Inspecting and replenishing
Fuel
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Petrol and diesel refuelling
189
Lead-free petrol
190
Diesel fuel
191
Refuelling with CNG (compressed natural gas)
192
CNG
193
The correct fuels for your vehicle are specified on the inside of the fuel filler
flap » Fig. 199 on page 189 .
WARNING■
The operating instructions of the refuelling system must always be fol-
lowed.■
Do not smoke when refuelling and do not use a mobile phone.
■
The fuel and fuel vapours are explosive - risk to life!
CAUTION
■ Never drive until the fuel tank is completely empty! The irregular supply of
fuel can cause misfiring, which can result in damage to parts of the engine and
the exhaust system.■
Immediately remove any fuel that has spilled onto the vehicle's paintwork –
risk of paint damage.
■
If the vehicle was not purchased in the country where it was intended to be
operated, you should check whether the fuel specified by the manufacturer is
offered in the country where the vehicle will be operated. You should also per-
haps check whether the manufacturer has recommended a different fuel for
operation of the vehicle in the corresponding country. If no prescribed fuel is
available, then you must check whether it is permitted by the manufacturer to
operate the vehicle with another fuel type.
Petrol and diesel refuellingFig. 199
Open fuel filler flap/unscrew tank cap/place the tank cap on the
fuel filler flap
Fig. 200
Fuel filler tube on vehicles with
diesel engines
Read and observe and on page 189 first.
Refuelling can be done if the following conditions are met.
The vehicle is unlocked.
The engine and the ignition are switched off.
The auxiliary heating and ventilation is switched off » page 118.
›
Press on the fuel filler flap in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 199.
›
Open the flap in the direction of arrow
2
.
›
Unscrew the tank cap in the direction of arrow
3
.
›
Remove the tank cap and place in the recess on top of the fuel filler flap in
the direction of arrow
4
.
›
Insert the pump nozzle into the fuel filler neck as far as it will go, and refuel.
The fuel tank is full just as soon as the pump nozzle switches off for the first
time »
.
189Inspecting and replenishing
Preheating fuel
The vehicle is fitted with a fuel filter preheating system. This secures opera-
tion of a vehicle using diesel fuel down to an environmental temperature of
-24 °C.
Diesel fuel additives
The diesel fuel in accordance with the prescribed standards meets all the con-
ditions for a smooth running engine. We therefore recommend that no diesel
fuel additives are used. This can result in considerable damage to parts of the
engine or the exhaust system.
CAUTION
■ Just filling the tank once with diesel fuel that does not comply with the
standard, can cause severe damage to parts of the engine, the fuel and ex-
haust system.■
If a different fuel other than diesel fuel, which complies to the above men-
tioned standards (e.g. petrol) is used, do not start the engine or switch on the
ignition! Extensive damage to engine parts can occur.
■
Water which has collected in the fuel filter can cause engine faults.
CAUTION
■ The vehicle cannot be operated with bio fuel RME, therefore this fuel must
not be filled in the tank and used for driving the vehicle. The use of biofuel
RME can cause considerable damage to parts of the engine or fuel system.■
Do not mix any fuel additives, so-called “flow improvers” (petrol and similar
agents) into the diesel. This can result in considerable damage to parts of the
engine or the exhaust system.
Refuelling with CNG (compressed natural gas)
Fig. 201
Natural gas filler tubes
Read and observe and on page 189 first.
Natural gas refuelling can be carried out if the following conditions are met.
The vehicle is unlocked.
The engine and the ignition are switched off.
The auxiliary heating and ventilation is switched off » page 118.
The gas filler tube for refuelling with natural gas is located behind the fuel fill-
er flap next to the petrol filler tube.
The filling couplings of the natural gas refuelling systems may differ in han-
dling. When refuelling with natural gas at unfamiliar refuelling systems, you
should seek help from trained fuel station staff. If unsure, have the refuelling
done by trained fuel station staff.
Open fuel filler flap
›
Open the fuel filler flap.
›
Remove cap
A
» Fig. 201 from gas filler tube
B
in direction of the arrow.
›
Plug the filling coupling of the refuelling system on the gas filler tube
B
.
The fuel tank is full when the compressor of the refuelling system automati-
cally switches off. To stop the refuelling operation prematurely, press the
“Stop ” button of the refuelling system.
Closing the filler cap
›
Check that sealing ring
C
» Fig. 201 has remained inserted in the gas filler
tube.
If sealing ring
C
has slipped onto the filling coupling, reinsert it into the gas
filler tube.
›
Plug the cap
A
onto the gas filler tube.
›
Close the bonnet.
The natural gas refuelling systems have an overfill protection relating to the
outdoor temperature. At very high outside temperatures, it may happen that
the gas tank may not be fully refuelled.
The natural gas system of your vehicle is suitable both for “slow fuelling” (fuel-
ling from small compressors) and for “quick fuelling” (fuelling from natural gas
stations with large compressors).
If the vehicle is parked for a longer period of time immediately after refuelling,
the situation may arise in which the pointer of the fuel tank gauge does not
indicate exactly the same level as was the case immediately after refuelling
192General Maintenance
when the engine is restarted. This is not due to any system leakages but a
drop in pressure in the natural gas fuel tank due to technical reasons after a
cooling phase directly after refuelling.
The maximum lifetime of the gas tank is 20 years.
