Driving and operating161
● 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.
Vehicle care163Vehicle careGeneral Information...................164
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 164
Vehicle storage ........................164
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....164
Vehicle checks ........................... 165
Performing work ......................165
Bonnet ..................................... 165
Engine oil ................................. 166
Engine coolant ......................... 167
Power steering fluid .................168
Washer fluid ............................ 168
Brakes ..................................... 169
Brake fluid ............................... 169
Vehicle battery ......................... 169
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....171
Wiper blade replacement ........171
Bulb replacement .......................172
Halogen headlights ..................172
Xenon headlights .....................174
Fog lights ................................. 175
Front turn signal lights .............175
Tail lights ................................. 176
Side turn signal lights ..............177Centre high-mounted brake
light ......................................... 177
Number plate light ...................178
Interior lights ............................ 178
Electrical system ........................179
Fuses ....................................... 179
Engine compartment fuse box . 179
Instrument panel fuse box .......181
Load compartment fuse box ....182
Vehicle tools .............................. 184
Tools ........................................ 184
Wheels and tyres .......................184
Winter tyres ............................. 184
Tyre designations ....................185
Tyre pressure .......................... 185
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 186
Tread depth ............................. 189
Changing tyre and wheel size . 190 Wheel covers ........................... 190
Tyre chains .............................. 190
Tyre repair kit .......................... 191
Wheel changing .......................194
Spare wheel ............................ 196
Jump starting ............................. 198
Towing ....................................... 200
Towing the vehicle ...................200
Towing another vehicle ...........201Appearance care .......................202
Exterior care ............................ 202
Interior care ............................. 204
196Vehicle careJacking position for lifting platform
Rear arm position of the lifting
platform centrically under the recess
of the sill.
Front arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare
wheel.
If mounting a spare wheel, which is
different from the other wheels, this
wheel might be classified as a
temporary spare wheel and the
corresponding speed limits apply,
even though no label indicates this.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
check the applicable speed limit.
The spare wheel has a steel rim.Caution
The use of a spare wheel that is smaller than the other wheels or in combination with winter tyres
could affect driveability. Have the defective tyre replaced as soon as
possible.
The spare wheel is located in the load
compartment beneath the floor
covering. It is secured with a wing nut.
Stowing a damaged full size
wheel in the load compartment
The spare wheel well is not designed for other tyre sizes than the spare
wheel.
Vehicle care197
A damaged full size wheel must be
stowed in the load compartment and
secured with a strap. Vehicle tools
3 184. To secure the wheel:
1. Position the wheel in the middle of
the load compartment.
2. Place the loop end of the strap through the lashing eye on one
side.
3. Place the hook end of the strap through the loop and pull it until
the strap is fastened securely to
the lashing eye.4. Insert the strap through the
spokes of the wheel as shown in
the illustration.
5. Mount the hook to the opposite lashing eye.
6. Tighten the strap and secure it using the buckle.
9 Danger
Always drive with folded up and
engaged rear seat backrests when stowing a damaged full size wheel
in the load compartment.
Temporary spare wheelCaution
The use of the temporary spare
wheel could affect driveability.
Have the defective tyre renewed
or repaired as soon as possible.
Only mount one temporary spare
wheel. Do not drive faster than
50 mph. Take curves slowly. Do not
use for a long period of time.
If your vehicle gets a flat tyre on the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel in
the front and the full size tyre in the
rear.
Tyre chains 3 190.
Spare wheel with rolling direction
If possible, fit directional tyres such
that they roll in the direction of travel.
The rolling direction is indicated by a
symbol (e.g. an arrow) on the
sidewall.
200Vehicle careTowingTowing the vehicle
Disengage cap by using a
screwdriver and remove.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 184.
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.
Caution
Never tow a vehicle equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD) with the
front or rear tyres on the road. If
you tow a vehicle equipped with
AWD while the front or rear tyres
are rolling on the road, the drive
system in the vehicle could be
severely damaged. When towing
vehicles equipped with AWD, all
four tyres must not be in contact
with the road.
Caution
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 system 3 118 and
close the windows.
Vehicle care201Vehicles with manual transmission:
The vehicle must be towed facing
forwards. The maximum speed is
50 mph. In all other cases, and when
the transmission is defective, the front
axle must be raised off the ground.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: Do not tow the vehicle using a towingeye. Towing with a tow rope could
cause severe automatic transmission damage. When towing vehicles with
automatic transmission, use flat bed
or wheel lift equipment.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap and close cap.Towing another vehicle
Disengage the cap by using a
screwdriver and remove.
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 184.
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.
202Vehicle careCaution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the bottom and engage
cap.
Appearance care
Exterior care
Locks The locks are lubricated at the factoryusing a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use de-icing agent only when
absolutely necessary, as this has a
degreasing effect and impairs lock function. After using a de-icing agent, have the locks regreased by a
workshop.
Washing The paintwork of your vehicle is
exposed to environmental influences. Wash and wax your vehicle regularly.
When using automatic vehicle
washes, select a programme that
includes waxing.
Bird droppings, dead insects, resin,
pollen and the like should be cleaned
off immediately, as they contain
aggressive constituents which can
cause paint damage.If using a vehicle wash, comply with
the vehicle wash manufacturer's
instructions. The windscreen wiper
and rear window wiper must be
switched off. Remove antenna and
external accessories such as roof
racks etc.
If you wash your vehicle by hand,
make sure that the insides of the
wheel housings are also thoroughly
rinsed out.
Clean edges and folds on opened
doors and the bonnet as well as the
areas they cover.Caution
Always use a cleaning agent with
a pH value of 4 to 9.
Do not use cleaning agents on hot surfaces.
Have the door hinges of all doors
greased by a workshop.
Do not clean the engine compartment with a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.
204Vehicle careBefore and after winter, wash the
underbody and have the protective
wax coating checked.
Liquid gas system9 Danger
Liquid gas is heavier than air and
can collect in sink points.
Take care when performing work
at the underbody in a pit.
For painting work and when using a
drying booth at a temperature above
60 °C, the liquid gas system must be
completely evacuated.
Do not make any modifications to the
liquid gas system.
Towing equipment
Do not clean the coupling ball bar with a steam-jet or high-pressure jet
cleaner.
Rear carrier system Clean the rear carrier system with a
steam-jet or high-pressure jet cleaner
at least once a year.
Operate the rear carrier system
periodically if not in regular use, in
particular during winter.
Interior care
Interior and upholstery Only clean the vehicle interior,
including the instrument panel fascia
and panelling, with a dry cloth or
interior cleaner.
Clean the leather upholstery with
clear water and a soft cloth. In case of
heavy soiling, use leather care.
The instrument cluster and the
displays should only be cleaned using
a soft damp cloth. If necessary use a
weak soap solution.
Clean fabric upholstery with a
vacuum cleaner and brush. Remove
stains with an upholstery cleaner.
Clothing fabrics may not be
colourfast. This could cause visible
discolourations, especially on light- coloured upholstery. Removable
stains and discolourations should be
cleaned as soon as possible.Clean seat belts with lukewarm water or interior cleaner.Caution
Close Velcro fasteners as open
Velcro fasteners on clothing could damage seat upholstery.
The same applies to clothing with
sharp-edged objects, e.g. zips, belts or studded jeans.
Plastic and rubber parts
Plastic and rubber parts can be
cleaned with the same cleaner as
used to clean the body. Use interior
cleaner if necessary. Do not use any
other agent. Avoid solvents and petrol in particular. Do not use high-
pressure jet cleaners.