General information
1. Tire sizes approved for installation on the models described in this manual and tire pressure ratings for front and rear wheels are shown in Specifications to the head «Controls and methods of operation». A model specific air pressure rating plate is affixed to the inside of the fuel filler cap. Tires of the same size, of the same design, with the same tread pattern and of the same manufacturer must be installed on one axle of the vehicle. The compilers of this manual strongly recommend, if necessary, to replace the entire set of tires at the same time.
Tire designation
Example: 195/65 R 15 91 N
- 195 - Tire width in mm
- 65 - Cross section ratio in % (tire cross-sectional height is 65% of the width)
- R - Radial design (Radial) 15 Disc diameter in inches
- 91 - Load capacity indicator (for example: 91 corresponds to 618 kg)
- H - Designation of the permissible maximum speed (decoding of letter designations is given in the Specifications)
Tire speed categories (designations):
- Q - 160 km/h
- S - 180 km/h
- T - 190 km / h
- H - 210 km/h
- V - 240 km/h
- ZR - over 240 km/h
- W - 270 km/h
- Y - over 270 km/h
Remark: Note «REINFORCED» at the end of the tire marking means reinforced performance.
2. Tires of the most optimal standard size for a particular model are installed by the manufacturer. Before installing tires of a different size on a car, it is imperative to get advice from Opel service station specialists. Please be aware that the installation of other tires may result in a change in handling characteristics, braking properties and the functioning of the vehicle's electronic motion control systems.
Note: When using tires of a different size, it may be necessary to reprogram the electronic speedometer and some other electronic systems. Don't forget to change the tire pressure rating plate.
3. When using tires with a directional tread pattern, when installing them, it is necessary to ensure that the direction of the pattern coincides with the direction of movement of the car. As a rule, the direction of rotation is indicated by a special symbol, for example, an arrow) on the sidewall of the tire.
4. Some types of tires have protective thickenings around the entire perimeter of the disc, designed to protect alloy wheels from damage. When installing these tires on conventional steel rims, only Opel branded protective/decorative caps may be used.
5. On models equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, when using winter tires or when installing tires of a different size at the request of the car owner, sensors of the corresponding system can be additionally installed on these wheels. If the wheels are changed without sensors installed, the system will not show changes in tire pressure. It is recommended to entrust the installation of sensors to service station specialists.
6. Some models may be equipped with a special compact type wheel or a tire repair kit instead of a full-size spare wheel. Remember that the compact type wheel is only meant to be able to get to the nearest service station - repair the damaged wheel and replace it as soon as possible.
Note: Similar requirements apply when using a spare wheel with a summer tire instead of a wheel with a winter tire. When using tires with a directional tread pattern, as soon as possible (if necessary) remount the tire so that the direction of the tread pattern matches the direction of travel.
7. Puncture-proof tires can now be fitted to some models (RFT). These tires are marked on the sidewall ROF or SSR (depending on the manufacturer) and are installed only on alloy wheels approved by Opel (this also applies to winter tires).
Note: RFT tires cannot be combined with conventional tires, even on different vehicle axles.
8. Puncture-resistant tires have self-supporting, reinforced sidewalls, so they don't lose shape when pressure drops, and allows you to keep going with a puncture and some other damage. In this case, the handling and driving characteristics of the car may change, the braking distance is lengthened - it is necessary to coordinate the driving style and speed with the changed conditions. On a flat tire, you can continue driving at a maximum speed of no more than 80 km/h and at a distance no more 80 km.
Attention! For RFT tyres, the use of a tire repair kit is not permitted! At the first opportunity, contact the service station of the Opel campaign!
9. Installation of puncture-resistant tires is only allowed on vehicles equipped with an ESP systemPIus and pressure drop monitoring/tire pressure monitoring system.
Attention! Equipping a car with RFT tires does not release the driver from the obligation to regularly check the air pressure in them and, if necessary, make appropriate adjustments!
