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Vauxhall Ampera (2013 year). Manual - part 8

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Driving and operating

123

Collision alert

alert sensitivity may not be

appropriate for all drivers and driving

conditions.

Unnecessary alerts

The forward collision alert may

sometimes set unnecessary alerts to

turning vehicles, vehicles in other

When your vehicle approaches

lanes, objects that are not vehicles, or

another vehicle too rapidly, the red

shadows. These alerts are normal

forward collision alert display will flash

and the vehicle does not need a

and sound several beeps. When this

service.

occurs, the brake system prepares for

Press COLLISION ALERT F to show

driver braking to occur more rapidly.

Other messages

the current setting on the Driver

Continue to apply the brake pedal as

There are messages that may appear

Information Centre (DIC). Press

the driving situation dictates.

on the Driver Information Centre

again to change the alert sensitivity.

(DIC) in the instrument cluster to

Tailgating alert

The chosen setting will remain until it

provide information about the forward

The red forward collision alert display

is changed and will affect both the

collision alert.

will remain illuminated continuously if

collision alert and the tailgating alert

the vehicle ahead remains much too

features. The timing of both alerts will

Cleaning the system

close.

vary based on vehicle speed. The

If the forward collision alert system

faster the vehicle speed, the further

does not seem to operate properly,

Selecting the alert sensitivity

away the alert will occur.

clean the outside of the windscreen

The alert sensitivity can be set to

Consider traffic and weather

area in front of the camera sensor

near, medium or far.

conditions when selecting the alert

before considering taking the vehicle

sensitivity. The range of selectable

to a workshop.

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124

Driving and operating

Following distance

Ultrasonic parking assist

indication

The following distance indication

displays the distance to a moving

vehicle in front, when a vehicle is

detected ahead at speeds over

25 mph.

When a preceding vehicle is detected

ahead, the distance is indicated in

seconds, displayed on a page in the

Driver Information Centre (DIC)

3 73. The minimum distance is

Ultrasonic parking assist operates at

0.5 seconds away. If there is no

speeds lower than 5 mph. The

vehicle ahead, or the vehicle ahead is

The ultrasonic parking assist makes

sensors on the front and rear bumper

out of range, dashes will be

parking easier by measuring the

detect objects up to 1.2 m in front of

displayed.

distance between the vehicle and

the vehicle, 2.5 m behind the vehicle

obstacles, and giving acoustic

and at least 25 cm off the ground.

signals. It is the driver, however, who

bears full responsibility for the parking

System operation

manoeuvre.

When the vehicle is shifted into R the

front and rear sensors are

automatically turned on. After the

vehicle is shifted out of R, the rear

sensors are turned off and the front

sensors stay on until the vehicle is

moving at a speed higher than

5 mph. For the front park assist

system to be active again without

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Driving and operating

125

shifting into R, the park assist button

bigger than 0.3 m from the rear

Ultrasonic parking assist is

in the overhead console must be

bumper, the beeps will only indicate

reactivated each time the vehicle is

pressed.

the object that is closer to the front

restarted.

bumper.

High-toned beeps from the front

Fault

speakers are emitted when objects

Activation and deactivation

When the system does not work

are detected near the front bumper.

properly, an error message is

Low-toned beeps from the rear

displayed in the DIC.

speakers are emitted when objects

are detected near the rear bumper.

The following conditions could affect

the system's performance:

The intervals between the beeps

become shorter as the vehicle gets

■ The driver has disabled the system.

closer to the obstacle. When the

■ The ultrasonic sensors are not

distance is less than 30 cm the

clean. Keep the vehicle's bumpers

beeping is a continuous tone for

free of mud, dirt, snow, ice and

5 seconds.

slush.

