Astra
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Subject: Preparation of Vehicles for the Winter Months
Vehicles: All
The winter is almost here; therefore we are giving you in this Technical Information Bulletin as we did last year, recommendations for maintenance and checking operations, which can be offered to the customer within the framework of a "Winter Inspection".
Winter is the most unpleasant time of the year for all vehicle owners. Bad road conditions, restricted visibility and the high demands on concentration can make driving in snow and ice hard work. We would like to provide you with useful tips and information in this Technical Information Bulletin so that your customers and their vehicles come unscathed through the winter.
Therefore you should consider this Bulletin as a kind of check list, which should facilitate a purposeful winter examination in the interest of and for the safety of your customers.
In this connection, please also note the preparations to be taken for the winter months recommended by the P & A department and the Service Merchandising Department.
Contents Page
Wheels and Tyres...................................................................................... 3 - 7
Body, Paintwork............................................................................................. 8
Body, Underbody........................................................................................... 8
Locks, Seals.................................................................................................... 8
Heating, Air Conditioning.............................................................................. 9
Engine and Engine Aggregates...................................................................... 9
Engine Oil.................................................................................................... 10
Diesel Engine............................................................................................... 11
Diesel Fuel................................................................................................... 11
Fuel Filter Heating....................................................................................... 11
Diesel Fuel Additives................................................................................... 12
Blending Table............................................................................................. 12
Preheating..................................................................................................... 13
Fuel Tank...................................................................................................... 13
Electrical Equipment.................................................................................... 13
Wheels and Tyres
· Advise your customer to change tyres on all four wheels to winter tyres.
Note in this respect the relationship between tyres and speedometer.
The Federal Transport Office demands that tyres must be matched to the appropriate speedometers (distance unit values). The division into tyre groups has been included in the appropriate vehicle certification (General Operating Permit of the relative vehicle type). This regulation is valid for the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin. This regulation states that only certain tyres, which are in o n e speedometer group, may be used for a vehicle. In this respect, it is irrelevant which speed symbol is on the tyres or whether they are summer or winter tyres.
· If, in changing to winter tyres, other disc wheels (than those installed at the factory) are envisaged, then it is absolutely essential that long tyre valves are fitted if the hub caps cover the complete surface of the hub. In addition, sufficient brake cooling must be guaranteed through appropriate ventilation slits for t h e s e hub caps.
· All radial steel-belted winter tyres are subject to speed limits, namely
SR reinforced M+S: max. 150 km/h/93 mph, SR M+S: max. 160 km/h/99 mph, HR M+S and also TR M+S: max. 190 km/h/118 mph. Therefore it makes sense to place a note within the view of the driver, regarding the corresponding permitted maximum speed (§ 36, Par. 1 of the West German Road Traffic Approved Regulations). This specification is valid for the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin.
Observe the correct tyre pressure, conforming to the vehicle loading. The corresponding details are to be found in the Owner's Manual or on the sticker on the driver's door underneath the door lock or on the inside of the fuel tank cover.
· The use of snow chains is permitted only on the drive wheels.
It must be particularly noted that only fine-linked chains, which do not protrude on the side walls and treads of the tyres more than 15 mm/0.6 in. (including chain lock), are to be used. Tested snow chains for Saloons and Delivery Vans are published in the Opel P & A Program. See also "Product Information P & A", September 1987 Edition.
Check used snow chains before installation, to see if they can still be used.
Winter tyres with the appropriate rim sizes which are permitted for the change-over are contained in the following table. Important: Observe relationship between tyres and speedometer.
Vehicle type Winter tyres Rim size
+) 135 R 13 - 69 Q/T, M+S 4 1/2 J x 13 145 R 13 - 74 Q/T, M+S 4 1/2 J x 13 Corsa-A/Nova 155 R 13 - 78 Q/T, M+S 4 1/2 J x 13 -) Snow chains are not permitted Corsa-A-TR 155 R 13 - 78 Q/T, M+S 5 J x 13 -) on these tyres 155/70 R 13 - 72 Q/T, M+S 4 1/2 J x 13 165/70 R 13 - 76 Q/T, M+S 4 1/2 J x 13 165/65 R 14 - 78 Q/T, M+S 5 J x 14 Tyre size 165/65 R 14 only permissible with Snow Chains: Parts No.90 297 189/Catalogue No.17 91 626 Tyre size 175/65 R 14 only permissible with Snow Chains: Parts No.90 297 190/Catalogue No.17 91 627 Tyre size 175/70 R 13: no snow chains permissible. Tyre size 175/65 R 14 not permissible as winter tyres. Alternative: 165/65 R 14 - 78 Q, M+S
++) 145 R 13 - 74 Q/T, M+S 4 1/2 J x 13 (Saloon with fastback) ++) 155 R 13 - 78 Q/T, M+S 5 J x 13 or 5 1/2 J x 13 Kadett-E/ +++) ++) 165 R 13 - 82 Q/T, M+S 5 J x 13 or 5 1/2 J x 13 Astra/Belmont ++) 175/70 R 13 - 80 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 13 *) 185/70 R 13 - 86 Q/T, M+S 5 J x 13 **) 175/65 R 14 - 81 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14 **) 185/60 R 14 - 82 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14 ***) 185/65 R 14 - 85 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14
+) Only with 10 S engine. ++) As of MY '87 n o t in conjunction with GSi chassis. +++) This tyre size only with Special Equipment "reinforced suspension front and rear". *) Kadett-E Combo/Astramax. Observe national regulations. **) As of MY '87 in conjunction with GT or GSi chassis, with 20 SEH, 20 XE, C 20 XE (only with LCD display) and C 20 NE engines. Observe national regulations. With Kadett-E/Astra/Belmont Estate with C 20 NE engine only 175/65 R14-81 Q/T, M+S. ***) As of MY '87 in conjunction with GSi chassis and 20 SEH, 20 XE and C 20 XE engines.
