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Driving and operating153Driving and operatingDriving hints............................... 153
Starting and operating ...............154
Engine exhaust .......................... 159
Automatic transmission .............. 163
Manual transmission ..................166
Brakes ........................................ 167
Ride control systems .................170
Driver assistance systems .........173
Fuel ............................................ 203
Trailer hitch ................................ 212Driving hints
Control of the vehicleNever coast with engine not
running (except during Autostop)
Many systems will not function in this
situation ( e.g. brake servo unit, power
steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. All
systems function during an Autostop,
but there will be a controlled reduction
in power steering assist and vehicle
speed is reduced.
Stop-start system 3 156.
Idle boost
If charging of the vehicle battery is
required due to battery condition, the
power output of the generator must
be increased. This will be achieved by
an idle boost which may be audible.
On vehicles with Uplevel-Combi-
Display, a message appears in the
Driver Information Centre.Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in the area of the pedals.
Steering If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered but may require increased
effort.
Control indicator c 3 110.Caution
Vehicles equipped with hydraulic
power steering:
If the steering wheel is turned until it reaches the end of its travel, and
is held in that position for more
than 15 seconds, damage may occur to the power steering
system and there may be loss of
power steering assist.
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Vehicle care257Jump starting
Do not start with quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged battery
can be started using jump leads and the 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.
■ Never expose the battery to naked flames or sparks.
■ A discharged battery can alreadyfreeze at a temperature of 0 °C.
Defrost the frozen battery before
connecting jump leads.
■ Wear eye protection and protective
clothing when handling a battery.
■ Use a booster battery with the same voltage (12 Volts). Its
capacity (Ah) must not be much less than that of the discharged
battery.
■ Use jump leads with insulated terminals and a cross section of at
least 16 mm 2
(25 mm 2
for diesel
engines).
■ Do not disconnect the discharged battery from the vehicle.
■ Switch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers.
■ Do not lean over the battery during jump starting.
■ Do not allow the terminals of one lead to touch those of the other
lead.
■ The vehicles must not come into contact with each other during the
jump starting process.■ Apply the parking brake, transmission in neutral, automatictransmission in P.
■ Open the positive terminal protection caps of both batteries.
Lead connection order:
1. Connect the red lead to the positive terminal of the booster
battery.
2. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive terminal of the
discharged battery.
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258Vehicle care
3. Connect the black lead to thenegative terminal of the booster
battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black
lead to a vehicle grounding point,
such as the engine block or an
engine mounting bolt. Connect as 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
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
short edge of the cap. Release the
cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver sidewards. 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.