Vauxhall GTC (2012 year). Manual

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120

Driving and operating

Pedals

Driving and operating

Driving hints

To ensure the pedal travel is

uninhibited, there must be no mats in

Control of the vehicle

the area of the pedals.

Driving hints

120

Never coast with engine not

Starting and operating

121

running (except during

Engine exhaust

125

Autostop)

Automatic transmission

127

Many systems will not function in this

situation (e.g. brake servo unit, power

Manual transmission

130

steering). Driving in this manner is

Brakes

131

a danger to yourself and others. All

Ride control systems

134

systems function during an Autostop,

Driver assistance systems

138

but there will be a controlled reduction

in power steering assist and vehicle

Fuel

147

speed is reduced.

Towing

150

Stop-start system 3 123.

Idle boost

If charging of the battery is required

due to battery condition, the power

output of the generator has to 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.

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Driving and operating

121

■ Power windows

Starting and operating

Ignition switch positions

■ Power outlets

New vehicle running-in

Power to the Infotainment system will

Do not brake unnecessarily hard for

continue to operate for 30 minutes or

the first few journeys.

until the key is removed from the

ignition switch, regardless of whether

During the first drive, smoke may

any door will be opened.

occur because of wax and oil

evaporating off the exhaust system.

Park the vehicle in the open for

Starting the engine

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

Ignition off

the diesel particle filter may take

Steering wheel lock released,

place more often. Autostop may be

ignition off

inhibited to allow for charging the

Ignition on, for diesel engine:

battery.

preheating

Diesel particle filter 3 125.

Starting

Retained power off

The following electronic systems can

Manual transmission: operate clutch.

work until the driver's door is opened

Automatic transmission: operate

or at the latest for 10 minutes after the

brake and move the selector lever to

ignition is switched off:

P or N.

Do not operate the accelerator pedal.

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122

Driving and operating

Diesel engine: turn the key to position

Starting the vehicle at low

Possible reasons for a non-starting

2 for preheating until control

engine:

temperatures

indicator ! extinguishes.

The start of the engine without

■ Clutch pedal not operated (manual

Turn the key briefly to position 3 and

additional heaters is possible down to

transmission)

release: an automatic procedure

-25 °С for diesel engines and -30 °C

■ Brake pedal not operated or

operates the starter with a short delay

for petrol engines. Required is an

selector lever not in P or N

as long as the engine is running, see

engine oil with the correct viscosity,

(automatic transmission)

Automatic Starter Control.

the correct fuel, performed services

■ Timeout occurred

Before restarting or to switch off the

and a sufficiently charged battery.

engine, turn the key back to position

With temperatures below -30 °C the

Turbo engine warm-up

automatic transmission need

Upon start-up, engine available

a warming phase of approx.

During an Autostop, the engine can

torque may be limited for a short time,

5 minutes. The selector lever must be

be started by depressing the clutch

especially when the engine

in position P.

pedal.

temperature is cold. The limitation is

to allow the lubrication system to fully

Automatic Starter Control

protect the engine.

This function controls the engine

starting procedure. The driver does

not have to hold the key in position

Overrun cut-off

3. Once applied, the system will go on

The fuel supply is automatically cut off

starting automatically until the engine

during overrun, i.e. when the vehicle

is running. Because of the checking

is driven with a gear engaged but

procedure, the engine starts running

accelerator is released.

after a short delay.

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Driving and operating

123

Stop-start system

Deactivation

The 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 battery sensor ensures

that an Autostop is only performed if

the battery is sufficiently charged for

a restart.

An Autostop is indicated by the

needle at the AUTOSTOP position in

Activation

Deactivate the stop-start system

the tachometer.

manually by pressing the eco button.

The stop-start system is available as

During an Autostop, the heating and

The deactivation is indicated when

soon as the engine is started, the

brake performance will be

the LED in the button extinguishes.

vehicle starts-off and the conditions

maintained.

as stated below in this section are

Autostop

fulfilled.

Caution

If the vehicle is at a low speed or at

a standstill, activate an Autostop as

The steering assist can be

follows:

reduced during an Autostop.

■ Depress the clutch pedal

■ set the lever in neutral

■ release the clutch pedal

The engine will be switched off while

the ignition stays on.

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124

Driving and operating

Conditions for an Autostop

■ the self-cleaning function of the

Restart of the engine by the

The stop-start system checks if each

diesel particle filter is not active

driver

of the following conditions is fulfilled.

■ the vehicle has moved since the

Depress the clutch pedal to restart the

Otherwise an Autostop will be

last Autostop

engine.

inhibited.

