CAUTION■If the lever is held firm and not pushed downwards as far as it can go, it will go
back up after the ball rod is removed and will not latch into the ready position.
The ball rod then needs to be brought into this position before the next time it is installed.■
Stow the ball rod in the ready position with the key inserted in the box. When
doing so, make the side opposite to the inserted key face downwards - risk of damaging the key!
■
Do not use excessive force when handling the operating lever (e.g. do not climb
on it)!
Note
Remove any dirt from the ball rod before stowing it away in the box with the ve-
hicle tool kit.
Operation and maintenance
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 106.
Seal the mounting recess with the cap to prevent any ingress of dirt.
Always check the ball head before hitching a trailer. Use a suitable lubricating grease where necessary.
Include the protective cap when stowing away the ball rod to protect the boot
from getting contaminated.
In the event of dirt, clean the surfaces of the mounting recess and treat with a
suitable preservative.
CAUTION
Apply lubricating grease to the upper part of the mounting recess. Make sure you
do not remove any grease.
Loading a trailer
The vehicle/trailer combination must be balanced. whereby the maximum permis- sible drawbar load must be utilised. If the drawbar load is too low, it jeopardisesthe performance of the vehicle/trailer combination.
Distribution of the load
Distribute the load in the trailer in such a way that heavy items are located as
close to the axle as possible. Secure the items from slipping.
The distribution of the weight is very poor if your vehicle is unladen and the trail-
er is laden. Drive at a particularly low speed if you cannot avoid driving with this
combination.
Tyre pressure
Correct the tyre inflation pressure on your vehicle for a “full load” » page 182,
Tyre life .
Trailer load
The permissible trailer load must not be exceeded under any circumstan-
ces » page 207 , Technical data .
The trailer loads specified apply only to altitudes up to 1 000 metres above mean
sea level.
The engine output falls as the height increases, as does the ability to climb.
Therefore, for every additional 1 000 m in height (every one begun), the maximum
permissible towed weight must be reduced by 10 %.
The towed weight comprises the actual weight of the (loaded) towing vehicle and the (loaded) trailer.
The trailer and drawbar load information on the type plate of the towing device are merely test data for the towing device. The vehicle-specific values are de-tailed in the vehicle documents.WARNING■ Do not exceed the maximum permissible axle and drawbar load and the
maximum permissible total or towed weight of the vehicle and the trailer -
risk of accident and serious injuries!■
Always drive particularly carefully with the trailer.
■
Slipping loads can significantly affect the stability and safety of the vehicle/
trailer combination - risk of accident and serious injuries!
109Towing a trailer
Safety
Passive Safety
General information
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Safety equipment
138
Before setting off
138
What influences the driving safety?
139
In this section you will find important information, tips and notes on the subject
of passive safety in your vehicle. We have combined everything here which you
should be familiar with, for example, regarding seat belts, airbags, child seats and safety of children. It is therefore important, in particular, to comply with the notes
and warnings in this section for your own interest and in the interest of those
travelling with you.
WARNING■ This chapter contains important information on how to use the vehicle for
the driver and his occupants. You will find further information on safety, which concerns you and those travelling with you, in the following chapters of this
Owner's Manual.■
The complete on-board literature should always be in the vehicle. This ap-
plies in particular, if you rent out or sell the vehicle.
Safety equipment
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 138.
The following list contains part of the safety equipment in your vehicle:
› three-point seat belts for all the seats;
› belt force limiters for the front seats;
›
belt tensioners for front seats;
› seat belt height adjusters for front seats;
› Front airbag for the driver and the front seat passenger;
› driver’s knee airbag;
› front side airbags;
› rear side airbags;
› head airbags;
› anchoring points for child seat using the ISOFIX system;
› anchoring points for child seat using the TOP TETHER system;
› head restraints adjustable for height;
› adjustable steering column.
The specified safety equipment works together, in order to optimally protect you
and those travelling with you in accident situations. The safety equipment does
not protect you or the people travelling with you, if you or your occupants adopt
an incorrect seated position or the equipment is not correctly adjusted or used. If
the seat belt is not fastened properly, this may result in injuries during an acci-
dent caused by the deployed airbag.
Before setting off
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 138.
For your own safety and the safety of the people travelling with you, please pay
attention to the following points before setting off.
› Ensure that the lighting and the turn signal system are functioning properly.
› Check the tyre inflation pressure.
› Ensure that all of the windows offer good visibility to the outside.
› Secure all items of luggage
» page 64, Boot .
› Ensure that no objects can obstruct the pedals.
› Adjust the mirrors, the front seat and head restraint to your body size.
› Advise your passengers to adjust the head restraints to their body size.
› Protect children in suitable child seats with correctly fastened seat
belts » page 154 , Transporting children safely .
› Adopt the correct seated position
» page 139, Correct seated position . Tell your
passengers to assume the correct seated position.
› Correctly fasten the seat belt. Also inform passengers to fasten the seat belt
correctly » page 142 , Seat belts .
