Opel Astra GTC (2018 year). Manual - part 10

150

Driving and operating

● When SPORT mode is engaged,

the vehicle shifts at higher engine

speeds (unless cruise control is

on). SPORT mode 3 157.

● Special programmes

automatically adapt the shifting

points when driving up inclines or

down hills.

● When starting off in snowy or icy

conditions or on other slippery

surfaces, the electronic

transmission control selects a

higher gear automatically.

Kickdown

If the accelerator pedal is pressed

down completely in automatic mode,

the transmission shifts to a lower gear

depending on engine speed.

Fault

In the event of a fault, control indicator

g

 illuminates. Additionally, a code

number or a vehicle message is

displayed in the Driver Information

Centre. Vehicle messages 3 99.

The transmission no longer shifts

automatically. Continued travel is

possible with manual shifting.
Only the highest gear is available.

Depending on the fault, 2nd gear may

also be available in manual mode.

Shift only when vehicle is at a

standstill.
Have the cause of the fault remedied

by a workshop.

Interruption of power supply

In the event of an interruption of

power supply, the selector lever

cannot be moved out of the P

position. The ignition key cannot be

removed from the ignition switch.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,

start the vehicle using jump leads

3

 246.

If the vehicle battery is not the cause

of the fault, release the selector lever.

1. Apply the parking brake.

2. Release the selector lever trim

from the centre console at the

front, fold it upwards and rotate it

to the left.

Driving and operating

151

3. Insert a screwdriver into the

opening as far as it will go and

move the selector lever out of P or

N. If P or N is engaged again, the

selector lever will be locked in

position again. Have the cause of

the power supply interruption

remedied by a workshop.

4. Mount the selector lever trim onto

the centre console and refit.

Manual transmission

To engage reverse, with the vehicle

stationary, depress clutch pedal,

press the release button on the

selector lever and engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, set the

lever to neutral, release the clutch

pedal and depress again; then repeat

gear selection.
Do not slip the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch

pedal completely. Do not use the

pedal as a foot rest.

Caution

It is not advisable to drive with the

hand resting on the selector lever.

Upshift indication 3 89.

152

Driving and operating

Brakes

The brake system comprises two

independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can

still be braked using the other brake

circuit. However, braking effect is

achieved only when the brake pedal

is depressed firmly. Considerably

more force is needed for this. The

braking distance is extended. Seek

the assistance of a workshop before

continuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the

support of the brake servo unit

disappears once the brake pedal has

been depressed once or twice.

Braking effect is not reduced, but

braking requires significantly greater

force. It is especially important to bear

this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 88.

Antilock brake system

Antilock brake system (ABS)

prevents the wheels from locking.

ABS starts to regulate brake pressure

as soon as a wheel shows a tendency

to lock. The vehicle remains

steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent

through a pulse in the brake pedal

and the noise of the regulation

process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake

pedal fully depressed throughout the

braking process, despite the fact that

the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce

the pressure on the pedal.
After starting off the system performs

a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 89.

Adaptive brake light

During full braking, all three brake

lights flash for the duration of ABS

control.

Fault

9 Warning

If there is a fault in the ABS, the

wheels may be liable to lock due

to braking that is heavier than

normal. The advantages of ABS

are no longer available. During

hard braking, the vehicle can no

longer be steered and may

swerve.

Have the cause of the fault remedied

by a workshop.

Driving and operating

153

Parking brake

Manual parking brake

9 Warning

Always apply parking brake firmly

without operating the release

button, and apply as firmly as

possible on a downhill or uphill

slope.
To release the parking brake, pull

the lever up slightly, press the

release button and fully lower the

lever.

To reduce the operating forces of

the parking brake, depress the

brake pedal at the same time.

Control indicator R 3 88.

Electric parking brake

Applying when vehicle is stationary

9 Warning

Pull switch m for approx.

one second, the electric parking

brake operates automatically with

adequate force. For maximum

force, e.g. parking with trailer or on

inclines, pull switch m twice.
The electric parking brake is

applied when control indicator m

illuminates 3 88.

The electric parking brake can always

be activated, even if the ignition is off.
Do not operate electric parking brake

system too often without engine

running, as this will discharge the

vehicle battery.
Before leaving the vehicle, check the

electric parking brake status. Control

indicator m 3 88.

Releasing

Switch on ignition. Keep brake pedal

depressed and then push switch m.

