Get Driving and operating -> Trailer hitch Guide for Vauxhall Astra 4 Door Eight Generation (2022-2026)

Driving and operating

199

higher fuel consumption and

General information

Trailer hitch

General information

Caution

CO₂emission levels and a lower

For the values specific to your

vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of

Conformity provided with your vehicle

or other national registration

documents.

The determination of fuel

consumption is regulated by directive

R (EC) No. 715/2007 and No.

2017/1151 (in the latest applicable

version).

maximum speed.

For new vehicles, only tow a trailer

after having driven at least 620

miles.

Only use towing equipment that has

been approved for your vehicle.

Entrust retrofitting of towing

equipment to a workshop. It may be

necessary to make changes that

affect the cooling system, heat

shields or other equipment.

Fitting of towing equipment could

cover the opening of the towing eye.

If this is the case, use the coupling ball

bar for towing. Always keep the

coupling ball bar in the vehicle to have

it on hand if needed.

The specification of CO₂emission is

also a constituent of the directive.

The figures given must not be taken

as a guarantee for the actual fuel

consumption of a particular vehicle.

Furthermore, fuel consumption is

dependent on personal driving style

as well as road and traffic conditions.

All values are based on the EU base

model with standard equipment.

The calculation of fuel consumption

takes into account the vehicle's kerb

weight, ascertained in accordance

with the regulations. Optional

equipment may result in slightly

200

Driving and operating

The permissible gross train weight

must not be exceeded. This weight is

specified on the identification plate

3 244.

Driving characteristics and

towing tips

Trailer towing

Trailer loads

Before attaching a trailer, lubricate

the coupling ball. However, do not do

so if a stabiliser, which acts on the

coupling ball, is being used to reduce

snaking movements.

The permissible trailer loads are

vehicle and engine-dependent

maximum values which must not be

exceeded. The actual trailer load is

the difference between the actual

gross weight of the trailer and the

actual coupling socket load with the

trailer coupled.

The permissible trailer loads are

specified in the vehicle documents. In

general, they are valid for gradients

up to 12%.

The permissible trailer load applies

up to the specified incline and at sea

level. Since engine power decreases

as altitude increases due to the air

becoming thinner, therefore reducing

climbing ability, the permissible gross

train weight also decreases by 10%

for every 1000 m of altitude. The

gross train weight does not have to be

reduced when driving on roads with

slight inclines (less than 8%, e.g.

motorways).

Vertical coupling load

9 Warning

During trailer towing do not exceed a

speed of 50 mph. A maximum speed

of 60 mph is only appropriate if an

oscillation damper is used and the

permissible gross trailer weight does

not exceed the vehicle's curb weight.

For trailers with low driving stability

and caravan trailers, the use of an

oscillation damper is strongly

recommended.

If the trailer starts snaking, drive more

slowly, do not attempt to correct the

steering and brake sharply if

necessary.

When driving downhill, drive in the

same gear as if driving uphill and

drive at a similar speed.

If attaching accessories to the

trailer hitch such as bicycle

carriers, tow boxes etc., do comply

with the maximum permissible

vertical coupling load.

When using a bicycle carrier, do

not transport more than four

conventional bicycles or two

electric bicycles. Make sure to

place the heaviest bicycle as close

as possible to the vehicle.

The vertical coupling load is the load

exerted by the trailer on the coupling

ball. It can be varied by changing the

weight distribution when loading the

trailer.

Adjust tyre pressure to the value

specified for full load 3 251.

Driving and operating

201

The maximum permissible vertical

coupling load (55 kg) is specified on

the towing equipment identification

plate and in the vehicle documents.

Stowage of coupling ball bar

Fitting the coupling ball bar

Always aim for the maximum vertical

coupling load, especially in the case

of heavy trailers. The vertical coupling

load should never fall below 25 kg.

Rear axle load

When the trailer is coupled and the

towing vehicle fully loaded, the

permissible rear axle load (see

identification plate or vehicle

documents) may be exceeded by

60 kg, the gross vehicle weight rating

must not be exceeded. If the

permissible rear axle load is

exceeded, a maximum speed of

60 mph applies.

The bag with the coupling ball bar is

stowed on the rear floor cover in the

load compartment.

Place the strap through the rear right

lashing eye, wrap around twice and

tighten the strap to secure the bag.

Disengage and fold down the socket.

Remove the sealing plug from the

opening for the coupling ball bar and

stow it.

Towing equipment

Caution

When operating without a trailer,

remove the coupling ball bar.

202

Driving and operating

Checking the tensioning of the

coupling ball bar

●

Red marking on rotary knob must

point towards white marking on

coupling ball bar.

The gap between the rotary knob

and the coupling ball bar must be

approx. 5 mm.

●

Pull out the rotary knob and turn

clockwise as far as it will go.

●

Remove the protective flap of the

lock of the rotary knob and verify

whether the rotary knob is

unlocked.

Inserting the coupling ball bar

Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must

be tensioned before being inserted:

●

Unlock coupling ball bar by

turning the key to position c.

Driving and operating

203

Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar

in the opening and push firmly

Attach the breakaway stopping cable

to the eye.

Dismounting the coupling ball bar

Hold the plug of the trailer and

disconnect it from the power outlet by

performing a a quarter turn and

pulling.

Disconnect the saftety cable of the

trailer from the safety eye of the

carrier.

upwards until it audibly engages.

Check that the coupling ball bar is

correctly installed

The rotary handle snaps back into its

original position resting against the

coupling ball bar without a gap.

●

The green marking on the rotary

knob must point towards the

white marking on the coupling

ball bar.

9 Warning

●

There must be no gap between

the rotary knob and the coupling

ball bar.

The coupling ball bar must be

firmly engaged in the opening.

The coupling ball bar must be

locked and the key removed.

Remove the trailer from the coupling

Do not touch rotary handle during

insertion.

ball.

Put the protective cover over the

towing ball.

Open the protective flap of the lock

and turn the key to position c to

unlock the coupling ball bar.

Lock the coupling ball bar by turning

the key to position e. Remove the key

and close the protective flap.

●

Eye for break-away stopping cable

9 Warning

Towing a trailer is permitted only

when a coupling ball bar is fitted

correctly. If the coupling ball bar

does not engage correctly, seek

the assistance of a workshop.

204

Driving and operating

Pull out the rotary handle and turn

clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out

the coupling ball bar downwards.

Insert the sealing plug in opening.

Fold away the socket.

Trailer stability assist

If the system detects snaking

movements, engine power is reduced

and the vehicle / trailer combination is

selectively braked until the snaking

ceases. While system is working keep

steering wheel as still as possible.

The system operates from 37 mph to

99 mph.

9 Warning

In some situations, the system

may not detect trailer snaking, e.g.

when towing a light trailer. On

slippery or poor surfaces, the

system may not be able to prevent

sudden trailer snaking.

Trailer stability assist is a function of

the Electronic Stability Control 3 147.

Driving and operating -> Trailer hitch for Your Vauxhall Astra 4 Door Eight Generation (2022-2026)

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