
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The steering wheel can still be adjusted if the
key has been removed.
:Steering column fore-and-aft adjustment
;Steering column height
=Lever
XTo set the steering wheel: swing lever=
down until it engages.
The steering wheel is unlocked.
XMove the steering wheel to the desired posi-
tion.
XPull lever =up to the stop.
The steering wheel is locked again.
Mirrors
Rear-view mirror
XAnti-glare mode: push anti-glare lever :in
the direction of the arrow.
Exterior mirrors
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The additional mirrors in the exterior mirrors
reduce the size of the image. Objects visible in
the mirrors are closer than they appear. You
could misjudge the distance from road users
driving behind you when changing lanes, for
instance. There is a risk of an accident.
You should therefore always determine the
actual distance from road users driving
behind you, e.g.:
Rby looking over your shoulder
Rby looking in the main mirror in the exterior
mirror.
Adjusting manually
XBefore starting off, manually adjust the exte-
rior mirrors in such a way that you can get a
good overview of road and traffic conditions.
Adjusting electrically
Button and switch for mirror adjustment
XBefore pulling away, turn the key to position 2
in the ignition lock (Ypage 119).
XPress switch ;to position 1for the left-hand
exterior mirror or to position 2for the right-
hand exterior mirror.
XPress button :up or down, to the right or
left.
80Mirrors
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Adjust the exterior mirrors in such a way that
you can get a good overview of road and traf-
fic conditions.
iThe exterior mirrors are automatically
heated at low outside temperatures.
Mirrors81
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
Z

The headlamp range control is used to adapt the
downward angle of the headlamp beams in
accordance with the load on your vehicle. The
cone of light from the headlamps changes if
seats are occupied or if the cargo compartmentis being loaded or unloaded. This can impair vis-
ibility and cause glare to oncoming traffic.
You can only adjust the headlamp range while
the engine is running.
XTurn headlamp range control :to the cor-
responding position. The road ahead should
be lit up for 40 mto 100 mand the low-beam
headlamps should not cause glare to oncom-
ing traffic.
Select position gif the vehicle is unladen.
Cornering lamps
The cornering lamps improve the illumination of
the road over a wide angle in the direction you
are turning, enabling better visibility in tight
bends, for example.
The cornering light function switches on
automatically, if:
Ryou are traveling at a speed of less than
25 mph (40 km/h) and you switch on a turn
signal or turn the steering wheel.
Ryou are traveling at a speeds of between
25 mph (40 km/h) and 43 mph (70 km/h) and
turn the steering wheel.
The cornering lamp may remain lit for a short
time, but is automatically switched off after no
more than 3 minutes.
iIf reverse gear is engaged the lamp on the
opposite side of the vehicle switches on
instead.
Hazard warning lamps
GWARNING
The rear exterior light will be covered if you:
Ropen the rear doors by 90°
Ropen the rear dropside.
The vehicle will then be difficult for other road users to see or will not be seen by them at all,
particularly if it is dark or visibility is poor.
There is a risk of an accident.
You should therefore ensure in this and simi-
lar situations that the vehicle is visible from
the rear in accordance with the relevant
national regulations, by using the warning tri-
angle, for instance.
Hazard warning lamp switch
XTo switch on/off: press the£hazard
warning lamp switch.
If you have indicated a turn while the hazard
warning lamps are switched on, only the turn
signal lamps on the side of the vehicle selected
will light up.
The hazard warning lamps switch on automati-
cally if:
Ran air bag is deployed.
Ryou brake sharply and bring the vehicle to a
halt from a speed of more than 45 mph
(70 km/h).
If the hazard warning lamps have been switched
on automatically, press the £hazard warn-
ing lamp switch to switch them off.
iThe hazard warning lamps work even when
the ignition is switched off.
Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically with a
high-pressure water jet if the "Wipe with washer
fluid" function is activated (
Ypage 96) while
the low-beam headlamps are on and the engine is running.
You can find information on refilling washer fluid
in the "Maintenance and care" section
(
Ypage 225).
Exterior lighting85
Lights and windshield wiper s
Z

