Opel Astra (2019 year). Instruction — part 14

214

Driving and operating

On Midlevel display, choose Info

Menu ? via MENU and select

traffic sign assistant page with the

adjuster wheel on the turn signal lever

3

115.

On Uplevel display, choose Info

Menu via right steering wheel buttons

and press P or Q to select traffic

sign assistant page 3 115.
When another page on the Driver

Information Centre menu was

selected and then traffic sign

assistant page is chosen again, the

last recognised traffic sign will be

displayed.

Alert function

The alert function can be activated or

deactivated in the setting menu of the

traffic sign assistant page.

Once activated and when the traffic

sign detection page is currently not

displayed, newly detected speed limit

and no passing signs are displayed

as pop-up alerts in the Driver

Information Centre.

On Midlevel Display, when traffic sign

assistant page is displayed, press

SET/CLR on the turn signal lever.

Driving and operating

215

Select Alerts ON or Alerts OFF by

turning the adjuster wheel and press

SET/CLR.
On Uplevel Display, when traffic sign

assistant page is displayed, press q

on the steering wheel controls.

Activate alerts by setting J,

deactivate alerts by setting I via

button 9.
Pop-up alert is displayed for approx.

eight seconds in the Driver

Information Centre.

System reset

The content of the traffic sign display

can be cleared in the setting menu of

the traffic sign assistant page by

selecting Reset and confirm by

pressing SET/CLR on the turn signal

lever or 9 on the steering wheel

controls.

Alternatively, SET/CLR or 9 can be

pressed for three seconds to clear the

content of the page.
Upon successful reset, a chime will

sound and the following “Default

Sign” is indicated until the next traffic

sign is detected or provided by map

data of the navigation system.

In some cases, traffic sign assistant is

cleared up automatically by the

system.

Clearing of traffic signs

There are different scenarios that

lead to clearing the currently

displayed traffic signs. After clearing,

the “Default Sign” or a sign from

navigation map data is displayed in

the Driver Information Centre.

216

Driving and operating

Reasons for signs being cleared:

● A predefined distance was driven

or time has elapsed (differs for

each sign type)

● Vehicle drives through a turn
● If no navigation map data is

available and speed drops below

52 km/h (city entry detection)

● If navigation map data is

available and a city entry/exit was

detected due to map data change

Traffic sign detection in

conjunction with navigation

system

If the vehicle is equipped with a

navigation system, the currently

displayed sign can either originate

from optical sign detection or from the

map data.
If the currently displayed sign

originates from map data and the map

information changes, a new sign will

be displayed. This may lead to

detection of a new sign although no

sign on the road may have been

passed.

Fault

Traffic sign assistant may not operate

correctly if:

● The area of the windscreen,

where the front camera is

located, is not clean or affected

by foreign items, e.g. stickers.

● 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.

● Traffic signs are incorrectly

mounted or damaged.

● Traffic signs do not comply with

the Vienna Convention on traffic

signs.

● The navigation map data is

outdated.

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.
The driver assistance systems do

not relieve the driver from full

responsibility for vehicle

operation.

Lane keep assist

Lane keep assist helps to avoid

crashes due to unintentional lane

departures. The front camera

observes the lane markings between

which the vehicle is driving. If the

vehicle approaches a lane marking,

the steering wheel is gently turned to

position the vehicle back into the lane.

Turn steering wheel in same

direction, if system steers not

Driving and operating

217

sufficient. Turn steering wheel gently

into opposite direction, if lane change

is intended.
When crossing a lane marking

significantly, lane keep assist starts a

visual and acoustic warning.
Unintended lane departure is

assumed

● without using turn signal
● using the turn signal in the

opposite direction of the lane

departure

● without braking
● without acceleration
● without active steering.

Note

The system is switched off during

detection of ambiguous lane

markings, e.g. in construction areas.
Note

The system may be switched off if it

detects lanes which are too narrow,

too wide or too curved.

Activation

The lane keep assist is activated by

pressing a. The LED in the button

illuminates to indicate that the system

is switched on.

When the control indicator a in the

instrument cluster illuminates green,

the system is ready to assist.

The system is operational at vehicle

speeds between 60 km/h and

180 km/h and if lane markings are

available.
The system gently turns the steering

wheel and the control indicator a

changes to yellow, if the vehicle

approaches a detected lane marking

without using the turn signal in that

direction.
The system alerts by flashing a

together with three chimes, from the

respective direction, if the lane is

departed significantly.
The system is only operable when a

lane marking is detected.
If the system only detects lane

markings on one side of the road, it

will only assist for this side.
Lane keep assist detects hands-free

driving. In this case a message in the

Driver Information Centre pops-up

and a chime sounds as long as lane

keep assist detects hands-free

driving.

218

Driving and operating

Deactivation

The system is deactivated by

pressing a; the LED in the button

extinguishes.
The system is deactivated

automatically when a trailer is

detected.

