Driving
66 Provided that the remote control is
inserted in the ignition lock, you can
also release the parking brake manually
after the engine has been switched off,
refer to page64. This function is useful in
automatic car washes, etc.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.<
When leaving the vehicle, always
release the remote control from the
detent in the ignition lock; this precaution
prevents children from disengaging the
parking brake, etc.<
For your safety
Automatic Hold is automatically deacti-
vated when
>the engine is switched off
>the system detects that the driver's seat
is not occupied while the engine is run-
ning
>the hood is opened while the engine is
running
>the luggage compartment is opened
with the transmission in position R while
the engine is running, and
>when the parking brake is used to bring
the vehicle to a stop.
The indicator lamp changes from
green to red, and the AUTO P letters in the
Info Display disappear.
Before starting off again, briefly press the
button to disengage the parking brake
manually, refer to page64, or reactivate
Automatic Hold, refer to page65.
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, always move the
automatic transmission's selector lever to
position P and ensure that the parking
brake is engaged. The vehicle could start to
roll if you fail to observe these precautions.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Automatic Hold is automatically deac-
tivated whenever the system detects
any tendency for the wheels to spin in
response to slippery road surfaces. Note the status reports in the Check Control.
You can find additional information on the
Check Control on page83.<
Malfunction
If a malfunction occurs, the indicator
lamp lights up yellow in the Info Dis-
play and a status report will appear in the
Check Control. Please note any supple-
mentary information that appears on the
Control Display.
Releasing parking brake manually
You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the parking brake manually.
Before proceeding to release the
parking brake manually, and each
time you park the vehicle without engaging
the parking brake, always ensure that the
automatic transmission's selector lever is in
position P, refer to page68. Note the range
indicated in the Info Display.
If the wheel must be changed on a surface
with a more severe slope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing e.g. with a chock, refer to page204
Otherwise there is a danger that the vehicle
could start to roll if parked on a steep
slope.<
Should it also be necessary to release the
automatic transmission's lockout manually,
for instance, if the battery is discharged,
always adhere to the following sequence:
1.If necessary, start by manually releasing
the parking brake
2.Then release the automatic transmis-
sion's lockout manually, refer to
page70.
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages209 and210.
Driving
68 >Engaging: the system registers the new
status and the brake setting is initial-
ized. The indicator lamp in the
Info Display lights up red.
>Releasing: the parking brake is ready
for operation. The indicator lamp
in the Info Display goes out.
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic
In addition to fully automatic operation, you
can also manually shift with the button on
the steering wheel, refer to page70.
Transmission range selection
P R N D
The selector lever position is indicated, and
in the manual mode the gear currently
engaged.
Program display
S or M1 – M6
Buttons on steering wheel
Press briefly to proceed through a selection
sequence consisting of the automatic pro-
gram, the Sport program, and the manual
mode.Steptronic:
Upshifting and downshifting, refer to Sport
program and manual operation.
Selecting transmission range
The selector lever is at the center
position. To select transmission
ranges D, R or N, always start by pulling
toward the steering wheel, arrow1, then
press up or down. Note the range indicated
in the Info Display.<
>Range D or R:
Press the selector lever up or down,
continuing to apply pressure to move it
beyond the resistance point
>Neutral N:
Press the selector lever up to the resis-
tance point
Controls
75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
While driving
Press1 or pull2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point:
Press button4 for approx. 3 seconds. The
respective driven speed is applied as the
desired speed and displayed with6.
If all of the graduations flash twice,
this indicates that 6 desired speeds
have already been stored. You must then
delete at least one.<
Deleting desired speeds
Select the desired speed5.
Press button4 for approx. 3 seconds.
Activating multilevel preset mode
Press 1 or pull 2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point.
The current driving speed is maintained,
stored and displayed as the available
speed5.
If no desired speeds are stored, you
can increase or reduce the speed by
5 mph/10 km/h with the multilevel preset
mode activated each time you press or pull
the lever beyond the resistance point.<
Selecting desired speed
Press 1 or pull 2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point.
