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[Quince99]

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my wide-ranging query posted earlier. A lot of minor niggles have been resolved and I must admit I would have liked Vauxhall to have put a Cruise Control indicator light on dash.

A couple of extra issues now I've had time to look around inside more:

1. Snow mode - the snowflake symbol next to the shifter is lit but when pressed should there be an indicator on the dash showing it is active, i.e. like the Sport mode?

2. Centre air vents in dash have instrument illumination for the 0 and 1 markers. The outer ones, at the extreme ends of the dash do not light. Is this the case or have bulbs gone?

3. Very minor - the 'S' on the gear lever button for Sport has worn away. Has anyone renewed/replaced the 'S' and if so how please?

4. Headlamp washers are intact - not tested yet - but one is missing the top of its jet, just an open tube. Are these bits available at all?

Many thanks in advance, everyone's words of wisdom are much appreciated.

[vauxfan2k]

like an omega pub quiz this 

1: no symbol on dash, button gets brighter when active

2: blown bulbs, take off end covers for dash to gain access, 3w mini capless bulbs

3:I drive a proper car (manual) so dont know 

4: yes available at approx £15 a piece, finding one is a different story 


do i win a prize??? 

[0795omega]

only gearbox worth having in overcrowded britain,with all the stop starting is auto,certainly where i live autos rule!!

[majesticlarge]

Sorry don't know how to replace "S" button but your right AUTOS RULE (but i am lazy as sin  )

[Andy B]

... and I must admit I would have liked Vauxhall to have put a Cruise Control indicator light on dash.......

Those few cars I've driven with a 'cruise on light' have bemused me. If you're still doing ??mph and your foot isn't on the throttle, then cruise is engaged, if your foot is not on the throttle & you're slowing down, then cruise is not engaged. 

[vauxfan2k]

and if your doing 60mph+ your foot isnt on the pedal and you dont have cruise your clearly driving a toyota!! 

[majesticlarge]

unless your throttle sticks 

[Debs.]

and if your doing 60mph+ your foot isnt on the pedal and you dont have cruise your clearly driving a toyota!! 

If you`re doing 60 mph+ with your foot 'hard on the brake pedal' and you end up with your car in your neighbour`s swimming pool; then you must be a pensioner!

[Andy H]

... and I must admit I would have liked Vauxhall to have put a Cruise Control indicator light on dash.......

Those few cars I've driven with a 'cruise on light' have bemused me. If you're still doing ??mph and your foot isn't on the throttle, then cruise is engaged, if your foot is not on the throttle & you're slowing down, then cruise is not engaged. 

Steady speed and foot off throttle happens on downhill gradients.
Deceleration (with foot off throttle) can happen with cruise engaged (after a temporary/small increase in speed) while the speed reduces back to the set cruise speed.

My vote is for an indicator lamp. Usually I ease past a slightly slower car on the motorway and cruise takes over when I lift off the accelerator. Sometimes cruise disengages itself and I find myself slowing down in front of the car I have just passed .

[Andy B]

....

Steady speed and foot off throttle happens on downhill gradients.

with or without cruise?  :-?

Deceleration (with foot of throttle) can happen with cruise engaged (after a temporary/small increase in speed) while the speed reduces back to the set cruise speed.

Is there a load of slack in your cruise actuating cable .... mine doesn't do this.


.... Sometimes cruise disengages itself and I find

myself slowing down in front of the car I have just passed .

My Omega cruise has never dis-engaged itself. The Senator used to do though  :-?

[Quince99]

like an omega pub quiz this 

1: no symbol on dash, button gets brighter when active

2: blown bulbs, take off end covers for dash to gain access, 3w mini capless bulbs

3:I drive a proper car (manual) so dont know 

4: yes available at approx £15 a piece, finding one is a different story 


do i win a prize??? 

I wish I had a prize to offer - will think of something for next time.  As a new Omega owner I am extremely impressed with the swiftness of replies and very grateful for answers to what are obviously "newbie questions".

