VAUXHALL Antara Owner'

134 Driving and operating

mechanical components and cause localised overheating and failure of parts, especially in the engine compartment.

Ensure the radiator core and the area between the radiator and intercooler/ oil cooler (where installed) is cleaned, to maintain proper cooling air flow.

Check the radiator and cooler cores for blockage (sand, silt etc.).

Check the tyre treads.

Clean and check the mechanical parts of the vehicle, particularly the following areas:

■ Driveshafts, including sealing bellows

■ Front brake calipers, pads and discs

■ Front suspension

■ Clutch fork sealing bellows

■ Rear brake calipers, pads and discs

■ Rear suspension

■ Fuel tank and underguard

■ Breathers, axles and fuel tank

■ Load sensing valve

■ Transfer box and underguard

■ Engine oil pan and underguard

Observe the following:

■ Do not spray high-pressure water directly at the vehicle seals

■ The wheels must be removed to clean all mud and stones from the brake calipers and to check brake pad wear

■ The areas on the upper side of the underguards must be cleared of stones, to prevent damage to the engine oil pan and the fuel tank

Brakes

The brake system comprises two independent brake circuits.

If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can still be braked using the other brake circuit. However, braking effect is achieved only when the brake pedal is depressed firmly. Considerably more force is needed for this. The braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop before continuing your journey.

When the engine is not running, the support of the brake servo unit disappears once the brake pedal has been depressed once or twice.

Braking effect is not reduced, but braking requires significantly greater force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.

Control indicator R 3 84.

Antilock brake system

Antilock brake system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking.

ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains steerable, even during hard braking.

ABS control is made apparent through a pulse in the brake pedal and the noise of the regulation process.

For optimum braking, keep the brake pedal fully depressed throughout the braking process, despite the fact that the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce the pressure on the pedal.

After starting off, the system performs a self-test which may be audible.

Control indicator u 3 85.

Fault

9 Warning

If there is a fault in the ABS, the wheels may be liable to lock due to braking that is heavier than normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may swerve.

You can continue driving, provided you drive with care and anticipation.

Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.

Parking brake

Electrical parking brake

Driving and operating 135

Applying when vehicle is stationary

Pull switch m, the electrical parking brake operates automatically with adequate force. For maximum force, e.g. parking with a trailer or on inclines, pull switch m twice.

The electrical parking brake can always be activated, even if the ignition is off.

Do not operate electrical parking brake system too often without engine running as this will discharge the battery.

Before leaving the vehicle, check the electrical parking brake status.

Control indicator m 3 85.

Releasing

Switch on ignition. Keep foot brake depressed and then push switch m.

If the foot brake is not depressed when attempting to release electrical parking brake, a warning chime will sound and control indicator illuminates in the instrument cluster

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136 Driving and operating

Drive away function

With the engine running, selecting a forward gear (manual transmission) or engaging D (automatic transmission) and then depressing the accelerator pedal automatically releases the electrical parking brake.

This is not possible when the switch m

is pulled at the same time.

This function also helps driving away on inclines.

Aggressive drive away may reduce life time of wear parts.

Dynamic braking when vehicle is moving

When the vehicle is moving and the switch m is kept pulled, a warning chime will sound and the electrical parking brake system will decelerate the vehicle, but will not apply statically.

As soon as the switch m is released, dynamic braking will be stopped.

Fault

Failure mode of electrical parking brake is indicated by control indicator j

3 85.

In the event of a fault, to apply electrical parking brake: pull and hold the switch m for a few seconds. If control indicator m illuminates, electrical parking brake has been applied successfully.

To release electrical parking brake: push and hold the switch m for a few seconds. If control indicator m extinguishes, electrical parking brake has been released successfully.

If control indicator m flashes: electrical parking brake is not fully applied or released. When m is continuously flashing, with ignition switched on depress brake pedal, release electrical parking brake and retry applying.

If m continues to flash, do not drive the vehicle. If necessary, place wedge blocks or equivalent in front of and behind wheels to prevent vehicle movement. Seek the assistance of a workshop to have the cause of the fault remedied.

Brake assist

If the brake pedal is depressed quickly and forcefully, maximum brake force is automatically applied

(full braking).

Maintain steady pressure on the brake pedal for as long as full braking is required. Maximum brake force is automatically reduced when the brake pedal is released.

Hill start assist

The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on inclines.

When releasing the foot brake after stopping on an incline, the brakes remain on for a further 2 seconds. The brakes release automatically as soon as the vehicle begins to accelerate.