16In brief
Manual transmission automatedN=neutral positiono=drive position+=higher gear-=lower gearA/M=switch between automatic
and manual modeR=reverse gear (with selector
lever lock)
Manual transmission automated
3 108.
Starting off
Check before starting-off ■ Tyre pressure and condition 3 143,
3 174.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 127.
■ All windows, mirrors, exterior lighting and number plates are free
from dirt, snow and ice and are
operational.
■ Proper position of mirrors, seats, and seat belts 3 27, 3 33,
3 39.
■ Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.Starting the engine
■ Turn key to position MAR
■ move the steering wheel slightly to release the steering wheel lock
■ operate clutch and brake
■ manual transmission automated: operate brake, the transmission
automatically shifts to N (neutral)
■ do not operate accelerator pedal
60Storage
luggage (7 kg) and all fluids (tank
90 % full).
Optional equipment and
accessories increase the kerb
weight.
■ Driving with a roof load increases the sensitivity of the vehicle to
cross-winds and has a detrimental
effect on vehicle handling due to
the vehicle's higher centre of
gravity. Distribute the load evenly
and secure it properly with retaining
straps. Adjust the tyre pressure and
vehicle speed according to the load conditions. Check and retighten the
straps frequently.
Do not drive faster than 75 mph.
The permissible roof load (which
includes the weight of the roof rack)
is 100 kg. The roof load is the
combined weight of the roof rack
and the load.
Driving and operating113
To release the parking brake, pull thelever up slightly, press the release
button and fully lower the lever.
To reduce the operating forces of the
parking brake, depress the foot brake
at the same time.
A warning chime will sound if a certain speed is exceeded with the parking
brake applied.
Notice
The volume of the warning chime
can also be adjusted via the Driver
Information Centre 3 79.
Control indicator R 3 74.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further two seconds.
The brakes release automatically as
soon as the vehicle begins to
accelerate.
If control indicator Z illuminates
while driving, there is a fault in the Hill
start assist 3 75 . Seek the assistance
of a workshop to have the fault
remedied.
The Hill start assist is not active
during an Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 103.Ride control systems
Traction Control system
The Anti-Slip Regulator (ASR) is a
component of the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP).
ASR improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
ASR is operational as soon as the
control indicator x extinguishes.
When ASR is active, control indicator x flashes.
Driving and operating123Towing
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Vehicles with natural gas engine may
require special towing equipment.
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.
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, lubricatethe 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 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 3 174.
Trailer towing Trailer 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
3 161.
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.
Vehicle care125Vehicle careGeneral Information...................125
Vehicle checks ........................... 126
Bulb replacement .......................132
Electrical system ........................138
Vehicle tools .............................. 142
Wheels and tyres .......................142
Jump starting ............................. 152
Towing ....................................... 153
Appearance care .......................155General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend the use of 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
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 the rubber seals.
■ Fill up fuel tank completely.
■ Change the engine oil.
■ Drain the washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check the coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park the vehicle in a dry, well ventilated place. Engage first orreverse gear to prevent the vehicle
from rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.
126Vehicle care
■ Open the bonnet, close all doorsand lock the vehicle.
■ Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery. Beware that all systems are not functional, e.g. anti-theft lockingsystem.
Putting back into operation When the vehicle is to be put 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 plates 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 our website. Only entrust this work to an
authorised recycling centre.
Natural gas vehicles must be recycled by a service centre authorised for
natural 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.
Vehicle care143Tyre designationsE.g. 215/60 R 16 95 H215=Tyre width, mm60=Cross-section ratio (tyre
height to tyre width), %R=Belt type: RadialRF=Type: RunFlatC=Cargo or commercial use16=Wheel diameter, inches95=Load index e.g. 95 is
equivalent to 690 kgH=Speed code letter
Speed code letter:
Q=up to 100 mphS=up to 112 mphT=up to 118 mphH=up to 130 mphV=up to 150 mphW=up to 168 mph
Tyre pressure
Check the pressure of cold tyres at
least every 14 days and before any
long journey. Do not forget the spare
wheel.
Unscrew the valve cap.
Tyre pressure 3 174.
The tyre pressure data refers to cold
tyres. It applies to summer and winter tyres.
Always inflate the spare tyre to the
pressure specified for full load.
Incorrect tyre pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and fuel economy and will increase tyre
wear.
The driver is responsible for correct
adjustment of tyre pressures.9 Warning
If the pressure is too low, this can
result in considerable tyre warm-
up and internal damage, leading to tread separation and even to tyre
blow-out at high speeds.
Tread depth
Check tread depth at regular
intervals.
Tyres should be replaced for safety
reasons at a tread depth of 2-3 mm (4 mm for winter tyres).
For safety reasons, it is
recommended that the tread depth of
the tyres on one axle should not vary
by more than 2 mm.
The legally permissible minimum
tread depth (1.6 mm) has been
reached when the tread has worn
down as far as one of the tread wear
indicators (TWI). Their position is
indicated by markings on the
sidewall.
If there is more wear at the front than
the rear, swap round front wheels and
rear wheels periodically. Ensure that
the direction of rotation of the wheels
is the same as before.
144Vehicle care
Tyres age, even if they are not used.
We recommend tyre replacement
every 6 years.
Changing tyre and wheel
size
If tyres of a different size than those
fitted at the factory are used, it may be necessary to reprogramme the
speedometer as well as the nominal
tyre pressure and make other vehicle modifications.
After converting to a different tyre
size, have the label with tyre
pressures replaced.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheels
may lead to accidents and will
invalidate the vehicle type
approval.
Wheel covers
Wheel covers and tyres that are
factory approved for the respective
vehicle and comply with all of the
relevant wheel and tyre combination requirements must be used.
If the wheel covers and tyres used are
not factory approved, the tyres must
not have a rim protection ridge.
Wheel covers must not impair brake
cooling.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel
covers could lead to sudden
pressure loss and thereby
accidents.
Tyre chains
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
front wheels.
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain lock).
Do not exceed 30 mph when tyre
chains are fitted.
9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.