Opel Astra GTC (2018 year). Manual - part 12

182

Driving and operating

Note

The parking assist system

automatically detects factory-fitted

towing equipment. It is deactivated

when the connector is plugged in.
It is possible that the sensor detects

a non-existing object (echo

disturbance) caused by external

acoustical or mechanic

disturbances.
Advanced parking assist system

may not respond to changes in the

parking space after initiating a

parallel parking manoeuvre.
Note

After use the advanced parking

assist requires a calibration. For

optimal parking guidance, a driving

distance of at least 35 km, including

a number of bends, is required.

Side blind spot alert

The Side blind spot alert system

detects and reports objects on either

side of the vehicle, within a specified

"blind spot" zone. The system alerts

visually in each exterior mirror, when

detecting objects that may not be

visible in the interior and exterior

mirrors.
The system's sensors are located in

the bumper on the left and right side

of the vehicle.

9 Warning

Side blind spot alert does not

replace driver vision.
The system does not detect:

● vehicles outside the side blind

zones which may be rapidly

approaching

● pedestrians, cyclists or animals

Before changing a lane, always

check all mirrors, look over the

shoulder and use the turn signal.

When the system detects a vehicle in

the side blind zone while driving

forward, either while passing a

vehicle or being passed, an amber

warning symbol B will illuminate in

the relevant exterior mirror. If the

driver then activates the turn signal,

the warning symbol B starts flashing

amber as a warning not to change

lanes.

Note

If the overtaking vehicle is at least

10 km/h faster than the vehicle being

overtaken, the warning symbol B in

the relevant exterior mirror may not

illuminate.

Side blind spot alert is active from

speeds of 10 km/h up to 140 km/h.

Driving faster than 140 km/h

deactivates the system, indicated by

low lighting warning symbols B in

both exterior mirrors. Reducing the

speed again will extinguish the

Driving and operating

183

warning symbols. If a vehicle is then

detected in the blind zone, the

warning symbol B will illuminate as

normal on the relevant side.
When the vehicle is started, both

exterior mirror displays will briefly

come on to indicate that the system is

operating.
The system can be activated or

deactivated in the menu Settings in

the Info-Display. Vehicle

personalisation 3 105.
Deactivation is indicated by a

message in the Driver Information

Centre.

Detection zones

The system sensor covers a zone of

approx. three metres on both sides of

the vehicle. This zone starts at each

exterior mirror and extends rearwards

by approx. three metres. The height

of the zone is approx. between

0.5 metres and two metres off the

ground.
The system is deactivated if the

vehicle is towing a trailer.

Side blind spot alert is designed to

ignore stationary objects such as

guardrails, posts, curbs, walls and

beams. Parked vehicles or oncoming

vehicles are not detected.

Fault

Occasional missed alerts can occur

under normal circumstances.
Side blind spot alert does not operate

when the left or right corners of the

rear bumper are covered with mud,

dirt, snow, ice or slush. Cleaning

instructions 3 249.
In the event of a fault in the system or

if the system does not work due to

temporary conditions, a message is

displayed in the Driver Information

Centre. Seek the assistance of a

workshop in case of a permanent

fault.

Traffic sign assistant

Functionality

The traffic sign assistant system

detects designated traffic signs via a

front camera and displays them in the

Driver Information Centre.

Traffic signs which will be detected

are:
Limit and no passing signs

● speed limit
● no passing
● end of speed limit
● end of no passing

184

Driving and operating

Road signs

Beginning and end of:

● motorways
● A-roads
● play streets

Add-on signs

● additional hints to traffic signs
● restriction of trailer towing
● tractor constraints
● wet warning
● ice warning
● direction arrows

Speed limit signs are displayed in the

Driver Information Centre until the

next speed limit sign or end of speed

limit is detected or up to a defined sign

timeout.

Indication of multiple signs on the

display is possible.

