Content      ..     12      13      14      15     ..

Vauxhall Astra (2016 year). Manual - part 14

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

224

Driving and operating

The permissible gross train weight

Rear axle load

Stowage of coupling ball bar

must not be exceeded. This weight is

When the trailer is coupled and the

specified on the identification plate

towing vehicle fully loaded, the

3 292.

permissible rear axle load (see

Vertical coupling load

identification plate or vehicle

documents) may be exceeded by

The vertical coupling load is the load

60 kg, the gross vehicle weight rating

exerted by the trailer on the coupling

may be exceeded by 60 kg. If the

ball. It can be varied by changing the

permissible rear axle load is

weight distribution when loading the

exceeded, a maximum speed of

trailer.

60 mph applies.

The maximum permissible vertical

coupling load (75 kg) is specified on

Towing equipment

the towing equipment identification

The bag with the coupling ball bar is

plate and in the vehicle documents.

Caution

stowed in the rear stowage

Always aim for the maximum load,

compartment on the floor.

especially in the case of heavy

When operating without a trailer,

trailers. The vertical coupling load

Place the strap through the lashing

remove the coupling ball bar.

should never fall below 25 kg.

eye, wrap around twice and tighten

the strap to secure the bag.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Driving and operating

225

Fitting the coupling ball bar

Checking the tensioning of the

coupling ball bar

Disengage and fold down the socket.

Remove the sealing plug from the

All versions except 3-door hatchback:

opening for the coupling ball bar and

Press fastenings inward and fold the

● Red marking on rotary knob must

stow it.

cover downward at the front. Remove

point towards green marking on

cover.

coupling ball bar.

● The gap between the rotary knob

and the coupling ball bar must be

approx. 6 mm.

● The key must be in position c.

Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must

be tensioned before being inserted:

● Unlock coupling ball bar by

turning key to position c.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

226

Driving and operating

Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar

Attach breakaway stopping cable to

in the opening and push firmly

eye.

upwards until it audibly engages.

Check that the coupling ball bar is

The rotary handle snaps back into its

correctly installed

original position resting against the

● Green marking on rotary knob

coupling ball bar without a gap.

must point towards green

marking on coupling ball bar.

9 Warning

● There must be no gap between

Do not touch rotary handle during

the rotary handle and the

insertion.

coupling ball bar.

● The coupling ball bar must be

●

Pull out rotary knob and turn

Lock the coupling ball bar by turning

firmly engaged in the opening.

clockwise as far as it will go.

the key to position e. Remove the key

● The coupling ball bar must be

and close the protective flap.

locked and the key removed.

Inserting the coupling ball bar

Eye for break-away stopping cable

9 Warning

Towing a trailer is permitted only

when a coupling ball bar is fitted

correctly. If the coupling ball bar

does not engage correctly, seek

the assistance of a workshop.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Driving and operating

227

Dismounting the coupling ball bar

Press fastenings outward.

Open the protective flap and turn the

key to position c to unlock the

Trailer stability assist

coupling ball bar.

If the system detects snaking

Pull out rotary handle and turn

movements, engine power is reduced

clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out

and the vehicle/trailer combination is

coupling ball bar downwards.

selectively braked until the snaking

ceases. While system is working keep

Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold

steering wheel as still as possible.

away socket.

Trailer stability assist (TSA) is a

All versions except 3-door hatchback:

function of the Electronic Stability

Attach the rear side of the cover into

Control 3 181.

the recess of the bumper and fold the

front side upward.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

230

Vehicle care

website, where legally required. Only

Vehicle checks

9 Danger

entrust this work to an authorised

recycling centre.

Performing work

The ignition system and Xenon

Gas vehicles must be recycled by a

headlights use extremely high

service centre authorised for gas

voltage. Do not touch.

vehicles.

Bonnet

Opening

9 Warning

Only perform engine compartment

checks when the ignition is off.

The cooling fan may start

operating even if the ignition is off.

Pull the release lever and return it to

its original position.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vehicle care

231

If the bonnet is opened during an

Check with the vehicle on a level

Autostop, the engine will be restarted

surface. The engine must be at

automatically for safety reasons.

operating temperature and switched

off for at least five minutes.

Closing

Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,

Before closing the bonnet, press the

insert it to the stop on the handle, pull

support into the holder.

out and read the engine oil level.

Lower the bonnet and allow it to fall

Caution

into the latch from a low height

(20-25 cm). Check that the bonnet is

It is the owner's responsibility to

engaged.

maintain the proper level of an

Move the safety catch sideways to the

appropriate quality oil in the

Caution

left vehicle side and open the bonnet.

engine.

