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162Vehicle 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.
If there is more wear at the front than
the rear, swap round front wheels and rear wheels periodically. Ensure that
the direction of rotation of the wheels
is the same as before.
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 make other vehicle
modifications.
After converting to a different tyre
size, have the label with tyre
pressures replaced.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.
Tyre chains
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
front wheels.
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Vehicle care165Note 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. -20 °C.
Replacing the sealant canister
To replace the sealant canister: 1. Disconnect the compressor air hose.2. Turn the canister anticlockwise tolift it out.
3. Insert the new canister and turn it clockwise.
4. Connect the compressor air hose to the canister and fit the flexible
filler tube into its allocated space.
Wheel changing
Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit instead of a spare wheel 3 163.
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 or reverse gear.
● Remove the spare wheel 3 167.
● 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 nuts, clean the nuts and thread
with a clean cloth.9 Warning
Do not grease wheel bolt, wheel
nut and wheel nut cone.
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166Vehicle care
1. Disengage wheel nut caps with ascrewdriver and remove. Pull off
the wheel cover using a suitable
tool.
2. Attach wheel wrench securely and loosen each wheel nut by halfa turn.3. Vehicle jacking points are located
at the front and rear.
4. Set the jack to the necessary height. Position it directly below
the jacking point in a manner that
prevents it from slipping.
With the jack correctly aligned,
rotate until wheel is clear of the
ground.
5. Unscrew the wheel nuts. 6. Change the wheel. Spare wheel 3 167.
7. Screw on the wheel nuts.
8. Lower vehicle.
9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring that it locates securely and tighten
each nut in a crosswise
sequence. Tightening torque is
85 Nm (steel wheel) or 120 Nm
(alloy wheel).
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Vehicle care16710. Align the valve hole in the wheelcover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel nut caps.
11. Stow the replaced wheel 3 167
and the vehicle tools 3 158.
12. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and the wheel nut
torque as soon as possible.
Have the defective tyre renewed or repaired as soon as possible.
Spare wheel Some vehicles are equipped with a
tyre repair kit 3 163 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.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.
Depending on model variant, the
spare wheel is stored beneath the
floor or in the load compartment.
1. Attach the extension bar 2 to the
wheel wrench 1. Vehicle tools
3 158.
2. Insert the wheel wrench into the
aperture in the load compartment
floor.
3. Rotate the wheel wrench to lower the spare wheel to the floor.
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168Vehicle care4. Withdraw spare wheel frombeneath the vehicle.
5. Unscrew knob 2 and release
cable attachment 1 from spare
wheel.
6. Change the wheel.
7. Position the replaced wheel at the
rear of the vehicle with the outside of the wheel facing downwards.
8. Pass the retainer 1 through the
hole in the rim, inserting the
locating pin into one of the bolt
holes and secure with knob 2.
9. Insert the wheel wrench into the aperture in the load compartment
floor and rotate to fully raise the
spare wheel.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
CNG vehicles Vehicles with CNG; the spare wheel
is located in the load compartment.1. Unscrew two bolts using the wheel wrench and remove spare
wheel from bracket. Vehicle tools
3 158.
2. Change the wheel.
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Vehicle care1693.Position the replaced spare wheel
onto the bracket ensuring correct
alignment of the locating pin.
4. Secure spare wheel by tightening two bolts using the wheel wrench.
Have the defective tyre renewed or
repaired as soon as possible.
Directional tyres
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.Jump starting
Do not start with quick charger.
A vehicle with a discharged battery can be started using jump leads and
the battery of another vehicle.9 Warning
Be extremely careful when starting
with jump leads. Any deviation
from the following instructions can
lead to injuries or damage caused
by battery explosion or damage to the electrical systems of both
vehicles.
9 Warning
Avoid contact of the vehicle
battery with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces. The fluid
contains sulphuric acid which can
cause injuries and damage in the
event of direct contact.
● Never expose the vehicle battery
to naked flames or sparks.
● A discharged vehicle battery can already freeze at a temperature
of 0 °C. Defrost the frozen battery
before connecting jump leads.
● Wear eye protection and protective clothing when
handling a vehicle 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
battery from the vehicle.
● Switch off all unnecessary electrical consumers.
● Do not lean over the vehicle battery during jump starting.
● Do not allow the terminals of one
lead to touch those of the other
lead.
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Vehicle care171Towing
Towing the vehicle
Release the cap by carefully lifting
with a screwdriver. To prevent
damage, it is recommended to place
a cloth between the screwdriver and
the frame.
The towing eye is stowed with the vehicle tools 3 158.
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.
Caution
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.
Notice
If neutral cannot be selected on
vehicles with manual transmission
automated (MTA), the vehicle must
only be towed with the drive wheels
raised off the ground.
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 3 106 and close the
windows.
Seek the assistance of a workshop. After towing, unscrew the towing eye
and replace the cap.
Towing another vehicle
Insert a screwdriver in the slot at the
side of the cap. Release the cap by
carefully levering the screwdriver. To
prevent damage it is recommended to place a cloth between the screwdriver
and the frame.
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172Vehicle careThe towing eye is stowed with thevehicle tools 3 158.
Screw in the towing eye as far as it will go until it stops in a horizontal
position.
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.
Appearance care
Exterior care Locks
The locks are lubricated at the factory using 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.
WashingThe 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.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.
Clean bright metal mouldings with a
cleaning solution approved for
aluminium to avoid damages.Caution
Always use a cleaning agent with
a pH value of four to nine.
Do not use cleaning agents on hot surfaces.
Have the door hinges of all doors
greased by a workshop.