Automatic operation mode of the climate control system (Opel Vectra C)

To activate the system in automatic mode, you must press the "AUTO" button located in the upper left part of the control panel (the LED built into the button should light up), fully open the nozzles of the rotary deflectors (see above) and set the left and right rotary controls to the average temperature that should be maintained in the cabin (see below). If there is no need to cool and dry the air, the air conditioner can be switched off via the information display menu - the display will show the inscription "Eco". This automatic HVAC operation mode allows you to reduce fuel consumption, but the comfort level in the cabin may decrease.

Note: In this mode, cooling and dehumidification of incoming air is not performed, this may lead to fogging of the glass. In addition, when the outside air temperature rises, the system may malfunction.

The system is deactivated by pressing the AUTO button again.

Temperature control

Left rotary control (see illustration 18.6) selecting the temperature mode sets the average temperature that should be maintained in the car's interior. To enter the corresponding display menu, press the left knob. When you turn the knob, the set temperature value appears in the corresponding display field. The temperature value can be set within the range from 16°C and 28°C. Under normal conditions, it is recommended to set the regulator to 22°C. In automatic mode, when the average temperature value changes within the specified limits, the temperature in the cabin will change gradually.



To quickly change the temperature, turn the rotary control beyond the specified values. When setting the temperature below 16°C the display will show "Lo" - the system will operate in maximum cooling mode without temperature control. When setting the temperature higher 28°C the display will show the inscription "Hi" - the system will operate in maximum power heating mode without temperature control.

To select the temperature mode separately for the driver's and front passenger's seats, press the right rotary control (see illustration 18.6) and by turning the controls set the average temperature value for the driver and front passenger areas respectively. For reasons of comfort, it is not recommended to set the temperature difference to more than 2°C

To return to the temperature setting mode for the entire cabin, press the left rotary control.

Air circulation mode

The circulation mode prevents exhaust gases, unpleasant odors, dust, and plant pollen, which causes allergic reactions, from entering the passenger compartment.

Attention! As soon as the need for interior insulation disappears, the supply of fresh air must be resumed!

The air circulation mode is activated using the switch button on the control panel - the control LED built into the button should light up.

Note: Long-term use of the circulation mode leads to fogging of the windows and increased air tightness, so it is recommended to activate this mode only when really necessary and for a relatively short time.

Pressing the switch button again restores the air supply.



When equipped accordingly, the automatic air circulation control system registers the presence of harmful impurities in the air coming through the air intake using a special sensor and automatically switches to the circulation mode. When the concentration of harmful impurities in the outside air decreases to acceptable limits, the system automatically switches off the circulation mode.

Note: When the outside temperature is low and the air conditioner is switched off, the automatic air circulation function is blocked, which prevents the windows from fogging up. If necessary, switch on the air circulation mode manually. The automatic air circulation function is activated/deactivated via the information display menu (see below).

Activation/deactivation of the system and manual adjustment of the air flow intensity.

Manual regulation of the air flow intensity is performed by turning the central regulator. When turning the regulator, the selected intensity mode is indicated (positions 1 to 6) air flow is displayed in the corresponding field of the display. When selecting the position of the regulator ABOUT the system will be deactivated. To return to automatic mode, press the "AUTO" button; the air flow intensity will be selected automatically.

Setting up the system via the display menu

If necessary, the HVAC system parameters can be set manually via the information display menu. Using the display menu, the following functions can be configured:

• Activating/deactivating the air conditioner;
• Activation/deactivation of the air circulation system in automatic mode;
• Selecting the direction of air flow distribution;
• Activation/deactivation and adjustment of the heating/ventilation system of the vehicle interior while parked.

To call up the system setup menu, press the central rotary control (see illustration 18.6) - the corresponding menu will be displayed. Individual menu items are selected by turning the central knob, and the selection is confirmed by pressing it. When confirming the selection of some items, the menu for that item appears - the selection of parameters in it is carried out in a similar way.



The corresponding function is activated if a mark in the form of a diagonal cross (X), a bold dot or a "tick" appears in the square/circle field before the selected menu item (depending on the display type). If there is no brand, the function is disabled.

Note: When the outside temperature is low, the air conditioner will automatically turn off regardless of the setting.

To close the menu, use the central controller to select Return/Back or Main and confirm your choice.

Manually performed settings remain stored in the system memory after the ignition is switched off.

Use of residual engine heat/air conditioning cold

Heating/cooling of the passenger compartment may continue for some time after the engine has been switched off (for example, when waiting at a railroad crossing) by using accumulated residual heat/cold. The mode is activated with the ignition off by pressing the "AUTO" button (see illustration 18.6) on the control panel, the control LED built into the button should light up, and the display will briefly show the message Residual air conditioning on.

