle tools .............................. 149
Tools ........................................ 149
Wheels and tyres .......................150
Winter tyres ............................. 150
Tyre designations ....................150
Tyre pressure .......................... 151
Tyre pressure monitoring
system .................................... 151
Tread depth ............................. 153
Changing tyre and wheel size . 153 Wheel covers ........................... 154
Tyre chains .............................. 154
Tyre repair kit .......................... 154
Wheel changing .......................157
Spare wheel ............................ 158
Jump starting ............................. 161
Towing ....................................... 162
Towing the vehicle ...................162
Towing another vehicle ...........163
Appearance care .......................164
Exterior care ............................ 164
Interior care ............................. 166General 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.
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.

144Vehicle care
2.Turn the bulb holder anticlockwise
to remove from the bulb housing.
Remove the bulb by pulling.
3. Replace the bulb.
4. Insert bulb holder in bulb housing and rotate clockwise
5. Install the bulb housing ensuring it
engages correctly.
Back doors
1. Insert screwdriver as indicated by
the arrows, press to the left and
release the bulb housing.
2. Press bulb slightly towards spring
clip and remove.
3. Replace the bulb.
4. Install the bulb housing ensuring it
engages correctly.
Interior lights
Front and rear courtesy light
1. Remove lens using a flat blade screwdriver.
2. Open the rear cover. 3. Renew bulb.
4. Close rear cover.
5. Reinstall lens.

156Vehicle caredamaged. Seek the assistance of
a workshop.
Do not run the compressor longer than 20 minutes.
11. Detach the tyre repair kit.
12. Remove any excess sealant using a cloth.
13. Take the label indicating maximum permitted speed from
the sealant bottle and affix in the
driver's field of view.
14. Continue driving immediately so that sealant is evenly distributedin the tyre. After driving approx.
6 miles (but no more than
10 minutes), stop and check tyre
pressure. Screw compressor air
hose directly onto tyre valve and
compressor when doing this.
If tyre pressure is more than
1.8 bar , set it to the correct value.
Repeat the procedure until there
is no more loss of pressure.
If the tyre pressure has fallen
below 1.8 bar, the vehicle must
not be used. Seek the assistance
of a workshop.
15. Stow away tyre repair kit in load compartment.
Notice
The driving characteristics of the
repaired tyre are severely affected, therefore have this tyre replaced.
If unusual noise is heard or the
compressor becomes hot, turn
compressor off and allow to cool.
Note the expiry date of the kit. After
this date its sealing capability is no
longer guaranteed. Pay attention to
storage information on sealant
bottle.
Replace the used sealant bottle.
Dispose of the bottle as prescribed
by applicable laws.
The compressor and sealant can be
used from approx. -20 °C.
Replacing the sealant canister
To replace the sealant canister: 1. Disconnect the compressor air hose.

158Vehicle care
3.Vehicle jacking points are located
at the front and rear.
4. Set the jack to the necessary height. Position it directly below
the jacking point in a manner that
prevents it from slipping.
With the jack correctly aligned,
rotate until wheel is clear of the
ground.
5. Unscrew the wheel nuts. 6. Change the wheel. Spare wheel 3 158.
7. Screw on the wheel nuts.
8. Lower vehicle.
9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring that it locates securely and tighten
each nut in a crosswise
sequence. Tightening torque is
85 Nm (steel wheel) or 120 Nm
(alloy wheel).
10. Align the valve hole in the wheel cover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel nut caps.
11. Stow the replaced wheel 3 158
and the vehicle tools 3 149.
12. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and the wheel nut
torque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with atyre repair kit 3 154 instead of a spare
wheel.
If mounting a spare wheel which is
different from the other wheels, this
wheel might be classified as a
temporary spare wheel and the
corresponding speed limits apply,
even though no label indicates this.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
check the applicable speed limit.

