VAUXHALL MERIVA 2015.5 Owner's Manual

Driving and operating139
Conditions for an Autostop
The stop-start system checks if each
of the following conditions is fulfilled:
■ The stop-start system is not manually deactivated.
■ The bonnet is fully closed.
■ The driver's door is closed or the driver's seat belt is fastened.
■ The vehicle battery is sufficiently charged and in good condition.
■ The engine is warmed up.
■ The engine coolant temperature is not too high.
■ The engine exhaust temperature is
not too high, e.g. after driving with
high engine load.
■ The ambient temperature is above -5° C.
■ The defrost selection does not inhibit an Autostop.
■ The climate control system allows an Autostop.
■ The brake vacuum is sufficient.■ The self-cleaning function of the diesel particle filter is not active.
■ The vehicle was driven at least at walking speed since the last
Autostop.
Otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited.
An Autostop may become less
available as the ambient temperature
approaches the freezing point.
Certain settings of the climate control
system may inhibit an Autostop. See
" Climate control " chapter for further
information 3 128.
Immediately after motorway driving
an Autostop may be inhibited.
New vehicle running-in 3 136.
Vehicle battery discharge protection
To ensure reliable engine restarts,
several vehicle battery discharge
protection features are implemented
as part of the stop-start system.
Power saving measures
During an Autostop, several electrical
features such as auxiliary electric
heater or rear window heating aredisabled or switched into a power
saving mode. The fan speed of the
climate control system is reduced to
save power.
Restart of the engine by the
driver Depress the clutch pedal to restart the
engine.
The engine start is indicated by the
needle at the idle speed position in
the tachometer.
If the selector lever is shifted out of
neutral before depressing the clutch
first, control indicator - illuminates
or is shown as a symbol in the Driver Information Centre.
Control indicator - 3 96.
Restart of the engine by the
stop-start system
The selector lever must be in neutral
to enable an automatic restart.
If one of the following conditions occurs during an Autostop, the
engine will be restarted automatically by the stop-start system.

140Driving and operating
■ The stop-start system is manuallydeactivated.
■ The bonnet is opened.
■ The driver's seat belt is unfastened
and the driver's door is opened.
■ The engine temperature is too low.
■ The charging level of the vehicle battery is below a defined level.
■ The brake vacuum is not sufficient.
■ The vehicle is driven at least at walking speed.
■ The climate control system requests an engine start.
■ The air conditioning is manually switched on.
If the bonnet is not fully closed, a warning message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre.
If an electrical accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop during restart might be noticeable.Parking9 Warning
■ 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. Pull switch m for approx.
one second.
The electric parking brake is
applied when control indicator
m illuminates 3 96.
■ Switch off the engine.
■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or uphill slope, engage
first gear or set the selector lever to position P before removing
the ignition key. On an uphill
slope, turn the front wheels
away from the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill
slope, engage reverse gear or
set the selector lever to position
P before removing the ignition
key. Turn the front wheels
towards the kerb.
■ Remove the ignition key. Turn the steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock is felt to
engage.
For vehicles with automatic
transmission, the key can only
be removed when the selector
lever is in position P.
Lock the vehicle and activate the anti-
theft alarm system.
Notice
In the event of an accident with
airbag deployment, the engine is
turned off automatically if the vehicle
comes to a standstill within a certain
time.

Driving and operating141Engine exhaust9Danger
Engine exhaust gases contain
poisonous carbon monoxide,
which is colourless and odourless and could be fatal if inhaled.
If exhaust gases enter the interior
of the vehicle, open the windows.
Have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop.
Avoid driving with an open load
compartment, otherwise exhaust
gases could enter the vehicle.
Diesel particle filter
The diesel particle filter system filters
harmful soot particles out of the
exhaust gases. The system includes
a self-cleaning function that runs
automatically during driving without
any notification. The filter is cleaned
by periodically burning off the soot
particles at high temperature. This
process takes place automatically
under set driving conditions and may
take up to 25 minutes. Typically it
needs between 7 and 12 minutes.
Autostop is not available and fuel
consumption may be higher during
this period. The emission of smells
and smoke during this process is
normal.
Under certain driving conditions, e.g.
short distances, the system cannot
clean itself automatically.
If the cleaning of the filter is required
and if previous driving conditions did
not enable automatic cleaning, it will
be indicated by control indicator %.
Simultaneously Diesel partic. filter is
full continue driving or warning
code 55 appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
% illuminates when diesel particle
filter is full. Start cleaning process as
soon as possible.
% flashes when diesel particle filter
has reached the maximum filling
level. Start cleaning process
immediately to avoid damage to the
engine.
Cleaning process
To activate cleaning process,
continue driving, keeping engine
speed above 2000 revolutions per
minute. Shift down if necessary.
Diesel particle filter cleaning is then
started.
If control indicator g illuminates
additionally, cleaning is not possible,
seek the assistance of a workshop.Caution
If the cleaning process is
interrupted, there is a risk of
provoking severe engine damage.

142Driving and operating
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 3 156, 3 225 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.Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission permits
automatic gearshifting (automatic
mode) or manual gearshifting
(manual mode).
Transmission display
The mode or selected gear is shown
in the transmission display.

