Automatic transmission mode shift control (Opel Astra H)

Gear shifting while the vehicle is moving is performed automatically depending on the selected position of the AT selector lever, the degree to which the gas pedal is depressed and the current speed.

The transmission range selector lever can be in one of seven fixed positions "P", "R", "N", "D", "3", "2" or "1". The engine can only be started in the "P" or "N" positions of the lever. To switch the AT, move the lever along the guide groove.

To the left of the selector lever, a panel is mounted on the center console (see illustration 23.1) with the designation of the AT modes. When switching the AT mode, the LED opposite the corresponding designation lights up.



The selector lever is equipped with a lock release button. The lock release button must be pressed when moving the lever to the "P" and "R" positions, when switching to the "3" or "1" positions, and also when moving the lever from the "P" position. The lever can be moved to other positions without pressing the button.

Caution: Do not increase engine speed when forward or reverse mode is selected and the brake pedal is pressed! The transmission must be shifted from the position to the working positions with the engine idling - keep the foot brake pedal pressed!

The engine starting procedure is described above (see Section 21).

When starting off, to release the AT selector lever lock, depress the foot brake pedal. Press the lock release button and move the lever to the position "D", "3", "2" or "1" for forward movement or "R" for reverse movement.

Release the parking brake - the brake system indicator lamp on the instrument cluster (see Section 16) should go out.

Release the foot brake pedal and gently press the gas pedal.

When changing gears, remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.

Caution: When the gear is engaged and the brake pedal is released, the car starts to move slowly, even if the gas pedal is released! Never press the gas and brake pedals simultaneously - otherwise this may lead to failure of the automatic transmission!

Standard positions of the selector lever

Position "P". In this position, when the key is removed from the ignition switch, the transmission is locked, providing additional protection for the parked vehicle. In this case, it is impossible to move the lever from the "P" position even when the brake pedal is depressed. A description of the emergency release procedure for the lever lock is given below.

Note: Removing the key from the ignition switch becomes possible only after moving the selector lever to the "P" position and releasing the foot brake pedal. To avoid damage to the automatic transmission, move the lever to the "P" position only after the car has come to a complete stop.

Position "R".Setting the selector lever to this position enables the vehicle to move in reverse. Only turn the lever to the "R" position from the "N" (Neutral) position after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. If this attempt fails, press the foot brake pedal and slowly move the lever back to the "N" position first, then to the "R" position. Do not forget to press the lock release button.

Position "N". In this position, none of the AT gears will be engaged. The "N" (Neutral) position is used to start a stalled engine while driving or when stopping the car with the engine running. If for any reason you need to leave the car, first move the range selector lever to the "P" position. When moving the lever from the "N" position, depress the foot brake pedal.

Caution: Shifting the transmission into position "N" while driving carries the risk of serious internal damage to the gearbox!

Position "D". In this position, the range selector lever should be constantly in motion when the car is moving in normal road conditions, this ensures automatic switching of the AT between forward gears in accordance with changes in the speed mode and the degree of squeezing the gas pedal from the first gear to the highest. The corresponding display will show the indication "D" and the gear currently engaged.

To accelerate the car sharply when the transmission is operating in the "D" range, press the gas pedal all the way down. The gearbox will automatically switch to the adjacent lower gear (kickdown mode), which will provide more power when picking up speed. When the pedal is released, the transmission returns to the original, higher gear, corresponding to the characteristics of the current speed mode.

Selector lever positions for driving in special conditions

AT modes "3", "2" or "1" are designed to limit automatic gear shifting above the specified level and are used when driving in special conditions.

Position "3". In this position, the transmission shifting is limited to third gear. The mode can be used to perform engine braking. Switching on range "3" is also useful for eliminating unnecessary cyclic shifting of the automatic transmission between third and fourth gears - such cyclic shifting of the gearbox can be observed, for example, when driving in dense traffic with frequent slowdowns and stops.

Position "2".When range "2" is engaged, the automatic transmission will operate permanently in second gear. It is recommended to use this limitation when towing a trailer, when driving on hilly terrain or to perform engine braking on a steep downhill slope. Position "2" can also be used when starting off on slippery road surfaces or when driving in snow, helping to prevent severe slippage of the vehicle's drive wheels.

Note: If mode "2" is engaged at too high a speed, the transmission will continue to operate in the previous gear until the shift point to 2nd gear is reached.

Position "1".When range "1" is engaged, the automatic transmission will constantly operate in first (lowest) gear. The mode can be used when driving with a trailer on particularly steep descents and long passes, when driving in deep snow, sand and mud.

Note: If mode "1" is engaged at too high a speed, the gearbox will continue to operate in 2nd gear until the shift point to 1st gear is reached - for example by braking.

AT emergency operation mode

A malfunction of the automatic transmission is indicated by a corresponding control lamp on the instrument cluster (see section 16). If the lamp does not go out after starting the engine or lights up while driving, the automatic transmission mode is switched off. To continue driving, you can change gears manually using the selector lever. In this case, the inclusion of 2nd gear is completely blocked and switching is performed according to the "1-3-4" scheme. In this case, the following scheme of the relationship of the lever positions takes place:

• 1 1st gear
• 2 3rd gear
• 3 4th gear
• D 4th gear
• N Neutral
• R Reverse
• R Parking position

To eliminate the causes of AT failures, contact the specialists of the Opel service station.

Emergency release of the selector lever lock in position "P"

The need for emergency disabling of the AT selector lever lock in the "P" position arises in the event of a breakdown of the locking mechanism, as well as when it is necessary to tow a faulty car. In addition, the selector lever may not leave the locked position if the battery has an insufficient charge level.

If the cause of the malfunction is a discharged battery, perform a jump start (see Chapter "Introduction").

If the lock cannot be disabled for other reasons, perform the following operations:

• Set the parking brake;
• Release the rear part of the casing from the panel clips (see illustration 23.4) selector lever on the center console and move the cover up and to the side (see illustration 23.5);
• Using a screwdriver, push the yellow stopper forward and move the lever out of position P;
• Return the selector cover to its original position and make sure it is securely locked.

When the selector lever is switched back to position "P", the locking occurs again.



At the earliest opportunity, contact an Opel service station to eliminate the cause of the malfunction, and/or recharge the battery.

Some techniques for driving a car with automatic transmission

• When stopping with the engine running, the transmission may not be disengaged, but the car must be held from moving by the parking brake or the foot brake pedal. When stopping on an incline, it is necessary to apply the parking brake or press the brake pedal.



Caution: Do not hold the car in gear by increasing the engine speed to avoid overheating the gearbox! For longer stops, such as in a traffic jam or at a crossing, it is recommended to turn off the engine.



• For precise maneuvering, for example, when parking, entering a garage, etc., you can use the "sliding" property. To do this, with the gear engaged, without pressing the gas pedal, control the movement of the car by releasing the brake pedal.
• If the car gets stuck in sand, mud, snow or a ditch, it is necessary to move the selector lever back and forth between the "D" and "R" positions while slightly pressing the gas pedal. The engine speed should be kept as low as possible, and avoid pressing the gas pedal abruptly.



Attention: The method described above is permissible to use only in exceptional cases.



• Before leaving the vehicle when parked, you must first apply the parking brake, then set the gearshift lever to position P and remove the key from the ignition switch or, if the Open system is available&Start, remove the electronic key from the car. Be sure to lock the car, otherwise the battery may be discharged during prolonged parking.

Note: On models equipped with the Open system&Start, when the ignition is turned off, the display shows the selected AT mode (see section 16) the "P" indicator will flash for 10 seconds if the P position was not engaged or the parking brake was not applied before parking.