Page 308 of 390

305 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................306
Stowing things in the vehicle ......307
Fuses ................................................307
Hood ................................................. 311
Adding engine oil .......................... 314
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 315
Coolant level ................................... 315
Adding coolant ........................... 316
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ........................... 316Spare wheel,
storage compartment ................ 318
Vehicle tools .................................... 319
Vehicle jack .................................... 320
Wheels ............................................ 321
Tire replacement ....................... 321
Rotating wheels ......................... 322
Spare wheel .................................... 323
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 323
Changing wheels ........................... 324
Tire inflation pressure ................. 329
Battery ............................................. 330
Jump starting ................................. 332Towing the vehicle .........................335
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ...................338
Exterior lamps ................................339
Replacing bulbs ..........................339
Standby bulb function ...................345
Changing batteries in the
electronic main key ..................346
Synchronizing
remote control ............................348
Emergency engine shut-down .....348
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...349
Replacing wiper blade insert ....... 351
Roof rack .........................................352
S203.book Seite 305 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 310 of 390

307 Fuses
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Stowing things in the vehicle Fuses
Most of your vehicle’s electrical components are fused
wit h s afety f us es. Wit h t he exc eption o f t he b rake lights ,
all individual lighting system components are
electronically fused. Before replacing a blown safety
fuse, determine the cause of the short circuit. Always
observe amperage and color of fuse.
The circuit for components is protected by a cycled
circuit breaker interrupted if too much current is being
drawn. The circuit closes automatically after a short
time; the circuit is broken again if the malfunction
reoccurs.
Always use a n ew f use for r eplacem en t. Never attempt to
repair or bridge a blown fuse.
A fuse chart is located in fuse box (1).
Spare fuses and a special fuse puller are stored with the
tool kit, see page 319.
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs.Always use partition net when transporting cargo.
Partition net cannot secure hard or heavy objects.
S203.book Seite 307 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 312 of 390
309 Fuses
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Fuse box in engine compartment
2Cover
3Screw
4Retainer
To remove cover:
T wist s cr ews (3 ) 9 0˚ co un terclockwis e. Pull up cover (2 )
and slide out retainer (4) and remove it by pulling cover
towards front. Install in reverse order.5Fuse box in engine compartment, left-hand side
6Clamps
To gain access to fuse box:
Release clamps (6) and remove the cover.
To close the fuse box:
Ensure that the sealing rubber is properly positioned
when you replace the cover. Press the cover down by
hand and secure with clamps (6).
S203.book Seite 309 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 322 of 390
319 Vehicle tools
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Vehicle tools
The vehicle tools are stored in the cargo area behind the
left hand trim panel (2).
To open trim panel:
Press button (1) and fold down the panel (2).3Vehicle tool kit, towing eye bolt, wheel bolts and
jack, special fuse puller, spare fuses (3)
S203.book Seite 319 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 338 of 390

335 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Towing the vehicleImportant!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in starter switch position 2, the vehicle
doors lock if the lef t front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking. See the
individual setting menu “VEHICLE” – “AUTOMATIC
DOOR LOCK” on page 125.
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using the
properly installed towing eye bolt. Never attach tow
cable, tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis, frame
or suspension parts.
Notes:
The selector lever will remain locked in position “P” and
the electronic key cannot be turned in the starter switch
if the battery is disconnected or discharged. See battery
on page 330 or jump starting on page 332.
Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking, see
page 338.
Wa r n i n g !
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the electronic key is in
starter switch position 2.If the electronic key is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case, the
steering is locked. To unlock, remove electronic key
from starter switch and reinsert.
S203.book Seite 335 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 339 of 390
336 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
1Cover on right side of front bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover in direction of arrow and lift cover
off to reveal threaded hole for towing eye bolt. The
towing eye bolt is supplied with the tool kit (located
behind the left hand trim panel in cargo area). Screw
towing eye bolt in to its stop and tighten with lug
wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover and snap into place.2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To r e m ove c ove r :
Press mark on cover in direction of arrow and lift cover
off to reveal threaded hole for towing eye bolt. The
towing eye bolt is supplied with the tool kit (located
behind the left hand trim panel in cargo area). Screw
towing eye bolt in to its stop and tighten with lug
wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover and snap into place.
S203.book Seite 336 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 340 of 390

337 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
Important!
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie down
vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Towing restrictions for vehicles with automatic
transmission:
The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km / h). The electronic key must be in starter switch
position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive flange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with
electronic key in starter switch turned to position 0.Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in starter switch to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in starter switch
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (see page 44) as well as
the ESP (see page 270).
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.
S203.book Seite 337 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13
Page 341 of 390
338 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to tow the vehicle.To do so, open storage compartment in front of center
armrest.
Using a small coin, release the coin holder (1) and
swing it aside.
Insert a tool (2), e.g. the screw driver, into the opening
below the coin holder. While pushing the tool down,
move selector lever from position “P”.
After removal of the tool from the opening, reinstall the
coin holder.
The selector lever is locked again when moving it to
position “P”.
P27.60-2197-26
S203.book Seite 338 Freitag, 19. Oktober 2001 1:25 13