The next desired speed is selected.
The available speed changes to the
minimum speed of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h when you pull the lever beyond the
resistance point 2 at the lowest desired
speed.<
Interrupting the cruise control
With the cruise control active, briefly press
the lever up or down3.
Hiding display for multilevel preset
function
When activated, press the lever up or
down3 for approx. 3 seconds.
Showing display for multilevel preset
function again
Press 1 or pull2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point.
Deactivating multilevel preset mode
The multilevel preset function is also deac-
tivated when you switch off the ignition.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control you can select a
desired speed which is not only automati-
cally maintained when driving on open
roadways, but also varied to maintain a
selected distance setting as slower traffic is
encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological
advance over the familiar cruise control and
is a welcome relief from the constant
adjustment of speed that can accompany
driving in traffic on freeways or other high-
speed thoroughfares. Especially on longer
trips, the system can reduce fatigue and
tension, while increasing your enjoyment of
driving. Please use it safely and responsi-
bly.
In addition to holding a steady cruising
speed, if you do encounter slower vehicles
ahead, active cruise control will, within the
scope of given possibilities, adjust your
vehicle’s speed automatically so that you
can flow with the traffic without frequent
intervention by the driver. If, for example,
while cruising at the selected speed, you
begin to approach a slower vehicle ahead
of you in the same lane, the system will
reduce your vehicle's speed to the same as
that of the vehicle ahead to maintain your
selected distance setting between your
vehicle and the vehicle ahead. There are
four settings for distance, which is addi-
tionally speed-dependent. Based on your
selected distance setting, the system auto-
matically decreases the throttle setting and
lightly applies the brakes if necessary.
Driving
76 The vehicle brake lamps will automatically
illuminate to signal a following driver to take
action. In addition, it may be necessary for
the vehicle to downshift to maintain the dis-
tance setting selected. If the vehicle ahead
speeds up or when the lane ahead
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate
to the speed you have selected by increas-
ing the throttle setting and shifting gears as
needed.
Active cruise control is not and must
not be used as a collision avoidance/
warning system.<
Since this active cruise control sys-
tem is a new technology and operates
differently from conventional cruise control
systems which you may be accustomed,
you are strongly urged to read all of the
pages relating to this system before use.
Pay special attention to the information
contained in the Things to know about
active cruise control section in this manual
beginning on page78.<
Info Display screen contents
1Stored desired speed display
2Detected vehicle display. Lights up
when vehicle driving ahead is detected
3Selected distance to vehicle driving
ahead
4Digital speed display.
Appears briefly when you select your
desired speed, refer to page 77
The system is activated.
The display appears as soon as
you activate the system and no
vehicle is detected driving
ahead. Vehicle detected.
The display lights up when a
vehicle is detected driving
ahead.
The system requests you to
intervene by braking or with an
evasive maneuver. The display
flashes and a chime sounds.
The active cruise control cannot
automatically restore the distance to the
vehicle driving ahead. You will find more
detailed information on page 80.
Automatic intervention by ABS
or DSC, or you actuate the
parking brake while driving. The
active cruise control now only
intervenes by braking.
Operating active cruise control
1Activate system,
store and increase desired speed
2Activate system,
store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system
4With system deactivated:
Briefly press the button to recall the
stored speed and distance
4With system activated:
Increase desired speed by 1 mph/
1 km/h with each press of the button
5Select distance to vehicle driving
ahead. You can choose from four avail-
able distance settings. You will find
more detailed information on page 78
Controls
77Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjust your desired speed to the traf-
fic conditions and remain ready to
brake at all times. Great differences in
speed to the vehicles driving ahead, e.g.
when quickly approaching a truck or when
another vehicle swerves into your lane,
cannot be compensated for by the sys-
tem.<
Activate system
From approx. 20 mph/30 km/h you can
activate the system by pressing the lever
forward or pulling it back:
The current driving speed is stored as a
desired speed and briefly displayed in the
speedometer, refer to arrow.
