Page 273 of 666
271 Controls in detail
Driving systems
3
\1
Press the
%
or
$
button until
the desired setting is highlighted.
\4Yes:
overwrite all settings with the
default values.
\4
: go back to the main menu wi-
thout applying the default values.
Monitor shutdown while driving For safety reasons, the monitor will shut
off at speeds above 6 mph (10 km/h).
The following message will be displayed
for 7 seconds prior to the monitor shut-
ting off.If the vehicle’s road speed drops below
5 mph (8 km/h), the monitor will come
back on.
On vehicles with a reverse warning fea-
ture, a warning signal sounds when re-
verse gear is engaged to alert other road
users.
The volume of the warning signal can be
reduced for night-time operation.
Reverse warning feature*
nf_BA.book Page 271 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 285 of 666

283 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
Warning
G
If you tension the lashing straps between
the side walls or between a side wall and
the load compartment floor, the permissi-
ble load for the lashing rails, lashing
points or lashing eyes could be exceeded
in the event of strong braking, sudden
changes of direction or an accident.The load would no longer be secured,
which could result in serious injuries
caused by the load slipping.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
For this reason, do not tension a lashing
strap between the side walls or between a
side wall and the load compartment floor.
Only locking bars or rods may be installed
between the load rails near the side walls. Observe the operating instructions issued
by the locking bar or locking rod manufac-
turer.
iSecuring loads to the load compart-
ment floor is only recommended for
lightweight loads and should be rein-
forced by using anti-slip mats.Warning
G
Before releasing lashing straps, make
sure that the load is stable and would not
tip over even without being lashed down.
Otherwise, you or others could be injured
by a moving load.
nf_BA.book Page 283 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 298 of 666
296 Controls in detailFeatures
3
\1
Switch on the ignition (
\2
page 111).
\1
Press in cigarette lighter
1
.The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when the heating element is
red-hot.The paper holder is on the control panel
for the air-conditioning system.
1Paper holder\1
Press top of paper holder
1
.
Warning
G
Only hold the hot cigarette lighter by its
knob. Otherwise, you may burn yourself.
Remove the cigarette lighter if children
are traveling with you. They could injure
themselves on a hot cigarette lighter or
start a fire.
Warning
G
Do not press the cigarette lighter in with
too much force. The ashtray compart-
ment could otherwise close and trap your
finger.
Paper holder
N68.00-2425-31
nf_BA.book Page 296 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 312 of 666

310 OperationDriving tips
4
If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its brake.
Then increase the braking force.Warning
G
Take into consideration that when towing
a trailer, the handling characteristics are
different and less stable from those when
operating the vehicle without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers. Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss
of control over the vehicle-trailer combi-
nation. This could cause an accident re-
sulting in property damage or injury to
you or others.
!
CAUTION
If the transmission hunts between
gears on inclines, manually shift to a
lower gear (select
"4", "3", "2"
or
"1"). A lower gear and reduction
of speed reduces the chance of the
engine overloading and / or over-
heating.
When going down a long hill, shift
into a lower gear and use the en-
gine’s braking effect. Avoid riding the
brakes, thus overheating the vehicle
and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature (coolant tem-
perature needle approaching the red
zone) when the air conditioner is on,
turn off the air conditioner. Engine cool-
ant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the cli-
mate control fan speed to high and set-
ting the temperature control to the
maximum hot position.
Extreme care must be exercised since
your vehicle with a trailer will require ad-
ditional passing distance ahead than
when driving without a trailer. Because
your vehicle and trailer is longer than
your vehicle alone, you will also need to
go much farther ahead of the passed ve-
hicle before you can return to your lane.
nf_BA.book Page 310 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 314 of 666

312 OperationDriving tips
4
You will find information about the
speed limit for your tires under “Tires
and wheels” in this section
(\2
page 383).
Check regularly, e.g. weekly or when re-
fueling:
\4
the vehicle lighting
\4
the condition of the tires
(\2
page 346) and the tire pressures
(
\2
page 361)
\4
the engine oil level (
\2
page 322)
\4
the brake fluid level (
\2
page 331)
\4
the fluid level in the windshield wash-
er system / headlamp cleaning sys-
tem reservoir (
\2
page 333)
\4
the contamination level of the rear
air-conditioning air cleaner
(\2
page 414)
Your vehicle is equipped with monolith-
ic-type catalytic converters, an impor-
tant element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Service Booklet.
Warning
G
Exceeding the permissible maximum
speed can cause tire damage, which
could lead to loss of control of the vehi-
cle.
As the driver, you must find out about the
maximum speed of the vehicle and the re-
sulting permissible maximum speed of
the tires (tire and tire pressure).
Never exceed the speed limit for your
tires under any circumstances
(\2page 383).
Regular checks
Catalytic converter (gasoline engine)
nf_BA.book Page 312 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 323 of 666
321 Operation
Engine compartment
4
\1
Lift the hood gently.
\1
Push back support strut
3
(
\2
page 319).
\1
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 05. ft (30 cm).
The hood engages audibly.
\1
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it
is not properly engaged. Open it
again and allow it to drop from a
slightly greater height.
Warning
G
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do no continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage
after an accident, for example.
The hood could otherwise come loose
while the vehicle is in motion and endan-
ger you and/or others.
!
CAUTION
When you press the support strut
back, make sure that you do not
press it against the detent position
and cause it to bend.
!
CAUTION
Do not use your hands to push the
hood down. Doing so could damage
it.
nf_BA.book Page 321 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 352 of 666

350 OperationTires and wheels
4
1Treadwear Indicator (TWI)The Treadwear Indicator appears as a
solid band across the tread.
Storing tires
Cleaning tires
Warning
G
Although the applicable federal motor
safety laws consider a tire to be worn
when the Treadwear Indicators (TWI) be-
come visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not
allow your tires to wear down to that lev-
el. As tread depth approaches
1/8in
(3 mm) for summer tires or
1/6in (4 mm)
for winter tires, the adhesion properties
on a wet road are sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction var-
ies widely.
!
CAUTION
Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light
as possible. Protect tires from con-
tact with oil, grease and gasoline/
diesel.
!
CAUTION
Never use a round nozzle to power
wash tires. The intense jet of water
can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
nf_BA.book Page 350 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM
Page 408 of 666

406 OperationWinter driving
4
Drive with particular care on icy roads.
Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
movements and braking.
If it seems likely that the vehicle is about
to enter a skid or cannot be stopped at a
low speed:\4
Move the selector lever to position N.
\4
Try to maintain control of the vehicle
using light corrective steering.
Road salt may adversely affect braking
efficiency. It may therefore be necessary
to apply the brakes more forcefully in or-
der to achieve the same braking force as
normal.
iW h e n t h e y h a v e b e e n r e m o v e d , s t o r e
wheels and tires in a cool, dry, and if
possible dark place. Protect the tires
from oil, grease, and gasoline /
diesel.
Driving in winterWarning
G
Downshifting to brake could cause the
drive wheels to lose grip on a slippery sur-
face due to the increased difference in
speed between the engine and the drive
wheels at this time.
Do not downshift for additional engine
braking on a slippery surface. Use the ser-
vice brake in accordance with road condi-
tions. Only downshift to a lower gear
when traveling at a low engine speed.
nf_BA.book Page 406 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM