Breaking in a new car
In order to ensure the reliability and durability of the car in operation, during the first 1000 km of run it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:
- Do not start at full throttle, avoid sudden acceleration;
- Don't brake too hard. Normal running-in of new brake pads takes place over a distance of 200 km, during which you should, if possible, brake smoothly and with medium intensity.
After repair or replacement of the engine, as well as after the replacement of brake pads, the same restrictions and recommendations must be observed.
Refilling the car
Type of fuel used
See Controls and methods of operation.
Filling the fuel tank
Gasoline is flammable and explosive. Careless handling of gasoline can result in burns or other serious injury. When filling the fuel tank, turn off the engine and do not bring hot or sparking objects close to the open neck, do not smoke on the territory of the gas station. Perform all maintenance operations on the fuel system outdoors only. If splashes of gasoline come into contact with open areas of the skin or paintwork surfaces of body elements, they should be wiped immediately with a dry rag.
The filler neck of the fuel tank is located on the left side of the car, so drive up to the fuel dispenser at a gas station should be on the left side.
1. Open the fuel filler door.
2. Slowly turn the filler cap off.
Unscrewing the cap may be accompanied by a characteristic hissing sound that occurs when the fuel vapor leaves the tank.
3. On some models, a special holder is provided, which is located on the inside of the hatch and is designed for temporary fastening of the fuel filler cap during refueling.
4. Refueling should be stopped as soon as the automatic shutdown of the fuel dispenser pump has occurred. Do not try to fill the tank above the norm - leave free space for fuel to expand when heated.
5. Close the fuel filler cap and tighten it properly.
6. Close the door and press it down to engage the lock latch.
Hood opening
See Section Access, protection.
Control operations
Engine oil level control
A description of checking the oil level is given in Chapter Vehicle settings and routine maintenance.
Coolant level control
The description of check of level of OZH is resulted in the Chapter Vehicle settings and routine maintenance.
Transportation of goods in a car
The car is equipped with several containers designed to accommodate transported items.
To accommodate small items, storage compartments located in the passenger compartment are designed. These include the main and secondary storage boxes (see Section Salon equipment), door pockets, as well as pockets built into the dashboard.
Large items should be placed in the luggage compartment of the car. Transportation of long items is made possible by the folding design of the rear seat backrests.
However, it must be remembered that incorrect transport of loads can adversely affect the handling and stability of the vehicle and therefore reduce safety. Please read the information below before carrying any item in your vehicle.
Cargo transportation
Maximum vehicle load
Exceeding the vehicle's maximum load capacity or improperly stowing the load in the vehicle can cause an accident and result in injury or even death to the driver or passengers in the vehicle. Do not exceed the maximum permissible gross weight when loading the vehicle, as well as other restrictions mentioned in this manual.
When transporting goods in a car, it should be borne in mind that the total weight of the car must not exceed the maximum permissible value. Gross vehicle weight includes: the curb weight of the car, the weight of the driver and passengers, the weight of the tow hitch installed on the car, as well as the weight of the trailer falling on it. For any vehicle loading options, axle loads should also not exceed the maximum permissible values. Information on the maximum allowable gross weight and axle loads is given on the certification label, usually affixed to the vehicle's B-pillar (see Section Vehicle identification numbers).
Transportation of goods in the car
Securely fix all objects placed in the car interior to prevent their displacement in the event of an accident.
Do not place large items on the rear shelf of the passenger compartment - they narrow the driver's field of view and can be thrown forward in a collision and heavy braking.
Make sure that objects placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll forward and under no circumstances prevent the driver from freely manipulating the control pedals, nor can they interfere with the correct adjustment of the front seats and the operation of the SRS system.
Keep the glove box closed while driving.
Transportation of goods in the luggage compartment or on the roof rack of the car
Try to distribute the load evenly by placing luggage as close to the seats as possible. Heavy loads should always be placed at the bottom, on the floor of the luggage compartment. Secure the items being transported with a strong cord so that they cannot move while the vehicle is moving. Never stow luggage above the level of the seat backs.
