Page 191 of 269
Driving and operating1899Warning
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 3 152.
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190Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................191
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 191
Vehicle storage ........................191
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....192
Vehicle checks ........................... 192
Performing work ......................192
Bonnet ..................................... 192
Engine oil ................................. 193
Engine coolant ......................... 194
Washer fluid ............................ 195
Brakes ..................................... 196
Brake fluid ............................... 196
Vehicle battery ......................... 196
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....198
Wiper blade replacement ........198
Bulb replacement .......................199
Halogen headlights ..................199
Xenon headlights .....................201
Fog lights ................................. 202
Front turn signal lights .............203
Tail lights ................................. 203
Side turn signal lights ..............205
Centre high-mounted brake light ......................................... 206Number plate light...................206
Interior lights ............................ 206
Instrument panel illumination ...206
Electrical system ........................207
Fuses ....................................... 207
Engine compartment fuse box . 208
Instrument panel fuse box .......210
Vehicle tools .............................. 212
Tools ........................................ 212
Wheels and tyres .......................213
Winter tyres ............................. 213
Tyre designations ....................213
Tyre pressure .......................... 213
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 215
Tread depth ............................. 219
Changing tyre and wheel size . 219
Wheel covers ........................... 219
Tyre chains .............................. 220
Tyre repair kit .......................... 220
Wheel changing .......................225
Spare wheel ............................ 228
Jump starting ............................. 230
Towing ....................................... 231
Towing the vehicle ...................231
Towing another vehicle ...........232Appearance care .......................233
Exterior care ............................ 233
Interior care ............................. 236
Page 214 of 269
212Vehicle careVehicle tools
Tools
Vehicles with tyre repair kit
The tools are located together with
the towing eye and tyre repair kit in the load compartment below the floor cover.
On OPC or LPG version or versions
with rear carrier system or double
load-bay floor, the tools are located
together with the towing eye and tyre
repair kit on the right side of the load
compartment, behind a cover.
Vehicles with spare wheel
The jack, wheel bolt wrench and
some tools are located on the right
side of the load compartment, behind a cover 3 70.
Page 230 of 269

228Vehicle careRear arm position of the lifting
platform located centrally under the
recess of the sill.
Front arm position of the lifting
platform at the underbody.
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.
3-door/5-door hatchback
The spare wheel is located in the load
compartment beneath the floor
covering. It is secured with a wing nut.
Fitting a double load-bay floor in this
case in the upper position 3 70.
To remove, unscrew wing nut, lift
spare wheel, move to a vertical
position and remove from above.
When stowing the replaced wheel or
the temporary spare wheel back in
the spare wheel well, always secure
with the wing nut.Delivery van
Remove load floor.
The spare wheel is screwed down
together with the floor cover.
Unscrew wing nut and lift load cover.
Page 231 of 269

Vehicle care229
Remove spacer above the spare
wheel, lift the wheel, move to a
vertical position and remove from
above.
When stowing the replaced wheel or
the temporary spare wheel back in
the spare wheel well, always insert
the adapter and secure the load cover with the wing nut.
Depending on the defective replaced
wheel, the spacer can be omitted if
necessary, or the wheel can be bolted down without the floor cover.
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. The permissible maximum
speed on the label on the temporary
spare wheel is only valid for the
factory-fitted tyre size.
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 3 220.
Spare wheel with directional tyre 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.
The following applies to tyres fitted
opposing the rolling direction:
● Driveability may be affected. Have the defective tyre renewed
or repaired as soon as possible
and fit it instead of the spare
wheel.
● Drive particularly carefully on wet
and snow-covered road
surfaces.
Page 233 of 269

Vehicle care2313. Connect the black lead to thenegative 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.4. 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 3 212.
Page 234 of 269

232Vehicle care
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
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 80 km/h nor further than 100 km. 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 3 212.
Page 235 of 269

Vehicle care233
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.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye.
Insert cap at the top and engage
downwards.
Appearance care
Exterior care Locks
The locks are lubricated at the factory using a high quality lock cylinder
grease. Use a 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. Restrictions for
filmed or matt painted body parts or
decor tapes, see "Polishing and
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.