Your vehicle maintenance and cleaning
208Regular wax applications help to protect the paintwork from environmental
contaminants ⇒page 205. It is also effective in protecting against minor
scratches.
Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the car washing tunnel, it is advis-
able to protect the paint with a hard wax coating at least twice a year.Polishing the paintwork
Polishing brings back gloss to the paintwork.Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the gloss cannot
be brought back by applying wax. Polishing products can be purchased in
your Authorised Service Centre.
The car must be waxed after polishing if the polish used does not contain wax
compounds to seal the paint ⇒page 207, “Vehicle paint maintenance
requirements”.
Caution
To prevent damage to the paintwork:•Do not use polishes and hard wax on painted parts with a matte finish or
on plastic parts.•Do not polish your vehicle in a sandy or dusty environment.Caring for plastic parts
Solvents damage plastic parts.If normal washing fails to clean plastic parts, clean them with approved
solvent-free plastic cleaning and care products.
Caution
•The use of liquid air freshener directly over the air vents of the vehicle may
damage the plastic parts if the liquid is accidentally spilled.•Cleaning products which contain solvents will damage the material.Cleaning windows and exterior mirrorsCleaning windows
– Moisten the windows with commercially available, alcohol based glass cleaner.
– Dry the windows with a clean chamois leather or a lint-free cloth.
Removing snow
– Use a small brush to remove sn ow from the windows and mirrors.
Removing ice
–Use a de-icer spray.Use a clean cloth or chamois leather to dry the windows. The chamois
leathers used on painted surfaces are not suitable to clean windows because
they are soiled with wax deposits which could smear the windows.
If possible, use a de-icing spray to remove ice. If you use an ice scraper, push
it in one direction only without swinging it.
Use window cleaner or a silicone remover to clean rubber, oil, grease and sili-
cone deposits off.
Wax deposits can be removed with a special cleaner available in your Author-
ised Service Centre. Wax deposits on the windscreen could cause the wiper
blades to judder. If a window cleanser, specifically for removing wax, is added
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Your vehicle maintenance and cleaning209
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
to the windscreen washer fluid prevents wiper blades from juddering. Wax
deposits are not removed.
Caution
•Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from windows and
mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack!•The heating element for the rear window is located on the inner side of the
window. To prevent damage, do not put stickers on the heating elements
inside the window.Cleaning windscreen wiper bladesClean wiper blades are essent ial to provide clear vision.
1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the windscreen wiper blades.
2. Use window cleanser to clean the windscreen wiper blades. Use
a sponge or a cloth to remove stubborn stains.Rubber seals maintenance
If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not freeze so
quickly.1. Use a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt from the rubber seals.
2. Apply a specialist care product to the rubber seals.
The strips on the doors, windows, bonnet and rear lid will remain pliable and
last longer if they are treated with a suitable care product (for example sili-
cone spray).
Caring for rubber seals will also prevent premature ageing and leaks. The
doors will be easier to open. If rubber seals are well looked after, they will not
freeze so quickly in winter.Door lock cylinders
The door lock cylinders can freeze up in winter.To de-ice the lock cylinders you should only use spray with lubricating and
anti-corrosive properties.Cleaning chrome parts1. Clean chrome parts with a damp cloth.
2. Polish chrome parts with a soft, dry cloth.If this does not provide satisfying results, use a specialist chrome cleaning
product . Chrome cleaning products will remove stains and coatings from the
surface.
Caution
To prevent scratching chrome surfaces:•Never use an abrasive care product on chrome.•Do not clean or polish chrome parts in a sandy or dusty environment.
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Checking and refilling levels229
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Changing windscreen wiper blades
If the windscreen wiper blades are in perfect condition, you
will benefit from an improved visibility. Damaged wiper
blades should be replaced immediately.
Removing the wiper blade
– Lift the wiper arm away from the windscreen.
– Slide the retainer catch on the wiper blade in the direction indi-
cated ⇒fig. 174 . Hold onto the wiper blade at the same time.
– Pull the wiper blade out of its mounting on the wiper arm.
Fitting the wiper blade
– Slide back the retainer catch on the new wiper blade. The mounting on the wiper blade should now be visible.
– Fit the new wiper blade into the mounting on the wiper arm ⇒fig. 175 .
– Slide the retainer catch on the wiper blade in direction so that it clicks into place on the wiper arm.
