87
Instruments, controls
p
Alternator
Control indicator lights up and/or flashes
red.
It illuminates when the ignition is switched
on and goes out shortly after the engine
starts.
Flashes during or after engine start
Battery voltage too lo w. Have electrical
system tested by a workshop.
Illuminates when the engine is runningStop and switch engine off. Battery will not
be charged. Engine cooling may be
interrupted. Effect of brake servo unit may
stop in vehicles with diesel engines.
Contact a workshop for assistance. p
Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering
Control indicator lights up yellow.
Fault in electro-hydr aulic power assisted
steering system. The power assisted
steering may have failed. The vehicle can
be steered but considerably more force is
required. Contact a workshop for
assistance.
O
Turn signal lamps
Control indicator flashes green.
The control indicator flashes if a turn signal
or the hazard warning flashers are
activated.
Rapid flashes: A turn signal lamp or the
related fuse has failed, failure of turn signal
lamp on the trailer 3.
Change bulbs 3212. Fuses 3 209.
Y
Fuel level
Control indicator lights up and/or flashes
yellow
Lamps
Level in fuel tank too low.
Flashes
Fuel level is used up, fuel immediately.
Never let the tank run dry!
Erratic fuel supply can cause catalytic
converter to overheat 3155.
Diesel engines: Bleed the fuel system after
running empty 3190.
C
Main beam
Control indicator lights up blue.
It is illuminated when main beam is on and
during headlamp flash 311, 3109.
W
Coolant temperature
Stop, switch off engine.
Check coolant level immediately 3244.
If there is sufficient coolant, consult a
workshop. Caution
Coolant temperature too high.
Back to overview
136 Driving and operationDriving and operation
Manual transmission automated
3
The Easytronic transmission permits
manual (manual mode ) or automatic gear
shifting ( automatic mode ), both with
automatic clutch control.
Picture no: 18432s.tif
Transmission display
Shows the mode and current gear.
The display flashes for a few seconds if A,
M or R is activated with the engine running
and no foot brake applied.
Manual transmission automated
3... 136
Manual transmission ........................... 144
Automatic transmission 3.................. 144
Driving hints ......................................... 149
Saving fuel, protecting the environment ................................ 151
Fuels, refuelling .................................... 153
Catalytic converter, exhaust gasses .. 155
Drive Control Systems ......................... 159
Hydraulic brake system ...................... 165
Anti-lock brake system (ABS u ) ........ 166
Hand brake .......................................... 167
Brake assist 3...................................... 167
Hill Start Assist 3 (HSA) ...................... 167
Wheels, tyres ........................................ 168
Roof rack 3.......................................... 173
Flex-Fix system 3................................. 174
Towing equipment 3........................... 184
Caravan/trailer towing ........................ 187
Back to overview
149
Driving and operation
Driving hints The first 1000 km
Drive your vehicle at various speeds. Do
not use full throttle. Never allow the engine
to labour at low revs.
Make good use of all gears. Depress the
accelerator pedal a maximum of about
3/4
of the available pedal travel in all gears.
Do not drive faster than three quarters of
maximum speed.
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for the
first 200 km.
During the first drive smoke may develop
because of wax and oil evaporating on the
exhaust system. Park the vehicle in the
open for a while after the first drive and
avoid inhaling the fumes.
Fuel and engine oil consumption is higher
than normal during the running-in period.
Never coast with engine not running
Many units will not function in this situation
(e.g. brake servo unit, electro-hydraulic
power steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. Brake servo unit
When the engine is not running, the brake
servo unit is no longer effective once the
brake pedal has been depressed once or
twice. Braking effect is not reduced, but
significantly greater force is required for
braking.
Electro-hydraulic power assisted steering
If the power assisted steering fails when
being towed with the engine switched off,
the vehicle can still be steered, but
considerably more force is required.
Driving in mountainous terrain or with a
trailer/caravan
The cooling fan is elec
trically operated. Its
cooling power is therefore independent of
the engine speed.
Since a considerable amount of heat is
generated at high engine speeds and less
at slower speeds, do not shift down when
climbing hills whilst the vehicle is still coping
with the gradient in the higher gear. Driving with a roof load
Do not exceed the permissible roof load
3
173, 3259. For reasons of safety,
distribute the load evenly and secure it
properly with retaining straps. Adjust tyre
pressure to load conditions. Do not drive
faster than 120 km/h. Check and re-tighten
the straps frequently. Observe country-
specific regulations.
Switching off the engine
When you switch off, fans in the engine
compartment may continue running for a
time to cool the engine.
If the engine temperature is very high, e.g.
after driving in mountainous terrain: allow
the engine to idle for approximately two
minutes in order to prevent heat
accumulation.
Vehicles with turbocharged engine
After running at high engine speeds or
high engine loads, operate the engine
briefly at a low load or run in neutral for
approx. 30 seconds befo re switching off
in order to protect the turbocharger.
Back to overview
163
Driving and operation
To deactivateThe system deactivates automatically
when reverse gear is disengaged.
If the system is switched of with reverse
gear engaged, press button r 3, the LED
in the button goes out.
To reactivate, press button r again.
Picture no: 18255s.tif
Control indicator
r
Illuminates:
Fault in system. The system is not
operational. Have cause of fault remedied
by a workshop. The system’s integrated
self diagnostics allows faults to be quickly
remedied.
Flashes:
The fault is due to sensors obstructed with
snow or ice. The sensors must be
undamaged and free of dirt, snow and ice.
Interference due to external sources of
ultra sound (e.g. pneumatic drills, rotary
machines). Once the source of interference
is removed, the system will operate
normally. Caravan/trailer towing equipment
3,
caravan/trailer towing When towing, park pilot is automatically
deactivated when the trailer cable is
plugged into the socket.
Fitting rear load racks
3
Rear carriers, e. g. bike carriers, could
cause system malfunction.
Back to overview
186 Driving and operation
Picture no: 18394s.tif
Green marking on the rotary lever is visible.
Lock coupling ball bar and remove key. Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly
installedz
Green marking on the rotary lever is
visible.
z There must be no gap between the
rotary handle and th e coupling ball bar.
z The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
z The coupling ball bar must be locked
and the key removed.
Picture no: 18397s.tif
Eye for break-away stopping cable
In the case of trailers/caravans with brakes,
attach breakaway stopping cable to eye.
9
Warning
Towing a caravan/trailer is only per-
mitted with a properly fitted coupling
ball bar. If the coupling ball bar cannot
be correctly fitted, please contact a
workshop for assistance.
Back to overview
187
Driving and operation
Picture no: 18395s.tif
Dismounting the coupling ball bar
Place the key in the lock and unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Push the rotary lever onto the coupling ball
bar and rotate right while pressed down
until it engages. Pull out the ball bar
downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening for coupling
ball bar. Close socket 3184, Fig. 18390 S.
Place cover on bumper and push both
bolts outwards.
Picture no: 18396s.tif
Stowage of coupling ball bar
Fit protective cap 3 over rotary lever with
key.
Stow coupling ball bar in bag and place in
spare wheel well, and se cure bag to lashing
eyes in luggage compartment.
Lashing eyes 356
Caravan/trailer towingCaravan and trailer loads
1)
The permissible caravan/trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent maximum
values which must not be exceeded. The
actual caravan/trailer load is the difference
between the actual gross weight of the
caravan/trailer and the actual coupling
socket load with the caravan/trailer
coupled.
The permissible caravan/trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients up to
maximum 12 %. 1)Observe national regulations.
Back to overview
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
Back to overview
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