The capacity of the natural gas fuel tank is approximately 15 kg.
The capacity of the gasoline fuel tank is about 50 litres, of which about 6
lighters are in reserve.WARNING■
When refuelling, never get into the vehicle. If you have to get into your
vehicle in exceptional cases, touch a metal surface before you touch the
filling coupling again. This will avoid electrostatic discharges, which may
generate sparks. Sparks can cause a fire during refuelling.■
Natural gas is highly explosive and highly flammable.
Note
During the filling process sounds are heard which are harmless. If you are un-
sure which service station staff to use, ask the petrol station staff.
CNG
Fig. 202
Position of the CNG label(s).
Read and observe
and on page 189 first.
A G-TEC-vehicle may be operated with CNG and petrol.
In some countries, national legislation requires that vehicles with CNG opera-
tion be identified by one of the labels » Fig. 202.
Position of the CNG label » Fig. 202.
Natural gas quality and consumption
Depending on the natural gas supplier, the natural gas quality (heating value) may vary. The engine system adjusts automatically to the natural gas quality.
Automatically switching over from natural gas mode to petrol mode
The vehicle automatically switches from natural gas to petrol, for example, if
one of the following cases occurs. ▶ With an empty gas tank or not enough pressure in the tank.
▶ After refuelling with natural gas.
▶ At very low surrounding temperatures.
Use all the petrol in the fuel tank at lease once every six months until the
warning light
illuminates and then refill with petrol. This is to ensure that
the fuel system functions correctly and to preserve the quality of the fuel.
Gas leak
If a gas leak is suspected (noticeable odour), proceed as follows. ▶ Stop the vehicle.
▶ Switch off the ignition.
▶ Put out any cigarettes, remove any spark-producing or incendiary items from
the vehicle and immediately switch the engine off.
▶ Open the doors and the boot lid to ventilate the vehicle sufficiently.
▶ Do not continue to drive if the odour persists.
▶ If it is not possible to leave an enclosed area with a vehicle with a gas leak
(e.g. in a tunnel, underpass, garage, ferry, etc.), call the emergency services
immediately.
Seek help from a specialist garage to correct the gas system fault.
In a traffic accident
If a gas leak is suspected in a traffic accident, proceed as follows.
▶ Switch off the ignition.
▶ Put out any cigarettes, remove any spark-producing or incendiary items from
the vehicle and immediately switch the engine off.
▶ Have all the occupants get out.
▶ Prevent people walking past/standing in the immediate vicinity of the acci-
dent vehicle. We recommend standing at least 10 metres from the vehicle.
▶ Inform the emergency services that it is a natural gas vehicle.
Regular gas system checks
Regular gas system checks must be carried out in a specialist workshop on
natural gas-powered vehicles. The vehicle owner is responsible for ensuring
tests are conducted properly. 193Inspecting and replenishing
Every 2 years
▶ Check the filler cap.
▶ Check the condition of fuel filler tubes and the sealing ring in the fuel filler
tubes, and clean the sealing ring if necessary.
▶ Check the gas system for leaks.
Every 4 years
▶ Inspect the gas tank.
Every 20 years ▶ Replace the gas tank.WARNING■ Do not underestimate the smell of gas in the car or when refuelling - risk
of fire, explosion and injury.■
The natural gas tanks in the vehicle must not be exposed to unwanted
heat sources.
Engine compartment
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Opening and closing the bonnet
195
Engine compartment overview
196
Radiator fan
196
Windscreen washer system
196WARNINGWhen working in the engine compartment, injuries, scolding, accident or
fire hazards may arise. For this reason, it is essential to comply with the
warning instructions stated below and with the general applicable rules of
safety. The engine compartment of your car is a hazardous area!WARNINGInstructions before beginning work in the engine compartment■Turn off the engine and remove the ignition key.■
Firmly apply the handbrake.
■
For vehicles with manual transmission the lever into the neutral position.
WARNING (Continued)■ On vehicles with automatic transmission, shift the selector lever into the
P position.■
Allow the engine to cool.
■
Never open the bonnet if you can see steam or coolant flowing out of the
engine compartment – risk of scalding! Wait until the steam or coolant has
stopped escaping.
WARNINGInformation for working in the engine compartment■Keep all people, especially children, away from the engine compartment.■
Never touch the radiator fan. The fan might suddenly start running!
■
Do not touch any hot engine parts – risk of burns!
WARNINGInformation for working in the engine compartment with the engine run-
ning■
Pay particular attention to moving engine parts, e.g. V-ribbed belt, gener-
ator, radiator fan - danger to life!
■
Never touch the electric wiring on the ignition system.
■
Avoid short circuits in the electrical system, particularly on the vehicle's
battery.
■
Always make sure that no jewellery, loose clothing or long hair can get
caught in rotating engine parts – risk of death! Always remove any jewel-
lery, tie back long hair and wear tight fitting clothing before completing any
work.
WARNINGInformation for working on the fuel system or the electrical system■Always disconnect the vehicle battery from the electrical system.■
Do not smoke.
■
Never work near open flames.
■
Always have a functioning fire extinguisher nearby.
WARNING■ Read the information and warning instructions on the fluid containers.■Keep the working fluids in sealed original containers and safe from peo-
ple who are not completely independent, e.g. children. 194General Maintenance