■ The park assist sensors are

Object detection on front and

covered by frost or ice.

rear

■ An object was hanging out of the

In general, if objects are detected at

Press

r

on the overhead console to

tailgate during the last drive cycle.

the same time near both the front and

activate the system. The LED lights

Once the object has been removed,

rear bumpers while backing up, the

up.

ultrasonic parking assist will return

beeps only sound to indicate that

Press

r

again to deactivate the

to normal operation.

objects are close to the rear bumper.

system. The LED is turned off.

■ An object or cover is attached to the

However, if an object appears within

After the system has been

front of the vehicle.

a distance of 0.3 m of the front

deactivated, a message in the Driver

bumper while the vehicle is backing

Information Centre (DIC) is displayed

up and at the same time there is

briefly.

another object within a distance

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126

Driving and operating

■ The bumper is damaged. Take the

area of the sensors during

Rear view camera

vehicle to a workshop to repair the

approach of the vehicle, a

system.

continuous warning tone will

9 Warning

■ Other conditions, such as

sound.

vibrations from a jackhammer are

The rear view camera system

affecting system performance.

does not display pedestrians,

Caution

In the event the system still does not

cyclists, animals or any other

work properly, seek the assistance of

object located outside the

Performance of the ultrasonic

a workshop.

camera's field of view, below the

parking assist systems can be

bumper or under the vehicle.

Driver Information Centre (DIC) 3 73.

reduced due to heavy loading.

Do not reverse the vehicle using

Special conditions apply if there

Important hints for using the

only the rear view camera screen

are taller vehicles involved (e.g.

or by using the screen during

ultrasonic parking assist

off-road vehicles, mini vans,

longer, higher speed reversing

systems

vans). Object identification in the

manoeuvres, or where there could

upper part of these vehicles

be cross-traffic. Perceived

9 Warning

cannot be guaranteed.

distances may be different from

Objects with a very small reflection

actual distances.

Under certain circumstances,

cross section, like objects of

various reflective surfaces on

Failure to use proper care before

narrow size or soft materials, may

objects or clothing as well as

reversing may result in injury,

not be detected by the system.

external noise sources may cause

death or vehicle damage. Always

Ultrasonic parking assist will not

check before reversing by

the system to fail to detect

avoid a collision with objects which

physically checking behind and

obstacles.

are out of the detection range of

around the vehicle.

Special attention has to be paid to

the sensors.

low obstacles which can damage

the lower part of the bumper. If

such obstacles leave the detection

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128

Driving and operating

Rear view camera location

Working improperly

Speed limit signs are displayed in the

The rear view camera system may

DIC until the next speed limit sign or

not work properly or display a clear

an end of speed limit sign is detected,

image if:

or until the system times out.

■ It is dark.

An exclamation mark will be

displayed if the system detects a sign

■ The sun or the beam of headlights

that it does not recognize.

is shining directly into the camera

lens.

The system is active up to a speed of

125 mph depending on the lighting

■ Ice, snow, mud or anything else has

conditions. At night the system is

built up on the camera lens. Clean

active up to a speed of 100 mph.

the lens, rinse it with water and wipe

it with a soft cloth.

Lane departure warning

If any other problem occurs or if a

The rear view camera is located

problem persists, seek the assistance

above the number plate.

of a workshop.

9 Warning

The area displayed by the camera is

The lane departure warning

limited.

Traffic sign assistant

system is an aid to help the vehicle

It does not display objects that are

stay in the driving lane. It does not

close to one of the corners or below

Functionality

steer the vehicle.

the bumper and can vary depending

The traffic sign assistant system

The lane departure warning

on vehicle orientation or road

detects designated traffic signs with

system may not provide enough

conditions. The distance of the image

the front camera and displays them in

time to avoid a crash and may not

that appears on the screen is different

the Driver Information Centre (DIC)

detect lane markings and

from the actual distance.

3 73.

therefore not warn when the

vehicle is crossing a lane marking.

If the lane departure warning

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Driving and operating

129

The system is only operable at

system only detects lane markings

vehicle speeds above 35 mph and if

on one side of the road, it will only

lane markings are available.

warn when departing the lane on

this side.