Ambient temperature near to the

The engine start is indicated by the

■ The stop-start system is not

freezing point can inhibit an Autostop.

needle at the idle speed position in

manually deactivated

Certain settings of the climate control

the tachometer.

■ the bonnet is fully closed

system may inhibit an Autostop. See

If the selector lever is shifted out of

■ the driver's door is closed or the

Climate control chapter for more

neutral before depressing the clutch

driver's seat belt is fastened

details.

first, control indicator - illuminates

■ the battery is sufficiently charged

Immediately after motorway driving

or is shown as a symbol in the Driver

and in good condition

an Autostop may be inhibited.

Information Centre.

■ the engine is warmed up

New vehicle running-in 3 121.

Control indicator - 3 76.

■ the engine coolant temperature is

Battery discharge protection

Restart of the engine by the

not too high

To ensure reliable engine restarts,

stop-start system

■ the engine exhaust temperature is

several battery discharge protection

The selector lever has to be in neutral

not too high, e.g. after driving with

features are implemented as part of

to enable an automatic restart.

high engine load

the stop-start system.

If one of the following conditions

■ the ambient temperature is not too

occurs during an Autostop, the

Power saving measures

low

engine will be restarted automatically

During an Autostop, several electrical

■ the climate control system does not

by the stop-start system.

features such as auxiliary electric

inhibit an Autostop

heater or rear window heating are

■ The stop-start system is manually

■ the brake vacuum is sufficient

disabled or switched into a power

deactivated

saving mode. The fan speed of the

■ the bonnet is opened

climate control system is reduced to

save power.

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Driving and operating

125

■ the driver's seat belt is unfastened

firmly as possible on downhill or

Engine exhaust

and the driver's door is opened

uphill slopes. Depress the foot

brake at the same time to reduce

■ the engine temperature is too low

operating force.

9 Danger

■ the battery is discharged

■ Switch off the engine and ignition.

■ the brake vacuum is not sufficient

Turn the steering wheel until the

Engine exhaust gases contain

■ the vehicle starts to move

steering wheel lock engages.

poisonous carbon monoxide,

which is colourless and odourless

■ the climate control system requests

■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or

and could be fatal if inhaled.

an engine start

uphill slope, engage first gear or set

the selector lever to P before

If exhaust gases enter the interior

■ the air conditioning is manually

switching off the ignition. On an

of the vehicle, open the windows.

switched on

uphill slope, turn the front wheels

Have the cause of the fault

If the bonnet is not fully closed,

away from the kerb.

rectified by a workshop.

a warning message is displayed in the

If the vehicle is on a downhill slope,

Avoid driving with an open load

Driver Information Centre.

engage reverse gear or set the

compartment, otherwise exhaust

If an electrical accessory, e.g.

selector lever to P before switching

gases could enter the vehicle.

a portable CD player, is connected to

off the ignition. Turn the front

the power outlet, a brief power drop

wheels towards the kerb.

during restart might be noticeable.

Diesel particle filter

■ Lock the vehicle and activate the

The diesel particle filter system filters

anti-theft alarm system.

harmful soot particles out of the

Parking

Note

exhaust gases. The system includes

■ Do not park the vehicle on an easily

In the event of an accident with

a self-cleaning function that runs

ignitable surface. The high

airbag deployment, the engine is

automatically during driving without

temperature of the exhaust system

turned off automatically if the vehicle

any notification. The filter is cleaned

could ignite the surface.

comes to a standstill within a certain

by periodically burning off the soot

■ Always apply parking brake. Apply

time.

particles at high temperature. This

manual parking brake without

process takes place automatically

pressing release button. Apply as

under set driving conditions and may

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126

Driving and operating

take up to 25 minutes. Typically it

full continue driving or warning

Cleaning takes place quickest at high

needs between 7 and 12 minutes.

code 55 appears in the Driver

engine speeds and loads.

Autostop is not available and fuel

Information Centre.

The control indicator % extinguishes

consumption may be higher during

% illuminates when diesel particle

as soon as the self-cleaning

this period. The emission of smells

filter is full. Start cleaning process as

operation is complete.

and smoke during this process is

soon as possible.

normal.

% flashes when diesel particle filter

Catalytic converter

has reached the maximum filling

The catalytic converter reduces the

level. Start cleaning process

amount of harmful substances in the

immediately to avoid damage to the

exhaust gases.

engine.