Load distribution
General notes
!
Excessive loads on individual points of the
cargo floor or on the load surface impair vehi-
cle handling characteristics and could cause
damage to the floor covering.
The overall center of gravity of the load should
always be as low as possible, centered and
between the axles near the rear axle.
On Cargo Vans and Passenger Vans:
XAlways transport loads in the cargo compart-
ment.
XAlways place the load against the backrests of the rear bench seat.
XMove large and heavy loads as far towards the
front of the vehicle as possible against the
rear bench seat. Stow the load flush with the
rear bench seat.
XAlways additionally secure the load with suit-
able load-securing aids or tie downs.
Observe the following notes:
RDo not stack loads higher than the upper edge
of the backrests.
RTransport loads behind seats that are not
occupied.
RIf the rear bench seat is not occupied, insert
the seat belts crosswise into the buckle of the
opposite seat belt.
Securing loads
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you attach the tie-down incorrectly when
securing the load, the following may occur in
the event of abrupt changes in direction, brak- ing maneuvers or an accident:
Rthe cargo tie-down rings may become
detached or the tie-down may tear if the
permissible load is exceeded
Rthe load may not be restrained.
This may cause the load to slip, tip over or be
tossed about, striking vehicle occupants.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Always tension the tie-downs in the proper
manner and only between the described
cargo tie-down rings. Always use tie-downs
designed specifically for the loads.
!Observe the information on the maximum
loading capacity of the individual cargo tie-
down points.
If you use several cargo tie-down points to
secure a load, you must always take the max-
imum loading capacity of the weakest cargo
tie-down point into account.
If you brake hard, for example, the forces act- ing could be up to several times the weight
force of the load. Always use multiple cargo
tie-down points in order to distribute the force
absorption. Load the anchorages evenly.
Spread the load evenly between the cargo tie-
down points or tie-down rings.
Please also refer to the notes about qualified
specialist workshops (
Ypage 27).
Always observe the operating instructions or the
notes of the lashing strap manufacturer for the
operation of the lashing strap.
Information about the maximum loading capa-
city of the cargo tie-down points can be found in
the "Technical data" section (
Ypage 287).
As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring
that:
RThe load is secured against slipping, tipping,
rolling or falling off. This applies both in nor-
mal traffic conditions and if the vehicle must
swerve to avoid an obstacle, in the event of
full brake application and on poor road sur
fa-
ces.
RThe applicable requirements and guidelines
relating to load-securing practices must be
met.
If this is not the case, this may constitute a
punishable offense, depending on local legis-
lation and any ensuing consequences.
You should therefore observe the respective
legal requirements for the relevant country.
Make sure that the load is secure before every
journey and at regular intervals during a long
journey. Correct an incorrectly or inadequately
secured load if necessary.
You can obtain information about securing the
load correctly from the manufacturer of the load
securing aids or tie down for securing the load.
Securing loads215
Transporting loads
Z

Loading the vehicle
Instruction labels for tires and loads
GWARNING
Overloaded tires can overheat, causing a
blowout. Overloaded tires can also impair the steering and driving characteristics and lead
to brake failure. There is a risk of accident.
Observe the load rating of the tires. The load
rating must be at least half of the GAWR of
your vehicle. Never overload the tires by
exceeding the maximum load.
The Tire and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar
Two instruction labels on your vehicle show themaximum possible load.
(1) Only for vehicles with a gross weight of less than 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg):
Tire and Loading Information placard :is
on the B-pillar on the driver's side. Tire and
Loading Information placard :shows the
permissible number of occupants and the
maximum permissible load of the vehicle. It
also contains details of the tire sizes and
corresponding pressures for tires mounted
at the factory.
(2) The vehicle identification plate is located on the base of the driver's seat. The vehicle
identification plate informs you of the gross
vehicle weight rating. It is made up of the
vehicle weight, all vehicle occupants, the
fuel and the cargo. You can also find infor-
mation about the maximum Gross Axle
Weight Rating on the front and rear axle.
The maximum gross axle weight rating is
the maximum weight that can be carried by
one axle (front or rear axle). Do not exceed
the maximum gross vehicle weight or the maximum gross axle weight rating for the
front or rear axle.
Tire and Loading Information placard
General notes
Only vehicles with a gross weight of less than
10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) have a Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar on the driv-
er's side.
Maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating
:Maximum number of seats
;Maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
rating
XSpecification for maximum gross vehicle
weight ;is listed in the Tire and Loading
Information placard: "The gross weight of
occupants and luggage must not exceed XXX
kilograms or XXX lbs."
The gross weight of all vehicle occupants, cargo,
luggage and trailer load/noseweight (if applica-
ble) must not exceed the specified value.
iThe details on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation placard illustration are only an exam-
ple. The maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating is vehicle-specific and may dif-
fer from that which is illustrated. You can find
the valid maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight rating for your vehicle on the Tire and
Loading Information placard.
Loading the vehicle259
Wheels and tires
Z