Fault

Always keep your attention on the

The lane departure warning system

road and maintain proper vehicle

may not operate properly and ) may

position within the lane. Always

not appear if:

keep the windscreen clean and do

■ The lane markings on the road are

not use lane departure warning

not detected.

system in bad weather conditions.

■ The camera sensor is blocked by

When the vehicle crosses a detected

dirt, snow or ice.

lane marking, the lane departure

To turn the lane departure warning

■ The windshield is damaged.

warning indicator will flash and three

system on and off, press the LANE

DEPART ) button. ) will light up

■ The weather is limiting visibility.

beeps will sound. The lane departure

warning will not warn if the turn signal

when lane departure warning system

This is normal operation; the vehicle

is on or if a sharp manoeuver is made.

is on.

does not need service. Clean the

windshield.

The camera sensor is on the

) will appear green if the system

windscreen ahead of the rearview

detects a left or right lane marking.

If any other problem occurs or if a

mirror.

When the system recognises an

problem persists, seek the assistance

unintended lane change, the control

of a workshop.

indicator ) changes to yellow and

flashes. Simultaneously a chime

9 Warning

sound is activated.

If the camera sensor is blocked by

To change the volume of the warning

dirt, snow, or ice, or if the

chime, see chime volume 3 84.

headlights are not cleaned or

When the vehicle is started, ) will

come on briefly.

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130

Driving and operating

Charge level selection

properly aimed, or if the windshield

Charging

is dirty or damaged, it may not

The charge level can be selected in

the Colour-Info-Display. Press

8

detect the lanes ahead. The lane

This section explains the process of

departure warning system may not

charging the vehicle's high voltage

until Charging is displayed.

help avoid a crash under these

battery. Do not allow the vehicle to

The Select Charge Level Preference

conditions. Keep the headlights

remain in places with temperature

setting allows the customer to select

cleaned and properly aimed and

extremes for long periods without

their vehicle's charge level so it

the windscreen clean.

being driven or plugged in.

matches the capability of their

The vehicle has to be plugged in

charging location. The Select Charge

The warnings may occasionally occur

Level Preference setting will limit the

when the temperatures are below

due to tar marks, shadows, cracks in

electrical current when a portable

-25° C to operate properly and to

the road, or other road imperfections.

charge cord is used. This feature has

maximise high voltage battery life.

This is normal system operation; the

no impact on charging when a

However, we recommend to plug in

vehicle does not need servicing.

charging station is used. If the vehicle

the vehicle when temperatures drop

consistently stops charging after

Lane departure warning system

below 0° C or raise above 32° C.

plugging in, or if a circuit breaker

messages

The charging system may run fans

continues to trip, reducing to a lower

There are messages that may appear

and pumps resulting in noises coming

charge level preference may resolve

on the Driver Information Centre

from the vehicle while it is turned off.

the issue.

(DIC) in the instrument cluster to

Additional clicking sounds may be

provide information about the lane

caused by the electrical devices used

departure system.

while charging.

While the charge cord is plugged into

the vehicle, the vehicle cannot be

driven.

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Driving and operating

131

The charge level preference should

230-volt charging station with

Start charge

be configured to match the electrical

16 ampere AC current capability, it

current rating for the AC outlet that the

will take approximately 4 hours to

charge cord is connected to. The

charge the vehicle. Charge times will

charge level preference settings are:

vary with outside temperature.

■ Maximum - 10 Amps: Limits AC

Exact current levels for a particular

current to 10 ampere

region may vary from values shown in

this manual. Please check vehicle for

■ Reduced - 6 Amps: Limits AC

available levels.

current to 6 ampere

The vehicle will adhere to the setting

9 Warning

that minimises the AC current used to

charge the vehicle.

