
164 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18244s.tif
Deflation detection system (DDS)3
The deflation detection system monitors
the revolutions of all four vehicles from a
speed of approximately 30 km/h. If there is
a loss of pressure in one of the tyres, its
diameter is reduced, and therefore also the
wheel rotation speed. Warning lamp w
lights red.
Stop immediately and check tyre pressure.
Fit the spare wheel if necessary 3 196,
3 200. Control indicator
w
If control indicator w lights up red while
driving, there is a loss of pressure. Stop
immediately and check tyre pressures. A
maximum speed of 80 km/h is permitted
for tyres run flat 3 3 171.
Control indicator illumination w in yellow
indicates a fault in the system. Have cause
of fault remedied by a workshop. The
system’s integrated se lf diagnostics allow
faults to be quickly remedied.
The control indicator flashes three times
when the system is initialising.
Tyre pressure 3169, 3264.
Picture no: 18245s.tif
System initialisationAfter correcting the tyre pressure or
changing a tyre/wheel, the system must be
initialised: turn the ignition on, press the
DDS button for approx. 4 seconds. Control
indicator w flashes three times. The system
is operational after driving a certain
distance.
Only initialise the system if all tyres have
the prescribed pressure.
9
Warning
The deflation detection system does not
replace manual checks with a suitable
gauge.
Check tyre pressures at least every
14 days and prior to any long journey;
the tyres should be checked when cold.
Don’t forget to check the spare 3.
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165
Driving and operation
Picture no: 17206t.tif
Hydraulic brake system The foot brake comprises two independent
brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can still be
braked using the other brake circuit.
However, the brake pedal must be
depressed a considerable way before any
braking effect occurs, and much more
force is required. The braking distance is
longer. Contact a workshop for assistance
before continuing to drive. To ensure that full
pedal travel can be
utilised, especially in case of a fault in one
of the brake circuits, there must be no mats
in the vicinity of the pedals 3150.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit disappears
once the brake pedal has been depressed
once or twice. Braking effect is not
reduced, but braking requires significantly
greater force. This is especially important
to bear in mind when towing.
The brake fluid level should be checked
regularly. If the brake fluid level is too low
and the hand brake is not applied, control
indicator R on the instrument panel
illuminates 389.
Picture no: 18257s.tif
Brake system control indicator R
The control indicator lights up when the
ignition is switched on when the hand
brake is applied or when the brake or
clutch fluid level is too low. Brake fluid
level 3246.
For vehicles with manual transmission
automated 3, the control indicator flashes
for a few seconds when the ignition is
turned off when the hand brake is not
applied.
9
Warning
If the control indicator illuminates when
the hand brake is released, stop driving
immediately. Contact a workshop for
assistance.
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167
Driving and operation
Picture no: 18256s.tif
Hand brake Always apply hand brake firmly without
pressing the release button, and apply as
firmly as possible on steep slopes.
To release the hand brake pull lever up
slightly, press release button, and lower
lever all the way down.
To reduce the operating forces of the hand
brake, depress the foot brake at the same
time.
Brake assist
3
If the brake pedal is operated quickly with
a powerful push, the vehicle is
automatically braked at full braking power
in order to achieve the shortest possible
braking distance when full-on braking
occurs (brake assist).
Maintain steady pressure on the brake
pedal for as long as full-on braking is to
continue. When the brake pedal is
released, the maximum brake force
amplification is taken away.
Hill Start Assist
3 (HSA)
The system helps pull away on inclines.
After releasing the footbrake, if the hand
brake is not applied the brakes are only
released after 2 seconds. As soon as the
acceleration is sufficient to prevent rolling
back, the brake is released.
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183
Driving and operation
Picture no: 18362s.tif
Push the clamping lever down and pull
both lights out of the recesses.
Picture no: 18363s.tif
Fold in the bulb holders on the backs of the
tail lamps.
First place the front (1) tail lamp, then the
rear (2) tail lamp in the recesses and push
down as far as possible. Push cables all the
way into all guides in order to prevent
damage.
Picture no: 18364s.tif
Open the tailgate.
Push the release lever up and push the
system into the bumper until it engages.
Release lever must return to original
position.
9
Warning
If the system cannot be correctly
engaged, please contact a workshop for
assistance.
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188 Driving and operationThe permitted caravan/trailer load applies
up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea level.
Since engine power decreases as altitude
increases because of the air becoming
thinner, therefore reducing climbing ability,
the permitted towing weight also
decreases by 10 % for every 1000 metres of
additional altitude. The towing weight
does not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than 8 %,
e. g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight must not
be exceeded. This weight is specified on
the identification plate 3250. Coupling socket load
The coupling socket load is the load
exerted by the trailer/caravan on the
coupling ball. It can be varied by changing
the weight distributi
on when loading the
trailer/caravan.
The maximum permitted coupling socket
load (vehicles with engine Z 12 XEP: 45 kg,
other versions: 55 kg) of the towing vehicle
is noted on the identification plate of the
trailer towing device and specified in the
vehicle documents. This must always be
complied with, partic ularly when towing
heavy trailers. The coupling socket load
must never be less than 25 kg.
