Opel Antara Owner's Manual page 126

126 Drivin g and operatio n
Self-help
Recovery and towing
When rec ov ering or towing a v ehicle
off-road , observe the following:
z A greater forc e is req uired to move a
vehicle from or through mud than w hen
on a hard surfaced road.
z Attach a tow rope to the towing eye of
the vehic le, not to the axle -
see pa ges 165, 175.
z Where possible, driv e both vehicles
forward to affect a recovery, using an
appropriate g ear to av oid wheelspin.
z Av oid the use of reverse gear beca use of
possible resultant wheelspin.
z Stay c lear of the tow rope.
9
Warning
Breaking ropes can cause serious injury.
Wheel chang ing
Place a board or plate beneath the jack, to
prevent it from sinking into soft ground.
Further information - see page 179.
Clea ning
Clea n the vehicle thoroughly and as soon
as possible after driving off-road.
Do not let mud remain dry on any part of
the vehicle as it b ecomes abrasive and ca n
damage paint, g lass, sea ls, bearings and
brake components.
If left to build up, mud can seriously affect
the air flow throug h and over mec hanical
components and cause localised
ov erheating and failure of parts, especially
in the engine compartment.
Ensure the radia tor c ore and the area
between the radiator and intercooler/oil
cooler (where installed) is cleaned, to
maintain proper cooling air flow.
Check the radia tor a nd cooler cores for
blockage (sand, silt etc.).
Check the ty re trea ds.
C lean and c heck the mecha nica l parts of
the vehicle, particularly the following
areas:
z Driv eshafts, including sea ling bellows,
z Front brake calipers, pads and discs,
z Front suspension,
z Clutch fork sealing bellows,
z Rear brake calipers, pa ds and discs,
z Rear suspension,
z Fuel tank and underg uard ,
z Breathers, a xles and fuel tank,
z Load sensing v alve,
z Tra nsfer b ox and underg uard ,
z Engine oil pan and underguard.
O bserve the following:
z Do not spray high-p ressure water
directly at the v ehicle seals.
z The wheels must be remov ed to clean all
mud and stones from the brak e ca lip ers
and to check brake pad wear.
z The areas on the upper side of the
underguards must b e cleared of stones,
to prevent dam age to the engine oil pan
and the fuel tank.