242Vehicle care
Vehicles with spare wheel
The jack with wheel wrench, the tools,
an extension bolt for securing a
damaged wheel and the towing eye
are placed in the tool box below the
spare wheel in the load compartment. Spare wheel 3 253.
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.
All tyre sizes are permitted as winter
tyres 3 286.
5-door Hatchback, 4-door Saloon,
Sports TourerTyre sizes 205/60 R 16 and
235/45 R 18 are only suitable as
winter tyres.
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
254Vehicle care
2.The spare wheel is secured with a
wing nut. Turn wing nut
anticlockwise and remove the
spare wheel.
Under the spare wheel there is the
box with vehicle tools.
3. When, after a wheel change, no wheel is placed in the spare wheelwell, secure the tool box by
turning right back the wing nut and
close the floor cover.
Stowing the replaced full size wheel in the spare wheel well The spare wheel well is not designed
for all permitted tyre sizes. If a wheel
wider than the spare must be stowed
in the spare wheel well, the thread
bolt for mounting the wheel must be
replaced by an extension bolt, located
in the tool box 3 241. To replace the
bolt:
■ Remove tool box from the spare wheel well.
■Install the hexagon key of the wheel
wrench ensuring that it locates
securely on the bolt.
■ Turn the wheel wrench anticlockwise to loosen the bolt.
Remove the bolt.
■ Take the extension bolt from the tool box 3 241 and screw it in hand-
tight using the hexagon key of the
wheel wrench.■ Store the tool box and the damaged
wheel outside up in the spare wheel well and secure it by turning the
wing nut clockwise on the bolt.
The floor cover can be placed on the
projecting wheel.
To fit the spare wheel in the well after
renewing the defective wheel use the
short thread bolt again. Exchange the bolt in the same way.
Vehicle care2559Warning
Storing a jack, a wheel or other
equipment in the load
compartment could cause injury if they are not fixed properly. During a sudden stop or a collision, looseequipment could strike someone.
Store wheel, jack and tools always
in the original storage location and secure them by fixing.
Temporary spare wheel
Caution
The use of a spare wheel that issmaller than the other wheels or in
combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
50 mph. Take curves slowly. Do not
use for a long period of time.
If your vehicle gets a flat tyre on the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel in
the front and the full tyre in the rear.
Tyre chains 3 247.
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.
The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
■ Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
■ Drive particularly carefully on wet and snow-covered road surfaces.Jump starting
Do not start with quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged vehicle
battery can be started using jump
leads and the vehicle battery of
another vehicle.9 Warning
Be extremely careful when starting
with jump leads. Any deviation
from the following instructions can
lead to injuries or damage caused
by battery explosion or damage to the electrical systems of both
vehicles.
9 Warning
Avoid contact of the battery with
eyes, skin, fabrics and painted
surfaces. The fluid contains
sulphuric acid which can cause
injuries and damage in the event
of direct contact.
Vehicle care257
far away from the discharged
battery as possible, however at
least 60 cm.
Route the leads so that they cannot
catch on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine: 1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the jump.
2. After 5 minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of
1 minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads
connected.
4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
5-door Hatchback, 4-door Saloon,
Sports Tourer: disengage cap at
bottom and remove downwards.
Country Tourer: insert a screwdriver
in the slot at the lower edge of the cap. Release the cap by carefully moving
the screwdriver downwards. To
prevent damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver
and the frame.
258Vehicle care
VXR: insert screwdriver in the slot at
the upper bend of the cap. Release
the cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver downwards. To prevent
damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver and
the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 241.Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for towing and not for recovering the
vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Transmission in neutral.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust gases from the towing vehicle, switch on the
air recirculation and close the
windows.
Vehicles with manual transmission
and All-wheel drive: If the vehicle is
towed with all four wheels on the
ground then there are no technical
limitations for speed and distance. If
only one axle has been raised, the
maximum speed is 30 mph. There is
no distance limitation.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
and Front-wheel drive: The vehicle
must be towed facing forwards, not
faster than 50 mph nor further than
60 miles . In all other cases and when
the transmission is defective, the front
axle must be raised off the ground.