Drive away function

Vehicles with manual transmission:

Depressing the clutch pedal and then

slightly releasing the clutch pedal and

slightly depressing the accelerator

pedal releases the electric parking

154

Driving and operating

brake automatically. This is not

possible when the switch m is pulled

at the same time.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:

Engaging D and then depressing the

accelerator pedal releases the

electric parking brake automatically.

This is not possible when the switch

m

 is pulled at the same time.

Dynamic braking when vehicle is

moving

When the vehicle is moving and the

switch m is kept pulled, the electric

parking brake system will decelerate

the vehicle, but will not apply

statically.
As soon as the switch m is released,

dynamic braking will be stopped.

Fault

Failure mode of electric parking brake

is indicated by control indicator j and

by a code number or a vehicle

message which is displayed in the

Driver Information Centre. Vehicle

messages 3 99.

Apply electric parking brake: pull and

hold the switch m for more than five

seconds . If control indicator m

illuminates, electric parking brake is

applied.
Release electric parking brake: push

and hold the switch m for more than

two seconds. If control indicator m

extinguishes, electric parking brake is

released.
Control indicator m flashes: electric

parking brake is not fully applied or

released. When continuously

flashing, release electric parking

brake and retry applying.

Brake assist

If the brake pedal is depressed

quickly and forcefully, maximum

brake force is automatically applied

(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the

brake pedal for as long as full braking

is required. Maximum brake force is

automatically reduced when the

brake pedal is released.

Hill start assist

The system helps prevent unintended

movement when driving away on

inclines.
When releasing the brake pedal after

stopping on an incline, the brakes

remain on for a further two seconds.

The brakes release automatically as

soon as the vehicle begins to

accelerate.
The hill start assist is not active during

an Autostop.

Driving and operating

155

Ride control systems

Traction Control system

The Traction Control system (TC) is a

component of the Electronic Stability

Control (ESC) 3 155.
TC improves driving stability when

necessary, regardless of the type of

road surface or tyre grip, by

preventing the drive wheels from

spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to

spin, engine output is reduced and

the wheel spinning the most is braked

individually. This considerably

improves the driving stability of the

vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational after each engine

start as soon as control indicator b

extinguishes.
When TC operates b flashes.

9 Warning

Do not let this special safety

feature tempt you into taking risks

when driving.
Adapt speed to the road

conditions.

Control indicator b 3 90.

Deactivation

TC can be switched off when spinning

of drive wheels is required:

press b briefly to deactivate TC, k

illuminates. Deactivation is displayed

as status message in the Driver

Information Centre.
TC is reactivated by pressing b

again.
TC is also reactivated the next time

the ignition is switched on.

Electronic Stability Control

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

improves driving stability when

necessary, regardless of the type of

road surface or tyre grip. It also

prevents the drive wheels from

spinning. ESC operates in

combination with the Traction Control

system (TC) 3 155.
As soon as the vehicle starts to

swerve (understeer/oversteer),

engine output is reduced and the

wheels are braked individually. This

considerably improves the driving

stability of the vehicle on slippery road

surfaces.
ESC is operational after each engine

start as soon as the control indicator

b

 extinguishes.

156

Driving and operating

When ESC operates b flashes.

9 Warning

Do not let this special safety

feature tempt you into taking risks

when driving.
Adapt speed to the road

conditions.

Control indicator b 3 90.

Deactivation

For a more sporty behaviour ESC and

TC can be deactivated separately:

● Press b briefly: only Traction

control system is inactive, ESC

remains active, k illuminates.

● Press and hold b for min. five

seconds: TC and ESC are

deactivated, k and n illuminate.

Additionally, the selected mode is

displayed as status message in the

Driver Information Centre.
If the vehicle comes into threshold

with deactivated ESP, the system will

reactivate ESP for the time duration

of the threshold, when the brake

pedal is depressed once.
ESC is reactivated by pressing b

again. If the TC system was

previously disabled, both TC and

ESC are reactivated.
ESC is also reactivated the next time

the ignition is switched on.

Deactivation, OPC version

For very high-performance driving

ESC and TC can be deactivated

separately. The following modes are

selectable:

● Press b briefly: only Traction

control system is inactive, ESC

remains active, k illuminates.

● Press b twice briefly within two

seconds: TC is inactive, ESC is

operable without engine power

reduction, k and n illuminate.

● Press and hold b for min. five

seconds: TC and ESC are

completely inactive, k and n

illuminate.

