brakes VAUXHALL INSIGNIA 2014.5 Owner's Manual

16In briefTransmission
Manual transmission
Reverse: with the vehicle stationary,
depress clutch pedal, press the
release button 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.
Manual transmission 3 164.
Automatic transmissionP=parkR=reverseN=neutralD=drive
Manual mode: move selector lever
from D to the left.
<=higher gear]=lower gear
The selector lever can only be moved
out of P when the ignition is on and
the brake pedal is applied. To engage
P or R, press the release button.
Automatic transmission 3 160.
Starting off
Check before starting off ■ Tyre pressure and condition 3 242,
3 286.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 217.
■ All windows, mirrors, exterior lighting and number plates are free
from dirt, snow and ice and are
operational.
■ Proper position of mirrors, seats, and seat belts 3 36, 3 46,
3 54.
■ Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.

Instruments and controls119
Valet mode
Some functions of the Driver
Information Centre and the Colour-
Info-Display can be limited for some
drivers.
Activation or deactivation of valet
mode can be set in the menu
Settings in the vehicle personalisation
menu.
Vehicle personalisation 3 121.
For more information see
Infotainment system manual.
Smartphone controller The smartphone controller allows a
smartphone to access vehicle data
via WLAN or Bluetooth connection.
This data can then be displayed and analysed on the smartphone.Vehicle messages
Messages are indicated in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC), in some
cases together with a warning and
signal buzzer.
On Baselevel display press the
SET/CLR button, the MENU button or
turn the adjuster wheel to confirm a
message.
On Midlevel and Uplevel display
press 9 button to confirm a message.
Vehicle and service messages
The vehicle messages are displayed as text. Follow the instructions given
in the messages.
The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
■ Service messages
■ Fluid levels
■ Anti-theft alarm system
■ Brakes
■ Drive systems
■ Ride control systems

Driving and operating151Driving and operatingDriving hints............................... 151
Starting and operating ...............152
Engine exhaust .......................... 159
Automatic transmission .............. 160
Manual transmission ..................164
Drive systems ............................ 165
Brakes ........................................ 165
Ride control systems .................168
Driver assistance systems .........173
Fuel ............................................ 204
Trailer hitch ................................ 211Driving 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 3 156.
Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in the area of the pedals.Steering
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered but may require increased
effort.
Control indicator c 3 106.Caution
Vehicles equipped with hydraulic
power steering:
If the steering wheel is turned until it reaches the end of its travel, and
is held in that position for more
than 15 seconds, damage may occur to the power steering
system and there may be loss of
power steering assist.

Driving and operating165Drive systems
All-wheel drive The All-wheel drive system enhances
driving characteristics and stability,
and helps to achieve the best
possible driveability regardless of
ground surface. The system is always
active and cannot be deactivated.
The torque is distributed steplessly
between the wheels of the front and rear axle, depending on the driving
conditions. Additionally the torque
between the rear wheels is distributed depending on the surface.
For optimum system performance,
the vehicle's tyres should not have
varying degrees of wear.
If a service message is displayed in
the Driver Information Centre, the
system may have limited functionality
(or be completely disabled in some
cases, i.e. the vehicle switches to
Front-wheel drive). Seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Towing the vehicle 3 257.Brakes
The brake system comprises twoindependent 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 3 105.
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 3 106.
Adaptive brake light During full braking, all three brakelights flash for the duration of ABS
control.

168Driving and operating
Operation of brake assist might
become apparent by a pulse in the brake pedal and a greater resistancewhen depressing the brake pedal.
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal as long as full braking is
required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when brake
pedal is released.
Hill start assist The system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline, brakes remain
on for further two seconds. Brakes
release automatically as soon as the
vehicle begins to accelerate.
The hill start assist is not active during an Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 156.Ride control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction Control system (TC) is a
component of the Electronic Stability
Control.
TC improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational as soon as the
control indicator b extinguishes.
When TC operates b flashes.
9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 107.
Deactivation
TC can be switched off when spinning of drive wheels is required:

