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Driving and operating185Trailer towingTrailer 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 loads apply 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
3 240.
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.Petrol and diesel engines
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (55 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.Engine B14XEL LPG
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (45 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.Rear axle loadPetrol and diesel engines
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) for passenger vehicles
may be exceeded by 70 kg for the 5-
door vehicle and 60 kg for the 3-door
vehicle, the gross vehicle weight
rating by 55 kg.Engine B14XEL LPG
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) for passenger vehicles
may be exceeded by 70 kg for the 5-
door vehicle and 70 kg for the 3-door
vehicle and the gross vehicle weight
rating by 45 kg.Delivery van
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) for passenger vehicles
may be exceeded by 60 kg and the
gross vehicle weight rating by 55 kg.
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188Driving 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 3 154.
Page 191 of 267

Vehicle care189Vehicle careGeneral Information...................190
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 190
Vehicle storage ........................190
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....190
Vehicle checks ........................... 191
Performing work ......................191
Bonnet ..................................... 191
Engine oil ................................. 192
Engine coolant ......................... 193
Washer fluid ............................ 195
Brakes ..................................... 195
Brake fluid ............................... 195
Vehicle battery ......................... 195
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....197
Wiper blade replacement ........197
Bulb replacement .......................198
Halogen headlights ..................198
Xenon headlights .....................201
Fog lights ................................. 202
Front turn signal lights .............202
Tail lights ................................. 202
Side turn signal lights ..............204
Centre high-mounted brake light ......................................... 205Number plate light...................205
Interior lights ............................ 205
Instrument panel illumination ...205
Electrical system ........................206
Fuses ....................................... 206
Engine compartment fuse box . 207
Instrument panel fuse box .......209
Vehicle tools .............................. 211
Tools ........................................ 211
Wheels and tyres .......................212
Winter tyres ............................. 212
Tyre designations ....................212
Tyre pressure .......................... 212
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 213
Tread depth ............................. 217
Changing tyre and wheel size . 218
Wheel covers ........................... 218
Tyre chains .............................. 218
Tyre repair kit .......................... 219
Wheel changing .......................224
Spare wheel ............................ 226
Jump starting ............................. 228
Towing ....................................... 230
Towing the vehicle ...................230
Towing another vehicle ...........231Appearance care .......................232
Exterior care ............................ 232
Interior care ............................. 234
Page 192 of 267

190Vehicle 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 193 of 267
Vehicle care191Gas 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 194 of 267

192Vehicle 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
3 237.
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 195 of 267
Vehicle care193
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 3 251, Engine oil quality/
viscosity 3 237.
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 196 of 267
194Vehicle 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.