Driving and operating

157

Additionally, the selected mode is

displayed as status message in the

Driver Information Centre.
On OPC version TC and ESC remain

deactivated even if the vehicle comes

into threshold with unstable

driveability.
ESC is reactivated by pressing b

again. If the TC system was

previously disabled, both TC and

ESC are reactivated.
ESC is also reactivated the next time

the ignition is switched on.

Interactive driving system

Flex Ride

Flex Ride driving system allows the

driver to select between three driving

modes:

● SPORT mode: press SPORT,

LED illuminates.

● TOUR mode: press TOUR, LED

illuminates.

● NORMAL mode: both SPORT

and TOUR are not pressed, no

LED illuminates.

Deactivate SPORT mode and TOUR

mode by pressing the corresponding

button once more.
In each driving mode, Flex Ride

networks the following electronic

systems:

● Continuous Damping Control
● Accelerator Pedal Control
● Steering Control
● Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
● Antilock brake system (ABS) with

cornering brake control (CBC)

● Automatic transmission

SPORT mode

The settings of the systems are

adapted to a sportier driving style.

TOUR mode

The settings of the systems are

adapted to a comfort driving style.

NORMAL mode

All settings of the systems are

adapted to standard values.

Drive mode control

Within each manual selected driving

mode SPORT, TOUR or NORMAL,

the Drive Mode Control (DMC)

detects and analyses continuously

the real driving characteristic,

responses by the driver, and the

active dynamic state of the vehicle. If

necessary, the control unit of DMC

automatically changes the settings

within the selected driving mode or,

when recognising greater variations,

the driving mode is changed for the

length of variation.
If, for example, NORMAL mode is

selected and DMC detects a sporty

driving behaviour, DMC changes

several settings of the Normal mode

158

Driving and operating

into sporty settings. The DMC

changes to SPORT mode in case of

very sporty driving behaviour.
If, for example, TOUR mode is

selected and whilst driving on a

winding road a sudden hard brake is

necessary, DMC will detect the

dynamic vehicle condition and

changes the settings for suspension

to SPORT mode to increase vehicle

stability.
When the driving characteristic or the

dynamic vehicle state returns to

former state, DMC will change the

settings to the preselected driving

mode.

Personalised settings in the Sport

mode

The driver can select the functions of

the SPORT mode when SPORT is

pressed. These settings can be

changed in the Settings menu in the

Info-Display. Vehicle personalisation

3

 105.

Flex Ride - OPC Version

The OPC Version of Flex Ride system

works in the same way as the

standard Flex Ride system with the

difference that the modes have a

more sporty characteristic.

OPC Flex Ride driving system allows

the driver to select between three

driving modes:

● OPC mode: press OPC, LED

illuminates.

● SPORT mode: press SPORT,

LED illuminates.

● NORMAL mode: neither SPORT

nor OPC is pressed, no LED

illuminates.

Deactivate SPORT mode and OPC

mode by pressing the corresponding

button once more.
In each driving mode,

OPC Flex Ride networks the following

electronic systems:

● Continuous Damping Control
● Accelerator Pedal Control
● Steering Control
● Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
● Antilock brake system (ABS) with

cornering brake control (CBC)

Driving and operating

159

NORMAL mode

In NORMAL mode, when neither

SPORT nor OPC is pressed, all

settings of the systems are adapted

to standard values.

SPORT mode

The settings of the systems are

adapted to a sportier driving style.

OPC mode

The drive dynamic characteristics are

adapted to high performance

settings.
In this mode, the illumination of main

instruments is switched to red.

Personalised settings in the OPC

mode

The driver can select the functions of

the OPC mode when OPC is pressed.

These settings can be changed in the

Settings menu in the Info-Display.

Vehicle personalisation 3 105.

Driver assistance

systems

9 Warning

Driver assistance systems are

developed to support the driver

and not to replace the driver's

attention.
The driver accepts full

responsibility when driving the

vehicle.
When using driver assistance

systems, always take care

regarding the current traffic

situation.

Cruise control

The Cruise control can store and

maintain speeds of approx. 30 to

200 km/h. Deviations from the stored

speeds may occur when driving uphill

or downhill.
For safety reasons, the cruise control

cannot be activated until the brake

pedal has been operated once.

Activating in first gear is not possible.

Do not use the cruise control if it is not

advisable to maintain a constant

speed.
With automatic transmission, only

activate cruise control in automatic

mode.
Control indicator m 3 92.