An exclamation mark in a frame

indicates that there is an add-on sign

detected which cannot be recognised

by the system.
The system is active up to a speed of

200 km/h depending on the lighting

conditions. At night the system is

active up to a speed of 160 km/h.
As soon as vehicle speed becomes

slower than 55 km/h the display will

be reset and the content of the traffic

sign page will be cleared. The next

recognized speed indication will be

displayed.

Display indication

Traffic signs are displayed on the

Traffic sign detection page in the

Driver Information Centre.

Driving and operating

185

Select Settings X by pressing

MENU and select Traffic sign

detection via the adjuster wheel on

the turn signal lever 3 93.
When another page on the Driver

Information Centre menu was

selected and then Traffic sign

detection page is chosen again, the

last recognised traffic sign will be

displayed.

Alert function

Once activated, speed limit and no

passing signs are displayed as pop-

up alerts in the Driver Information

Centre.

The alert function can be activated or

deactivated in the Settings menu of

the traffic sign assistant page by

pressing SET/CLR on the turn signal

lever.

186

Driving and operating

When the Settings page is displayed,

select Off to deactivate alert function.

Reactivate by selecting On.
When switching on the ignition, alert

function is deactivated.
Pop-up indication is displayed for

approx. eight seconds in the Driver

Information Centre.

System reset

The content of the traffic sign memory

can be cleared in the Settings menu

of the traffic sign assistant page by

pressing and holding SET/CLR on the

turn signal lever. Upon successful

reset, a chime will sound and the

following symbol is indicated until the

next traffic sign is detected.

In some cases, traffic sign assistant is

reset automatically by the system.

Fault

The traffic sign assistant system may

not operate correctly when:

● The area of the windscreen,

where the front camera is

located, is not clean.

● Traffic signs are completely or

partially covered or difficult to

discern.

● There are adverse environmental

conditions, e.g. heavy rain, snow,

direct sunlight or shadows. In this

case No Traffic Sign Detection

due to Weather is indicated in the

Driver Information Centre.

● Traffic signs are incorrectly

mounted or damaged.

● Traffic signs do not comply with

the Vienna Convention on traffic

signs (Wiener Übereinkommen

über Straßenverkehrszeichen).

Caution

The system is intended to help the

driver within a defined speed

range to discern certain traffic

signs. Do not ignore traffic signs

which are not displayed by the

system.
The system does not discern any

other than the conventional traffic

signs that might give or end a

speed limit.
Do not let this special feature

tempt you into taking risks when

driving.
Always adapt speed to the road

conditions.

Driving and operating

187

The driver assistance systems do

not relieve the driver from full

responsibility for vehicle

operation.

Lane departure warning

The lane departure warning system

observes the lane markings between

which the vehicle is driving via a front

camera. The system detects lane

changes and warns the driver in the

event of an unintended lane change

via visual and acoustic signals.
Criteria for the detection of an

unintended lane change are:

● No operation of turn signals.
● No brake pedal operation.
● No active accelerator operation

or speeding-up.

● No active steering.

If the driver is active, no warning will

be issued.

Activation

The lane departure warning system is

activated by pressing ). The

illuminated LED in the button

indicates that the system is switched

on. When control indicator ) in the

instrument cluster illuminates green,

the system is ready to operate.
The system is only operable at

vehicle speeds above 56 km/h and if

lane markings are available.
When the system recognises an

unintended lane change, the control

indicator ) changes to yellow and

flashes. Simultaneously a chime

sound is activated.

Deactivation

The system is deactivated by

pressing ), the LED in the button

extinguishes.
At speeds below 56 km/h the system

is inoperable.

Fault

The lane departure warning system

may not operate properly when:

● The windscreen is not clean.
● There are adverse environmental

conditions like heavy rain, snow,

direct sunlight or shadows.

188

Driving and operating

The system can not operate when no

lane marking is detected.

Fuel

Fuel for petrol engines

Only use unleaded fuel that complies

with European standard EN 228 or

equivalent.
The engine is capable of running with

fuel that contains up to 10% ethanol

(e.g. named E10).
Use fuel with the recommended

octane rating. A lower octane rating

can reduce engine power and torque

and slightly increases fuel

consumption.

