Opel Astra Twintop (2012 year). Manual - part 13

194

Vehicle care

Tyre deflation detection

system

The tyre deflation detection system

continually checks the rotation speed

of all four tyres.
If a tyre loses pressure the control

indicator w illuminates red. Stop

immediately and check tyre pressure.
Control indicator w 3 99.

System initialisation

After tyre pressure correction or

wheel change, the system must be

initialised: Switch on the ignition,

press and hold the DDS button for

approx. 4 seconds, control indicator

w flashes three times.

Tread depth

Check tread depth at regular

intervals.
Tyres should be replaced for safety

reasons at a tread depth of 2-3 mm

(4 mm for winter tyres).

The legally permissible minimum

tread depth (1.6 mm) has been

reached when the tread has worn

down as far as one of the tread wear

indicators (TWI). Their position is

indicated by markings on the

sidewall.
If there is more wear at the front than

the rear, swap round front wheels and

rear wheels periodically.
Tyres age, even if they are not used.

We recommend tyre replacement

every 6 years.

Changing tyre and wheel

size

If tyres of a different size than those

fitted at the factory are used, it may be

necessary to reprogram the

speedometer and make other vehicle

modifications.
After converting to a different tyre

size, have the label with tyre

pressures replaced.

Vehicle care

195

9 Warning

Use of unsuitable tyres or wheels

may lead to accidents and will

invalidate the vehicle type

approval.

Wheel covers

Wheel covers and tyres that are

factory approved for the respective

vehicle and comply with all of the

relevant wheel and tyre combination

requirements must be used.
If the wheel covers and tyres used are

not factory approved, the tyres must

not have a rim protection ridge.
Wheel covers must not impair brake

cooling.
Remove the wheel covers if tyre

chains are to be installed.

9 Warning

Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel

covers could lead to sudden

pressure loss and thereby

accidents.

Tyre chains

Tyre chains are only permitted on the

front wheels.

Always use fine mesh chains that add

no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread

and the inboard sides (including chain

lock).

9 Warning

Damage may lead to tyre blowout.

Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of

size 185/65 R 15, 195/60 R 15,

195/65 R 15, 205/55 R 16 and

205/50 R17.
Tyre chains are not permitted on tyres

of size 225/45 R 17, 225/40 R 18,

225/40 ZR18 and 235/35 R 19

2)

.

Saloon, Station wagon, Van: tyre

chains are only approved on tyres of

size 215/45 R 17 if the vehicle was

equipped with 18-inch wheels in the

factory.
The use of tyre chains is not permitted

on the temporary spare wheel.

2)

Just permitted with limitation steering angle.

196

Vehicle care

Tyre repair kit

Minor damage to the tyre tread can be

repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from

the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding 4 mm or that

is near the rim cannot be repaired with

the tyre repair kit.

9 Warning

Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be

affected.

If you have a flat tyre:
Apply parking brake and engage first

gear, reverse gear or P.

The tyre repair kit is in the stowage

compartment under the floor cover in

the load compartment.

1. Take the pouch with the tyre

repair kit from the compartment.

Carefully remove the components

from the pouch.

2. Remove the compressor.

3. Remove the electrical connection

cable and air hose from the

stowage compartments on the

underside of the compressor.

Vehicle care

197

4. Screw the compressor air hose to

the connection on the sealant

bottle.

5. Fit the sealant bottle into the

retainer on the compressor.
Set the compressor near the tyre

in such a way that the sealant

bottle is upright.

6. Unscrew valve cap from defective

tyre.

7. Screw tyre inflation hose to valve.
8. The switch on the compressor

must be set to §.

9. Connect the compressor plug to

the accessory socket or cigarette

lighter socket.
To avoid discharging the battery,

we recommend running the

engine.

10. Set the rocker switch on the

compressor to I. The tyre is filled

with sealant.

11. The compressor pressure gauge

briefly indicates up to 6 bar whilst

the sealant bottle is emptying

(approx. 30 seconds). Then the

pressure starts to drop.

12. All of the sealant is pumped into

the tyre. Then the tyre is inflated.