1. As the snow button increases brightness  - which I must say I haven't noticed despite fiddling tonight in dark with engine running - is this due to another bulb being activated or some clever voltage malarkey with a rheostat or similar?

2. Sounds like easy fix for me and apparently butter knives are useful tools for removing vents without damage...

Had so much trouble trying to find a manual with all toys, leather that wasn't a special or an estate. 

Could you tell  me what the wheels are on your avatar Omega please? Not looking to change yet as have 4 very good tyres on the standard Elite alloys.

[RobG]

like an omega pub quiz this 

1: no symbol on dash, button gets brighter when active

2: blown bulbs, take off end covers for dash to gain access, 3w mini capless bulbs

3:I drive a proper car (manual) so dont know 

4: yes available at approx £15 a piece, finding one is a different story 


do i win a prize??? 

I wish I had a prize to offer - will think of something for next time.  As a new Omega owner I am extremely impressed with the swiftness of replies and very grateful for answers to what are obviously "newbie questions".

1. As the snow button increases brightness  - which I must say I haven't noticed despite fiddling tonight in dark with engine running - is this due to another bulb being activated or some clever voltage malarkey with a rheostat or similar?

2. Sounds like easy fix for me and apparently butter knives are useful tools for removing vents without damage...

Had so much trouble trying to find a manual with all toys, leather that wasn't a special or an estate. 

Could you tell  me what the wheels are on your avatar Omega please? Not looking to change yet as have 4 very good tyres on the standard Elite alloys.

Early facelift Elite. 17" http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr320/vauxfan2k/Dsc00678.jpg

[Brucie1946]

Reference the bulb illimination, my minifacelift MV6 heater controls light up in middle and passenger side, but not on drivers, like you say the 0 and the 1 and the rotary knob position indicator too?

Could anyone check this to confirm please?

Cheers

Dean

[Welung666]

Reference the bulb illimination, my minifacelift MV6 heater controls light up in middle and passenger side, but not on drivers, like you say the 0 and the 1 and the rotary knob position indicator too?

Could anyone check this to confirm please?

Cheers

Dean

On the side vents (nearest the doors) it's only the 'O' that lights up. Pop the end cap off the dash and you'll see the wiring. Bugger to refit if you're not used to them. I find the easiest way to refit the drivers side is to open the small glovebox and use the top edge of the hinge as a guide. It's V shaped and the top bar of the V points directly at the hole for the bulb. Passenger side is easier as you can see the hole

[uktigger]

1. As the snow button increases brightness  - which I must say I haven't noticed despite fiddling tonight in dark with engine running - is this due to another bulb being activated or some clever voltage malarkey with a rheostat or similar?

I was led to believe that the snow mode would only  kick in by pressing the button if the temperature dropped to 3 or below, ie when the ice symbol appeared with the temp.

Don't quote me though :-)

[vauxfan2k]

to use snow mode on my estate I put it in 2nd, then press snow mode switch, it illuminates brightly, for the benefit of anyone that doesnt know what snow mode does, it makes the car take off in 2nd rather than 1st (prevents wheelspin)

if left in 2nd without snow mode enabled, the car would take off in first, change into 2nd but not change any further until D selected.

[hotel21]

to use snow mode on my estate I put it in 2nd, then press snow mode switch, it illuminates brightly, for the benefit of anyone that doesnt know what snow mode does, it makes the car take off in 2nd rather than 1st (prevents wheelspin)

if left in 2nd without snow mode enabled, the car would take off in first, change into 2nd but not change any further until D selected.

Its my understanding that it causes the car to move off in 3rd, rather than second, but will happily be corrected.... 

[vauxfan2k]

in the carlton it was definately 2nd, would have thought it would be too much of a struggle for the car to take off in 3rd? unless the v6 auto is different to the 4pot auto

will see when someone knowledgable on the matter appears 

[Andy B]

....
I was led to believe that the snow mode would only  kick in by pressing the button if the temperature dropped to 3 or below, ie when the ice symbol appeared with the temp.