Do not press the bonnet into the

Insert dipstick to the stop on the

latch, to avoid dents.

handle and make half a turn.

Engine oil

Check the engine oil level manually

on a regular basis to prevent damage

to the engine. Ensure that the correct

specification of oil is used.

Recommended fluids and lubricants

3 290.

The maximum engine oil

consumption is 0.6 l per 1000 km.

Secure the bonnet support.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

232

Vehicle care

Different dipsticks are used

Engine coolant

depending on engine variant.

The coolant provides freeze

protection down to approx. -28 °C. In

northern countries with very low

temperatures, the factory filled

coolant provides frost protection

down to approx. -37 °C.

Caution

Only use approved antifreeze.

We recommend the use of the same

Coolant level

grade of engine oil that was used at

last change.

When the engine oil level has

Caution

dropped to the MIN mark, top up

The engine oil level must not exceed

engine oil.

the MAX mark on the dipstick.

Too low a coolant level can cause

engine damage.

Caution

Overfilled engine oil must be

drained or suctioned out.

Capacities 3 307.

Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vehicle care

233

the coolant concentration checked

Power steering fluid level normally

and have the cause of the coolant

does not have to be checked. If an

loss remedied by a workshop.

unusual noise sounds during steering

or the power steering reacts

unusually, seek the assistance of a

Power steering fluid

workshop.

Caution

Washer fluid

Extremely small amounts of

contamination can cause steering

system damage and cause it to not

work properly. Do not allow

If the cooling system is cold, the

contaminates to contact the fluid

coolant level should be above the

side of the reservoir cap/dipstick or

filling line mark. Top up if the level is

from entering the reservoir.

low.

9 Warning

Allow the engine to cool before

opening the cap. Carefully open

the cap, relieving the pressure

Fill with clean water mixed with a

slowly.

suitable quantity of approved

windscreen washer fluid which

To top up, use a 1:1 mixture of

contains antifreeze.

approved coolant concentrate mixed

with clean tap water. If no coolant

concentrate is available, use clean

tap water. Install the cap tightly. Have

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

234

Vehicle care

Brake fluid

Vehicle battery

Caution

The vehicle battery is maintenance-

Only washer fluid with a sufficient

9 Warning

free provided that the driving profile

antifreeze concentration provides

allows sufficient charging of the

protection at low temperatures or

Brake fluid is poisonous and

battery. Short-distance-driving and

a sudden drop in temperature.

corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes,

frequent engine starts can discharge

skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.

the battery. Avoid the use of

Use of washer fluid containing

unnecessary electrical consumers.

isopropanol can damage exterior

lamps.

Brakes

In the event of minimum thickness of

the brake lining, a squealing noise

sounds during braking.

Continued driving is possible but

Batteries do not belong in household

have the brake lining replaced as

waste. They must be disposed of at

soon as possible.

an appropriate recycling collection

point.

Once new brake linings are installed,

do not brake unnecessarily hard for

Laying up the vehicle for more than

the first few journeys.

The brake fluid level must be between

four weeks can lead to battery

the MIN and MAX marks.

discharge. Disconnect the clamp from

the negative terminal of the vehicle

If fluid level is below MIN seek the

battery.

assistance of a workshop.

Ensure the ignition is switched off

Brake and clutch fluid 3 290.

before connecting or disconnecting

the vehicle battery.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vehicle care

235

The anti-theft alarm siren must be

Charging the vehicle battery

deactivated as follows: Switch the

ignition on then off, disconnect the

9 Warning

vehicle's battery within 15 seconds.

Vehicle battery discharge protection

On vehicles with stop-start

3 154.

system, ensure that the charging

potential does not exceed

Replacing the vehicle battery

14.6 volts when using a battery

charger. Otherwise the vehicle

Notice

battery might be damaged.

Any deviation from the instructions

given in this section may lead to

Jump starting 3 281.

temporary deactivation of the stop-

start system.

An AGM battery can be identified by

Warning label

the label on the battery. We

When the vehicle battery is being

recommend the use of an original

replaced, please ensure that there

Vauxhall vehicle battery.

are no open ventilation holes in the

vicinity of the positive terminal. If a

Notice

ventilation hole is open in this area, it

Using an AGM vehicle battery

must be closed off with a dummy cap,

different from the original Vauxhall

and the ventilation in the vicinity of the

vehicle battery may result in a lower

negative terminal must be opened.

performance of the stop-start

system.