Switching on

Press m; control indicator m in

instrument cluster illuminates white.

Activation

Accelerate to the desired speed and

turn thumb wheel to SET/-; the

current speed is stored and

160

Driving and operating

maintained. Control indicator m in

instrument cluster illuminates green.

Accelerator pedal can be released.
Vehicle speed can be increased by

depressing the accelerator pedal.

When the accelerator pedal is

released, the previously stored speed

is resumed.
Cruise control remains activated

while gearshifting.

Increase speed

With cruise control active, hold thumb

wheel turned to RES/+ or briefly turn

to RES/+ repeatedly: speed

increases continuously or in small

increments.
Alternatively, accelerate to the

desired speed and store by turning to

SET/-.

Reduce speed

With cruise control active, hold thumb

wheel turned to SET/- or briefly turn to

SET/- repeatedly: speed decreases

continuously or in small increments.

Deactivation

Press y; control indicator m in

instrument cluster illuminates white.

Cruise control is deactivated. Last

stored speed remains in memory for

later speed resume.

Automatic deactivation:

● Vehicle speed is below approx.

30 km/h.

● Vehicle speed is above approx.

200 km/h.

● The brake pedal is depressed.
● The clutch pedal is depressed for

a few seconds.

● Selector lever is in N.
● Engine speed is in a very low

range.

● The Traction Control system (TC)

or Electronic Stability Control

(ESC) is operating.

Resume stored speed

Turn thumb wheel to RES/+ at a

speed above 30 km/h. The stored

speed will be obtained.

Switching off

Press m; control indicator m in

instrument cluster extinguishes. The

stored speed is deleted.

Driving and operating

161

Pressing L for activating speed

limiter or switching off the ignition also

switches off cruise control and

deletes the stored speed.

Speed limiter

The speed limiter prevents the

vehicle exceeding a preset maximum

speed.
The maximum speed can be set at a

speed above 25 km/h.
The driver can only accelerate up to

the preset speed. Deviations from the

limited speed may occur when driving

downhill.
The preset speed limit is displayed in

the top line of the Driver Information

Centre when the system is active.

Activation

Press L. If cruise control or adaptive

cruise control has been activated

before, it is switched off when speed

limiter is activated and control

indicator m extinguishes.

Set speed limit

With speed limiter active, hold thumb

wheel turned to RES/+ or briefly turn

to RES/+ repeatedly until the desired

maximum speed is displayed in the

Driver Information Centre.
Alternatively accelerate to the desired

speed and briefly turn thumb wheel to

SET/-: the current speed is stored as

maximum speed. Speed limit is

displayed in the Driver Information

Centre.

162

Driving and operating

Change speed limit

With speed limiter active, turn thumb

wheel to RES/+ to increase or SET/-

to decrease the desired maximum

speed.

Exceeding the speed limit

In the event of an emergency, it is

possible to exceed the speed limit by

depressing the accelerator pedal

firmly beyond the point of resistance.
The limited speed will flash in the

Driver Information Centre and

(depending on vehicle) additionally a

chime sounds during this period.

Release the accelerator pedal and

the speed limiter function is

reactivated once a speed lower than

the limit speed is obtained.

Deactivation

Press y: speed limiter is deactivated

and the vehicle can be driven without

speed limit.
The limited speed is stored and a

corresponding message appears in

the Driver Information Centre.

Resume limit speed

Turn thumb wheel to RES/+. The

stored speed limit will be obtained.

Switching off

Press L, the speed limit indication in

the Driver Information Centre

extinguishes. The stored speed is

deleted.
By pressing m to activate cruise

control or adaptive cruise control or

by switching off the ignition, speed

limiter is also deactivated and the

stored speed is deleted.

Adaptive cruise control

Adaptive cruise control is an

enhancement to traditional cruise

control with the additional feature of

maintaining a certain distance behind

the vehicle ahead.
Adaptive cruise control automatically

decelerates the vehicle when

approaching a slower moving vehicle.

It then adjusts the vehicle speed to

follow the vehicle ahead at the

selected following distance. The

vehicle speed increases or decreases

to follow the vehicle in front, but will

not exceed the set speed. It may

apply limited braking with activated

brake lights.
The adaptive cruise control can store

and maintain speeds over approx.

50 km/h and brakes automatically to

follow a slower vehicle driving ahead

to a minimum speed of 30 km/h.