Fault

The system performance may be

affected by:

● Windscreen not clean or affected

by foreign items, e.g. stickers

● Close vehicles ahead
● Banked roads
● Winding or hilly roads
● Road edges
● Roads with poor lane markings
● Sudden lighting changes
● Adverse environmental

conditions e.g. heavy rain or

snow

● Vehicle modifications, e.g. tyres.

Switch off the system if the system is

disturbed by tar marks, shadows,

road cracks, temporary or

construction lane markings, or other

road imperfections.

9 Warning

Always keep your attention on the

road and maintain proper vehicle

position within the lane, otherwise

vehicle damage, injury or death

could occur.
Lane keep assist does not

continuously steer the vehicle.
The system may not keep the

vehicle in the lane or give an alert,

even if a lane marking is detected.
The steering of the lane keep

assist may not be sufficient to

avoid a lane departure.
The system may not detect hands-

off driving due to external

influences (road condition and

surface, weather etc). The driver

has full responsibility to control the

vehicle and is always required to

keep the hands on the steering

wheel while driving.
Using the system while towing a

trailer or on slippery roads could

cause loss of control of the vehicle

and a crash. Switch the system off.

Driving and operating

219

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 3 287. A

country-specific label at the fuel filler

flap can supersede the requirement.

Fuel additive

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. In

certain countries fuel does not

contain sufficient quantities of

additive to keep fuel injectors and

intake valves clean. In these

countries a fuel additive is required for

some engines to make up for this lack

of detergency. Only use fuel additive

approved for the vehicle.
Adding fuel additive to the filled fuel

tank is required at least every 15,000

km or after one year, whichever

occurs first. For further information,

contact your workshop.

Prohibited fuels

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

220

Driving and operating

(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

110. 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

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

Driving and operating

221

and may cause engine stalling, poor

starting or damage on the fuel

injection system.

Fuel for natural gas

operation

Natural gas is known as CNG

(Compressed Natural Gas).
Use natural gas with a methane

content of approx. 78 - 99%. L-gas

(low) has approx. 78 - 87% and H-gas

(high) has approx. 87 - 99%. Biogas

with the same methane content can

also be used if it has been chemically

prepared and desulphurised.
Only use natural gas or biogas that

complies with DIN 51624.
Liquid gas or LPG must not be used.

Refuelling

9 Danger

Before refuelling, switch off

ignition and any external heaters

with combustion chambers.
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.

A label with symbols at the fuel filler

flap is indicating the allowed fuel

types. In Europe the pump nozzles of

the filling stations are marked with

these symbols. Refuel only the

allowed fuel type.

Caution

In case of misfuelling, do not

switch on ignition.

Fuel filler flap is located at right rear

side of the vehicle.

222

Driving and operating

The fuel filler flap can only be opened

if the vehicle is unlocked. Release the

fuel filler flap by pushing the flap.

Petrol and Diesel refuelling

To open, turn the cap slowly

anticlockwise.

The fuel filler cap can be retained in

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

clockwise until it clicks.
Close the flap and engage.

Misfuel inhibitor

9 Warning

Do not try to open the flap of the

fuel filler neck instructionly on

vehicles with misfuel inhibitor.
Disregarding this could lead to

trapping of the fingers.

The misfuel inhibitor ensures that the

flap of the fuel filler neck can only be

opened by using the suitable fuel

nozzle or a funnel for emergency

refilling.
In case of an emergency, refill with a

canister. A funnel must be used to

open the cap of the filler neck.
The funnel may be stowed in the load

compartment or the glovebox.
Place the funnel in straight position to

the filler neck and press with slight

force to insert.
After topping-up, clean funnel from

fuel remains and stow it away.

Driving and operating

223

Natural gas refuelling

The fuel filler flap can only be opened

if the vehicle is unlocked. Release the

fuel filler flap by pushing the flap.

9 Warning

Refuel only with a maximum

output pressure of 250 bar. Use

only temperature-compensated

filling stations.

The refuelling procedure must be

completed, i.e. the filler neck must be

vented.

The capacity of the natural gas tank

depends on outside temperature,

filling pressure, gas composition and

type of refuelling system. Capacities

3

294.

Close the flap and allow it to engage.
Terms for "natural gas vehicles"

abroad:
German Erdgasfahrzeuge
English NGVs = Natural Gas Vehi‐

cles

French Véhicules au gaz naturel -

or - Véhicules GNV

Italian

Metano auto

Terms for "natural gas" abroad:
German Erdgas
English CNG = Compressed

Natural Gas

French GNV = Gaz Naturel (pour)

Véhicules - or -

CGN = carburantgaz

naturel

Italian

Metano (per auto)

Fuel filler cap

Only use genuine fuel filler caps.
Diesel-engined vehicles have special

fuel filler caps.

224

Driving and operating

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 four

times five watt bulbs, the function only

detects lamp outage when only a

single five 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 when

not in use.

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.
During trailer towing do not exceed a

speed of 80 km/h. A maximum speed

of 100 km/h is only appropriate if an

oscillation damper is used and the

permissible gross trailer weight does

not exceed the vehicle’s curb weight.
For trailers with low driving stability

and caravan trailers, the use of an

oscillation damper is strongly

recommended.
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 3 295.

