218Vehicle care
The legally permissible minimum
tread depth (1.6 mm) has been
reached when the tread has worn
down as far as one of the tread wear
indicators (TWI). Their position is
indicated by markings on the
sidewall.
Tyres age, even if they are not used.
We recommend tyre replacement
every six years.
Changing tyre and wheel size
If tyres of a different size than those
fitted at the factory are used, it may be necessary to reprogramme the
speedometer as well as the nominal
tyre pressure and to make other
vehicle modifications.
After converting to a different tyre
size, have the label with tyre
pressures replaced.Caution
When converting to wheels with 14 inch diameter, the ground
clearance will be reduced. This
must be considered when passing
over obstacles.
9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheels
may lead to accidents and will
invalidate the vehicle type
approval.
Wheel covers
Wheel covers and tyres that are
factory approved for the respective
vehicle and comply with all of the
relevant wheel and tyre combination requirements must be used.
If the wheel covers and tyres used are
not factory approved, the tyres must
not have a rim protection ridge.
Wheel covers must not impair brake
cooling.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel
covers could lead to sudden
pressure loss and thereby
accidents.
Steel wheels: When using locking
wheel nuts don't attach wheel covers.
Tyre chains
Vehicle care219Tyre chains are only permitted on the
front wheels.
Always use fine mesh chains that add
no more than 10 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain
lock).9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 175/70 R14, 185/70 R14,
185/65 R15, 205/45 R17.
Tyre chains are permitted on tyres of
size 195/55 R16 with rims of size
16 x 6 and 16 x 6.5, the latter only in combination with limited steering
angle. Seek the assistance of a
workshop.
Tyre chains are not permitted on tyres of size 215/45 R17 and 215/40 R18.
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Tyre repair kit Minor damage to the tyre tread can be
repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding 4 mm or that is at the tyre's side wall near the rim
cannot be repaired with the tyre repair kit.9 Warning
Do not drive faster than 50 mph.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be
affected.
If you have a flat tyre:
Apply the parking brake and engage
first gear, reverse gear or P.
The tyre repair kit is stowed in the load
compartment.
Depending on the equipment, the tyre repair kit is in a compartment in the
right sidewall or in a compartment
under the floor cover.
Vehicles with tyre repair kit under
the floor cover
1. Take the tyre repair kit from the compartment.
2. Remove the compressor.
224Vehicle careGeneral informationNotice
The driving characteristics of the
repaired tyre are severely affected,
therefore have this tyre replaced.
If unusual noise is heard or the
compressor becomes hot, turn
compressor off for at least
30 minutes.
The built-in safety valve opens at a
pressure of seven bar (102 psi).
Note the expiry date of the kit. After
this date its sealing capability is no
longer guaranteed. Pay attention to
storage information on sealant
bottle.
Replace the used sealant bottle. Dispose of the bottle as prescribed
by applicable laws.
The compressor and sealant can be used from approx. -30 °C.
The adapters supplied can be used
to pump up other items e.g.
footballs, air mattresses, inflatable
dinghies etc. They are located on the
underside of the compressor. To
remove, screw on compressor air hose and withdraw adapter.Wheel changing
Make the following preparations and
observe the following information:
● Park the vehicle on a level, firm and non-skid surface. The front
wheels must be in the straight-
ahead position.
● Apply the parking brake and engage first gear, reverse gear or
P .
● Never change more than one wheel at once.
● Use the jack only to change wheels in case of puncture, not
for seasonal winter or summer
tyre change.
● The jack is maintenance-free. ● If the ground on which the vehicle
is standing is soft, a solid board
(max. 1 cm thick) should be
placed under the jack.
● Take heavy objects out of the vehicle before jacking up.
● No people or animals may be in the vehicle when it is jacked-up.
● Never crawl under a jacked-up vehicle.●Do not start the vehicle when it is
raised on the jack.
● Before screwing in the wheel bolts, clean them and lightly coat
the taper of each wheel bolt with
commercially available grease.9 Warning
Do not grease the thread of the
wheel bolt.
1. Steel wheels:
Pull off the wheel cover.
Alloy wheels with bolt caps: Disengage wheel bolt caps with a
screwdriver and remove. To
protect the wheel, place a soft
cloth between the screwdriver
and the alloy wheel.
Vehicle care229● A discharged vehicle battery canalready freeze at a temperature
of 0 °C. Defrost the frozen battery before connecting jump leads.
● Wear eye protection and protective clothing when
handling a battery.
● Use a booster battery with the same voltage (12 Volts). Its
capacity (Ah) must not be much
less than that of the discharged
vehicle battery.
● Use jump leads with insulated terminals and a cross section of
at least 16 mm 2
(25 mm 2
for
diesel engines).
