
Inspecting and replenishing
Fuel
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Refuelling
122
Unleaded petrol
123
Vehicles running on CNG (compressed natural gas) » page 123.
The correct grades of fuel for your vehicle are listed on a sticker affixed to the in-
side of the fuel filler flap » Fig. 99 on page 122.
WARNINGThe national legal requirements must be observed if carrying a spare canister
in the vehicle. We do not recommend carrying any fuel canisters in your vehi-
cle for safety reasons. in the event of an accident, these canisters can become
damaged and fuel may escape – risk of fire!
CAUTION
■ Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty! The irregular supply of fuel
can cause misfiring, which can result in considerable damage to parts of the en-
gine and the exhaust system.■
Immediately remove any fuel that has spilled onto the vehicle's paintwork – risk
of paint damage!
■
If the vehicle was not purchased in the country where it was intended to be op-
erated, you should check whether the fuel specified by the manufacturer is of-
fered in the country where the vehicle will be operated. You should also perhaps
check whether the manufacturer has recommended a different fuel for operation
of the vehicle in the corresponding country. Is this not the case, then you must
check whether it is permitted by the manufacturer to operate the vehicle with an-
other fuel type.
RefuellingFig. 99
Fuel filler
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn- ings on page 122.
Open fuel filler flap
›
Open the fuel filler flap with one hand.
›
Hold the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube with one hand and unlock it by moving it to the left with the vehicle key.
›
Unscrew the filler cap by turning it to the left and place the cap onto the top of
the fuel filler flap » Fig. 99.
Closing the filler cap
›
Turn the filler cap to the right until it clicks into place.
›
Hold the fuel filler cap on the fuel filler tube with one hand and lock it by turn- ing the vehicle key to the right and remove the key.
›
Close the filler cap.
CAUTION
The fuel tank is full just as soon as the pump nozzle switches off for the firsttime, provided the nozzle has been operated properly. Do not continue filling the
fuel tank otherwise the expansion volume is filled up.
Note
The fuel tank has a capacity of about 35 litres
, containing a reserve of approx.
4 litres .
122General Maintenance

Regular gas system checks125Safe natural gas126
Natural gas quality and consumption
126
CNG labels
126WARNING■When operating a CNG-powered vehicle, the national legal requirements
must be observed.■
If a fault occurs or a leak in the natural gas system is suspected or if you
smell gas, proceed as follows: ■Stop immediately and switch off the ignition (this will close the solenoid
valves on the natural gas tanks automatically);
■ Open the doors to ventilate the vehicle sufficiently;
■ Immediately extinguish cigarettes, and remove and switch off other spark-
or fire-causing objects from the vehicle immediately. ■ Seek help from a specialist garage to correct the gas system fault.
■
The following are considered faults on the gas system:
■ Gas leakage from any part of the gas system as well as an error on the
ventilation system.
■ Continuous gas venting through the safety valves.
■ Cracks or damage that could result in a gas leak.
■ Fault in the reduction device, the pressure regulator, gas mixer or in the
injection valves, the pressure gauge, the shut-off or check valves and tank
fixtures.
■ If gas flows into the gas mixer or into the injection valves though the en-
gine is stopped.
■ Exceeding the permissible limits for contaminants in the exhaust gas.
■
Regular gas system checks must be carried out in order to operate a natural
gas vehicle. The vehicle owner is responsible for properly conducted tests.
■
The natural gas tanks must not be exposed to a heat source.
■
Always switch off the ignition in case of an accident or vehicle fire!
■
It is prohibited to drive into automatic car washes, enclosed storage places,
garages and similar areas where it is specifically forbidden to enter with CNG vehicles.
RefuellingFig. 100
Fuel filler
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings on page 123.
The gas filler tube for refuelling with natural gas is located behind the fuel filler
flap next to the petrol filler tube.
The filling couplings of the natural gas refuelling systems may differ in handling.