10. When installing wheels with winter tires on a car, they must fully comply with the design, size and load capacity of the wheels being replaced. It is allowed to install only front or only rear wheels with winter tires, but the greatest effect is the replacement of the entire set of tires - when driving on snowy or slippery roads, winter tires have better grip and traction characteristics.
Attention! The maximum permissible speed for winter tires is less than for summer tires - follow the recommendations of the tire manufacturers and the requirements of the Rules of the Road (SDA)!
11. If necessary, the front (leading) vehicle wheels can be fitted with snow chains. The chains must match the size of the tires, tightly and securely fastened to them. After installing the chains, it is necessary to remove the extra links in order to avoid damage to the body surfaces during the rotation of the wheels - the vehicle must be driven at low speeds up to 50 km/h. If the caps of the steel discs are in contact with the chain links, the caps should be removed. The authors of this manual recommend the use of Opel-approved fine-link snow chains that, together with the chain link, do not exceed a maximum height of 15 mm. Snow chains are used when driving on heavily snowy road surfaces and are not effective on dry roads, in addition, it can lead to chain breakage.
Note: Local laws may prohibit the use of chains - check with your competent local authority in advance for current regulations.
Warning! Snow chains must not be fitted on the compact emergency wheel 115/70 R! If it is necessary to continue driving with snow chains when the front tire is punctured, the compact type wheel should be installed on the rear axle and the rear wheel on the front axle.
Tire condition check
12. A conscientious attitude to regularly checking the condition of the tires will allow the driver to avoid annoying delays associated with the failure of the wheel while driving. In addition, by the nature of the wear of the treads, defects in the suspension and steering components that are in the development stage can be detected in advance. Curbs should be driven at low speed and at right angles if possible. Hitting sharp curbs can lead to hidden damage to tires and rims that only show up later. When parking, do not press your wheels against the curb.
13. Included in the standard equipment of the vehicles discussed in this Guide, the wheels are equipped with special wear indicators (TWI) (see resist. illustration 5.13a) located in the recesses of the tread pattern around the entire perimeter of the wheel at regular intervals - their position is marked on the side surface of the tire. The minimum allowable tread depth is 1.6mm in which the pointers protrude from the recesses.
5.13a Tread wear indicators (TWI)
5.13b To assess the degree of tread wear, special inexpensive profile depth gauges are available
You can estimate the intermediate degree of tread wear using a special inexpensive device (see resist. illustration 5.13b), - ask in car accessories stores or service stations. If front tire wear exceeds rear tire wear, rotate them (see below). To ensure guaranteed driving safety, do not wait for the limit wear of the tread, it is recommended to replace tires with a residual tread height 2-3 mm (Winter tires - 4 mm).
Attention! The risk of aquaplaning increases especially if the pattern height is low!
14. Pay attention to any signs of uneven tread wear (see resist. illustration). Such local defects as bowl-shaped rubbing, flattening, etc., usually owe their occurrence to violations of the angles of the front wheels, or the balance of the latter. To identify and eliminate faults, the car should be driven to a specialized car service workshop or to a service station.
15. Carefully inspect the tires on all wheels for cuts, punctures, and foreign objects stuck in the grooves of the tread pattern. Sometimes a punctured tire continues to hold air inside itself for some more time due to the fact that the object that punctured the tire continues to be stuck into it. The reason for the slow deflation of the tire may be a defect in the nipple of the wheel inflation valve - check the condition of the nipple (see resist. illustration 5.15a). Carefully inspect the protector for the presence of foreign objects stuck in it and signs of a violation of the tightness of the fit of the repair «traffic jams», used to repair small tire punctures. Verifying the presence of a puncture is quite simple - just moisten the suspected area of the tire surface with a solution of soapy water (see resist. illustration 5.15b) - if a puncture occurs, the solution will begin to bubble. Minor punctures are usually easily repaired at tire shops.