Number of seats
:Maximum number of seats
;Maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
rating
Maximum number of seats :determines the
maximum number of occupants allowed to
travel in the vehicle. This information can be
found on the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard.
iThe details on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation placard illustration are only an exam-
ple. The number of seats is vehicle-specific
and can differ from the details shown. The
number of seats in your vehicle can be found
on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
Determining the maximum load
Individual steps
The following steps have been developed as
required of all manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 in
accordance with the "National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".
XStep 1:
Locate the statement "The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your vehicle's
Tire and Loading Information placard.
XStep 2: Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be travel-
ing in your vehicle.
XStep 3: Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or
XXX lbs.
XStep 4: The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage load capa- city. For example, if the "XXX" amount equals
1400 lbs and there will be five 150 pound
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs (1400 Ò750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs).
XStep 5: Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehi-
cle. For reasons of safety, that weight must
not exceed the available cargo and luggage
cargo capacity calculated in step 4.
XStep 6 (if applicable): If you intend to tow a
trailer behind your vehicle, the load on the
trailer is transferred to your vehicle. Please
consult the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard, to determine how this reduces the avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
Example: Steps 1 to 3
The following table shows examples of how to calculate total load and cargo capacities with varying seating configurations and number and size of occupants. The following examples use a maximum
load of 1500 lbs (680 kg). This is for illustration purposes only. Make sure you are using the
actual load limit for your vehicle stated on your vehicle's Tire and Loading Information placard .
Example 1Example 2Example 3
Step 1Combined maximum
weight of occupants
and cargo (data from
the Tire and Loading
Information placard)1500 lbs
(680 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg)
260Loading the vehicle
Wheels and tires

Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard equipment
including the maximum filling capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant. It also includes the air-condi-
tioning system and optional equipment if these
are installed on the vehicle, but does not include
passengers or luggage.
Maximum tire load
The maximum tire load in kilograms or pounds is
the maximum weight for which a tire is
approved.
Maximum permissible tire pressure
Maximum permissible tire pressure for one tire.
Maximum load on one tire
Maximum load on one tire. This is calculated by
dividing the maximum axle load of one axle by
two.
PSI (Pounds per square inch)
Standard unit of measurement for tire pressure.
Aspect ratio
Relationship between tire height and width in
percent.
tire pressure
Pressure inside the tire applying an outward
force to every square inch of the tire's surface.
Tire pressure is specified in pounds per square
inch (psi), in kilopascal (kPa) or in bar. Tire pres-
sure should only be corrected when the tires are
cold.
Cold tire pressure
The tires are cold:
Rif the vehicle has been parked for at least
three hours without direct sunlight on the
tires, and
Rif the vehicle has not been driven further than
1 mile (1.6 km)
Tire tread
The part of the tire that comes into contact with the road.
Tire bead
The tire bead ensures that the tire sits securely
on t
he wheel. There are several steel wires in the
bead to prevent the tire from coming loose from
the wheel rim.
Sidewall
The part of the tire between the tread and the
tire bead.
Weight of optional extras
The combined weight of those optional extras
that weigh more than the replaced standard
parts and more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs). These
optional extras, such as high-performance
brakes, a roof rack or a high-performance bat-
tery, are not included in the curb weight and the
weight of the accessories.
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
A unique identification number which can be
used by a tire manufacturer to identify tires, for
example for a product recall, and thus identify
the purchasers. The TIN is composed of the
manufacturer identification code, tire size, tire
model code and manufacturing date.
Load bearing index
The load bearing index (also load index) is a code
that contains the maximum load bearing capa-
city of a tire.
Traction
Traction is the result of friction between the tires
and the road surface.
TWR (permissible trailer drawbar load)
The TWR is the maximum permissible weight
that may act on the ball coupling of the trailer
tow hitch.
Wear indicator
Narrow bars (tread wear bars) that are distrib-
uted over the tire tread. If the tir e tread is level
with the bars, the wear limit of áin (1.6 mm)
has been reached.
Distribution of the vehicle occupants
The distribution of vehicle occupants over des-
ignated seat positions in a vehicle.
Maximum permissible payload weight
Nominal load and goods/luggage load plus
68 kg (150lbs) multiplied by the number of
seats in the vehicle.
266What you should know about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires