tow VAUXHALL MERIVA 2014.5 Owner's Guide

160Driving and operating
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
3 211.
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
80 kg (vehicles with LPG system:
110 kg), the gross vehicle weight
rating may be exceeded by 70 kg
(vehicles with LPG system: 95 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.

Driving and operating161
Stowage of the detachable
coupling ball bar
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
stowed in the rear stowage
compartment on the floor.
Run the strap through the lashing eye and tighten the strap to secure the
bag.
Fitting the detachable coupling
ball bar
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
â–  Red marking on rotary knob must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
â–  The gap between the rotary knob and the coupling ball bar must beapprox. 5 mm.
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before being inserted:

162Driving and operating
Pull out rotary knob and turn
clockwise 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 clockwise. 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
â–  Green marking on rotary knob must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
â–  There must be no gap between the
rotary handle and the coupling ball
bar.

Driving and operating163
â– The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
â–  The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9 Warning
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.
Dismounting the detachable
coupling ball bar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key clockwise to unlock the coupling
ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold away socket.

164Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................164
Vehicle checks ........................... 165
Bulb replacement .......................172
Electrical system ........................182
Vehicle tools .............................. 188
Wheels and tyres .......................189
Jump starting ............................. 200
Towing ....................................... 202
Appearance care .......................204General 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:
â–  Wash and wax the vehicle.
â–  Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
â–  Clean and preserve the rubber seals.
â–  Fill up fuel tank completely.
â–  Change the engine oil.
â–  Drain the washer fluid reservoir.
â–  Check the coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
â–  Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
â–  Park the vehicle in a dry, well ventilated place. Engage first orreverse gear or set selector lever to P . Prevent the vehicle from rolling.
â–  Do not apply the parking brake.

192Vehicle careTyre chains
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
front wheels.
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain lock).
9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
Tyre chains are only permitted on
tyres of size 195/65 R 15,
205/55 R 16 and 225/45 R 17.
Tyre chains are not permitted on tyres of size 225/40 R 18.
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Tyre repair kit
Minor damage to the tyre tread can be
repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding 4 mm or that
is at the tyre's sidewall near the rim
cannot be repaired with the tyre repair kit.9 Warning
Do not drive faster than 50 mph.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be
affected.
If you have a flat tyre:
Apply the parking brake and engage
first gear, reverse gear or P.
The tyre repair kit is in the stowage
compartment in the load
compartment.
To open the compartment, disengage the cover and open it.

194Vehicle care
8. Press on/off switch on thecompressor. The tyre is filled withsealant.
9. The compressor pressure gauge briefly indicates up to 6 bar whilst
the sealant bottle is emptying
(approx. 30 seconds). Then the
pressure starts to drop.
10. All of the sealant is pumped into the tyre. Then the tyre is inflated.
11. The prescribed tyre pressure should be obtained within
10 minutes. Tyre pressure
3 224 . When the correct pressure
is obtained, switch off the
compressor by pressing the on/off switch again.
If the prescribed tyre pressure is
not obtained within 10 minutes,
remove the tyre repair kit. Move
the vehicle one tyre rotation.
Reattach the tyre repair kit and
continue the filling procedure for
10 minutes. If the prescribed tyre pressure is still not obtained, the
tyre is too badly damaged. Seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Release excess tyre pressure
using the ] button.
Do not run the compressor longer
than 10 minutes.
12. Push catch on bracket to remove sealant bottle from bracket. Screwthe tyre inflation hose to the free
connection of the sealant bottle.
This prevents sealant from
escaping. Stow tyre repair kit in
load compartment.
13. Remove any excess sealant using a cloth.14. Take the label indicatingmaximum permitted speed from
the sealant bottle and affix in the
driver's field of view.
15. 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 1.3 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 1.3 bar, the vehicle must
not be used. Seek the assistance
of a workshop.
16. Stow away tyre repair kit in load compartment.

Vehicle care197
Set the jack to the necessary
height. Position it directly below
the jacking point in a manner that
prevents it from slipping.
Attach jack handle and with the
jack correctly aligned rotate handle until wheel is clear of theground.
Variant 2:
Set the jack to the necessary
height. Position it directly below
the jacking point in a manner that
prevents it from slipping.
Attach wheel wrench and with the
jack correctly aligned rotate wheel wrench until wheel is clear of the
ground.
5. Unscrew the wheel bolts. 6. Change the wheel.
7. Screw on the wheel bolts.
8. Lower vehicle.
9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring that it locates securely and tighten
each bolt in a crosswise
sequence. Tightening torque is
110 Nm.
10. Align the valve hole in the wheel cover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel bolt caps.
11. Stow the replaced wheel 3 198,
the vehicle tools 3 188 and the
key adapter 3 61.
12. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and also the wheel
bolt torque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired.

198Vehicle care
Jacking position for liftingplatform
Rear arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
Front arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare
wheel.
The spare wheel can be classified as
a temporary spare wheel depending
on the size compared to the other
mounted wheels and country
regulations.
The spare wheel has a steel rim.
The use of a spare wheel that is
smaller than the other wheels or in
combination with winter tyres could
affect driveability. Have the defective
tyre replaced as soon as possible.
The spare wheel is located in the load
compartment beneath the floor
covering. It is secured with a wing nut.
The spare wheel well is not designed for all permissible tyre sizes. If a
wheel wider than the spare wheel has
to be stowed in the load
compartment, it needs to be secured with a strap or, depending on the
version, with an extension bar.

200Vehicle care9Warning
Storing a jack, a wheel or other
equipment in the load
compartment could cause injury if they are not fixed properly. During a sudden stop or a collision, looseequipment could strike someone.
Store jack and tools always in the
respective storage compartments
and secure them by fixing.
Place the damaged wheel always
in the load compartment secured
by the strap or in the spare wheel
well secured by the wing nut.
Temporary spare wheel
The use of the temporary spare wheel could affect driveability. Have thedefective tyre renewed or repaired as soon as possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
50 mph. Take curves slowly. Do not
use for a long period of time.
If your vehicle gets a flat tyre in the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel in
the front and the full tyre in the rear.
Tyre chains 3 192.
Directional tyres
Fit directional tyres such that they roll in the direction of travel. The rolling
direction is indicated by a symbol
(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
â–  Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
â–  Drive particularly carefully on wet and snow-covered road surfaces.Jump starting
Do not start with quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged vehicle
battery can be started using jump leads and the vehicle battery of
another vehicle.9 Warning
Be extremely careful when starting
with jump leads. Any deviation
from the following instructions can
lead to injuries or damage caused
by vehicle battery explosion or
damage to the electrical systems
of both vehicles.
9 Warning
Avoid contact of the vehicle
battery with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces. The fluid
contains sulphuric acid which can
cause injuries and damage in the
event of direct contact.