
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The regulations concerning towing may differ from
country to country. It is recommended that you
obey the regulations of the area where you are driv-
ing your vehicle.Towing the vehicle by a tow truckCAUTIONl This vehicle must not be towed by a tow
truck using sling lift type equipment
(Type A) as illustrated. Using a sling lift
will damage the bumper and front end.
l If the transmission is malfunctioning or
damaged, transport the vehicle with the
driving wheels on a carriage (Type C, D
or E) as illustrated.
l If your vehicle has an automated manual
transmission, place the allshift lever in
the “N” (Neutral) position before stop-
ping the engine.
l [
For vehicles with the Traction Control
System (TCL)/Active Stability Control
system (ASC)]
If the vehicle is towed with the ignition
switch in the “ON” position and only the
front wheels or only the rear wheels
raised off the ground, the Traction Con-
trol System (TCL) may operate, resulting
in an accident.
Towing with rear wheels off the ground (Type B)
Place the gearshift lever (manual transmission) or
the allshift lever (automated manual transmission)
in the “N” (Neutral) position. With a vehicle that
has an automated manual transmission, confirm
that the transmission is in the “N” (Neutral) posi-
tion by checking that “N” is shown by the allshift
indicator display and by pushing the vehicle.
Turn the ignition key to the “ACC” position and se-
cure the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a rope or tiedown strap. Never place the igni-
tion key in the “LOCK” position when towing.
If, with a vehicle that has an automated manual trans-
mission, the engine will not start and the transmis-
sion is not in the “N” (Neutral) position, press the
brake pedal, turn the ignition switch to the “ON” po-
sition, and move the allshift lever to the “N” (Neu-
tral) position.
Towing with front wheels off the ground (Type C)
Release the parking brake.
Place the gearshift lever (manual transmission) or
the allshift lever (automated manual transmission)
in the “N” (Neutral) position. With a vehicle that
has an automated manual transmission, confirm
that the transmission is in the “N” (Neutral) posi-
tion by checking that “N” is shown by the allshift
indicator display and by pushing the vehicle.
If, with a vehicle that has an automated manual trans-
mission, the engine will not start and the transmis-
sion is not in the “N” (Neutral) position, press the
brake pedal, turn the ignition switch to the “ON” po-
sition, and move the allshift lever to the “N” (Neu-
tral) position.
Emergency towing
If towing service is not available in an emergency,
your vehicle may be temporarily towed by a rope
secured to the towing hook.
If your vehicle is to be towed by another vehicle or
if your vehicle tows another vehicle, pay careful at-
tention to the following points:
For emergencies
6-19
6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine CAUTIONlIf your vehicle has an automated manual
transmission, place the allshift lever in
the “N” (Neutral) position before stop-
ping the engine.
If your vehicle is to be towed by another vehicle
1.Take out the towing hook and wheel nut
wrench (if so equipped). (Refer to “Tools
jack and tyre repair kit” on page 6-06.)
2. Press by hand the side of the cover (A) that
has a “
” mark, then remove the cover.
3. Use the wheel nut wrench (B) to securely
mount the towing hook (C).
If your vehicle does not have a wheel nut
wrench, securely tighten the towing hook (C)
by hand.
4. Secure the tow rope to the front towing hook.
CAUTIONl Do not tow the vehicle with the rope at an
excessive diagonal angle.
NOTE
l To avoid deforming or otherwise damaging
the vehicle body when hooking the rope onto
the towing hook, observe the following in-
structions: • Mount the towing hook securely.
• Do not attach the rope to any part of the
vehicle other than the towing hook.
• Do not drive in a way that subjects the
towing hook to significant physical shock.
5. Keep the engine running.
If the engine is not running, turn the ignition
key to the “ACC” or “ON” position to un-
lock the steering wheel.CAUTIONl When the engine is not running, the
brake booster and power steering do not
operate. This means higher brake depres-
sion force and higher steering effort are
required. Therefore, vehicle operation is
more difficult than usual.
l Do not leave the key in the “LOCK” posi-
tion. The steering wheel will lock, causing
loss of control.
6. Place the gearshift lever (manual transmis-
sion) or the allshift lever (automated manual
transmission) in the “N” (Neutral) position.
With a vehicle that has an automated manual
transmission, confirm that the transmission is
in the “N” (Neutral) position by checking
that “N” is shown by the allshift indicator dis-
play and by pushing the vehicle.
If, with a vehicle that has an automated man-
ual transmission, the engine will not start and
the transmission is not in the “N” (Neutral)
position, press the brake pedal, turn the igni-
tion switch to the “ON” position, and move
the allshift lever to the “N” (Neutral) position.
7. Turn on the hazard warning lamps if required by law. (Follow the local driving laws and
regulations.)
8. During towing make sure that close contact
is maintained between the drivers of both ve-
hicles, and that the vehicles travel at low
speed.
