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186Driving and operatingEye 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 is visible.
● There must be no gap between the rotary knob 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.
Dismounting the coupling ball bar
Insert the key in the lock and unlock
the coupling ball bar.
Push the rotary knob onto the
coupling ball bar and rotate right while pressed down until it engages. Pull
out the ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening for
coupling ball bar. 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 is a function of
the Electronic Stability Control 3 151.
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Vehicle care187Vehicle careGeneral Information...................188
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 188
Vehicle storage ........................188
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....188
Vehicle checks ........................... 189
Performing work ......................189
Bonnet ..................................... 189
Engine oil ................................. 190
Engine coolant ......................... 191
Washer fluid ............................ 193
Brakes ..................................... 193
Brake fluid ............................... 193
Vehicle battery ......................... 193
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....195
Wiper blade replacement ........195
Bulb replacement .......................196
Halogen headlights ..................196
Xenon headlights .....................199
Fog lights ................................. 200
Front turn signal lights .............200
Tail lights ................................. 200
Side turn signal lights ..............202
Centre high-mounted brake light ......................................... 203Number plate light...................203
Interior lights ............................ 204
Instrument panel illumination ...204
Electrical system ........................204
Fuses ....................................... 204
Engine compartment fuse box . 205
Instrument panel fuse box .......207
Vehicle tools .............................. 209
Tools ........................................ 209
Wheels and tyres .......................210
Winter tyres ............................. 210
Tyre designations ....................210
Tyre pressure .......................... 211
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 212
Tread depth ............................. 216
Changing tyre and wheel size . 216
Wheel covers ........................... 217
Tyre chains .............................. 217
Tyre repair kit .......................... 217
Wheel changing .......................223
Spare wheel ............................ 225
Jump starting ............................. 227
Towing ....................................... 229
Towing the vehicle ...................229
Towing another vehicle ...........230Appearance care .......................231
Exterior care ............................ 231
Interior care ............................. 233
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188Vehicle careGeneral 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 may 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 website. Only entrust this work to an
authorised recycling centre.
Page 191 of 265
Vehicle care189Gas 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.
9 Danger
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.
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190Vehicle care
Push the safety catch upwards and
open the bonnet.
Secure the bonnet support.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to fall
into the latch from a low height
(20-25 cm). Check that the bonnet is engaged.Caution
Do not press the bonnet into the
latch, to avoid dents.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil level manually
on a regular basis to prevent damage
to the engine. Ensure that the correct specification of oil is used.
Recommended fluids and lubricants
3 235.
The maximum engine oil
consumption is 0.6 l per 1000 km.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least five minutes.Caution
It is the owner's responsibility to
maintain the proper level of an
appropriate quality oil in the
engine.
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
insert it to the stop on the handle, pull
out and read the engine oil level.
Insert dipstick to the stop on the
handle and make half a turn.
Different dipsticks are used
depending on engine variant.
Page 193 of 265
Vehicle care191
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
the last change.
The engine oil level must not exceed
the MAX mark on the dipstick.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out.
Capacities 3 249, Engine oil quality/
viscosity 3 235.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Engine coolant The 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.
Page 194 of 265
192Vehicle careCaution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant level
Caution
Too low a coolant level can causeengine damage.
Different coolant reservoirs are used
depending on engine variant.
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. Have
the coolant concentration checked
and have the cause of the coolant
loss remedied by a workshop.
Page 195 of 265

Vehicle care193Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of approved
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 of
the 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 the MIN mark,
seek the assistance of a workshop.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 235.
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 vehicle battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.