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Instruments and controls103
■ If a warning message appears inthe Driver Information Centre.
■ If the parking assist detects an object.
■ If unintended lane change occurs.
■ If the diesel particle filter has reached the maximum filling level.
When the vehicle is parked and/ or the driver's door is opened ■ When the key is in the ignition switch.
■ With exterior lights on.
During an Autostop ■ If the driver's door is opened.
Battery voltage When the vehicle battery voltage is
running low, a warning message will
appear in the Driver Information
Centre.1. Switch off immediately any electrical consumers which are
not required for a safe ride, e.g.
seat heating, heated rear window or other main consumers.
2. Charge the vehicle battery by driving continuously for a while or
by using a charging device.
The warning message will disappear after the engine has been started
twice consecutively without a voltage
drop.
If the vehicle battery cannot be
recharged, have the cause of the fault
remedied by a workshop.Vehicle personalisation
The vehicle's behaviour can be
personalised by changing the settings
in the Info-Display.
Some of the personal settings for
different drivers can be memorised
individually for each vehicle key.
Memorised settings 3 21.
Depending on vehicle equipment and
country-specific regulations, some of the functions described below may
not be available.
Some functions are only displayed or
active when the engine is running.
Personal settings in the
Graphic-Info-Display
CD 400plus/CD 400/CD 300
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Driving and operating141
Do not accelerate while engaging a
gear. Never depress the accelerator
pedal and brake pedal at the same
time.
When a gear is engaged, the vehicle
slowly begins to creep when the
brake is released.
Engine braking To utilise the engine braking effect,
select a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill, see manual mode.
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between D and R in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake and engage P .
The ignition key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in position
P .Manual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left and then forwards or backwards.
<=Shift to a higher gear.]=Shift to a lower gear.
If a higher gear is selected when
vehicle speed is too low, or a lower
gear when vehicle speed is too high,
the shift is not executed. This can
cause a message in the
Driver-Info-Display.
In manual mode no automatic shifting to a higher gear takes place at high
engine revolutions.
Electronic driving
programmes ■ Following a cold start, the operating
temperature programme increasesengine speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
■ The automatic neutral shift function
automatically shifts to idling when
the vehicle is stopped with a
forward gear engaged and the
brake pedal is pressed.
■ When SPORT mode is engaged, the vehicle shifts at higher engine
speeds (unless cruise control is
on). SPORT mode 3 148.
■ Special programmes automatically adapt the shifting points when
driving up inclines or down hills.
Page 177 of 251

Driving and operating175Trailer towingTrailer 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 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 plate3 228.
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) 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.Rear axle load
When 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
100 kg, the gross vehicle weight
rating may be exceeded by 100 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 coupling ball bar is stowed in a
bag and must be secured in the load
compartment.
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176Driving and operating
Vehicle with spare wheel
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
placed near the spare wheel under
the load floor cover.
Direct the strap through the rim and around the wheel, wrap it around the
coupling ball bar and tighten the strap
to secure the bag.
Vehicles with tyre repair kit
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
placed near the tyre repair kit box
under the load floor cover.
The strap is directed around the
threaded bolt under the tyre repair kit box. Wrap the strap around the
coupling ball bar and tighten the strap
to secure the bag.
Vehicles with flat load compartment
floor
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
stowed on the right side of the load
compartment floor.
Direct the strap through the rear right
lashing eye, wrap it twice around the
coupling ball bar and tighten the strap
to secure the bag.
Page 181 of 251
Driving and operating179
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.
Stow and secure the coupling ball bar
as mentioned above.
Page 184 of 251
182Vehicle care9Danger
The ignition system and Xenon
headlights use extremely high
voltage. Do not touch.
Bonnet
Opening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
Move the safety catch sideways to the left vehicle side and open the bonnet.
Secure the bonnet support.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Closing Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and let it fall into the
latch from a low height (20-25 cm).
Check that the bonnet is engaged.Caution
Do not press the bonnet into the
latch to avoid dents.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil level manually on a regular basis to prevent damage
to the engine. Ensure that the correct
specification of oil is used.
Recommended fluids and lubricants
3 226.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 5 minutes.
Page 191 of 251
Vehicle care189
Low/High beam (1)
1. Rotate the cap (1) anticlockwiseand remove it.
2. Rotate the bulb holderanticlockwise to disengage.
Withdraw the bulb holder from the
reflector.
3. Disengage the bulb holder from the plug connector by pressing
the retaining lug.
4. Replace the bulb and connect bulb holder with the plug
connector.
5. Insert the bulb holder, engaging the two lugs into the reflector and
rotate clockwise to secure.
6. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.
Sidelight/Daytime running light
(2)
1. Rotate bulb socket (2) anticlockwise to disengage.
Withdraw the bulb socket from the
reflector.
Page 193 of 251
Vehicle care191
2. Rotate the bulb holderanticlockwise to disengage.
Withdraw the bulb holder from the
reflector.
3. Disengage the bulb from the plug connector by pulling.
4. Replace the bulb and connect bulb holder with the plug
connector.
5. Insert the bulb holder, engaging the two lugs into the reflector and
rotate clockwise to secure.
6. Fit the cap and rotate clockwise.
Fog lights
The bulbs are accessible from the underside of the vehicle.
1. Turn the bulb holder anti- clockwise and remove it from the
reflector.
2. Disengage the bulb socket from the plug connector by pressing
the retaining lug.
3. Remove and replace the bulb socket with bulb and attach the
plug connector.
4. Insert the bulb socket into the reflector by turning clockwise and
engage.