– Fold the wiper arm back down onto the glass.If the windscreen wipers smear , t h e y s h o u l d b e r e p la ce d i f t h e y a r e d a m a ge d ,
or cleaned if they are soiled.
If this does not produce the desired results, the setting angle of the wind-
screen wiper arms might be incorrect. They should be checked by a qualified
workshop and corrected if necessary.
WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility through all windows!•The ignition must not be switched on while the front wiper arms are in
a raised position. The wipers would return to their park position and
damage the paintwork on the bonnet.
Fig. 174 Removing the
wiper bladeFig. 175 Fitting the wiper
blade
AAAB
AC
AD
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Checking and refilling levels
230•To prevent smearing on the windscreen, the wiper blades should be
cleaned regularly using a window cleaner solution. If the wiper blades are
very dirty (e.g. insects etc.), they should be cleaned using a sponge or
cloth. Failure to do so could result in an accident.•For safety reasons, the wiper blades should be changed once or twice a
year.Caution
•Damaged or dirty windscreen wipers could scratch the windscreen.•Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint thinner or similar products to
clean the windows. This could damage the windscreen wiper blades.•Never move the windscreen wiper or windscreen wiper arm manually. This
could cause damage.•Do not pull the windscreen wipers forward unless they are in the service
position. Otherwise the bonnet could be damaged.
Brake fluidChecking the brake fluid level
The brake fluid level can be checked at a glance.The brake fluid level must be between the “Min” and “Max” ⇒ fig. 176 mark-
ings.
The fluid level may drop slightly after a period of time due to the automatic
compensation for brake pad wear. This is quite normal.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops below the
“Min” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. If the fluid level in the
reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the brake warning lamp
⇒ page 70 and ⇒ page 77. If this should happen, take the car to a qualified
workshop immediately and have the brake system inspected.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 176 Engine compart-
ment: markings on brake
fluid reservoir
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Checking and refilling levels231
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Topping up and changing the brake fluid
It is best to have the brake fluid changed by a professional.Brake fluid absorbs damp. Therefore, in the course of time it will absorb water
from the ambient air. If the water content in the brake fluid is too high, the
brake system could corrode. In addition, the boiling point of the brake fluid
will be considerably reduced. This could adversely affect the braking ability in
certain circumstances.
For this reason the brake fluid must be changed periodically.
Your vehicle's Service Schedule will tell you when the brake fluid has to be
renewed.
We recommend you have the brake fluid changed as part of a regular Inspec-
tion Service at your garage. They are familiar with the procedure and have the
necessary special tools and spare parts as well as the proper facilities for
disposing of the old fluid.
Use only the genuine brake fluid specified by the factory Specialist garages
know that the brake fluid -DOT 4- is factory approved. The brake fluid must be
new.
WARNING
•Therefore, it must always be kept closed in its original container. Keep
out of the reach of children. Failure to comply could result in poisoning.•Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake fluid is left
in the system for too long. This would seriously affect the efficiency of the
brakes and the safety of the car, leading to the risk of accident.Caution
Please note that brake fluid will attack the paintwork on contact.
For the sake of the environment
If the fluid has to be drained out of the brake system, use an appropriate
container to catch the used brake fluid and dispose of it in the proper
manner.BatteryGeneral notes
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.The battery is virtually maintenance-free and is checked in the Inspection
Services.
We recommend that you replace a battery once it is older than 5 years.
Disconnecting the battery
If the battery is disconnected, some of the vehicle's functions will become
inoperative (e.g. electric windows). These functions will require resetting
after the battery is reconnected. For this reason, the battery should only be
disconnected from the vehicle's electrical system when absolutely necessary.
Long periods of non-use
The battery will gradually lose its charge because certain electrical equip-
ment continues to draw current even when the ignition is off. If you park the
vehicle for long periods of time in winter you should take the battery out of
the vehicle and keep it in a frost-proof room. Store the battery in a place
where it cannot “freeze up” and become damaged. At warm outside temper-
atures it is sufficient to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Even
when the battery is not connected you should charge it from time to time.
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If and when
256Fuse assignment
This list shows the fuses which can be replaced relatively
easily by the owner.No.
