Driving and operating143Caution
Do not use fuel or fuel additives
that contain metallic compounds
such as manganese-based
additives. This may cause engine
damage.
Caution
Use of fuel that does not comply to EN 228 or equivalent can lead todeposits or engine damage.
Caution
Use of fuel with a lower octane
rating than the lowest possible
rating could lead to uncontrolled combustion and engine damage.
The engine-specific requirements
regarding octane rating are given in
the engine data overview 3 203. A
country-specific label at the fuel filler
flap can supersede the requirement.
Fuel additive
Fuel should contain detergent
additives that help prevent engine
and fuel system deposits from
forming. Clean fuel injectors and
intake valves will allow the emission
control system to work properly. In
certain countries fuel does not
contain sufficient quantities of
additive to keep fuel injectors and
intake valves clean. In these
countries a fuel additive is required for
some engines to make up for this lack
of detergency. Only use fuel additive
approved for the vehicle.
Adding fuel additive to the filled fuel
tank is required at least every 10,000 miles or after one year, whichever
occurs first. For further information,
contact your workshop.
Prohibited fuels
Fuels containing oxygenates such as
ethers and ethanol, as well as
reformulated fuel, are available in
some cities. If these fuels comply with the previously described
specification, then they are
acceptable to use. However, E85(85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 15% ethanol
must be used only in FlexFuel
vehicles.Caution
Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also
damage plastic and rubber parts.
This damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Some fuels, mainly high octane
racing fuels, can contain an octane
enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). Do not use fuels or fuel additives with MMT as they can
reduce spark plug life and affect
emission control system
performance. The malfunction
indicator light Z may illuminate 3 76.
If this occurs, seek the assistance of
a workshop.
Vehicle care193Exterior lights
Headlight and other light covers are
made of plastic. Do not use any
abrasive or caustic agents, do not use an ice scraper, and do not clean them
dry.
Polishing and waxing
Wax painted parts of the vehicle
regularly (at the latest when water no longer beads). Otherwise, the
paintwork will dry out.
The foldable sunroof must not be
polished or waxed. When using
automatic car washes, select a
programme without wax additives.
Polishing is necessary only if the paint
has become dull or if solid deposits
have become attached to it.
Paintwork polish with silicone forms a
protective film, making waxing
unnecessary.
Unpainted plastic body parts must not
be treated with wax or polishing
agents.
Matt filmed body parts or decor tapes must not be polished, to avoid
gleaming. Do not use hot waxprogrammes in automatic car washes if the vehicle is equipped with theseparts.
Matt painted decor parts, e.g. mirror housing cover, must not be polished.
Otherwise these parts would become agleam or the colour would be
dissolved.
Windows and windscreen wiper
blades
Switch off wipers before handling in
their areas.
Use a soft lint-free cloth or chamois leather together with window cleaner
and insect remover.
When cleaning the rear window from
inside, always wipe in parallel to the
heating element to prevent damage.
For mechanical removal of ice, use a
sharp-edged ice scraper. Press the
scraper firmly against the glass so
that no dirt can get under it and
scratch the glass.
Clean smearing wiper blades with a
soft cloth and window cleaner.Glass panel
Never clean with solvents or abrasive
agents, fuels, aggressive media
(e.g. paint cleaner, acetone-
containing solutions etc.), acidic or
highly alkaline media or abrasive
pads. Do not apply wax or polishing
agents to the glass panel.
Wheels and tyres
Do not use high-pressure jet
cleaners.
Clean rims with a pH-neutral wheel
cleaner.
Rims are painted and can be treated
with the same agents as the body.
Paintwork damage
Rectify minor paintwork damage with a touch-up pen before rust forms.
Have more extensive damage or rust areas repaired by a workshop.
Underbody Some areas of the vehicle underbody
have a PVC undercoating while other
critical areas have a durable
protective wax coating.
