engine MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK 2008 Repair Manual

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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Driving ab
road 185Driving on wet roads
If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of aqua-
planing occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds
R the tyres have adequate tread depth
For this reason, do not drive in tyre ruts, and
brake carefully. Driving on flooded roads
If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in
mind that:
R the maximum permitted still water depth is
25 cm.
R you should drive no faster than at walking
pace.
! Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in
front or in the opposite direction create
waves. This may cause the maximum per-
missible water depth to be exceeded.
Failure to observe these notes may result
in damage to the engine, electrical systems
and transmission. Driving abroad
Points to remember
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. The
Service Hotline's current telephone numbers
for use when you are abroad are to be found
in the "Service24h" chapter of the Service
Booklet.
Only low-octane fuel is available in certain
countries.
You can find further information about fuel
grades on (Y page 168). Symmetrical dipped beam
If your journey takes you to countries where
vehicles are driven on sides of the road oppo-
site to the country in which the vehicle is reg-
istered, your headlamps must be switched to
symmetrical dipped beam. Oncoming traffic
will be dazzled less.
X Have the headlamps switched over at a
qualified specialist workshop, e. g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. G
Risk of accident
Remember to set the headlamps back to
asymmetrical dipped beam when you return to driving on the same side of the
road as that of the country in which your
vehicle was registered. You may otherwise
dazzle the oncoming traffic and could cause
an accident. Operation
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Trailer towing*
189
not use a noseweight of less than 50 kg,
otherwise the trailer may come loose.
Bear in mind that the payload and the rear
axle load are reduced by the actual nose-
weight.
i The height of the ball coupling changes
with the load of the vehicle. If necessary,
use a trailer with a height-adjustable draw-
bar.
Coupling up a trailer G
Risk of injury
Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your hand could
become trapped between the bumper and
drawbar.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound-
ing of the overrun brake.
X Position the trailer level behind the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection
between the vehicle and the trailer. Driving tips In Germany, the maximum permitted speed
for vehicle/trailer combinations is 80 km/h.
G
Risk of accident
A maximum speed of 80 km/h should not
be exceeded, even in countries where
higher speeds are permitted for vehicle/
trailer combinations. This lowers the risk of
an accident.
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling
characteristics will be different in comparison
to when driving without a trailer.
The vehicle/trailer combination:
R is heavier
R is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-
ent-climbing capability
R has an increased braking distance
R is affected more by strong crosswinds
R demands more sensitive steering
R consumes more fuel
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
must select a lower gear in good time, or in
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. 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
the braking distance and can lead to the
brakes failing completely.
Driving tips
R Maintain a greater distance from the vehi-
cle in front than when driving without a
trailer.
R Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.
Then increase the braking force rapidly.
R The values given for gradient-climbing
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea
level. When driving in mountainous areas, Operation
* optional
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Trailer towing*
190note that the power output of the engine,
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-
climbing capability, decrease with increas-
ing altitude.
If the trailer swings from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary. G
Risk of accident
On no account should you attempt to draw
the vehicle/trailer combination out by
increasing speed. Removing the ball coupling
X Pull the protective cap off the lock in the
handwheel.
X Insert the key into the lock in the hand-
wheel.
X Turn the key clockwise.
The lock is unlocked.
X Hold the ball coupling. Pull the handwheel
away from the ball coupling 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
Pull out the ball coupling downwards.
X Clean the ball coupling if it is dirty.
X Vehicles without ECO start/stop func-
tion*: open the stowage compartment on
the right of the luggage compartment.
X Fold the trim downwards.
X Vehicles with start/stop function*:
open the luggage compartment floor.
X Remove the protective cap from the ball
coupling recess.
X Press the protective cap into the ball cou-
pling recess until it engages.
Storing the ball coupling X
Store the ball coupling with the key inser-
ted in the ball coupling recess.
X Vehicle without ECO start/stop func-
tion: Secure the ball coupling in place using
the retainer strap. G
Risk of accident
Do not carry the ball coupling in the vehicle
interior if it is not secured.
Otherwise, you and others could be injured
by the ball coupling being thrown around if
you: R
brake sharply
R change direction suddenly
R are involved in an accident Trailer power supply
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's
trailer socket outlet is equipped with a per-
manent power supply and a power supply that
is switched on via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin
10.
! You can connect consumers with a power
rating of up to 240 W to the permanent
power supply and up to 180 W to the power
supply that is switched on via the ignition
lock.
You must not charge a trailer battery using
the power supply.
The trailer's turn signal lamps are only guar-
anteed to function when bulbs are used.
You can obtain further information about
installing the trailer electrics from a qualified Operation
* optional
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Where will I find...?
200 Where will I find...?
Vehicle tool kit, jack and folding
wheel chock
The vehicle tool kit, the folding wheel chock
and the jack are in the left-hand stowage
compartment behind the rear seat backrest. G
Risk of injury
The jack is designed only to raise and hold
the vehicle for a short time while a wheel
is being changed.
You must use axle stands if you are carrying
out work on the vehicle.
Make sure that the jack is placed on a firm,
non-slip, level surface. Do not use wooden
blocks or similar objects as a jack underlay.
Otherwise, the jack will not be able to ach-
ieve its load-bearing capacity due to the
restricted height.
Do not start the engine at any time while a
wheel is being changed.