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 12%.
The permissible trailer load applies

up to the specified incline and at 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 altitude. The

gross train weight does not have to be

reduced when driving on roads with

slight inclines (less than 8%, e.g.

motorways).

Driving and operating

225

The permissible gross train weight

must not be exceeded. This weight is

specified on the identification plate

3

282.

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

40 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.

Stowage of coupling ball bar

The bag with the coupling ball bar is

stowed on the rear floor cover in the

load compartment.
Place the strap through the rear right

lashing eye, wrap around twice and

tighten the strap to secure the bag.

Illustration shows 5-door hatchback.

Illustration shows Sports Tourer.

Fitting the coupling ball bar

On Sports Tourer remove cover from

rear bumper by pushing.

226

Driving and operating

Disengage and fold down the

connecting socket. Remove the

sealing plug from the opening for the

coupling ball bar and stow it.

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

Driving and operating

227

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

Illustration shows 5-door hatchback.

Illustration shows Sports Tourer.
Attach breakaway stopping cable to

eye.

Check that the coupling ball bar is

correctly installed

● Green marking on rotary knob

must point towards green

marking on coupling ball bar.

● There must be no gap between

the rotary handle and the

coupling ball bar.

● The coupling ball bar must be

firmly engaged in the opening.

● The coupling ball bar must be

locked and the key removed.

9 Warning

Towing a trailer is permitted only

when a coupling ball bar is fitted

correctly. If the coupling ball bar

does not engage correctly, seek

the assistance of a workshop.

Dismounting the coupling ball bar

228

Driving and operating

Open the protective flap and turn the

key to position c to unlock the

coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn

clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out

coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening.
Fold away connecting socket.

On Sports Tourer insert cover into

rear bumper as shown in the

illustration.

Stow the coupling ball bar in the bag

and secure by fixing the strap through

the rear right lashing eye. Wrap

around twice and tighten the strap to

secure the bag.

Trailer stability assist

If the system detects snaking

movements, engine power is reduced

and the vehicle/trailer combination is

selectively braked until the snaking

ceases. While system is working keep

steering wheel as still as possible.
Trailer stability assist is a function of

the Electronic Stability Control 3 182.

Vehicle care

229

Vehicle care

General Information . . . . ... 229

Accessories and vehicle

modifications . . . . . . .. 229

Vehicle storage . . . . . . 230

End-of-life vehicle recovery . . 230

Vehicle checks . . . . . . ... 231

Performing work . . . . . .. 231

Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . 231

Engine oil . . . . . . . . . 232

Engine coolant . . . . . . . 233

Washer fluid . . . . . . . 234

Brakes . . . . . . . . . . 234

Brake fluid . . . . . . . ... 234

Vehicle battery . . . . . . . 235

Diesel fuel system bleeding . . 236

Wiper blade replacement . . 236

Bulb replacement . . . . . ... 237

Halogen headlights . . . . .. 237

Front fog lights . . . . . . . 239

Tail lights . . . . . . . . . 240

Side turn lights . . . . . . . 246

Number plate light . . . . ... 246

Interior lights . . . . . . . 247

Instrument panel illumination ... 247

Electrical system . . . . . . 247

Fuses . . . . . . . . . ... 247

Engine compartment fuse box . 248

Instrument panel fuse box . ... 250

Load compartment fuse box . 252

Vehicle tools . . . . . . . .. 254

Tools . . . . . . . . . . 254

Wheels and tyres . . . . . ... 255

Winter tyres . . . . . . . . 255

Tyre designations . . . . . 256

Tyre pressure . . . . . . .. 256

Tyre pressure monitoring

system . . . . . . . . . 257

Tread depth . . . . . . . . 261

Changing tyre and wheel size . 262

Wheel covers . . . . . . ... 262

Tyre chains . . . . . . . .. 262

Tyre repair kit . . . . . . .. 262

Wheel changing . . . . . ... 266

Spare wheel . . . . . . . 266

Jump starting . . . . . . . . 271
Towing . . . . . . . . . ... 273

Towing the vehicle . . . . ... 273

Towing another vehicle . . ... 274

Appearance care . . . . . ... 275

Exterior care . . . . . . . 275

Interior care . . . . . . . . 276

General Information

Accessories and vehicle

modifications

We recommend the use of genuine

parts and accessories and factory

approved parts specific for your

vehicle type. We cannot assess or

guarantee reliability of other products

- even if they have a regulatory or

otherwise granted approval.
Any modification, conversion or other

changes made to standard vehicle

specifications (including, without

limitation, software modifications,

modifications of the electronic control

units) may invalidate the warranty

offered by Opel. Furthermore, such

changes may affect driver assistance

systems, may impact fuel

consumption, CO

2

emissions and

other emissions of the vehicle and

cause the vehicle to no longer

conform to the operating permit,

impacting the validity of your vehicle

registration.