
The essentials
Action in the event of a punc-
t ur
e
R
elated video Fig. 72
Wheels What to do first
●
Park the vehicle on a horizontal surface
and in a s af
e p
lace as far away from traffic as
possible.
● Apply the handbrake.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights.
● Manual gearbox: select the 1s
t gear.
● Automatic gearbox: Move the sel
ector lever
to position P.
● If you are towing a trailer, unhitch it from
your v
ehicle.
● Have the vehicle tool kit* ›››
page 61 and
the spare wheel ›››
page 283 ready.
● Observe the applicable legislation for each
countr
y (reflective vest, warning triangles,
etc.). ●
All
occupants should leave the vehicle and
wait in a safe place (for instance behind the
roadside crash barrier). WARNING
● Alw a
ys observe the above steps and pro-
tect yourself and other road users.
● If you change the wheel on a slope, block
the wheel on the oppo
site side of the car with
a stone or similar to prevent the vehicle from
moving. Repairing a tyre with the anti-punc-
t
ur
e k
it Fig. 73
Standard representation: contents of
the anti-p u
nct
ure kit. The anti-puncture kit is located under the
floor p
anel
in the lug
gage compartment. Sealing the tyre
● Unscrew the tyre valve cap and insert. Use
the ›››
Fig. 73 1 tool to remove the insert.
Pl ac
e it
on a clean surface.
● Shake the tyre sealant bottle vigorously
›››
Fig. 73 10 .
● Screw the inflator tube ››
›
Fig. 73 3 into
the se al
ant
bottle. The bottle's seal will break
automatically.
● Remove the lid from the filling tube
›››
Fig. 73 3 and screw the open end of the
t ube int
o the ty
re valve.
● With the tyre sealant bottle upside down,
fill
the tyre with the contents of the sealant
bottle.
● Remove the bottle from the valve.
● Place the insert back into the tyre valve us-
ing the too
l ››› Fig. 73 1 .
Infl atin
g the ty
re
● Screw the compressor tyre inflator tube
›››
Fig. 73 8 into the tyre valve.
● Check that the air bleed screw is closed
› ›
›
Fig. 73 6 .
● Start the engine and leave it running.
● Insert the connector ››
›
Fig. 73 9 into the
v ehic
l
e's 12-volt socket ›››
page 151.
● Turn the air compressor on with the ON/OFF
swit c
h ››› Fig. 73 5 .
60

The essentials
Snow chains U se Snow chains should only be used on the
fron
t
wheels.
● Check that they are correctly seated after
driving f
or a few yards; correct the position if
necessary, in accordance with the manufac-
turer's fitting instructions.
● Keep your speed below 50 km/h (30 mph).
● If there is a danger of being trapped de-
spit e h
aving mounted the chains, it is best to
disable the driving wheels (ASR) in the ESC
››› page 177.
Snow chains will improve braking ability as
well as traction in winter conditions.
For technical reasons snow chains may only
be used with the following wheel rim/tyre
combination.
195/60 R16Chains with links of maximum 13.5
mm Remove wheel covers and any integral trim
rin
g bef
or
e fitting snow chains.
Remove the chains when roads are free of
snow. Driving characteristics worsen, and the
wheels become damaged quickly and may
even be rendered unusable. WARNING
Snow chains should be correctly tightened in
acc or
dance with the manufacturer's instruc-
tions. This will prevent the chains coming in-
to contact with the wheel housing. Emergency towing of the vehi-
cl
e
T
owing Fig. 84
Right side of the front bumper: Tow-
in g rin
g. Fig. 85
Right side of the rear bumper: Towing
ring. Towline anchorages
Att
ac
h the b
ar or rope to the towline ancho-
rages.
The towline anchorages are located under
the floor panel in the luggage compartment,
next to the vehicle tools ››› page 61.
Screw the towline anchorage into the screw
connection ››› Fig. 84 o ››› Fig. 85 and tighten
it with the wheel brace.
Tow rope or tow bar
It is easier and safer for the vehicle to be tow-
ed using a tow bar. You should only use a
tow-rope if you do not have a tow-bar.
A tow rope should be slightly elastic to re-
duce the loading on both vehicles. It is advis-
able to use a tow rope made of synthetic fi-
bre or similarly elastic material. 66

The essentials
Attach the tow rope or the tow bar only to the
t o
wline anc
horages provided or a towing
bracket.
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
● The tow rope must be taut before you drive
off.
● Rel
ease the clutch very carefully when start-
ing the v
ehicle (manual gearbox), or acceler-
ate gently (automatic gearbox).
Driving style
Towing requires some experience, especially
when using a tow rope. Both drivers should
realise how difficult it is to tow a vehicle. In-
experienced drivers should not attempt to
tow.
Do not pull too hard with the towing vehicle
and take care to avoid jerking the tow rope.
