Vauxhall Astra TwinTop (2007 year). Manual - part 7

98

Seats, interior

The curtain airbags will not be triggered in 

the event of 

z the ignition is switched off 
z frontal collisions 
z accidents in which the vehicle overturns 
z collisions involving a rear-impact 
z side-on collisions outside the passenger 

cell. 

Control indicator v for airbag systems

The function of the airbag systems is 

monitored electronically together with the 

seat occupancy recognition 3 and belt 

tensioner systems and the deployable 

anti-roll bars 3. Their operational 

readiness is indicated by a control 

indicator v. When the ignition is switched 

on, the control indicator illuminates for 

approx. 4 seconds. If it does not illuminate, 

does not go out after 4 seconds or 

illuminates whilst driving, there is a fault in 

the airbag systems, seat occupancy 

recognition 3 or belt tensioner systems, or 

in the deployable anti-roll bars 3, see 

page 87. The systems may fail to trigger in 

the event of an accident. 
Deployment of the airbags is indicated by 

continuous illumination of v. 

The system’s integrated self-diagnostics 

allows faults to be quickly remedied. 

9

 Warning

There must be no objects in the area in 

which the airbag inflates. Do not place 

the hands or arms on the covers of the 

airbag systems. Important information, 

see page 101. 
The three-point seat belt must always be 

correctly fitted, see page 88.

9

 Warning

Have the cause of the fault eliminated 

immediately by a workshop.

99

Seats, interior

Seat occupancy recognition 3 

The seat occupancy recognition system 

deactivates the front and side airbags 3 

for the front passenger if the front 

passenger seat is not occupied or a 

Vauxhall child restraint system with 

transponders 3 is fitted on the front 

passenger seat. The curtain airbag system 

3 remains activated.
The control indicator 

y 

for seat 

occupancy recognition is located in the 

instrument panel. If the control indicator 

y

 

illuminates for approx. 4 seconds when the 

ignition is switched on, the vehicle is 

equipped with seat occupancy recognition, 

see Fig. 17117 T on page 100. 
If a Vauxhall child restraint system with 

transponders 3 is fitted, the control 

indicator 

y 

illuminates continuously after 

the ignition is switched on as soon as the 

system has detected the child restraint 

system. Only then may the child restraint 

system with transponders 3 be used on the 

passenger seat. 

Vehicles with seat occupancy recognition 

are also identified by a sticker on the lower 

panel of the front passenger seats – see 

figure above. 
Vauxhall child restraint systems with 

transponders 3 are automatically 

detected if correctly fitted to the front 

passenger seat. When this type of child 

restraint system is in use on the front 

passenger seat, the front and side airbag 

systems for the front passenger seat are 

deactivated. The curtain airbag system 

remains activated. Pay attention to control 

indicator 

y 

for seat occupancy 

recognition 3 see page 100. 

Vauxhall child restraint systems with 

transponders 3 can be identified by a 

sticker. 
Note 

On the Astra TwinTop, there may be 

interference in radio reception of certain 

frequencies in the medium waveband 

when the roof is open and the front 

passenger seat is unoccupied. 

9

 Warning

Only Vauxhall child restraint systems with 

transponders 3 can be fitted on the front 

passenger seats. Use of systems without 

transponders poses a risk of fatal injury. 

100

Seats, interior

Control indicator 

y 

for Vauxhall child 

restraint systems with transponders 3 

The presence of a Vauxhall child restraint 

system with transponders 3 is indicated 

after the ignition has been switched on by 

continuous illumination of the control 

indicator 

y

 in the instrument panel, as 

soon as the seat occupancy recognition 

system has detected the child restraint 

system. 

If the control indicator does not come on 

while driving, the front and side airbags 3 

for the passenger are not deactivated and 

there is a risk of injury or death to the child. 

Fit child restraint systems on the rear seat. 

Have the cause of the fault eliminated by a 

workshop. 
If the child restraint system is not correctly 

installed or the transponder is faulty, the 

control indicator flashes. Check for correct 

installation of child restraint system. To 

install the child restraint system with 

transponders 3, see the instructions 

enclosed with the system. 

If the control indicator flashes when the 

child restraint system with transponders 3 

is correctly fitted, there is a fault with risk of 

injury to the child. Fit child restraint systems 

on the rear seat. Have the cause of the 

fault eliminated by a workshop. 
If no Vauxhall child restraint system with 

transponders 3 is fitted, the control 

indicator must not illuminate or flash as the 

passenger airbag systems would not 

deploy. Have the cause of the fault 

eliminated by a workshop. 

