Vauxhall Astra TwinTop (2007 year). Manual - part 11

162

Climate control

The air recirculation system minimises the 

entry of outside air. The humidity 

increases, and the windows can mist up. 

The quality of the passenger compartment 

air deteriorates which may cause the 

vehicle occupants to feel drowsy. 
Air distribution to 

l

: the air recirculation 

system is automatically switched off to 

speed up window demisting and prevent 

fogging. 

Comfort setting 

z Set cooling n as desired. 
z Air recirculation system 4 off. 
z Set air distribution switch to M or L. 
z Set temperature switch as desired. 
z Switch on fan at desired speed. 
z Open or adjust air vents as required. 
Temperature switch in centre of 

adjustment range: warmer air will flow into 

the footwell and cooler air into the upper 

zone, with warmer air coming from the side 

air vents and cooler air from the centre 

vents. 

Maximum cooling 

Open windows and sunroof 3 briefly so 

that warm air can escape rapidly. 
z Cooling n on. 
z Air recirculation system 4 on. 
z Set air distribution switch to M. 
z Turn the temperature switch 

anti-clockwise as far as it will go (cold). 

z Set fan switch to 4. 
z Open all air vents. 

163

Climate control

Window demisting and de-icing 

Misted or icy windows, e.g. due to damp 

weather, damp clothing or low outside 

temperatures: 

z Cooling n on, the AC compressor 

switches off automatically at low exterior 

temperatures (icing). 

z Move air distribution switch to 

l

. 

z Turn the temperature switch clockwise. 
z Set fan switch to 4. 
z Open side air vents as required and 

direct them towards door windows. 

z Switch on heated rear window Ü. 

Automatic air conditioning 

system 

3

 

Provides a uniformly comfortable interior 

regardless of the weather, outside 

temperature or season. 
To ensure a constant and comfortable 

climate in the vehicle, the temperature of 

the inflowing air and the air-flow rate are 

changed automatically based on climate 

conditions outside the vehicle. 
Temperature changes due to external 

influences, such as direct sunlight, are 

automatically compensated. 

9

 Warning

Failure to follow the instructions could 

lead to misted or icy windows and 

accidents stemming from impaired 

visibility. 

164

Climate control

Automatic mode 

Basic setting for maximum comfort: 
z Set fan switch to A 
z Set air distribution switch to desired 

position - see next column 

z Use rotary switch to set temperature 

to 22 °C (a higher or lower temperature 

can be set as desired) 

z Air conditioning compressor activation, 

see page 165 

z open all air vents. 
Deactivation of the air conditioning 

compressor can reduce the level of comfort 

and safety - see page 165.

Air distribution 

Adjust with left rotary switch. 

Intermediate settings are possible. 
Open the air vents when the switch is set 

to L or M. 

Temperature preset 

Adjust with centre rotary switch. 
Set the rotary switch to a value between 

17 °C and 27 °C. Intermediate settings are 

possible. 
The selected temperature is maintained. 
For reasons of comfort, temperature can 

only be changed in small increments. 
There is no temperature control for settings 

below 17 °C (all the way left) or above 

27 °C (all the way right). The air 

conditioning system works at maximum 

cooling or heating. 

L

To head area via adjustable vents, 

to footwell

M

To head area via adjustable vents

l

To windscreen and front door 

windows

J

To windscreen and front door 

windows, to footwell

K

To footwell

165

Climate control

Air flow 

Adjust with right rotary switch. 

Fan speed is regulated to provide the rate 

of air flow necessary to maintain the pre-

selected temperature. 
Select automatic mode for the highest level 

of comfort. 
When the fan is off, the air conditioning 

compressor is also off. 

To activate/deactivate air conditioning 

compressor (cooling) n 

Operate only with the engine on and the 

fan running: 

Control indicator in the button. 
When cooling (AC compressor) is active, air 

is cooled and dehumidified. If cooling or 

dehumidification is not desired, switch off 

cooling in order to save fuel. 
Cooling switches off automatically at low 

outside temperatures. 

Manual air recirculation mode 

The air recirculation system prevents the 

entry of outside air and the air in the 

passenger compartment is circulated.
Press button 4, control indicator in 

button. 
The exchange of fresh air is reduced in air 

recirculation mode. The quality of the 

passenger compartment air deteriorates 

which may cause the vehicle occupants to 

feel drowsy. In operation without cooling 

the air humidity increases, so the windows 

may mist up. Consequently, manual air 

recirculation should only be run for short 

periods of time. 
To deactivate manual air recirculation: 

Press button 4 again. The control 

indicator in the button will go out. 

