Page 224 of 331

222Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................222
Vehicle checks ........................... 223
Bulb replacement .......................232
Electrical system ........................242
Vehicle tools .............................. 248
Wheels and tyres .......................249
Jump starting ............................. 262
Towing ....................................... 264
Appearance care .......................267General 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.
Page 225 of 331

Vehicle care223
■ Open bonnet, close all doors andlock 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
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 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 ourwebsite, where legally required. Only
entrust this work to an authorised
recycling centre.
Gas vehicles must be recycled by a
service centre authorised for 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.
Page 228 of 331
226Vehicle careAutomatic transmission
fluidCaution
Extremely small amounts of
contamination can cause
automatic transmission damage
and cause it to not work properly.
Do not allow contaminates to
contact the fluid side of the
reservoir cap or from entering the
reservoir.
Automatic transmission fluid level
normally does not have to be
checked. To check the fluid level seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Engine coolant
The coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -28 °C. In
northern countries with very low
temperatures, the factory filled
coolant provides frost protection
down to approx. -37 °C.Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant level
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause engine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
Page 229 of 331

Vehicle care227
On another version, the filling line
mark is inside the filler opening. To
check, open the cap.
Additional cooling circuit for Turbo
engine
Coolant container is fixed at the air
cleaner housing.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
General9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
To top up, use a 1:1 mixture of
released coolant concentrate mixed
with clean tap water. If no coolant
concentrate is available, use clean
tap water. Install the cap tightly. Have the coolant concentration checked
and have the cause of the coolant
loss remedied by a workshop.
Power steering fluid
Caution
Extremely small amounts of
contamination can cause steering
system damage and cause it to not work properly. Do not allow
contaminates to contact the fluid
side of the reservoir cap/dipstick or
from entering the reservoir.
Power steering fluid level normally
does not have to be checked. If an
unusual noise sounds during steering or the power steering reacts
conspicuous seek the assistance of a
workshop.