Consumer
Amps
1
Climate control
10
2
Footwell lamps
5
3
Heated washer jets
5
4
Radiator fan
5
5
Parking aid, automatic gearbox
10
6
Air conditioner (air purity sensor), pressure sensor
5
7
Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP), brake light
switch, clutch pedal switch, steering angle sensor
10
8
Tele ph one
5
9
Va can t
10
Self-directing headlights (adaptive light) right
5
11
Airbag and disconnection of the front passenger air-
bag
5
12
Diagnostic socket
10
13
Steering column unit
10
14
Brake lights
10
15
Instrument panel
10
16
Va can t
17
Tyre pressure control, rain/light sensor
10
18
Self-directing headlights (adaptive light) left
5
19
Va can t
20
Va can t
21
Va can t
22
Driver's door / front passenger's door
15
23
Rear doors
15
24
Central electrics unit for convenience equipment
20
25
Heater blower
30
26
Rear window heater
30
27
Electrical socket for trailer (control unit)
30
28
Fuel pump, auxiliary pump for diesel
20
29
Va can t
30
Sliding/tilting sunroof
20
31
Diagnosis connection, automatic anti-dazzle interior
mirror, reverse light, automatic gearbox
15
32
Towing socket
15
33
Lighter
20
34
Diesel lambda-probe
5
35
Luggage compartment power point*
20
36
Wiper system
30
37
Pump for windscreen washer and headlight washer
system
30
38
Luggage compartment illumination, alarm
15
39
Radio, Amplifier
20
40
Horn
25
No.
Consumer
Amps
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If and when257
Safety First
Controls and equipment
Practical tips
Technical Data
Some of the electrical items listed in the table are only fitted on certain
models or are optional extras.
The electric windows and electric seat adjusters are protected by circuit
breakers
. These reset automatically after a few seconds when the overload
(caused for example by frozen windows) has been corrected.
Note
Please note that the above list contains all data at the time of going to press,
so it is subject to modifications. If discrepancies should occur, please refer to
the sticker on the inside of the fuse cover for the correct information for your
model.BulbsGeneral notesYou can change the following bulbs for exterior lights yourself:•Main headlights: all (except for xenon headlights)•Rear lights: All bulbs•Side indicator bulb
The following bulbs can only be changed by a qualified workshop:
•Main headlights: Xenon* bulb ⇒page 264•Front fog lights: Bulb
As a rule, you require a certain degree of practical skill to change defective
bulbs. This applies in particular to those bulbs which are only accessible from
the engine compartment.
If in doubt, we recommend that you have defective bulbs changed by a qual-
ified workshop or qualified mechanic.
If you do decide to change bulbs in the engine compartment yourself, be
aware of the safety risks involved ⇒page 221 ⇒ in “Types of bulbs”.Changing bulbs Halogen headlightsTypes of bulbsYou must only replace a bulb with a bulb of the same type. The name can be
found on the base of the bulb.
WARNING
•Take particular care when working on components in the engine
compartment if the engine is warm - risk of burns!
41
Va can t
30
42
Electronic stabilisation programme (ESP)
25
43
Engine management
15
44
Seat heating
35
No.
Consumer
Amps
Bulb
Type
Dipped-beam headlights (halogen)
12 V/55 W (H7 LL)
Main beam headlights
12 V/55 W (H1)
Indicator light
12 V/21 W (PY21W)
Side lights
12 V/5 W (W5W LL)
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If and when
280How to jump start: description⇒ fig. 230 shows the flat battery and the charged battery.
Jump lead terminal connections
– Switch off the ignition on both vehicles ⇒.
1. Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive ⇒fig. 230
terminal of the vehicle with the flat battery ⇒.
2. Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive terminal in the vehicle providing assistance.
3. Connect one end of the black jump lead to the negative terminal on the battery of the vehicle providing assistance. 4. Connect the other end of the black jump lead to a solid metal
component which is bolted on to the engine block, or onto the
engine block itself of the vehicle with the flat battery. Do not
connect it to a point near the battery ⇒.
5. Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
Starting
6. Start the engine of the vehicle with the boosting battery and let it run at idling speed.
7. Start the engine of the car with the flat battery and wait one or two minutes until the engine is “running”.
Removing the jump leads
8. Before you remove the jump lead s, switch off the headlights (if
they are switched on).
9. Turn on the heater blower and rear window heater in the vehicle with the flat battery. This helps minimise voltage peaks which are
generated when the leads are disconnected.
10. When the engine is running, disconnect the leads in reverse order to the details given above.
Connect the battery clamps so they have good metal-to-metal contact with
the battery terminals.
If the engine fails to start, switch off the starter after about 10 seconds and
try again after about half a minute.
Fig. 230 How to connect
the jump leads
AA
AB
A+
A+
A-
AX
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