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Driving and operating215
General informationThe official fuel consumption and
specific CO 2 emission figures quoted
relate to the EU base model with standard equipment.
Fuel consumption data and CO 2
emission data are determined
according to regulation
R (EC) No. 715/2007 (in the latest
applicable version), taking into
consideration the vehicle weight in
running order, as specified by the regulation.
The figures are provided only for the
purpose of comparison between
different vehicle variants and must
not be taken as a guarantee for the
actual fuel consumption of a
particular vehicle. Additional
equipment may result in slightly
higher results than the stated
consumption and CO 2 figures.
Furthermore, fuel consumption is
dependent on personal driving style
as well as road and traffic conditions.Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
The bulb outage detection function for trailer brake light cannot detect a
partial bulb outage, e.g. in case of 4 x
5 Watt bulbs, the function only detects lamp outage when only a single
5 Watt lamp remains or none remain.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball
bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle.Driving characteristics and
towing tips Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do so if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1300 kg (Sports tourer: 1200 kg) the
use of a stabiliser is strongly
recommended when driving above
50 mph.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 306.
Page 218 of 329

216Driving 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
3 284.
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 (75 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
60 kg , the gross vehicle weight rating
may be exceeded by 60 kg. If the
permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
60 mph applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
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Driving and operating219
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 must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
■ There must be no gap between the
rotary handle 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
Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold away socket.
All versions except 3-door hatchback:
Attach the rear side of the cover into
the recess of the bumper and fold the
front side upward.
Press fastenings outward.
Page 222 of 329
220Driving and operatingTrailer stability assistIf the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is
selectively braked until the snaking ceases. While system is working keep steering wheel as still as possible.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Control 3 175.
Page 256 of 329
254Vehicle care
Fuse assignmentsNo.Circuit1–2Trailer outlet3Parking assist4–5–6–7Power seat8–9–10–11Trailer module, trailer socket12Trailer module13Trailer outlet14Rear seat, electrical folding15–16Inside mirror, rear view camera17Power outletNo.Circuit18–19Steering wheel heating20Sunroof21Heated front seats22–23–24–25–26–27–28–29–30–31Amplifier, subwoofer32Active damping system, lane
departure warning
Page 328 of 329

326
Towing the vehicle .....................275
Traction Control system ............. 174
Traction Control system off ........ 117
Traffic sign assistant ...................204
Trailer coupling ........................... 215
Trailer stability assist .................220
Trailer towing ............................. 216
Transmission ............................... 18
Transmission display .................167
Tread depth ............................... 261
Trip computer ............................ 130
Trip odometer ............................ 108
Turn and lane-change signals ...145
Turn signal ................................. 113
Tyre chains ................................ 262
Tyre designations ......................257
Tyre pressure ............................ 257
Tyre pressure monitoring system ............................ 117, 258
Tyre pressures ........................... 306
Tyre repair kit ............................. 262
U Ultrasonic parking assist ...116, 195
Underseat storage .......................62
Upholstery .................................. 280
Upshift ........................................ 116
Using this manual ..........................3V
Vehicle battery ........................... 226
Vehicle checks............................ 222
Vehicle data ................................ 286
Vehicle data recording and privacy ..................................... 319
Vehicle detected ahead ..............119
Vehicle dimensions .................... 303
Vehicle Identification Number ....284
Vehicle jack ................................ 255
Vehicle messages .....................126
Vehicle personalisation .............132
Vehicle security ............................ 28
Vehicle specific data ......................3
Vehicle storage ........................... 221
Vehicle tools ............................... 255
Vehicle unlocking ........................... 6
Vehicle weight ........................... 298
Ventilation ................................... 151
W
Warning chimes .........................129
Warning lights ............................. 108
Warning triangle .......................... 94
Washer and wiper systems .........16
Washer fluid ............................... 226
Wheel changing .........................265
Wheel covers ............................. 261
Wheels and tyres .......................257Windows....................................... 33
Windscreen................................... 33
Windscreen wiper/washer .........102
Winter tyres ............................... 257
Wiper blade replacement ..........228