When towing on an unpaved road, there is al-
ways a risk of overloading and damaging the
anchorage points.
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must
be switched on to prevent the steering wheel
from locking and also to allow the use of the
turn signals, horn, windscreen wipers and
washers.
Place the gear lever in neutral on vehicles
with a manual gearbox. With an automatic
gearbox, place the lever in N. The brake servo only works when the engine
is ru
nning. When not running, you must ap-
ply considerably more pressure to the brake
pedal.
As the power assisted steering does not work
if the engine is not running, you will need
more strength to steer than you normally
would.
››› in General information on page 96
››› page 96 Tow-starting
If the engine will not start, first try starting it
u
s
in
g the battery of another vehicle
››› page 67. You should only attempt to tow-
start a vehicle if charging the battery does
not work. This is done by leveraging wheel
movement.
When tow-starting a vehicle with a petrol en-
gine, do not tow it more than a short dis-
tance, otherwise unburned fuel can enter the
catalytic converter.
However, if your vehicle has to be tow-star-
ted:
● Engage 2 nd
or 3 rd
ge
ar.
● Keep the clutch pressed down. ●
Switc
h the ignition on.
● Once both vehicles are moving, release the
clutc
h.
● As soon as the engine starts, press the
clutc
h and move the gear lever into neutral.
This helps to prevent driving into the towing
vehicle.
››› in General information on page 96
››› page 96 How to jump start
Jump l e
a
ds The jump lead must have a sufficient wire
c
r
o
ss section.
If the engine fails to start because of a dis-
charged battery, the battery can be connec-
ted to the battery of another vehicle to start
the engine.
Jump leads
Jump leads must comply with standard DIN
72553 (see cable manufacturer's instruc-
tions). The wire cross section must be at least
25 mm 2
for petrol engines and at least
35 mm 2
for diesel engines. » 67

Safe driving
●
Adjus t
the driver's seat so that there is at
least 25 cm distance between the centre of
the chest and the centre of the steering
wheel ››› Fig. 91. If distance is less than 25
cm, the airbag system may not protect you
properly.
● If your physical constitution prevents you
from maint
aining the minimum distance of 25
cm, contact a specialised workshop. The
workshop will help you decide if special spe-
cific modifications are necessary.
● When driving, always hold the steering
wheel with both h
ands on the outside of the
ring at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions.
This reduces the risk of injury when the driver
airbag is triggered.
● Never hold the steering wheel at the 12
o'clock
position, or in any other manner (e.g.
in the centre of the steering wheel). In such
cases, if the airbag is triggered, you may sus-
tain injuries to the arms, hands and head.
● To reduce the risk of injury to the driver
during sud
den braking manoeuvres or an ac-
cident, never drive with the backrest tilted far
back! The airbag system and seat belts can
only provide optimal protection when the
backrest is in an upright position and the
driver is wearing his or her seat belt correct-
ly.
● Adjust the head restraint properly to ach-
ieve optima
l protection. Adjusting the steering wheel position
Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 20 WARNING
● Never a dju
st the position of the steering
wheel when the vehicle is moving, as this
could cause an accident.
● Move the lever up firmly so the steering
wheel pos
ition does not accidentally change
during driving. risk of accident!
● Make sure you are capable of reaching and
firmly ho
lding the upper part of the steering
wheel: risk of accident!
● If you adjust the steering wheel so that it
points t
owards your face, the driver airbag
will not protect you properly in the event of
an accident. Make sure that the steering
wheel points towards your chest. Correct sitting position for front pas-
sen
g
er For your own safety and to reduce the risk of
injur
y
in the ev
ent of an accident, we recom-
mend the following adjustments for the front
passenger:
– Move the front passenger seat back as far
as po
ssible ››› .–
Mo v
e the se
at backrest to an upright posi-
tion so that your back rests completely
against it.
– Adjust the head restraint so that its upper
edge is
at the same level as the top of your
head, or as close as possible to the same
level as the top of your head ››› page 75.
– Always keep both feet in the footwell in
front of
the front passenger seat.
– Fasten your seat belt securely ›››
page 77.
It is possible to deactivate the front passen-
ger airbag in exceptional circumstances
››› page 86.
Adjusting the front passenger seat
››› page 18. WARNING
● An incorr ect
sitting position of the front
passenger can lead to severe injuries.
● Adjust the front passenger seat so that
there is
at least 25 cm between your chest
and the dash panel. If distance is less than
25 cm, the airbag system may not protect you
properly.
● If your physical constitution prevents you
from maint
aining the minimum distance of 25
cm, contact a specialised workshop. The
workshop will help you decide if special spe-
cific modifications are necessary. » 73
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Safety
The protective function of seat belts Fig. 97
Drivers with properly worn seat belts
w i
l
l not be thrown forward in the event of sud-
den braking. Properly worn seat belts hold the occupants
in the pr
oper po
s
ition. These also help pre-
vent uncontrolled movements that may result
in serious injury and reduce the risk of being
thrown out of the vehicle.