13. The prescribed tyre pressure

should be obtained within

10 minutes. Tyre pressure

3

 244. When the correct pressure

is obtained, switch off the

compressor.
If the prescribed tyre pressure is

not obtained within 10 minutes,

remove the tyre repair kit. Move

the vehicle one tyre rotation.

Reattach the tyre repair kit and

continue the filling procedure for

10 minutes. If the prescribed tyre

pressure is still not obtained, the

198

Vehicle care

tyre is too badly damaged. Seek

the assistance of a workshop.
Drain excess tyre pressure with

the button over the pressure

indicator.
Do not run the compressor longer

than 10 minutes.

14. Detach the tyre repair kit. Screw

the filler hose to the free

connection on the sealant bottle.

This prevents sealant leakage.

Stow the tyre repair kit in the load

compartment.

15. Remove any excess sealant

using a cloth.

16. Take the label indicating

maximum permitted speed from

the sealant bottle and affix in the

driver's field of view.

17. Continue driving immediately so

that sealant is evenly distributed

in the tyre. After driving approx.

10 km (but no more than

10 minutes), stop and check tyre

pressure. Screw compressor air

hose directly onto tyre valve and

compressor when doing this.

If tyre pressure is more than

1.3 bar, set it to the correct value.

Repeat the procedure until there

is no more loss of pressure.
If the tyre pressure has fallen

below 1.3 bar, the vehicle must

not be used. Seek the assistance

of a workshop.

18. Stow away tyre repair kit in load

compartment.

Note

The driving characteristics of the

repaired tyre is severely affected,

therefore have this tyre replaced.
If unusual noise is heard or the

compressor becomes hot, turn

compressor off for at least 30

minutes.
The built-in safety valve opens at

a pressure of 7 bar.
Note the expiry date of the kit. After

this date its sealing capability is no

longer guaranteed. Pay attention to

storage information on sealant

bottle.

Replace the used sealant bottle.

Dispose of the bottle as prescribed

by applicable laws.
The compressor and sealant can be

used from approx. -30 °C.
The adapters supplied can be used

to pump up other items e.g.

footballs, air mattresses, inflatable

dinghies etc. They are located on the

underside of the compressor. To

remove, screw on compressor air

hose and withdraw adapter.

Wheel changing

Some vehicles are equipped with

a tyre repair kit instead of a spare

wheel 3 196.
Make the following preparations and

observe the following information:

■ Park the vehicle on a level, firm and

non-skid surface. The front wheels

must be in the straight-ahead

position.

■ Apply the parking brake and

engage first gear, reverse gear or

P.

■ Remove the spare wheel 3 200.

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199

■ On the Astra TwinTop, the roof

must be closed before the vehicle

is raised.

■ Never change more than one wheel

at once.

■ Use the jack only to change wheels.
■ If the ground on which the vehicle

is standing is soft, a solid board

(max. 1 cm thick) should be placed

under the jack.

■ No people or animals may be in the

vehicle when it is jacked-up.

■ Never crawl under a jacked-up

vehicle.

■ Do not start the vehicle when it is

raised on the jack.

■ Before screwing in the wheel bolts,

clean them and lightly coat the

taper of each wheel bolt with

commercially available grease.

1. Pull off the wheel cover with the

hook. Vehicle tools 3 190.
For wheel covers with visible

wheel bolts: The cover can remain

on the wheel. Do not remove the

retaining rings on the wheel bolts.
Alloy wheels: Disengage wheel

bolt caps with a screwdriver and

remove. To protect the wheel,

place a soft cloth between the

screwdriver and the alloy wheel.

2. Install the wheel wrench ensuring

that it locates securely and

slacken each bolt by half a turn.

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Vehicle care

3. Ensure the jack is positioned

correctly with the vehicle jacking

points.

4. Set the jack to the necessary

height before positioning it directly

below the jacking point in

a manner that prevents it from

slipping.
Attach jack handle and with the

jack correctly aligned rotate

handle until wheel is clear of the

ground.

5. Unscrew the wheel bolts.
6. Change the wheel.
7. Screw in the wheel bolts.

8. Lower vehicle.
9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring

that it locates securely and tighten

each bolt in a crosswise

sequence. Tightening torque is

110 Nm.

10. Align the valve hole in the wheel

cover with the tyre valve before

installing.
Install wheel nut caps.

