Opel Tigra (2009 year). Manual - part 10

146

Vehicle care

Vehicle care

General Information ................... 146
Vehicle checks ........................... 147
Bulb replacement ....................... 152
Electrical system ........................ 161
Vehicle tools .............................. 167
Wheels and tyres ....................... 168
Jump starting ............................. 178
Towing ....................................... 180
Appearance care ....................... 182

General Information

Accessories and vehicle

modifications

We recommend the use of genuine

parts and accessories and factory

approved parts specific for your

vehicle type. We cannot assess or

guarantee reliability of other products

- even if they have a regulatory or

otherwise granted approval.
Do not make any modifications to the

electrical system, e.g. changes of

electronic control units (chip tuning).

Caution

When transporting the vehicle on

a train or on a recovery vehicle, the

mud flaps might be damaged.

Vehicle storage

Storage for a long period of time

If the vehicle is to be stored for several

months:

■ Wash and wax the vehicle.
■ Have the wax in the engine

compartment and underbody

checked.

■ Clean and preserve the rubber

seals.

■ Change the engine oil.
■ Drain the washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check the coolant antifreeze and

corrosion protection.

■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value

specified for full load.

■ Park the vehicle in a dry, well

ventilated place. Engage first or

reverse gear or set selector lever to

P. Prevent the vehicle from rolling.

■ Do not apply the parking brake.
■ Open the bonnet, close all doors

and lock the vehicle.

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147

■ Disconnect the clamp from the

negative terminal of the vehicle

battery. Beware that all systems are

not functional, e.g. anti-theft alarm

system.

Putting back into operation

When the vehicle is to be put back into

operation:

■ Connect the clamp to the negative

terminal of the vehicle battery.

Activate the electronics of the

power windows.

■ Check tyre pressure.
■ Fill up the washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check the engine oil level.
■ Check the coolant level.
■ Fit the number plate if necessary.

End-of-life vehicle

recovery

Information on end-of-life vehicle

recovery centres and the recycling of

end-of-life vehicles is available on our

website. Only entrust this work to an

authorised recycling centre.

Vehicle checks

Performing work

9 Warning

Only perform engine compartment

checks when the ignition is off.
The cooling fan may start

operating even if the ignition is off.

9 Danger

The ignition system uses

extremely high voltage. Do not

touch.

Bonnet

Opening

Pull the release lever and return it to

its original position.

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Vehicle care

Press the safety catch and open the

bonnet.

Secure the bonnet support.

Closing

Before closing the bonnet, press the

support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to drop

into the catch. Check that the bonnet

is engaged.

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 3 186.
Check with the vehicle on a level

surface. The engine must be at

operating temperature and switched

off for at least 5 minutes.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,

insert it to the stop on the handle, pull

out and read the engine oil level.
Insert dipstick to the stop on the

handle and make half a turn.

Different dipsticks are used

depending on engine variant.

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149

When the engine oil level has

dropped to the MIN mark, top up

engine oil.

We recommend the use of the same

grade of engine oil that was used at

last change.
The engine oil level must not exceed

the MAX mark on the dipstick.

Caution

Overfilled engine oil must be

drained or suctioned out.

Capacities 3 198.

Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.

Engine coolant

The coolant provides freeze

protection down to approx. -28 °C.

Caution

Only use approved antifreeze.

Coolant level

Caution

Too low a coolant level can cause

engine damage.

If the cooling system is cold, the

coolant level should be above the

filling line mark. Top up if the level is

low.

9 Warning

Allow the engine to cool before

opening the cap. Carefully open

the cap, relieving the pressure

slowly.

To top up use a 1:1 mixture of

approved coolant concentrate mixed

with clean tap water. If no coolant

concentrate is available, use clean

tap water. Install the cap tightly. Have

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Vehicle care

the coolant concentration checked

and have the cause of the coolant

loss remedied by a workshop.

Washer fluid

Fill with clean water mixed with

a suitable quantity of washer fluid

which contains antifreeze. For the

correct mixing ratio refer to the

washer fluid container.

