VAUXHALL INSIGNIA 2015.5 Owner's Manual

Driving and operating219Trailer towingTrailer 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 plate3 274.
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 (85 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
90 kg for the 5-door Hatchback/4-
door Saloon and 85 kg for the Sports
Tourer/Country Tourer, the gross
vehicle weight rating may be
exceeded by 65 kg for the 5-door
Hatchback/4-door Saloon and 60 kg
for the Sports Tourer/Country Tourer.
If the permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
60 mph applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
The folding coupling ball bar
cannot be removed from the
vehicle. When driving without a
trailer, fold in the coupling ball bar.

220Driving and operating9Warning
Make sure that no one is in the
pivot zone of the coupling ball bar. Risk of body injury.
When releasing the stowed
coupling ball bar, make sure to
stand left of the grip.
Release stowed coupling ball
bar
Pull the grip located left to the number
plate under the rear bumper fascia at an angle of approx. 45° to the ground.
A buzzing tone sounds as a warning
when the release handle is pulled out and the ball neck is disengaged.
Take the released coupling ball bar
and raise it up until it engages.
Ensure the coupling ball bar is
correctly engaged and the released
handle is guided back to its hidden
initial position, otherwise the buzzing tone will not stop.
Stow/hide coupling ball bar
Pull the grip located left of the number
plate under the rear bumper fascia at an angle of approx. 45° to the ground.

Driving and operating221
A buzzing tone sounds as a warning
when the release handle is pulled out and the ball neck is disengaged.
With the flat of the hand, swivel the
released coupling ball bar to the right
until it engages under the floor. Make sure that the release handle is back inits hidden initial position, otherwise
the buzzing tone will not stop.9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when the coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bar
does not engage correctly or if the
release handle is impossible to guide to its hidden initial position in the housing or if the buzzing tone
sounds after engaging the
coupling ball bar, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach break-away stopping cable to
eye.
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 3 173.

222Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................222
Vehicle checks ........................... 223
Bulb replacement .......................232
Electrical system ........................242
Vehicle tools .............................. 248
Wheels and tyres .......................249
Jump starting ............................. 262
Towing ....................................... 264
Appearance care .......................267General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend to use 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 rubber seals.
■ Fill up fuel tank completely.
■ Change engine oil.
■ Drain washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park vehicle in dry, well ventilated place. Engage first or reverse gear
or set selector lever to P. Prevent
the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply parking brake.

Vehicle care223
■ Open bonnet, close all doors andlock the vehicle.
■ Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery. Beware that all systems are
not functional, e.g. anti-theft alarm
system.
Putting back into operation
When the vehicle is to be put back into
operation:
■ Connect the clamp to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery.
Activate the electronics of the
power windows.
■ Check tyre pressure.
■ Fill up the washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check the engine oil level.
■ Check the coolant level.
■ Fit the number plate if necessary.
End-of-life vehicle
recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle
recovery centres and the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles is available on ourwebsite, where legally required. Only
entrust this work to an authorised
recycling centre.
Gas vehicles must be recycled by a
service centre authorised for gas
vehicles.Vehicle checks
Performing work9 Warning
Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The cooling fan may start
operating even if the ignition is off.

224Vehicle care9Danger
The ignition system and Xenon
headlights use extremely high
voltage. Do not touch.
Bonnet
Opening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
Move the safety catch sideways to the left vehicle side and open the bonnet.
The bonnet is held open
automatically.
Air intake 3 150.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Stop-start system 3 157.
Closing
Lower the bonnet and allow it to fall
into the latch from a low height
(20-25 cm). Check that the bonnet is
engaged.
Caution
Do not press the bonnet into the
latch, to avoid dents.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil manually on a
regular basis to prevent damage to
the engine. Ensure that the correct
specification of oil is used.
Recommended fluids and lubricants
3 272.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 5 minutes.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, insert it to the stop on the handle, pull
out and read the engine oil level.
Insert dipstick to the stop on the
handle and make half a turn.

Vehicle care225Caution
It is the owner's responsibility to
maintain the proper level of an
appropriate quality oil in the
engine.
Different dipsticks are used
depending on engine variant.
When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top up
engine oil.
We recommend the use of the same
grade of engine oil that was used at
last change.
The engine oil level must not exceed
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out.
Capacities 3 292, Engine oil quality/
viscosity 3 272.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.

226Vehicle careAutomatic transmission
fluidCaution
Extremely small amounts of
contamination can cause
automatic transmission damage
and cause it to not work properly.
Do not allow contaminates to
contact the fluid side of the
reservoir cap or from entering the
reservoir.
Automatic transmission fluid level
normally does not have to be
checked. To check the fluid level seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Engine coolant
The coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -28 °C. In
northern countries with very low
temperatures, the factory filled
coolant provides frost protection
down to approx. -37 °C.Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant level
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause engine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.

Vehicle care227
On another version, the filling line
mark is inside the filler opening. To
check, open the cap.
Additional cooling circuit for Turbo
engine
Coolant container is fixed at the air
cleaner housing.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
General9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
To top up, use a 1:1 mixture of
released coolant concentrate mixed
with clean tap water. If no coolant
concentrate is available, use clean
tap water. Install the cap tightly. Have the coolant concentration checked
and have the cause of the coolant
loss remedied by a workshop.
Power steering fluid
Caution
Extremely small amounts of
contamination can cause steering
system damage and cause it to not work properly. Do not allow
contaminates to contact the fluid
side of the reservoir cap/dipstick or
from entering the reservoir.
Power steering fluid level normally
does not have to be checked. If an
unusual noise sounds during steering or the power steering reacts
conspicuous seek the assistance of a
workshop.

228Vehicle careWasher fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of approved
windscreen washer fluid which
contains antifreeze.
Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Use of washer fluid containing
isopropanol can damage exterior
lamps.
Brakes
In the event of minimum thickness ofthe brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake lining replaced as
soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and the MAX marks.
If fluid level is below MIN seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 272.
Vehicle battery Vehicles without stop-start system
will be equipped with a lead acid
battery. Vehicles with stop-start
system will be equipped with an AGM
battery which is not a lead acid
battery.