When transporting large or long items with the rear seats folded down, try to securely fix them with a strong cord to prevent the load from shifting during emergency braking of the car.
The description of the operations of folding the rear seat backs and setting them to their original position is given in Section Salon equipment.
If you need to transport long items that do not allow you to close the tailgate, remember that exhaust gases from the engine can get into the car interior - take appropriate precautions (see Section Salon equipment).
When placing cargo on a car roof rack, make sure that the total weight of the luggage does not exceed the allowable value. Remember that the vehicle's center of gravity shifts when the roof rack is loaded and the driving characteristics of the vehicle change.
Engine starting
Petrol models
Standard launch
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. At low ambient temperatures, turn off all auxiliary consumers of electrical energy to reduce the load on the battery.
3. On models equipped with a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal all the way and shift into neutral.
4. On models with АТ make sure that the selector lever is set to position «R» or «N» and depress the foot brake pedal.
5. Without depressing the gas pedal, turn the key in the ignition switch to position «III» and turn on the starter. If the engine does not start immediately, continue cranking the crankshaft with the starter, remembering that the duration of continuous operation of the starter should not exceed 15 seconds. A second attempt to start should be made after at least ten seconds - a pause is necessary to cool the starter motor.
6. If the engine fails to start with continuous operation of the starter for 15 seconds, or the started engine stalls immediately, try to start with the gas pedal squeezed halfway. After successfully starting the engine, release the gas pedal to avoid a sharp increase in speed.
7. If the engine still cannot be started, fully depress the accelerator pedal and hold it depressed during the entire operation of the starter - this will help remove excess fuel trapped in the intake pipe and engine cylinders. The duration of continuous operation of the starter, as in previous cases, should not exceed 15 seconds. If the engine does not start after purging the cylinders, try again to start it with the gas pedal partially depressed. Release the pedal immediately after starting.
8. The activation of the start immobilization system is indicated by the activation of the corresponding control lamp on the dashboard of the car (see Section Dashboard), - turn the key to the left and remove it from the lock, then try again.
Features of starting the engine in cold weather in high altitude conditions (altitude over 2400 m)
When the ambient temperature is low, starting the engine is difficult. In high altitude conditions, where the air is highly discharged, starting the engine is further complicated. The following are the instructions to be followed when starting the engine under the conditions in question.
1. Turn off all auxiliary consumers of electrical energy to reduce the load on the battery.
2. Squeeze out the gas pedal to half and hold it in this position during the entire time the crankshaft of the engine is cranked by the starter. The duration of continuous engagement of the starter should not exceed 15 seconds. After successfully starting the engine, gradually release the gas pedal, avoiding a significant increase in speed.
3. If the engine does not start, depress the gas pedal to the stop and keep it pressed during the entire time the starter operates. The duration of continuous operation of the starter, as in the previous case, should not exceed 15 seconds. If the engine still does not start, try the above again.
4. If the ambient temperature is below zero, or if the car has not been used for several days, let the engine warm up for 3 ÷ 4 minutes, only then start driving.
Diesel models
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off all auxiliary consumers of electrical energy to reduce the load on the battery.
3. On models equipped with a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal all the way and shift into neutral.
4. On models with АТ make sure that the selector lever is set to position «R» or «N» and depress the foot brake pedal.
5. Without depressing the gas pedal, turn the key in the ignition switch to position II, wait until the preheat indicator lamp turns off (see Section Dashboard), then turn the key to position III and start the engine.
6. Before retrying to start, the key should be returned to the "•" position and removed from the lock.
Five-speed manual gearbox
When driving on a slippery road, heavy engine braking or excessive acceleration can lead to loss of vehicle control and an accident, resulting in serious injury to occupants. Take special care when driving on roads with a surface that does not provide proper traction with the wheels of the car.
To ensure smooth and bumpless shifting, all forward gears are synchronized. After moving the gearshift lever to the next gear position, gently release the clutch pedal. Take your foot completely off the clutch pedal while driving in the selected gear to prevent premature wear of the clutch components.