9

 Warning

If the Vauxhall child restraint system with 

transponders 3 has been fitted 

according to the instructions, the control 

indicator for Vauxhall restraint systems 

with transponders must illuminate in the 

instrument panel when the ignition is 

switched on. 
If the control indicator does not come on 

while driving, the airbag systems for the 

passenger are not deactivated and there 

is a risk of fatal injury. In this case, fit child 

restraint systems on the rear seat. Have 

the cause of the fault eliminated by a 

workshop. 

101

Seats, interior

Important 

z Do not affix or place accessories or other 

objects within the expansion range of 

airbag systems or extending anti-roll 

bars 3 is not permitted, since this could 

result in injuries if the components are 

actuated. 

z Do not place any objects between the 

airbag systems/anti-roll bar covers 3 

and the occupants. Risk of injury.

z Use the hooks in the roof frame only to 

hang up light articles of clothing or coat 

hangers. Do not place any objects in the 

pockets of the hanging items – risk of 

injury. 

z The control electronics of the airbag 

systems, belt tensioners and deployable 

anti-roll bars 3 are located in the centre 

console area. Do not store any magnetic 

objects in the area as they could cause 

malfunction. 

z Do not bond or use other material to 

cover the steering wheel, dashboard, 

front seat backrests and roof frame in 

the area of the airbags and the seat 

cushion of the passenger seat or the 

covers of the deployable anti-roll bars 3. 

z Use only a dry cloth or interior cleaner to 

clean the steering wheel, instrument 

panel, front seat backrests, roof frame 

and seat cushion of the front passenger 

seat. Do not use any aggressive cleaning 

agents.

z Only protective covers which are 

approved for your vehicle with side 

airbag 3 may be fitted on the front 

seats. When fitting the protective covers, 

make sure that the airbag units on the 

outboard sides of the front seat 

backrests are not covered.

z The airbag systems are triggered 

independently of each other based on 

the severity of the accident and the type 

of impact. The side airbag system 3 and 

the curtain airbag system 3 are 

triggered together. 

z Astra TwinTop: The deployable anti-roll 

bars 3 are deployed together with the 

front and side airbag systems 3 

depending on the severity of the impact. 

z Each airbag or deployable roll-over 

bar 3 deploys once only. Have a 

workshop replace deployed airbags 

immediately. 

z The speeds, directions of movement and 

deformation properties of the vehicles, 

and the properties of the obstacle 

concerned, determine the severity of the 

accident and triggering of the airbags. 

The degree of damage to your vehicle 

and the resulting repair costs alone are 

not indicative that the criteria for 

triggering of the airbags were met. 

z Do not make any modifications to 

components of the airbag systems or the 

anti-roll bars 3 as this would render the 

vehicle unroadworthy. 

z We recommend having the steering 

wheel, the instrument panel, all panelling 

parts, the door seals, the handles and 

the seats removed by a workshop. 

9

 Warning

Never carry child restraint systems or 

other objects on your lap – risk of fatal 

injury. 

9

 Warning

The systems can be triggered abruptly 

and cause injury if they are handled 

improperly.

102

Seats, interior

z When disposing of the vehicle, the safety 

instructions given for this must be 

observed. Take the vehicle to a recycling 

company for disposal. 

z Persons weighing less than 35 kg should 

only travel on the rear seats. This does 

not apply to children who are travelling 

in child restraint systems with 

transponders 3. 

z In vehicles with seat occupancy 

recognition 3, do not place any heavy 

objects on the front passenger seat 

otherwise the airbag systems for the 

front passenger seat may be triggered in 

the event of an accident. 

z In vehicles with seat occupancy 

recognition 3, to prevent malfunctions 

do not use protective covers or seat 

cushions on the front passenger seat. 

z In order to prevent malfunctions when 

using a Vauxhall child restraint system 

with transponders 3 on the front 

passenger seat, no objects (e.g. plastic 

sheet, stickers or heated mats) may be 

placed under the child restraint system. 

Use of child restraint systems 3 on the 

front passenger seat in vehicles with 

airbag systems, but without seat 

occupancy recognition 3

Versions with front passenger airbag can 

be identified by the word AIRBAG over the 

glove compartment and the warning 

sticker on the side of the instrument panel, 

visible when the passenger door is open - 

see Fig. 17118 A. 

9

 Warning

Child restraint systems as well as other 

objects must never be carried on the lap 

of passengers; risk of fatal injury. If 

carried in this way, child restraint systems 

with transponders 3 in vehicles with seat 

occupancy recognition 3 could lead to 

front passenger airbag systems not 

being triggered in the event of an 

accident. 

9

 Warning

No child restraint system 3 may be 

installed on front passenger seat. Danger 

to life.

103

Seats, interior

Version with side airbag system 3 is 

indicated by AIRBAG text on outer side of 

front seat backrests. 
Seat occupancy recognition 3, see 

page 99. 