Driving and operating143Selector leverP=park position, wheels are locked,engage only when the vehicle is
stationary and the parking brake
is appliedR=reverse gear, engage only when
the vehicle is stationaryN=neutralD=automatic mode with all gears
The selector lever is locked in P and
can only be moved when the ignition is on and the brake pedal is applied.
Without brake pedal applied, the
control indicator j illuminates.
If the selector lever is not in P when
the ignition is switched off, the control
indicator j and P flash.
To engage P or R, press the release
button.
The engine can only be started with the lever in position P or N. When
position N is selected, press the brake
pedal or apply the parking brake
before starting.
Do not accelerate while engaging a
gear. Never depress the accelerator
pedal and brake pedal at the same
time.
When a gear is engaged, the vehicle
slowly begins to creep when the
brake is released.
Engine braking
To utilise the engine braking effect,
select a lower gear in good time when driving downhill, see manual mode.
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between D and R in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake and engage P .
The ignition key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in position
P .

144Driving and operatingManual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left and then forwards or backwards.
<=shift to a higher gear]=shift to a lower gear
If a higher gear is selected when
vehicle speed is too low, or a lower
gear when vehicle speed is too high,
the shift is not executed. This can
cause a message in the Driver
Information Centre.
In manual mode, no automatic
shifting to a higher gear takes place
at high engine revolutions.
Electronic driving
programmes ■ Following a cold start, the operating
temperature programme increases
engine speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
■ The automatic neutral shift function
automatically shifts to idling when
the vehicle is stopped with a
forward gear engaged and the
brake pedal is pressed.
■ Special programmes automatically adapt the shifting points when
driving up inclines or down hills.
Kickdown If the accelerator pedal is pressed
down completely in automatic mode, the transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed.Fault
In the event of a fault, g illuminates.
Additionally a code number or a
vehicle message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre. Vehicle
messages 3 105.
The transmission no longer shifts
automatically. Continued travel is
possible with manual shifting.
Only the highest gear is available.
Depending on the fault, second gear
may also be available in manual
mode. Shift only when vehicle is at a
standstill.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Interruption of power
supply
In the event of an interruption of
power supply, the selector lever
cannot be moved out of the P
position. The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition switch.

Driving and operating145
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 210.
If the vehicle battery is not the cause
of the fault, release the selector lever.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Hold the selector lever trim at the marked position and pull tounlatch at the back.
3. Fold the selector lever trim upwards. Pull to unlatch at the
front.
4. Move the selector lever trim to the
left. Take care that the plug and
the wiring harness at the bottom are not damaged.
5. Insert a screwdriver into the opening as far as it will go and
move the selector lever out of P or
N . If P or N is engaged again, the
selector lever will be locked in
position again. Have the cause of
the power supply interruption
remedied by a workshop.
6. Mount the selector lever trim onto
the centre console and refit.
Manual transmission
To engage reverse, depress the
clutch pedal and 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.
Do not slip the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch
pedal completely. Do not use the
pedal as a foot rest.

146Driving and operatingCaution
It is not advisable to drive with thehand resting on the selector lever.
Brakes
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 96.
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 96.
Adaptive brake light During full braking, all three brakelights flash for the duration of ABS
control.

Driving and operating147
Fault9Warning
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 no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Electric parking brake
Applying when vehicle is stationary
9 Warning
Pull switch m for approx. one
second, the electric parking brake
operates automatically with an
adequate force. For maximum
force, e.g. parking with trailer or on
inclines, pull switch m twice.
The electric parking brake is
applied when control indicator m
illuminates 3 96.
The electric parking brake can always
be activated, even if the ignition is off.
Do not operate electric parking brake
system too often with engine not
running as this will discharge the
vehicle battery.
Before leaving the vehicle, check the electric parking brake status.
Control indicator m 3 96.
Releasing
Switch on ignition. Keep brake pedal
depressed and then push switch m.
Drive away function
Depressing clutch pedal (manual
transmission) or engaging D
(automatic transmission) and then
depressing the accelerator pedal
releases the electric parking brake

148Driving and operating
automatically. This is not possible
when the switch m is pulled at the
same time.
This function also helps driving away
on inclines.
Aggressive drive-away may reduce
lifetime of wear parts.
Dynamic braking when vehicle is
moving
When the vehicle is moving and
switch m is kept pulled, the electric
parking brake system will decelerate the vehicle, but will not apply
statically.
As soon as switch m is released,
dynamic braking will be stopped.
Fault
Failure mode of electric parking brake
is indicated by control indicator j and
by a code number or a vehicle
message which is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre.
Control indicator j 3 96, vehicle
messages 3 105.Apply electric parking brake: pull and
hold switch m for more than
5 seconds. If control indicator m
illuminates, electric parking brake is
applied.
Release electric parking brake: push
and hold switch m for more than
2 seconds. If control indicator m
extinguishes, electric parking brake is
released.
Control indicator m flashes: electric
parking brake is not fully applied or released. When continuously
flashing, release electric parking
brake and retry applying.
Control indicator m 3 96.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further 2 seconds. The brakes release automatically as soon
as the vehicle begins to accelerate.
The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.