Driving cars with automatic transmission (Opel Vectra C)

General information

Attention! Automatic transmission is a very complex system in its technical design - independent attempts to interfere with its operation and adjustment are unacceptable! If you have any questions about the operation of the AT or if its operation deviates from what is described below, contact only the Opel service station!

AT allows you to control the car without constant driver intervention in the gear shifting process.

The vehicles covered in this Manual may be equipped with a 5-speed AT with the Active Select system, which allows you to control gear shifting in both automatic and manual modes, or a 6-speed AT with the CVTronic system with three control modes:

• Automatic smooth switching mode;
• Automatic step-by-step switching mode;
• Manual mode.

The AT selector lever is floor-mounted and located on the center console (see illustrations 23.1).





The current AT mode indication is displayed on the instrument cluster in the field of the corresponding instrument cluster display.

Note: When shifting the selector lever while parked/stopped, it is recommended to always prevent the vehicle from moving using the parking or service brake systems.

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 is only possible after moving the selector lever to position "P" and releasing the foot brake pedal.

To avoid damage to the AT, move the lever to the "P" position only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

Position "R". Setting the selector lever to this position ensures the vehicle moves 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 first back to the "N" position, 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 the car is stopped with the engine running. If you need to leave the car for any reason, first move the range selector lever to the "P" position. When moving the lever from the "N" position, depress the foot brake pedal.

Warning! 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 AT between forward gears in accordance with changes in the speed mode and the degree of pressing of the gas pedal from the first gear to the highest. The corresponding display will show the indication "D" and the currently engaged gear.

Controlling AT mode switching in automatic mode

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 of movement, and additionally.

The transmission range selector lever can be in one of four fixed positions when driving in automatic mode "R", "R", "N" or "D". The engine can only be started in the "P" or "N" positions of the lever. To switch to 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 AT modes. The description of the engine starting procedure is given in the above (see Section 21). The selector lever is locked in the "P" and "N" positions - when the lock is activated, a control lamp mounted between the "P" and "R" positions lights up on the selector lever panel (see illustration 23.1).

Note: In the "N" position, the lever lock is engaged with some delay and only when the vehicle is stationary.

To move the selector lever from the "P" and "N" positions, as well as when setting it to the "P" and "R" positions, you must press the lock release button located on the lever. In addition, when moving the selector lever, you must depress the brake pedal.

To move forward, move the lever to the "D" position; to move backward, move the lever to the "R" position.

Caution! Do not increase engine speed when forward or reverse mode is selected and the brake pedal is pressed! Shifting the transmission from the "N" / "P" position to the working positions must be done with the engine idling - keep the foot brake pedal pressed!

Release the parking brake - the brake system indicator lamp on the instrument cluster should go out.

Release the foot brake pedal and gently press the gas pedal. When changing gears, remove your foot from the gas pedal.

Warning! 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 AT failure!

Manual AT mode switching control

If necessary or at the driver's request, you can switch to manual gear shifting mode by moving the selector lever to the left from position D - gears can be shifted manually by briefly pressing the lever(see illustration 23.2) towards "+" to shift to a higher gear or "-" to shift to a lower gear.

Note: Gear shifting will not occur if a higher gear is engaged at too low a speed or a lower gear is engaged at too high a speed for the gear in question - keep an eye on the AT Mode Select display and the current vehicle speed.

The selected number of the current stage is displayed on the corresponding display of the instrument cluster.

In manual control mode, when the speed drops to a certain value by reducing engine speed, the gearbox automatically switches to a lower gear - when the speed increases/engine speed increases, automatic switching to a higher gear does not occur. Switching to a lower gear also occurs when the speed is reduced by pressing the brake pedal. If, when parking the car, the selector lever is not in the "P" position after turning off the ignition, the lever lock indicator lamp on the selector lever panel is activated in flashing mode. Set the gear shift lever to the "P" position.

AT Emergency Operation Mode

A malfunction of the AT is indicated by a corresponding indicator lamp on the instrument cluster.

Note: On diesel models, the light may also indicate the need to remove water from the fuel filter.

If the lamp does not go out after starting the engine or lights up while driving, automatic gear shifting is not possible. To continue driving in manual mode, 2nd and higher gears can be used.

Note: In some faults, only the highest gear is available. In automatic mode (position "D"), only the highest gear is available.

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

Emergency release of the selector lever lock

The need for emergency disabling of the AT selector lever lock in the "P" or "N" position arises in the event of a breakdown of the locking mechanism, as well as when it is necessary to tow a faulty vehicle. 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, start the engine from an auxiliary source.

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

• Set the parking brake;
• Open the corresponding lid and remove the ashtray;
• Use a screwdriver to push the stopper down (see illustration 23.3) and move the lever out of position P or N;

Return the ashtray to its original position.

When the selector lever is switched to the "P" or "N" position again, the locking occurs again. As soon as possible, contact a service station to eliminate the cause of the malfunction, and/or recharge the battery.

Electronic control of some AT functions

The AT electronics system provides automatic control of some functions.



Adaptive gear shift program. This function allows the gear shift mode to be automatically adjusted to the individual driving style of the vehicle owner. Over time, the electronic unit accumulates information about the driving style of a specific driver. If the driver prefers a sporty style, gear shifting occurs at higher revs. With an economical driving style, gear shifting occurs at lower revs. In addition, appropriate adjustments are made when driving in special conditions, such as on ascents and descents, when driving with a trailer or with a heavy load.

Automatic switching to neutral gear during short-term stops. To reduce fuel consumption during stops (for example, at a traffic light) AT automatically shifts to neutral when the following conditions are met:

• The selector lever is in position D or manual mode is engaged;
• The brake pedal is depressed;
• The car is stationary;
• The gas pedal is released;
• Transmission oil temperature (ATF) is above 0°C.

When you release the brake pedal and press the gas pedal, the car starts moving as usual.

Temperature control program after starting a cold engine allows the catalytic converter to quickly reach the operating temperature required for its optimal functioning by delaying upshifts (high engine speeds are maintained).

Some techniques for driving a car with AT

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.



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.

Attention! Do not hold the car in gear by increasing the engine speed to avoid overheating the gearbox! During longer stops, for example, 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 may only be used in exceptional cases.

Before leaving the car in a parking lot, you must first apply the parking brake, then set the gearshift lever to position P and remove the key from the ignition. Be sure to remove the key, otherwise the battery may be discharged during prolonged parking.

Note: If the selector lever was not in the "P" position before parking, the selector lever lock indicator lamp on the selector lever panel will flash when the ignition is switched off (see illustration 23.1).