Caution

Cleaning process

To activate cleaning process,

Fuel grades other than those listed

continue driving, keep engine speed

on pages 3 147, 3 205 could

above 2000 revolutions per minute.

damage the catalytic converter or

Shift down if necessary. Diesel

electronic components.

particle filter cleaning is then started.

Unburnt petrol will overheat and

illuminates additionally,

damage the catalytic converter.

Under certain driving conditions, e.g.

cleaning is not possible, seek the

Therefore avoid excessive use of

short distances, the system cannot

assistance of a workshop.

the starter, running the fuel tank

clean itself automatically.

dry and starting the engine by

If the cleaning of the filter is required

Caution

pushing or towing.

and if previous driving conditions did

If the cleaning process is

not enable automatic cleaning, it will

In the event of misfiring, uneven

interrupted, there is a risk of

be indicated by control indicator %.

engine running, a reduction in engine

provoking severe engine damage.

Simultaneously Diesel partic. filter is

performance or other unusual

problems, have the cause of the fault

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Driving and operating

127

rectified by a workshop as soon as

Automatic transmission

Selector lever

possible. In an emergency, driving

can be continued for a short period,

The automatic transmission permits

keeping vehicle speed and engine

automatic gearshifting (automatic

speed low.

mode) or manual gearshifting

(manual mode).

Transmission display

P = park position, wheels are

locked, engage only when the

vehicle is stationary and the

parking brake is applied

R = reverse gear, engage only

when the vehicle is stationary

N = neutral

D = automatic mode with all gears

The mode or selected gear is shown

in the transmission display.

The selector lever is locked in P and

can only be moved when the ignition

is on and the brake pedal is applied.

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128

Driving and operating

Do not accelerate while engaging

Manual mode

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.

Without brake pedal applied, the

Rocking the vehicle

control indicator j illuminates.

Rocking the vehicle is only

Move selector lever out of position D

If the selector lever is not in P when

permissible if the vehicle is stuck in

towards the left and then forwards or

the ignition is switched off, the control

sand, mud or snow. Move the selector

backwards.

indicators j and P flash.

lever between D and R in a repeat

< = Shift to a higher gear.

To engage P or R, press the release

pattern. Do not race the engine and

button.

avoid sudden acceleration.

] = Shift to a lower gear.

The engine can only be started with

Parking

If a higher gear is selected when

the lever in position P or N. When

vehicle speed is too low, or a lower

position N is selected, press the brake

Apply the parking brake and engage

gear when vehicle speed is too high,

pedal or apply the parking brake

the shift is not executed. This can

before starting.

The ignition key can only be removed

cause a message in the

when the selector lever is in position

Driver-Info-Display.

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Driving and operating

129

In manual mode no automatic shifting

Kickdown

Interruption of power

to a higher gear takes place at high

If the accelerator pedal is pressed

supply

engine revolutions.

down completely in automatic mode,

the transmission shifts to a lower gear

In the event of an interruption of

depending on engine speed.

power supply, the selector lever

Electronic driving

cannot be moved out of the P

programmes

position. The ignition key cannot be

Fault

■ Following a cold start, the operating

removed from the ignition switch.

temperature programme increases

In the event of a fault,

illuminates.

If the battery is discharged, start the

engine speed to quickly bring the

Additionally a code number or

vehicle using jump leads 3 190.

catalytic converter to the required

a vehicle message is displayed in the

If the battery is not the cause of the

temperature.

Driver Information Centre. Vehicle

fault, release the selector lever.

messages 3 86.

■ The automatic neutral shift function

1. Apply the parking brake.

automatically shifts to idling when

The transmission no longer shifts

the vehicle is stopped with

automatically. Continued travel is

a forward gear engaged and the

possible with manual shifting.

brake pedal is pressed.

Only the highest gear is available.

■ When SPORT mode is engaged,

Depending on the fault, 2nd gear may

the vehicle shifts at higher engine

also be available in manual mode.

speeds (unless cruise control is

Shift only when vehicle is at

on). SPORT mode 3 135.

a standstill.

■ Special programmes automatically

Have the cause of the fault remedied

adapt the shifting points when

by a workshop.

driving up inclines or down hills.

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130

Driving and operating

2. Release the selector lever trim

Manual transmission

Caution

from the centre console at the

front, fold it upwards and rotate it

It is not advisable to drive with the

to the left.

hand resting on the selector lever.

To engage reverse, with the vehicle

stationary wait 3 seconds after

3. Insert a screwdriver into the

depressing the clutch pedal and then

opening as far as it will go and

press the release button on the

move the selector lever out of P or

selector lever and engage the gear.