Caution

Only washer fluid with a sufficient

antifreeze concentration provides

protection at low temperatures or

a sudden drop in temperature.

Brakes

In the event of minimum thickness of

the brake lining, a squealing noise

sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but

have the brake lining replaced as

soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,

do not brake unnecessarily hard for

the first few journeys.

Brake fluid

9 Warning

Brake fluid is poisonous and

corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes,

skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.

The brake fluid level must be between

the MIN and the MAX marks.
When topping up, ensure maximum

cleanliness as contamination of the

brake fluid can lead to brake system

malfunctions. Have the cause of the

loss of brake fluid remedied by

a workshop.
Only use high-performance brake

fluid approved for the vehicle.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 186.

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151

Battery

The vehicle battery is maintenance-

free provided that the driving profile

allows sufficient charging of the

battery. Short-distance-driving and

frequent engine starts can discharge

the battery. Avoid the use of

unnecessary electrical consumers.

Batteries do not belong in household

waste. They must be disposed of at

an appropriate recycling collection

point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than

4 weeks can lead to battery

discharge. Disconnect the clamp from

the negative terminal of the vehicle

battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off

before connecting or disconnecting

the vehicle battery.
Battery discharge protection 3 115.

Exchanging a battery

9 Warning

When fitting a battery with a length

deviating from the original one, it

is essential to ensure a proper

fitting of the buffer element.

We recommend consulting

a workshop.

Diesel fuel system

bleeding

If the tank has been run dry, the diesel

fuel system must be bled. Switch on

the ignition three times for

15 seconds at a time. Then start the

engine for a maximum of

40 seconds. Repeat this process after

no less than 5 seconds. If the engine

fails to start, seek the assistance of

a workshop.

Wiper blade replacement

Wiper blades on the windscreen

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Vehicle care

Lift the wiper arm, press button to

disengage the wiper blade and

remove.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled

to the wiper arm and push until it

engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.

Wiper blade on the rear window

Lift wiper arm. Disengage wiper blade

as shown in illustration and remove.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled

to the wiper arm and push until it

engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.

Bulb replacement

Switch off the ignition and switch off

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.

Halogen headlights

Headlights have separate systems for

low beam 1 (outer bulbs) and high

beam 2 (inner bulbs).

Low beam

1. Rotate the cap 1 anticlockwise

and remove it.

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153

2. Push the bulb holder upwards and

withdraw the bulb holder from the

reflector.

3. Detach the bulb from the bulb

holder and replace the bulb.

4. Insert the bulb holder into the

reflector.

5. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.

High beam

1. Rotate the cap 2 anticlockwise

and remove it.

2. Detach the plug from the bulb.

3. Disengage the spring clip and

then swivel it backwards.

4. Remove and replace the bulb.

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Vehicle care

5. Swivel the spring clip forwards

and engage.

6. Attach the plug to the bulb.
7. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.

Sidelight/Daytime running light

1. Rotate the bulb holder

anticlockwise and remove it.

2. Detach bulb from the bulb holder

and replace it.

3. Insert the bulb holder into the

reflector and rotate clockwise.

Front turn signal

1. Rotate the bulb holder

anticlockwise and remove it.

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2. Rotate bulb anticlockwise and

remove from bulb holder.

3. Replace bulb.
4. Insert the bulb holder into the

reflector and rotate clockwise.

Adaptive forward lighting

Headlights have separate systems for

low beam and high beam 1 (outer

bulbs) and additional high beam 2

(inner bulbs). The cornering light is

also located behind the cover for the

additional high beam.

Low beam/High beam

1. Rotate the cap 1 anticlockwise

and remove it.

2. Push the bulb holder downwards

and withdraw the bulb holder from

the reflector.

3. Detach the bulb from the bulb

holder and replace the bulb.

4. Insert the bulb holder into the

reflector.

5. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.

