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182Driving and operatingDriving characteristics andtowing tips
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the coupling ball, is being used to reduce snaking movements.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1200 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 50 mph.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 247.Trailer towing
Trailer loads The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12%.
The permitted trailer load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea
level. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10%
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than
8%, e.g. motorways).The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is specified on the identification plate
3 236.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (75 kg) is specified on
the towing equipment identification
plate and in the vehicle documents.
Always aim for the maximum load,
especially in the case of heavy
trailers. The vertical coupling load
should never fall below 25 kg.
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Driving and operating183Rear axle loadWhen the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by
100 kg, the gross vehicle weight
rating may be exceeded by 100 kg. If
the permissible rear axle load is
exceeded, a maximum speed of
60 mph applies.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The coupling ball bar is stowed in a
bag and must be secured in the load
compartment.
Vehicle with spare wheel
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
placed near the spare wheel under
the load floor cover.
Direct the strap through the rim and around the wheel, wrap it around the
coupling ball bar and tighten the strap
to secure the bag.
Vehicles with tyre repair kit
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
placed near the tyre repair kit box
under the load floor cover.
The strap is directed around the
threaded bolt under the tyre repair kit box. Wrap the strap around the
coupling ball bar and tighten the strap
to secure the bag.
Page 187 of 263

Driving and operating185
● 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.
● The coupling ball bar must be firmly engaged in the opening.
● The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9Warning
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.
Page 189 of 263

Vehicle care187Vehicle careGeneral Information...................188
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 188
Vehicle storage ........................188
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....189
Vehicle checks ........................... 189
Performing work ......................189
Bonnet ..................................... 189
Engine oil ................................. 190
Engine coolant ......................... 191
Washer fluid ............................ 192
Brakes ..................................... 193
Brake fluid ............................... 193
Vehicle battery ......................... 193
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....195
Wiper blade replacement ........195
Bulb replacement .......................195
Halogen headlights ..................196
Adaptive forward lighting .........197
Fog lights ................................. 198
Front turn signal lights .............199
Tail lights ................................. 200
Side turn signal lights ..............202
Number plate light ...................202Interior lights ............................ 203
Instrument panel illumination ...203
Electrical system ........................203
Fuses ....................................... 203
Engine compartment fuse box . 204
Instrument panel fuse box .......206
Load compartment fuse box ....207
Vehicle tools .............................. 209
Tools ........................................ 209
Wheels and tyres .......................210
Winter tyres ............................. 210
Tyre designations ....................210
Tyre pressure monitoring
system .................................... 211
Tyre pressure .......................... 214
Tread depth ............................. 215
Changing tyre and wheel size . 216
Wheel covers ........................... 216
Tyre chains .............................. 216
Tyre repair kit .......................... 217
Wheel changing .......................220
Spare wheel ............................ 222
Jump starting ............................. 226
Towing ....................................... 227
Towing the vehicle ...................227
Towing another vehicle ...........228Appearance care .......................229
Exterior care ............................ 229
Interior care ............................. 231
Page 211 of 263
Vehicle care209No.Circuit29Hydraulic unit30–31–32Flex RideVehicle tools
Tools
Vehicles with spare wheel
Open the load floor cover. The jack,
the tools and a strap for securing a
damaged wheel are in the tool box
below the spare wheel in the load
compartment.
The wheel wrench and the towing eye
are in the tool bag located in the spare wheel well near the tool box. The toolbag is fixated with a tether to the stow
rod. Remove tool box and tool bag
tether from the stow rod to access the
tools in the bag.
Spare wheel 3 222.
Vehicles with tyre repair kit
Some tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a tool box in the load
compartment below the floor cover.
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210Vehicle careVehicles with tyre repair kit and
flat load compartment floor
Some tools and the towing eye are
located together with the tyre repair
kit in a bag, which is fixed at the front left lashing eye in the load
compartment.
Wheels and tyres
Wheels
On vehicles with Diesel engines no steel rims and only special, for this
vehicle approved alloy wheels are
permitted.
Tyre condition, wheel conditionDrive 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.
All tyre sizes are permitted as winter
tyres 3 247.Use tyre size 225/55 R17 only as
winter tyres.
On vehicles with Diesel engines, no
steel rims and only special, vehicle-
approved alloy wheels are permitted.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, affix the speed sticker in
the driver's field of view.
Tyre designations E.g. 235/55 R 17 99 V235:Tyre width, mm55:Cross-section ratio (tyre height
to tyre width), %R:Belt type: RadialRF:Type: RunFlat17:Wheel diameter, inches99:Load index e.g. 99 is
equivalent to 775 kgV: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
Page 225 of 263

Vehicle care223Caution
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.
Removing the spare wheel and
stowing a damaged wheel in the
load compartment
The spare wheel is located in the
spare wheel well beneath the floor
cover.
The spare wheel well is not designed
for other tyre sizes than spare wheel.
To remove: 1. Close the soft top and fold in the load compartment partition by
pushing at the loop area upwards to the inside 3 71.
2. Remove the floor cover.
3. The spare wheel is secured with a
wing nut in the well. Untwist nut,
remove conus and take out the
spare wheel.
Under the spare wheel there is a
box and a bag with vehicle tools.
The tool bag is fixated with a
tether to the stow rod. Remove
tool box and tool bag tether from
the stow rod to access the tools in the bag. Vehicle tools 3 209.
4. Change the damaged wheel 3 220 and stow the tools back in
the tool box and the bag. Remove
the strap from the box and put
aside.
5. Attach the tool bag tether to the stow rod and put the bag in the
well. Secure the tool box by
turning right back the wing nut
with the conus.
Page 226 of 263

224Vehicle care6. Stow the damaged wheel outsideup in the well.
7. Place the loop end of the strapthrough the left rear lashing eye.
8. Place the hook end of the strap through the loop and pull it until
the strap is fastened securely to
the lashing eye.
9. Insert the strap through the spokes of the wheel as shown in
the illustration.
10. Mount the hook to the right rear lashing eye.
11. Tighten the strap and secure it using the buckle.
12. Deposit the floor cover on the wheel.
13. If equipped, secure coupling ball bar in the bag at a lashing eye in
the load compartment.
14. Fold out the load compartment partition before opening the soft
top.
Stowing the spare wheel back in
the well after replacing the
damaged wheel
1. Close the soft top and fold in the load compartment partition.
2. Remove floor cover, untwist and remove wing nut and conus.
3. Stow the tools in the tool box and the bag.
4. Place spare wheel outside up in the well.
5. Insert and turn the excentricconus in the recess of the spare
wheel so that the wheel is