battery VAUXHALL MERIVA 2015.5 User Guide

Driving and operating135Driving and operatingDriving hints............................... 135
Starting and operating ...............136
Engine exhaust .......................... 141
Automatic transmission .............. 142
Manual transmission ..................145
Brakes ........................................ 146
Ride control systems .................149
Driver assistance systems .........150
Fuel ............................................ 156
Trailer hitch ................................ 163Driving 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 3 138.
Idle boost
If charging of the vehicle battery is
required due to vehicle battery
condition, the power output of the
generator must be increased. This will be achieved by an idle boost which
may be audible.
On vehicles with Uplevel-Display or
Uplevel-Combi-Display, a message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre.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 a higher
or lower steering effort.
Control indicator c 3 97.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.

136Driving and operatingStarting and operating
New vehicle running-in Do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
During the first drive, smoke may
occur because of wax and oil
evaporating off the exhaust system.
Park the vehicle in the open for a
while after the first drive and avoid
inhaling the fumes.
During the running-in period fuel and engine oil consumption may be
higher and the cleaning process of the diesel particle filter may take
place more often. Autostop may be
inhibited to allow for charging the
vehicle battery.
Diesel particle filter 3 141.Ignition switch positions0=ignition off1=steering wheel lock released,
ignition off2=ignition on, for diesel engine:
preheating3=starting
Retained power off
The following electronic systems can
work until the driver's door is opened
or at the latest for 10 minutes after the
ignition is switched off:
■ power windows
■ power outlets
Power to the Infotainment system will continue to operate for 30 minutes or
until the key is removed from the
ignition, regardless of whether any
door is opened.
Starting the engine
Manual transmission: operate clutch.
Automatic transmission: operate
brake and move the selector lever to
P or N.
Do not operate accelerator pedal.

Driving and operating137
Diesel engine: turn the key to position2 for preheating until control
indicator ! extinguishes.
Turn the key briefly to position 3 and
release: an automatic procedure operates the starter with a short delay
as long as the engine is running, see
Automatic Starter Control.
Before restarting or to switch off the
engine, turn the key back to position
0 .
During an Autostop, the engine can
be started by depressing the clutch
pedal.Starting the vehicle at low
temperatures
The start of the engine without
additional heaters is possible down to -25 °С for diesel engines and -30 °C
for petrol engines. Required is an engine oil with the correct viscosity,
the correct fuel, performed services
and a sufficiently charged vehicle
battery. With temperatures below
-30 °C the automatic transmission
needs a warming phase of approx.
5 minutes. The selector lever must be in position P.
Automatic Starter Control
This function controls the engine
starting procedure. The driver does
not have to hold the key in position 3.
Once applied, the system will go on starting automatically until the engine
is running. Because of the checking
procedure, the engine starts running
after a short delay.Possible reasons for a non-starting
engine:
■ clutch pedal not operated (manual transmission)
■ brake pedal not operated or selector lever not in P or N
(automatic transmission)
■ timeout occurred
Turbo engine warm-up Upon start-up, engine available
torque may be limited for a short time,
especially when the engine
temperature is cold. The limitation is
to allow the lubrication system to fully protect the engine.
Overrun cut-off The fuel supply is automatically cut off
during overrun, i.e. when the vehicle
is driven with a gear engaged but accelerator is released.

138Driving and operatingStop-start systemThe stop-start system helps to save
fuel and to reduce the exhaust
emissions. When conditions allow, it
switches off the engine as soon as the
vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill, e.g. at a traffic light or in a
traffic jam. It starts the engine
automatically as soon as the clutch is depressed. A vehicle battery sensor
ensures that an Autostop is only
performed if the vehicle battery is
sufficiently charged for a restart.
Activation The stop-start system is available as
soon as the engine is started, the
vehicle starts-off and the conditions
as stated below in this section are
fulfilled.Deactivation
Deactivate the stop-start system
manually by pressing eco. The
deactivation is indicated by the LED
in the button extinguishing.
Autostop If the vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill, activate an Autostop as
follows:
■ Depress the clutch pedal.
■ Set the lever in neutral.
■ Release the clutch pedal.
The engine will be switched off while
the ignition stays on.
An Autostop is indicated by the
needle at the AUTOSTOP position in
the tachometer.
During an Autostop, the heating and
brake performance will be
maintained.
Caution
The steering assist will be reduced during an Autostop.

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 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.

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

Vehicle care169
■ Open the bonnet, close all doorsand lock 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 our website. 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.

174Vehicle careVehicle batteryVehicles without stop-start systemwill 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.
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
4 weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off
before connecting or disconnecting
the vehicle battery.
The anti-theft alarm siren must be
deactivated as follows: Switch the ignition on then off, disconnect the
vehicle's battery within 15 seconds.
Vehicle battery discharge protection
3 124.
Replacing the vehicle battery Notice
Any deviation from the instructions
given in this paragraph may lead to
a temporary deactivation of the stop-
start system.
When the vehicle battery is being
replaced, please ensure that there
are no open ventilation holes in the
vicinity of the positive terminal. If a
ventilation hole is open in this area, itmust be closed off with a dummy cap, and the ventilation in the vicinity of the
negative terminal must be opened.
Only use vehicle batteries that allow
the fuse box to be mounted above the
vehicle battery.
In vehicles with stop-start system, ensure to have the AGM (Absorptive
Glass Mat) battery replaced with an
AGM battery again.
An AGM battery can be identified by
the label on the battery. We
recommend the use of an original
Vauxhall vehicle battery.