11. Stow the replaced wheel 3 196

and the vehicle tools 3 190.

12. Check the tyre pressure of the

installed tyre and also the wheel

bolt torque as soon as possible.

Have the defective tyre renewed or

repaired.

Spare wheel

Some vehicles are equipped with

a tyre repair kit instead of a spare

wheel.

The spare wheel can be classified as

a temporary spare wheel depending

on the size compared to the other

mounted wheels and country

regulations.
The spare wheel has a steel rim.
Use of a spare wheel that is smaller

than the other wheels or together with

winter tyres could affect driveability.

Have the defective tyre replaced as

soon as possible.

The spare wheel is in the load

compartment beneath the floor

covering. It is secured in the recess

with a wing nut.

Vehicle care

201

The spare wheel well is not designed

for all permitted tyre sizes. If a wheel

wider than the spare must be stowed

in the spare wheel well after changing

wheels, the floor cover can be placed

on the projecting wheel.
This must be taken into consideration

when the load compartment is being

loaded, particularly with the Astra

TwinTop 3 40.

Station wagon

Take adapter and hooks from the rails

in the load compartment walls. Raise

the rear lashing eyes and lift the floor

cover to the vertical position so that it

rests on the roof lining. When closing,

guide the lashing eyes through the

slots in the floor cover. Vehicles with

cargo box: removal 3 75.

TwinTop

Accessing the spare wheel when the

roof is open: Engage load

compartment cover on the rear

window frame and activate the

loading aid 3 77. Raise the floor cover

in the load compartment.

Temporary spare wheel

Use of the temporary spare wheel

could affect driveability. Have the

defective tyre renewed or repaired as

soon as possible.
Only mount one temporary spare

wheel. Do not drive faster than

80 km/h. Take curves slowly. Do not

use for a long period of time.
The use of the temporary spare wheel

on the rear axle is not permitted while

towing another vehicle. Therefore

mount the temporary spare wheel on

the front axle and a full-size tyre on

the rear axle.

Tyre chains 3 195.

Directional tyres

Fit directional tyres such that they roll

in the direction of travel. The rolling

direction is indicated by a symbol

(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
The following applies to tyres fitted

opposing the rolling direction:

■ Driveability may be affected. Have

the defective tyre renewed or

repaired as soon as possible.

■ Drive particularly carefully on wet

and snow-covered road surfaces.

202

Vehicle care

Jump starting

Do not start with quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged battery

can be started using jump leads and

the battery of another vehicle.

9 Warning

Be extremely careful when starting

with jump leads. Any deviation

from the following instructions can

lead to injuries or damage caused

by battery explosion or damage to

the electrical systems of both

vehicles.

9 Warning

Avoid contact with eyes, skin,

fabrics, and painted surfaces. The

fluid contains sulphuric acid which

can cause injuries and damage in

the event of direct contact.

■ Never expose the battery to naked

flames or sparks.

■ A discharged battery can already

freeze at temperatures of 0 °C.

Defrost the frozen battery before

connecting jump leads.

■ Wear eye protection and protective

clothing when handling a battery.

■ Use a booster battery with the

same voltage (12 Volts). Its

capacity (Ah) must not be much

less than that of the discharged

battery.

■ Use jump leads with insulated

terminals and a cross section of at

least 16 mm

2

 (25 mm

2

 for diesel

engines).

■ Do not disconnect the discharged

battery from the vehicle.

■ Switch off all unnecessary electrical

consumers.

■ Do not lean over the battery during

jump starting.

■ Do not allow the terminals of one

lead to touch those of the other

lead.

■ The vehicles must not come into

contact with each other during the

jump starting process.

■ Apply the parking brake,

transmission in neutral, automatic

transmission in P.

Lead connection order:

1. Connect the red lead to the

positive terminal of the booster

battery.

2. Connect the other end of the red

lead to the positive terminal of the

discharged battery.

Vehicle care

203

3. Connect the black lead to the

negative terminal of the booster

battery.

4. Connect the other end of the black

lead to a vehicle grounding point,

such as the engine block or an

engine mounting bolt. Connect as

far away from the discharged

battery as possible, however at

least 60 cm.