Engage reverse gear only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop. Attempting to reverse while moving can cause serious damage to the transmission. Before engaging reverse gear, fully disengage the clutch and hold for a short (in a few seconds) pause.
Instead of a pause, you can make a short inclusion of one of the forward gears. The described techniques for engaging the reverse gear make it possible to prevent shock engagement of the reverse gear due to the residual rotation of the gears.
To slow down the car, you can use engine braking by shifting the gearbox to one of the lower gears. Engine braking allows you to control the speed of the vehicle at a safe level and prevents overheating of the brakes when driving on long descents with a significant incline. Shift the gearbox down sequentially as the speed decreases to avoid exceeding the maximum allowable engine speed. The tachometer needle should not enter the red zone of the scale. In all cases, you should be guided by the values of the maximum permissible vehicle speed in the corresponding gears.
Recommended shift points
Try to move in the highest possible gear that ensures normal operation of the engine with uniform movement and the possibility of smooth acceleration of the car in specific road conditions. Following this recommendation will ensure high vehicle efficiency and efficient operation of the EGR system. When driving in the city, 4th gear should be engaged when reaching a speed of 50 km/h.
The maximum allowable vehicle speeds in various gears
Follow the timeliness of the gear shift - try not to allow the tachometer needle to enter the red-colored range of the measuring scale.
To avoid engine damage, before changing gear, make sure that the tachometer needle does not exceed the maximum allowable speed in this gear and is not in the red zone of the scale.
Automatic transmission
On cars of the brand under consideration, a four-speed hydromechanical automatic transmission with an electronic-hydraulic control system is installed. The transmission control system ensures timely and smooth shifting of all forward gears.
Range Selector Lever Positions
The AT range selector lever can be in one of seven fixed positions. When starting the engine, the lever should only be in the position «P» or «N». Moving the lever to position «P» and from it, as well as to the position «R», possible only with the raised latch located under the lever handle If the car is stopped when one of the ranges of motion is included in the AT «D», «3», «2», «1», «R», or «N», fully release the accelerator pedal and depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle reliably.
Selector lever positions AT
When shifting automatic transmission ranges, move the lever along the guide groove. Range lever locks in position «R», if the ignition key is turned to the «O» or «I». In this case, the withdrawal of the lever from the position «R» impossible even when depressing the brake pedal.
Position «R». In this position of the AT range selector lever, the transmission output shaft is mechanically blocked. Always move the range selector lever to the «R» when turning off or starting the engine. To move the range selector lever out of position «R», it is necessary to depress the brake pedal, after releasing the gas pedal. Pull up the latch and move the lever out of position «R». If, after performing all the above steps, you still cannot move the lever from the position «R», you need to unlock it by following the instructions below.
Position «R». Techniques for controlling the AT range selector lever when moving it to the position «R» (Reverse) out of position «R» described above. Switching the lever to position «R» out of position «N» do it only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
ATs are usually equipped with a special safety device that prevents the lever from being accidentally moved to the position «R», if the vehicle speed exceeds 10 ÷ 12 km/h.
If the reverse does not turn on after the vehicle has come to a complete stop, depress the brake pedal and slowly move the AT range selector lever first to the position «N», then to position «R».
If the safety device malfunctions, or if the battery is disconnected from the on-board network or the battery is discharged, it is impossible to engage the reverse range. In this case, you must remove the reverse range lock, following the instructions below.
Position «N». use position «N» when starting a stalled engine while driving and during short stops of a car with a running engine. If for any reason it is necessary to move away from the vehicle, first move the range selector lever to the position «R». When pulling the lever out of position «N» depress the brake pedal.
When starting the engine from position «N» additionally depress the foot brake pedal, or cock the parking brake.
The AT electronic control system, in order to save fuel consumption, provides automatic internal switching of the box to the position «N» when the selector lever is in position «D», «3», «2» And «1», when the gas pedal is released, the car is stationary and the foot brake pedal is depressed (e.g. parking at a traffic light). Releasing the brake and activating the gas pedal causes the vehicle to move off.