Vehicle type Winter tyres Rim size
Vectra/ +) 165 R 13 - 82 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 13 Cavalier +) 185/70 R 13 - 84 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 13 Vectra 4x4/ 175/70 R 14 - 82 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14 Cavalier 4x4 195/60 R 14 - 85 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14
The summer tyre size 195/60 R 15 (only as alternative) may only be used with snow chains as of Model Year 1990: Parts No. 90 349 902/Catalogue No. 17 91 630.
Vectra 2000/ ++) 175/70 R 14 - 82 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14 Cavalier GSi 2000 195/60 R 15 - 87 Q/T, M+S 6 J x 15
Vectra 4x4/ Cavalier 4x4 (C 20 XE engine) Tyre size 205/55 R 15 - 87 V on 6 J x 15 must not be used as winter tyres or driven with snow chains. The space-saving tyre 125/85 R 15 - 95 F of the spare wheel must not be driven with snow chains. The use of snow chains (also on 4x4) is permitted only on the wheels of the front axle.
Saloon 175 R 14 - 88 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14 Estate 1) 185/70 R 14 - 88 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14 195/65 R 15 - 91 Q/T, M+S 6 J x 15 (Steel) or 7 J x 15
Omega/ Carlton Estate1) *) 175 R 14 - 88 T, M + S 5 1/2 J x 14 with **) 185 R 14 - 90 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14 incre- ased ***) 195/70 R 14 - 90 Q/T, M+S 5 1/2 J x 14 loading 195/65 R 15 - 91 Q/T, M+S 6 J x 15 (Steel) or 7 J x 15
1) Omega/Carlton Estate with 3.0 ltr. engine, only 195/65 R 15-91 Q/T M+S with 6 J x 15 (steel) or 7 J x 15 (light alloy) +) Not with 2.0 ltr. engines and not with Vectra/Cavalier 4x4 with 1.8 ltr. engine. ++) Not with Vectra/Cavalier 4x4 with C 20 XE engine. *) Only on vehicles with summer tyres 175 R 14 - 91 T. Observe national regulations. **) Only on vehicles with summer tyres 185 R 14 - 90 H. ***) Observe national regulations.
Vehicle type Winter tyres Rim size
195/65 R 15 - 91 Q/T, M+S 6 J x 15 (Steel) or 7 J x 15 Omega 3000/ Carlton GSi 3000 Tyre size 205/65 R 15 - 93 V on 7 J x 15 must not be used as winter tyres or driven with snow chains.
195/65 R 15 - 91 Q/T, M+S 6 J x 15
Senator-B Tyre size 205/65 R 15 - 93 V on 6 J x 15 must not be fitted as winter tyres. The use of snow chains, however, is allowed.
If the selected size of winter tyres is not entered in the vehicle documents, the Owner's Manual or in this table, a special permit must be requested from Adam Opel AG, Technical Customer Service Department, so that the necessary entry in the vehicle documents can be speedily carried out by the Technical Supervisory Association (TÜV). This regulation is valid for the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin.
Body, Paintwork
· Check paintwork, if necessary touch up. Apply conservation agent to paintwork on body.
Body, Underbody
· Check cavity rust-proofing and underbody protection and if necessary touch up.
Locks, Seals
· Frost-proof locks and lock cylinders.