1 - 4

Manual fan speed setting, 

intermediate settings are possible

A

Automatic fan speed setting 

x

Fan switched off

On

=

Press n

Off

=

Press n again

166

Climate control

Ventilation 

z For maximum ventilation in head area: 

set air distribution switch to M and open 

all vents. 

z For ventilation to footwell: Set air 

distribution switch to K. 

z For simultaneous ventilation to the head 

area and the footwell: set air distribution 

switch to L. 

z Set desired temperature. 
z Set fan switch to A. The fan can also be 

manually set: Set the rotary switch to 

position 1 - 4. Intermediate settings are 

also possible.

Heating 

The amount of heat is dependent on the 

coolant temperature and is thus not fully 

attained until the engine is warm. 
For rapid warming of the passenger 

compartment: 

z Set the air distribution switch to the 

desired position, see page 158. 

z Set the centre rotary switch to the 

desired temperature. We recommend a 

value of about 22 °C. 

z Set fan switch to A. The fan can also be 

manually set: Set the rotary switch to 

position 1 - 4. Intermediate settings are 

also possible. 

Vehicles with Quickheat 3: depending on 

the outside temperature and the engine 

temperature the passenger compartment 

is heated up more quickly using an 

auxiliary electric heater. 
The auxiliary electric heater switches itself 

on automatically. 
The comfort and general well-being of the 

vehicle occupants are to a large extent 

dependent on a suitable ventilation and 

heating setting. 
To obtain a stratification of temperature in 

the vehicle with the pleasant effect "cool 

head and warm feet", set the air 

distribution switch to K or J, set the 

temperature switch to about 22 °C and 

open the centre air vents. 

167

Climate control

Maximum cooling for very hot interior 

Open windows and sunroof 3 briefly so 

that warm air can escape rapidly. 
z Cooling n on. 
z Set air distribution switch to M. 
z Set the temperature switch to the desired 

temperature. 

z Set fan switch to A. 
z Open all air vents. 
The automatic climate control system 

provides maximum cooling down to the set 

value. 
At settings below 17 °C (rotary switch all 

the way to the left), the system continually 

runs with maximum cooling. When the air 

conditioning compressor is running, air 

recirculation is switched on automatically. 

Window demisting and de-icing 

Misted or icy windows, e. g. due to damp 

weather, damp clothing or low outside 

temperatures: 
z Cooling n on. 
z Press button V: In switch position A, the 

fan automatically switches to the highest 

speed and air is directed to the 

windscreen. 

z Set temperature to maximum heating, 

i.e. turn the centre rotary switch all the 

way to the right (28 °C). 

z Switch on heated rear window Ü. 
Operation with cooling (air conditioning 

compressor) is not possible when outside 

temperatures are low.
To switch off, press button V again; the 

automatic air conditioning system will 

operate at the settings selected previously. 

9

 Warning

Failure to follow the instructions could 

lead to misted or icy windows and 

accidents stemming from impaired 

visibility. 

168

Climate control

Electronic climate control 

system

3

 

Provides a the greatest amount of comfort 

in the interior regardless of the weather, 

outside temperature or season. 
To ensure a constant and comfortable 

climate in the vehicle, the temperature of 

the inflowing air, the air-flow rate and the 

air distribution are changed automatically 

according to climatic conditions outside 

the vehicle. 
Temperature changes due to external 

influences, such as direct sunlight, are 

automatically compensated. 
Data is shown on the information display. 

Setting modifications are briefly shown in 

the information display, superimposing 

over the currently displayed menu.
The display can vary according to the type 

of presentation, see page 122. 
The settings in the climate control system 

are stored in the vehicle key when the 

vehicle is locked, see "Store personal 

settings in vehicle key", see page 32. 

Different settings are stored for each 

remote control. Use of a remote control will 

activate the settings associated with it. 
Manual settings e.g. operating without 

cooling and air distribution can be selected 

using the menu, see page 170. 
When cooling (air conditioning 

compressor) is active, air is cooled and 

dehumidified. 
The pollen filter removes dust, soot, pollen 

and spores from the inflowing outside air. 

The automatic air recirculation system 3 

has an air quality sensor to detect harmful 

ambient gases, in which case it will switch 

automatically to recirculation.
When set to automatic mode, the climate 

control system provides the optimal 

settings for almost all conditions. If 

necessary, climate control system settings 

can be modified manually. 
The climate control system is only 

operational when the engine is running. 
Cooling (air conditioning compressor) 

switches off automatically at low outside 

temperatures. 

FM

AS

[TP]

REG

CDin

MP3

���

90.6 

MHz

169

Climate control

Automatic mode 

Basic setting for maximum comfort: 
z Press AUTO button. 
z Open all air vents.
z Air conditioning compressor activation, 

see page 171. 

z Preset temperature to 22 °C using left 

rotary switch. 

The temperature can be set higher or lower 

as desired. 

Switching off the AC compressor 

(Eco appears in display) can reduce 

comfort and affect safety, see page 171.
All air vents are actuated automatically in 

automatic mode. The air vents should 

therefore always be open, see page 156. 