Position «D». The range selector lever must be in this position at all times when the vehicle is moving under normal road conditions. In the range «D» automatic shifting of forward gears is provided in the entire gear range, depending on the speed of the vehicle and the degree of depression on the accelerator pedal. While driving, you may notice that automatic upshifts occur later, i.e. at higher speeds, if the vehicle's engine has not yet warmed up to normal operating temperature. This feature allows the engine to warm up faster.
Position «3». If the range selector lever is in the «3», AT functions similarly to the case of switching on the range «D». The difference is that the transition to fourth gear is excluded. Range «3» recommended for towing a trailer in hilly terrain or for engine braking on steep downhill grades. Turning on the range «3» It is also useful to eliminate unnecessary cyclic switching of the AT between the third and fourth gears, for example, when driving in a dense traffic flow with frequent decelerations and car stops.
For a sharp acceleration of the car when the gearbox is operating in the range «D» or «3» squeeze the gas pedal to the stop. At the same time, the AT will automatically switch to an adjacent lower gear (kickdown mode). If the vehicle speed is low, then the gearbox can switch down two steps at once.
Position «2». When the range is turned on «2» the possibility of switching the transmission to gears higher than the 2nd stage is blocked.
When the range is turned on «2» while the vehicle is moving, the second gear is automatically delayed and occurs only after the vehicle speed drops to a safe level at which the engine speed does not exceed the maximum allowable value.
Position «1». When the range is turned on «1» AT will always work in first gear. If the inclusion of the range «1» produced at speeds over 50 km/h, the transmission will first shift to second gear. The inclusion of an intermediate stage allows you to eliminate sharp and unexpected engine braking.
Maximum allowable vehicle speeds
When the maximum allowable values of gear shift speeds are exceeded, the tachometer needle enters the red zone of the scale, indicating that the allowable engine speed is exceeded. At the same time, the ECU begins to limit the speed of the crankshaft, reducing the fuel supply, which can be felt by changing the engine operating mode. The operation of the engine returns to normal as soon as the tachometer needle leaves the red zone of the scale.
To avoid engine damage, before changing gear, make sure that the tachometer needle does not go beyond the maximum allowable speed in this gear and is not in the red zone of the scale.
Sports mode of functioning of AT
When transferring the AT to sport mode, gear shifting occurs at increased engine speeds. The transfer is carried out using the push-button switch S, mounted in the selector lever handle and is accompanied by the operation of a warning lamp mounted in the instrument cluster above the fuel consumption meter. To return to the economy mode of the transmission, press the button again S.
Button and control lamp for activating the sport mode AT
Winter mode of AT operation
In the winter mode of operation of the AT, the vehicle starts off in 3rd gear. The mode is activated by means of a push-button switch equipped with a built-in control lamp and located to the right of the AT selector lever with an icon in the form of a snowflake applied on top. The X14NZ and X14XE engines can be started in position «D». Starting engines X12XE, C14SEL and C16SEL is possible in positions «P», «R», «N», «D» And «3».
The winter mode is turned off on the X12XE, C14SEL and C16SEL engines by pressing the switch button again, moving the selector lever to the position «2» or «1», as well as when the ignition is turned off. On the X14NZ and X14XE engines, winter mode is also deactivated at speeds above 80 km/h, when the accelerator pedal is pressed sharply for more than 2 seconds, and also when the selector lever is moved to the «P», «3», «2» or «1». In order to protect the transmission from internal damage, automatic shutdown of the winter mode also occurs when the ATF overheats.
AT winter mode activation
Disengagement of range selector lever lock
When the power is turned off or the battery is over-discharged, the selector lever is moved out of the position «R» becomes impossible. To get out of this situation and unlock the lever, proceed as follows:
- Turn off the ignition and apply the parking brake;
- Release the latches and move 90 degrees. to the right a protective cover of the selector lever;
- Using a small screwdriver or other suitable tool, carefully push the stopper forward and move the lever out of position «R»;
- Lower the protective cover and fix it in the console panel;
Releasing the stopper blocking the selector lever in position «R»
To prevent the lever from re-locking in position «R» eliminate the cause of the power failure.
