Driving and operating141● Close the windows.
● Turn the ignition key to position
0 and remove it. Turn the
steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock is felt to
engage.
Lock the vehicle 3 24 and activate the
anti-theft locking system 3 34 and
anti-theft alarm system 3 34.
Air suspension
Operates automatically when the
vehicle is driven. The air suspension
system constantly adjusts the ride
height according to the vehicle load.
Caution
To ensure safe operation of the air
suspension system, do not exceed the maximum permissible gross
vehicle weight rating. Refer to
identification plate 3 226 or the
vehicle documents.
For further information on the air
suspension system, refer to the
operating instructions supplied.
Master switchCaution
The air suspension system must
be switched off when the vehicle is being towed, jump‐started, raised
off the ground or transported.
Do not switch off the air
suspension system when driving.
Jump starting 3 213, Towing the
vehicle 3 216.
The master switch is located on the
door pillar.
Switch on to enable operation and
adjustment of the air suspension
system.
Switch off to put the vehicle into
service mode.
Remote control
When increased ground clearance or improved vehicle access is required,the suspension can be raised or
lowered using the remote control.
Driving and operating155Interruption of power supplyThe clutch is not disengaged if there
is an interruption of the power supply
when a gear is engaged. The vehicle
cannot move.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 213.
If the cause of the fault is not a
discharged vehicle battery, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
If neutral cannot be selected, the
vehicle must only be towed with the
drive wheels raised off the ground
3 216.
Towing the vehicle 3 216.Brakes
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 you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your 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 99.
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.
Control indicator u 3 99.
Fault
If control indicators u and A
illuminate with the messages CHECK
ABS and CHECK ESP in the Driver
Information Centre, there is a fault in
the ABS. The brake system remains
operational but without ABS
regulation.
Vehicle care175Vehicle careGeneral Information...................176
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 176
Vehicle storage ........................176
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....177
Vehicle checks ........................... 177
Performing work ......................177
Bonnet ..................................... 177
Engine oil ................................. 178
Engine coolant ......................... 179
Power steering fluid .................180
Washer fluid ............................ 181
Brakes ..................................... 181
Brake fluid ............................... 181
Vehicle battery ......................... 182
Diesel fuel filter ........................184
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....184
Wiper blade replacement ........185
Bulb replacement .......................185
Headlights ............................... 186
Adaptive forward lighting .........188
Fog lights ................................. 188
Front turn signal lights .............189
Tail lights ................................. 189
Side turn signal lights ..............191Centre high-mounted brake
light ......................................... 192
Number plate light ...................192
Interior lights ............................ 193
Instrument panel illumination ...194
Electrical system ........................194
Fuses ....................................... 194
Engine compartment fuse box . 196
Instrument panel fuse box .......196
Load compartment fuse box ....197
Vehicle tools .............................. 199
Tools ........................................ 199
Wheels and tyres .......................200
Tyres ....................................... 200
Winter tyres ............................. 200
Tyre designations ....................200
Tyre pressure .......................... 201
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 202
Tread depth ............................. 204
Changing tyre and wheel size . 204 Wheel covers ........................... 204
Tyre chains .............................. 205
Tyre repair kit .......................... 205
Wheel changing .......................208
Spare wheel ............................ 210
Jump starting ............................. 213Towing....................................... 216
Towing the vehicle ...................216
Towing another vehicle ...........217
Appearance care .......................217
Exterior care ............................ 217
Interior care ............................. 219
182Vehicle care
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
When topping up, ensure maximum cleanliness as contamination of the
brake fluid can lead to brake system
malfunctions. Have the cause of the
loss of brake fluid remedied by a
workshop.
Only use brake fluid approved for your vehicle.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 223.
Vehicle battery
The jump start terminal is located in
the engine compartment.
Jump starting 3 213.
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Control indicator p illuminates if
there is a fault with the charging
system. Stop, switch off engine and
seek the assistance of a workshop.
Charging system 3 98.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
four weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
9 Danger
Ensure the ignition is switched off
completely (the vehicle must not
be in an Autostop) before
connecting or disconnecting the
vehicle battery.
Stop-start system 3 137.