Use of child restraint systems 3 on front 

passenger seat in vehicles with airbag 

systems and seat occupancy recognition 3

Vehicles with seat occupancy recognition 

are identified by a sticker on the lower 

panel of the front passenger seat, see 

Fig. 17116 T. 

9

 Warning

Only Vauxhall child restraint systems with 

transponders 3 can be fitted on the front 

passenger seats. Use of systems without 

transponders poses a risk of fatal injury.

104

Seats, interior

Vehicles with seat occupancy recognition 

can also be identified by control 

indicator

y 

in the instrument panel. 

If control indicator 

y

 illuminates for 

approx. 4 seconds when the ignition is 

switched on, the vehicle is equipped with 

seat occupancy recognition see page 99. 
The seat occupancy recognition system 

detects Vauxhall child restraint systems 

with transponders 3 and deactivates the 

front and side airbag systems 3 for the 

front passenger seat. The curtain airbag 

system 3 remains activated. For seat 

occupancy recognition see page 99. 

Vauxhall child restraint systems with 

transponders 3 are marked with a sticker 

or sew-on badge, see Fig. 17424 T.

Rollover protection system 

3

 

The Astra TwinTop is equipped with 

rollover protection with reinforced 

windscreen frame and anti-roll bars behind 

the rear seat head restraints. Depending 

on the variant, the anti-roll bars are either 

fixed or deploy automatically in the event 

of an impact of a certain severity. The 

subsequent description only regards the 

variant with automatically deployed 

anti-roll bars 3. 

105

Seats, interior

In the event of a rollover, the anti-roll bars 

deploy upwards in a matter of 

milliseconds. They also deploy together 

with the front and side airbag systems 3, 

helping to optimise occupant protection. 
The system deploys with the roof open or 

closed. If the anti-roll bars are extended 

the roof must not be operated, see 

instructions in the following columns. 

Control indicator v for extending anti-roll 

bars 

The deployable anti-roll bars are 

monitored electronically together with the 

belt tensioners and the airbag systems. 

Their operational readiness is indicated by 

control indicator v in the instrument panel. 

When the ignition is switched on, the 

control indicator illuminates for approx. 

4 seconds. If it does not illuminate, does 

not go out after 4 seconds or illuminates 

whilst driving, there is a fault in or 

deployment of the anti-roll bars, belt 

tensioners and airbag systems - see 

page 87. The systems may fail to trigger in 

the event of an accident. 
Actuation of the anti-roll bars is indicated 

by continuous illumination of v. 

Extended anti-roll bars 

can be retracted (e.g. in order to close the 

roof after a collision). 
Press the lever between the rods of an 

anti-roll bar to unlock the system. Push the 

anti-roll bar all the way down until it 

engaged. Fit the cover. 
Repeat the procedure on the other anti-roll 

bar. 
Control indicator v, however, will remain 

illuminated and the anti-roll bars will not 

deploy in the event of another collision. 

6

106

Seats, interior

Have the cause of the fault eliminated 

immediately by a workshop. 

Note

z Do not place any objects on the covers of 

the anti-roll bars behind the head 

restraints. They would be propelled 

through the vehicle in an uncontrolled 

fashion should the anti-roll bars deploy. 

Such objects could also prevent the 

anti-roll bars from extending. 

z Do not operate the roof while the anti-roll 

bars are extended. Parts of the roof 

could be damaged during such 

operation. 

z Deployment of the anti-roll bars is 

indicated by illumination of control 

indicator v. 

z If an attempt is made to operate the roof 

while the anti-roll bars are extended, a 

continuous signal will sound as a 

warning. 

9

 Warning

The roof cannot be closed or opened if 

the anti-roll bars are extended. The 

anti-roll bars must first be retracted. 
After deployment of the anti-roll bar, 

have the system repaired by a workshop 

immediately. 
Manually retracted anti-roll bars will not 

deploy in the event of a collision. 

107

Seats, interior

Cigarette lighter 

3

 

The cigarette lighter is in the front centre 

console, beneath the ashtray cover. 
The ashtray cover opens when pressed at 

the point indicated. 

Press in cigarette lighter. Switches off 

automatically once the element is glowing. 

Pull out lighter. 

Accessory socket 

3

 

Some vehicles have an accessory socket for 

the connection of electrical accessories 

instead of a cigarette lighter. Use of the 

accessory socket while the engine is not 

running will discharge the battery. 

6

108

Seats, interior

Estates have an additional accessory 

socket 3 in the luggage compartment. 
Do not damage the sockets by using 

unsuitable plugs. 
The maximum power consumption of 

electrical accessories must not exceed 

120 watts. 
Do not connect any current-delivering 

accessories, e.g. electrical charging 

devices or batteries. 

