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Driving and operating215
■ Pull out rotary knob and turnclockwise as far as it will go.
Inserting the coupling ball bar
Insert the tensioned coupling ball bar
in the opening and push firmly
upwards until it audibly engages.
The rotary handle snaps back into its
original position resting against the
coupling ball bar without a gap.9 Warning
Do not touch rotary handle during
insertion.
Lock the coupling ball bar by turning
the key to position e. Remove the key
and close the protective flap.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach breakaway stopping cable to
eye.
Check that the coupling ball bar is correctly installed
■ Green marking on rotary knob must
point towards green marking on
coupling ball bar.
■ There must be no gap between the
rotary handle and the coupling ball
bar.
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216Driving and operating
■The coupling ball bar must be firmly
engaged in the opening.
■ The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when a coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bardoes not engage correctly, seekthe assistance of a workshop.
Dismounting the coupling ball
bar
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.
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 system is working keep steering wheel as still as possible.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic Stability
Control 3 171.
Page 219 of 297

Vehicle care217Vehicle careGeneral Information...................217
Vehicle checks ........................... 218
Bulb replacement .......................226
Electrical system ........................234
Vehicle tools .............................. 241
Wheels and tyres .......................241
Jump starting ............................. 257
Towing ....................................... 258
Appearance care .......................260General 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.
■ 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 the vehicle in a dry, well ventilated place. Engage first orreverse gear or set selector lever to P . Prevent the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply the parking brake.
Page 220 of 297

218Vehicle care
■ 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 ourwebsite, where legally required. Only
entrust this work to an authorised
recycling centre.
Gas vehicles must be recycled by a
service centre authorised for gas
vehicles.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.
Page 221 of 297

Vehicle care2199Danger
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.
The bonnet is held open
automatically by a lifter.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Closing
Lower the bonnet and allow it to drop into the catch. Check that the bonnet
is engaged.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil level manuallyon a regular basis to prevent damage
to the engine. Ensure that the correct specification of oil is used.
Recommended fluids and lubricants
3 265.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 5 minutes.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, insert it to the stop on the handle, pull
out and read the engine oil level.Caution
It is the owner's responsibility to
maintain the proper level of an
appropriate quality oil in the
engine.
Insert dipstick to the stop on the
handle and make half a turn.
Page 222 of 297
220Vehicle care
Different dipsticks are used
depending on engine variant.
When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top-up
engine oil.
We recommend the use of the same
grade of engine oil that was used at
last change.
The engine oil level must not exceed
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
On some engines, a funnel is needed to top-up engine oil.
The funnel is located on the right side storage in the load compartment.
Use the funnel to fill in the engine oil
into the engine oil opening.
After topping-up, put the funnel into the plastic bag and stow it in thestorage compartment.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out.
Capacities 3 281.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Page 223 of 297

Vehicle care221Engine coolantThe coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -28 °C. In
northern countries with very low
temperatures the factory filled coolant
provides frost protection down to
approx. -37°C.Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant level
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause engine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
9 Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
To top up use a 1:1 mixture of
released coolant concentrate mixed
with clean tap water. If no coolant
concentrate is available, use clean
tap water. Install the cap tightly.
Engine B16DTH: After starting the
engine, set the heating to warmest
temperature and the fan speed to at
least first level for approx. 5 minutes.
This will ensure that the air within the cooling system escapes.
Have the coolant concentration
checked and have the cause of the
coolant loss remedied by a workshop.
Power steering fluidCaution
Extremely small amounts of
contamination can cause steering
system damage and cause it to not work properly. Do not allow
contaminates to contact the fluid
side of the reservoir cap/dipstick or
from entering the reservoir.
Page 224 of 297
222Vehicle care
Power steering fluid level normally
does not have to be checked. If an
unusual noise sounds during steering or the power steering reacts
unusually, seek the assistance of 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
In the event of minimum thickness ofthe brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
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.