Page 229 of 343
Driving and operating227Dismounting 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.
All versions except 3-door hatchback:
Attach the rear side of the cover into
the recess of the bumper and fold the
front side upward.
Press fastenings outward.
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 3 181.
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228Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................229
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 229
Vehicle storage ........................229
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....229
Vehicle checks ........................... 230
Performing work ......................230
Bonnet ..................................... 230
Engine oil ................................. 231
Engine coolant ......................... 232
Power steering fluid .................233
Washer fluid ............................ 233
Brakes ..................................... 234
Brake fluid ............................... 234
Vehicle battery ......................... 234
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....236
Wiper blade replacement ........236
Bulb replacement .......................237
Halogen headlights ..................237
Adaptive forward lighting .........240
Fog lights ................................. 241
Front turn signal lights .............243
Tail lights ................................. 245
Side turn signal lights ..............253
Number plate light ...................254Interior lights ............................ 255
Instrument panel illumination ...255
Electrical system ........................255
Fuses ....................................... 255
Engine compartment fuse box . 256
Instrument panel fuse box .......258
Load compartment fuse box ....259
Vehicle tools .............................. 262
Tools ........................................ 262
Wheels and tyres .......................264
Winter tyres ............................. 264
Tyre designations ....................264
Tyre pressure .......................... 264
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 266
Tread depth ............................. 269
Changing tyre and wheel size . 269
Wheel covers ........................... 270
Tyre chains .............................. 270
Tyre repair kit .......................... 270
Wheel changing .......................273
Spare wheel ............................ 277
Jump starting ............................. 281
Towing ....................................... 283
Towing the vehicle ...................283
Towing another vehicle ...........284Appearance care .......................285
Exterior care ............................ 285
Interior care ............................. 287
Page 231 of 343

Vehicle care229General 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 or
reverse gear or set selector lever
to P. Prevent the vehicle from
rolling.
● Do not apply the parking brake.● Open the bonnet, close all doors and 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 our
Page 236 of 343

234Vehicle careCaution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Use of washer fluid containing
isopropanol can damage exterior
lamps.
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.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
If fluid level is below MIN seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 290.
Vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
four weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off
before connecting or disconnecting
the vehicle battery.
Page 248 of 343
246Vehicle care
2. Unscrew the plastic securing nutfrom the inside by hand.
3. Carefully withdraw the tail lightassembly from recesses and
remove. Make sure that the cable duct remains in position.
4. Detach the cable from the retainer.
5. Detach the wiring plug from the bulb carrier.
6. Unscrew the three screws with a screwdriver and remove the bulb
carrier from the light assembly.
7. Remove and replace the bulb by withdrawing or pushing the bulb
slightly into the socket and
rotating anticlockwise:
Tail light ( 1)
Brake light ( 2)
Turn signal light ( 3)
8. Insert the bulb carrier into the tail light assembly and screw into
place. Connect the wiring plug
and press the cable into the
retainer. Fit light assembly with
the retaining pins into the
recesses of the vehicle body and
tighten the plastic securing nut
Page 250 of 343
248Vehicle care
2.Unscrew two plastic securing nuts
from the inside by hand.
3. Carefully withdraw tail light assembly from recesses and
remove. Make sure that the cable duct remains in position.
4. Detach wiring plug from bulb carrier.
5. Remove the bulb holder by turning and replace the bulb by
withdrawing or pushing the bulb
slightly into the socket and rotating anticlockwise:
Tail light/Brake light ( 1)
Turn signal light ( 2)
6. Insert bulb holder and turn clockwise. Connect the wiring
plug. Fit light assembly with the
retaining pins into the recesses of
the vehicle body and tighten the
plastic securing nuts from the
inside of the load compartment.
Attach cover.
Light assembly in the tailgate
1. Open the tailgate and remove the
cover on the respective side.
Page 252 of 343
250Vehicle care4. Carefully withdraw tail lightassembly from recesses and
remove. Make sure that the cable duct remains in position.
5. Detach wiring plug from bulb carrier.
6. Remove the bulb holder byturning anticlockwise and replace
the bulb by withdrawing or
pushing the bulb slightly into the
socket and rotating anticlockwise:
Tail lights ( 1 + 2)
Turn signal light ( 3)
Brake light ( 4)
7. Connect the wiring plug and press
the cable into the retainer. Fit light
assembly with the retaining pins
into the recesses of the vehicle
body and tighten the plastic
securing nuts from the inside of
the load compartment. Attach
cover.
When assembling press the blind
on the left-hand side into the
rubber grommets to reach full
retention force.
Light assembly in the tailgate
1. Open the tailgate and remove the
blind covers on the respective
side.
2. Unscrew and remove the screws. 3. Remove the tail light assembly and detach wiring plug from the
bulb carrier.
Page 254 of 343

252Vehicle care
2. Unscrew both plastic securingnuts from the inside by hand.
3. Carefully withdraw the lightassembly from the recesses and
remove.
4. Detach wiring plug from bulb carrier.
5. Remove the bulb holder by turning and replace the bulb by
withdrawing or pushing the bulb
slightly into the socket and rotating anticlockwise:
Tail light/Brake light ( 1)
Turn signal light ( 2)
version with Light Emitting Diode
(LED)
Only turn signal light ( 2) can be
changed.
6. Insert and turn bulb holder clockwise into the tail light
assembly. Connect the wiring
plug with the light assembly. Fit
light assembly with the retaining
pins into the recesses of the
vehicle body and tighten the
plastic securing nuts from the
inside of the load compartment.
Close cover and engage.
Light assembly in the tailgate
1. Open the tailgate and remove the
covers on the respective side.
2. Unscrew three screws.
3. Remove the tail light assembly from tailgate.
4. Remove the bulb holder by turning and replace the bulb by
withdrawing or pushing the bulb