Get Driving and Operation -> Easytronic Guide for Vauxhall Meriva SUV First Generation (2003-2010)

132

Drivin g and Operation

Easytronic 3

Driving and Operation

The semi-automatic Easytronic 3

transmission permits manual (Manual

mode) or automatic (Automatic mode)

gearshifting, both with automatic clutch

control.

9 Warning

Disregard of these instructions may lead

to injuries or endanger life.

Ea sytronic 3 ......................................... 132

Driving hints ......................................... 138

Saving fuel, protecting the

Picture no: 17878s.tif

environment ...................................... 140

Fuel consumption ................................ 142

Fuel ....................................................... 142

Fuel filler cap........................................ 143

Refuelling.............................................. 143

Catalytic converter, exhaust gases.... 145

Drive Control System s ......................... 149

Brake system ........................................ 154

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ............. 156

Wheels, tyres ........................................ 158

Roof racks 3......................................... 163

Towing eq uipm ent 3........................... 163

Transmission display

Shows the mode or current gear.

Towing eq uipm ent with removable

coupling ball bar 3 ........................... 163

Caravan / trailer towing...................... 166

Driving and Operation 133

Selector lever in o (centre position)

Once the selector lever has been moved

from N to position o (centre position) with

the footbrake applied, the Easytronic is in

Automatic mode and first gear has been

selected (second gear with winter

programme enabled). "A" appears in the

transmission display.

When the footbrake is released, the vehic le

starts to "creep". If the footbrake is not

applied, "A" flashes. Start off by pressing

the accelerator immediately or move

selector lever back to N and repeat

procedure with footbrake applied.

Shifting to different gears takes place

automatically in Automatic mode,

depending on the driving conditions.

Picture no: 18386s.tif

Picture no: 14175s.tif

Starting the engine

Easytronic operation via the selector lever

When starting the engine, apply the

footb rake at the same time. The engine

can only be started in position N and with

the footbrake applied. The transmission

display shows "N".

Always move the selector lever all the way

to the stop. Note the gear or mode

indicator in the transmission display.

Move selector lever towa rd N

Neutral.

If the footbrake is not applied, the control

indicator j in the instrument cluster

illuminates and "N" flashes in the

transmission display; the engine cannot be

started.

Also the vehicle cannot be started if all

brake lights have failed.

134

Drivin g and Operation

Selector lever in + or -

Electronically controlled driving

programmes in Automatic mode

z By means of delayed gear changing

(higher engine speeds) following a cold

start, the operating temperature

programme quickly and automatically

brings the catalytic converter to the

temperature required for optimum

pollutant reduction.

+

Shift to a higher gear.

-

Shift to a lower gear.

If a higher gear is selected when the

running speed is too low, or a lower gear

when the speed is too high, no shift is

effected. This prevents the engine from

running at too low or too high revs.

Gears can be skipped by jogging the

selector lever repeatedly at short intervals.

z Adaptive programmes automatically

adapt gearshifting to suit the driving

conditions, such as if the vehicle is

towing a caravan / trailer, has a high

payload, or is being driven on inclines.

When the vehicle is in Automatic mode,

Easytronic shifts to Manual mode by

moving the selector lever to position + or -.

The current gear is indicated in the

transmission display.

Picture no: 14175s.tif

Selector lever in A/M

Switch between Automatic and M anual

mode.

Selector lever in R

Reverse gear. Engage only when vehicle is

stationary.

In Manual mode, gears can be selected

manually by moving the selector lever to +

or -. The current gear is indicated in the

transm ission display .

Press button on selector lever, select R.

The transmission display shows "R".

If R is selectedwhen the vehicle is in motion,

"R" flashes in the transmission display and

no gear is engaged.

If the engine speed is too low, the

Easytronic will automatically shift to a

lower gear even in Manual mode. This

prevents the engine from stalling.

Driving and Operation 135

Braking assistance from engine

Automatic mode:

When drivingdownhill, Easytronic does not

shift into higher gears until a fairly high

engine speed has been reached. When

braking, Easytronic shifts down in good

time.

Manual mode:

To utilise the engine brakingeffect, selecta

lower gear in good time when driving

downhill.

"Rocking" the vehicle

If it becomes necessary to rock the vehicle

to free it from sand, mud, snow or a hole,

move the selector lever between o (c entre

position) and R in a repeat pattern while

applying light pressure to the accelerator

pedal. Do not race the engine and avoid

sudden acceleration.

