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124Driving and operatingRide control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction Control system (TC) is a
component part of the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP® Plus
) which
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational as soon as the
ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding
message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre 3 90.
When TC is active b flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 87.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 137.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, the Traction control system
(TC) can be deactivated to enhance
traction:
Press the Ø button on the
instrument panel.
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 90.
When vehicle speed reaches 50 km/h, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
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Driving and operating125
Traction function to TC operation.
Control indicator Ø extinguishes in
the instrument cluster.
TC is reactivated by pressing the Ø
button again. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault If the system detects a fault, control
indicator b 3 87 illuminates together
with F 3 86 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 90.
TC is not operational. Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 91.
Electronic stability
program
The Electronic Stability Program
(ESP® Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of thetype of road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
the ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre 3 90.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action b
flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 87.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 137.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, ESP® Plus
can be
deactivated to enhance traction:
Press the Ø button on the
instrument panel.
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126Driving and operating
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 90.
When vehicle speed reaches 50 km/h, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
Traction function to ESP® Plus
operation. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes in the instrument cluster.
ESP® Plus
is reactivated by pressing
the Ø button again. Control indicator
Ø extinguishes.
ESP® Plus
is also reactivated the next
time the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control indicator b 3 87 illuminates together
with F 3 86 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 90.
The Electronic stability program
(ESP® Plus
) is not operational. Have
the cause of the fault remedied by a
workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 91.Driver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of 30 km/h and
above. Deviations from the stored speeds may occur when driving uphill or downhill.
For safety reasons the cruise control cannot be activated until the foot
brake has been operated once.
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128Driving and operating
Increase speedWith cruise control active, the vehicle
speed can be increased continuously or in small increments by holding
down or tapping switch < repeatedly.
When the switch is released the
current speed is stored and
maintained.
Alternatively, accelerate to the
desired speed and store by pressing
switch <.
Reduce speed With cruise control active, the vehicle
speed can be decreased
continuously or in small increments
by holding down or tapping switch ]
repeatedly.
When the switch is released the
current speed is stored and
maintained.Deactivation
Press switch §: cruise control is
deactivated and the green control
indicator U extinguishes in the
instrument cluster.
Automatic deactivation: ■ Vehicle speed drops below 30 km/h,
■ The brake pedal is depressed,
■ The clutch pedal is depressed,
■ Selector lever in N.
The speed is stored and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
Reactivation
Press switch R at a speed above
30 km/h.
If the stored speed is much higher
than the current speed, the vehicle
will accelerate powerfully until the
stored speed is obtained.
Pressing switch < will also reactivate
the cruise control function, but at the
current vehicle speed only, not the
stored speed.
Deleting the stored speedPress switch m: Green control
indicators U and m extinguish in the
instrument cluster.
Cruise control speed limiter
The speed limiter prevents the
vehicle exceeding a preset maximum
speed above 30 km/h.
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136Driving and operatingTrailer hitch
General information
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. Only use
towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle.
Driving characteristics and
towing tips In the case of trailers with brakes,
attach the breakaway stopping cable.
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 the use of a
stabiliser is recommended.
A maximum speed of 80 km/h must
not be exceeded, even in countries
where higher speeds are permitted.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 3 192.
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 sealevel. 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 plate
3 179.
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 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.
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Driving and operating137
In the case of trailer loads of
1200 kg or more, the vertical coupling load should not be less than 50 kg.
Rear axle load
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded (including all occupants), the permissible rear
axle load (see identification plate or
vehicle documents) must not be
exceeded.
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 the system is working, keep steering wheel as still as
possible.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Program 3 125.
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138Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................138
Vehicle checks ........................... 139
Bulb replacement .......................147
Electrical system ........................152
Vehicle tools .............................. 156
Wheels and tyres .......................157
Jump starting ............................. 168
Towing ....................................... 169
Appearance care .......................171General 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 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 vehicle in a dry, well ventilated
place. Engage first or reverse gear.
Prevent the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.
Page 145 of 205
Vehicle care143
If the fluid level in the reservoir falls
below the MIN mark consult a
workshop.
Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of windscreen
washer fluid which contains
antifreeze.
Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Brakes
A squealing noise indicates that the
brake lining is at its minimum
thickness. Continued driving is
possible but have the brake lining
replaced as soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.