Page 173 of 249

Driving and operating171
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.
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 than1000 kg a speed of 50 mph must not
be exceeded; the use of a stabiliser is recommended.
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 3 237.
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 %
Page 174 of 249

172Driving and operating
The permitted trailer loads apply up tothe 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 226.
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 (55 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) for passenger vehicles
may be exceeded by 70 kg for the 5-
door vehicle and 60 kg for the 3-door vehicle, the gross vehicle weight
rating by 55 kg.
If the permitted rear axle load is
exceeded a maximum speed of
60 mph applies. If lower national
maximum speeds are specified for
trailer operation, they must be
complied with.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The coupling ball bar is stowed in a
bag in the spare wheel well and
secured to the lashing eyes in the
load compartment.
When inserting, fit protective cap over
rotary knob with key.
Page 175 of 249
Driving and operating173
Fitting the coupling ball bar
Disengage and fold down the socket.Remove the sealing plug from the
opening for the coupling ball bar and
stow it.
Checking the tensioning of the
coupling ball bar
■ The rotary knob rests on the
coupling ball bar.
■ Green marking on the rotary knob is not visible.
■ Locking pin at the top of the coupling ball bar is set inwards.
■ The key is in the lock.
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before it is inserted into
the coupling housing:
■ Place the key in the lock and unlock
the coupling ball bar.
■ Push the rotary knob onto the coupling ball bar and rotate right
while pressed down until it
engages. The key remains in the
lock.
Page 177 of 249
Driving and operating1759Warning
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
Insert the key in the lock and unlock
the coupling ball bar.
Push the rotary knob onto the
coupling ball bar and rotate right while pressed down until it engages. Pull
out the ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening for
coupling ball bar. Fold away socket.
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 3 145.
Page 178 of 249

176Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................176
Vehicle checks ........................... 177
Bulb replacement .......................184
Electrical system ........................193
Vehicle tools .............................. 198
Wheels and tyres .......................199
Jump starting ............................. 215
Towing ....................................... 217
Appearance care .......................219General 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 may be damaged.
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of time If the vehicle is to be stored for severalmonths:
■ 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 or set selector lever to P . Prevent the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.
Page 200 of 249
198Vehicle careVehicle toolsTools
Vehicles with tyre repair kit
The tools are located together with
the towing eye and tyre repair kit in the load compartment below the floor cover.
On versions with rear carrier system
or double load-bay floor, the tools are
located together with the towing eye
and tyre repair kit on the right side of the load compartment, behind a
cover.
Vehicles with spare wheel
The jack, wheel bolt wrench and
some tools are located on the right
side of the load compartment, behind a cover 3 69.
Page 208 of 249

206Vehicle care9Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel
covers could lead to sudden
pressure loss and thereby
accidents.
Steel wheels: When using locking
wheel nuts don't attach wheel covers.
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).9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 175/70 R14, 185/70 R14,
185/60 R15, 185/65 R15.
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 195/55 R16 with rims of size
16 x 6 and 16 x 6.5, the latter only in combination with limited steering
angle. Seek the assistance of a
workshop.
Tyre chains are not permitted on tyres of size 215/45 R17.
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Tyre repair kit
Minor damage to the tyre tread can be
repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding 4 mm or that
is at the tyre's side wall near the rim
cannot be repaired with the tyre repair kit.9 Warning
Do not drive faster than 50 mph.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be
affected.
If you have a flat tyre:
Apply the parking brake and engage
first gear, reverse gear or P.
The tyre repair kit is stowed in the load
compartment.
Depending on the equipment, the tyre repair kit is in a compartment in the
right sidewall or in a compartment
under the floor cover.
Page 209 of 249
Vehicle care207
Vehicles with tyre repair kit
under the floor cover
1. Take the tyre repair kit from the compartment.
2. Remove the compressor.
3. Remove the electrical connection cable 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.