148Driving and operatingBrakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop before
continuing the journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 92.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
After starting-off the system performs
a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 92.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.Fault9 Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
172Driving and operating● Ice, snow, mud, or anything elsecovers the camera lens. Clean
the lens, rinse it with water, and
wipe it with a soft cloth.
● The vehicle is towing a trailer.
● The vehicle had a rear end accident.
● There are extreme temperature changes.
Traffic sign assistant
Functionality The traffic sign assistant system
detects designated traffic signs via a
front camera and displays them in the
Driver Information Centre.
Traffic signs, which will be detected,
are:
Limit and no passing signs ● speed limit
● no passing
● end of speed limit
● end of no passingRoad signs
Beginning and end of:
● city regions (country specific)
● motorways
● A-roads
● play streetsAdd-on signs ● additional hints to traffic signs
● restriction of trailer towing
● tractor constraints
● wet warning
● ice warning
● direction arrows
Speed limit signs and no passing
signs are displayed in the Driver
Information Centre until the next
speed limit sign or end of speed limit
is detected or up to a defined sign
timeout.
Indication of multiple signs on the
display is possible.
180Driving and operatingThe fuel filler cap can be retained in
the bracket on the fuel filler flap.
To refuel, fully insert the pump nozzle
and switch it on.
After the automatic cut-off, the tank can be topped up by operating the
pump nozzle a maximum of two more
times.Caution
Wipe off any overflowing fuel
immediately.
To close, turn the fuel filler cap
clockwise until it clicks.
Close the flap and allow it to engage.
Liquid gas refuellingFollow the operating and safety
instructions of the filling station when
refuelling.
The filling valve for the liquid gas is
behind the fuel filler cap.
Unscrew protective cap from the filler
neck.
Screw the required adapter hand-
tight onto the filler neck.
ACME Adapter: Screw the nut of the
filling nozzle onto the adapter. Press
locking lever on filler nozzle down.
DISH filler neck: Place the filler nozzle
into the adapter. Press locking lever
on filler nozzle down.
Bayonet filler neck: Place filler nozzle
on the adapter and turn clockwise or
anticlockwise through one quarter
turn. Pull locking lever of filler nozzle
fully.
EURO filler neck: Press the filler
nozzle onto the adapter until it
engages.
Press the button at the liquid gas
supply point. The filling system stops
or begins to run slowly when 80% of
the tank volume is reached
(maximum fill level).
Release button on filling system and
the filling process stops. Release the
locking lever and remove the filler
nozzle. A small quantity of liquid gas
may escape.
Remove adapter and stow securely in vehicle.
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 operating185
When inserting, fit protective cap over
rotary knob with key.
Fitting the coupling ball bar
Disengage and fold down the socket. Remove the sealing plug from the
opening for the coupling ball bar and
stow it.
Checking the tensioning of the
coupling ball bar
● The rotary knob rests on the
coupling ball bar.
● Green marking on the rotary knob is not visible.
● Locking pin at the top of the coupling ball bar is set inwards.
● The key is in the lock.
Otherwise, the coupling ball bar must be tensioned before it is inserted into
the coupling housing:
● Place 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. The key remains in the
lock.
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.
188Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................189
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 189
Vehicle storage ........................189
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....190
Vehicle checks ........................... 190
Performing work ......................190
Bonnet ..................................... 190
Engine oil ................................. 191
Engine coolant ......................... 192
Washer fluid ............................ 194
Brakes ..................................... 194
Brake fluid ............................... 194
Vehicle battery ......................... 194
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....196
Wiper blade replacement ........196
Bulb replacement .......................197
Halogen headlights ..................197
Xenon headlights .....................200
Fog lights ................................. 201
Front turn signal lights .............201
Tail lights ................................. 201
Side turn signal lights ..............203
Centre high-mounted brake light ......................................... 204Number plate light...................204
Interior lights ............................ 205
Instrument panel illumination ...205
Electrical system ........................205
Fuses ....................................... 205
Engine compartment fuse box . 206
Instrument panel fuse box .......208
Vehicle tools .............................. 210
Tools ........................................ 210
Wheels and tyres .......................211
Winter tyres ............................. 211
Tyre designations ....................211
Tyre pressure .......................... 212
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 213
Tread depth ............................. 217
Changing tyre and wheel size . 217
Wheel covers ........................... 218
Tyre chains .............................. 218
Tyre repair kit .......................... 218
Wheel changing .......................224
Spare wheel ............................ 226
Jump starting ............................. 228
Towing ....................................... 230
Towing the vehicle ...................230
Towing another vehicle ...........231Appearance care .......................232
Exterior care ............................ 232
Interior care ............................. 234