tow MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Workshop Manual

Loading and stowing
159
i
In the glove compartment there are stow-
age spaces for the following:
R coins
R pens
R credit cards and service cards
i Depending on the vehicle's equipment,
you will find installed in the glove compart-
ment either a CD holder*, an AUX-IN con-
nection* or a Media Interface*, which is a
universal interface for portable audio
equipment, e.g. for an iPod or USB device.
i Glove compartment ventilation*:
the glove compartment is ventilated by an
adjustable vent (Y page 136).
Stowage compartment in the front
centre console If your vehicle is not equipped with the smok-
er's package*, a 12 V power socket is fitted
in place of the ashtray. 1
Cover
X To open: slide cover 1forwards.
Stowage compartment/telephone
compartment* in front of the armrest 1
Stowage compartment X
To open: briefly press the cover of stowage
compartment 1.
Stowage compartment 1opens.
Stowage boxes* under the driver's seat
and front-passenger seat The stowage boxes can store up to 2.5 kg.
The illustration shows the driver's seat
1
Recess
X To open: raise the stowage box slightly and
pull it out using recess 1. Controls
* optional
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Loading and stowing
160
Stowage compartment under the arm-
rest* 1
Stowage compartment G
Risk of injury
There is the risk of entrapment when sliding
the armrest forwards or backwards.
X To open: slide the armrest forwards. Stowage compartment in the rear com-
partment* 1
Stowage compartment
X To open: pull out the top of stowage com-
partment 1by the edge of the handle.
Stowage compartments in the luggage
compartment G
Risk of injury
The stowage boxes can store up to 1.5 kg.
The objects in the left-hand stowage com-
partment should only be placed in the des-
ignated spaces and secured using the
appropriate holders. Otherwise, the stow-
age compartment could open and you and
other vehicle occupants could be injured by objects being thrown around the vehicle
interior in the event of sharp braking, a sud-
den change in direction or an accident.
The stowage compartments are located in the
luggage compartment on the left and right-
hand sides. 1
Handle
i The left-hand stowage compartment con-
tains the first-aid kit, the warning triangle
and TIREFIT.
X To open: turn handle 1away from the
direction of travel.
X Fold down the flap. Controls
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Features
161
Stowage compartment behind the
backrest The stowage compartment is located behind
the left-hand backrest.
1
Cover
i The stowage compartment contains the
jack, the wheel chock and the vehicle tool
kit.
X To open: fold the left backrest forwards
(Y page 149).
X Slide cover 1upwards and fold to the side. Features
Sun visors
G
Risk of accident
Keep the mirrors in the sun visors covered
while driving. Otherwise, you could be daz-
zled, impairing your view of traffic condi-
tions. As a result, you could cause an acci-
dent. 1
Mirror light*
2 Retainer
3 Retaining clip, e.g. for a car park ticket
4 Vanity mirror
5 Mirror cover Mirror in the sun visor Mirror light*
1only comes on if the sun visor
is clipped into retainer 2and mirror cover
5 has been folded up.
Glare from the side X
Fold down the sun visor.
X Pull the sun visor from retainer 2.
X Swing the sun visor to the side. Ashtray*
Ashtray in the cockpit 1
Cover
2 Ashtray Cont
rols
* optional
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Features
163
X
Lift up the cover of socket 1.
Socket in the rear compartment* A socket is fitted in the centre console on
vehicles with the non-smoker's package. 1
Stowage compartment
X Pull out the stowage compartment using
the edge of the handle.
X Lift up the cover of the socket. Socket in the luggage compartment* The socket is located in the left-hand stowage
compartment in the luggage compartment.
1
Socket
X Open the stowage compartment
(Y page 160).
X Lift up the cover of socket 1. Mobile phone*
G
Risk of accident
Observe the legal requirements of the
country in which you are currently driving
regarding operating mobile communica-
tions equipment in a vehicle.
If it is permitted by law to operate commu-
nications equipment while the vehicle is in
motion, you may only do so when the traffic
situation allows. Otherwise, you could be
distracted from the traffic conditions,
cause an accident and injure yourself and
others.