AT functioning failures
AT malfunctions are indicated by the operation of the corresponding control lamp on the instrument cluster
In case of automatic transmission shift failures, further movement can be continued in emergency mode by shifting gears manually using the selector lever. In this case, the inclusion of 2nd gear is completely blocked and the switching occurs 1-3-4. In this case, the following scheme of the ratio of the positions of the lever takes place:
- 1 - 1st gear
- 2 - 3rd gear
- 3 - 4th gear
- D - 4th gear
- N - Neutral
- R - Reverse
- P - Parking position
To eliminate the causes of AT failures, contact the car service specialists.
When stuck
For freeing stuck in sand, mud, etc. vehicle, with the gas pedal lightly pressed, move the selector lever between positions «D» And «R». In this case, the engine speed should be as low as possible. Use this feature only in exceptional cases.
Car parking
When leaving the car in a parking lot, always apply the parking brake. Remember that the K / L of the parking brake, mounted in the instrument panel, serves only to remind the driver to release the latter before starting to move. Burning of a control lamp does not guarantee completeness of cocking of a parking brake. Make sure the parking brake is properly applied to prevent the vehicle from rolling on a slope.
1. First apply the parking brake and then engage first or reverse gear (models with manual transmission) / move the automatic transmission range selector lever to the position «R». Such a sequence of actions prevents accidental starting of the car, and on models with AT it also eliminates the transfer of a significant load to the locking mechanism of the secondary shaft of the transmission from the force rolling the car, - unloading the clutch of the locking of the secondary shaft of the transmission ensures that the lever is easily removed from the position when starting the car «R».
2. When parking the car on a hill, turn the front wheels away from the curb; when parking downhill - to the curb.
3. Before driving, make sure the parking brake is fully released. When driving with the parking brake not fully released, overheating and failure of the brake mechanisms of the rear wheels are possible. In addition, this may lead to a malfunction of the ABS.
Safe Parking Advice
1. Make sure the sunroof and all windows are closed.
2. Turn off all lights.
3. Place your luggage and valuables in the lockable compartments, or take them with you.
4. Lock the door locks. On models equipped with an anti-theft system, check that the system indicator on the instrument panel turns on, which indicates that the device is activated.
5. Do not leave the car with the engine running on areas covered with dry leaves, tall grass or other combustible materials. Be aware that the body of the catalytic converter can become very hot, resulting in a fire hazard.
Brake system
General information
General information on the brake system is given in Chapter Brake system.
Parking brake
The parking brake is driven to the rear wheels of the vehicle. The parking brake lever is located in the rear of the center console between the front seats of the car. Arming the parking brake is accompanied by the operation of the corresponding control lamp on the instrument cluster (see Section Dashboard), - do not forget to release the parking brake before driving, after pressing the button located on the front end of the parking brake lever.
Recommendations for safety measures when operating models equipped with ABS
ABS does not shorten the stopping distance of the car and is only able to maintain the controllability of the car during braking. In view of the foregoing, it is necessary to constantly maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front, based on the speed of the vehicle and specific driving conditions.
ABS does not prevent lateral skidding when the vehicle direction is suddenly changed. For example, the vehicle may skid when cornering at too high a speed or when the steering wheel is jerked during a lane change. Always maintain a safe vehicle speed according to road and traffic conditions.
ABS does not prevent the vehicle from losing directional stability. During emergency braking, avoid sudden jerks of the steering wheel.
The braking distance of an ABS-equipped vehicle may be slightly longer than conventional braking systems. This is especially noticeable when driving on fragile and uneven road surfaces (gravel, snow). When driving in these road conditions, slow down and increase your distance from the vehicle in front.
Control lamp of violations of functioning ABS
The anti-blocking system includes a self-diagnostic unit. Externally, the self-diagnosis procedure of the system is manifested by small pulsations of the foot brake immediately after starting the engine. Diagnostics of failures of ABS is made also at each braking of the car.
If the system detects any malfunction, the corresponding control lamp lights up on the dashboard. Operation of a control lamp testifies that ABS is disconnected. At the same time, the operability of the service brake system is fully preserved, with the exception of the automatic brake force control function, which is performed by ABS. If the ABS warning lamp does not go out after starting the engine or comes on while driving, contact your nearest workshop as soon as possible.