N. If P or N is engaged again, the

If the gear does not engage, set the

selector lever will be locked in

lever to neutral, release the clutch

position again. Have the cause of

pedal and depress again; then repeat

the power supply interruption

gear selection.

remedied by a workshop.

Do not grind the clutch unnecessarily.

4. Mount the selector lever trim onto

the centre console and refit.

When operating, depress the clutch

pedal completely. Do not use the

pedal as a foot rest.

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Driving and operating

131

ABS starts to regulate brake pressure

Fault

Brakes

as soon as a wheel shows a tendency

to lock. The vehicle remains

9 Warning

The brake system comprises two

steerable, even during hard braking.

independent brake circuits.

ABS control is made apparent

If there is a fault in the ABS, the

If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can

through a pulse in the brake pedal

wheels may be liable to lock due

still be braked using the other brake

and the noise of the regulation

to braking that is heavier than

circuit. However, braking effect is

process.

normal. The advantages of ABS

achieved only when the brake pedal

are no longer available. During

is depressed firmly. Considerably

For optimum braking, keep the brake

hard braking, the vehicle can no

more force is needed for this. The

pedal fully depressed throughout the

longer be steered and may

braking distance is extended. Seek

braking process, despite the fact that

swerve.

the assistance of a workshop before

the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce

continuing your journey.

the pressure on the pedal.

Have the cause of the fault remedied

When the engine is not running, the

After starting off the system performs

by a workshop.

support of the brake servo unit

a self-test which may be audible.

disappears once the brake pedal has

Control indicator u 3 77.

been depressed once or twice.

Braking effect is not reduced, but

Adaptive brake light

braking requires significantly greater

During full braking, all three brake

force. It is especially important to bear

lights flash for the duration of ABS

this in mind when being towed.

control.

Control indicator & 3 76.

Antilock brake system

Antilock brake system (ABS)

prevents the wheels from locking.

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132

Driving and operating

Electrical parking brake

Do not operate electrical parking

Parking brake

brake system too often without

engine running because this will

Manual parking brake

discharge the battery.

Before leaving the vehicle, check the

electrical parking brake status.

Control indicator m 3 77.

Releasing

Switch on ignition. Keep brake pedal

depressed and then push switch m.

Drive away function

Depressing clutch pedal (manual

transmission) or engaging drive gear

Applying when vehicle is stationary

(automatic transmission) and then

Pull switch m, the electrical parking

depressing the accelerator pedal

Always apply parking brake firmly

brake operates automatically with an

releases the electrical parking brake

without operating the release button,

adequate force. For maximum force,

automatically. This is not possible

and apply as firmly as possible on

e.g. parking with trailer or on inclines,

when the switch is pulled at the same

a downhill or uphill slope.

pull switch m twice.

time.

To release the parking brake, pull the

The electrical parking brake is applied

This function also helps driving away

lever up slightly, press the release

when control indicator m lights up

on inclines.

button and fully lower the lever.

3 77.

Aggressive drive away may reduce

To reduce the operating forces of the

The electrical parking brake can

life time of wear parts.

parking brake, depress the foot brake

always be activated, even if the

at the same time.

ignition is off.

Control indicator & 3 76.

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Driving and operating

133

Dynamic braking when vehicle is

Control indicator m flashes: electrical

The hill start assist is not active during

moving

parking brake is not fully applied or

an Autostop.

When the vehicle is moving and the

released. When continuously

switch m is kept pulled, the electrical

flashing, release electrical parking

parking brake system will decelerate

brake and retry applying.

the vehicle, but will not apply

statically.

Brake assist

As soon as the switch m is released,

If the brake pedal is depressed

dynamic braking will be stopped.

quickly and forcefully, maximum

brake force is automatically applied

Fault

(full braking).

Failure mode of electrical parking

brake is indicated by control indicator

Maintain steady pressure on the

j and by a code number or a vehicle

brake pedal for as long as full braking

message which is displayed in the

is required. Maximum brake force is

Driver Information Centre. Vehicle

automatically reduced when the

messages 3 86.

brake pedal is released.

Apply electrical parking brake: pull

and hold the switch m for more than

Hill start assist

5 seconds. If control indicator m

The system helps prevent unintended

illuminates, electrical parking brake is

movement when driving away on

applied.

inclines.

Release electrical parking brake:

When releasing the foot brake after

push and hold the switch m for more

stopping on an incline, the brakes

than 2 seconds. If control indicator

remain on for a further two seconds.

m extinguishes, electrical parking

The brakes release automatically as

brake is released.

soon as the vehicle begins to

accelerate.