Driving and operating

163

Adaptive cruise control uses a radar

sensor to detect the vehicles ahead.

If no vehicle is detected in the driving

path, the adaptive cruise control will

behave like a traditional cruise

control.
For safety reasons, the system

cannot be activated before the brake

pedal has been depressed once

since switching on ignition. Activation

in first gear is not possible.
Adaptive cruise control is mainly

advised to be used on long straight

roads, e.g. highways or country roads

with steady traffic. Do not use the

system if it is not advisable to

maintain a constant speed.
Control indicator A 3 93, m 3 92.

9 Warning

The complete driver attention is

always required while driving with

adaptive cruise control. The driver

stays fully in control of the vehicle

because the brake pedal, the

accelerator pedal and the cancel

switch have priority over any

adaptive cruise control operation.

Switching on

Press C to switch on adaptive cruise

control. The control indicator m

illuminates white.

Activation by setting the speed

Adaptive cruise control can be

activated between 50 km/h and

180 km/h.
Accelerate to the desired speed and

turn thumb wheel to SET/-, the

current speed is stored and

maintained. Control indicator m

illuminates green.

The adaptive cruise control symbol,

the following distance setting and set

speed are indicated in the top line of

the Driver Information Centre.
The accelerator pedal can be

released. Adaptive cruise control

remains activated while gearshifting.

Overriding set speed

It is always possible to drive faster

than the selected set speed by

depressing the accelerator pedal.

When the accelerator pedal is

released, the vehicle returns to the

desired distance if a slower vehicle is

ahead. Otherwise it returns to the

stored speed.

164

Driving and operating

Once the system is activated,

adaptive cruise control decelerates or

brakes if it detects a vehicle ahead,

which is slower or closer than the

desired following distance.

9 Warning

Accelerating by the driver

deactivates automatic braking by

the system. This is indicated as a

pop-up warning in the Driver

Information Centre.

Increase speed

With adaptive cruise control active,

hold thumb wheel turned to RES/+:

speed increases continuously in large

increments, or activate repeatedly

RES/+: speed increases in small

increments.
If the vehicle is driven with adaptive

cruise control active much faster than

the desired speed, e.g. after

depressing the accelerator pedal,

then the current speed can be stored

and maintained by turning the thumb

wheel to SET/-.

Reduce speed

With adaptive cruise control active,

hold thumb wheel turned to SET/-:

speed decreases continuously in

large increments, or activate

repeatedly SET/-: speed decreases in

small increments.
If the vehicle is driven with adaptive

cruise control active much slower

than the desired speed, e.g. because

of a slower vehicle ahead, then the

current speed can be stored and

maintained by turning the thumb

wheel to SET/-.

Resume stored speed

If the system is switched on but

inactive, then turn thumb wheel to

RES/+ at a speed above 50 km/h to

resume the stored speed.

Setting the following distance

When adaptive cruise control detects

a slower moving vehicle in the driving

path, it will adjust the vehicle speed to

maintain the following distance

selected by the driver.

The following distance can be set to

near, medium or far.

Press E; the current setting is shown

in the Driver Information Centre.

Press E again to change the

following distance. The setting is also

displayed in the top line of the Driver

Information Centre.

Driving and operating

165

The selected following distance is

indicated by filled distance bars in the

adaptive cruise control page.
Note that the following distance

setting is shared with the sensitivity

setting of forward collision alert.
Example: If setting 3 (far) is selected,

then the driver is warned sooner

before a possible collision, also if

adaptive cruise control is inactive or

switched off.

9 Warning

The driver accepts full

responsibility for the appropriate

following distance based on traffic,

weather and visibility conditions.

Following distance must be

adjusted or the system switched

off when required by the prevailing

conditions.

Detecting the vehicle ahead

The green illuminated vehicle ahead

control indicator A is displayed in the

speedometer when the system

detects a vehicle in the driving path.

If this symbol does not display, or

displays briefly, adaptive cruise

control will not respond to vehicles

ahead.

Deactivation

Adaptive cruise control is deactivated

by the driver when:

● y is pressed.
● The brake pedal is depressed.
● The clutch pedal is depressed for

more than four seconds.

● The gear selector lever of

automatic transmission is moved

to N.

The system is also automatically

deactivated when:

● Vehicle speed slows down below

45 km/h or accelerates above

190 km/h.

● The Traction Control system (TC)

is operating for more than

20 seconds.

● The Electronic Stability Control

(ESC) is operating.