Page 145 of 231
Driving and operating143
Checking the tensioning of the
coupling ball bar
■ The rotary knob rests on the
coupling ball bar.
■ Green marking on the rotary knob is not visible.
■ Locking pin at the top of the coupling ball bar is set inwards.
■ The key is in the lock.
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before it is inserted into
the coupling housing:
■ Place the key in the lock and unlock
the coupling ball bar.
■ Push the rotary knob onto the coupling ball bar and rotate right
while pressed down until it
engages. The key remains in the
lock.
Inserting the coupling ball bar
Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar
in the opening and push firmly
upwards until it audibly engages.
The rotary knob snaps back into its
original position resting against the
coupling ball bar without a gap.
9 Warning
Do not touch rotary knob during
insertion.
Page 146 of 231

144Driving and operating
Green marking on the rotary knob is
visible.
Lock coupling ball bar and remove key.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach breakaway stopping cable to
eye.
Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly installed
■ Green marking on rotary knob is visible.
■ There must be no gap between the
rotary knob and the coupling ball
bar.
■ The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
■ The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when a coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bardoes not engage correctly, seekthe assistance of a workshop.
Dismounting the coupling ball
bar
Insert the key in the lock and unlock
the coupling ball bar.
Push the rotary knob onto the
coupling ball bar and rotate right while pressed down until it engages. Pull
out the ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening for
coupling ball bar. Fold away socket.
Place cover on bumper and push both bolts outwards.
Page 147 of 231

Vehicle care145Vehicle careGeneral Information...................145
Vehicle checks ........................... 146
Bulb replacement .......................153
Electrical system ........................166
Vehicle tools .............................. 170
Wheels and tyres .......................172
Jump starting ............................. 187
Towing ....................................... 189
Appearance care .......................191General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend using genuine parts and accessories and factory
approved parts specific for your
vehicle type. We cannot assess or guarantee reliability of other products
- even if they have a regulatory or
otherwise granted approval.
Do not make any modifications to the electrical system, e.g. changes of
electronic control units (chip tuning).Caution
When transporting the vehicle on
a train or on a recovery vehicle, the
mud flaps might be damaged.
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of time
The following must be carried out if
the vehicle is to be stored for several
months:
■ Wash and wax the vehicle.
■ Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
■ Clean and preserve rubber seals.
■ Fill up fuel tank completely.
■ Change engine oil.
■ Drain washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park vehicle in dry, well ventilated place. Engage first or reverse gear
or set selector lever to P. Prevent
the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply parking brake.
Page 148 of 231

146Vehicle care
■ Open bonnet, close all doors andlock the vehicle.
■ Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery. Beware that all systems are not functional, e.g. anti-theft alarm
system.
Putting back into operation Following must be done if the vehicle
is putting back into operation:
■ Connect the clamp to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery.
Activate the electronics of the
power windows.
■ Check tyre pressure.
■ Fill up the washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check the engine oil level.
■ Check the coolant level.
■ Fit the number plate if necessary.
End-of-life vehicle
recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle
recovery centres and the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles is available on ourwebsite, where legally required. Only
entrust this work to an authorised
recycling centre.
Gas vehicles must be recycled by a
service centre authorised for gas
vehicles.Vehicle checks
Performing work9 Warning
Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The cooling fan may start
operating even if the ignition is off.
Page 149 of 231
Vehicle care1479Danger
The ignition system and Xenon
headlights use extremely high
voltage. Do not touch.
The caps for topping up the engine oil, the coolant, the washer fluid and the
oil dipstick handle are yellow, for ease
of identification.
Bonnet
Opening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
Lift the safety catch upwards and
open the bonnet.
Air intake 3 113.
Secure the bonnet support.
If the bonnet is opened during an Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Closing Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to drop
into the catch. Check that the bonnet
is engaged.
Page 150 of 231
148Vehicle careEngine oilCheck the engine oil level manuallyon a regular basis to prevent damage
to the engine. Ensure that the correct
specification of oil is used.
Recommended fluids and lubricants
3 195.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 5 minutes.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, insert it to the stop on the handle, pull out and read the engine oil level.
Insert dipstick to the stop on the
handle and make half a turn.
Different dipsticks are used
depending on engine variant.
When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top up
engine oil.
We recommend the use of the same
grade of engine oil that was used at
the last oil change.
The engine oil level must not exceed
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out.
Capacities 3 216.
Page 151 of 231
Vehicle care149
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Engine coolant The coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -28 °C.Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant level
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause engine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
KALT/COLD mark. Top up if the level
is low.
9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
Top up with antifreeze. If no
antifreeze is available, use clean tap
water or distilled water. Install the cap
tightly. Have the antifreeze
concentration checked and have the
cause of the coolant loss remedied by a workshop.
Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of washer fluid which
contains antifreeze.
Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Page 152 of 231

150Vehicle careBrakesA squealing noise indicates that the
brake lining is at its minimum
thickness. Continued driving is
possible but have the brake lining
replaced as soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and the MAX marks.
If fluid level is below MIN seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 195.
Vehicle battery Vehicles without stop-start system
will be equipped with a lead acid
battery. Vehicles with stop-start
system will be equipped with an
AGM battery which is not a lead acid
battery.
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
4 weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off
before connecting or disconnecting
the vehicle battery.