162Vehicle care3. Connect the black lead to thenegative terminal of the booster
battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black
lead to a vehicle grounding point,
such as the engine block or an
engine mounting bolt. Connect as far away from the discharged
battery as possible, however at
least 60 cm.
Route the leads so that they cannot
catch on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine: 1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the jump.
2. After 5 minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of 1 minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads
connected.4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
Release the cap by carefully lifting
with a screwdriver. To prevent
damage, it is recommended to place
a cloth between the screwdriver and
the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 149.
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.

Vehicle care163Caution
The towing eye must only be usedfor 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.
Transmission in neutral.
Notice
If neutral cannot be selected on
vehicles with manual transmission
automated (MTA), the vehicle must
only be towed with the drive wheels
raised off the ground.
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.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye
and replace the cap.
Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
side of the cap. Release the cap by
carefully levering the screwdriver. To
prevent damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver
and the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 149.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
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.

Vehicle care165Windows and windscreen wiper
blades
Use a soft lint-free cloth or chamois
leather together with window cleaner
and insect remover.
When cleaning the rear window from
inside, always wipe in parallel to the
heating element to prevent damage.
For mechanical removal of ice, use a
sharp-edged ice scraper. Press the
scraper firmly against the glass so
that no dirt can get under it and
scratch the glass.
Clean smearing wiper blades with a
soft cloth and window cleaner.
Remove dirt residues from smearing
wiper blades by using a soft cloth and window cleaner. Also make sure to
remove any residues such as wax,
insect residues and similar from the
window.
Ice residues, pollution and continuous
wiping on dry windows will damage or
even destroy the wiper blades.Glass panel
Never clean with solvents or abrasive
agents, fuels, aggressive media (e.g.
paint cleaner, acetone-containing
solutions etc.), acidic or highly
alkaline media or abrasive pads. Do
not apply wax or polishing agents to
the glass panel.
Wheels and tyres Do not use high-pressure jet
cleaners.
Clean rims with a pH-neutral wheel
cleaner.
Rims are painted and can be treated
with the same agents as the body.
Paintwork damage
Rectify minor paintwork damage with
a touch-up pen before rust forms.
Have more extensive damage or rust areas repaired by a workshop.
Underbody
Some areas of the vehicle underbody
have a PVC undercoating while other critical areas have a durable
protective wax coating.After the underbody is washed, check
the underbody and have it waxed if
necessary.
Bitumen/rubber materials could
damage the PVC coating. Have
underbody work carried out by a
workshop.
Before and after winter, wash the
underbody and have the protective
wax coating checked.
Natural gas system
Do not direct the steam jet or high-
pressure jet towards natural gas
system components. It is particularly important to protect the natural gastank and the pressure valves on the
vehicle underbody and the bulkhead in the engine compartment.
These components must not be
treated using chemical cleaners or
preservatives.
Have components of the natural gas
system cleaned by a workshop
authorised to carry out maintenance
of natural gas vehicles.

166Vehicle careTowing equipment
Do not clean the coupling ball bar with
a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.
Interior care
Interior and upholstery
Only clean the vehicle interior,
including the instrument panel fascia
and panelling, with a dry cloth or
interior cleaner.
Clean the leather upholstery with
clear water and a soft cloth. In case of
heavy soiling, use leather care.
The instrument cluster and the
displays should only be cleaned using a soft damp cloth. If necessary, use a
weak soap solution.
Clean fabric upholstery with a
vacuum cleaner and brush. Remove
stains with an upholstery cleaner.
Clothing fabrics may not be
colourfast. This could cause visible
discolourations, especially on light-coloured upholstery. Removable
stains and discolourations should be
cleaned as soon as possible.
Clean seat belts with lukewarm water or interior cleaner.Caution
Close Velcro fasteners as open
Velcro fasteners on clothing could
damage seat upholstery.
The same applies to clothing with
sharp-edged objects, like zips or
belts or studded jeans.
Plastic and rubber parts
Plastic and rubber parts can be
cleaned with the same cleaner as
used to clean the body. Use interior cleaner if necessary. Do not use any
other agent. Avoid solvents and petrol in particular. Do not use high-
pressure jet cleaners.