Opel Astra (2019 year). Instruction - part 17

262

Vehicle care

Changing tyre and wheel

size

If tyres of a different size than those

fitted at the factory are used, it may be

necessary to reprogramme the

nominal tyre pressure and make

other vehicle modifications.
After converting to a different tyre

size, have the label with tyre

pressures replaced and the tyre

pressure monitoring system

reinitialised. 3 257

9 Warning

The use of unsuitable tyres or

wheels may lead to accidents and

will invalidate the vehicle

operating permit.

Wheel covers

Wheel covers and tyres that are

factory approved for the respective

vehicle and comply with all of the

relevant wheel and tyre combination

requirements must be used.

If the wheel covers and tyres used are

not factory approved, the tyres must

not have a rim protection ridge.
Wheel covers must not impair brake

cooling.

9 Warning

Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel

covers could lead to sudden

pressure loss and thereby

accidents.

Tyre chains

Tyre chains are only permitted on the

front wheels.

Always use fine mesh chains that add

no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread

and the inboard sides (including chain

lock).

9 Warning

Damage may lead to tyre blowout.

Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of

size 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16 and

215/55 R16.

Temporary spare wheel

The use of tyre chains is not permitted

on the temporary spare wheel.

Tyre repair kit

Minor damage to the tyre tread can be

repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from

the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding 4 mm or that

is at tyre's sidewall cannot be repaired

with the tyre repair kit.

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263

9 Warning

Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be

affected.

If you have a flat tyre:
Apply the parking brake and engage

first gear, reverse gear or P.

On 5-door hatchback the tyre repair

kit is on the right side in the load

compartment behind a cover.

On Sports Tourer the tyre repair kit is

in a suitcase on the right side of the

load compartment behind a cover.

The suitcase is secured with a strap.

1. Remove the sealant bottle.
2. Insert thumb into the opening and

pull out the compressor.

3. Remove the electrical connection

cable and air hose from the

stowage compartments on the

underside of the compressor.

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Vehicle care

4. Screw the compressor air hose to

the connection on the sealant

bottle.

5. Fit the sealant bottle into the

retainer on the compressor.
Set the compressor near the tyre

in such a way that the sealant

bottle is upright.

6. Unscrew valve cap from defective

tyre.

7. Screw the filler hose to the tyre

valve.

8. The switch on the compressor

must be set to J.

9. Connect the compressor plug to

the power outlet or cigarette

lighter socket.
To avoid discharging the battery,

we recommend running the

engine.

10. Set the rocker switch on the

compressor to I. The tyre is filled

with sealant.

11. The compressor pressure gauge

briefly indicates up to 6 bar whilst

the sealant bottle is emptying

(approx. 30 s). Then the pressure

starts to drop.

12. All of the sealant is pumped into

the tyre. Then the tyre is inflated.

13. The prescribed tyre pressure

should be obtained within 10 min.
Tyre pressure 3 295.
When the correct pressure is

obtained, switch off the

compressor.

If the prescribed tyre pressure is

not obtained within 10 min,

remove the tyre repair kit. Move

the vehicle one tyre rotation.

Reattach the tyre repair kit and

continue the filling procedure for

10 min. If the prescribed tyre

pressure is still not obtained, the

tyre is too badly damaged. Seek

the assistance of a workshop.

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265

Drain excess tyre pressure with

the button over the pressure

indicator.

Depending on version the button

can be located on the air hose.
Do not run the compressor longer

than 10 min.

14. Detach the tyre repair kit. Push

catch on bracket to remove

sealant bottle from bracket. Screw

the tyre inflation hose to the free

connection of the sealant bottle.

This prevents sealant from

escaping. Stow tyre repair kit in

load compartment.

15. Remove any excess sealant

using a cloth.

16. Take the label indicating

maximum permitted speed from

the sealant bottle and affix in the

driver's field of view.

17. Continue driving immediately so

that sealant is evenly distributed

in the tyre. After driving approx.

10 km (but no more than 10 min),

stop and check tyre pressure.

Screw compressor air hose

directly onto tyre valve and

compressor when doing this.

If tyre pressure is more than

1.3 bar, set it to the correct value.

Repeat the procedure until there

is no more loss of pressure.

If the tyre pressure has fallen

below 1.3 bar, the vehicle must

not be used. Seek the assistance

of a workshop.