Don't quote me though :-)

We won't quote you .... cos that's not right  Snow mode can be set what ever ambient temp at stand still. I think it does engage at very slow speeds  :-/
Many use the snow mode to stop the car holding onto first gear when the engine/gearbox is cold. 

[Andy B]

....
Its my understanding that it causes the car to move off in 3rd, rather than second, but will happily be corrected.... 

Correct! 

[Andy B]

in the carlton it was definately 2nd, would have thought it would be too much of a struggle for the car to take off in 3rd? unless the v6 auto is different to the 4pot auto

will see when someone knowledgable on the matter appears 

You sure?  :-/ A Senator set off in 3rd  as did SWMBO's 1.6 52 plate auto Astra

[vauxfan2k]

yeah 2.0 8v carlton I had deffo used 2nd, was tested when eliminating a faulty snow mode button.

not to say omega is same, I dont use the auto in the snow.

[RobG]

Omega 4 & 6 pot engage 3rd with snow button

[aaronjb]

The facelift manual says:

Winter programme
In the event of starting-off difficulties on slippery roads, press button T (can be operated only in D – T lights up). The vehicle starts off in third gear.
The winter program is switched off by:

• pressing button T again
• manually shifting to P,3,2 or 1 or to P,4,3 or 2
• holding the accelerator pedal in the kickdown position for longer than two seconds
• turning off the ignition.

The winter programme is automatically switched off at speeds in excess of approx. 80km/h.

('T' is what the snow symbol turns into when you copy & paste ;))

[vauxfan2k]

i was wrong and you were right, there i said it... 

im not proud.. 

[swrkent]

... and I must admit I would have liked Vauxhall to have put a Cruise Control indicator light on dash.......

Those few cars I've driven with a 'cruise on light' have bemused me. If you're still doing ??mph and your foot isn't on the throttle, then cruise is engaged, if your foot is not on the throttle & you're slowing down, then cruise is not engaged. 

auto is the only way to go have just recieved a auto as my new lorry how cool is that

[vauxfan2k]

driving an auto decreases strength in your left leg, so after a while it wil be so weak youll be walking in circles... 

to be honest i dont mind either, just prefer manual if the choice is given.

[Andy B]

driving an auto decreases strength in your left leg, so after a while it wil be so weak youll be walking in circles... 

 ......

Not if you use a foot for each pedal 

[vauxfan2k]

left foot braking in an auto?? whabang!! thru the windscreen while the car behind you plows up yer bum..

been so close a few times, reaching to dump the clutch in an auto 

[Andy B]

left foot braking in an auto?? whabang!! thru the windscreen while the car behind you plows up yer bum..

 ......

Not when you're as good as me!  I do both in the Omega, however I always left foot brake in her Smart Roadster as I find it easier than moving my right foot ..... not much room in the foot well for size 10 boots.  And I have a manual Astra to keep me on my toes.    

[Andy H]

....

Steady speed and foot off throttle happens on downhill gradients.

with or without cruise?  :-?

Deceleration (with foot of throttle) can happen with cruise engaged (after a temporary/small increase in speed) while the speed reduces back to the set cruise speed.

Is there a load of slack in your cruise actuating cable .... mine doesn't do this.


.... Sometimes cruise disengages itself and I find

myself slowing down in front of the car I have just passed .

My Omega cruise has never dis-engaged itself. The Senator used to do though  :-?

I have a 2.6 DBW so probably not a straight comparison  :-/

With the DBW there is absolutely no feedback through the accelerator pedal. I imagine that a cable throttle probably kicks slightly :-/

[Andy B]

......
With the DBW there is absolutely no feedback through the accelerator pedal. I imagine that a cable throttle probably kicks slightly :-/

Ah! I haven't driven a DBW car with cruise.  :-/

[Quince99]

1. As the snow button increases brightness  - which I must say I haven't noticed despite fiddling tonight in dark with engine running - is this due to another bulb being activated or some clever voltage malarkey with a rheostat or similar?

I was led to believe that the snow mode would only  kick in by pressing the button if the temperature dropped to 3 or below, ie when the ice symbol appeared with the temp.

