Page 132 of 212

126 Driving and operationTowing equipment
3
Only use towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle. Entrust
retrofitting of towing equipment to a
workshop. It may be necessary to make
changes that affect the cooling system,
heat shields or other equipment.
Installation dimensions of towing
equipment 3197.
Towing equipment with fixed coupling
ball bar3
In the case of trailers/caravans with brake,
attach break-away stopping cable to eye
to right of coupling ball bar. 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
max. 12 %. The 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 3182. 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 distribution when loading the
trailer/caravan.
The maximum permissible coupling socket
load (50 kg) is specified on the towing
equipment identification plate and in the
vehicle documents. Always aim for the
maximum load, especially in the case of
heavy caravans/trailers. The coupling
socket load should never fall below 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 vehicle loaded. Particularly
important for trailers/caravans with
tandem axle.
Rear axle load during towing
The permissible axle loads must not be
exceeded. 1)Observe national regulations.
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127
Driving and operation
Picture no: 13228s.tif
Driving characteristics, towing tips
In the case of trailers/caravans with brakes,
attach breakaway stopping cable to eye.
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/trailer lighting before
starting to drive. The fog tail lamps on the
vehicle are deactivated when towing a
caravan or trailer. Caravans/trailers with LED turn signals
require a provision that make bulb
replacement as with standard bulbs
possible.
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.
In the case of trailers with low driving
stability, do not exceed a speed of
80 km/h; the use of a friction-type
stabiliser is highly 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 3121, 3191.
Page 137 of 212
131
Self-help, vehicle care
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 should 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 electric loads (e.g. light,
heated rear window) of the vehicle
receiving the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when
removing leads.
Picture no: 18108s.tif
Towing Towing your own vehicle
Disengage cap at bottom and remove
downwards.
Picture no: 12458s.tif
The towing eye is located in the bag for
vehicle tools 3, behind the cover on the
right side of the luggage compartment or
in the compartment for the tyre repair kit
behind the cover on the left side of the
luggage compartment.
Jack 3 and vehicle tools 3 3136.
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137
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 12461s.tif
Combo van
The jack and the vehicle tools are secured
behind the driver’s seat.
The jack is secured in place by a wing
screw. The vehicle tools are secured to the
jack with rubber bands.
Changing wheels There may be a tyre repair kit instead of a
spare wheel 3142.
Make the following preparations and
observe the following information:
zPark the vehicle on a level, firm and non-
skid surface. The front wheels must be in
the straight-ahead position.
zSwitch on the hazard warning flashers,
apply the hand brake, engage first gear
or reverse.
zSet up the warning triangle correctly.
Warning triangle 3133.
zRemove the spare wheel from beneath
the vehicle floor 3134.
zNever change more than one wheel at
once. zUse the jack only to change wheels.
zIf the ground on which the vehicle is
standing is soft, a solid board (max. 1 cm
thick) should be placed under the jack.
zBlock the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel to be changed by placing wedge
blocks or equivalent in front and behind
the wheel.
zNo people or animals may be in the
vehicle when it is jacked up.
zNever crawl under a jacked-up vehicle.
zDo not start the vehicle when it is raised
on the jack.
zBefore screwing in the wheel bolts, clean
them and lightly coat the taper of each
wheel bolt with commercially available
grease.
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141
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 11647s.tif
7. Screw in the wheel bolts. Push the wheel
bolt wrench 3 on as far as possible and
tighten the wheel bolts slightly.
On some versions, the wheel trim must
be positioned before the wheel bolts
are tightened.
8. Lower vehicle. 9. Push the wheel bolt wrench 3 on as far
as possible and tighten crosswise.
Tightening torque is 110 Nm.
Alloy wheels 3: put hub cap on and
engage, inserting pin on rear of hub
cap into relevant hole in wheel.
Alloy wheels with anti-theft lock3: Put
hub cap on. Insert and tighten anti-
theft lock3.
10. Before refitting the wheel trim, clean the
wheel around the retaining clips. Valve
symbol 3 on back of wheel trim must
point towards valve on wheel.
Align and engage hub cap or wheel
trim 3 and wheel bolt caps 3.11. Stow the replaced wheel, tools and
warning triangle 3133, 3136.
12. Check the tyre pressure of the newly
mounted wheel.
13. Have the wheel bolt tightening torque
(110 Nm) checked.
14. Replace the faulty tyre on the wheel
that was removed.
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143
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 15319t.tif
4. Screw the compressor air hose to the
connection on the sealant bottle.
5. Fit the sealant bottle in the retainer on
the compressor.
Set the compressor near the tyre in such
a way that the sealant bottle is upright.
6. Remove the valve cap from the defective
tyre.
Picture no: 15795t.tif
7. Screw the filler hose to the tyre valve.
8. The switch on the compressor must be
set to §.
9. Plug the compressor connector into the
accessory socket or the cigarette lighter
socket. Accessory socket 361.
10. Switch on ignition.
To prevent battery discharge, we
recommend that you leave the engine
running.
Picture no: 15796t.tif
11. Set the rocker switch on the compressor
to I. The tyre is filled with sealant.
12. While the sealant bottle drains (approx.
30 seconds) the pressure indicator on
the compressor briefly points to 6 bar.
Pressure then sinks again.
13. All of the sealant is pumped into the
tyre. Afterwards, the tyre is filled with
air.
14. The prescribed tyre pressure should be
reached within 10 minutes. Tyre
pressure 3121, 3191. Switch off the
compressor when the correct pressure
is obtained.
Page 153 of 212
147
Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 15543s.tif
Fuses and the most important
circuits they protectSome circuits may be protected by several
fuses.
The figures on pages 147, 148 depict
the fuse boxes of vehicles with engine
Z13DTJ
1). Fuse boxes of other engines
are depicted on pages 149, 150.
Picture no:
1)Sales designation
3184.
No. Circuit
1
Central control unit
2
Engine control unit
No. Circuit
3
Instruments, information display,
light switch, horn, hazard warning
lamps, electronic immobiliser
4
Towing equipment, number plate
lampsNo. Circuit
5
Electric window (left)
6
–
7
–
8
Starter
9
Fuel injection system, fuel pump,
stationary heater
10
Horn
11
Central control unit
12
Information display, infotainment
system
13
Anti-theft alarm system
14
Exterior mirrors
15
Windscreen washer system
16
Courtesy lamp
17
Central control unit
18
–
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148 Self-help, vehicle care
Picture no: 15544s.tif Picture no:
No. Circuit
19
Electric window (right)
20
–
21
–
22
Central control unit, immobilizer
23
Windscreen wipers
24
Infotainment system,
information display, light switch,
courtesy lamp, instruments, EPS
No. Circuit
25
Reversing lamps, cigarette lighter,
accessory socket No. Circuit
26
Seat heater (right)