138Safety
Index
A
ABS Function
113
Warning light17
Accessories165
Active driver-steering recommendation (DSR)112
Adjusting Exterior mirror
58
Interior mirror57
Adjusting seats139
Adjustment Seat
60
Aerial160
see Radio reception162
Airbag146
Deployment146
Front airbag147
Head airbag150
Knee airbag148
Side airbag149
Airbag system146
Air conditioning system Air outlets
82
Climatronic86
Manual air conditioning system84
Air outlets82
Alarm35
Anti-theft alarm system35
Antilock brake system113
Armrest Front
76
rear64
Ashtray70
Assist systems ABS
17, 113
Cruise control systems (CCS)119
EDL114
ESC17, 112
Headlight assist47
Lane Assist126
Park Assist116
Parking aid114
ProActive passenger protection125
Select driving mode124
START/STOP121
TCS16, 113
Auto Check Control12
Automatic driving lamp control45
Automatic gearbox Dynamic shift programme
132
Emergency programme132
Kickdown132
Selector lever-emergency unlocking133
Selector lever lock131
Selector lever positions130
Starting-off and driving130
Tiptronic131
Automatic load deactivation180
Automatic transmission129
Auxiliary heating and cooling system Switching on/off
89
Auxiliary heating (auxiliary heating and ventila- tion)
88
setting90
B
Ball rod Check attachment
108
installing107
Ready position107
removing108
Battery Replacing the battery in the remote control(aux-
iliary heating)
91
Before setting off138
Belt tensioners145
Bonnet Closing171
Opening171
Boot Cover
67
Fastening elements65
Fixing of the floor covering66
Light65
see Boot lid37
Boot lid37
Automatic locking38
Brake booster97
Brake fluid Checking
175
Brake pads Indicator light
20
Brakes Brake assist systems
112
Brake booster97
Handbrake98
Running in100
Warning light14
Braking Brake fluid
175
Information for braking97
Breakdown kit192
Break recommendation see Fatigue detection
27
Bulbs Replacing
202
Button in the driver's door Electrical power windows
38
C
Car computer see Multifunction display
22
Car jack188
Carrier68
Catalytic converter100
Central locking button32
212Index
Central locking system29
Changes165
Changing Engine oil
173
Wheels189
Charge level indicator of the vehicle battery
11
Charge level indicator vehicle battery
11
Charging a vehicle battery179
Checking Battery electrolyte level
179
Brake fluid175
Coolant level174
Engine oil172
Oil level172
Windscreen washer fluid176
Children and safety154
Child safety Side airbag
156
Child safety lock29
Child safety seat Use of child safety seats
156
Child seat Classification
156
ISOFIX157
on the front passenger seat155
TOP TETHER158
Use of child seats157
Chrome parts refer to Taking care of your vehicle
161
Cigarette lighter70
Cleaning159
Alcantara164
Artificial leather164
Cloths164
Headlight lenses162
Material coverings164
Natural leather164
Plastic parts162
Wheels163
Climatronic86
Clock11
Clothes hooks79
Cockpit Ashtray
70
Cigarette lighter70
General view7
Light51
Sockets71
Storage compartments72
Compartments72
Computer see Multifunction display
22
Coolant Checking
174
Replenishing175
Coolant temperature gauge display
10
Correct seated position139
Counter for distance driven11
Cruise control system (CCS)119
D
Daylight driving light
44
De-icing the windscreen and rear window52
Deactivating an airbag
151
Deactivating an airbag151
Delayed locking of the boot lid see Boot lid
38
Diesel refer to Fuel
169
Diesel fuel Operation in winter
169
Diesel particulate filter18
Digital clock11
Dipstick172
Display Service interval
11
Distance driven11
Door Child safety lock
29
Door locking Emergency
36
Doors Emergency locking
36
Driving Abroad
104
Driving through water on the street104
Emissions207
Fuel consumption207
Driving mode see Select driving mode
124
E
Economical and environmentally friendly driving
101
EDL114
Electrical power windows Button in the driver's door
38, 39
Button in the rear doors40
Central locking system40
Operational faults41
Electronic differential lock (EDL)114
Electronic immobiliser93
Emergency Automatic gearbox
133
Changing a wheel189
Door locking36
Hazard warning light system49
Jump-starting195
KESSY - start engine97
Locking the driver's door36
Towing the vehicle196
Tyre repair192
Unlocking the driver's door36
Unlocking the luggage compartment lid38
Emissions207
213Index
Towing196
Towing a trailer106
Towing device Description
106
Drawbar load106
Towing eye front
197
Rear197
Towing protection36
Traction control system (TCS)113
Traffic sign recognition25
Traffic signs see Traffic sign recognition
25
Trailer106
13-pin power socket110
driving with a trailer110
loading109
Safety eye110
Transport Boot
64
Roof rack system68
Transporting children safely154
Two-way radio systems134
Type plate207
Tyre control display Calibration
185
Tyre load-bearing capacity see Wheels
184
Tyre repair192
Tyres see Wheels
183
U
Underbody protection
163
Unlocking Remote control
32
Unlock the vehicle Keys
31
V
Vehicle battery Automatic load deactivation
180
charging179
Checking the electrolyte level179
Operation in winter179
replacing179
Safety instructions176
Vehicle care Alcantara
164
Artificial leather164
Cloths164
Vehicle Condition see Auto Check Control
12
Vehicle data sticker207
Vehicle dimensions208
Vehicle height208
vehicle identification number - VIN (vehicle body number)
207
Vehicle key28
Vehicle length208
Vehicle tool kit188
Vehicle width208
Vest Holder for reflex vest
74
Visors see Sun screen
53
see Sun visors53
W
Warning lights
12
Warning symbols see Warning lights
12
Warning triangle188
Washing159
Automatic car wash system160
by hand160
Chrome parts161
High-pressure cleaner161
Weights207
Wheel bolts Anti-theft wheel bolt
192
Caps185
Loosening and tightening191
Wheel rims181
Wheels Bolts
186
changing189
Full trim185
General information181
Load index184
Low-profile tyres184
new tyres183
replacing wheels182
Snow chains186
Spare wheel184
Speed symbol183
Store wheels182
Tyre inflation pressure182
Tyre life182
Winter tyres186
Window Interior mirror
57
Window convenience operation40
Windows De-icing
162
See Electrical power windows38
Windscreen heating
52
see Radio reception162
Windscreen washer fluid Checking
176
Replenishing176
Warning light19
Winter176
Windscreen washer system176
Windscreen wipers54
217Index