18. Stow away tyre repair kit in load

compartment.

Note

The driving characteristics of the

repaired tyre are severely affected,

therefore have this tyre replaced.
If unusual noise is heard or the

compressor becomes hot, turn

compressor off for at least 30 min.
The built-in safety valve opens at a

pressure of 7 bar.
Note the expiry date of the kit. After

this date its sealing capability is no

longer guaranteed. Pay attention to

storage information on sealant

bottle.
Replace the used sealant bottle.

Dispose of the bottle as prescribed

by applicable laws.
The compressor and sealant can be

used from approx. -30 °C.
The adapters possibly supplied can

be used to pump up other items e.g.

footballs, air mattresses, inflatable

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Vehicle care

dinghies etc. They can be located on

the underside of the compressor. To

remove, screw on compressor air

hose and withdraw adapter.

Wheel changing

Make the following preparations and

observe the following information:

● Park the vehicle on a level, firm

and non-skid surface. The front

wheels must be in the straight-

ahead position.

● Apply the parking brake and

engage first gear, reverse gear or

P.

● If the ground on which the vehicle

is standing is soft, a solid board

(max. 1 cm thick) should be

placed under the jack.

● Take heavy objects out of the

vehicle before jacking up.

● No people or animals may be in

the vehicle when it is jacked-up.

● Never crawl under a jacked-up

vehicle.

● Do not start the vehicle when it is

raised on the jack.

● Clean wheel nuts and thread with

a clean cloth before mounting the

wheel.

9 Warning

Do not grease wheel bolt, wheel

nut and wheel nut cone.

Jacking positions

The jacking positions shown refer to

the use of lifting arms and accessory

jacks used for changing winter /

summer tyres.

Rear arm position of the lifting

platform centrically under the rear

recess of the sill.

Front arm position of the lifting

platform centrically at the underbody.

Spare wheel

The spare wheel can be classified as

a temporary spare wheel depending

on the size compared to the other

mounted wheels and country

regulations. In this case a permissible

maximum speed applies, even

though no label at the spare wheel

indicates this.

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267

Only mount one temporary spare

wheel. Do not drive faster than

80 km/h. Take curves slowly. Do not

use for a long period of time.

Caution

The use of a spare wheel that is

smaller than the other wheels or in

combination with winter tyres

could affect driveability. Have the

defective tyre replaced as soon as

possible.

The spare wheel is located in the load

compartment beneath the floor

covering.
To remove:

1. Open the floor cover 3 82.

2. The spare wheel is secured with a

wing nut. Unscrew nut and take

out the spare wheel.
Under the spare wheel there is the

box with vehicle tools.

3. When, after a wheel change, no

wheel is placed in the spare wheel

well, secure the tool box by

tightening the wing nut as far as it

will go and close floor cover.

4. After wheel change back to full

size wheel, place the spare wheel

outside up in the well and secure

with the wing nut.

Fitting the spare wheel

Make the following preparations and

observe the following information:

● Park the vehicle on a level, firm

and non-skid surface. The front

wheels must be in the straight-

ahead position.

● If necessary, place a chock under

the wheel diagonally opposite the

wheel to be changed.

● Apply the parking brake and

engage first gear, reverse gear or

P.

● Remove the spare wheel.
● Never change more than one

wheel at once.

● Use the jack only to change

wheels in case of puncture, not

for seasonal winter or summer

tyre change.

● The jack is maintenance-free.
● If the ground on which the vehicle

is standing is soft, a solid board

(max. 1 cm thick) should be

placed under the jack.

● Take heavy objects out of the

vehicle before jacking up.

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Vehicle care

● No people or animals may be in

the vehicle when it is jacked-up.

● Never crawl under a jacked-up

vehicle.

● Do not start the vehicle when it is

raised on the jack.

● Clean wheel nuts and thread with

a clean cloth before mounting the

wheel.

9 Warning

Do not grease wheel bolt, wheel

nut and wheel nut cone.

1. Steel wheels with cover: Pull off

the wheel cover.
Alloy wheels: Disengage wheel

nut caps with a slot screwdriver

and remove. To protect the wheel

paint and the cap, wrap a cloth

around the screwdriver tip 3 254.