● Do not disconnect the discharged
vehicle battery from the vehicle.
● Switch off all unnecessary electrical consumers.
● Do not lean over the battery during jump starting.
● Do not allow the terminals of one
lead to touch those of the other
lead.
● The vehicles must not come into contact with each other during
the jump starting process.● Apply the parking brake, transmission in neutral,
automatic transmission in P.
● Open the positive terminal protection caps of both vehiclebatteries.
Lead connection order:
1. Connect the red lead to the positive terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.
2. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive terminal of the
discharged vehicle battery.
3. Connect the black lead to the negative terminal of the booster
vehicle battery.
4. Connect the other end of the black
lead to a vehicle grounding point,
such as the engine block or an
engine mounting bolt. Connect as far away from the discharged
vehicle battery as possible,
however at least 60 cm.
Route the leads so that they cannot
catch on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine: 1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the jump.
2. After five minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of one
minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. three minutes with the
leads connected.
230Vehicle care4. Switch on electrical consumers(e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower part of the cap. Release the cap
by carefully moving the screwdriver
downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 211.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering the
vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wiper.
Transmission in neutral.
Vehicle care231Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust gases from the towing vehicle, switch on the
air recirculation and close the
windows.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: the vehicle must be towed facing
forwards, not faster than 50 mph nor
further than 60 miles. In all other
cases and when the transmission is
defective, the front axle must be
raised off the ground.
Vehicles with manual transmission
automated: the vehicle must only be
towed facing forwards with the front
axle raised off the ground.
Seek the assistance of a workshop. After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the top and engage
downwards.
Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
lower bend of the cap. Release the
cap by carefully moving the
screwdriver downwards.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 211.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will
go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
The lashing eye at the rear
underneath the vehicle must never be used as a towing eye.
Attach a tow rope – or even better a
tow bar – to the towing eye.
The towing eye must only be used for
towing and not for recovering a
vehicle.
238Service and maintenanceAdditional engine oil additives
The use of additional engine oil
additives could cause damage and
invalidate the warranty.
Engine oil viscosity grades
The SAE viscosity grade gives
information of the thickness of the oil.
Multigrade oil is indicated by two
figures, e.g. SAE 5W-30. The first
figure, followed by a W, indicates the
low temperature viscosity and the
second figure the high temperature viscosity.
Select the appropriate viscosity grade
depending on the minimum ambient
temperature 3 241.
All of the recommended viscosity
grades are suitable for high ambient
temperatures.
Coolant and antifreeze
Use only silicate-free long life coolant (LLC) antifreeze. Consult a
workshop.
The system is factory filled with
coolant designed for excellent
corrosion protection and frost
protection down to approx. -28 °C. Innorthern countries with very low
temperatures the factory filled coolant
provides frost protection down to
approx. -37 °C. This concentration
should be maintained all year round.
The use of additional coolant
additives that intend to give additional
corrosion protection or seal against
minor leaks can cause function
problems. Liability for consequences
resulting from the use of additional
coolant additives will be rejected.
Brake and clutch fluidOver time, brake fluid absorbs
moisture which will reduce braking
effectiveness. The brake fluid should therefore be replaced at the specified interval.
260IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 190
Adjustable air vents ...................133
Airbag and belt tensioners ...........90
Airbag deactivation ................48, 91
Airbag label................................... 43 Airbag system .............................. 43
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 134
Air conditioning system .............. 126
Air intake .................................... 133
Air vents...................................... 133
Antilock brake system ................ 151
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......92
Anti-theft alarm system ................27
Anti-theft locking system .............. 26
Appearance care ........................232
Ashtrays ....................................... 83
Automatic anti-dazzle ..................30
Automatic light control ...............115
Automatic locking ........................24
Automatic transmission .............143
Autostop ....................................... 95
B Battery discharge protection ......123
Battery voltage ........................... 106 Belts.............................................. 40
Bicycle rack .................................. 59Bonnet ....................................... 191
Brake and clutch fluid .................237
Brake and clutch system .............92
Brake assist ............................... 152
Brake fluid .................................. 195
Brakes ............................... 151, 195
Breakdown.................................. 230
Bulb replacement ....................... 198
C Capacities .................................. 251
Car Pass ...................................... 21
Catalytic converter .....................143
Central locking system ................22
Centre high-mounted brake light 205
Changing tyre and wheel size ...218
Charging system .......................... 91
Child locks ................................... 25
Child restraint installation locations ................................... 51
Child restraints.............................. 49
Child restraint systems ................49
Cigarette lighter ........................... 82
City mode ................................... 155
Climate control ............................. 15 Climate control systems .............125
Clock ............................................ 80
Code ........................................... 103
Collision damage repair ..............256
Colour-Info-Display .....................101