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206Driving and operatingTrailer 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
bulbs with a power of 5 W each, the
function only detects lamp outage
when only a single 5 W 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 to have
it on hand if needed.Driving characteristics and
towing tips
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the coupling ball, is being used to reduce snaking movements.
During trailer towing do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph. A maximum speed
of 60 mph is only appropriate if an
oscillation damper is used and the
permissible gross trailer weight does
not exceed the vehicle's curb weight.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers, the use of an
oscillation damper is strongly
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 3 263.Trailer towing
Trailer loadsThe 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 inclines up
to 12%.
The permissible trailer load applies
up to the specified incline and at 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 altitude. The gross train weight does not have to be
reduced when driving on roads with
slight inclines (less than 8%, e.g.
motorways).
Page 212 of 279
210Driving and operating4. Connect the trailer plug to thesocket and attach the breakaway
stopping cable to the eye on the
carrier.
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 3 163.
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212Vehicle careCaution
When transporting the vehicle on
a train or on a recovery vehicle, the
mud flaps might be damaged.
Cold protection covers
In order to prevent the accumulation
of snow at the radiator cooling fan, it is recommended to install removable
protection covers.
The protection covers must be
professionally installed, consult a
workshop.
Caution
The protection covers must be removed when one of the
following conditions occurs:
● The ambient temperature is above 10 °C.
● When the vehicle is towed.
● The vehicle is driven at speeds
above 75 mph.
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of timeIf the vehicle is to be stored for several
months:
● Wash and wax the vehicle.
● Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
● Clean and preserve the rubber seals.
● Fill up fuel tank completely.
● Change the engine oil.
● Drain the washer fluid reservoir.
● Check the coolant antifreeze and
corrosion protection.
● Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
● Park the vehicle in a dry, well ventilated place. Engage first or
reverse gear or set selector lever to P. Prevent the vehicle from
rolling.
● Do not apply the parking brake.● Open the bonnet, close all doors and lock the vehicle.
● Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery. Note that all systems are
not functional, e.g. anti-theft
alarm system.
Putting back into operation When the vehicle is to be put back into
operation:
● Connect the clamp to the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery. Initialize the power
windows 3 40.
● Check tyre pressure.
● Fill up the washer fluid reservoir.
● Check the engine oil level.
● Check the coolant level.
● Fit the number plate if necessary.
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218Vehicle careDischarge protection
Battery voltage
When the vehicle battery voltage is
running low, a warning message will
appear in the Driver Information
Centre.
When the vehicle is being driven, the
load reduction function temporarily
deactivates certain functions, e.g. the heated rear window.
The deactivated functions are
reactivated automatically as soon as
conditions permit.
Idle boost
If charging of the vehicle battery is
required due to battery condition, the
power output of the generator must be increased. This will be achieved by
an idle boost which may be audible.
A message appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
Power outlet
The power outlets are deactivated in
the event of low vehicle battery
voltage.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 sulphuric 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 vehicle battery.
Power saving mode This mode deactivates electrical
consumers to avoid excessive
discharging of the vehicle battery.
These consumers, such as the
infotainment system, windscreen
wipers, low beam headlights,
courtesy light, etc. can be used for a
total maximum time of about
40 minutes after ignition is switched
off.
Changing into power saving mode
When power saving mode is
activated, a message appears in the
Driver Information Centre indicating
Power saving mode .
An active telephone call using the
hands-free option will be maintained
for around 10 minutes longer.
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Vehicle care219Deactivating power saving mode
Power saving mode is deactivated automatically when the engine isrestarted. Run the engine for a
sufficient charge:
● for less than 10 minutes to use the consumers for approx.
5 minutes
● for more than 10 minutes to use the consumers for up to approx.
30 minutes
Diesel fuel system bleeding
If the tank has been run dry, the diesel
fuel system must be bled. Switch on the ignition three times for
15 seconds at a time. Then crank the
engine for a maximum of
40 seconds. Repeat this process after
no less than five seconds. If the
engine fails to start, seek the
assistance of a workshop.Wiper blade replacement
Windscreen
Switch off the ignition.
Within one minute after switching off
the ignition, operate the wiper lever to positon the wiper blades vertically on
the windscreen.
Lift the wiper arm until it stays in the
raised position, press button to
disengage the wiper blade and
remove.
Attach the wiper blade to the wiper
arm and push until it engages.
Lower the wiper arm carefully.
Rear window
Lift the wiper arm. Disengage the
wiper blade as shown in the
illustration and remove.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled
to the wiper arm and push until it
engages.
Lower the wiper arm carefully.
Page 231 of 279
Vehicle care229Instrument panel fuse boxThe fuse box is located behind a
cover in the instrument panel at the
left side.
Remove the cover by pulling at the
top left, then at the right side.
No.Circuit1Inductive charging, clutch
switch, selective ride control,
power steering, diesel exhaust
system, interior mirror4Horn6Windscreen washer7Power outlet rear10Door lock12Diagnostic connector, power
supply transformerNo.Circuit13Head-up display, climate
control, Infotainment system14Anti-theft alarm system, tele‐
matic unit15Automatic transmission, instru‐
ment cluster, climate control16Starter, power supply trans‐
former17Instrument cluster19Trailer socket, steering wheel
controls21Anti-theft system, power button22Rear view camera, rain and light sensor23Seat belt reminder, special
vehicle control module, start-
stop, trailer socket24Parking assist, Infotainment
system, rear view camera, side
blind spot camera25Airbag
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230Vehicle careNo.Circuit26Steering angle sensor27Parking heater29Infotainment system31-32Power outlet34Parking assist, interior mirror35Diagnostic connector, headlight
range adjustment, heated wind‐ screen, climate control36Interior lights, USB portVehicle tools
Tools
Vehicles with spare wheel
Open the cover of the footwell storage
3 73.
The towing eye and the tools are
located in the stowage compartment
underneath the left front seat.
Page 239 of 279

Vehicle care2379. Connect the compressor plug tothe power outlet or cigarette
lighter socket.
The tyre repair kit may only be
plugged in to the front 12 V power outlet, in order to work properly.
To avoid discharging the battery,
we recommend running the
engine.
10. Set the rocker switch on the compressor to I. The tyre is filled
with sealant.
11. The compressor pressure gauge briefly indicates up to
600 kPa (6 bar) whilst the sealant
bottle is emptying (approx. 30 s).
Then the pressure starts to drop.
12. All of the sealant is pumped into the tyre. Then the tyre is being
inflated.
13. The prescribed tyre pressure should be obtained within ten
minutes.
Tyre pressure 3 263.
When the correct pressure is
obtained, switch off the
compressor.
If the prescribed tyre pressure is
not obtained within ten minutes,
remove the tyre repair kit. Move
the vehicle one tyre rotation.
Reattach the tyre repair kit and
continue the filling procedure for ten minutes. If the prescribed tyre
pressure is still not obtained, the
tyre is too badly damaged. Seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Drain excess tyre pressure with
the button on the air hose.
Do not run the compressor longer than ten minutes.
14. Detach the tyre repair kit. Remove
sealant bottle from bracket. Screw the filler hose to the free
connection of the sealant bottle.
This prevents sealant from
escaping. Stow tyre repair kit in
load compartment.
15. Remove any excess sealant using a cloth.