Get Driving and operating -> Trailer hitch Guide for Vauxhall Meriva SUV Second Generation (2011-2017)

Driving and operating

165

For the values specific for your

vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of

Conformity provided with your vehicle

or other national registration

documents.

Furthermore, fuel consumption is

dependent on personal driving style

as well as road and traffic conditions.

Trailer hitch

General information

Only use towing equipment that has

been approved for your vehicle.

Entrust retrofitting of towing

General information

The official fuel consumption and

specific CO₂emission figures quoted

relate to the EU base model with

standard equipment.

Fuel consumption data and CO₂

emission data are determined

according to regulation R (EC) No.

715/2007 (in the version respectively

applicable), taking into consideration

the vehicle weight in running order, as

specified by the regulation.

equipment to a workshop. It may be

necessary to make changes that

affect the cooling system, heat

shields or other equipment.

The bulb outage detection function for

trailer brake light cannot detect a

partial bulb outage, e.g. in case of four

times five watt bulbs, the function only

detects lamp outage when only a

single five Watt lamp remains or none

remain.

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 when

not in use.

The figures are provided only for the

purpose of comparison between

different vehicle variants and must

not be taken as a guarantee for the

actual fuel consumption of a

particular vehicle. Additional

equipment may result in slightly

higher results than the stated

consumption and CO₂figures.

166

Driving and operating

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 metres of additional

altitude. The gross train weight does

not have to be reduced when driving

on roads with slight inclines (less than

8%, e.g. motorways).

The permissible gross train weight

must not be exceeded. This weight is

specified on the identification plate

3 223.

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.

9 Warning

Vehicles with engine A13DTE:

Use of towing equipment is

permissible for attaching

compatible bicycle carriers only.

Do not use towing equipment for

trailer towing.

For trailers with low driving stability

and caravan trailers with a permitted

gross vehicle weight of more than

1100 kg the use of a stabiliser is

strongly recommended when driving

above 50 mph.

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.

Adjust tyre pressure to the value

specified for full load 3 234.

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 max. 12%.

Vertical coupling load

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.

The maximum permissible vertical

coupling load (75 kg) is specified on

the towing equipment identification

plate and in the vehicle documents.

Always aim for the maximum load,

especially in the case of heavy

trailers. The vertical coupling load

should never fall below 25 kg.

The permitted trailer load applies up

to the specified incline and up to an

altitude of 1000 metres above sea

level. Since engine power decreases

Driving and operating

167

Rear axle load

Stowage of the detachable

coupling ball bar

Fitting the detachable coupling

ball bar

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

80 kg (vehicles with LPG system:

110 kg), the gross vehicle weight

rating may be exceeded by 70 kg

(vehicles with LPG system: 95 kg). If

the permissible rear axle load is

exceeded, a maximum speed of

60 mph applies.

Towing equipment

The bag with the coupling ball bar is

stowed in the rear stowage

compartment on the floor.

Run the strap through the lashing eye

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.

Caution

When operating without a trailer,

remove the coupling ball bar.

168

Driving and operating

Checking the tensioning of the

coupling ball bar

Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar

in the opening and push firmly

upwards until it audibly engages.

The rotary handle snaps back into its

original position resting against the

coupling ball bar without a gap.

9 Warning

Do not touch rotary handle during

insertion.

Lock the coupling ball bar by turning

the key clockwise. Remove the key

and close the protective flap.

Pull out rotary knob and turn

clockwise as far as it will go.

●

Red marking on rotary knob must

point towards green marking on

coupling ball bar.

The gap between the rotary knob

and the coupling ball bar must be

approx. 5 mm.

Inserting the coupling ball bar

Eye for break-away stopping cable

Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must

be tensioned before being inserted:

Driving and operating

169

Attach breakaway stopping cable to

eye.

Dismounting the detachable

coupling ball bar

Check that the coupling ball bar is

correctly installed

●

Green marking on rotary knob

must point towards green

marking on coupling ball bar.

●

There must be no gap between

the rotary handle 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.

Open the protective flap and turn the

key clockwise to unlock the coupling

ball bar.

9 Warning

Pull out rotary handle and turn

clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out

coupling ball bar downwards.

Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold

away socket.

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.

Driving and operating -> Trailer hitch for Your Vauxhall Meriva SUV Second Generation (2011-2017)

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