Driving Instructions (Opel Vectra B)

Never coast with the engine off. Many units do not work when this happens (for example, signaling devices, brake booster, power steering, airbag systems). You are putting yourself and other road users at risk.

Brake booster

When the engine is not running, the brake booster stops working after pressing the brake pedal 2-3 times. The braking effect does not decrease, but more force is required when pressing the brake pedal.

Power steering

If the power steering fails, for example during towing with the engine off, the vehicle will still be controllable, but more effort will be required.

Driving in mountainous conditions, towing a trailer

The cooling system fan is electrically driven. Therefore, its efficiency does not depend on the engine shaft speed. At high engine shaft speed, a lot of heat is released, at low speed, correspondingly less.

Therefore, when climbing uphill, do not shift to a lower gear until the car is able to easily overcome the climb in a higher gear.

Diesel engine: on climbs with a slope of 10% or more, do not exceed the speed of movement in 1st gear - 30 km/h, in 2nd - 50 km/h.

Driving with a roof load

Do not exceed the permissible roof load. For safety reasons, distribute the load evenly and secure it with lashing straps. Inflate the tires to the value specified for full load. Do not exceed 120 km/h. Check and tighten the lashings frequently.

Engine stop

If the coolant temperature is very high, for example after driving in mountainous conditions: let the engine idle for about 2 minutes to prevent heat stagnation.

After the engine has stopped, the engine fan may continue to operate for some time to cool the engine components.

Forced idle mode

During the forced idle mode, the fuel supply is automatically cut off, for example, when driving downhill or braking. During the forced idle mode, do not accelerate or disengage the clutch so that the fuel supply cut-off system operates.

Engine shaft speed

In all road conditions, operate the vehicle within the optimal engine speed range.

Warming up the engine

Warm up the engine by moving the car, not idling. Do not "give full throttle" until the operating temperature is established.

After starting a cold engine, the automatic transmission shifts up to higher gears only at higher engine speeds. This quickly heats the catalytic converter to the temperature required for optimum emission reduction.

Timely gear shifting

When idling and in low gears, do not increase the engine speed to excessively high values. Excessive speed in individual gears or stages, as well as driving with frequent stops, increases wear of vehicle components and fuel consumption.

Shifting to a lower gear

When reducing speed, shift to a lower gear, do not slip the clutch at high engine speeds. This is especially important when driving in mountainous conditions.

Clutch

Press the clutch pedal fully to prevent difficulties when changing gears and to avoid damage to the gearbox. There should be no mats in the pedal area.



Do not use the clutch pedal as a footrest while driving, as this may cause accelerated wear of the clutch discs.

Battery Preservation

When driving at low speed or when stopped, for example when driving in the city, during short trips and traffic jams, switch off power consumers if possible (heated glass, additional headlights, etc.).

When starting the engine, disengage the clutch to avoid idle resistance of the gearbox, relieve the starter and battery.