Two-way radios and fax equipment used
without low-reflection exterior aerials can
interfere with the vehicle's electronics and,
thereby, jeopardise the operating safety of
the vehicle and your safety. Therefore, you
must only use this equipment if it is cor-
rectly connected to a separate, reflection-
free, exterior aerial. G
Risk of injury
Excessive electromagnetic radiation may
cause damage to your health and the health
of others. Using an exterior aerial takes into
account current scientific discussions Cont
rols
* optional
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167
Running-in notes
............................... 168
Refuelling ........................................... 168
Engine compartment ........................171
Tyres and wheels .............................. 176
Winter driving ................................... 181
Driving tips ........................................ 183
Driving abroad ................................... 185
Trailer towing* .................................. 186
Service ............................................... 191
Care .................................................... 192 Operation
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Tyres and wheels
180 fully. Do not make any sudden steering
movements when doing so.
The function of the tyre pressure loss warning
system is limited or delayed if:
R snow chains are fitted to your vehicle's
tyres.
R road conditions are wintry.
R you are driving on sand or gravel.
R you adopt a very sporty driving style (cor-
nering at high speeds or driving with high
rates of acceleration).
R you are towing a very heavy or large trailer.
R you are driving with a heavy load (in the
vehicle or on the roof).
Restarting the tyre pressure loss warn-
ing system Restart the tyre pressure loss warning system
if you have:
R changed the tyre pressure
R changed the wheels or tyres
R fitted new wheels or tyres
X Before restarting, consult the table of tyre
pressures on the inside of the fuel filler flap
to ensure that the tyre pressure in all four tyres is set correctly for the operating con-
ditions concerned.
X Also observe the notes in the section on
tyre pressures (Y page 178). G
Risk of accident
The tyre pressure loss warning system can
only give reliable warnings if you have set
the correct tyre pressure.
If an incorrect tyre pressure is set, these
incorrect values will be monitored.
A tyre with insufficient pressure results in
vehicle instability when driving, thus
increasing the risk of an accident.
X Make sure that the key is in position
2(Y page 62) in the ignition lock.
You will see the following message on the
standard screen of the multi-function dis-
play (Y page 99)
X Press korj to select the tyre pres-
sure function:
Run Flat Indicator active
Menu: R-Button
X Press the reset button on the left of the
instrument cluster.
The following message appears in the
multi-function display: Restart Run Flat Indicat.? Yes Can-
cel
If you wish to confirm the restart:
X Press the æbutton.
The following message appears in the
multi-function display:
Run Flat Indicator restarted
After a teach-in period, the tyre pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tyre pressures of all four tyres.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the çbutton.
or
X Wait until the message
Restart Run Flat Indicator?
Yes Cancel disappears.
The tyre pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored. Operation
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Driving
tips 183
X
Vehicles with manual transmission: engage
neutral.
X Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*: shift the
selector lever to N.
X Try to bring the vehicle under control using
corrective steering. Driving tips
Rolling with the engine switched off
G
Risk of accident
Never switch the engine off while the vehi-
cle is in motion.
There is no power assistance for the steer-
ing and the service brake when the engine
is not running.
You will require considerably more effort to
steer and brake and you could therefore
lose control of the vehicle and cause an
accident. Braking
G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This
could cause the drive wheels to lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid. G
Risk of accident
Make sure that other road users are not
endangered by your braking. Downhill gradients On long and steep downhill stretches, espe-
cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer,
you must shift to a lower gear in good time or,
on vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*, select shift
range
1,2or 3.
i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control* or Speedtronic*.
This will use the braking effect of the engine,
so less braking will be required to maintain
the speed. This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from over-
heating and wearing too quickly. If you need
additional braking, depress the brake pedal
repeatedly rather than continuously.
Heavy and light loads If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
G
Risk of accident
Never depress the brake pedal continu-
ously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g.
never cause the brakes to rub by applying
constant slight pedal pressure. This causes
the brake system to overheat, increases Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
186 Trailer towing*
Fitting the ball coupling
X Make a note of the ball coupling key num-
ber.
i You can use this number to obtain a
replacement key from a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. G
Risk of injury
If the ball coupling does not engage cor-
rectly when it is mounted, the vehicle/
trailer combination is not secured and the
trailer could come loose. This could cause
an accident. Fit the ball coupling carefully
and make sure that it engages in position
correctly.
Vehicles without ECO start/stop func-
tion: the attachable ball coupling is on the
right of the stowage compartment in the lug-
gage compartment (Y page 160).
X Open the stowage compartment on the
right-hand side of the luggage compart-
ment.
X Fold the trim downwards. Vehicles without ECO start/stop function
1
Ball coupling
2 Retainer strap
X Undo retainer strap 2.
X Remove ball coupling 1from the ball cou-
pling recess.
Vehicles with ECO start/stop function*:
the attachable ball coupling is in the ball cou-
pling recess in the stowage well underneath
the luggage compartment floor
(Y page 202).
X Open the luggage compartment floor. Vehicles with ECO start/stop function
1
Ball coupling
2 Ball coupling recess
X Remove ball coupling 1from the ball cou-
pling recess.2 1
Protective cap Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
187
X
Pull protective cap 1down in the direction
of the arrow out of the ball coupling recess.
X Place protective cap 1into the ball cou-
pling recess. 1
Key
2 Protective cap
X Pull protective cap 2off the lock in the
handwheel.
X Insert key 1into the ignition lock.
The red mark on the handwheel must be
aligned with the green area on the ball cou-
pling (fitting position). If this is not the case:
X Turn key 1in the direction of the arrow.
The key is released. 3
Ball coupling recess
4 Handwheel
X Pull handwheel 4away from the ball cou-
pling and turn it clockwise until it engages.
The green area on the ball coupling is
aligned with the red mark on the hand-
wheel.
X Insert the ball coupling in the direction of
the arrow into ball coupling recess 3until
it engages.
Handwheel 4turns so that green mark
5 on the handwheel is aligned with green
area 6on the ball coupling. 1
Key
2 Protective cap
5 Green mark on the handwheel
6 Green area on the ball coupling
X Turn key 1to the stop in the direction of
the arrow to lock.
X Remove key 1.
X Press protective cap 2onto the lock.
i You can store the key in the ball coupling
stowage compartment in the luggage com-
partment. Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
1881
Trailer power socket
X Fold trailer power socket 1down. G
Risk of accident
The ball coupling is only securely mounted
when the green mark on the handwheel is
aligned with the green area on the ball cou-
pling and the key can be removed. If the ball
coupling is not securely mounted, it may
come loose.
The ball coupling must be locked and the
key must be removed when towing a trailer.
This is the only way to guarantee that the
ball coupling is secured and cannot come
loose while the vehicle is in motion. If the
ball coupling cannot be locked and the key
cannot be removed, remove the ball cou-
pling and clean it. If the ball coupling can still not be fitted
(locked) after it has been cleaned, remove
the ball coupling. The trailer coupling must
then not be used to tow a trailer, as safe
operation is not guaranteed.
Have the entire trailer coupling checked at
a qualified specialist workshop. Mercedes-
Benz recommends that you use a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop. Notes on towing a trailer
G
Risk of accident
When reversing the vehicle towards the
trailer, make sure there is nobody between
the trailer and the vehicle.
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If
you do not couple the trailer to the towing
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become
detached.
Make sure that the following values are not
exceeded: R
the permissible trailer drawbar nose-
weight
R the permissible trailer load
R the permissible rear axle load of the tow-
ing vehicle
R the maximum permissible gross vehicle
weight of both the towing vehicle and the
trailer
You will find the applicable permissible val-
ues, which must not be exceeded, in the
vehicle documents.
You will find the values approved by the
manufacturer on the vehicle identification
plates and those for the towing vehicle in
the "Technical data" section.
You will find installation dimensions and loads
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 289).
The maximum permissible trailer drawbar
noseweight on the ball coupling is 75 kg.
However, the actual drawbar load must not
exceed the value given on the trailer coupling
and trailer identification plates. The lowest
weight applies.
! Use a noseweight as close as possible to
the maximum permissible noseweight. Do Operation
* optional
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