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134

Driving and operating

TC is reactivated by pressing the b

Ride control systems

9 Warning

button again.

Traction Control system

Do not let this special safety

TC is also reactivated the next time

the ignition is switched on.

The Traction Control system (TC) is

feature tempt you into taking risks

a component of the Electronic

when driving.

Stability Control.

Adapt speed to the road

Electronic Stability Control

TC improves driving stability when

conditions.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

necessary, regardless of the type of

improves driving stability when

road surface or tyre grip, by

Control indicator b 3 78.

necessary, regardless of the type of

preventing the drive wheels from

road surface or tyre grip. It also

spinning.

Deactivation

prevents the drive wheels from

As soon as the drive wheels starts to

spinning.

spin, engine output is reduced and

As soon as the vehicle starts to

the wheel spinning the most is braked

swerve (understeer/oversteer),

individually. This considerably

engine output is reduced and the

improves the driving stability of the

wheels are braked individually. This

vehicle on slippery road surfaces.

considerably improves the driving

TC is operational as soon as the

stability of the vehicle on slippery road

control indicator b extinguishes.

surfaces.

ESC is operational as soon as the

When TC is active b flashes.

control indicator b extinguishes.

When ESC is active b flashes.

TC can be switched off when spinning

of drive wheels is required: press

button b briefly.

Control indicator k illuminates.

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Driving and operating

135

ESC is reactivated by pressing the

In each driving mode Flex Ride

9 Warning

b button again. If the TC system was

networks the following electronic

previously disabled, both TC and

systems:

Do not let this special safety

ESC are reactivated.

■ Continuous Damping Control.

feature tempt you into taking risks

ESC is also reactivated the next time

when driving.

■ Accelerator Pedal Control.

the ignition is switched on.

Adapt speed to the road

■ Steering Control.

conditions.

■ Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Interactive driving system

■ Antilock brake system (ABS) with

Control indicator b 3 78.

cornering brake control (CBC).

Flex Ride

Deactivation

Flex Ride driving system allows the

■ Automatic transmission.

driver to select between three driving

modes:

■ SPORT mode: press button

SPORT, LED illuminates.

■ TOUR mode: press button TOUR,

LED illuminates.

■ Normal mode: both buttons

SPORT and TOUR are not

pressed, no LED illuminates.

Deactivate SPORT mode and TOUR

mode by pressing corresponding

button once more.

For very high-performance driving

ESC can be deactivated: hold button

b depressed for approx. 7 seconds.

Control indicator n illuminates.

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136

Driving and operating

SPORT mode

■ Shift points of automatic

into sporty settings. The DMC

The settings of the systems are

transmission occur in a comfort

changes to SPORT mode in case of

adapted to a sportier driving style:

mode.

very sporty driving behaviour.

■ Damping of shock absorbers reacts

■ Illumination of main instruments is

If, for another example, TOUR mode

more stiffly to provide better contact

white.

is selected and whilst driving on

with the road surface.

a winding road a sudden hard brake

Normal mode

is necessary, DMC will detect the

■ The engine reacts more quickly to

All settings of the systems are

dynamic vehicle condition and

the accelerator pedal.

adapted to standard values.

changes the settings for suspension

■ Steering support is reduced.

to SPORT mode, to increase vehicle

■ Shift points of automatic

Drive mode control

stability.

transmission occur later.

Within each manually selected driving

When the driving characteristic or the

mode (SPORT, TOUR or Normal),

■ With SPORT mode activated, the

dynamic vehicle state returns to the

the Drive Mode Control (DMC)

illumination of main instruments

former state, DMC will change the

detects and analyses continuously

changes from white to red.

settings to the preselected driving

the real driving characteristic,

mode.

TOUR mode

responses by the driver, and the

The settings of the systems are

active dynamic state of the vehicle. If

Personalised settings in the

adapted to a comfort driving style:

necessary, the control unit of DMC

SPORT mode

automatically changes the settings

■ Damping of shock absorbers reacts

The driver can select the functions of

within the selected driving mode or,

more softly.

the SPORT mode when SPORT

when recognising greater variations,

■ Accelerator pedal reacts with

button is pressed. These settings can

the driving mode is changed for the

standard settings.

be changed in the menu Settings in

length of variation.

the Info-Display. Vehicle

■ Steering support is in standard

If, for example, Normal mode is

personalisation 3 93.

mode.

selected and DMC detects a sporty

driving behaviour, DMC changes

several settings of the Normal mode

Vauxhall GTC (2012 year). Manual - part 8