Joint inclusion of ABS warning lamps and brake system failures (cocking the parking brake) also means that the brake force control function is disabled, which indicates the presence of faults in both the ABS and the brake system. In this case, the braking system of the vehicle will continue to provide sufficiently adequate braking of the vehicle, however, abrupt depressing of the foot brake pedal should be avoided. Contact your nearest service station without delay.
Tips for driving in adverse weather conditions
Features of driving in adverse road conditions
Driving a car in the rain, in heavy fog or snow requires special skills from the driver, due to reduced grip on the road surface and reduced visibility. Keep your vehicle in good technical condition at all times. Take extra care when traveling in bad weather.
Slow down and drive more slowly than you normally would in normal weather conditions on dry pavement. Be aware that the vehicle's response to steering will be sluggish and slow, even if the road surface looks only slightly wet. Try to act on all the controls of the car smoothly. On wet and slippery road surfaces, a sharp jerk of the steering wheel or careless depressing of the brake pedal can lead to loss of control. At the beginning of the trip, not yet fully adapted to adverse weather conditions, exercise increased caution. This rule is especially useful to observe when driving during a snowfall. It should be remembered that when operating a car in the warm season, many useful skills of driving a car on a slippery road surface are forgotten, which requires some time to restore them.
Be especially careful when driving in the rain, as lack of practice during the dry period does not allow you to quickly readjust and adapt the style of the bridle to new conditions.
The first rains after a long dry period make the pavement particularly slippery.
Review
For road safety in all weather conditions, it is very important to have good visibility in all directions. Your car should always remain clearly visible to drivers of other vehicles - remember that when driving on the highway, turning on the low beam will never hurt, even during daylight hours. These requirements are more difficult to meet in adverse weather conditions.
Regularly check the condition of the wiper blades and windshield washer nozzles. Maintain the correct level of coolant in the coolant reservoir at all times. Use only recommended brands of fluid for refilling the windshield washer system. Monitor the condition of the working elements of the windshield wipers, replace them as soon as the brushes no longer clean the glass properly. To prevent moisture condensation on the inner surface of the windows, blow the windows with air, if necessary, turn on the air conditioner.
Tire grip on the road surface
Regularly check the air pressure in the tires and the degree of wear of the tire tread (pattern depth). Both of these factors are extremely important in terms of good tire grip and preventing hydroplaning, that is, a sharp decrease in traction when entering puddles. For better vehicle handling and driving safety, use studded tires during the winter season.
While driving, constantly watch for changes in road conditions, which are often very unstable. The presence of wet leaves on the road can be no less dangerous than sleet. Often, a seemingly clean and dry road surface can become iced in patches. Especially dangerous conditions develop at air temperatures around 0 degrees, when puddles can alternate with ice, which makes the car's behavior especially unpredictable.
Be careful when downshifting an automatic transmission. On slippery surfaces, a sharp downshift can lead to a short-term slip of the drive wheels and a skid of the car
Special care and attention are required from the driver when overtaking. Equally, care must be taken when overtaking your vehicle by other vehicles. Splashes of water and mud from under the wheels of an overtaken truck can drastically reduce visibility through the windshield. A gust of crosswind while overtaking a truck or bus can cause loss of control.
Trailer towing
Improper placement of luggage, as well as carrying too heavy loads on a car or towed trailer, can significantly impair the handling and braking properties of the vehicle / road train, which is fraught with an accident on the roads. Before driving, always carefully check that the vehicle and trailer are loaded correctly.
The models of cars considered in this Guide are, of course, primarily passenger cars and are designed to transport people and their luggage. However, with the obligatory observance of a number of general rules, which are listed below, Opel vehicles can also be successfully used for towing a trailer.
The gross weight of the trailer, including its own weight and the weight of the load placed in it, must not exceed the maximum permissible mass of the trailer towed. The maximum permissible mass of the trailer depends on whether it is equipped with brakes or not.
