Page 78 of 305
76Storage
The backrests are properly
engaged when the red mark near the lever is no longer visible.
9 Warning
When folding up, ensure that
backrests are securely locked in
position before driving. Failure to
do so may result in personal injury or damage to the load or vehicle in the event of hard braking or a
collision.
The seat belt of the centre seat could
be blocked when the backrest is
folded up too quickly. To unlock the
retractor, push in the seat belt or pull
it out by approx. 20 mm then release.
Load compartment extension
(three-part rear seat backrest), 5-
door Hatchback
● Fold up the rear armrest.● Pull the loop and fold down the backrest of the centre seat.
● Pull the lever on one or both outer
sides and fold down the
backrests onto the seat cushion.
9 Warning
Take care when folding down the
right outer seat backrest if the
centre seat backrest is already
folded down. Risk of injury due to bolt protruding from the inner side
of the backrest.
Page 79 of 305
Storage77
● Guide the seat belts of the outerseats through side supports to
protect them against damage.
When folding the backrests, pull
the seat belts along with them.
● Take the seat belt out of the seat
backrest guide and put it behind
the retainer as shown in the
illustration.
● To fold up, raise the backrests and guide them into an upright
position until they engage
audibly.
The backrests are properly
engaged when the red mark on
both sides near the lever are no
longer visible.
9 Warning
When folding up, ensure that
backrests are securely locked in
position before driving. Failure to
do so may result in personal injury or damage to the load or vehicle in the event of hard braking or a
collision.
The seat belt of the centre seat could
be blocked when the backrest is
folded up too quickly. To unlock the
retractor, push in the seat belt or pull
it out by approx. 20 mm then release.
Page 80 of 305
78StorageLoad compartment extension
(two-part rear seat backrest),
Sports Tourer
● Insert latch plates of the outer seat belts into side holder to
protect the belts against damage, see illustration.
● Pull the lever on one or both outer
sides and fold down the
backrests onto the seat cushion.
● To fold up, raise the backrests and guide them into an upright
position until they engage
audibly.The backrests are properly
engaged when the red mark on
both sides near the lever are no
longer visible.
9 Warning
When folding up, ensure that
backrests are securely locked in
position before driving. Failure to
do so may result in personal injury or damage to the load or vehicle in the event of hard braking or a
collision.
Page 82 of 305

80Storage
● Alternatively fold seat backrestsfrom the load compartment: pullswitch on left or right sidewall of
the load compartment to fold the
corresponding part of the rear
seat backrest.
9 Warning
Take care when operating the rear
backrests from the load
compartment. The backrest is
folded with considerable power.
Risk of injury, particularly to
children.
Ensure that nothing is attached to
the rear seats or located on the
seat cushion.
● To fold up, raise the backrests and guide them into an upright
position until they engage
audibly.
The backrests are properly
engaged when the red mark on
the levers on both sides are no longer visible.
9 Warning
When folding up, ensure that
backrests are securely locked in
position before driving. Failure to
do so may result in personal injury or damage to the load or vehicle in the event of hard braking or a
collision.
The seat belt of the centre seat could
be blocked when the backrest is
folded up too quickly. To unlock the
retractor, push in the seat belt or pull
it out by approx. 20 mm then release.
Page 85 of 305
Storage83Sports Tourer
Pull the handle and fold the rear part
of the cover forward.
Set up the folded cover upright behind the rear seat backrests.
Lashing eyes
The lashing eyes are designed to
secure items against slippage, e.g.
using lashing straps or luggage net.
5-door Hatchback
First remove the rear floor storage cover to get access to the lashing
eyes.
On vehicles equipped with a spare
wheel, the front lashing eyes are
located at the sidewalls.
On vehicles equipped with tyre repair
kit, the front lashing eyes are located
underneath the rear floor cover
behind the rear seats. To get access
to the lashing eyes, open the
perforated parts of the cover by using
the screwdriver.
Vehicle tools 3 247.
Stick the screwdriver through the
cover as shown in the illustration and
fold up the perforated part of the
cover.
Fold up the lashing eyes by using the screwdriver.
Page 89 of 305
Storage87Behind the front seats
● There are installation openingson both sides in the roof frame
above the front seats: suspend
and engage rod of net at one
side, compress rod and suspend and engage at the other side.
● Attach hooks of safety net straps
to loops in the floor in front of the rear seats. To get access to the
loops, push in the perforated parts in the floor cover on both
sides. Attach the hooks to the
loops.
● Tension both straps by pulling at the loose end.
● Push down head restraints and fold down rear seat backrests
3 75.
Removal
Pull the flap at the tightener on both
sides to release the straps. Detach
hooks from the eyes.
Unhook the safety net rods from the
brackets in the roof frame.
Roll up the net and secure with a
strap.
Stowing All engine versions, except CNG: The
removed safety net can be stored
under the rear floor cover 3 82.
Page 92 of 305

