Driving and operating139
movement. Seek the assistance of a
workshop to have the cause of the
fault remedied.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further 2 seconds. The brakes release automatically as soon
as the vehicle begins to accelerate.Ride control systems
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type 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.
ESC is operational as soon as control indicators b and t extinguish in the
instrument cluster after switching on the ignition.
When ESC is active b flashes 3 87.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Deactivation
With ESC active, if wheels are
slipping on wet, snowy or icy roads,
engine speed may not increase when
accelerator pedal is depressed. The
vehicle may not move.
148Driving and operating
If no eye is available, loop cable
around coupling ball bar. Ensure
cable is crossed under the vertical
coupling socket to ensure the trailer
nose cannot drop to the ground if it
becomes separated from the trailer
hitch. Do not allow the cable to drag
along the ground and always allow
enough slack to permit full turning.
Follow the instructions supplied with
the towing equipment.
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
friction-type stabiliser is strongly
recommended.
Do not drive faster than 50 mph, even
in countries where higher speeds are
permitted. When driving uphill, do not drive faster than 20 mph in 1st gear,
or 30 mph in 2nd gear.
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 3 210.
Trailer towing Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle-dependent 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.
When the trailer load is being
checked, therefore, only the trailer
wheels - and not the jockey wheel -
must be standing on the weighing
apparatus.
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 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
3 201.
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 (80 kg) is specified on
the towing equipment identification
plate and in the vehicle documents.
Always aim for the maximum load,
152Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................152
Vehicle checks ........................... 153
Bulb replacement .......................161
Electrical system ........................167
Vehicle tools .............................. 175
Wheels and tyres .......................177
Jump starting ............................. 190
Towing ....................................... 192
Appearance care .......................194General 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.
■ 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 move selector lever
to P. Prevent the vehicle from
rolling.
■ Do not apply the electrical parking brake.
Vehicle care153
■ Open the bonnet, close all doorsand lock 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 our website, where legally required. Only
entrust this work to an authorised
recycling centre.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.
9 Danger
The ignition system and Xenon
headlights use extremely high
voltage. Do not touch.
178Vehicle care
V=up to 150 mphW=up to 168 mph
Tyre pressureCheck the pressure of cold tyres at
least every 14 days and before any
long journey. Do not forget the spare
wheel. This also applies to vehicles
with tyre pressure monitoring system.
Use the valve cap key to make
unscrewing the valve caps easier.
The valve cap key is located on the
inside of the tank flap.
Tyre pressure 3 210.
The tyre pressure data refers to cold
tyres. It applies to summer and winter tyres.
Always inflate the spare tyre to the
pressure specified for full load.
The ECO tyre pressure serves to
achieve the smallest amount of fuel
consumption possible.
Incorrect tyre pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and
fuel economy and will increase tyre
wear.
Tyre pressures differ depending on
various options. For the correct tyre
pressure value, follow the procedure
below:
1. Identify the engine identifier code.
Engine data 3 205.
2. Identify the respective tyre.
The tyre pressure tables show all
possible tyre combinations 3 210.
For the tyres approved for your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
The driver is responsible for correct
adjustment of tyre pressure.9 Warning
If the pressure is too low, this can
result in considerable tyre warm-
up and internal damage, leading to tread separation and even to tyre
blow-out at high speeds.
If the tyre pressure must be reduced
or increased on a vehicle with tyre
pressure monitoring system, switch
off ignition.
Tyre pressure monitoring system The tyre pressure monitoring system
checks the pressure of all four wheels
once per minute when vehicle speed
exceeds a certain limit.Caution
Tyre pressure monitoring system
warns only about low tyre pressure
condition and does not replace
regular tyre maintenance by the
driver.
All wheels must be equipped with pressure sensors and the tyres must
have the prescribed pressure. If
wheels without sensors are mounted,
the tyre pressure monitoring system
is not operational.
Vehicle care179
Notice
In countries where the tyre pressure
monitoring system is legally
required, the use of wheels without
pressure sensors will invalidate the
vehicle type approval.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air
pressure in the tyres and transmit tyre pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
Each tyre, including the spare, should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the recommended inflation
pressure 3 210.