5.15a If the wheel is constantly «descends», you should check the condition of the pump valve nipple
5.15b If the nipple is OK, then there is a minor defect in the tire, which can be identified by wetting the tread with a solution of soapy water
Insufficient tire inflation pressure | cupped defects |
The following reasons for the formation of cup-shaped defects are possible:
- Tires are too loosely inflated or there is a mechanical deflection (wheel imbalance or disk deformation).
- The tie rods or steering swing arm are loose, or the listed components are worn out.
- Front suspension components damaged or worn or loose.
Tire inflation pressure too high | Violated toe-in adjustment, or too much camber |
Flaky tread wear caused by misalignment of wheels
16. Carefully inspect the inner walls of the tires of all four wheels for the presence of brake fluid leaks on them. If any are found, immediately check the condition of the relevant brake mechanisms and the hydraulic lines connected to them.
17. Maintaining the required tire inflation pressure will significantly extend the life of the wheels, in addition, it will provide maximum driving comfort and will not reduce the vehicle's controllability. Excessively low tire pressure can lead to excessive heating of the tires, internal damage and thus, at high speeds, to flaking of the running surface of the tires and even to rupture. Hidden tire damage cannot be repaired by subsequent air pressure adjustments. Remember that it is almost impossible to correctly determine the pressure in a tire by eye, especially when it comes to radial tires and, moreover, tires that are not afraid of punctures. It is necessary to keep a suitable pressure gauge on hand at all times - the readings of the booster compressor meters at gas stations and service stations should not be trusted.
18. Check the tire inflation pressure when the tires are cold - it is understood that the car has traveled no more than one mile in the last three hours. Remember that increasing pressure on 0.3-0.6 kgf/cm2 as a result of the heating of the wheel is a completely natural phenomenon - it is impossible to correct the pressure when the tires are hot. Checks should be carried out at least once every 14 days.
19. Remove the protective cap from the wheel inflation valve. To facilitate the removal of the caps, use the special key stored on the inside of the fuel filler cap (see resist. illustration 5.19a).
5.19a Wrench for removing wheel valve caps
Note: On vehicles with a tire pressure monitoring system, there is an adapter in the valve cap wrench that mounts a pressure gauge to check the pressure.
Firmly press the manometer nozzle to the valve outlet by depressing the nipple stem (see resist. illustration 5.19b). Read the reading and compare it with the normative data, correct the pressure if necessary.
5.19b Checking the tire inflation pressure on time will prolong the life of the wheels (don't forget the spare)
20. Do not forget to screw the protective cap of the valve back into place to prevent moisture and dirt from entering the nipple. Check the pressure in all tires, including the spare.
21. Tires, like any rubber products, age, even if the car is used or operated with low intensity - you should not install new or continue to use old wheels if more than 4 years old. If the spare wheel has not been used for 6 months, its use is permissible only in extreme cases and only at low speeds. Never use used tires whose origin you do not know.
22. Installation of protective/decorative caps may change the cooling conditions of the brake mechanisms - use only caps approved by Opel for this model, preferably branded ones.
Wheel rotation
23. Wheel rotation should be carried out when signs of uneven tread wear are detected. The rotation order is indicated on the sopr. illustrations, the spare wheel is not involved in the rotation.
5.23 Impeller rotation order
24. When equipping the vehicle with tires with a directional tread pattern, make sure that they are installed correctly while maintaining the direction of wheel rotation.
25. When rotating the car must be raised above the ground - take this opportunity and check the condition of the braking system components as well. A detailed description of the procedure for changing wheels is set out in Section «Jacking and towing». Track reliability of fixing of the car in the lifted position. Thoroughly clean the inside of the wheel assemblies with each rotation.
26. At the end of the rotation, check the inflation pressure of the tires, correct it in accordance with regulatory requirements. Make sure the wheel bolts are secure (ideally the wheel bolts should be tightened with a torque wrench).
The tightening torque of the wheel bolts is 110 Nm.
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