If the display ACC --- mph/km/h
appears briefly in the speedometer,
it might be that conditions necessary for
operation are not currently being met.
To call up Check Control messages, refer
to page84.<
1 Desired speed store and increase
Press the lever forward:
The system applies and stores your current
speed as a desired speed. The speedome-
ter indicates this speed.
Subsequently pressing forward increases
the desired speed to the next 5-mile place/
10 km/h.
Each time the lever is pressed forward
again, the desired speed is increased by
another 5 mph/10 km/h until a maximum of
110 mph/180 km/h is reached. The speed
then displayed is stored and reached on a
clear road.
2 Desired speed store and decrease
Pull back the lever:
The current driving speed is rounded off to
the next 5-mile place/10 km/h, displayed
and stored.
Each time the lever is pulled back again,
the desired speed is decreased by another
5 mph/10 km/h until the minimum speed of
20 mph/30 km/h is reached. The speed
then displayed is stored and reached on a
clear road.
3 Deactivate system
Press the lever up or down while the sys-
tem is active. The displays in the speedom-
eter disappear. You can use the system
again as required.
In addition, the system is deactivated auto-
matically:
>When you apply pressure to the brake
pedal
>When you select the automatic trans-
mission's neutral range N
>When you deactivate the DSC Dynamic
Stability Control
>When you actuate the parking brake
during driving
>When the system reduces the speed to
below 20 mph/30 km/h due to a traffic
situation.
The system deactivates automatically
when the speed is set to below
20 mph/30 km/h. A gong sounds and a
message appears in the Check Control.
The active intervention of the driver is
required, otherwise there is an accident
danger.<
Background lighting
You can switch off the background lighting
of the speedometer and tachometer
>when you have deactivated the system
>when the prewarning field in the
tachometer has gone out, refer to
page81
>when the destination guidance system
of the navigation system is deactivated.
Controls
79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
in city driving; heavy traffic such as during
rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slip-
pery roads or roads with sharp curves such
as highway off-ramps; during inclement
weather such as snow, strong rain or fog;
or when entering interchanges, service/
parking areas or toll booths. It is also
important to regulate your vehicle's speed
and distance setting within applicable legal
limits. Always be ready to take action or
apply the brakes if necessary, especially
when the system is actively following a
vehicle in front of you.<
Always remember that the range and
ability of the system does have physi-
cal limitations. It will not apply the brakes or
decelerate your vehicle when there is a
slow-moving vehicle, stopped vehicle or
stationary object ahead of you, as for
example, at a traffic light or a parked vehi-
cle. Also, the system does not react to
oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other type
of potential traffic such as a rider on horse-
back. It is also possible that the system
may not detect smaller moving objects
such as motorcycles or bicycles. Be espe-
cially alert when encountering any of these
situations as the system will neither auto-
matically brake, nor provide a warning to
you. Also, be aware that every decrease in
the distance setting allows your vehicle to
come closer to a vehicle in front of you and
requires a heightened amount of alert-
ness.<
If while your vehicle is actively following a
vehicle in front of you and the vehicle
ahead speeds up or the lane ahead
becomes clear, then your vehicle will
accelerate to the speed you have selected.
Be aware that changing to a clear, unob-
st r uc ted lan e w il l als o r esu lt in y ou r v eh icle
accelerating.
Be certain to deactivate the system
when you pull into an exit lane for a
highway off-ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered man-
ner on a highway may cause a delay in the
system's reaction to a vehicle in front of you
or may cause the system to react to a vehi-
cle actually in the lane next to you. Always be ready to take action or apply the brakes
if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate
the vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If
the system reduces vehicle speed below
20 mph/30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged
while driving, the system will automatically
deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop
your vehicle. In addition, the system is
deactivated whenever the driver applies
the vehicle brakes, shifts the transmission
from drive/D to neutral/N, or deactivates
DSC. After any deactivation, the system will
no longer automatically activate the vehicle
brakes, which means the driver must inter-
vene and resume manual braking. You
should then reactivate the system only
when you are fully aware of the prior speed
and distance settings.<
Active cruise control may brake when you
reduce the stored desired speed; however,
the driver must constantly monitor traffic
and intervene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition,
active cruise control is fully switched off,
too, and any settings you have selected are
canceled.
