Get Vehicle care -> Appearance care Guide for Vauxhall Astra 4 Door Seventh Generation (2016-2021)

264

Vehicle care

Route the leads so that they cannot

catch on rotating parts in the engine

compartment.

Towing

Towing the vehicle

To start the engine:

1. Start the engine of the vehicle

providing the jump.

2. After 5 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. 3 minutes with the leads

connected.

4. Switch on electrical consumers

(e.g. headlights, heated rear

window) of the vehicle receiving

the jump start.

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.

Wrap a cloth around the tip of a flat

screwdriver to prevent paint damage.

Insert the screwdriver in the slot at the

edge of the cap. Release the cap by

levering it out carefully.

The towing eye is stowed with the

vehicle tools 3 246.

5. Reverse above sequence exactly

when removing leads.

Vehicle care

265

cases and when the transmission is

defective, the front axle must be

raised off the ground.

Seek the assistance of a workshop.

After towing, unscrew the towing eye.

Caution

Deactivate the driver assistance

systems like active emergency

braking 3 189, otherwise the

vehicle may automatically brake

during towing.

Insert cap at the top and engage

downwards.

Switch the selector lever to neutral.

Release the parking brake.

Towing another vehicle

Caution

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.

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.

Attach a tow rope – or even better a

tow bar – to the towing eye.

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 50 mph nor

further than 60 miles. In all other

The towing eye must only be used for

towing and not for recovering a

vehicle.

Insert the screwdriver in the slot at the

edge of the cap. Release the cap by

levering it out carefully.

The towing eye is stowed with the

vehicle tools 3 246.

266

Vehicle care

Caution

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.

Appearance care

Exterior care

Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.

Excessive tractive force can

damage the vehicle.

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.

After towing, unscrew the towing eye.

Insert cap at the top and engage

downwards.

Washing

The paintwork of your vehicle is

exposed to environmental influences.

Caution

Always use a cleaning agent with

a pH value of four to nine.

Do not use cleaning agents on hot

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

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.

Vehicle care

267

Have the door hinges of all doors

greased by a workshop.

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.

Clean smearing wiper blades with a

soft cloth and window cleaner.

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.

Wheels and tyres

Do not use high-pressure jet

cleaners.

Clean rims with a pH-neutral wheel

cleaner.

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.

Rims are painted and can be treated

with the same agents as the body.

Paintwork damage

Polishing and waxing

Polishing is necessary only if the paint

has become dull or if solid deposits

have become attached to it.

Plastic body parts must not be treated

with wax or polishing agents.

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

Sunroof

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.

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.

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.

268

Vehicle care

Before and after winter, wash the

underbody and have the protective

wax coating checked.

Clean fabric upholstery with a

Plastic and rubber parts

vacuum cleaner and brush. Remove

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.

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.

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.

Clean seat belts with lukewarm water

or interior cleaner.

Floor mats

9 Warning

Caution

If a floor mat has the wrong size or

is not properly installed, it can

interfere with the accelerator pedal

and/or brake pedal, what can

cause unintended acceleration

and/or increased stopping

distance which can cause a crash

and injury.

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.

Interior care

Interior and upholstery

Only clean the vehicle interior,

including the instrument panel fascia

and panelling, with a dry cloth or

interior cleaner.

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.

Use the following guidelines for

proper floor mat usage.

●

The original equipment floor mats

were designed for your vehicle. If

the floor mats need replacing, it

is recommended that certified

Vehicle care

269

floor mats be purchased. Always

check that the floor mats do not

interfere with the pedals.

Removing

1. Move the driver's seat backwards

as far as possible.

●

Use the floor mat with the correct

2. Turn retainers a quarter turn

towards the opposite direction

than during installation.

side up. Do not turn it over.

Do not place anything on top of

the driver side floor mat.

Use only a single floor mat on the

driver side.

Do not place one floor mat on top

of another.

3. Remove the mat.

2. Align slots in the mat with the

retainers, as shown.

Inserting and removing the floor

mats

The driver side floor mat is held in

place by two retainers.

To install the driver's side floor mat:

1. Move the driver's seat backwards

as far as possible.

3. Turn retainers clockwise for a

quarter turn.

Vehicle care -> Appearance care for Your Vauxhall Astra 4 Door Seventh Generation (2016-2021)

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