90StorageLoading information
● Heavy objects in the loadcompartment should be placed
against the seat backrests. Make
sure that the backrests are
securely engaged, i.e. no longer
showing the red markings behind
the release levers. If objects can
be stacked, heavier objects
should be placed at the bottom.
● Prevent sliding of loose objects by securing them with straps
attached to the lashing eyes
3 83.
● Do not allow the load to protrude
above the upper edge of the
backrests.
● Sports Tourer: install safety net when transporting objects in the
load compartment.
● Do not place any objects on the load compartment cover or theinstrument panel, and do not
cover the sensor on top of the instrument panel.
● The load must not obstruct the operation of the pedals, parking
brake and gear selector lever, or
hinder the freedom of movement of the driver. Do not place any
unsecured objects in the interior.
● Do not drive with an open load compartment.9Warning
Always make sure that the load in
the vehicle is securely stowed.
Otherwise objects can be thrown
around inside the vehicle and
cause personal injury or damage
to the load or car.
● The payload is the difference between the permitted gross
vehicle weight (see identification
plate 3 276) and the EC kerb
weight.
To calculate the payload, enter
the data for your vehicle in the
weights table at the front of this
manual.
The EC kerb weight includes
weights for the driver (68 kg),
luggage (7 kg) and all fluids (fuel
tank 90% full).
Optional equipment and
accessories increase the kerb
weight.
● Driving with a roof load increases
the sensitivity of the vehicle to
cross-winds and has a
detrimental effect on vehicle
handling due to the vehicle's
higher centre of gravity.
Distribute the load evenly and secure it properly with retaining
straps. Adjust the tyre pressure
and vehicle speed according to
the load conditions. Check and
retighten the straps frequently.
Page 170 of 305

168Driving and operatingParking
Apply the parking brake and engage
P .
The ignition key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in position
P .
Manual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left in position M.
Tap selector lever upwards + to shift
to a higher gear.
Tap the selector lever downwards - to
shift to a lower gear.
If a higher gear is selected when
vehicle speed is too low, or a lower
gear when vehicle speed is too high,
the shift is not executed. This can
cause a message in the Driver
Information Centre.
In manual mode, no automatic
shifting to a higher gear takes place
at high engine revolutions.
Gear shift indication
The symbol R or S with a number
beside it is indicated when
gearshifting is recommended for fuel
saving reasons.
Shift indication appears only in
manual mode.
Electronic driving programmes
● Special programmes automatically adapt the shifting
points when driving up inclines or
down hills.
● In snowy or icy conditions or on other slippery surfaces, the
electronic transmission control
enables the driver to selectmanually first, second or third
gear for starting off. Except
vehicles with continouosly
variable transmission.
Kickdown Pressing down the accelerator pedal
beyond the kickdown detent will lead
to maximum acceleration
independent of the selected driving
mode. The transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on engine
speed and shifts to a higher gear at
high engine revolutions.
Fault
In the event of a fault a message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre.
Vehicle messages 3 122.
Electronic transmission control
enables only fourth gear. The
transmission no longer shifts
automatically.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.