Caution

Do not use fuel or fuel additives

that contain metallic compounds

such as manganese-based

additives. This may cause engine

damage.

Caution

Use of fuel that does not comply to

EN 228 or equivalent can lead to

deposits or engine damage.

Caution

Use of fuel with a lower octane

rating than the lowest possible

rating could lead to uncontrolled

combustion and engine damage.

The engine specific requirements

regarding octane rating are given in

the engine data overview 3 262. A

country specific label at the fuel filler

flap can supersede the requirement.

Fuel additives outside Europe

Fuel should contain detergent

additives that help prevent engine

and fuel system deposits from

forming. Clean fuel injectors and

intake valves will allow the emission

control system to work properly.

Driving and operating

189

Some fuel does not contain sufficient

quantities of additive to keep fuel

injectors and intake valves clean.
To make up for this lack of

detergency, add Fuel System

Treatment PLUS to the fuel tank at

every engine oil change or every

15,000 km, whichever occurs first. It

is available at your workshop.
Fuels containing oxygenates such as

ethers and ethanol, as well as

reformulated fuel, are available in

some cities. If these fuels comply with

the previously described

specification, then they are

acceptable to use. However, E85

(85% ethanol) and other fuels

containing more than 15% ethanol

must be used only in FlexFuel

vehicles.

Caution

Do not use fuel containing

methanol. It can corrode metal

parts in the fuel system and also

damage plastic and rubber parts.

This damage would not be

covered by the vehicle warranty.

Some fuels, mainly high octane

racing fuels, can contain an octane

enhancing additive called

methylcyclopentadienyl manganese

tricarbonyl (MMT). Do not use fuels or

fuel additives with MMT as they can

reduce spark plug life and affect

emission control system

performance. The malfunction

indicator light Z may illuminate 3 88.

If this occurs, seek the assistance of

a workshop.

Fuel for diesel engines

Only use diesel fuel that complies

with EN 590 and which has a sulphur

concentration of max. 10 ppm.
Fuels with a biodiesel (compliant with

EN 14214) content of max. 7% by

volume may be used (e.g. named

B7).
If travelling in countries outside the

European Union, occasional use of

Euro-Diesel fuel with a sulphur

concentration below 50 ppm is

possible.

Caution

Frequent usage of diesel fuel

containing more than 15 ppm

sulphur will cause severe engine

damage.

Caution

Use of fuel that does not comply to

EN 590 or similar can lead to

engine powerloss, increased wear

or engine damage and may affect

your warranty.

Do not use marine diesel oils, heating

oils, Aquazole and similar diesel-

water emulsions. Diesel fuels must

not be diluted with fuels for petrol

engines.

Low temperature operation

At temperatures below 0° C, some

diesel products with biodiesel blends

may clog, freeze or gel, which may

affect the fuel supply system. Starting

and engine operation may not work

190

Driving and operating

properly. Make sure to fill winter

grade diesel fuel at ambient

temperatures below 0°C.
Arctic grade diesel fuel can be used

in extreme cold temperatures below

-20° C. Using this fuel grade in warm

or hot climates is not recommended

and may cause engine stalling, poor

starting or damage on the fuel

injection system.

Fuel for liquid gas operation

Liquid gas is known as LPG

(Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or under

its French name GPL (Gaz de Pétrole

Liquéfié). LPG is also known as

Autogas.
LPG consists mainly of propane and

butane. The octane rating is between

105 and 115, depending on the

butane proportion. LPG is stored

liquid at around 5 - 10 bar pressure.
The boiling point depends on the

pressure and mixing ratio. At ambient

pressure, it is between -42 °C (pure

propane) and -0.5 °C (pure butane).

Caution

The system works at an ambient

temperature of approx. -8 °C to

100 °C.

Full function of the LPG system can

only be guaranteed with liquid gas

which complies with the minimum

requirements of DIN EN 589.

Refuelling

9 Danger

Before refuelling, switch off

ignition and any external heaters

with combustion chambers.