The maximum vertical load on the towing device of the car with the total weight of the trailer should not exceed 50 kgf. For trailers with a gross weight of up to 500 kg, the following rule must be observed: the vertical load on the towbar must be approximately 10% of the gross weight of the trailer. Adjust the load on the towbar of the car, placing the load on the trailer appropriately. To begin with, it is recommended to place the load so that approximately 60% of its mass is in front of the trailer axle, and 40% behind. If the gross weight of the trailer exceeds 500 kg, try to distribute the load along the length of the trailer more evenly. Never load the trailer so that the rear of the trailer outweighs the front - this leads to unloading of the rear wheels of the car, which impairs tire grip on the road surface.
Gross vehicle and trailer weights must not exceed the respective maximum permissible values.
Gross vehicle weight includes: the curb weight of the car, the weight of the driver, passengers and luggage, the weight of the tow hitch and the weight of the trailer falling on it. Remember that the weight of the additional equipment installed on the car and the weight of the trailer attributable to the towbar (when towing a trailer), reduce the payload capacity of the vehicle by the appropriate values.
The most reliable way to check that the vehicle and trailer are properly loaded is by weighing. Load the vehicle and trailer as they would normally be used in a road train and weigh them on the truck scales. Determine the values of the total masses of the car and trailer, as well as the masses attributable to the axles of the car and trailer. Compare the measurement results with the nominal values.
Tow hitch
Installation of towing devices that do not correspond in size to the weight and size characteristics of the trailer, or incorrectly installed on the vehicle, can cause damage to the body elements of the vehicle.
The design of the hitch intended for installation on your car must fully meet all the necessary requirements, if necessary, consult an Opel service station.
The tow hitch must be attached at several specially provided points on the base of the car body so that the loads from the towed trailer are distributed more evenly and fall on the body reinforcement elements. It is forbidden to mount trailers on the vehicle that rely only on the rear bumper, which is not designed to carry such loads. The installation of the towbar must be carried out by qualified car service personnel.
Rear view mirrors
Towing a large trailer (type «Caravan») usually requires the installation of additional rear-view mirrors with extended brackets on the car. Check local laws and Highway Code requirements for towing trailers by passenger cars. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and evaluate the degree of rear vision impairment through the standard rear view mirrors. If the visibility is poor, then for safety reasons it is necessary to equip special mirrors that provide the driver with an adequate view of the space behind the car.
Attaching a trailer to a vehicle
If you are going to purchase a trailer equipped with brake mechanisms, make sure that they have an electric control drive - the design of the hydraulic drive of the working brake system of your car does not provide for the possibility of connecting any additional circuits to it, in particular, to actuate the brake trailer mechanisms. Any method of connecting a trailer brake system to the hydraulic brake drive of a car, no matter how attractive it may seem, will lead to a deterioration in the braking efficiency of the car and a decrease in traffic safety.
When attaching a trailer to a vehicle, always use a safety chain. The ends of the safety chain must be securely fastened to the appropriate places on the trailer drawbar and on the vehicle hitch. Make sure the chain runs under the trailer tongue to prevent the front end of the tongue from falling onto the road if the hitch is disengaged. The free length of the chain must be sufficient so as not to interfere with the completion of turns of the road train with minimum radii, however, the chain should not be allowed to be dragged along the ground.
Outdoor lighting and signaling devices on a trailer
Since trailers of different brands may use different wiring, the towbar equipment should be entrusted to car service specialists. In some cases, an adapter may be required.
Before connecting the trailer's electrical equipment to the car's electrical system, be sure to consult a workshop.
Preparing to tow a trailer
1. Before starting the movement, a control inspection and check of the car and trailer should be carried out.
2. Measure the vertical load on the hitch - use a standard floor scale.
3. Check the tightness of the trailer tongue and safety chain.
4. Check the technical condition of the tires and the air pressure in the tires on the car and trailer. Reduced air pressure in tires significantly impairs the handling of the car and road train. At the same time, check the condition and air pressure in the spare wheel.
5. Having fully loaded and connected the trailer to the vehicle, make sure that there is no excessive «subsidence» rear of the vehicle, - if necessary, cargo in the vehicle/trailer..