Route the leads so that they cannot

catch on rotating parts in the engine

compartment.
To start the engine:

1. Start the engine of the vehicle

providing the jump.

2. After 5 minutes, start the other

engine. Start attempts should be

made for no longer than

15 seconds at an interval of

1 minute.

3. Allow both engines to idle for

approx. 3 minutes with the leads

connected.

4. Switch on electrical consumers

(e.g. headlights, heated rear

window) of the vehicle receiving

the jump start.

5. Reverse above sequence exactly

when removing leads.

Towing

Towing the vehicle

Disengage the cover at the bottom

and remove downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the

vehicle tools 3 190.

204

Vehicle care

Screw in the towing eye as far as it will

go until it stops in a horizontal

position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow

rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for

towing and not recovering the vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering

wheel lock and to permit operation of

brake lights, horn and windscreen

wiper.
Open&Start system 3 22.
Transmission in neutral.
Switch on the hazard warning

flashers on both vehicles.

Caution

Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.

Excessive tractive force can

damage the vehicle.

When the engine is not running,

considerably more force is needed to

brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust gases

from the towing vehicle, switch on the

air recirculation and close the

windows.
Vehicles with automatic transmission

must be towed facing forwards, not

faster than 80 km/h nor further than

100 km. In all other cases and when

the transmission is defective, the front

axle must be raised off the ground.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
Manual transmission automated

3

 145.

After towing, unscrew the towing eye

and refit the cover.

Towing another vehicle

Disengage cap at bottom and remove

downwards.

Vehicle care

205

For other models unclip locking tabs

downward and pull off the cover

upwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the

vehicle tools 3 190.

Screw in the towing eye as far as it will

go until it stops in a horizontal

position.
The lashing eye at the rear

underneath the vehicle must never be

used as a towing eye.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow

rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for

towing and not recovering a vehicle.

Caution

Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.

Excessive tractive force can

damage the vehicle.

After towing, unscrew the towing eye

and refit the cover.
Version with cover: install by inserting

the bottom lugs of the cover in the

bumper, folding and then press the

lugs at the top into place.

Appearance care

Exterior care

Locks

The locks are lubricated at the factory

using a high quality lock cylinder

grease. Use de-icing agent only when

absolutely necessary, as this has

a degreasing effect and impairs lock

function. After using de-icing agent,

have the locks regreased by

a workshop.

Washing

The paintwork of your vehicle is

exposed to environmental influences.

Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.

When using automatic car washes,

select a programme that includes

waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,

pollen and the like should be cleaned

off immediately, as they contain

aggressive constituents which can

cause paint damage.

206

Vehicle care

If using a car wash, comply with the

car wash manufacturer's instructions.

The windscreen wipers and rear

window wiper must be switched off.

Remove antenna and external

accessories such as roof racks etc.
If you wash your vehicle by hand,

make sure that the insides of the

wheel housings are also thoroughly

rinsed out.
Clean edges and folds on opened

doors and the bonnet as well as the

areas they cover.
Do not clean the engine compartment

with a steam-jet or high-pressure jet

cleaner.
Thoroughly rinse and leather-off the

vehicle. Rinse leather frequently. Use

separate leathers for painted and

glass surfaces: remnants of wax on

the windows will impair vision.
Do not use hard objects to remove

spots of tar. Use tar removal spray on

painted surfaces.

Exterior lights

Headlight and other light covers are

made of plastic. Do not use any

abrasive or caustic agents, do not use

an ice scraper, and do not clean them

dry.

Polishing and waxing

Wax the vehicle regularly (at the

latest when water no longer beads).

Otherwise, the paintwork will dry out.
Polishing is necessary only if the paint

has become dull or if solid deposits

have become attached to it.
Paintwork polish with silicone forms

a protective film, making waxing

unnecessary.
Plastic body parts must not be treated

with wax or polishing agents.

Windows and windscreen wiper

blades

Use a soft lint-free cloth or chamois

leather together with window cleaner

and insect remover.
When cleaning the rear window,

make sure the heating element inside

is not damaged.

For mechanical removal of ice, use

a sharp-edged ice scraper. Press the

scraper firmly against the glass so

that no dirt can get under it and

scratch the glass.
Clean smearing wiper blades with

a soft cloth and window cleaner.