Switch off any mobile phones.
Follow the operating and safety

instructions of the filling station

when refuelling.

9 Danger

Fuel is flammable and explosive.

No smoking. No naked flames or

sparks.
If you can smell fuel in your

vehicle, have the cause of this

remedied immediately by a

workshop.

Caution

In case of misfuelling, do not

switch on ignition.

Fuel filler flap is located at right rear

side of the vehicle.

Driving and operating

191

The fuel filler flap can only be opened

if the vehicle is unlocked. Release the

fuel filler flap by pushing the flap.
To open, turn the cap slowly to the

left.

The fuel filler cap can be retained in

the bracket on the fuel filler flap.
To refuel, fully insert the pump nozzle

and switch it on.
After the automatic cut-off, the tank

can be topped up by operating the

pump nozzle a maximum of two more

times.

Caution

Wipe off any overflowing fuel

immediately.

To close, turn the fuel filler cap to the

right until it clicks.
Close the flap and engage.

Liquid gas refuelling

Follow the operating and safety

instructions of the filling station when

refuelling.
The filling valve for the liquid gas is

behind the fuel filler cap.

Unscrew protective cap from the filler

neck.

Screw the required adapter hand-

tight onto the filler neck.

192

Driving and operating

ACME Adapter: Screw the nut of the

filling nozzle onto the adapter. Press

locking lever on filler nozzle down.
DISH filler neck: Place the filler nozzle

into the adapter. Press locking lever

on filler nozzle down.
Bayonet filler neck: Place filler nozzle

on the adapter and turn to the left or

right through one quarter turn. Pull

locking lever of filler nozzle fully.
EURO filler neck: Press the filler

nozzle onto the adapter until it

engages.

Press the button of the liquid gas

supply point. The filling system stops

or begins to run slowly when 80% of

the tank volume is reached

(maximum fill level).
Release button on filling system to

stop the filling process. Release the

locking lever and remove the filler

nozzle. A small quantity of liquid gas

can escape.
Remove adapter and stow in vehicle.
Fit protective cap to prevent the

penetration of foreign bodies into the

filler opening and the system.

9 Warning

Due to the system design, an

escape of liquid gas after

releasing the locking lever is

unavoidable. Avoid inhaling.

9 Warning

The liquid gas tank may only be

filled to 80% for safety reasons.

The multivalve on the liquid gas tank

automatically limits the fill quantity. If

a larger quantity is added, we

recommend not exposing the vehicle

to the sun until the excess amount

has been used up.

Filling adapter

As filling systems are not

standardised, different adapters are

required which are available from

Opel Distributors and from Opel

Authorised Repairers.

ACME adapter: Belgium, Germany,

Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland

Driving and operating

193

Bayonet adapter: Netherlands,

Norway, Spain, United Kingdom

EURO adapter: Spain

DISH adapter: Bosnia-Herzegovina,

Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France,

Greece, Italy, Croatia, Latvia,

Lithuania, Macedonia, Austria,

Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden,

Switzerland, Serbia, Slovakia,

Slovenia, Czech Republic, Turkey,

Ukraine, Hungary

Fuel filler cap

Only use genuine fuel filler caps.

Diesel-engined vehicles have special

fuel filler caps.

Fuel consumption - CO

2

-

Emissions

The fuel consumption (combined) of

the model Opel Astra is within a range

of 7.8 to 3.6 l/100 km.
The CO

2

 emission (combined) is

within a range of 184 to 94 g/km.
For the values specific to your

vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of

Conformity provided with your vehicle

or other national registration

documents.

General information

The official fuel consumption and

specific CO

2

 emission figures quoted

relate to the EU base model with

standard equipment.
Fuel consumption data and CO

2

emission data are determined

according to regulation

R (EC) No. 715/2007 (in the latest

applicable version), taking into

consideration the vehicle weight in

running order, as specified by the

regulation.

194

Driving and operating

The figures are provided only for the

purpose of comparison between

different vehicle variants and must

not be taken as a guarantee for the

actual fuel consumption of a

particular vehicle. Additional

equipment may result in slightly

higher results than the stated

consumption and CO

2

 figures.