176Driving and operating
to follow the vehicle in front, but will
not exceed the set speed. It may
apply limited braking with activated
brake lights.
The adaptive cruise control can store and maintain speeds over approx.
15 mph. If following a vehicle ahead
driving slower than 15 mph the slower
speed will be set. On vehicles with
automatic transmission the system brakes to a stop.
Adaptive cruise control uses a radar
sensor to detect the vehicles ahead.
If no vehicle is detected in the driving path, the adaptive cruise control will
behave like a traditional cruise
control.
For safety reasons, the system
cannot be activated before the brake
pedal or clutch pedal has been
depressed once since switching on
ignition.
Adaptive cruise control is mainly
advised to be used on long straight
roads like highways or country roads
with steady traffic. Do not use the
system if it is not advisable to
maintain a constant speed.
Control indicator A 3 109, m 3 109,
C 3 109.9 Warning
The complete driver attention is
always required while driving with adaptive cruise control. The driver stays fully in control of the vehicle
because the brake pedal, the
accelerator pedal and the cancel
switch have priority over any
adaptive cruise control operation.
Switching on
Press button C to switch on adaptive
cruise control. The control indicator
m or C in the instrument cluster
illuminates white.
Activation by setting the speed Adaptive cruise control can be
activated between 15 mph and
112 mph.
Accelerate to the desired speed and
turn thumb wheel to SET/-, the
current speed is stored and
maintained. Control indicator m or
C in the instrument cluster
illuminates green.

Driving and operating177
The adaptive cruise control symbol,
the following distance setting and set speed are indicated in the Driver
Information Centre.
The accelerator pedal can be
released. Adaptive cruise control
remains activated while gearshifting.
Overriding set speed It is always possible to drive faster
than the selected set speed by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the vehicle returns to the
desired distance if a slower vehicle is
ahead. Otherwise it returns to the
stored speed.
Once the system is activated,
adaptive cruise control decelerates or
brakes if it detects a vehicle ahead,
which is slower or closer than the
desired following distance.
9 Warning
Accelerating by the driver
deactivates braking by the system. This is indicated as a popup
warning in the Driver Information
centre.
Increase speed
With adaptive cruise control active,
hold thumb wheel turned to RES/+: speed increases continuously in large increments, or activate repeatedly
RES/+: speed increases in small
increments.
If the vehicle is driven with adaptive cruise control active much faster than
the desired speed, e.g. after
depressing the accelerator pedal,
then the current speed can be stored and maintained by turning the thumb
wheel to SET/-.
Reduce speed
With adaptive cruise control active,
hold thumb wheel turned to SET/-:
speed decreases continuously in
large increments, or activate
repeatedly SET/-: speed decreases in small increments.
If the vehicle is driven with adaptive cruise control active much slower
than the desired speed, e.g. because
of a slower vehicle ahead, then the
current speed can be stored and
maintained by turning the thumb
wheel to SET/-.
Resume stored speed
If the system is switched on but
inactive, then turn thumb wheel to
RES/+ at a speed above 15 mph to
resume the stored speed.
Full speed range adaptivecruise control on vehicles with
automatic transmission Full speed range adaptive cruisecontrol will maintain a following gap
behind a detected vehicle and slow
your vehicle to a stop behind that
vehicle.
When the vehicle ahead drives away
within two minutes, turn thumb wheel
to RES/+ or operate the accelerator

180Driving and operating
■ collision imminent braking isapplying the brakes,
■ radar sensor is blocked by an ice or
water film,
■ fault is detected in the radar, engine
or brake system.
Additionally the system is
automatically deactivated on vehicles
with automatic transmission (full
speed range adaptive cruise control)
when:
■ Electric parking brake is applied,■ vehicle is being held to a stop by the
system for more than two minutes,
■ vehicle stops, the driver safety belt is released and the driver's door is
opened.
When adaptive cruise control is
deactivated automatically, the control indicator m or C illuminates white
and a warning message is displayed as a pop-up in the Driver Information
Centre.
The stored speed is maintained.9 Warning
When adaptive cruise control is
deactivated, the driver must take
over full brake and engine control.
Switching off
Press button C to switch off adaptive
cruise control. The control indicator
m or C extinguishes. The stored
speed is deleted.
Switching off the ignition also
switches off adaptive cruise control
and deletes the stored speed.
Driver's attention ■ Use adaptive cruise control carefully on bends or mountain
roads, as it can lose the vehicle
ahead and need time to detect it
again.
■ Do not use the system on slippery roads as it can create rapid
changes in tyre traction (wheel spinning), so that you could lose
control of the vehicle.
■ Do not use adaptive cruise control during rain, snow or heavy dirt, as
the radar sensor can be covered by a water film, dust, ice or snow. This
reduces or suppresses completely
the visibility. In case of sensor
blockage, clean the sensor cover.
System limits ■ The system's automatic brake force
does not permit hard braking and
the braking level may not be
sufficient to avoid a collision.
■ After a sudden lane change, the system needs a certain time to
detect the next preceding vehicle.
So if a new vehicle is detected, the
system may accelerate instead of
braking.
■ Adaptive cruise control does ignore
the oncoming traffic.

