Vauxhall Astra Maintenance Guides - Common Vauxhall Astra Repair Questions Answered
The Vauxhall Astra has picked up lots of awards over the years and is now in its seventh generation. It's a spacious and well-designed car that is popular with buyers in the UK.
Vauxhall Astra Tyre Pressure
What is the recommended tyre pressure of a Vauxhall Astra?
The tyre pressure suitable for your Vauxhall Astra are detailed in the owner's manual and there's also a label by the driver’s door with the same information relevant to your model. Maintaining the correct pressures will help deliver fuel economy and keep you safe.
What should I do when I see the tyre pressure warning?
Modern Vauxhall Astra's have a tyre pressure monitoring system in place and when it detects a drop in pressure for the tyres, it will display a tyre pressure warning. It's important that you slow down and pull over to see whether there is a serious puncture and if the tyre needs replacing. If not, you can continue driving but you'll need to have the tyre repaired as soon as possible at a garage.
How to check a Vauxhall Astra’s tyre pressure?
The best way to check a Vauxhall Astra's tyre pressure is to use a small hand-held gauge which fits onto the tyre valve and it will give an accurate reading. You can also use tyre pressure gauges on a foot pump and also on a garage forecourt.
How do I reset a Vauxhall Astra tyre pressure light?
After repairing a punctured tyre, you may find that the Vauxhall Astra's tyre pressure light remains on. You should really drive for up to 10 minutes above 12 mph to enable tyre monitoring system to relearn the pressures of the tyres. If you don't and the light still remains on, then you can reset the light as follows:
● Set the handbrake
● Switch the ignition on, but do not start the engine
● Use the dashboard screen to scroll through the menu to ‘Vehicle information’
● Scroll down to ‘Tyre pressure’ menu
● Press the ‘Set’ button to reset the monitoring system
● Press the button again to confirm and the horn may sound
If your Vauxhall Astra receives a puncture, visit our puncture repair page to find the best local garage near you.
Vauxhall Astra Warning Lights
Why do warning lights appear when I start my Vauxhall Astra?
It's normal to see Vauxhall Astra dashboard lights illuminate when starting the car and this is simply the system checking to ensure they are working properly. If any of the lights remain on after the car has started, you'll need to investigate further or take your vehicle to a garage and have a professional diagnose the problem.
What do Vauxhall Astra warning lights mean?
The Vauxhall Astra warning lights that you need to be aware of include:
The battery warning
This will illuminate as a red light and you'll need to find out why. The light means the battery is not being charged, which could be down to a faulty alternator or you may simply need a new battery.
Engine coolant
This will illuminate in red and when your engine is running means the coolant temperature is too high. This means that you could damage your engine, so you'll need to stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and wait for it to cool down.
Find a professional near you that will diagnose your problem on our Vauxhall Astra vehicle health check page.
Vauxhall Astra Service Intervals
When are a Vauxhall Astra’s service intervals?
To ensure that your Vauxhall Astra remains reliable, then it needs to be serviced every 10,000 miles or so. The manufacturer’s specific servicing schedule which will need to be followed to protect the warranty. In addition to regular servicing, there are specific issues that need to be undertaken:
10,000 first major service: Oil and filter change.
20,000 miles: Oil filter change, plus replacement pollen filter.
50,000 miles: Spark plugs replaced.
100,000 miles: Cambelt needs changing (as will the water pump).
The Astra will also need the brake fluid replacing every two years and it’s not part of the official
service.
Once your Vauxhall Astra hits a service milestone, it’s recommended to get it checked by a service and MOT specialist.
Vauxhall Astra Common Problems
While a Vauxhall Astra should give years of sound service, the common problems that owners may find include:
Handbrake problems
Some models of the Astra have an issue with handbrake failure.
Suspension
The Vauxhall Astra is prone to the front suspension bushes eroding and they then needing replacing.
Electrical issues
The issues with various electrical components including fuel gauges and headlights.
Front seat
A 2010 recall was for the unnerving experience of the front passenger seat moving without warning.
What are some common Vauxhall Astra automatic gearbox problems?
Vauxhall Astra’s are available as an automatic and it's a popular choice, particularly for drivers in towns and cities. However, the automatic Vauxhall Astra does have some issues to consider. The clutch may wear out and will need replacing. Also, if you struggle to accelerate then the actuator motor, that's the part that will select the right gear, may be failing too. There have been reported issues with the gearbox control unit being at fault. In some instances, you may find that the electronic control module, the ECM, which controls the gearbox functions may fail
and this is a common fault. Also, while it' not directly an automatic gearbox issue, there are some problems with the 2016 Astra automatic model with the front brakes catching fire, usually because the callipers have become stuck.
Are Vauxhall Astra’s prone to clutch problems?
One of the common issues for a clutch problem in the Vauxhall Astra is the issue of clutch juddering. This may only affect some models, usually 1.6-litre or 1.8-litre versions, and if you have severe
juddering when engaging the clutch, it could be an issue with the crankshaft seal. Essentially, the oil will leak from it so you should check underneath the car for signs of leakage. If unchecked, this may lead to the crankshaft been poorly lubricated and could potentially lead to serious engine damage.
What causes exhaust blowing on a Vauxhall Astra?
If you believe that the Vauxhall Astra exhaust is blowing, then you'll need to get it repaired or replaced. If it's a small hole then you may be able to have it welded, otherwise, you'll need to have the system or part of the system replaced. While the sound may be heard while driving at speed, if you are stationary with the door open and the exhaust sounds rough, then it's probably blowing. You may also experience a loss of power as the exhaust system loses pressure. Have a professional repair this for you.
What can cause a Vauxhall Astra to Lose Power?
One of the issues that owners of older Vauxhall Astra’s may encounter is the sudden loss of power -
which can be scary. Some engine variants will switch to 'limp home mode' and the potential issues
could be:
● A faulty EDG valve
● A fault in the ESP system
● Clogged fuel filter
● Fuel injector problem
What can cause a Vauxhall Astra to fail to start?
If you have problems starting your Vauxhall Astra, then it could be the solenoid. For example, when you turn the ignition key and you can hear a clicking sound, then this could be the solenoid or the starter motor. You may need to replace the motor, or you could, in some cases, resolve it by cleaning the contacts.
To make sure this issue doesn’t lead to a bigger problem, get your clutch checked by a Vauxhall clutch specialist.
Other Common Vauxhall Astra Problems
What Are A Vauxhall Astra’s Fault Codes?
The Vauxhall Astra will display any issues that the owner needs to be aware of as either an
illuminated light or with fault codes on the dashboard screen. There are dozens of fault codes listed
in the owner's manual. These are some of the most important ones:
● 5 - The steering wheel is locked
● 12 - Car is overloaded
● 49 - Lane departure warning is unavailable
● 65 - Attempted vehicle theft
● 174 - Low battery charge
Which Type Of Oil Does A Vauxhall Astra Take?
It's crucial for the smooth running of your Vauxhall Astra that you use the correct type of engine oil. Vauxhall recommends that the oil used meets the ‘dexos2’ standard. Usually, the oil needed will 5W- 30 or 0W-40. The engine oil details are also listed in the owner’s manual, plus there are sites online that will use the vehicle registration number to find the correct oil.