Furthermore, fuel consumption is

dependent on personal driving style

as well as road and traffic conditions.

Trailer hitch

General information

Only use towing equipment that has

been approved for your vehicle.

Entrust retrofitting of towing

equipment to a workshop. It may be

necessary to make changes that

affect the cooling system, heat

shields or other equipment.
The bulb outage detection function for

trailer brake light cannot detect a

partial bulb outage, e.g. in case of 4 x

5 Watt bulbs, the function only detects

lamp outage when only a single

5 Watt lamp remains or none remain.
Fitting of towing equipment could

cover the opening of the towing eye.

If this is the case use the coupling ball

bar for towing. Always keep the

coupling ball bar in the vehicle.

Driving characteristics and

towing tips

Before attaching a trailer, lubricate

the coupling ball. However, do not do

so if a stabiliser, which acts on the

coupling ball, is being used to reduce

snaking movements.
For trailers with low driving stability

and caravan trailers with a permitted

gross vehicle weight of more than

1300 kg the use of a stabiliser is

strongly recommended when driving

above 80 km/h.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more

slowly, do not attempt to correct the

steering and brake sharply if

necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the

same gear as if driving uphill and

drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value

specified for full load 3 271.

Driving and operating

195

Trailer towing

Trailer loads

The permissible trailer loads are

vehicle and engine-dependent

maximum values which must not be

exceeded. The actual trailer load is

the difference between the actual

gross weight of the trailer and the

actual coupling socket load with the

trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are

specified in the vehicle documents. In

general, they are valid for gradients

up to max. 12%.
The permitted trailer load applies up

to the specified incline and up to an

altitude of 1000 metres above sea

level. Since engine power decreases

as altitude increases due to the air

becoming thinner, therefore reducing

climbing ability, the permissible gross

train weight also decreases by 10%

for every 1000 metres of additional

altitude. The gross train weight does

not have to be reduced when driving

on roads with slight inclines (less than

8%, e.g. motorways).

The permissible gross train weight

must not be exceeded. This weight is

specified on the identification plate

3

 257.

Vertical coupling load

The vertical coupling load is the load

exerted by the trailer on the coupling

ball. It can be varied by changing the

weight distribution when loading the

trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical

coupling load (75 kg) is specified on

the towing equipment identification

plate and in the vehicle documents.

Always aim for the maximum load,

especially in the case of heavy

trailers. The vertical coupling load

should never fall below 25 kg.

Rear axle load

When the trailer is coupled and the

towing vehicle fully loaded, the

permissible rear axle load (see

identification plate or vehicle

documents) may be exceeded by

60 kg, the gross vehicle weight rating

may be exceeded by 60 kg. If the

permissible rear axle load is

exceeded, a maximum speed of

100 km/h applies.

Towing equipment

Caution

When operating without a trailer,

remove the coupling ball bar.

196

Driving and operating

Stowage of coupling ball bar

The bag with the coupling ball bar is

stowed in the rear stowage

compartment on the floor.
Place the strap through the lashing

eye, wrap around twice and tighten

the strap to secure the bag.

Fitting the coupling ball bar

All versions except 3-door hatchback:

Press fastenings inward and fold the

cover downward at the front. Remove

cover.

Disengage and fold down the socket.

Remove the sealing plug from the

opening for the coupling ball bar and

stow it.

Driving and operating

197

Checking the tensioning of the

coupling ball bar

● Red marking on rotary knob must

point towards green marking on

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.

● Pull out rotary knob and turn

clockwise as far as it will go.

Inserting the coupling ball bar

Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar

in the opening and push firmly

upwards until it audibly engages.
The rotary handle snaps back into its

original position resting against the

coupling ball bar without a gap.

9 Warning

Do not touch rotary handle during

insertion.

Lock the coupling ball bar by turning

the key to position e. Remove the key

and close the protective flap.

Eye for break-away stopping cable