Opel Astra Saloon (2014 year). Manual - part 9

134

Driving and operating

To repeat the starting procedure or to

switch off the engine, press the button

again.

Starting the vehicle at low

temperatures

The start of the engine without

additional heaters is possible down to

-25 °С for diesel engines and -30 °C

for petrol engines. Required is an

engine oil with the correct viscosity,

the correct fuel, performed services

and a sufficiently charged battery.

With temperatures below -30 °C the

automatic transmission and the

manual transmission automated

need a warming phase of approx. 5

minutes. The selector lever must be

in position P respectively N.

Overrun cut-off

The fuel supply is automatically cut off

during overrun, i.e. when the vehicle

is driven with a gear engaged but

accelerator is released.

Parking

■ Do not park the vehicle on an easily

ignitable surface. The high

temperature of the exhaust system

could ignite the surface.

■ Always apply parking brake without

pressing release button. Apply as

firmly as possible on downhill or

uphill slopes. Depress the foot

brake at the same time to reduce

operating force.

■ Switch off the engine and ignition.

Turn the steering wheel until the

steering wheel lock engages.

■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or

uphill slope, engage first gear or set

the selector lever to P before

switching off the ignition. On an

uphill slope, turn the front wheels

away from the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill slope,

engage reverse gear or set the

selector lever to P before switching

off the ignition. Turn the front

wheels towards the kerb.

■ Lock the vehicle and activate the

anti-theft locking system and the

anti-theft alarm system.

Driving and operating

135

Engine exhaust

9 Danger

Engine exhaust gases contain

poisonous carbon monoxide,

which is colourless and odourless

and could be fatal if inhaled.
If exhaust gases enter the interior

of the vehicle, open the windows.

Have the cause of the fault

rectified by a workshop.
Avoid driving with an open load

compartment, otherwise exhaust

gases could enter the vehicle.

Diesel particle filter

The diesel particle filter system filters

harmful soot particles out of the

exhaust gases. The system includes

a self-cleaning function that runs

automatically during driving. The filter

is cleaned by burning off the soot

particles at high temperature. This

process takes place automatically

under set driving conditions and may

take up to 25 minutes. Fuel

consumption may be higher during

this period. The emission of smells

and smoke during this process is

normal.

Under certain driving conditions, e.g.

short distances, the system cannot

clean itself automatically.
If the filter requires cleaning and

previous driving conditions did not

enable automatic cleaning, control

indicator ! flashes. Continue driving,

keeping engine speed above 2000

revolutions per minute. Shift down if

necessary. Diesel particle filter

cleaning is then started.

Stopping the journey or switching off

the engine during cleaning is not

recommended.

Caution

If the cleaning process is

interrupted more than once, there

is a great risk of provoking severe

engine damage.

Cleaning takes place quickest at high

engine speeds and loads.

136

Driving and operating

The control indicator ! extinguishes

as soon as the self-cleaning

operation is complete.

Catalytic converter

The catalytic converter reduces the

amount of harmful substances in the

exhaust gases.

Caution

Fuel grades other than those listed

on pages 3 151, 3 216 could

damage the catalytic converter or

electronic components.
Unburnt petrol will overheat and

damage the catalytic converter.

Therefore avoid excessive use of

the starter, running the fuel tank

dry and starting the engine by

pushing or towing.

In the event of misfiring, uneven

engine running, a reduction in engine

performance or other unusual

problems, have the cause of the fault

rectified by a workshop as soon as

possible. In an emergency, driving

can be continued for a short period,

keeping vehicle speed and engine

speed low.

Automatic transmission

The automatic transmission makes

automatic shifting possible

(automatic mode) and the version

with ActiveSelect also makes manual

shifting possible (manual mode).

Transmission display

The mode or selected gear is shown

in the transmission display.

Driving and operating

137

Selector lever

P = park position, Front wheels

locked, engage only when the

vehicle is stationary and the

parking brake is applied

R = reverse gear, engage only

when vehicle is stationary

N = neutral

D = automatic mode with all gears

The selector lever can only be moved

out of P or N when the ignition is on

and the foot brake is depressed

(selector lever lock).
When the selector lever is in N, the

selector lever lock is activated after a

delay and only if the vehicle is

stationary.

