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Driving and operating209Trailer 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 plate3 263.
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
60 mph 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.
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210Driving and operating9Warning
Make sure that no one is in the
pivot zone of the coupling ball bar. Risk of body injury.
When releasing the stowed
coupling ball bar, make sure to
stand left of the grip.
Release stowed coupling ball
bar
Pull the grip located left to the number
plate under the rear bumper fascia at an angle of approx. 45° to the ground.
A buzzing tone sounds as a warning
when the release handle is pulled out and the ball neck is disengaged.
Take the released coupling ball bar
and raise it up until it engages.
Ensure the coupling ball bar is
correctly engaged and the released
handle is guided back to its hidden
initial position, otherwise the buzzing tone will not stop.
Stow/hide coupling ball bar
Pull the grip located left of the number
plate under the rear bumper fascia at an angle of approx. 45° to the ground.
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Driving and operating211
A buzzing tone sounds as a warning
when the release handle is pulled out and the ball neck is disengaged.
With the flat of the hand, swivel the
released coupling ball bar to the right
until it engages under the floor. Make sure that the release handle is back inits hidden initial position, otherwise
the buzzing tone will not stop.9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when the coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bar
does not engage correctly or if the
release handle is impossible to guide to its hidden initial position in the housing or if the buzzing tone
sounds after engaging the
coupling ball bar, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach break-away stopping cable to
eye.
Trailer stability assist
If 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 3 166.
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212Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................212
Vehicle checks ........................... 213
Bulb replacement .......................221
Electrical system ........................232
Vehicle tools .............................. 238
Wheels and tyres .......................239
Jump starting ............................. 252
Towing ....................................... 253
Appearance care .......................257General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend to use 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 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.
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Vehicle care231
2. Remove lamp downwards, takingcare not to pull on the cable.
3. Remove bulb holder from lamphousing by turning anticlockwise.
4. Pull bulb from bulb holder andreplace it.
5. Insert bulb holder into lamp housing and turn clockwise.
6. Insert lamp into bumper and let engage.
Interior lights Courtesy light, reading lights
Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.
Load compartment light
1. Prise the lamp out with a screwdriver.
2.Press bulb slightly towards spring
clip and remove.
3. Insert new bulb.
4. Install lamp.
Instrument panel
illumination
Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.
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238Vehicle care
No.Circuit17–18–19Side obstacle detector20Side obstacle detector, venti‐
lated front seats21Active damping system, High
beam assist, Cruise control,
Traffic sign assistant, Lane
departure warning, trailer
module22Anti-theft alarm system23All-wheel drive, anti-theft alarm
system24–25–26–27–28–No.Circuit29Trailer module, transportation
fuse30Side obstacle detector31–32–33–34Sunroof35–36–37–Vehicle tools
Tools
Vehicles with tyre repair kit
The tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a tool box below the floor cover
in the load compartment.
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Vehicle care239
Vehicles with spare wheel
The jack with wheel wrench, the tools,
an extension bolt for securing a
damaged wheel and the towing eye
are placed in the tool box below the
spare wheel in the load compartment. Spare wheel 3 249.
Wheels and tyres
Tyre condition, wheel condition
Drive over edges slowly and at right
angles if possible. Driving over sharp
edges can cause tyre and wheel
damage. Do not trap tyres on the kerb when parking.
Regularly check the wheels for
damage. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in the event of damage or
unusual wear.
Winter tyres Winter tyres improve driving safety at
temperatures below 7 °C and should
therefore be fitted on all wheels.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker in
the driver's field of view.
All tyre sizes are permitted as winter
tyres 3 288.
5-door Hatchback, 4-door Saloon,
Sports Tourer
Use tyre size 205/60 R 16 and
235/45 R 18 only as winter tyres.Tyre designations
E.g. 215/60 R 16 95 H215=Tyre width, mm60=Cross-section ratio (tyre
height to tyre width), %R=Belt type: RadialRF=Type: RunFlat16=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. This also applies to vehicles
with tyre pressure monitoring system.
Unscrew the valve cap.
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Vehicle care245
3. Remove the electrical connectioncable and air hose from the
stowage compartments on the
underside of the compressor.
4. Screw the compressor air hose to
the connection on the sealant
bottle.
5. Fit the sealant bottle into the retainer on the compressor.
Set the compressor near the tyre
in such a way that the sealant
bottle is upright.
6. Unscrew valve cap from defective
tyre.
7. Screw the filler hose to the tyre valve.
8. The switch on the compressor must be set to J.
9. Connect the compressor plug to
the power outlet or cigarette
lighter socket.
To avoid discharging the battery,
we recommend running the
engine.
10. Set the rocker switch on the compressor to I. The tyre is filled
with sealant.
11. The compressor pressure gauge briefly indicates up to 6 bar whilstthe sealant bottle is emptying
(approx. 30 seconds). Then the
pressure starts to drop.