6. Check up serviceability of functioning of devices of external illumination and the signal system on the car and the trailer.
7. Specify the current traffic rules for the maximum speed of the road train as part of a passenger car and trailer. If you are planning to travel to multiple countries, check in advance for local regulations and restrictions regarding towing a trailer with a passenger car, as each country may have different restrictions.
In European countries, the speed limit for a road train consisting of a car and a trailer is set at 100 km/h.
Trailer Towing Safety Precautions
It should be borne in mind that the braking distance of a car towing a trailer increases. Therefore, when driving with a trailer, you should maintain an increased distance from the vehicle in front. Try to avoid sudden braking and turning. This can cause the trailer to fold over or even tip over.
Remember that the length of the road train significantly exceeds the length of a single vehicle. When turning right, leave a much larger distance between the edge of the carriageway and the wheels of the starboard side of the vehicle than usual to avoid hitting the curb with the wheels of the trailer. Please note that when the road train turns, the trailer moves in a smaller radius than the car and may run into or collide with an obstacle that the car has freely passed. When overtaking another vehicle, do not rush to return to your lane, as this may lead to a collision between the vehicle being overtaken and the trailer.
The road train, compared to a single vehicle, is more sensitive to the action of crosswind gusts and aerodynamic disturbances from other vehicles. If you are being overtaken by a heavy truck or train at high speed, try to keep your vehicle straight and steady. To reduce aerodynamic disturbances from the vehicle in front of the vehicle, slow down to get out of the turbulent flow.
When towing a trailer, the load on all the main units and systems of the car increases. Therefore, if the vehicle is frequently used to tow a trailer, it is necessary to carry out periodic maintenance of the vehicle in accordance with the regulations specific to harsh operating conditions
The additional load on the vehicle increases even more when the road train is operated in hilly terrain. When overcoming long climbs, carefully monitor the temperature of the engine on the arrow pointer on the dashboard. When the pointer arrow approaches the overheating zone, turn off the air conditioner (if equipped and enabled) and keep moving. If the engine coolant temperature does not decrease or continues to rise, stop by the side of the road and allow the engine to cool.
The air conditioner should also be turned off when the speed increases rapidly downhill when driving in hilly or mountainous terrain. If the engine coolant temperature constantly rises when driving in second gear, reduce the speed below the 60 km/h mark.
When driving in hilly or mountainous terrain, the 3rd and 4th gears of the automatic transmission may cycle through. In this case, you should go to a lower range «3», which will prevent overheating and excessive wear of parts of the AT friction elements. Use engine braking to prevent overheating of the brakes when driving on long descents. For effective engine braking, engage the low range or one of the lower gears of the automatic transmission.
When stopping the road train on the rise, do not hold it in place by pressing the gas pedal - this can lead to overheating of the AT. Use the service brake system, or the parking brake.
When operating an automatic transmission in manual mode, use third, second and first gears according to vehicle speed and road conditions. When towing a trailer, do not shift into fourth gear. The Specifications lists the recommended speed ranges for the use of various gear ratios.
When parking a road train for a long time, especially on a descent or ascent, take all precautions for reliable braking of the car and trailer. Turn the front wheels of the car so that when the road train rolls, they rest against the curb. Apply the parking brake fully and move the range selector lever to the «R». On manual transmission equipped models, engage first or reverse gear. Place wheel chocks under both wheels of the trailer.
Driving a road train while reversing presents certain difficulties and requires special skills and training from the driver. Drive in reverse carefully and slowly, do not turn the steering wheel too fast. When maneuvering in reverse in tight spaces, it is helpful to have someone standing outside to watch the trailer and guide you. Please note that when turning the steering wheel clockwise (right) the trailer moves to the left and vice versa. When maneuvering the road train in reverse, it is recommended to hold on to the steering wheel rim from below (and not from above, as usual, when moving forward). With this grip, the usual correspondence between the direction of the steering wheel and the movement of the trailer is preserved: moving the hand to the left leads to the trailer turning to the left as well, and vice versa.
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