Low tyre pressure conditionA detected low tyre pressure
condition is indicated by control
indicator w 3 89.
If w illuminates, stop as soon as
possible and inflate the tyres as
recommended 3 210.
When the system detects a
malfunction, w will flash for approx.
one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When w is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tyre pressure as intended.Tyre pressures in Info-Display
The current tyre pressures can be
shown in the menu item Tyres in the
Board Computer menu. Press the
BC button on the Infotainment system
and select the menu item.
The tyre pressure monitoring system
automatically detects the vehicle
load. A corresponding message may appear on the Info-Display if
inconsistent tyre pressures are
detected. In some versions, the
message is displayed in abbreviated
form.
180Vehicle care
For example, the following messagescan be displayed:
A graphic indicating the left rear tyre
is shown together with the current tyre
pressure; slight pressure deviation.
Reduce speed. Check tyre pressure
at next opportunity with an
appropriate gauge and correct if
necessary.
On the Colour-Info-Display, this
message will appear in yellow.
A graphic indicating the front left tyre is shown together with the current tyre
pressure; significant pressure
deviation or direct pressure loss.
Steer out of the flow of traffic as
quickly as possible without
endangering other vehicles. Stop and check the tyres. Mount the spare
wheel if necessary 3 186.
On the Colour-Info-Display, this
message will appear in red.
Acknowledgement of warnings 3 92,
3 95.
Vehicle messages 3 100.
If the tyre pressure is to be reduced or
increased, switch off the ignition. Tyre
pressures 3 178, 3 210.
Temperature dependency Tyre pressure depends on the
temperature of the tyre. During
driving, tyre temperature and
pressure increase.
The tyre pressure value shown in the Info-Display is the actual tyre
pressure. Therefore it is important to
check tyre pressure with cold tyres.
General information
The use of commercially available
liquid tyre repair kits can impair the
function of the system. Factory-
approved tyre repair kits can be used.
Tyre repair kit 3 183.
External high-power radio equipment
could disrupt the TPMS.
The tyre pressure monitoring system
valve cores and sealing rings must be
replaced each time the tyres are
changed.
Vehicle care181
TPMS sensor matching process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification
code must be matched to a new tyre/ wheel position after rotating the tyres
or replacing one or more of the TPMS
sensors.
The TPMS sensor matching process
should also be performed after
replacing a spare tyre with a road tyre containing a TPMS sensor. The
control indicator w and the warning
message should extinguish at the
next ignition cycle.
The sensors are matched to the tyre/
wheel positions, using a TPMS
relearn tool, in the following order:
■ left front tyre
■ right front tyre
■ right rear tyre
■ left rear tyre
Consult your workshop for service or
to purchase a relearn tool.
There are two minutes to match the
first tyre/wheel position, and
five minutes overall to match all fourtyre/wheel positions. If it takes longer,
the matching process stops and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching process
is as follows:
1. Apply the electrical parking brake 3 137 ; on vehicles with automatic
transmission move the selector
lever to position P.
2. Turn the ignition on 3 124.
3. Initiate the TPMS Learn Mode by simultaneously pressing buttons
p and q on the radio remote
control,
- or -
Press the INFO button on the
Infotainment system until a tyre
learn message appears on the
Info-display. Press and hold the
OK button.
The horn sounds twice and the left front turn signal also illuminates
as confirmation that Learn Mode
has been enabled.
4. Start with the left front tyre.5. Place the relearn tool against the tyre sidewall, near the valve stem.Then press the button to activatethe TPMS sensor. A horn chirp
confirms that the sensor
identification code has been
matched to this tyre and wheel
position. The next relevant turn
signal illuminates.
6. Proceed to the right front tyre, and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the right rear tyre, and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.
8. Proceed to the left rear tyre, and repeat the procedure in Step 5.
The horn sounds twice to indicate
the sensor identification code has been matched, and the TPMS
sensor matching process is no
longer active.
9. Turn off the ignition.
10. Set all four tyres to the recommended inflation pressure
3 210.