For emergencies
6-20
6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine WARNINGlTo prevent entry of exhaust gas from the
towing vehicle, set your air selection
switch to the recirculation position.CAUTIONl The person in the vehicle being towed
must pay attention to the brake lamps of
the towing vehicle and make sure the
rope never becomes slack.
l Avoid sudden braking, sudden accelera-
tion and sharp turning; such operation
could cause damage to the towing hooks
or the tow rope.
People in the vicinity could be injured as
a result.
l When towing or being towed down a long
slope, the brakes may overheat reducing
the effectiveness. In this situation, have
your vehicle transported by a tow truck.
9. When finished towing, remove the towing
hook, and stow it in the specified location.
(Refer to “Tools jack and tyre repair kit” on
page 6-06.)
When installing the cover on the bumper,
align the tab (D) with the hole in the vehicle
body and press the cover securely into place.
If your vehicle tows another vehicle
The rear towing hook (A) is located as shown in
the illustration. Secure the tow rope to the rear tow-
ing hook.
NOTE
l Using any part other than the designated tow-
ing hook (A) could result in damage to the ve-
hicle body.
NOTE l Your vehicle should only be used to tow an-
other vehicle if the weight of the other vehi-
cle is less than the weight of your vehicle.WARNINGl Do not use the rear towing hook as a jack-
ing point.
For emergencies
6-21
6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Support the bonnet by inserting the support bar in
its slot.CAUTIONl Note that the support bar may disengage
the bonnet if the open bonnet is lifted by
a strong wind.
l Always insert the support bar into the
hole provided specifically for this pur-
pose. Supporting the bonnet at any other
location could result in the support bar
slipping out and lead to an accident.
To close
Unlatch the support bar (A) and clip it in its holder.
Slowly lower the bonnet to a position about 20 cm
above the closed position, then let it drop.
NOTE
l If this does not close the bonnet, release it
from a slightly higher position.
l Do not press down the bonnet hard with a
hand as it may damage the bonnet.
l Push the support bar (A) down completely in-
to its holder.
CAUTIONl Be careful that hands or fingers are not
trapped when closing the bonnet.
l Before driving, make sure that the bon-
net is securely locked. An incompletely
locked bonnet can suddenly open while
driving. This can be extremely dangerous.
Maintenance
8-04
8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine oilE01000402530
To check and refill engine oil
The engine oil used has a significant effect on the
engine’s performance, service life and startability.
Be sure to use oil of the recommended quality and
appropriate viscosity.
All engines consume a certain amount of oil during
normal operation, and engine oil consumption is
greatly influenced by payload, engine speed, etc.
Therefore, it is important to check the oil level at
regular intervals or before starting a long trip.
This check must be made with the engine warm but
not running. Park the vehicle on a level surface,
stop the engine, and then wait a few moments to al-
low the engine oil in circulation to return to the oil
pan to ensure accurate measurement.
Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean cloth.
Reinsert the dipstick as far as it goes. Remove the
dipstick and read the oil level, which should al-
ways be within the range indicated.
If the oil level is below the specified limit, remove
the cap located on the cylinder head cover and add
enough oil to raise the level to within the specified
range.
Be sure to use the specified engine oil and do not
mix various types of oil. Also, avoid mixing differ-
ent makes of oil together if possible.
After adding oil, close the cap securely.
Use only the recommended oils with an MB classi-
fication as specified in this manual.1100 models1300 models1500 models
NOTE
l The engine oil will deteriorate rapidly if the
vehicle is subjected to severe conditions (for
example, repeated operation on rough roads,
in mountainous regions, on roads with many
uphill and downhill gradients, or over short
distances). Consequently, the oil will require
earlier replacement.
l For handling of used engine oils, refer to
page 05.
Selection of engine oil
Maintenance
8-05
8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Washer fluidE01000700702
Check the washer fluid level in the container.
If the level is low, replenish the container with wash-
er fluid.
NOTE
l The washer fluid container serves the wind-
screen and the rear window.
During cold weather
To ensure proper operation of the washers at low
temperatures, use a fluid containing an anti-freez-
ing agent.
Brake fluid/Clutch fluid* E01000800035
The brake fluid (A) and the clutch fluid (B) share
reservoir tank.
To check the fluid level
A- Brake fluid B- Clutch fluid
C- Partition
The fluid level must be between the “MAX” and
“MIN” marks on the reservoir.
The brake fluid level is monitored by a float. When
the fluid level falls below the “MIN” mark, the
brake fluid warning lamp lights up.
The brake fluid level falls slightly with wear of the
brake pads, but this does not indicate any abnormal-
ity.
The fluid in the master cylinder should be checked
when doing other work under the bonnet. The
brake system should also be checked for leaks at
the same time.
If the fluid level falls markedly in a short length of
time, it indicates leaks from the each system.
If this occurs, we recommend you to have the vehi-
cle checked.
Fluid type
Use brake fluid conforming to DOT4+ from a
sealed container.
