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Driving and operating109
The engine will be switched off while
the ignition stays on if the required conditions are met.
An Autostop is indicated when Ï
illuminates green in the instrument
cluster.
During an Autostop, the brake
performance will be maintained.
Conditions for an Autostop
The stop-start system checks if each
of the following conditions is fulfilled,
otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited.
■ The stop-start system is not manually deactivated
■ the bonnet is fully closed
■ the driver's door is closed or the driver's seat belt is fastened
■ the vehicle battery is sufficiently charged and in good condition
■ the engine is warmed up
■ the engine coolant temperature is not too high
■ the ambient temperature is not too low
■ the defrosting function is not activated
■ the climate control system does not
inhibit an Autostop
■ the brake vacuum is sufficient
■ the vehicle has moved since the last Autostop
■ the diesel particle filter self- cleaning function is in progress
An Autostop may be less available as
the ambient temperature approaches
freezing point.Certain settings of the climate control system may inhibit an Autostop. See
Climate control chapter for further
information 3 94.
Immediately after motorway driving
an Autostop may be inhibited.
Autostop may also be inhibited
temporarily if the vehicle battery has
been recharged by an external
source.
New vehicle running-in 3 106.
Vehicle battery discharge protection
To ensure reliable engine restarts, several vehicle battery discharge
protection features are implemented
as part of the stop-start system.
Restart of the engine by the
driver
Depress the clutch pedal to restart the
engine. If the selector lever has been
shifted out of N or other conditions are
not met, start using the ignition key.
Control indicator Ï will extinguish in
the instrument cluster when the
engine is restarted.
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118Driving and operatingBrakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 79.
If the brake pads wear to a
predetermined point, the braking
system will require inspection. Seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Control indicator F 3 80.Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.
ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
Control indicator u 3 80.
Fault
If control indicators u and A
illuminate with the messages CHECK
ABS and CHECK ESP in the Driver
Information Centre, there is a fault in the ABS. The brake system remains
operational but without ABS
regulation.9 Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
If control indicators u, A , R and
C illuminate, the ABS and ESP are
deactivated and the message
BRAKING FAULT is shown in the
Driver Information Centre. Seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Page 134 of 201

132Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................132
Vehicle checks ........................... 133
Bulb replacement .......................140
Electrical system ........................148
Vehicle tools .............................. 150
Wheels and tyres .......................151
Jump starting ............................. 160
Towing ....................................... 162
Appearance care .......................164General 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).
Vehicle storage Storage for a long period of time
The following tasks 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.■ Change engine oil.
■ Drain washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check coolant antifreeze.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park vehicle in a dry, well ventilated
place.Engage first or reverse
gear.Prevent the vehicle from
rolling.
■ Do not apply parking brake.
■ Open bonnet, close all doors and 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 alarm
system.
Putting back into operation
The following tasks must be carried
out if the vehicle is being 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.
Page 135 of 201
Vehicle care133
■ 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 our website. Only entrust this work to an
authorised recycling centre.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.
9 Danger
The ignition system generates
extremely high voltages. 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.
Page 136 of 201
134Vehicle care
Pull the safety catch, located slightly
left of centre, and open the bonnet.
Secure the bonnet support.
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.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil level manually
on a regular basis to prevent damage
to the engine.
Ensure that the correct specification
of oil is used. Recommended fluids
and lubricants 3 168.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 10 minutes.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
insert it to the stop on the handle, pull
out and read the engine oil level.Caution
It is the owner's responsibility to
maintain the proper level of an
appropriate quality oil in the
engine.
When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top up
engine oil.
Caution
Do not allow the engine oil level to drop below the minimum level!
Page 140 of 201

138Vehicle care
Warning label
Meaning of symbols:■ No sparks, naked flames or smoking.
■ Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
■ Keep the battery out of reach of children.
■ The battery contains sulfuric 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 battery.
Battery maintenance9 Danger
Ensure adequate ventilation when
charging the battery. There is a
risk of explosion if gases
generated during charging are
allowed to accumulate!
Additional battery
Depending on the vehicle's auxiliary
equipment, certain models may have
an additional battery mounted under
the front seat.
Diesel fuel filter
Drain diesel fuel filter of residual
water at every engine oil change.
Place a container underneath the
filter housing. Loosen the knurled
screws on the filter cover and on the
lower part of the filter by approx. one
turn, to drain off the water.
The filter is drained as soon as diesel fuel emerges from the knurled screw
at the bottom. Retighten the two
screws.
Check diesel fuel filter at shorter
intervals if the vehicle is subjected to
extreme operating conditions.