Don't quote me though :-)

Now that's interesting - this is what the vendor told me, being an experienced Omega owner, and whilst I've no wish for that kind of temperature in October it will be interesting to test later in the year. Although if we have the same amount of snow as last year (in Lincolnshire) we won't be going anywhere much! Will test this theory out and let you know accordingly...

[Andy B]

.....
Now that's interesting - this is what the vendor told me ...

He was wrong too.  You only get 'snow mode' when you press the button. 

[TheBoy]

Every Omega I've owned, snow mode works at any temp.

It has to be in D before pressing, and will disable itself once 50mph hit.  But then you knew that as you would have Please read the manual

[aaronjb]

The facelift manual says:

Winter programme
In the event of starting-off difficulties on slippery roads, press button T (can be operated only in D – T lights up). The vehicle starts off in third gear.
The winter program is switched off by:

• pressing button T again
• manually shifting to P,3,2 or 1 or to P,4,3 or 2
• holding the accelerator pedal in the kickdown position for longer than two seconds
• turning off the ignition.

The winter programme is automatically switched off at speeds in excess of approx. 80km/h.

('T' is what the snow symbol turns into when you copy & paste ;))

[Entwood]

"snow" mode works in any temperature ..  I have used many times when pulling the 'van off a wet field. By using 3rd gear it simply prevents wheel spin as the available torque at the wheels is much reduced

[Andy B]

...... By using 3rd gear it simply helps prevents wheel spin as the available torque at the wheels is much reduced

I managed a 360 in snow mode in my Senator when there was snow on the ground.  :-? :-?

[Diamond Black Geezer]

And to answer the post querying whether the engine would actually pull away in third, I seem to remember the 2.0 16v Astra GTE was designed to be capable of pulling away from 3mph in FIFTH!!

Moral of story, its amazing how even in a totally wrong gear an engine will still pull surprisingly well.

[Marc Taylor]

snow mode on my 2.0 only works when the ice symbol comes up on the display

[RobG]

snow mode on my 2.0 only works when the ice symbol comes up on the display

Should be able to engage when idling in "D"

[youth]

left foot braking in an auto?? whabang!! thru the windscreen while the car behind you plows up yer bum..

 ......

Not when you're as good as me!  I do both in the Omega, however I always left foot brake in her Smart Roadster as I find it easier than moving my right foot ..... not much room in the foot well for size 10 boots.  And I have a manual Astra to keep me on my toes.    

left footed braking is always good and it can also scare the shit out of the prats that sit on your bumper hahaha

[Andy B]

left foot braking in an auto?? whabang!! thru the windscreen while the car behind you plows up yer bum..

 ......

Not when you're as good as me!  I do both in the Omega, however I always left foot brake in her Smart Roadster as I find it easier than moving my right foot ..... not much room in the foot well for size 10 boots.  And I have a manual Astra to keep me on my toes.    

left footed braking is always good and it can also scare the shit out of the prats that sit on your bumper hahaha

Apparently so .......   

[youth]

left foot braking in an auto?? whabang!! thru the windscreen while the car behind you plows up yer bum..

 ......

Not when you're as good as me!  I do both in the Omega, however I always left foot brake in her Smart Roadster as I find it easier than moving my right foot ..... not much room in the foot well for size 10 boots.  And I have a manual Astra to keep me on my toes.    

left footed braking is always good and it can also scare the shit out of the prats that sit on your bumper hahaha

Apparently so .......   

its all good fun lol cos then i normally show them what a real car can do compared to a little cracker jack toy can and get this a guy at work reckons his 1.4 corsa could beat an omega 

[Andy B]

... and get this a guy at work reckons his 1.4 corsa could beat an omega 

maybe from a standing start against an auto Omega, but from a rolling start he'd be a dot in your mirror. 

[youth]

when i put the propersision to him of have a ten mile race he soon shut up and walked off lol i even took the piss by saying i wouldnt put it in sports mode either lol
he is now acting rather sheepish pmsl

[youth]

oh and forgot to mention most the roads from boston to reavesby are rather straight so i could just outrun him wothout trying lol