Picture no: 17889s.tif

Picture no: 13322a.tif

Winter programme T

Kickdown

In the event of difficulties starting-off on

slippery roads, press button T ("A" and T

appear in the transmission display).

Easytronic switches to Automatic mode

and the vehicle sets off in second gear.

Accelerator pedal pressed past the

pressure point: below certain speeds, the

transmission shifts down into a lower gear.

Full engine power is available for

acceleration.

This applies only to the exceptional

circumstances mentioned above.

The winter programme is switched off by:

z Pressing button T again,

During kickdown, no manualgearshiftingis

possible.

z Switching to Manual mode,

z Turning off the ignition.

When the engine speed approaches its

upper limit, the transmission shifts to a

higher gear during kickdown, even in

Manual mode.

In order to protect the Easytronic, the

winter p rogram me autom atically switches

itself off at extremely high clutch

tem peratures.

Without kickdown, this automatic shift is

not effected in Manual mode.

136

Drivin g and Operation

Stopping the vehicle

Vehicle storage

In Automatic or Manual mode, when the

vehicle has stopped, firstgear (with Winter

mode engaged, second gear) is engaged

automatically and the clutch released.

In R, reverse remains engaged.

Before leaving the vehicle:

z Apply handbrake,

z Remove ignition key.

The mostrecently engaged gear (indicator

in transmission display) remains engaged.

With N, no gear is engaged.

If a warning signal sounds when the

driver’s door is opened (footbrake not

applied), move the selector lever to N and

apply the handbrake.

When the ignition is switched off, the

Easytronic no longer responds to

movement of the selector lever.

When stopping on gradients, apply the

handbrake or footbrake. To prevent

overheating of the clutch, do not increase

engine speed, to ensure smooth idling

when in gear.

If the ignition key is not removed, the

battery may be discharged if the vehicle is

then left to stand for a lengthy period of

time.

Picture no: 14083j.tif

If the handbrake has not been applied,

control indicator R flashes for a few

seconds after the ignition is switched off.

Manoeuvring the vehicle

To prevent damage to the Easytronic, the

clutch is closed automatically at high

clutch temperatures.

For accurate manoeuvring when parking,

at garage entrances etc., the creeping

movement can be utilised by releasing the

footbrake with a gear selected.

Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy

period, e.g. in traffic jams or at level

crossings.

Never actuate accelerator and brake

pedals simultaneously.

In order to prevent damage, the Easytronic

disengages the "creep function" at

extremely high automatic clutch

tem peratures.

Driving and Operation 137

3. Clean Easytronic around the cap (see

illustration in previous column) so that no

dirt can get into the opening when the

cap is removed.

4. Rotate cap to slacken and remove by

lifting upwards – see illustration in

previous column.

5. Turn the adjusting screw clockwise using

aflat-headscrewdriver (vehicle tools 3 –

see page 176) until clear resistance can

be felt. The clutch has now been

disengaged.

Do not turn beyond the resistance, since

this can damage the Easytronic.

Picture no: 17890s.tif

Picture no: 14721s.tif

6. Fit cleaned cap again. The cap must be

in full contact with the housing.

Fault

Interruption of power supply

If a fault occurs in the Easytronic, control

indicator A illuminates. In the event of

serious faults, "F" also appears in the

transm ission display .

The clutch is not disengaged if the vehicle

battery is discharged and a gear has been

selected. The vehicle cannot move.

Towing the vehicle and starting the engine

is not permitted when the clutch has been

released in this way, although the vehicle

can be moved a short distance.

If the battery is flat, start the vehicle using

jump leads – see page 172.

It is possible to continue driving if only

control indicator A illuminates. Manual

mode can then no longer be selected.

Contact a workshop immediately.

If the cause of the power failure is not a

discharged battery, contact a workshop. If

the vehicle must be removed from flowing

traffic, release the clutch as follows:

If "F" also appears in the transmission

display, it is not possible to continue

driving.

1. Apply handbrake and switch off ignition.

2. Open bonnet and engage support.

Have the cause of the fault eliminated by a

workshop. The self-diagnosis integrated

into the system allows rapid fault

identification.

Driving and Operation -> Easytronic for Your Vauxhall Meriva SUV First Generation (2003-2010)

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