Vehicle care259
Vehicles with automatic transmission
and All-wheel drive: The vehicle must
be towed facing forwards. If the
vehicle is towed with all four wheels
on the ground, the maximum speed is 30 mph and for a maximum of
30 miles. If the front axle has been
raised, the maximum speed is
30 mph. There is no distance
limitation.
Seek the assistance of a workshop. After towing, unscrew the towing eye.5-door Hatchback, 4-door Saloon,
Sports Tourer: insert cap at the
bottom, turn slightly clockwise and
close cap.
Country Tourer: insert cap with the
upper flange into the recess and fix
cap by pushing.
VXR: insert cap with the lower flange
into the recess. Push the cap into the bumper.
Towing another vehicle
5-door Hatchback, 4-door Saloon,
Sports Tourer, VXR: disengage cap
at bottom and remove downwards.
Country Tourer: insert a screwdriver
in the slot at the lower edge of the cap. Release the cap by carefully moving
the screwdriver downwards. To
prevent damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver
and the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 241.
260Vehicle care
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
The lashing eye at the rear
underneath the vehicle must never be used as a towing eye.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for towing and not for recovering a
vehicle.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
5-door Hatchback, 4-door Saloon,
Sports Tourer, VXR: insert cap at the
bottom, turn slightly clockwise and
engage cap.
Country Tourer: insert cap with the
upper flange into the recess and fix
cap by pushing.
Appearance care
Exterior care LocksThe locks are lubricated at the factory
using a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use de-icing agent only when absolutely necessary, as this has a
degreasing effect and impairs lock
function. After using de-icing agent,
have the locks regreased by a
workshop.
Washing The paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences.
Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.
When using automatic vehicle
washes, select a programme that
includes waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,
pollen and the like should be cleaned
off immediately, as they contain
aggressive constituents which can
cause paint damage.
262Vehicle care
Clean rims with a pH-neutral wheel
cleaner.
Rims are painted and can be treated
with the same agents as the body.
Paintwork damageRectify minor paintwork damage with
a touch-up pen before rust forms.
Have more extensive damage or rust areas repaired by a workshop.
Underbody Some areas of the vehicle underbody
have a PVC undercoating while other
critical areas have a durable
protective wax coating.
After the underbody is washed, check the underbody and have it waxed if
necessary.
Bitumen/rubber materials could
damage the PVC coating. Have
underbody work carried out by a
workshop.
Before and after winter, wash the
underbody and have the protective
wax coating checked.Liquid gas system9 Danger
Liquid gas is heavier than air and
can collect in sink points.
Take care when performing work
at the underbody in a pit.
For painting work and when using a
drying booth at a temperature above
60 °C, the liquid gas tank must be
removed.
Do not make any modifications to the
liquid gas system.
Towing equipment Do not clean the coupling ball bar with
a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.
Interior care Interior and upholsteryOnly clean the vehicle interior,
including the instrument panel fascia
and panelling, with a dry cloth or
interior cleaner.
Clean the leather upholstery with clear water and a soft cloth. In case of
heavy soiling, use leather care.
The instrument cluster and the
displays should only be cleaned using
a soft damp cloth. If necessary use a
weak soap solution.
Clean fabric upholstery with a
vacuum cleaner and brush. Remove
stains with an upholstery cleaner.
Clothing fabrics may not be
colourfast. This could cause visible
discolourations, especially on light-
coloured upholstery. Removable
stains and discolourations should be
cleaned as soon as possible.
Clean seat belts with lukewarm water or interior cleaner.Caution
Close Velcro fasteners as open
Velcro fasteners on clothing could damage seat upholstery.
The same applies to clothing with
sharp-edged objects, like zips or
belts or studded jeans.