Automatic air recirculation mode 3 

The ventilation system is set to recirculation 

mode and interior air is recirculated. 
The automatic air recirculation system has 

an air quality sensor to detect harmful 

gases in the outside air, in which case it will 

switch automatically to recirculation.
If outside temperatures are low and 

cooling (air conditioning compressor) is 

switched off, automatic air recirculation is 

only available in a limited capacity so as to 

prevent the windows from misting. Activate 

recirculation manually if so desired. 
Switching automatic recirculation on or off, 

see page 173.
Manual recirculation mode, see page 173. 

170

Climate control

Temperature preset 

The left rotary switch can be used to set 

temperatures between 16 °C and 28 °C. 
For reasons of comfort, temperature can 

only be changed in small increments. 
Vehicles with Quickheat 3: depending on 

the outside temperature and the engine 

temperature the passenger compartment 

is heated up more quickly using an 

auxiliary electric heater. 
The auxiliary electric heater switches itself 

on automatically. 
If a temperature below 16 °C is set, 

Lo appears in the display: the climate 

control system runs constantly at 

maximum cooling power. The temperature 

is not regulated. 
If a temperature above 28 °C is set, 

Hi appears in the display: the climate 

control system runs constantly at 

maximum heating power. The temperature 

is not regulated. 
The temperature settings are saved when 

the ignition is switched off. 

Manual settings 

Under certain circumstances (e.g. iced or 

misted windows), the functions of the 

climate control system can be modified 

manually.
Climate control system settings can be 

changed via the centre switch, the buttons 

and the menus depicted on the display. 
Press the centre switch to call up the menu. 

The menu for manual climate control 

system settings appears in the display. 

Individual menu items are marked by 

turning the centre switch and selected by 

pressing it. Selecting certain menus by 

pressing the rotary switch will open a 

submenu 3. 
To exit a menu, turn the centre switch left 

or right to Return or Main and select. 
Manual settings are saved when the 

ignition is switched off. 

Climate

Air distribut.

AC

Autom. blower

Auto. recirc

Air distribut.

171

Climate control

Window demisting and de-icing 

Misted or icy windows, e.g. due to damp 

weather, damp clothing or low outside 

temperatures: 
Press V button, V appears in display: 

control indicator in button illuminates. 
The temperature and the air distribution 

are adjusted automatically, the fan runs at 

a faster speed and the windows are rapidly 

cleared of ice and moisture. 

The air flow can be increased or decreased 

by turning the right switch. 
To return to automatic mode: press 

button V or AUTO. 
Heated rear window, see page 157. 

Activating and deactivating air 

conditioning compressor 

If no cooling or dehumidification is 

required, switch the air conditioning 

compressor off (maximum energy savings): 

Mark menu item AC from the manual 

settings menu and select by pressing. 

Eco appears on the display. 
Inflowing air is neither cooled nor 

dehumidified. This restricts the level of 

comfort provided by the electronic climate 

control system. This may cause the 

windows to mist up, for example. 
To activate cooling: Select menu item AC 

from the manual settings menu and press 

to activate cooling. 

9

 Warning

Failure to follow the instructions could 

lead to misted or icy windows and 

accidents stemming from impaired 

visibility. 

FM

AS

[TP]

REG

CDin

MP3

���

90.6 

MHz

Climate

Air distribut.

AC

Air conditioning

Autom. blower

on / off

…

Auto. recirc

172

Climate control

Air distribution 

Press the centre switch. The possible air 

distribution settings appear one after 

another in the display. 
Air distribution can also be set in the Air 

distribut. menu:

Return to automatic air distribution: 

Deactivate corresponding setting or press 

button AUTO. 

Air flow 

Turn right switch right or left. The selected 

fan speed in indicated with x and the 

number in the display. 
At speed 0 both the fan and cooling (air 

conditioning compressor) are switched off.
To return to automatic mode: Press AUTO 

button. 

Fan control in automatic mode 3 

Fan regulation in automatic mode can be 

modified.
Select menu item Automatic blower from 

the manual settings menu and select the 

desired fan control.
Depending on the setting, the maximum 

air flow, and thereby the noise level, will 

increase. 

Up

Air distribution to windscreen and 

front door windows.

Centre Air distribution to vehicle 

occupants via front adjustable 

vents.

Down

Air distribution to footwell.

Air distribut.

FM

AS

[TP]

REG

CDin

MP3

���

90.6 

MHz

Automatic blower

Strong

Normal

Weak

173

Climate control

Switching automatic recirculation 3 on 

or off

The automatic air recirculation system has 

an air quality sensor to detect harmful 

gases in the outside air, in which case it will 

switch automatically to recirculation.
Select menu item Auto. recirc from the 

manual settings menu and switch it on or 

off by pressing. 
Switch to manual air recirculation as 

necessary. 