2. Fold out the wheel wrench and

install ensuring that it locates

securely and loosen each wheel

nut by half a turn.
The wheels might be protected by

locking wheel nuts. To loosen

these specific nuts, first attach the

adapter for the locking wheel nuts

onto the head of the nut before

installing the wheel wrench. The

adapter is located in the glovebox.

3. Ensure the jack is correctly

positioned under the relevant

vehicle jacking point.

4. Set the jack to the necessary

height. Position it directly below

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269

the jacking point in a manner that

prevents it from slipping.

Ensure that the edge of the body

fits into the notch of the jack.

Attach wheel wrench and with the

jack correctly aligned rotate wheel

wrench until wheel is clear of the

ground. Do not raise the jack any

further.

5. Unscrew the wheel nuts.
6. Change the wheel.
7. Screw on the wheel nuts.
8. Lower the vehicle and remove

jack.

9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring

that it is located securely and

tighten each nut in a crosswise

sequence. Tightening torque is

140 Nm.

10. Align the valve hole in the wheel

cover with the tyre valve before

installing.
Install wheel nut caps.

11. Stow and secure the replaced

wheel and the vehicle tools

3

 254.

12. Check the tyre pressure of the

installed tyre and the wheel nut

torque as soon as possible.

Have the defective tyre renewed or

repaired as soon as possible.

Stowing a damaged full size

wheel in the load compartment, 5-

door hatchback

The spare wheel well is not designed

for other tyre sizes than the spare

wheel. A damaged full size wheel

must be stowed in the load

compartment and secured with a

strap. Vehicle tools 3 254. To secure

the wheel:

1. Position the wheel outside up

close to one sidewall of the load

compartment.

2. Place the loop end of the strap

through the front lashing eye on

the appropriate side.

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Vehicle care

3. Place the hook end of the strap

through the loop and pull it until

the strap is fastened securely to

the lashing eye.

4. Insert the strap through the

spokes of the wheel as shown in

the illustration.

5. Mount the hook to the rear lashing

eye.

6. Tighten the strap and secure it

using the buckle.

9 Danger

Always drive with folded up and

engaged rear seat backrests when

stowing a damaged full size wheel

in the load compartment.

9 Warning

Storing a jack, a wheel or other

equipment in the load

compartment could cause injury if

they are not fixed properly. During

a sudden stop or a collision, loose

equipment could strike someone.
Always store jack and tools in the

respective storage compartments

and secure them by fixing.
Damaged wheel placed in the load

compartment must always be

secured with the strap.

Stowing a damaged full size

wheel in the load compartment,

Sports Tourer

All permitted wheel sizes can be

stowed in the spare wheel well. To

secure the wheel:

1. Remove centre cap with the brand

emblem by pushing from the

inside.

2. Position the wheel outside down

in the wheel well.

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271

3. Secure the defective wheel with

the wing nut.

4. Depending on the tyre size, the

floor cover can be placed on the

projecting wheel.

Spare wheel with directional tyre

If possible, fit directional tyres such

that they roll in the direction of travel.

The rolling direction is indicated by a

symbol (e.g. an arrow) on the

sidewall.
The following applies to tyres fitted

opposing the rolling direction:

● Driveability may be affected.

Have the defective tyre renewed

or repaired as soon as possible

and fit it instead of the spare

wheel.

● Drive particularly carefully on wet

and snow-covered road

surfaces.

Jump starting

The vehicle battery is located in the

load compartment under a cover.

There are connecting points for jump

starting in the engine compartment.
A vehicle with a discharged vehicle

battery can be started using jump

leads and the vehicle battery of

another vehicle.
Do not start with quick charger.

9 Warning

Be extremely careful when starting

with jump leads. Any deviation

from the following instructions can

lead to injuries or damage caused

by battery explosion or damage to

the electrical systems of both

vehicles.

9 Warning

Avoid contact of the battery with

eyes, skin, fabrics and painted

surfaces. The fluid contains

sulphuric acid which can cause

injuries and damage in the event

of direct contact.

● Never expose the vehicle battery

to naked flames or sparks.

● A discharged vehicle battery can

already freeze at a temperature

of 0 °C. Defrost the frozen vehicle

battery before connecting jump

leads.

● Wear eye protection and

protective clothing when

handling a vehicle battery.

