Driving and operating183Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
The bulb outage detection function for trailer brake light cannot detect a
partial bulb outage, e.g. in case of four
times five watt bulbs, the function only detects lamp outage when only a
single five Watt lamp remains or none remain.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball
bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle when
not in use.Driving characteristics and
towing tips
Before attaching a trailer, lubricatethe coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the coupling ball, is being used to reduce snaking movements.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1000 kg a speed of 50 mph must not
be exceeded; the use of a stabiliser is
recommended.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 251.Trailer towing
Trailer 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).
184Driving and operatingThe permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 239.
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.General
If the permitted rear axle load is
exceeded a maximum speed of
60 mph applies. If lower national
maximum speeds are specified for
trailer operation, they must be
complied with.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The coupling ball bar is stowed in a
bag in the spare wheel well and
secured to the lashing eyes in the
load compartment.
Driving and operating1879Warning
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 3 151.
Vehicle care207No.Circuit1Trailer interface module, rear
carrier system2-3Battery sensor4Chassis control module fuel
pump5ABS6Low beam and Daytime running
light left, Xenon high beam
shutter left and right7–8MTA Transmission control
module, LPG control module9Body control module voltage
detection10Headlamp levelling11Rear wiper12Heated rear window13Low beam and Daytime running
light rightNo.Circuit14Heated exterior mirror15–16Brake booster kit17Ignition, crank power supply18Engine control module19Fuel pump20–21Engine solenoids, engine
sensors22–23Injection system24Washer system25–26Engine sensors27Heater shut off valve28Engine control module29Engine control moduleNo.Circuit30Engine control module31High beam left, Xenon low
beam left32High beam right, Xenon low
beam right33Engine control module34Horn35Air condition compressor clutch36Front fog lights
Service and maintenance235Service and
maintenanceGeneral information ...................235
Service information ..................235
Recommended fluids, lubricants and parts .................................... 236
Recommended fluids and lubricants ................................ 236General information
Service information In order to ensure economical and
safe vehicle operation and to
maintain the value of your vehicle, it
is of vital importance that all
maintenance work is carried out at the proper intervals as specified.
The detailed, up-to-date service
schedule for your vehicle is available
at the workshop.
Service display 3 86.
European service intervals
Maintenance of your vehicle is
required every 20,000 miles or after
one year, whichever occurs first, unless otherwise indicated in theservice display.
A shorter service interval can be valid for severe driving behaviour, e.g. for
taxis and police vehicles.
The European service intervals are
valid for the following countries:Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Greenland, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta,
Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Service display 3 86.
International service intervals
Maintenance of your vehicle is
required every 10,000 miles or after
one year, whichever occurs first, unless otherwise indicated in the
service display.
Severe operating conditions exist if
one or more of the following
circumstances occur frequently: Cold starting, stop and go operation, trailer
operation, mountain driving, driving
on poor and sandy road surfaces,
increased air pollution, presence of
airborne sand and high dust content,
263RRadio Frequency Identification (RFID) ..................................... 258
Radio remote control ...................21
Reading lights ............................ 120
Rear carrier system ......................58
Rear floor storage cover ..............69
Rear fog light ....................... 95, 117
Rear view camera ...................... 170
Rear window wiper/washer .......... 78
Recommended fluids and lubricants ........................ 236, 240
Reduced engine power ................94
Refuelling ................................... 179
Registered trademarks ...............257
Retained power off .....................134
Reversing lights .........................118
Ride control systems ..................150
Roof .............................................. 33
Roof load ...................................... 72
Roof rack ..................................... 71
S Safety belts ................................... 40
Seat adjustment ....................... 7, 37 Seat belt ........................................ 8
Seat belt reminder .......................90
Seat belts ..................................... 40 Seat folding .................................. 38
Seat heating ................................. 39Seat position ................................ 36
Selector lever ..................... 140, 145
Service ....................................... 131
Service display ............................ 86
Service information ....................235
Service vehicle soon .................... 91
Side airbag system ......................47
Side blind spot alert ....................169
Sidelights .................................... 112
Side turn signal lights ................203
Software acknowledgement .......255
Spare wheel ............................... 226
Speed limiter......................... 95, 155
Speedometer ............................... 83
Starting and operating ................133
Starting off ................................... 17
Starting the engine ............134, 144
Steering wheel adjustment ......9, 75
Steering wheel controls ...............75
Stop-start system........................ 135
Storage ......................................... 56
Storage compartments .................56
Sunroof ........................................ 33
Sun visors .................................... 32
Symbols ......................................... 4
T
Tachometer ................................. 84
Tail lights ................................... 201
Three-point seat belt .................... 41Tools .......................................... 210
Top-tether fastening eyes ............54
Tow bar....................................... 183
Towing ................................ 183, 230
Towing another vehicle .............231
Towing equipment .....................184
Towing the vehicle .....................230
Traction Control system ............. 150
Traction Control system off........... 93
Traffic sign assistant .............95, 172
Trailer coupling ........................... 183
Trailer stability assist .................187
Trailer towing ............................. 183
Transmission ............................... 16
Transmission display .........140, 144
Tread depth ............................... 217
Trip odometer .............................. 83
Turn and lane-change signals ...117
Turn signal ................................... 89
Tyre chains ................................ 218
Tyre designations ......................211
Tyre pressure ............................ 212
Tyre pressure monitoring system ............................... 94, 213
Tyre pressures ........................... 251
Tyre repair kit ............................. 218
U Ultrasonic parking assist ...... 93, 159
Underseat storage .......................58