Manual air recirculation mode 

The air recirculation system prevents the 

entry of outside air and the air in the 

passenger compartment is circulated.
Press button 4, the control indicator in 

the button will illuminate. 
The exchange of fresh air is reduced in air 

recirculation mode. The quality of the 

passenger compartment air deteriorates 

which may cause the vehicle occupants to 

feel drowsy. In operation without cooling 

the air humidity increases, so the windows 

may mist up. Consequently, manual air 

recirculation should only be run for short 

periods of time. 
To deactivate manual air recirculation: 

Press button 4 again. The control 

indicator in the button will go out. 

Air conditioning with the engine not 

running

When the vehicle is stopped and the 

ignition off, the heat or cooling power still 

in the system can be used to condition the 

passenger compartment, for example 

when stopped at a level crossing. 
Press button AUTO with the ignition off. 

Residual air conditioning on will appear 

briefly in the display. 
The air conditioning will operate for a 

limited period of time. 
To cancel air conditioning, press the AUTO 

button. 

Climate

Air distribut.

AC

Autom. blower

Auto. recirc

Automatic

recirculation

air control at

bad outside air

Residual air conditioning on

174

Climate control

Air intake 

The air intakes in front of the windscreen in 

the engine compartment must be kept 

clear to allow air intake. Remove any 

leaves, dirt or snow. 

Pollen filter 

The pollen filter cleans dust, soot, pollen 

and spores from the air entering from 

outside. The active carbon layer 3 

eliminates most odours and harmful 

ambient gases from the air. 
Have pollen filter replaced by a workshop 

in accordance with the intervals specified 

in the Service Booklet. 

Note 

If the windscreen mists up during damp 

weather, set the system as described under 

"Demisting and defrosting the windows" 

for a short time, see pages 160, 163, 171. 
Cooling 3 operates most effectively with 

the window and the sunroof 3 closed. If the 

interior has become extremely hot after a 

long period of exposure to the sun, open 

window and sunroof 3 for a short time so 

that the hot air can escape. 
When cooling 3 (air conditioning 

compressor) is switched on condensation 

forms, which is expelled from the underside 

of the vehicle. 

175

Climate control

At least one air vent must be open while 

cooling 3 (air conditioning compressor) is 

on in order to prevent the evaporator from 

icing up due to lack of air movement. 
Cooling switches off automatically at low 

outside temperatures. 
Do not cover the sensor on the instrument 

panel as this could cause the climate 

control 3 system to malfunction. 

Maintenance 

In order to ensure continuously efficient 

performance, the air conditioning 

compressor 3 must be operated for a few 

minutes once a month, irrespective of the 

weather and time of year. The climate 

control system, if present, handles this 

automatically while driving. Air 

conditioning compressor operation is not 

possible when outside temperatures are 

low.
In the event of a fault, contact a workshop 

for assistance. 

176

Driving and operation

Driving and operation

Easytronic 

3

 

The semi-automatic Easytronic 

transmission permits manual (manual 

mode) or automatic gear shifting 

(automatic mode), both with automatic 

clutch control. 

Transmission display

Shows the mode and current gear. 
The display flashes for a few seconds when 

A, M or R is selected with the engine 

running and the footbrake not activated. 

Easytronic 3 ......................................... 176 
Automatic transmission 3 .................. 184 
Automatic transmission with 

ActiveSelect 3 ................................... 190 

Driving hints .........................................  198 
Saving fuel, protecting the 

environment ...................................... 200 

Fuels, refuelling....................................  202 
Catalytic converter, exhaust gases....  204 
Drive Control Systems .........................  209 
Brake system........................................  222 
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS u)........ 224 
Wheels, tyres ........................................  225 
Roof racks 3......................................... 232 
Towing equipment 3........................... 233 
Caravan/trailer towing ........................  237 

9

 Warning

Disregard of these instructions may lead 

to injuries or endanger life. 

177

Driving and operation

Starting the engine

Operate footbrake when starting the 

engine. The engine can only be started 

with the footbrake operated. "N" appears 

in the transmission display. If the footbrake 

is not operated the control indicator

j 

3 

illuminates in the instrument panel, and 

"N" flashes in the transmission display - the 

engine cannot be started. 
Also the vehicle cannot be started if all 

brake lights have failed. 

There is no need to select neutral before 

starting the engine. If a gear is engaged, 

the transmission automatically switches to 

neutral (N) before the engine starts when 

the footbrake is operated. This can lead to 

a slight delay in the starting process. 

Easytronic operation via the selector lever

Always move the selector lever in the 

appropriate direction as far as it will go. 

Upon release, it automatically returns to 

the centre position. Pay heed to the 

gear/mode indicator in the transmission 

display. 
Move selector lever toward N

Neutral.