When measuring the coupling socket load,
make sure that the drawbar of the loaded
trailer/caravan is at the same height as it
will be when the trailer/caravan is coupled
with the towing vehicl e loaded. Particularly
important for trailers/caravans with
tandem axle. Rear axle load during towing
With the trailer attached and the towing
vehicle fully loaded, including all the
passengers, the permitted rear axle load
(specified on identifica
tion plate and vehicle
documents) for passenger vehicles may be
exceeded by 45 kg and the permitted total
load may be exceeded by 50 kg.
For vans the permitted rear axle load may
be exceeded by 25 kg. The permitted total
load may be exceeded by the following
amounts with the engines specified below:
Trailer operation is not permitted for vans
with tyre size 215/45 R 17.
If the permitted rear axle load is exceeded
a maximum speed of 100 km/h applies. If
lower national maximum speeds are
specified for trailer operation, they must be
complied with. Z 10 XEP 30 kg
Z 12 XEP 15 kg
Z 13 DTH 40 kg
Z 13 DTJ 35 kg
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189
Driving and operation
Driving characteristics, towing tips
Before attaching the trailer/caravan,
lubricate the ball of the trailer/caravan
towing device. However, do not lubricate
the ball if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to damp
hunting.
Check caravan/traile r lighting before
starting to drive. The fog tail lamps on the
vehicle are deactivated when towing a
caravan or trailer.
Trailers with LED turn signals must have a
provision enables lamp monitoring for
commercial bulbs.
Ultrasonic parking sensors 3 are
deactivated in towing mode.
Handling is greatly influenced by the
loading of the trailer/caravan. Loads
should therefore be secured so that they
cannot slip and be placed in the centre of
the trailer/caravan if possible, i.e. above
the axle.
For trailers with low directional control and
for caravans with a permissible gross
vehicle weight of more than 1000 kg, a
speed of 80 km/h must not be exceeded;
use of a roll damper in accordance with the
friction principle is urgently recommended. If the trailer/caravan starts to sway, drive
more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if necessary.
If it is necessary to apply the brakes fully,
depress the brake pedal as hard as
possible.
Remember that the braking distance for
vehicles towing caravans/trailers with and
without brake is always greater than that
for vehicles not towing a caravan/trailer.
When driving downhill, drive in the same
gear as if driving uphill and drive at a
similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified
for full load
3264. Starting on inclines
For vehicles with manual transmission, the
most favourable engine speed when
starting off on an incline is between
2500 and 3000 rpm for petrol engines and
between 2000 and 2200 rpm for diesel
engines. Hold engine speed constant,
engage clutch gradually (let slip), release
hand brake and open throttle. If possible,
the engine speed should not drop during
this procedure.
In vehicles with automatic transmission
3
and manual transmission automated 3 it is
sufficient to give full throttle in D or
(in automatic mode) 3.
Before starting off under extreme
operating conditions, switch off
unnecessary consumers.
Back to overview

190 Self-help, vehicle careSelf-help,
vehicle care
Diesel fuel system, bleeding If the tank is allowed to run dry, the diesel
fuel system must be bled. Turn over the
ignition three times for 15 seconds at a
time. Then start the engine for a maximum
of 40 seconds
1). Repeat this process after
no less than 5 seconds. If the engine fails to
start, seek the assistance of a workshop.
Picture no: 18190s.tif
Bonnet Pull the release lever located on the left
side below the instru ment panel and push
it back to its original position.
Diesel fuel system, bleeding ............... 190
Bonnet .................................................. 190
Starting the engine with jump leads
3. 191
Towing .................................................. 193
Warning triangle ¨ 3......................... 196
First-aid kit (cushion) + 3................... 196
Spare wheel 3...................................... 196
Jack £ 3 and vehicle tools 3........... 198
Changing wheels ................................. 200
Tyre repair kit 3................................... 204
Electrical system .................................. 208
Fuses and the most important circuits they protect ....................................... 209
Bulb replacement ................................ 212
Halogen headlamp system ................ 212
Adaptive Forward Lighting system 3. 216
Front indicator lamps .......................... 220
Fog lamps 3......................................... 220
Side turn signal lamp .......................... 220
Tail lamps ............................................. 221
Number plate lamp ............................. 225
Courtesy lamps .................................... 226
Vehicle care.......................................... 228
1)For technical reasons only 30 seconds are
possible on engines A 17 DTR/Z 17 DTR
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193
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 18333s.tif
Route the leads so that they cannot catch
on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine:
1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the jump start.
2. After 5 minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts shou ld be made at
intervals of 1 minute not last longer
than 15 seconds.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads
connected.
4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. light, heated rear window) of the vehicle
receiving the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.
6. Close the cover over the positive pole.
Picture no: 18141s.tif
Towing Towing your own vehicle
Disengage cap at bottom and remove
downwards.
Picture no: 18317s.tif
The towing eye is in the luggage
compartment, on the right beneath the
cover.
To open the compartment, disengage the
cover and open it.
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