When the selector lever is in the P or

N position, control indicator j in the

gear indicator strip illuminates red

when the selector lever is locked. If

the selector lever is not in the P

position when the ignition is switched

off, control indicator j and P in the

gear indicator strip flash.
To engage P or R, push button on

selector lever.
When position N is selected, press

foot brake or engage parking brake

before starting.

138

Driving and operating

Do not accelerate while engaging a

gear. Never depress the accelerator

pedal and brake pedal at the same

time.
When a gear is engaged, the vehicle

slowly begins to creep when the

brake is released.

Gears 3, 2, 1

3, 2, 1 = Transmission does not

shift above the selected

gear.

Press button on selector lever to

engage 3 or 1.
Only select 3, 2 or 1 to prevent

automatic upshifting or as an aid in

engine braking.

Engine braking

To utilise the engine braking effect,

select a lower gear in good time when

driving downhill.

Rocking the vehicle

Rocking the vehicle is only

permissible if the vehicle is stuck in

sand, mud or snow. Move the selector

lever between D and R in a repeat

pattern. Do not race the engine and

avoid sudden acceleration.

Parking

Apply the parking brake and engage

P.
The ignition key can only be removed

when the selector lever is in position

P.

Manual mode

Move selector lever out of position D

towards the left and then forwards or

backwards.
+ = Shift to a higher gear.
- = Shift to a lower gear.
If a higher gear is selected when

vehicle speed is too low, or a lower

gear when vehicle speed is too high,

the shift is not executed.
If engine speed is too low, the

transmission automatically shifts to a

lower gear above a specific vehicle

speed.

Driving and operating

139

No automatic shifting to a higher gear

takes place at a high engine speed.
For reasons of safety, kickdown is

also available in manual mode.

Electronic driving

programmes

■ Following a cold start, the operating

temperature programme increases

engine speed to quickly bring the

catalytic converter to the required

temperature.

■ The automatic neutral shift function

automatically shifts to idling when

the vehicle is stopped with a

forward gear engaged.

■ The adaptive programme tailors

gearshifting to the driving

conditions, e.g. greater load or

gradients.

■ When Sport mode is engaged, the

vehicle shifts at higher engine

speeds (unless cruise control is

on). Sport mode 3 148.

Winter programme T

Activate the Winter programme to

assist starting off on a slippery road

surface.

Activation on vehicles without manual

mode

Press the T button with P, R, N, D or

3 engaged. The vehicle starts off in

3rd gear.

Activation on vehicles with manual

mode

In automatic mode, press the T

button. Depending on road

conditions, the vehicles starts off in

2nd or 3rd gear.

Deactivation

The Winter programme is switched off

by:

■ pressing the T button again
■ manually selecting 2 or 1
■ changing to manual mode
■ turning off the ignition
■ or if the transmission oil

temperature is too high

140

Driving and operating

Kickdown

If the accelerator pedal is pressed

past the pressure point, the

transmission shifts to a lower gear

depending on engine speed.

Fault

In the event of a fault, A illuminates.

The transmission no longer shifts

automatically. Continued travel is

possible with manual shifting.
Have the cause of the fault remedied

by a workshop.

Version without manual mode

2nd gear is not available. Manual

shifting:
1

= 1st gear

2

= 3rd gear

3, D = 4th gear

Version with manual mode

Only the highest gear is available.

Depending on the fault, 2nd gear may

also be available in manual mode.

Interruption of power

supply

In the event of an interruption of

power supply, the selector lever

cannot be moved out of the P or N

position.
If the battery is discharged, start the

vehicle using jump leads 3 200.

If the battery is not the cause of the

fault, release selector lever:

1. Apply parking brake.
2. Release selector lever trim from

centre console at rear, fold

upwards and rotate to the left.

Driving and operating

141

3. Push the yellow catch forward

with a screwdriver and move the

selector lever out of P.

4. Mount selector lever trim on

centre console and refit.

Reselecting P causes locking again.

Have a workshop eliminate the cause

of the power loss.

Manual transmission

To engage reverse, with the vehicle

stationary wait 3 seconds after

depressing the clutch pedal and then

pull up the 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 grind the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch

pedal completely. Do not use the

pedal as a foot rest.