Vehicle occupants wearing their seat belts
correctly benefit greatly from the ability of the
belts to absorb kinetic energy. In addition,
the front part of your vehicle and other pas-
sive safety features (such as the airbag sys-
tem) are designed to absorb the kinetic ener-
gy released in a collision. Taken together, all
these features reduce the releasing kinetic
energy and consequently, the risk of injury.
This is why it is so important to fasten seat
belts before every trip, even when "just driv-
ing around the corner". Ensure that your passengers wear their seat
belts as
well. Accident statistics have shown
that wearing seat belts is an effective means
of substantially reducing the risk of injury
and improving the chances of survival when
involved in a serious accident. Furthermore,
properly worn seat belts improve the protec-
tion provided by airbags in the event of an
accident. For this reason, wearing a seat belt
is required by law in most countries.
Although your vehicle is equipped with air-
bags, the seat belts must be fastened and
worn. The front airbags, for example, are only
triggered in some cases of head-on collision.
The front airbags will not be triggered during
minor frontal or side collisions, rear-end colli-
sions, rollovers or accidents in which the air-
bag trigger threshold value in the control unit
is not exceeded.
Therefore, you should always wear your seat
belt and ensure that all vehicle occupants
have fastened their seat belts properly before
you drive off!
Safety instructions on using seat
belts –
Always wear the seat belt as described in
thi s
section.
– En
sure that the seat belts can be fastened
at all
times and are not damaged. WARNING
● If se at
belts are worn incorrectly or not at
all, the risk of severe injuries increases. The
optimal protection from seat belts can be
achieved only if you use them properly.
● Fasten your seat belt before every trip -
even when drivin
g in town. Other vehicle oc-
cupants must also wear the seat belts at all
times, otherwise they run the risk of being in-
jured.
● The seat belt cannot offer its full protection
if the seat
belt is not positioned correctly.
● Never allow two passengers (even children)
to shar
e the same seat belt.
● Always keep both feet in the footwell in
front of
your seat as long as the vehicle is in
motion.
● Never unbuckle a seat belt while the vehi-
cle i
s in motion. Risk of fatal injury.
● The seat belt must never be twisted while it
is bein
g worn.
● The seat belt should never lie on hard or
fragil
e objects (such as glasses or pens, etc.)
because this can cause injuries.
● Do not allow the seat belt to be damaged or
jammed, or to rub on an
y sharp edges.
● Never wear the seat belt under the arm or
in any other inc
orrect position.
● Loose, bulky clothing (such as an overcoat
over a j
acket) impairs the proper fit and func-
tion of the seat belts, reducing their capacity
to protect. 78

Self-help
Emergencies
Self -help
Emer g
ency equipment
Emergency warning triangle* The use of reflective warning triangles is
ob
lig
atory in emergencies in some countries.
As are the first aid kit and a set of spare light
bulbs.
The warning triangle is under the storage
compartment which is located under the lug-
gage compartment floor. Note
● The warnin g tri
angle is not part of the vehi-
cle's standard equipment.
● The warning triangle should meet legal re-
quirements. First-aid kit and fire extinguisher*
The first-aid kit can go in the storage com-
p
ar
tment
which is located under the luggage
compartment floor.
The fire extinguisher* is attached to the lug-
gage compartment carpet with Velcro. Note
● The firs t
-aid kit and the fire extinguisher
are not part of the vehicle's standard equip-
ment.
● The first aid kit must comply with legal re-
quirements.
● O
bserve the expiry date of the contents of
the first
aid kit. After it has expired you
should purchase a new one.
● The fire extinguisher must comply with le-
gal
requirements.
● Ensure that the fire extinguisher is fully
function
al. The fire extinguisher should,
therefore, be checked regularly. The sticker
on the fire extinguisher will inform you of the
next date for checking.
● Before acquiring accessories and emergen-
cy equipment see the in
structions in “Acces-
sories and spares” ››› page 255. Vehicle tools
Read the additional information carefully
› ›
›
page 61
Depending on the equipment, the tools and
anti-puncture kit* are stored under the floor
panel in the luggage compartment.
The tool kit includes:
● Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts*
● Towline anchorage ●
Box s
panner for wheel bolts*
● Jack*
● Wire hook for pulling off the wheel cover* /
wheel bolt
cap clip.
Some of the items listed are only provided in
certain model versions, or are optional ex-
tras. WARNING
● The fact or
y-supplied jack is only designed
for changing wheels on this model. On no ac-
count attempt to use it for lifting heavier ve-
hicles or other loads. Risk of injury.
● Use the jack only on a firm, level ground.
