Vauxhall 2010 Astra, Owner'S Manual

Page: 307 / 367

303 Service, Maintenance
Brake fluid chang e
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, i.e. it absorbs
water. If the brakes b ecome hot, suc h as
when d riv ing on long downhill stretches,
vap our bubb les can occur in the w ater,
which can have an extrem ely adverse
effect on braking power (depending on the
proportion of w ater).
The fluid change intervals specified in the
Service Booklet m ust therefore be
observed.
Windscreen wiper
Clea r vision is essential for safe driv ing.
Perform regular checks on the windscreen
wiper a nd headlight wash system
3 to
ensure they are operating correctly. We
recommend wiper blade rep la cement at
least once a year.
If the windscreen is dirty, operate the
wind screen wash system before switching
on the windscreen wiper or setting the
wiper to automatic operation with the rain
sensor
3
. This will avoid wiper blad e wear.
Do not switch on the wind screen wiper or
set them to automa tic operation with the
ra in sensor 3 if the windscreen is iced up as
this could dama ge the wiper b la des or the
wiper system .
We recommend releasing froz en wiper
blad es with Va uxha ll De-icer sp ra y.
Smearing wiper blades c an be cleaned with
a soft cloth and Vauxhall Wind screen
Wash Solvent.
Wiper blades whose lips have become
hardened, crack ed or covered with silicone
must be replac ed. This may be necessary
as a result of the effects of ic e, thawing salt
or hea t, or the incorrect use of cleaning
agents.
Switc h off the windsc reen w ip er or
automatic w ip er with rain sensor 3 in car
washes – see pages 12, 13, 289.
Windscreen w ip er care – see p age 291.
9
Warning
Have the brake fluid changed by a work -
shop. Observe the legal requirements for
disposal of brake fluid to protect the env i-
ronment and your hea lth.