Caution

It is inadvisable to drive with hand

resting on the selector lever.

142

Driving and operating

Manual transmission

automated

The Easytronic transmission permits

manual (manual mode) or automatic

gear shifting (automatic mode), both

with automatic clutch control.

Transmission display

Shows the mode and current gear.
The display flashes for a few seconds

when A, M or R is selected with the

engine running and the foot brake not

activated.

If the Winter programme is activated,

T

 is illuminated.

Starting the engine

Depress the foot brake when starting

the engine. If the foot brake is not

depressed, j illuminates in the

instrument cluster, "N" flashes in the

transmission display and the engine

cannot be started.
Starting is not possible if all brake

lights fail.
When the foot brake is depressed, the

transmission automatically shifts to

N upon start. There may be a slight

delay.

Selector lever

Always move the selector lever in the

appropriate direction as far as it will

go. Upon release, it automatically

returns to the centre position.
N = Neutral.

A = Switch between automatic and

manual mode. The

transmission display shows A

or M.

R = Reverse gear. Engage only

when vehicle is stationary.

+ = Shift to a higher gear.

- = Shift to a lower gear.

Driving and operating

143

Starting off

Depress the foot brake and move the

selector lever to A, + or -. The

transmission is in automatic mode

and first gear is engaged. If R is

selected, reverse gear is engaged.
The vehicle starts to move when the

brake is released.
To start off without depressing the

foot brake, accelerate immediately

after engaging a gear.
If neither the accelerator nor the

brake pedal are depressed, no gear

is engaged and A or R flashes for a

brief time in the display.

Stopping the vehicle

In A, first gear is engaged and the

clutch is released when the vehicle is

stopped. In R, reverse gear remains

engaged.

Engine braking

Automatic mode

When driving downhill, the manual

transmission automated does not

shift into higher gears until a fairly

high engine speed has been reached.

It shifts down in good time when

braking.

Manual mode

To utilise the engine braking effect,

select a lower gear in good time when

driving downhill.

Rocking the vehicle

Rocking the vehicle is only

permissible if the vehicle is stuck in

sand, mud or snow. Move the selector

lever between R and A in a repeat

pattern. Do not race the engine and

avoid sudden acceleration.

Parking

Apply the parking brake. The most

recently engaged gear (see

transmission display) remains

engaged. With N, no gear is engaged.
When the ignition is switched off the

transmission no longer responds to

movement of the selector lever.

Manual mode

If a higher gear is selected when the

engine speed is too low, or a lower

gear when the speed is too high, the

shift is not executed. This prevents

the engine from running at too low or

too high an engine speed.
If engine speed is too low, the

transmission automatically shifts to a

lower gear.
If engine speed is too high, the

transmission only switches to a higher

gear via kickdown.
When + or - is selected in automatic

mode, the transmission switches to

manual mode and shifts accordingly.

Electronic driving

programmes

■ Following a cold start, the operating

temperature programme increases

engine speed to quickly bring the

catalytic converter to the required

temperature.

144

Driving and operating

■ The adaptive programme tailors

gearshifting to the driving

conditions, e.g. greater load or

gradients.

■ When Sport mode is engaged, shift

times are reduced and the

transmission shifts at higher engine

speeds (unless cruise control is

on). Sport mode 3 148.

Winter programme T

Activate the Winter programme if you

have problems starting off on a

slippery road surface.

Activation

Press the T button. The transmission

switches to automatic mode. The

vehicle starts off in 2nd gear. Sport

mode is deactivated.

Deactivation

The Winter programme is switched off

by:

■ pressing the T button again
■ turning off the ignition,
■ switching to manual mode (when

switched back to automatic mode,

the Winter programme is again

active)

■ when clutch temperature is too high

Kickdown

If the accelerator pedal is pressed

past the pressure point, the

transmission shifts to a lower gear

depending on engine speed.
During kickdown no manual gear

shifting is possible.

Fault

To prevent damage to the manual

transmission automated, the clutch is

engaged automatically at high clutch

temperatures.

Driving and operating

145

A

 illuminates in the event of a fault.

Continued driving is possible. Manual

mode cannot be used for shifting.
If F appears in the transmission

display, continued driving is not

possible.
Have the cause of the fault remedied

by a workshop.