● Never start the engine when the vehicle is
on the jack. Ri
sk of accident.
● If work is to be carried out underneath the
vehicl
e, this must be secured by suitable
means. Otherwise, there is a risk of injury. Note
The jack does not generally require any main-
ten anc
e. If required, it should be greased us-
ing universal type grease. 93
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety

Emergencies
Changing the windscreen wiper
b l
a
des
Changing the windscreen and rear
window wiper blades Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 69.
Perfect wiper blade condition is essential for
clear vision. Damaged wiper blades should
be replaced immediately.
The windscreen wiper blades are supplied as
standard with a layer of graphite. This layer is
responsible for ensuring that the wipe is si-
lent. If the graphite layer is damaged, the
noise of the water as it is wiped across the
windscreen will be louder.
Check the condition of the wiper blades regu-
larly. If the wipers scrape across the glass ,
they should be changed if they are damaged,
or cleaned if they are dirty ››› .
If thi
s
does not produce the desired results,
the setting angle of the windscreen wiper
arms might be incorrect. They should be
checked by a specialised workshop and cor-
rected if necessary. WARNING
Do not drive unless you have good visibility
through a l
l windows! ●
Cle
an the windscreen wiper blades and all
windows regularly.
● The wiper blades should be changed once
or twice a
year. CAUTION
● Dam aged or dir
ty windscreen wipers could
scratch the glass.
● Never use fuel, nail varnish remover, paint
thinner or simil
ar products to clean the win-
dows. This could damage the windscreen
wiper blades.
● Never move any windscreen wiper by hand.
This c
ould cause damage.
● To prevent damage to the bonnet and the
winds
creen wiper arms, the latter should only
be lifted off the windscreen when in service
position. Note
● The wind s
creen wiper arms can be moved
to the service position only when the bonnet
is properly closed.
● You can also use the service position, for
examp
le, if you want to fix a cover over the
windscreen in the winter to keep it clear of
ice. Towing or tow-starting
Gener a
l
information Read the additional information carefully
›› ›
page 66.
Tow-starting means starting the engine of
the vehicle while another pulls it.
Towing means one vehicle pulling another
that is not roadworthy.
If the vehicle comes with the Keyless Access
system, towing is only allowed with the igni-
tion on!
The vehicle battery drains if the vehicle is
towed with the engine switched off and the
ignition connected. Depending on the battery
charge status, the drop in voltage may be so
large, even after just a few minutes, that no
electrical device in the vehicle may work e.g.
the hazard warning lights. In vehicles with
the Keyless Access system, the steering
wheel could lock up. WARNING
If the vehicle has no electrical power, the
brak e light
s, turn signals and all other lights
will no longer function. Do not have the vehi-
cle towed away. Failure to follow this instruc-
tion could result in an accident. 96

Self-help
WARNING
The risk of accidents is high when tow-start-
ing, f or e
xample, the towed vehicle can easily
be driven into the towing vehicle. CAUTION
If there is no oil in the gearbox or no lubricant
in the autom atic
transmission the car may
only be towed with the driven wheels lifted
clear of the road, or transported on a special
car transporter or trailer. CAUTION
Do not tow a vehicle for more than 50 m in at-
tempt t
o start it. There is risk of damage to
the catalytic converter. Note
● Ple a
se observe related legal requirements.
● Switch on the hazard warning lights of both
vehicl
es. However, observe any regulations
to the contrary.
● The tow rope must not be twisted. Other-
wise the fr
ont tow line anchorage could be
pulled off the vehicle. Indications for tow-starting
Vehicle's should not generally be tow-star-
t
ed.
The jump s
tart should be used instead
››› page 67. For technical reasons, towing the following
vehicl
es is not allowed:
● Vehicles with an automatic gearbox.
● If the vehicle battery is discharged, be-
cause in
vehicles with the Keyless Access
locking and ignition system the steering re-
mains locked and the electronic parking
brake cannot be deactivated nor can the elec-
tronic lock of the steering column be re-
leased if they are activated.
● If the battery is flat, it is possible that the
engine contr
ol units may not operate correct-
ly.
However, if the vehicle must absolutely be
tow-started (in the case of manual gearbox-
es):
● Engage the 2nd or 3rd gear.
● Keep the clutch pressed down.
● Switch on the ignition and the hazard warn-
ing lights.
● Once both
vehicles are moving, release the
clutc
h.
● Once the engine starts, press the clutch
and diseng
age the gear to avoid colliding
with the towing vehicle. Note
The vehicle can only be tow-started if the
electr onic
parking brake and, if appropriate,
the electronic lock of the steering column are deactivated. If the vehicle has no power sup-
ply
or ther
e is an electric system fault, the
engine must be tow-started to deactivate the
electronic parking brake and the electronic
lock of the steering column. 97
Technical data
Advice
Operation
Emergencies
Safety