Sun roof

Never clean with solvents or abrasive

agents, fuels, aggressive media (e.g.

paint cleaner, acetone-containing

solutions etc.), acidic or highly

alkaline media or abrasive pads. Do

not apply wax or polishing agents to

the middle part of the sun roof.

Wheels and tyres

Do not use high-pressure jet

cleaners.
Clean rims with a pH-neutral wheel

cleaner.
Rims are painted and can be treated

with the same agents as the body.

Vehicle care

207

Paintwork damage

Rectify minor paintwork damage with

a touch-up pen before rust forms.

Have more extensive damage or rust

areas repaired by a workshop.

Underbody

Some areas of the vehicle underbody

have a PVC undercoating while other

critical areas have a durable

protective wax coating.
After the underbody is washed, check

the underbody and have it waxed if

necessary.
Bitumen/rubber materials could

damage the PVC coating. Have

underbody work carried out by

a workshop.
Before and after winter, wash the

underbody and have the protective

wax coating checked.

Engine compartment

Areas of the engine compartment that

are painted in the same colour as the

vehicle must be looked after like any

other painted surface.

It is advisable to wash the engine

compartment before and after winter

and preserve it with wax. Protect the

alternator and brake fluid reservoir

with plastic sheets before washing

the engine.
When washing the engine with

a steam-jet cleaner, do not direct the

steam jet towards components of the

antilock brake system, air

conditioning system or the belt drive

and its components.
After an engine wash, have all engine

room components preserved

thoroughly by a workshop using

protective wax.
Do not use high-pressure jet

cleaners.

TwinTop

Clean all seals with a damp soft lint-

free cloth. Allow to dry completely.

Treat all seals, e. g. on the roof and

windscreen frame, with the special

maintenance kit (available at your

service partner) from time to time.

Good contact between the fine rubber

lips and the sealing surfaces prevents

leaks and reduces clamping forces.
Intermediate roof position for cleaning

3

 40.

Do not use high-pressure jet

cleaners.

Towing equipment

Do not clean the coupling ball bar with

a steam-jet or high-pressure jet

cleaner.

Interior care

Interior and upholstery

Only clean the vehicle interior,

including the instrument panel fascia

and panelling, with a dry cloth or

interior cleaner.
Clean the leather upholstery with

clear water and a soft cloth. In case of

heavy soiling, use leather care.
The instrument panel should only be

cleaned using a soft damp cloth.

208

Vehicle care

Clean fabric upholstery with

a vacuum cleaner and brush.

Remove stains with an upholstery

cleaner.
Clean seat belts with lukewarm water

or interior cleaner.

Caution

Close Velcro fasteners as open

Velcro fasteners on clothing could

damage seat upholstery.

Plastic and rubber parts

Plastic and rubber parts can be

cleaned with the same cleaner as

used to clean the body. Use interior

cleaner if necessary. Do not use any

other agent. Avoid solvents and petrol

in particular. Do not use high-

pressure jet cleaners.

Service and maintenance

209

Service and

maintenance

General information ................... 209
Recommended fluids, lubricants

and parts .................................... 210

General information

Service information

In order to ensure economical and

safe vehicle operation and to

maintain the value of your vehicle, it

is of vital importance that all

maintenance work is carried out at the

proper intervals as specified.
The detailed, up-to-date service

schedule for your vehicle is available

at the workshop.
Service display 3 94.

European service intervals

Service is due every 30.000 km or

1 year, whichever occurs first.
The European schedule is valid for

the following countries:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-

Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia,

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,

Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Greenland, Hungary,

Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia,

Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia,

Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands,

Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,

Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,

Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Service display 3 94.

International service intervals

Service is due every 15.000 km or

1 year, whichever occurs first.
The international service intervals are

valid for the countries which are not

listed at the european service

intervals.
Service display 3 94.

Confirmations

Confirmation of service is recorded in

the Service and Warranty Booklet.

The date and mileage is completed

with the stamp and signature of the

servicing workshop.
Make sure that the Service and

Warranty Booklet is completed

correctly as continuous proof of

service is essential if any warranty or

goodwill claims are to be met, and is

also a benefit when selling the

vehicle.