186Driving and operating
General information for bothvariants of forward collision alert9 Warning
Forward collision alert is just a
warning system and does not
apply the brakes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
rapidly, it may not provide you
enough time to avoid a collision.
The driver accepts full
responsibility for the appropriate
following distance based on traffic, weather and visibility conditions.
The complete attention of the
driver is always required while
driving. The driver must always be
ready to take action and apply the
brakes.
System limitations
The system is designed to warn only for vehicles, but may react also to
other metallic objects.
In the following cases, forward
collision alert may not detect a vehicle ahead or sensor performance may be limited:
■ on winding roads,
■ when weather limits visibility, e.g. fog, rain, or snow,
■ when the sensor is blocked by snow, ice, slush, mud, dirt, or
windscreen damage.
Following distance
indication
The following distance indication
displays the distance to a preceding
moving vehicle. The system uses,
depending on the vehicle equipment,
either the radar behind the radiator
grille or the front camera in the
windscreen to detect the distance of
a vehicle directly ahead in your lane.
It is active at speeds above 25 mph.
When a preceding vehicle is detected
ahead, the distance is indicated in
seconds, displayed on a page in the
Driver Information Centre 3 110.On Baselevel display set Settings
X with the Menu button and select
Following distance indication via the
adjuster wheel on the turn signal lever 3 110.
On Midlevel or Uplevel display, select
Info menu and press o to select
Following distance indication 3 110.
The minimum indicated distance is
0.5 seconds.
If there is no vehicle ahead or the vehicle ahead is out of range, two
dashes will be displayed: -.- s.

Driving and operating187
If Adaptive cruise control is active,
this page shows the following
distance setting instead 3 175.
Active Emergency Braking Active emergency braking can help to reduce the damage from crashes with vehicles and obstacles directly
ahead, when a collision can no longer
be avoided either by manual braking
or by steering. Before the active
emergency braking applies, the driver is warned by the forward collision
alert 3 183.
The feature uses various inputs (e.g.
radar sensor, brake pressure, vehicle speed) to calculate the probability of
a frontal collision.
Active emergency braking operates automatically above walking speed, provided that Auto Collision
Preparation setting is not deactivated
in the vehicle personalisation menu
3 121.The system includes:
■ Brake preparation system
■ Emergency automatic braking
■ Forward looking brake assist9 Warning
This system is not intended to
replace the driver responsibility for driving the vehicle and looking
ahead. Its function is limited to
supplemental use only. The driver must continue to apply the brake
pedal as the driving situation
dictates.
Brake preparation system
When approaching a vehicle ahead
so quickly that a collision is likely, the brake preparation system slightly
pressurises the brakes. This reduces
the response time, when a manual or automatic braking is requested.
The brake system is prepared so that braking can occur more rapidly.
Emergency automatic braking
After the brake preparation and just
before the imminent collision, this
function automatically applies limited
braking to reduce the impact speed of
the collision.
Below a speed of 11 mph the system
can apply full braking.
Forward looking brake assist
In addition to the brake preparation
system and emergency automatic
braking, the forward looking brake
assist function makes the brake assist more sensitive. Therefore,
depressing the brake pedal less
strongly results in immediate hard
braking. This function helps the driver brake quicker and harder before the
imminent collision.9 Warning
Active emergency braking is not
designed to apply hard
autonomous braking or to
automatically avoid a collision. It is designed to reduce the vehicle