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Driving and operating221Driving characteristics and
towing 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 trailers with a permitted gross
vehicle weight of more than 1400 kg
(Front-wheel drive)/1600 kg (All-
wheel drive) 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 3 292.Trailer towing
Trailer loadsThe 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 plate3 276.
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 (85 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 operating223Stow/hide coupling ball bar
Pull the grip located left of the number
plate under the rear bumper fascia at an angle of approx. 45° to the ground.
A buzzing tone sounds as a warning
when the release handle is pulled out and the ball neck is disengaged.
With the flat of the hand, swivel the
released coupling ball bar to the right
until it engages under the floor. Make sure that the release handle is back inits hidden initial position, otherwise
the buzzing tone will not stop.
9 Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when the coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bar
does not engage correctly or if the
release handle is impossible to guide to its hidden initial position in the housing or if the buzzing tone
sounds after engaging the
coupling ball bar, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Eye for break-away stopping cable
Attach break-away stopping cable to
eye.
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 assistant is a function
of the Electronic Stability Control
3 176.
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224Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................225
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 225
Vehicle storage ........................225
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....225
Vehicle checks ........................... 226
Performing work ......................226
Bonnet ..................................... 226
Engine oil ................................. 227
Automatic transmission fluid ....228
Engine coolant ......................... 229
Power steering fluid .................230
Washer fluid ............................ 230
Brakes ..................................... 231
Brake fluid ............................... 231
Vehicle battery ......................... 231
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....233
Wiper blade replacement ........233
Bulb replacement .......................234
Halogen headlights ..................235
Xenon headlights .....................237
Fog lights ................................. 239
Tail lights ................................. 240
Side turn signal lights ..............242
Number plate light ...................243Interior lights ............................ 244
Instrument panel illumination ...244
Electrical system ........................244
Fuses ....................................... 244
Engine compartment fuse box . 246
Instrument panel fuse box .......248
Load compartment fuse box ....249
Vehicle tools .............................. 251
Tools ........................................ 251
Wheels and tyres .......................252
Winter tyres ............................. 252
Tyre designations ....................252
Tyre pressure .......................... 252
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 254
Tread depth ............................. 255
Changing tyre and wheel size . 256
Wheel covers ........................... 256
Tyre chains .............................. 257
Tyre repair kit .......................... 257
Wheel changing .......................260
Spare wheel ............................ 262
Jump starting ............................. 265
Towing ....................................... 266
Towing the vehicle ...................266
Towing another vehicle ...........268Appearance care .......................270
Exterior care ............................ 270
Interior care ............................. 272
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Vehicle care225General Information
Accessories and vehicle modifications
We recommend to use 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 rubber seals.
● Fill up fuel tank completely.
● Change engine oil.
● Drain washer fluid reservoir. ● Check coolant antifreeze and corrosion protection.
● Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
● Park vehicle in dry, well ventilated place. Engage first or
reverse gear or set selector lever
to P. Prevent the vehicle from
rolling.
● Do not apply parking brake.● Open 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 228 of 325
226Vehicle carewebsite, where legally required. Only
entrust this work to an authorised
recycling centre.
Gas 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.
Page 229 of 325

Vehicle care227
Move the safety catch sideways to theleft vehicle side and open the bonnet.
The bonnet is held open
automatically.
Air intake 3 152.
If the bonnet is opened during an Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Stop-start system 3 159.
Closing 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 manually on a
regular basis to prevent damage to
the engine. Ensure that the correct specification of oil is used.
Recommended fluids and lubricants
3 274.
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.
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.
Caution
It is the owner's responsibility to
maintain the proper level of an
appropriate quality oil in the
engine.
Different dipsticks are used
depending on engine variant.
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228Vehicle care
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
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 3 291, Engine oil quality/
viscosity 3 274.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Automatic transmission fluidCaution
Extremely small amounts of
contamination can cause
automatic transmission damage
and cause it to not work properly.
Do not allow contaminates to
contact the fluid side of the
reservoir cap or from entering the
reservoir.
Automatic transmission fluid level
normally does not have to be
checked. To check the fluid level seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Page 231 of 325
Vehicle care229Engine 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.Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant level
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause engine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.
On another version, the filling line
mark is inside the filler opening. To
check, open the cap.
Additional cooling circuit for Turbo
engine
Coolant container is fixed at the air
cleaner housing.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be above the
filling line mark. Top up if the level is
low.