When refuelling with natural gas at unfamiliar refuelling systems, you should
seek help from trained fuel station staff. If unsure, have the refuelling done by
trained fuel station staff.
The operating instructions of the refuelling system must always be followed.
Open fuel filler flap
›
Open the fuel filler flap with one hand.
›
Remove the cap
1
» Fig. 100 from the gas filler tube
2
.
›
Plug the filling coupling of the refuelling system on the gas filler tube
2
.
The fuel tank is full when the compressor of the refuelling system automatically
switches off. To stop the refuelling operation prematurely, press the “Stop ” but-
ton of the refuelling system.
Closing the filler cap
›
Check that the sealing ring
3
» Fig. 100 has remained in the gas filler tube. If it
has slipped onto the filling coupling, reinsert it into the gas filler tube.
›
Plug the cap
1
onto the gas filler tube.
›
Close the filler cap.
124General Maintenance

In the following situation, it is possible that the tank cannot be fully filled with
natural gas.
› At very high ambient temperatures. The natural gas refuelling systems have
overheating protection. When the ambient temperature reaches a predefined value, the refuelling system automatically switches off.
› If the refuelling system has been in operation for a longer period, the filling
pressure of the natural gas refuelling system slightly drops.WARNING■ Stop the engine before refuelling.■Always switch off your mobile phone, do not smoke and do not use open
flames when refuelling with natural gas – risk of explosion!■
When refuelling, never get into the vehicle. If you have to get into your vehi-
cle in exceptional cases, close the door and touch a metal surface before you
touch the filling coupling again. This will avoid electrostatic discharges, which
may generate sparks. Sparks can cause a fire during refuelling.
■
Natural gas is highly explosive and flammable. Incorrect refuelling or improp-
er handling of natural gas can cause a fire, an explosion and injuries.
Note
■ The natural gas system of your vehicle is suitable both for fuelling from small
compressors (slow fuelling) and for fuelling from natural gas stations with large
compressors (quick fuelling).■
Noises that occur during refuelling represent no risk.
■
If the vehicle is parked for a longer period of time immediately after refuelling,
the situation may arise in which the pointer of the fuel tank gauge does not indi- cate exactly the same level as was the case immediately after refuelling when theengine is restarted. This is not due to any system leakages but a drop in pressurein the natural gas fuel tank due to technical reasons after a cooling phase directly
after refuelling.
■
For frequent short-haul traffic, especially at low outside temperatures, the vehi-
cle is driven more frequently in petrol mode than in natural gas mode. This is why the petrol tank runs empty faster than the natural gas tank.
■
The capacity of the natural gas tank is about 11 kg, of which about 1.5 kg are a
reserve.
■
The capacity of the petrol tank is about 10 l, of which about 5 l are a reserve.
Automatic switching from CNG to petrol mode
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-
ings
on page 123.
The vehicle automatically switches over from CNG mode to petrol mode when the following conditions are met:
› when starting the engine, if the coolant temperature is below 15 °C,
› when the natural gas tank is empty,
› after refuelling with natural gas.
Natural gas as fuel
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 123.
Natural gas is an alternative fuel for motor vehicles. Its main component is meth-
ane (CH 4). The rest is carbon dioxide and lower hydrocarbons.
The strict legal requirements for exhaust emissions of motor vehicles are decisive for the current significance of natural gas. In direct comparison to all other fossil
fuels, natural gas is one of the fuels which cause the lowest emissions.
Natural gas is odourless and lighter than air. For safety reasons, it is saturated
with odorous substances, so that is perceived even in very small amounts.
Regular gas system checks
First read and observe the introductory information and safety warn-ings
on page 123.
Every two years, the following inspections must be carried out:
› Check the condition of the fuel filler cap, filler neck and sealing ring, and clean
sealing ring if necessary.
› Check gas system for leaks.
The following checks must be carried out every four years: › Check gas tank mounting for secure attachment and possible damage.
The gas tank must be filled prior to the regular gas system check.
125Inspecting and replenishing