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outside temperature. It may be helpful to ventilate the vehicle before
driving and then to drive a short distance with the windows open. Af-
ter that, switch on the air conditioner with the windows closed. Keep
the windows closed when driving at high speeds. Open windows in-
crease fuel consumption.
Switch off seat heating once it has served its purpose.
Switch off the rear window defroster as soon as the windows are
free of fog and ice.
Additional factors that increase fuel consumption (examples):
Malfunctioning engine control.
Driving in the mountains.
Towing a trailer.
NOTICE
Never let the vehicle coast or roll down a hill in Neutral (N), es-
pecially when the engine is not running. The transmission will
not be lubricated and will be damaged.
Fuel-efficient driving
Fig. 147 Fuel consumption in mpg at 2 different outside air tempera-
tures.
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WARNING
Park Distance Control is no substitute for careful and attentive
driving. Never rely completely on these systems for information
about people and objects that might be in the way of the vehicle
and could be struck resulting in serious personal injuries.
The sensors have blind spots in which they cannot detect
people, animals, and objects.
Always be careful and look around you when parking. The
sensors cannot always detect people, animals, and objects.
Watch out for small children and animals in particular.
Certain types of clothing and the surfaces of certain objects
do not reflect the ultrasonic waves that the sensors send and
receive. Such objects and persons wearing such clothing will
not be detected by PDC or will not be detected accurately.
Noise in the area can interfere with the signals of the Park
Distance Control sensors. Under certain circumstances, the
system will not detect people and objects for this reason.
NOTICE
Things like trailer draw bars, thin rods, fences, trees, narrow
painted vertical poles, posts, or a luggage compartment lid that
is opening may not be detected by the Park Distance Control
sensors and could damage the vehicle.
If you continue driving closer to an object that the Park Dis-
tance Control has already detected and reported, the object may
disappear from the sensor range and may no longer be detected.
This is especially true for low or high objects. The system will no
longer sound warnings about these objects. Ignoring signals
from the Park Distance Control system could result in serious
damage to the vehicle.
The sensors in the bumpers can be damaged or become misa-
ligned in low speed impacts and parking maneuvers. Damaged
or misaligned sensors cannot accurately detect or report objects
that might be within range of the PDC system.
To help make sure that the system works properly, always
keep the sensors in the bumpers clean and free of snow and ice;
do not cover the sensors with stickers or other objects.
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Engine life is influenced by how you drive the vehicle for the first
1000 miles (1600 km). Even afterwards, driving at moderate engine
speeds, especially when the engine is cold, will tend to reduce engine
wear and help the engine to last longer and go farther. But do not
drive at an excessively low engine speed, either. Always downshift if
the engine is not running smoothly. For the first 600 miles
(1000 km):
Do not use full throttle.
Don't let the engine speed get above 2/3 the maximum speed.
Do not tow a trailer.
From 600 to 1000 miles (1000 to 1600 km): Speed may gradually
be increased to maximum permissible road and engine speed.
New tires and brake pads
New tires and replacement tires ⇒ Tires and wheels
Brakes ⇒ About the brakes
Breaking in a new engine gently will increase service life and
reduce oil consumption.
Parts and accessories
Page 500 of 578
Description Possible causes,
among others Possible remedy
Electrical con-
sumers do not
work.
Vehicle battery
charge too low. Charge vehicle battery
Remaining fuel level
too low. Refuel
Fuse blown. Check fuse and replace if
necessary
Fuel consumption
higher than indi-
cated.
– Short hauls.
– “Jumpy” accelera-
tor pedal.
– Avoid short distance
driving.
– Drive defensively.
– Accelerate smoothly.
Electrical loads
switched on.
Switch off unnecessary
loads.
Engine control
malfunction.
Have the malfunction cor-
rected
Tire pressure too
low. Adjust tire pressure
Driving in the
mountains.
No direct corrective action
possible.
Towing a trailer or
driving with a roof
rack.
– Check use.
– Remove if not in use.
Driving with heavy
payload.
No direct corrective action
possible.
Driving at high en-
gine speed. Select a higher gear.
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