Page 249 of 317

Checking and refilling levels247
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
charge. Never short the battery terminals. High-energy sparks can cause 
injury.
•A highly explosive mixture of gases is released when the battery is 
under charge. The batteries should be charged in a well-ventilated room 
only.•Keep children away from acid and batteries.•Before working on the electrical system, you must switch off the 
engine, the ignition and all consumers. The negative cable on the battery 
must be disconnected. When a light bulb is changed, you need only switch 
off the light.•Deactivate the anti-theft alarm by unlocking the vehicle before you 
disconnect the battery! The alarm will otherwise be triggered.•When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle electrical system, 
disconnect first the negative cable and then the positive cable.•Switch off all electrical consumers before reconnecting the battery. 
Reconnect first the positive cable and then the negative cable. Never 
reverse the polarity of the connections. This could cause an electrical fire.•Never charge a frozen battery, or one which has thawed. This could 
result in explosions and chemical burns. Always replace a battery which 
has frozen. A flat battery can freeze at temperatures around 0 °C.•Ensure that the vent hose is always connected to the battery.•Never use a defective battery. This could cause an explosion. Replace a 
damaged battery immediately.Caution
•Never disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched on or if the engine 
is running. This could damage the electrical system or electronic compo-
nents.•Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of time, as 
the intense ultraviolet radiation can damage the battery housing.
•If the vehicle is left standing in cold conditions for a long period, protect 
the battery from freezing. If it freezes it will be damaged.Checking the electrolyte level
The electrolyte level should be checked regularly in high-
mileage vehicles, in hot countries and in older batteries.– Open the engine bonnet and the battery cover  ⇒ in “Safety 
instructions on working in  the engine compartment” on 
page 232  ⇒ in “Warnings on handling the battery” on 
page 246.
– Check the colour display in the "magic eye" on the top of the  battery.
– If there are air bubbles in the window, tap the window gently until  they disperse.The position of the battery is shown in the corresponding engine compart-
ment diagram  ⇒page 291.
The “magic eye” indicator, located on the top of the battery changes colour, 
depending on the charge state and electrolyte level of the battery.
There are two different colours:•Black: correct charge status.•Transparent/clear yellow: the battery must be replaced. Contact a 
specialist workshop.
WARNING (continued)
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        Page 253 of 317
Wheels and tyres251
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
For the sake of the environment
Under-inflated tyres lead to increased fuel consumption and tyre wear.Significant tyre pressure lossThe tyre symbol 
 ~ is displayed and indicates that the tyre pressure of at least 
one tyre is insufficient.
–Stop the vehicle.
– Switch the engine off.
– Check the tyre(s).
– Change the wheel if necessary. 
Tyre ser vice life 
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving 
style and fitting.
Fig. 172  Tyre tread wear 
indicatorsFig. 173  Diagram for 
changing wheels
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        Page 284 of 317

If and when
282How to jump start: descriptionJump lead terminal connections
1.  Switch off the ignition of both vehicles  ⇒. 2.  Connect one end of the 
red jump lead to the positive terminal 
⇒ fig. 203   or ⇒fig. 204    of the vehicle with the flat 
battery .
3.  Connect the other end of the  red jump lead to the positive 
terminal   in the vehicle providing assistance  .
4. On vehicles  with no Start-Stop system , connect one end of the 
black jump lead to the negative terminal   in the vehicle 
providing assistance    ⇒fig. 203 .
5. On vehicles  with the Start-Stop system , connect one end of the 
black  jump lead   to a suitable ground terminal, to a solid metal 
part bolted to the engine block or to the engine block itself 
⇒ fig. 204 .
6.  Connect the other end of the black  jump lead   to a solid metal 
component bolted to the engine block or to the engine block 
itself of the vehicle with the flat battery. Do not connect it to a 
point near the battery  .
7.  Position the leads in such a way that they cannot come into  contact with any moving parts in the engine compartment.
Starting
8.  Start the engine of the vehicle with the boosting battery and let  it run at idling speed.
9.  Start the engine of the vehicle with the flat battery and wait one  or two minutes until the engine is running.
Removing the jump leads
10. Before you remove the jump leads, switch off the headlights (if  they are switched on).
Fig. 203  Diagram for 
connecting jump leads if 
the vehicle providing 
assistance the current is 
not fitted with the Start-
Stop system: flat battery  and battery providing 
current .AA
AB
Fig. 204  Diagram for 
connecting jump leads if 
the vehicle providing 
assistance is fitted with 
the Start-Stop system: 
flat battery   and 
battery providing current  .
AA
AB
A+
A+
AAA+
AB
A-
AB
AX
AX
AA
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        Page 293 of 317
Technical Specifications291
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Technical SpecificationsChecking fluid levelsFrom time to time, the levels of the different  fluids in the 
vehicle must be checked. Never fill with incorrect fluids, 
otherwise serious damage to the engine may be caused.
Coolant expansion tank
Windscreen washer fluid reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
Engine oil dipstick
Brake fluid reservoir
Vehicle battery (underneath the cover)
The checking and refilling of service fluids are carried out on the components 
mentioned above. These operations are described in the  ⇒page 232. Overview
You will find further explanations, instructions and restrictions on the tech-
nical specifications as of 
⇒page 287.
Fig. 208  Diagram for the 
location of the various 
elements
A1A2A3A4A5A6
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