When the mode is activated, the intensity and direction of air flow are adjusted automatically (usually the minimum fan speed is selected). The duration of the system operation depends on the selected temperature settings and the initial temperature of the engine coolant. If equipped accordingly, the interior heating/ventilation system can be connected during parking (see below). The mode is switched off by pressing the "AUTO" button again or automatically by a timer signal, as well as when the battery charge level drops noticeably.

Windshield defroster

If necessary, for example, to quickly clear the windshield from snow, ice and condensation before starting the car, you can quickly activate the windshield blowing mode by pressing the button on the HVAC control panel - the LED built into the button should light up. In this case, the system automatically switches to maximum performance of the heater and fan, and the entire flow of air supplied to the cabin is redirected to blowing the windshield and side windows. If necessary, the intensity of the air flow can be adjusted using the central regulator.



To return to automatic mode, press the same button again or the "AUTO" button.

Rear window heating

The rear window heating element is activated using the button on the system control panel, the control LED built into the button should light up.

Heating/ventilation of the car interior while parked

Attention! When the interior heating/ventilation system is activated while the vehicle is parked, the interior and vehicle tilt control function of the anti-theft system will be automatically disabled!

On models with the appropriate equipment, this system allows maintaining the required temperature in the car for approximately 60 minutes from the moment the system is activated. When activated, the system maintains the last set value of the average temperature; when the system is activated, the average temperature value can be changed by turning the left/right rotary control. The air flow in the ventilation and heating system is heated by passing air through the heater heat exchanger. When the coolant temperature drops to 80°C the coolant torch heating system is automatically activated, and for some time a characteristic noise is heard and smoke is released from the combustion of fuel. This system consumes approximately 0.3 l fuel for each warm-up.

To activate the system, select the appropriate submenu on the information display with the ignition on (Auxiliary Heating) and set the mark opposite the "Op" item - the control LED built into the "AUTO" button should light up.





The system is deactivated automatically, according to a timer signal, after approximately 60 minutes, either before the expiration of this period by pressing the "AUTO" button or by removing the stamp opposite the "Op" item in the corresponding submenu of the information display. In addition, you can program the system to turn on at a specific time by selecting the "Setting" menu item in the Auxiliary Heating menu, and then entering the system activation start time next to the corresponding item.

Note: Up to three activation times can be entered into the system memory. However, after one stage of operation, this function must be reactivated to activate the system at the next timer signal. To exit the setup mode, activate the "Confirm" menu item.

To activate the function, set the mark opposite the required activation time value - at the specified time, the system will start functioning, maintaining the set temperature, and will be automatically deactivated by the timer signal after approximately 60 minutes. To turn off the system early, press the "AUTO" button.

Note: The system setup menu can be accessed by pressing the central rotary control within approximately two hours of the ignition being turned off.

A separate remote control is provided to control the interior heating/ventilation system (see illustration 18.8). The system is activated by pressing the button

and is deactivated by pressing the "O" button. Also, using this remote control, you can turn off the system activated by the timer signal, for which you press the "O" button on the remote control twice with a 3-second interval.

Original article on the web portal: OpelBook



The range of the remote control is up to 600 m. Depending on the terrain and the presence of interference, the range may be reduced. If the range is significantly reduced for no apparent reason, the batteries of the remote control must be replaced (see illustration 18.9). Note: Up to 3 remote controls can be programmed for this system if required. To improve heating efficiency and quickly bring the engine up to operating temperature, the torch heater automatically switches on while the vehicle is moving at outside temperatures below 8°C, regardless of the HVAC and interior heating/ventilation system settings. The torch heater system automatically switches on when the engine is stopped, and the torch burner purge fan will continue to operate for approximately two minutes (the operation of the fan is accompanied by a characteristic noise).

Additional information on the HVAC system

When the air conditioner or heater is operating, the interior windows must be closed. In order for the air temperature in the car to reach the set temperature faster, it is recommended to use the air circulation mode at the initial stage of the system operation when it is turned on.

Attention: As soon as the temperature reaches the set parameters, do not forget to turn off the circulation mode!

In hot sunny weather, after a long parking of the car in the sun, it is recommended to drive with the windows open for the first 2-3 minutes of driving and ventilate the interior with the air conditioner to cool the air more quickly.

Operation of the air conditioning system in hot weather can lead to the formation of condensation, the drainage of which can lead to the formation of moisture leaks under the parked car, which should not cause concern.

Before driving, clear the air intake grille of snow, dirt and fallen leaves. To quickly clear the glass from ice and fogging, turn on the heater fan at full power. To maintain the components of the refrigeration system of the air conditioning system in working order, run the compressor for a few minutes at least once a month, even if there is no need for air conditioning.

Note: On models equipped with climate control, this procedure is performed automatically while driving, however, at low outside temperatures, when the air conditioner is not activated, the driver must turn on the system as a preventive measure.