Page 212 of 321

210Driving and operatingTrailer towingTrailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 %.
The permitted 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 due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross train weight also decreases by 10 %
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train 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
3 264.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (85 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
trailers. The vertical coupling load
should never fall below 25 kg.Rear axle load
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by
90 kg for the 5-door Hatchback/4-
door Saloon and 85 kg for the Sports
Tourer/Country Tourer, the gross
vehicle weight rating may be
exceeded by 65 kg for the 5-door
Hatchback/4-door Saloon and 60 kg for the Sports Tourer/Country Tourer.
If the permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
100 km/h applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
The folding coupling ball bar
cannot be removed from the
vehicle. When driving without a
trailer, fold in the coupling ball bar.
Page 217 of 321

Vehicle care2159Danger
The ignition system and Xenon
headlights use extremely high
voltage. Do not touch.
Bonnet
Opening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
Move the safety catch sideways to the left vehicle side and open the bonnet.
The bonnet is held open
automatically.
Air intake 3 146.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Stop-start system 3 153.
Closing
Lower the bonnet and allow it to drop into the catch. Check that the bonnet
is engaged.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil manually on aregular basis to prevent damage to
the engine. Ensure that the correct
specification of oil is used.
Recommended fluids and lubricants
3 262.
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.
Page 223 of 321

Vehicle care221
Meaning of symbols:■ No sparks, naked flames or smoking.
■ Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
■ Keep the vehicle battery out of reach of children.
■ The vehicle battery contains sulphuric acid which could cause
blindness or serious burn injuries.
■ See the Owner’s Manual for further
information.
■ Explosive gas may be present in the vicinity of the vehicle battery.Diesel fuel system
bleeding
If the tank has been run dry, the diesel fuel system must be bled. Switch on
the ignition three times for
15 seconds at a time. Then crank the
engine for a maximum of
40 seconds. Repeat this process after
no less than 5 seconds. If the engine
fails to start, seek the assistance of a
workshop.
Wiper blade replacement Wiper blades on the windscreenLift the wiper arm and open the
retaining clip.
Disengage the wiper blade and
remove.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled
to the wiper arm and push until it
engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.
Page 224 of 321
222Vehicle care
Wiper blade on the rear window
Lift the wiper arm. Press the two
catches on the arm, disengage the
wiper blade and remove.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled
to the wiper arm and push until it
engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.
Bulb replacement
Switch off the ignition and switch off
the relevant switch or close the doors.
Only hold a new bulb at the base! Do
not touch the bulb glass with bare
hands.
Use only the same bulb type for
replacement.
Replace headlight bulbs from within
the engine compartment.
Bulb check
After a bulb replacement switch on
the ignition, operate and check the
lights.Halogen headlights
Bi-Halogen Headlight (1) with one
bulb for low and high beam.
Sidelight/Daytime running light (2) .
Front turn signal light (3)
Page 225 of 321
Vehicle care223
Bi-Halogen Headlight (1)
On left vehicle side pull filling pipe out
of the windscreen washer fluid
container.
1. Rotate the cap anticlockwise and remove it.
2. Rotate the bulb holderanticlockwise to disengage.
Withdraw the bulb holder from the
reflector.
3. Disengage the bulb holder from the plug connector by bending
apart slightly the retaining lug.
4. Replace the bulb and connect with the plug.
5. Insert the bulb holder, engaging the two lugs into the reflector and
rotate clockwise to secure.
6. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.
Page 226 of 321
224Vehicle care
Sidelight/Daytime running light(2)
1. Rotate cap anticlockwise and withdraw from the reflector.
2. Press snap-in tongues togetherand move socket out of the
housing.
3. Remove the bulb from the socket by pulling.
4. Replace and insert new bulb into socket.
5. Insert the bulb socket into the housing and let engage.
6. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.
Sidelight/Daytime running light with LEDs
On another version sidelight and
daytime running lights are designed
as LEDs. In case of defective have
LEDs replaced by a workshop.
Front turn light (3)
Page 227 of 321
Vehicle care225
1. Rotate bulb socket anti-clockwiseto disengage. Withdraw the bulb
socket from the housing.
2. Push bulb into socket slightly, rotate anti-clockwise and remove.
3. Replace and insert new bulb into socket by rotating clockwise.
4. Insert bulb socket in reflector, rotate clockwise to engage.
Xenon headlights9 Danger
Adaptive forward lighting system
uses Xenon headlights.
Xenon headlights work under
extremely high electrical voltage.
Do not touch. Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.
Bulbs for front turn signal and
corner lighting can be changed.
Sidelight/Daytime running lights are
designed as Light Emitting Diodes
(LEDs) and cannot be changed.
Corner lighting
1. Rotate the cap anticlockwise and remove it.
Page 229 of 321
Vehicle care227
Sidelight/Daytime running lightSidelight and daytime running lights
are designed as LEDs. In case of
failure, have LEDs replaced by a
workshop.
Fog lights The bulbs are accessible from the
underside of the vehicle.
1. Turn the bulb holder anti- clockwise and remove it from the
reflector.
2. Disengage the bulb socket from the plug connector by pressing
the retaining lug.
3. Remove and replace the bulb socket with bulb and attach the
plug connector.
4. Insert the bulb socket into the reflector and turn clockwise to
engage.
Tail lights
5-door Hatchback/4-door
Saloon
1. Remove cover from the inside of the load compartment.