● Use a booster vehicle battery

with the same voltage (12 Volt).

Its capacity (Ah) must not be

much less than that of the

discharged vehicle battery.

● Use jump leads with insulated

terminals and a cross section of

at least 16 mm

2

 (25 mm

2

 for

diesel engines).

● Do not disconnect the discharged

vehicle battery from the vehicle.

● Switch off all unnecessary

electrical consumers.

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Vehicle care

● Do not lean over the vehicle

battery during jump starting.

● Do not allow the terminals of one

lead to touch those of the other

lead.

● The vehicles must not come into

contact with each other during

the jump starting process.

● Apply the parking brake,

transmission in neutral,

automatic transmission in P.

● Open the positive terminal

protection cap of your vehicle in

the engine compartment and of

the booster vehicle battery.

Lead connection order:

1. Connect the red lead to the

positive terminal of the booster

vehicle battery.

2. Connect the other end of the red

lead to the positive terminal of

your vehicle near the fuse box in

the engine compartment.

3. Connect the black lead to the

negative terminal of the booster

vehicle battery.

4. Connect the other end of the black

lead to a vehicle grounding point

of your vehicle in the engine

compartment.

Route the leads so that they cannot

catch on rotating parts in the engine

compartment.
To start the engine:

1. Start the engine of the vehicle

providing the jump.

2. After five minutes, start the other

engine. Start attempts should be

made for no longer than

15 seconds at an interval of one

minute.

3. Allow both engines to idle for

approx. three minutes with the

leads connected.

4. Switch on electrical consumers

(e.g. headlights, heated rear

window) of the vehicle receiving

the jump start.

5. Reverse above sequence exactly

when removing leads.

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273

Towing

Towing the vehicle

Wrap a cloth around the tip of a flat

screwdriver to prevent paint damage.

Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the

lower part of the cap. Release the cap

by carefully moving the screwdriver

downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the

vehicle tools 3 254.

Screw in the towing eye as far as it will

go until it stops in a horizontal

position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow

rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for

towing and not for recovering the

vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering

wheel lock and to permit operation of

brake lights, horn and windscreen

wiper.

Caution

Deactivate the driver assistance

systems like active emergency

braking 3 198, otherwise the

vehicle may automatically brake

during towing.

Switch the selector lever to neutral.
Release the parking brake.

Caution

Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.

Excessive tractive force can

damage the vehicle.

When the engine is not running,

considerably more force is needed to

brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust gases

from the towing vehicle, switch on the

air recirculation and close the

windows.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:

The vehicle must be towed facing

forwards, not faster than 80 km/h nor

further than 100 km. In all other cases

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Vehicle care

and when the transmission is

defective, the front axle must be

raised off the ground.
Vehicles with instruction transmission

automated: the vehicle must only be

towed facing forwards with the front

axle raised off the ground.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the top and engage

downwards.

Towing another vehicle

Wrap a cloth around the tip of a flat

screwdriver to prevent paint damage.

Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the

lower bend of the cap. Release the

cap by carefully moving the

screwdriver downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the

vehicle tools 3 254.

Screw in the towing eye as far as it will

go until it stops in a horizontal

position.
The lashing eye at the rear

underneath the vehicle must never be

used as a towing eye.
Attach a tow rope – or even better a

tow bar – to the towing eye.

The towing eye must only be used for

towing and not for recovering a

vehicle.

Caution

Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.

Excessive tractive force can

damage the vehicle.

After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the top and engage

downwards.

Vehicle care

275

Appearance care

Exterior care

Locks

The locks are lubricated at the factory

using a high quality lock cylinder

grease. Use de-icing agent only when

absolutely necessary, as this has a

degreasing effect and impairs lock

function. After using a de-icing agent,

have the locks regreased by a

workshop.

Washing

The paintwork of your vehicle is

exposed to environmental influences.

Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.

When using automatic vehicle

washes, select a programme that

includes waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,

pollen and the like should be cleaned

off immediately, as they contain

aggressive constituents which can

cause paint damage.

If using a vehicle wash, comply with

the vehicle wash manufacturer's

instructions. The windscreen wiper

and rear window wiper must be

switched off. Remove antenna and

external accessories such as roof

racks etc.
If you wash your vehicle by hand,

make sure that the insides of the

wheel housings are also thoroughly

rinsed out.
Clean edges and folds on opened

doors and the bonnet as well as the

areas they cover.
Clean bright metal mouldings with a

cleaning solution approved for

aluminium to avoid damages.