Grease lock cylinders with disposable syringe. If necessary, dry out beforehand. Prepare disposable syringe as follows: Connect air line, approx. 80 mm/3.2 in. long, to disposable syringe. For this purpose heat air line with blower or in hot water and fit it with a drift to the syringe connection. Flatten front part of air line approx. 35 mm/1.4 in. long, slightly in a vise. Fill syringe with special grease. Insert flat end of the air line approx. 35 mm/1.4 in. into the lock cylinder. Press in special grease until it comes out of the dust cap. After greasing, insert key and lock several times, then wipe key to avoid accumulation of dirt.
Parts:
Disposable syringe (5ml), commercially available - obtainable from chemist. Air Line: Parts No. 90 020 227/Catalogue No. 4 37 661 Special Grease : Parts No. 90 018 813/Catalogue No. 19 48 588
Frost-proof weatherstrips for windows, doors and luggage compartment (with glycerine or Vaseline).
Heating, Air Conditioning
· Check fan, ventilation and heating for proper functioning. Check seat heating.
Engine and Engine Aggregates
· Check air cleaner. For engines with manual adjustment of the intake air preheating control, place this in the winter position.
· Check ignition (sparking plugs, ignition timing, ignition cable), adjust if necessary.
· Check automatic choke and carburettor preheating.
· Check and adjust V-belt tension.
· Check coolant level and anti-freeze concentration and if necessary top up.
Engine Oil Quality Use the following API or CCMC classes:
Higher quality oils can always be used. For the winter months we specially recommend Opel Easy Run Oil SAE 5 W-30, API-SG/CD, CCMC-G3/PD1. This oil is available: Parts No. 90 297 305/Catalogue No. 19 42 106.
Diesel Engine
· Diesel Fuel
In diesel fuel, the paraffin components separate at low outside temperatures, i.e. the fuel becomes jelly-like. The fuel filter may be so clogged up that the engine receives too little or no fuel. For this reason the oil companies supply the filling stations during the winter with winter diesel fuel which ensures perfect starting and running at temperatures as low as -15 °C/+5 °F, or even approx. -22°/-8°C. This may be different in other countries according to the climatic conditions.
Almost all brand name companies offer diesel fuels which are guaranteed by the manufacturer to be suitable for winter use.
To ensure the fluidity of the diesel fuel - even at temperatures below -15 °C/+5 °F - the following additional measures are recommended:
· Fuel Filter Heating
All diesel engines in present production have fuel filter heating.
The best precautionary measure to bring older diesel vehicles through the winter is the service installation of fuel filter heating.
All older diesel vehicles can be fitted with fuel filter heating. It is available from the P & A Department, Parts No. 90 271 789/Catalogue No. 8 13 170.
Installation instructions are enclosed with each installation kit.
The heating switches on, after starting, at temperatures below +6 °C/42 °F and switches off at +16 °C/61 °F.
The customer should always be informed to keep all unnecessary electrical components switched off during the warming-up period, to compensate for the increased power consumption of the fuel filter heating.
· Diesel Fuel Additives
At very low outside temperatures commercially available fluidity improvers, kerosene (if available) or in an emergency, normal gasoline (no premium gasoline to avoid damage to engine) may be added, in order to prevent the fuel from becoming jelly-like.
Important: With diesel fuels which are guaranteed by the manufacturer to have winter properties - to approx -22 °C/-8 °F - no fluidity improvers should be added.
It is recommended that putting additives into the fuel should be carried out in good time so that the possible jellying of the fuel is avoided before temperatures below -15 °C/+5 °F set in.
The improvement of the fluidity and filterability depends on the quality of the fluidity improver used and on the diesel fuel.
Blending Table for Kerosene and Normal Gasoline - Note Local Legal Regulations:
Important: Petrol is flammable and explosive. Even slight amounts of normal fuel increase the danger of explosion when mixed with diesel fuel.
Preheating
All Opel diesel engines in present production have an electronic preheating system. An extended preheating period is not necessary with these engines.
In the case of diesel engines without electronic preheating it is to be noted that with average outside temperatures the engine can be started as soon as the preheating telltale goes off. At very low temperatures, one can prevent starting difficulties by extending the preheating period by 5 to 10 seconds. Even longer preheating offers no advantages, as the glow plugs are automatically switched off by a relay as soon as they have attained a certain temperature.
Fuel Tank
Check that feeder and breather lines are in perfect condition. A dirty, iced-up or kinked tank breather hose leads to starting difficulties and contraction of the tank.
Electrical Equipment
Check battery power and condition of charge. Check and adjust lighting and headlamp adjustment. Check and adjust adjustment of foglamps and auxiliary headlamps. Check rear screen heating. Check windscreen washer system for anti-freeze, top up. Check wiper blades, replace.
IMPORTANT: Where there are complaints about vehicles which receive insufficient battery charging during the winter months, the alternator is to be checked for output. It is to be kept in mind that the service installation of accessories requires additional power output and must also be taken into account. If necessary, install an alternator with higher output.
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