If the capacity of the electrical

For some vehicles, the Select Charge

circuit or AC socket is not known,

Level Preference setting must be

1. With the vehicle in P, press

b

for

only use the lowest charge level

updated prior to the vehicle being

one second to open the charge

until the circuit capacity has been

charged and the selected charge

port door.

inspected by a qualified

level preference will reset to a default

electrician. Using a charge level

The charge port door can also be

value when the vehicle is shifted from

that exceeds either the electrical

opened using the radio remote

(P) Park position.

circuit or the AC outlet capacity

control.

The charge level preference setting

may start a fire or damage the

Radio remote control 3 20.

can be changed at any time while the

electrical circuit.

Colour-Info-Display is operable.

When using a 230-volt AC socket, it

will take approximately 6 hours to

charge the vehicle with the

10 ampere AC current setting or

11 hours using the default 6 ampere

AC current setting. When using a

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132

Driving and operating

9 Warning

If the capacity of the electrical

circuit or AC socket is not known,

only use the lowest charge level

until the circuit capacity has been

inspected by a qualified

electrician. Using a charge level

that exceeds either the electrical

circuit or the AC outlet capacity

may start a fire or damage the

electrical circuit.

Pull up the charge cord handle to

release it from the handle clip. Lift

Electrical requirements 3 136.

the charge cord up and pull it

rearwards to remove it from the

Colour-Info-Display 3 74.

vehicle. The vehicle plug is stored

Charge cord 3 135.

as shown.

3. Plug the charge cord into the

electrical outlet. Select the

appropriate charge level using the

Select Charge Level Preference

screen on the Colour-Info-Display

as described above.

2. Open the tailgate, lift the floor

cover and use the loop to hook the

floor cover to the side panel.

Remove the charge cord.

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Driving and operating

133

4. Plug in the vehicle plug of the

charge cord into the charge port

on the vehicle. Verify that the

charging status indicator

illuminates on top of the

instrument panel and a horn chirp

occurs.

Charging status 3 134.

5. Press e on the radio remote

control to arm the charge cord

theft alert.

Radio remote control 3 20.

2. Unplug the vehicle plug of the

Vehicle personalisation 3 84.

charge cord from the vehicle.

3. Close the charge port door.

End charge

4. Unplug the charge cord from the

1. Press c on the radio remote

electrical outlet.

control to disarm the charge cord

theft alert.

Radio remote control 3 20.

5. Place the cord into the storage

compartment.

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134

Driving and operating

■ Long flashing green - Two horn

Programmed charging

Charging status

chirps: Vehicle is plugged in.

override

Battery is not fully charged. Battery

To temporarily override a delayed

charging is delayed.

charge event, unplug the charge cord

■ Short flashing green - No horn

from the charge port and then plug it

chirp: Vehicle is plugged in. Battery

back in within five seconds. A single

is fully charged.

horn chirp will sound and charging will

■ Solid yellow - No horn chirp:

begin immediately.

Vehicle is plugged in. It is normal for

To cancel a temporary override,

the charging status indicator to turn

unplug the charge cord, wait for

yellow for a few seconds after

10 seconds, and then plug the charge

plugging in a compatible charge

cord back in. A double horn chirp will

cord. Otherwise, the charging

sound and charging will be delayed.

system has detected a fault and will

Programmable charging in the

The vehicle has a charging status

not charge the battery.

Colour-Info-Display 3 74.

indicator at the centre of the

■ No light signal (upon plug-in) - No

instrument panel near the

horn chirps - Charge cord

windscreen. When the vehicle is

connection should be checked.

plugged in and the vehicle power is

■ No light signal (after indication of

off, the charging status indicator

green or yellow charging status

indicates the following:

indicator) - No horn chirps -

■ Solid green - One horn chirp:

Charge cord connection should be

Vehicle is plugged in. Battery is not

checked.

fully charged. Battery is charging.

Malfunction indicator light 3 68.

■ Solid green or long flashing green -

Four horn chirps: Insufficient time to

fully charge by departure time.

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Driving and operating

135

If there is no light signal but the horn

If the vehicle is plugged in and the

9 Warning

chirps repeatedly, the power supply

charging status indicator is off, a

was interrupted before the charging

charging fault has been detected.

Using the charge cord with a worn

process could be completed.

or damaged AC outlet may cause

To terminate this alert, take one of the

Charge cord

burns or start a fire. Periodically,

following options:

check the AC wall plug and charge

■ Unplug the charge cord.

9 Danger

cord while the vehicle is charging.

■ Press ( on the radio remote

If the AC wall plug feels hot,

There is a risk of electric shock

control.

unplug the charge cord and have

that may cause personal injury or

the AC outlet replaced by a

■ Press and hold ! on the radio

death.

qualified electrician.

remote control, then press again to

Do not use the charge cord if any

stop the panic alarm.

Replace the charge cord if the AC

part of the charge cord is

wall plug or cord are damaged. Do

■ Press the horn.

damaged.

not use an AC outlet that is worn

Vehicle personalisation 3 84.

Do not open or remove the charge

or damaged.

The system may be thermally

cord cover.

conditioning the battery within any of

Service by qualified personnel

9 Warning

the states mentioned above, requiring

only. Connect the charge cord to a

electric energy to be transferred to the

properly grounded outlet with

Extension cords, multi-outlet

vehicle.

cords that are not damaged.

power strips, surge protectors or

If the vehicle is plugged in and vehicle

similar devices could increase the

power is on, the charging status

risk of electrical shock or other

indicator will be on solid green. It is

hazards. Do not use these types of

the same for Engine Assisted

devices with the charge cord.

Heating if the vehicle is plugged in.

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138

Driving and operating

Refuelling

Caution

9 Danger

Do not use fuel or fuel additives

Fuel is flammable and explosive.

that contain metallic compounds

No smoking. No naked flames or

such as manganese-based

sparks.

additives. This may cause engine

If you can smell fuel in your

damage.

vehicle, have the cause of this

remedied immediately by a

workshop.

Caution

Use of fuel that does not comply to

Caution

EN 228 or E DIN 51626-1 or

equivalent can lead to deposits or

In case of misfuelling, do not

engine damage and may affect

switch on ignition.

your warranty.

9 Danger

Note

Before refuelling, switch off

The vehicle may require the use of

Caution

ignition and any external heaters

an auxiliary heat source under

with combustion chambers.

certain cold conditions. This

Use of fuel with too low an octane

Switch off any mobile phones.

provides additional heating and

rating could lead to uncontrolled

Follow the operating and safety

defrost capability obtained by

combustion and engine damage.

instructions of the filling station

running the engine, even if the high

when refuelling.

voltage battery is adequately

charged. Under these conditions,

the engine will start and use fuel.

Make sure there is fuel in the tank.

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Driving and operating

139

The fuel system on this vehicle

refuelling for more than

requires a refuelling process to

30 minutes, push the fuel door

control evaporative emissions. To

button again.

refuel the vehicle:

4. After refuelling, reinstall the fuel

cap by turning it clockwise until it

clicks. Close the fuel door.

Do not top off or overfill the tank and

wait a few seconds before removing

the nozzle. Clean fuel from painted

surfaces as soon as possible.

Fuel filler cap

2. When a message displays in the

Only use genuine fuel filler caps.

DIC that the system is ready to be

refueled, the fuel door on the right

rear side of the vehicle will unlock.

Fuel consumption - CO₂-

Push the rearward edge of the fuel

Emissions

1. Press the fuel door button on the

door in and release to open the

driver door for one second. A

door.

Fuel

message displays on the Driver

3. Turn the fuel cap

To convert l/100 km into mpg, divide

Information Centre (DIC) to wait.

counterclockwise to remove.

282 by number of litres/100 km.

While refuelling, hang the fuel cap

The weighted and combined fuel

tether from the hook on the inside

consumption is 1.2 l/100 km.

of the fuel door. Complete

refuelling within 30 minutes of

The weighted and combined CO₂

pushing the fuel door button found

emission is 27 g/km

on the driver side door. If

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