Caution

Always use a cleaning agent with

a pH value of four to nine.
Do not use cleaning agents on hot

surfaces.

Do not clean the engine compartment

with a steam-jet or high-pressure jet

cleaner.

Thoroughly rinse and leather-off the

vehicle. Rinse leather frequently. Use

separate leathers for painted and

glass surfaces: remnants of wax on

the windows will impair vision.
Have the door hinges of all doors

greased by a workshop.
Do not use hard objects to remove

spots of tar. Use tar removal spray on

painted surfaces.

Exterior lights

Headlight and other light covers are

made of plastic. Do not use any

abrasive or caustic agents, do not use

an ice scraper, and do not clean them

dry.

Polishing and waxing

Wax the vehicle regularly (at the

latest when water no longer beads).

Otherwise, the paintwork will dry out.
Polishing is necessary only if the paint

has become dull or if solid deposits

have become attached to it.
Paintwork polish with silicone forms a

protective film, making waxing

unnecessary.

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Vehicle care

Plastic body parts must not be treated

with wax or polishing agents.

Windows and windscreen wiper

blades

Switch off wipers before handling in

their areas.
Use a soft lint-free cloth or chamois

leather together with window cleaner

and insect remover.
When cleaning the rear window from

inside, always wipe in parallel to the

heating element to prevent damage.
For mechanical removal of ice, use a

sharp-edged ice scraper. Press the

scraper firmly against the glass so

that no dirt can get under it and

scratch the glass.
Remove dirt residues from smearing

wiper blades by using a soft cloth and

window cleaner. Also make sure to

remove any residues such as wax,

insect residues and similar from the

window.
Ice residues, pollution and continuous

wiping on dry windows will damage or

even destroy the wiper blades.

Sunroof

Never clean with solvents or abrasive

agents, fuels, aggressive media

(e.g. paint cleaner, acetone-

containing solutions etc.), acidic or

highly alkaline media or abrasive

pads. Do not apply wax or polishing

agents to the sunroof.

Wheels and tyres

Do not use high-pressure jet

cleaners.
Clean rims with a pH-neutral wheel

cleaner.
Rims are painted and can be treated

with the same agents as the body.

Paintwork damage

Rectify minor paintwork damage with

a touch-up pen before rust forms.

Have more extensive damage or rust

areas repaired by a workshop.

Underbody

Some areas of the vehicle underbody

have a PVC undercoating while other

critical areas have a durable

protective wax coating.

After the underbody is washed, check

the underbody and have it waxed if

necessary.
Bitumen/rubber materials could

damage the PVC coating. Have

underbody work carried out by a

workshop.
Before and after winter, wash the

underbody and have the protective

wax coating checked.

Towing equipment

Do not clean the coupling ball bar with

a steam-jet or high-pressure jet

cleaner.

Air shutter

Clean the shutter system in the front

bumper to maintain correct

functionality.

Interior care

Interior and upholstery

Only clean the vehicle interior,

including the instrument panel fascia

and panelling, with a dry cloth or

interior cleaner.

Vehicle care

277

Clean the leather upholstery with

clear water and a soft cloth. In case of

heavy soiling, use leather care.
The instrument cluster and the

displays should only be cleaned using

a soft damp cloth. If necessary use a

weak soap solution.
Clean fabric upholstery with a

vacuum cleaner and brush. Remove

stains with an upholstery cleaner.
Clothing fabrics may not be

colourfast. This could cause visible

discolourations, especially on light-

coloured upholstery. Removable

stains and discolourations should be

cleaned as soon as possible.
Clean seat belts with lukewarm water

or interior cleaner.

Caution

Close Velcro fasteners as open

Velcro fasteners on clothing could

damage seat upholstery.
The same applies to clothing with

sharp-edged objects, like zips or

belts or studded jeans.

Plastic and rubber parts

Plastic and rubber parts can be

cleaned with the same cleaner as

used to clean the body. Use interior

cleaner if necessary. Do not use any

other agent. Avoid solvents and petrol

in particular. Do not use high-

pressure jet cleaners.