Interruption of power

supply

The clutch is not disengaged if there

is an interruption of the power supply

when a gear is engaged. The vehicle

cannot move.
If the battery is discharged, start the

vehicle using jump leads 3 200.
If the cause of the fault is not a

discharged battery, seek the

assistance of a workshop.

If the vehicle must be moved out of

the flow of traffic, disengage the

clutch as follows (for vehicles with 5-

speed manual transmission

automated only):

1. Apply parking brake and switch off

ignition.

2. Open the bonnet 3 161.
3. Clean the transmission around

the cap so that no dirt can get into

the opening when the cap is

removed.

4. Rotate cap to slacken and remove

by lifting upwards.

5. Using a flat-head screwdriver,

turn the adjusting screw under the

cap clockwise until clear

resistance can be felt. The clutch

has now been disengaged.

6. Refit cleaned cap. The cap must

be in full contact with the housing.

On vehicles with 6-speed manual

transmission automated, the clutch

cannot be released; if the vehicle

must be moved, raise the vehicle at

the front to tow.

Caution

Do not turn beyond the resistance

since this could damage the

transmission.

146

Driving and operating

Caution

Towing the vehicle and starting

the engine is not permitted when

the clutch has been disengaged in

this way, although the vehicle can

be moved a short distance.

Seek the immediate assistance of a

workshop.

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 you depress the

brake pedal 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 98.

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 98.

Adaptive brake lamp

During full braking, all three brake

lamps flash for the duration of ABS

control.

Driving and operating

147

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.

Parking brake

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 foot brake

at the same time.

Control indicator R 3 98.

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 foot brake 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.

Ride control systems

Electronic stability

program

Electronic stability program

(ESP®

Plus

) improves driving stability

when necessary, regardless of the

type of road surface or tyre grip. It also

prevents the drive wheels from

spinning.
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.
ESP®

Plus

 is operational as soon as

control indicator v extinguishes.
When ESP®

Plus

 comes into action v

flashes.

148

Driving and operating

9 Warning

Do not let this special safety

feature tempt you into taking risks

when driving.
Adapt speed to the road

conditions.

Control indicator v 3 99.

Deactivation

ESP®

Plus

 can be deactivated when

Sport mode is engaged for high-

performance driving:

Hold the SPORT button depressed

for about 4 seconds. Control indicator

v 

 illuminates. ESPoff also appears in

the service display.

9 Warning

Do not deactivate ESP®

Plus

 if a

run-flat tyre has lost pressure.

ESP®

Plus

 is reactivated by pressing

the SPORT button. ESPon appears in

the service display. ESP®

Plus

 is also

reactivated the next time the ignition

is switched on.
Sport mode 3 148.

Interactive driving system

Interactive driving system (IDS

Plus

)

combines the electronic stability

program (ESP®

Plus

) with the antilock

brake system (ABS) and continuous

damping control (CDC) to improve

driving dynamics and vehicle safety.

Sport mode

Suspension and steering become

more direct and provide better

contact with the road surface. The

engine reacts more quickly to

accelerator pedal movements.
Automatic gear changing is also more

responsive.
Control indicator IDS+ 3 100.

Activation

Press SPORT button.
Control indicator 1 3 98.

Driving and operating

149

Winter programme activation not

possible.

Deactivation

Briefly press the SPORT button.

Sport mode is deactivated the next

time the ignition is switched on or if

the Winter programme is activated.

Continuous damping

control

Continuous damping control (CDC)

changes suspension with damping

adaptation of each shock absorber to

the current driving situation and road

conditions.
When Sport mode is engaged, the

damping control is adapted to a

sportier driving style.
Control indicator IDS+ 3 100.

Automatic level control

The rear level of the vehicle is

automatically adjusted to the load

conditions while driving. Suspension

and ground clearance are increased,

which improves driving conditions.
The automatic level control is

activated after the vehicle has been

driven for some distance, depending

on the vehicle loading and the road

conditions.
Do not use full payload in the event of

a fault. Have the cause of the fault

remedied by a workshop.

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 foot

brake has been operated once.

Do not use the cruise control if it is not

advisable to maintain a constant

speed.