Do not lie under the vehicle when it is being
supported by the jack. If you do not raise
the vehicle as described, it could slip off the
jack (e.g. if the engine is started or if a door
or the tailgate is opened or closed) and you
could be seriously injured. i
When using the jack, you should also
observe the safety notes in the "Flat tyre"
section (Y page 252).
X Fold down the left-hand rear seat backrest
(Y page 149).
X Push cover up and fold it to the side. 1
Jack
2 Vehicle tool kit
3 Folding wheel chock
Setting up the foldable wheel chock The folding wheel chock serves as an addi-
tional measure for securing the vehicleagainst rolling away, e.g. when a wheel is
being changed.
1
To fold the plates upwards
2 To fold out the lower plate
3 To insert the plate
X Fold both plates 1upwards.
X Fold out lower plate 2.
X Guide the lugs on the lower plate fully into
openings in base plate 3.Practical advice
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Display
messages 209Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
ESP inoperative See
Owner's Manual G
Risk of accident
ESP ®
is unavailable due to a malfunction.
The following systems are also unavaila-
ble:
R BAS
R the steering assistant STEER CONTROL
R hill start assist
R the tyre pressure loss warning system
The brake system continues to function
normally, but without the functions listed
above. X
Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately. Vehicle Consult workshop
Safe operation of AUTOTRONIC* can no
longer be fully guaranteed. X
Stop in accordance with traffic conditions.
X Move the selector lever to P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition lock.
X Wait at least 10 seconds before restarting the
engine.
X Move the selector lever to position Dor R.
X Drive on carefully.
X Have the transmission checked immediately at
a qualified specialist workshop. Shift to N to start
Vehicles with AUTOTRONIC*: the selector
lever is not in position
Nor P. X
Move the selector lever to position Nor P. Practical advi
ce
* optional
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Display
messages 210 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
No Service Your vehicle is outside the network pro-
vider transmitter/receiver range. X
Wait until the operational readiness symbol
appears in the multi-function display
(Y page 112). Park Assist cancelled The driver’s door is open and the driver's
seat belt has not been fastened. X
Repeat the parking process with the seat belt
fastened and the driver's door closed. You have inadvertently touched the multi-
function steering wheel while steering
intervention was active. X
Make sure that the multi-function steering
wheel is not touched while steering interven-
tion is active. The vehicle started to skid and ESP
®
inter-
vened. X
Use the Active Park Assist* system later. Park Assist inoperative You have just performed a large number
of turning or parking manoeuvres.
Active Park Assist* will become available again
after approximately 10 minutes.
X
Stop in accordance with traffic conditions.
X Switch off and restart the engine.
X If the warning message does not disappear:
consult a qualified specialist workshop. PARKTRONIC* is inoperative. X
Observe the notes on PARKTRONIC* in the
"Troubleshooting" section (Y page 236).Practical advi
ce
* optional
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Display
messages 213Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
D The engine fan is faulty. X
If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †,
you can continue driving to the nearest quali-
fied specialist workshop.
X Avoid subjecting the engine to heavy loads, e.g.
driving in mountainous terrain, and stop-and-
go driving. # The battery is not being charged. One (or
more) of the following could be the cause:
R
a faulty alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics X
Stop immediately and safely when traffic con-
ditions permit and switch off the engine.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
X If the poly-V-belt is torn: do not continue
driving. Consult a qualified specialist work-
shop.
X If the poly-V-belt is not damaged: have the
vehicle checked immediately at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. The on-board voltage is too high. X
Have the alternator checked at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. 2 Brake wear The brake pads/linings have reached
their wear limit. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 214 Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
3 Check brake fluid
level
G
Risk of accident
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not
continue driving under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not top up the brake fluid. This will not rec-
tify the fault. ! Release parking
brake You are driving with the parking brake
applied. X
Release the parking brake. [ Clean fuel filter There is water in the fuel filter. The water
must be drained off
27
. X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. D Coolant Stop car,
turn eng. off The coolant is too hot. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch
off the engine, paying attention to road and
traffic conditions.
X Make sure, that the air supply to the radiator
is not blocked, e.g. by slush.
X Restart the engine only when the display mes-
sage disappears. Otherwise, there is a risk of
engine damage.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature dis-
play.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a quali-
fied specialist workshop immediately. 27
Only for certain countries. Practical advi
ce
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Display
messages 215Display messages Possible cause/consequence Possible solution
The poly-V-belt may have torn. X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch
off the engine, paying attention to road and
traffic conditions.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
X If the poly-V-belt is torn: do not continue
driving. Consult a qualified specialist work-
shop.
X If the poly-V-belt is not damaged: do not
start the engine again until the display mes-
sage disappears. Otherwise, there is a risk of
engine damage. B Top up coolant See
Owner's Manual The coolant level is too low. X
Top up the coolant, observing the warning
notes before doing so (Y page 175).
X If the coolant needs topping up more often than
usual, have the engine coolant system checked
at a qualified specialist workshop. 3 Power steer. mal-
function Consult
workshop G
Risk of accident
There is no power assistance for the steer-
ing. You will need to use more force to
steer.
The steering assistant STEER CONTROL is
also deactivated. X
Check whether you are able to apply the extra
force required.
X If you are able to steer safely: carefully drive
on to a qualified specialist workshop.
X If you are unable to steer safely : do not drive
on. Contact the nearest qualified specialist
workshop. Practical advi
ce
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