Driving and operating209
Pressing Y switches between petrol
and natural gas operation. Switching
is not possible at high loads (e.g.
strong acceleration, running at full
throttle). The LED status shows the
current operating mode.1 off=natural gas
operation1 illumi‐
nates=petrol operation1 flashes=no switching is
possible, one type of
fuel is empty
As soon as the natural gas tank is empty, petrol operation is
automatically engaged until the
ignition is switched off.
If the natural gas tank is not refuelled, the system must be manually
switched to petrol operation before
the engine is started-up again. This
will prevent damage to the catalytic
converter (overheating caused by
irregular fuel supply).
If the selector switch is operated
several times within a short time, a
switchover block is activated. The
engine remains in the current
operating mode. The block remains
active until the ignition is switched off.
A slight loss of power and torque can be expected during petrol operation.
You must therefore adapt your driving
style (e.g. during overtaking
manoeuvres) and vehicle loads (e.g.
towing loads) accordingly.
Every six months run the petrol tank
down until control indicator Y
illuminates, then refuel. This is
necessary to maintain fuel quality as
well as system function necessary for
petrol operation.
Fill the tank completely at regular intervals to prevent corrosion in the
tank.Refuelling9 Danger
Before refuelling, switch off engine
and any external heaters with
combustion chambers. Switch off
any mobile phones.
Follow the operating and safety
instructions of the filling station
when refuelling.
Driving and operating215
General informationThe official fuel consumption and
specific CO 2 emission figures quoted
relate to the EU base model with standard equipment.
Fuel consumption data and CO 2
emission data are determined
according to regulation
R (EC) No. 715/2007 (in the version
respectively applicable), 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.Natural gas
The fuel consumption information
was obtained using reference fuel
G20 (methane proportion
99 - 100 mol%) under prescribed
driving conditions. When using
natural gas with a lower proportion of
methane, the fuel consumption can
differ from the specified values.Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Vehicles with natural gas engines
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.
The bulb outage detection function for
trailer brake light cannot detect a
partial bulb outage. E.g. in case of
4x 5 Watt bulbs, the function only
detects lamp outage when only a
single 5 Watt lamp remains or none
remain.
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.
216Driving and operatingDriving 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 3 285.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 doesnot 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
3 270.
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 (75 kg) 2)
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.2) Engines B16DTH, B16DTJ, B20DTH and B20DTJ: Depending on the equipment the maximum permissible vertical coupling load can
be 75 kg or 60 kg.
Driving and operating217
Rear axle loadWhen 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
60 kg , the gross vehicle weight rating
may be exceeded by 60 kg. If the
permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
60 mph applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
stowed in the load compartment.
Place the strap through the right rear lashing eye, wrap around twice and
tighten the strap to secure the bag.
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.
Driving and operating219
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach breakaway stopping cable to
eye.
Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly installed
■ Green marking on rotary knob must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
■ There must be no gap between the
rotary handle and the coupling ball
bar.
■ The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
■ The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9 Warning
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
Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. 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 3 174.
220Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................220
Vehicle checks ........................... 221
Bulb replacement .......................229
Electrical system ........................237
Vehicle tools .............................. 244
Wheels and tyres .......................244
Jump starting ............................. 259
Towing ....................................... 261
Appearance care .......................263General 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 or set selector lever to P . Prevent the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.
244Vehicle careVehicle toolsTools
Some tools, the towing eye and (only on vehicles with spare wheel) the
vehicle jacking equipment are placed
in the rear storage in the load
compartment floor.
Open the cover in front of the tailgate.
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.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
Directional tyres
Fit directional tyres such that they roll in the direction of travel. The rolling
direction is indicated by a symbol
(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
258Vehicle care
12. Close the empty spare wheelholder by turning both hexagon
bolts clockwise successively
using the wheel wrench.
13. Fit the caps above both hexagon bolts.
14. Stow wheel wrench and the jack in the stowage in front of the
tailgate.
15. Close the stowage compartment cover.
When stowing the spare wheel in the
spare wheel holder, note that the
wheel is positioned with the tyre valve
above the recess of the wheel holder.
Stowing a damaged wheel in the load compartment
The spare wheel holder is not
designed for other tyre sizes than the
spare wheel.
A damaged wheel wider than the
spare wheel must be stowed in the
load compartment and secured with a strap. Vehicle tools 3 244.
The seats of the third row must be
folded down 3 78.1. Position the wheel close to the left
sidewall of the load compartment.
2. Place the loop end of the strap through the front lashing eye on
the left side.
3. Place the hook end of the strap through the loop and pull it until
the strap is fastened securely to
the lashing eye.
4. Insert the strap through the spokes of the wheel as shown in
the illustration.
5. Mount the hook to the rear left lashing eye.
6. Tighten the strap and secure it using the buckle.
9 Danger
Always drive with folded up and
engaged rear seat backrests when stowing a damaged full size wheel
in the load compartment.