Engine start
See Section 21.
Engage neutral by moving the selector lever to position «N». The engine can only be started when the brake pedal is depressed. On the display of the selected transmission mode (see Section 16) indicator lights up «N». When the brake pedal is not pressed, the indicator is activated in flashing mode.
Gearshift control with gearshift lever
The scheme of switching gears and modes of the Easytronic system is shown in illustration 24.1. The indicator of the current mode of functioning of the gearbox will be displayed on the instrument cluster in the field of the corresponding display (see Section 16).
24.1 Easytronic selector lever
After moving the lever to the middle position from the N positions with the brake pedal depressed, the gearbox will switch to automatic mode, regardless of which mode it was in before, and first gear will be engaged. When you release the brake pedal, the car will move slowly - «crawl».
If the selector lever has been moved to the middle position without depressing the brake pedal, the indicator «A» activated in flashing mode - immediately start driving by pressing the gas pedal, or return the lever to the position «N» and repeat the procedure with the brake pedal depressed.
In automatic mode, gear shifting is performed automatically depending on road conditions and the degree of pressure on the gas pedal.
When the automatic mode is on, moving the gear lever to the position «+» or «-» will result in a shift to manual mode, which will shift to a higher or, respectively, to a lower gear - the display of the selected transmission mode will show the currently engaged gear. Switching between modes can also be done by pressing the lever to the A / M position (see illustration 24.1). The lever should be moved in each direction until it stops. After each operation, it automatically returns to the middle position, so you must constantly monitor the indication on the transmission mode selection display (see Section 16).
In manual mode, the gears are switched by briefly moving the lever - in the direction «+» a higher gear will be engaged, and when moving in the direction «-» - lower, - the indicator of the included gear is lit on the display of the choice of modes of the transmission.
Note: If the engine speed is too low, the Easytronic transmission will automatically downshift even in manual mode.
If a higher gear is selected when the speed is insufficient or a lower gear is selected if the speed is too high, the shift will not take place.
By repeatedly moving the shift lever at short intervals, it is possible to skip gears.
To engage reverse gear, depress the brake pedal and release the parking brake (when starting off), move the lever to the position «R» - on the transmission mode selection display, the indicator will light up «R». After releasing the brake, the vehicle starts to move slowly.
Attention: Reverse gear can only be engaged after the vehicle has come to a complete stop!
When you try to engage reverse gear on a moving vehicle, the indicator «R» is activated in flashing mode, and the transmission will not be engaged. Return lever to position «N», bring the vehicle to a complete stop and try again.
Electronic control of some functions
The Easytronic system provides automatic control of some functions.
Adaptive shift program. This function allows you to automatically adjust the gearshift mode depending on driving conditions, making appropriate adjustments, for example, when driving uphill and downhill, when driving with a trailer or with a large load.
The temperature control program after a cold start allows the catalytic converter to (see Section 28) quickly reach the operating temperature required for its optimal operation by delaying upshifts (maintaining high engine speeds).
Some driving techniques with the Easytronic system
For a sharp acceleration of the car when the transmission is operating in automatic mode, depress the gas pedal, overcoming the point of resistance until it stops. At the same time, if the engine worked in the range of revolutions close to the lower threshold value for the current gear, the gearbox will automatically switch to an adjacent lower gear, which will provide more power when accelerating; if the engine revolutions approached the upper threshold value of the current gear, more high gear. When depressing the gas pedal, overcoming the point of resistance, shifting to a higher gear will occur automatically and in manual mode.
Note: When the gas pedal is fully depressed, manual gear shifting is not available.
When driving downhill in automatic mode, Easytronic will only shift up if the engine speed is increased by depressing the accelerator pedal, allowing engine braking with the pedal released. When braking, the Easytronic transmission downshifts normally.
For engine braking on slopes when driving in manual control mode, shift to a lower gear in a timely manner.
The vehicle is stopped using the brake pedal. At the same time, 1st gear is automatically engaged in both automatic and manual modes (with winter mode activated (see Section 25) - 2nd gear) or reverse gear (if it was previously driven in reverse) and the clutch disengages. If the driver's door is opened while the engine is running and the brake pedal is not depressed, a warning horn sounds - move the gear lever to the position «N» and apply the parking brake.
When stopping on an incline, be sure to hold the vehicle with the parking brake or the main brake pedal.
Attention: Never keep the car in gear by increasing the engine speed, otherwise the clutch will automatically engage if it overheats! For longer stops, such as in a traffic jam or at a level crossing, turn off the engine.
For precise maneuvering, for example, when parking, driving into a garage, etc., you can use the property «sliding». To do this, when the gear is on, without depressing the gas pedal, control the movement of the car by releasing the brake pedal.
Note: To protect against damage to the Easytronic transmission if the clutch becomes too hot, the «sliding» turns off automatically.
Attention: Never depress the gas and brake pedals at the same time!
If the car gets stuck in sand, mud, snow or in a ditch, with the gas pedal lightly pressed, alternately move the selector lever back and forth between the middle position and the position «R». Keep the engine speed as low as possible, avoid pressing the gas pedal sharply.
Attention: The method described above can only be used in exceptional cases!
Before leaving the vehicle to park, the parking brake must be applied and the key removed from the ignition, while the last engaged gear remains engaged (see transmission mode selection display).
Note: If the lever is set to the position before switching off the ignition «N» - transmission is not included.
After the ignition is switched off, Easytronic stops responding to shift lever movements.
Be sure to remove the key from the ignition, otherwise the battery may be discharged during a long stop.
If the parking brake is not engaged, the corresponding control lamp will flash for a few seconds after the ignition is turned off (see Section 16). It is necessary to turn on the ignition, shift into gear, turn off the ignition and apply the parking brake.
Easytronic emergency operation
In the event of a malfunction of the Easytronic gearbox, the corresponding control paw on the instrument cluster
lights up (see Section 16), - you can continue driving, but the shift in manual mode becomes unavailable.
In the event of serious malfunctions, the indicator in the transmission mode selection display additionally lights up «F» - You can't keep going!
To eliminate the causes of failures, contact Opel specialists.
Clutch release
In the event of a power failure, the clutch remains permanently engaged - if a gear was previously engaged, it is not possible to move the vehicle.
If necessary, remove the car from the flow of moving traffic, the clutch can be disengaged as follows:
Apply the parking brake and turn off the ignition;
- open the hood (see Section 4);
- Clean the cover of the Easytronic gearbox and its adjacent surfaces (see illustration 24.2) from dust and dirt.
- Use a screwdriver to turn the cover and pull it up as shown in illustration 24.2;
- Using a flat-blade screwdriver, turn the set screw located under the cover to the right until you feel resistance - the clutch is disengaged.
24.2. Opening the cover of the Easytronic gearbox
Attention: To avoid damage to the gearbox, do not apply excessive force to overcome the resistance of the screw from turning!
Replace the cleaned cover. Be careful not to get dirt inside the box. The lid must be fully attached to the body.
Attention: When the clutch is disengaged in this way, towing the car and starting the engine is prohibited! The vehicle can only be moved a short distance. If the cause of the malfunction is a discharged battery, start the engine from an auxiliary source (see Introduction) and recharge the battery.
If the cause of the power failure is not in a discharged battery, contact an Opel workshop for troubleshooting.
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