Battery discharge protection 3 116.
Battery access
The battery is located behind a panel in the front left-hand door step.
Remove the panel to access the
battery.
Vehicle care183Replacing the vehicle batteryEnsure that the battery is always
replaced by the same type of battery.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
have the vehicle battery replaced.
Stop-start system 3 137.
Charging the vehicle battery9 Warning
On vehicles with stop-start
system, ensure that the charging potential does not exceed
14.6 volts when using a battery
charger. Otherwise the vehicle
battery might be damaged.
9 Danger
Ensure adequate ventilation when
charging the battery. There is a
risk of explosion if gases
generated during charging are
allowed to accumulate!
Jump starting 3 213.
Warning label
Meaning of symbols:
● No sparks, naked flames or smoking.
● Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
● Keep the vehicle battery out of reach of children.
● The vehicle battery contains sulfuric acid which could cause
blindness or serious burn
injuries.
● See the Owner's Manual for further information.
● Explosive gas may be present in the vicinity of the battery.
Additional battery
Depending on the vehicle's auxiliary
equipment, certain models may have
an additional battery mounted under
the right-hand front seat.
Note
The additional battery is
automatically connected to the main vehicle battery only when the engine
is running. It does not need to be
184Vehicle caremanually disconnected before
disconnecting the main vehicle
battery or before jump starting the vehicle.
The terminals are designed for
additional electrical consumers up to a maximum of 50 A.
Jump starting 3 213.
Diesel fuel filter
Drain diesel fuel filter of residual
water at every engine oil change.
Place a container underneath the
filter housing. Loosen the knurled
screws on the filter cover and on the
lower part of the filter by approx. one
turn, to drain off the water.
The filter is drained as soon as diesel fuel emerges from the knurled screw
at the bottom. Retighten the two
screws.
Check diesel fuel filter at shorter
intervals if the vehicle is subjected to
extreme operating conditions.
Diesel fuel system bleedingIf the fuel tank has been run dry, it will be necessary to air vent or bleed the
diesel fuel system.
Fill the tank with fuel and proceed as
follows:
1. Place a suitable container underneath the fuel filter vent
screw to collect fuel.
2. Loosen the vent screw (arrowed) by one turn.
3. Manually operate the in-line supply pump slowly and steadily
until fuel discharging from the
loosened vent screw is free of air
bubbles.
4. Retighten the vent screw.
In vehicles without an in-line supply
pump, fill the tank with fuel and
proceed as follows:Caution
Do not turn ignition key to position
3 before beginning the bleeding
procedure.
Ignition switch positions 3 135.
206Vehicle care
4.Screw the compressor air hose to
the connection on the sealant
bottle.
5. Fit the sealant bottle into the retainer on the compressor.
Set the compressor near the tyre
in such a way that the sealant
bottle is upright.
6. Unscrew valve cap from defective
tyre.7. Screw the sealant filler hose to the
tyre valve.
8. The rocker switch on the compressor must be set to
position O.
9.
Connect the red < power supply
lead on the compressor to the
jump start terminal 3 213.
Note
Depending on model, the jump start
terminal may be located at the left-
hand or right-hand side of the engine
compartment.
10. Connect the black ] power
supply lead to a vehicle grounding
point, e.g. the engine block or an
engine mounting bolt.
Note
Depending on tyre repair kit type, it
may be necessary to connect the
single power supply lead to the
Vehicle care213If your vehicle gets a flat tyre on the
rear while towing another vehicle,
mount the temporary spare wheel in
the front and the full tyre in the rear.
Tyre chains 3 205.
Summer and winter tyres If you use winter tyres, the spare
wheel may still be fitted with a
summer tyre.
If you use the spare wheel when it is
fitted with a summer tyre the vehicle's
driveability may be affected,
especially on slippery road surfaces.
Directional tyres 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.● Do not drive faster than 80 km/h.
● Drive particularly carefully on wet
and snow-covered road
surfaces.Jump starting
The jump start terminal is located in
the engine compartment.
A vehicle with a discharged vehicle
battery can be started using jump
leads and the vehicle battery of
another vehicle.
Do not start with a quick charger.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 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.