Only use vehicle batteries that allow

the fuse box to be mounted above the

We recommend that you have the

vehicle battery.

vehicle battery replaced by a

In vehicles with an AGM (Absorptive

workshop.

Glass Mat) battery, make sure to

Stop-start system 3 168.

have the battery replaced with

another AGM battery.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

236

Vehicle care

Meaning of symbols:

Wiper blade on the rear window

Wiper blade replacement

●

No sparks, naked flames or

smoking.

●

Always shield eyes. Explosive

gases can cause blindness or

injury.

●

Keep the vehicle battery out of

reach of children.

●

The vehicle battery contains

sulphuric acid which could cause

blindness or serious burn

injuries.

●

See the Owner's Manual for

Lift wiper arm. Disengage wiper blade

further information.

Lift the wiper arm until it stays in the

as shown in illustration and remove.

raised position, press button to

●

Explosive gas may be present in

disengage the wiper blade and

Attach the wiper blade slightly angled

the vicinity of the vehicle battery.

remove.

to the wiper arm and push until it

engages.

Attach the wiper blade slightly angled

Diesel fuel system bleeding

to the wiper arm and push until it

Lower wiper arm carefully.

If the tank has been run dry, the diesel

engages.

fuel system must be bled. Switch on

Lower wiper arm carefully.

the ignition three times for

15 seconds at a time. Then crank the

engine for a maximum of

40 seconds. Repeat this process after

no less than five seconds. If the

engine fails to start, seek the

assistance of a workshop.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vehicle care

237

Low beam (1)

Bulb replacement

Halogen headlights

5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon,

Switch off the ignition and switch off

Sports tourer

the relevant switch or close the doors.

Only hold a new bulb at the base. Do

not touch the bulb glass with bare

hands.

Use only the same bulb type for

replacement.

Replace headlight bulbs from within

the engine compartment.

Bulb check

1. Rotate the cap (1) anticlockwise

After a bulb replacement switch on

and remove it.

the ignition, operate and check the

lights.

Halogen headlights with separate

bulbs for low beam and high beam.

Low beam (1) outer bulb.

High beam (2) inner bulb.

Sidelight/Daytime running light (3).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

238

Vehicle care

2. Rotate the bulb holder

High beam (2)

Sidelights/Daytime running light (3)

anticlockwise to disengage.

Withdraw the bulb holder from the

reflector.

1. Rotate the cap (2) anticlockwise

1. Rotate the cap (3) anticlockwise

and remove it.

and remove it. Use the

screwdriver to rotate the cap.

2. Rotate the bulb holder

3. Detach the bulb from the bulb

anticlockwise to disengage.

holder and replace the bulb.

Withdraw the bulb holder from the

reflector.

4. Insert the bulb holder, engaging

the two lugs into the reflector and

3. Detach the bulb from the bulb

rotate clockwise to secure.

holder and replace the bulb.

5. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.

4. Insert the bulb holder, engaging

the two lugs into the reflector and

rotate clockwise to secure.

5. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vehicle care

239

2. Press latches together and

3-door hatchback

Low/High beam (1)

withdraw the bulb holder from the

reflector.

1. Rotate the cap (1) anticlockwise

Bi-Halogen Headlight (1) with one

and remove it.

bulb for low and high beam.

3. Remove the bulb from the socket

Sidelight/Daytime running light (2).

and replace the bulb.

4. Insert the bulb holder into the

reflector. Fit the cap and rotate

clockwise.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

240

Vehicle care

2. Rotate the bulb holder

Sidelight/Daytime running light (2)

2. Remove the bulb from the socket

anticlockwise to disengage.

by pulling.

Withdraw the bulb holder from the

3. Replace and insert new bulb into

reflector.

socket.

4. Insert the bulb socket into the

reflector and turn clockwise.

Adaptive forward lighting

9 Danger

Adaptive forward lighting system

uses Xenon headlights.

1. Rotate bulb socket (2)

anticlockwise to disengage.

Xenon headlights work under

Withdraw the bulb socket from the

extremely high electrical voltage.

reflector.

Do not touch. Have bulbs replaced

3. Disengage the bulb holder from

by a workshop.

the plug connector by pressing

the retaining lug.

Sidelight/Daytime running lights are

4. Replace the bulb and connect

designed as Light Emitting Diodes

bulb holder with the plug

(LEDs) and cannot be changed.

connector.

Bulbs for corner lighting can be

5. Insert the bulb holder, engaging

changed.

the two lugs into the reflector and

rotate clockwise to secure.

6. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.

Content      ..     12      13      14      15     ..