Electrical accessories connected to 

the socket must comply with the 

electromagnetic compatibility 

requirements laid down in DIN VDE 40 839, 

otherwise vehicle malfunctions may occur. 
If the tyre repair set is 3 is in operation, no 

consumers may be connected to the 

auxiliary socket. 

Ashtray 

3

 

To be used only for ash and not for 

combustible rubbish.

Front ashtray

The ashtray is in the front centre console 

beneath a cover. 
The cover opens when pressed at the point 

indicated. 

9

 Warning

Failure to observe these descriptions can 

lead to injuries which may be fatal. 

Vehicle passengers should be informed 

accordingly. 

109

Seats, interior

To empty, grip both sides of the ashtray 

insert at the spots illustrated and pull 

upwards. 

Rear ashtray 3 

The ashtray is in the rear centre console. 
Pull out the ashtray by pushing on one of 

the sides. 

To empty, open the ashtray, press the 

spring (arrow) and pull the ashtray straight 

out rearwards. 

110

Seats, interior

Foldaway tables 

3

 

on the front seat backrests. 
Open by pulling upward until it engages. 
Fold away by pressing down past the 

resistance point. 
Do not place any heavy objects on the 

table. 

Stowage compartments 

Glove compartment 

To open, pull handle upwards. 
The glove compartment shelf 3 can be 

removed: Disengage the shelf by pulling on 

the front edge. 
Refit the shelf by sliding it into the side 

guide strips and engage it in the rear panel 

by pushing. 
The front of the open cover houses a pen 

holder and a coin compartment. 
The glove compartment should be closed 

while driving. 
Cooled glove compartment 3, see 

page 156. 

Stowage compartment in front armrest 3 

To open, press button and open upper part 

of armrest. 

111

Seats, interior

Stowage compartment for glasses 3 

On driver’s side: fold down to open.
Do not store heavy objects in the stowage 

compartment. 
Cargo box 3 

See page 81. 

Sun visors

Use the sun visor to protect from glare by 

pulling it down and swivelling it to the 

side 3. 
The covers of the mirrors in the sun visors 

should be closed while driving. 
On vehicles with panoramic windscreen 3, 

close the sun visors before moving the roof 

lining. 

112

Instruments, controls

Instruments,

controls

Control indicators ................................  112 
Instrument display...............................  119 
Information display .............................  122 
Warning buzzers..................................  140 
Windscreen wiper ................................  141 

Control indicators 

The control indicators described here are 

not present in all vehicles. The description 

applies to all instrument versions. 
The control indicator colours mean: 

0

 

Open&Start system 3 

Control indicator illuminates or flashes 

yellow. 
If it flashes 

System has not detected electronic key in 

vehicle interior. The reasons for this 

may be: 

If the battery in the electronic key needs 

changing, InSP3 appears in the service 

display or, in vehicles with check control 3, 

by an appropriate message in the 

information display - see pages 39, 120. 

z Red

Danger, important reminder

z Yellow

Warning, note, fault

z Green

On confirmation

z Blue

On confirmation

– The electronic key is in the wrong 

location in the vehicle interior 

(do not put key in luggage 

compartment or in front of 

information display), or the 

electronic key is not in the vehicle 

interior, or influence from an 

external interference source (radio 

masts, interfering transmitters in the 

vicinity). 

or

– Electronic key failure, for emergency 

operation, see page 37. 

113

Instruments, controls

Illuminates 

Fault in Open&Start system. 
Lock or unlock vehicle using remote 

control or emergency key if necessary, see 

page 43, or attempt to use the spare key. 
Emergency operation, see page 44. 
If 

0

 illuminates, this can also mean that 

the steering column lock is still locked: 

move steering wheel to and fro a little and 

press Start/Stop button again. 
If 

0

 illuminates whilst driving a system 

error has occurred that may eventually 

lead to a complete failure. 
If 

0

 illuminates or flashes: The Start/Stop 

button must be held depressed somewhat 

longer to switch off the ignition. It is 

possible that the vehicle will not start 

during the next start attempt. 
If these flash continuously or if 

0 

illuminates, contact a workshop 

immediately. 

I

 

Engine oil pressure 

Control indicator illuminates red. 
It illuminates when the ignition is switched 

on and goes out shortly after the engine 

starts. 
Illuminates when the engine is running

Engine lubrication may be interrupted. This 

may result in damage to the engine and/or 

locking of the drive wheels: 
1. Move out of the flow of traffic as quickly 

as possible without impeding other 

vehicles. 

2. Depress clutch. 
3. Shift manual transmission or 

Easytronic 3 into neutral; for automatic 

transmission 3, set selector lever to N. 

4. Switch off ignition. 

Contact a workshop for assistance. 

9

 Warning

When the engine is off, considerably 

more force is needed to brake and steer. 
Do not remove key until vehicle has come 

to a standstill, otherwise the steering 

column lock could engage unexpectedly.