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system,
it is possible that in curves or on the peaks
and valleys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead
may be recognized late, or not at all. There-
fore, it is up to the driver to select a speed
that is prudent in view of the curves and
terrain of the roadway.
Everything under control
86 >Energy Control/
current fuel consumption86
>Average fuel consumption86
>Average speed86
>Time of arrival87.
Maintain pressure on button1 to can-
cel the display from the computer.
Briefly press the button again to return to
the last display.
It will not be possible to cancel the display
if the fuel level has fallen into the reserve
range or if a Check Control status report is
currently on the screen.
Briefly press the button again to view the
last display.<
Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge mode appears automati-
cally once the fuel level falls into the
reserve range. At the same time, the words
"Fuel reserve" appear. The tank still con-
tains approx. 2.6 gallons/10 liters of fuel.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, when you are
driving in mountainous areas, for example,
the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
It will not be possible to cancel the
computer display once the fuel level
drops into the reserve range. However, you
can still request a display of the travel
range. Computer, refer to page85.<
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 23.2 gallons/
88 liters. You can find information on refu-
eling on page186.
Refuel well before the tank is empty,
as otherwise engine functions will not
be ensured and damage can occur if you
drive down to the last drop.<
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range avail-
able with the remaining fuel. The fuel level
is measured and the range is calculated
taking the driving style over the last
20 miles/30 km into account.
Always refuel as soon as possible
once your range falls to below
30 miles/50 km, as otherwise engine func-tions are not ensured and damage can
occur.<
Refueling is only registered by the com-
puter for fuel amounts above approx.
1.3 gallons/5 liters.
Remaining distance
When you enter a destination in the naviga-
tion system or manually enter a distance in
the computer prior to departure, the system
can also display the distance remaining to
your destination, refer to page132 or87.
The system automatically applies the dis-
tance to your destination using the route
recommended by the navigation system.
When you enter a destination in the
navigation system, any manual entries
will be overwritten no later than once
1,640 ft/500 meters of the calculated dis-
tance have elapsed.<
Energy Control/
current fuel consumption
Shows the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current
driving style is conducive to fuel economy
with minimum exhaust emissions.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated
for the time during which the engine is run-
ning.
You can use the Control Display to view
your fuel consumption rate over two differ-
ent distances, refer to Computer or Trip
computer.
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the
engine off are not included in the calcula-
tions of average speed.
Reset average speed: Press button2 in the
turn indicator lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Everything under control
88 You are only warned of reaching this speed
a second time if you again drive at least
3 mph/5 km/h slower.
Adjusting, changing
1.Select "Limit" and confirm your selec-
tion
2.Select "SET" and confirm your selection
3.Turn the controller to the left or right to
select the preset speed
4.Press the controller to confirm your
entry. The speed limit function is now
active.
Switching on or off
1.Select "Limit" and confirm your selec-
tion
2.Select "ON / OFF" and confirm your
selection. "ON / OFF" is highlighted
when the speed limit function is acti-
vated.
Applying your current speed as limit
1.Select "Limit" and confirm your selec-
tion
2.Select and confirm your selec-
tion. The system applies your current
speed as the limit.
Limit on Info Display
If, for instance, the warning sector in the
tachometer is visible, refer to page81, the
speed limit will be indicated by a warning
sector in the speedometer, refer to arrow.
Stopwatch
Starting and stopping
1.Select and confirm your selection
2.Select and confirm your selection.
The stopwatch is reset to 0 and starts
3.Select and confirm your selection.
This stops the timer.
Confirm again to reset the stopwatch to
zero.
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "INTERM. TIME" and confirm your
selection. This intermediate time appears
below the ongoing primary stopwatch
count.
All of the remaining functions remain
available at all times while the stop-
watch is running. The stopwatch continues
operation in the background.<