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Vehicle care

Additional high beam

1. Rotate protective cover 2

anticlockwise and remove.

2. Press catch and withdraw the bulb

holder from the reflector.

3. Remove and replace the bulb.
4. Press catch and insert the bulb

holder into the reflector.

5. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.

Cornering light

1. Rotate protective cover 2

anticlockwise and remove.

2. Detach the plug from the bulb.

3. Disengage the spring clip and

then swivel it backwards.

4. Remove and replace the bulb.

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5. Swivel the spring clip forwards

and engage.

6. Attach the plug to the bulb.
7. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.

Fog lights

The bulbs are accessible from the

underside of the vehicle.

1. Turn the bulb holder anticlockwise

and remove it from the reflector.

2. Disengage the bulb holder from

the plug connector by pressing

the retaining lug.

3. Remove and replace the bulb

holder with bulb.

4. Attach the plug connector.
5. Insert the bulb holder into the

reflector.

6. Turn the bulb holder clockwise

and engage.

Tail lights

1. Release the cover and remove it.

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Vehicle care

2. Unscrew the two plastic securing

nuts from the inside by hand.

3. Carefully withdraw the light

assembly from retaining pins and

remove. Make sure that the cable

duct remains in position.

4. Detach the wiring plug from the

bulb carrier.

5. Unlatch the four retaining lugs and

remove the bulb carrier.

6. Remove and replace the bulb.

Tail light and brake light (1)
Tail light (2)
Turn signal light (3)

7. Insert the bulb carrier into the tail

light assembly. Connect the

wiring plug. Fit light assembly

onto retaining pins and tighten the

securing nuts. Close the cover

and engage.

8. Switch on the ignition, operate

and check all lights.

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Tail lights in the tailgate frame

1. Open the tailgate and remove the

cover with a screwdriver.

2. Press the retaining lug and

remove the bulb carrier

downwards.

3. To replace the reverse light bulb

(1), remove and replace the bulb
To replace the tail light bulb (2),

push the bulb slightly into the

socket, rotate anticlockwise,

remove and replace the bulb.

4. Insert the bulb carrier into the

retainer.

5. Attach the cover.
6. Switch on the ignition, operate

and check all lights.

For replacing the tail light bulb and

rear fog light bulb on the right side of

the tailgate frame, proceed in the

same way.

Side turn signal lights

Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.

Number plate light

1. Insert screwdriver in recess of the

cover, press to the side and

release spring.
Remove cover.

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Vehicle care

2. Remove the bulb holder

downwards, taking care not to pull

on the cable.

3. Disengage the retaining lug and

remove the bulb holder from the

wiring plug.

4. Remove and replace the bulb

holder with bulb.

5. Connect the wiring plug to the

bulb holder.

6. Push the bulb holder into the

housing and close the cover.

Interior lights

Courtesy light, reading lights

Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.

Load compartment light

Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.

Puddle lights

1. Disengage the housing at the

bottom and remove it.

2. Press the retaining lug and

withdraw the connector.

3. Rotate the bulb holder clockwise

and remove.

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4. Pull the bulb out of the bulb holder

and replace it.

5. Insert the bulb holder into the

housing and turn it anticlockwise.

6. Plug in the connector.
7. Attach the housing.

Instrument panel

illumination

Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.

Electrical system

Fuses

Data on the replacement fuse must

match the data on the defective fuse.
There are three fuse boxes in the

vehicle:

■ in the front left of the engine

compartment,

■ In left-hand drive vehicles, in the

interior behind the storage

compartment, or, in right-hand

drive vehicles, behind the

glovebox,

■ behind a cover on the left side of the

load compartment.

Before replacing a fuse, turn off the

respective switch and the ignition.
A blown fuse can be recognized by its

melted wire. Do not replace the fuse

until the cause of the fault has been

remedied.
Some functions are protected by

several fuses.
Fuses may also be inserted without

existence of a function.

Fuse extractor

A fuse extractor may be located in the

fuse box in the engine compartment.