The brake fluid is hygroscopic. Too much moisture
in the brake fluid will adversely affect the brake sys-
tem and clutch system, reducing the performance.CAUTIONl Take care in handling brake fluid as it is
harmful to the eyes, may irritate your
skin and also damage painted surfaces.
l Use only the specified brake fluid.
Do not mix or add different brands of
brake fluid to prevent chemical reactions.
Do not let any petroleum-based fluid
touch, mix with, or get into the brake fluid.
This will damage the seals.
l Keep the reservoir tank cap closed to pre-
vent the brake fluid from deteriorating ex-
cept maintenance.
l Clean the filler cap before removing and
close the cap securely after maintenance.
Maintenance
8-09
8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine WARNINGlKeep sparks, cigarettes, and flames away
from the battery because the battery
could explode.
l The battery electrolyte is extremely caus-
tic. Do not allow it to come in contact
with your eyes, skin, clothing, or the pain-
ted surfaces of the vehicle. Spilt electro-
lyte should be flushed immediately with
ample amounts of water.
Irritation to eyes or skin from contact
with electrolyte requires immediate medi-
cal attention.
l Ventilate when charging or using the bat-
tery in an enclosed space.CAUTIONl Never disconnect the battery with the ig-
nition switch in the “ON” position; doing
so could damage the vehicle’s electrical
components.
l Never short-circuit the battery; doing so
could cause it to overheat and be damaged.CAUTIONl Always wear protective eye goggles when
working near the battery.
l If the battery is to be quick-charged, first
disconnect the battery cables.
l In order to prevent a short circuit, be
sure to disconnect the negative (-) termi-
nal first.
l Keep it out of reach of children.
l Do not bring the nearby part, the plastic
parts and so on into contact with sulphu-
ric acid (battery electrolyte) which may
crack, stain or discolour them.
If they are in contact, wipe off with soft
cloth, chamois or the like and an aqueous
solution of neutral detergent then imme-
diately rinse the affected parts with plen-
ty of water.
NOTE
l Keep the terminals clean. After the battery is
connected, apply terminal protection grease.
To clean the terminals, use lukewarm water.
l Check to see if the battery is securely instal-
led and cannot be moved during travel. Also
check each terminal for tightness.
l When the vehicle is to be left unused for a
long period of time, remove the battery and
store it in a place where the battery fluid will
not freeze. The battery should be stored only
in a fully charged condition.
Tyres E01001300226WARNINGlDriving with tyres that are worn, dam-
aged or improperly inflated can lead to a
loss of control or blow out of the tyres
which can result in a collision with seri-
ous or fatal injury.
Maintenance
8-11
8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The speed limit for tyre chain is 50 km/h (30 mph)
and remove the tyre chains as soon as possible on
snow free roads.WARNINGl DO NOT use a jack when fitting the
chains, as in thsee conditions, the tyres
may slip on the icy road causing the vehi-
cle to slip off the jack.CAUTIONl Practice fitting the chains before you
need them.
Don’t expect help from other people in
the cold.
l Choose a clear straight stretch of road
where you can pull over and still be seen
while you are fitting the chains.
l Do not fit chains before you need them.
This will wear out your tyres and the
road surface.
l After driving around 100-300 metres
,
stop and retighten the chains.
l Care should be taken with extremes of
steering lock to prevent possible contact
between the chains and the vehicle body.
l Drive carefully and do not exceed
50 km/h (30 mph). Remember, fitting
chains is not going to stop accidents from
happening.
l When tyre chains are installed, take care
that they do not damage the disc wheel or
body.CAUTIONl Do not install a tyre chain on an emergen-
cy wheel which is compact in size. If one
of the front wheels has punctured, re-
place it with one of the rear wheels and in-
stall the compact spare wheel in that
place before fitting a tyre chain.
l An aluminium wheel can be damaged by
a tyre chain while driving. When fitting a
tyre chain on an aluminium wheel, take
care that any part of the chain and fitting
cannot be brought into contact with the
wheel.
l Remove the wheel covers before instal-
ling a tyre chain, otherwise they may be
damaged by the tyre chain. (Refer to
“Wheel covers” on page 6-17.)
l When installing or removing the tyre
chains, take care that hands and other
parts of your body are not injured by the
sharp edges of the vehicle body.
l Install the chains only on the rear tyres
and tighten them as tightly as possible
with the ends securely fastened.
NOTE
l The laws and regulations concerning the use
of tyre chains vary. Find out and follow the
laws and regulations of the area you’re driv-
ing in.
In most countries, it is prohibited by law to
use tyre chains on roads without snow.
Clutch pedal free play* E01002200222
Press down the clutch pedal with your fingers until
initial resistance is felt.
This distance should be within the specified range.
A- Free play: 4 to13 mm
If the clutch pedal free play is not within the stand-
ard range, we recommend you to have it checked.
Maintenance
8-15
8