5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Passenger safety systems:
Airbags55
Transporting children safely57
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory61
Driving:
Ignition lock62
Starting engine62
Switching off engine63
Handbrake64
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic65
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher68
Washer/wiper system/
rain sensor69
Cruise control71
Everything under control:
Odometer, outside temperature
display73
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Engine oil temperature gauge75
Fuel gauge75
Coolant temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Computer79
MID Multi-Information
Display81Digital clock in MID82
Computer in MID85
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
PDC Park Distance Control 90
Antilock Brake System91
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control92
xDrive94
HDC Hill Descent Control94
Self-leveling suspension95
2-axle self-leveling
suspension96
Brake force display98
Flat Tire Monitor98
Lamps:
Parking lamps/low beams100
Adaptive Head Light101
High beams/roadside parking
lamps101
Front fog lamps102
Instrument lighting102
Interior lamps103
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioner104
Automatic climate control107
Roller sun blinds113
Parked car ventilation113Cabin convenience:
Integrated universal remote
control114
Telephone116
Interior rearview mirror with
digital compass117
Glove compartment119
Storage compartments119
Cup holders120
Ashtray, front121
Ashtray, rear121
Cigarette lighter, rear122
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag123
Cargo area
Folding rear backrests
down124
Roll-up cover125
Partition net125
Covers in cargo area127
Sockets128
Pull-out cargo floor128
Cargo loading130
Roof-mounted luggage rack132
19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps Technology that monitors itself Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by
+ are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a malfunction should occur in one of
the monitored systems, the corre-
sponding lamp will not go out after the
engine is started or it will light up while
the vehicle is moving. The section
below will instruct you on what to do in
this situation.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
+
The battery is not being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Have
the system checked immediately.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. When
the drive belt is defective, you will also
have to exert increased steering
effort.<
Engine oil pressure
+
Stop immediately and switch off
the engine. Check the engine oil
level; top up as required. If the oil level
is correct: have the system checked
immediately.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could be damaged due to
inadequate lubrication.<
Handbrake
*/
brake hydraulic system
+
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page64
Lights up although the handbrake is
released: stop immediately. The brake
fluid in the reservoir has fallen to below
the minimum level. At the same time, a
considerably longer brake pedal travel
may be noticeable. Have the system
checked immediately.
During continued driving,
increased brake pedal pressure
may be necessary and considerably
longer braking distances may result.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
Before continuing your journey, be sure
to read the notes on pages140
and155.
Also lights up in the Check Control with
the message CHECK BRAKE LININGS.
Display of the previously
described malfunction in Cana-
dian models.
20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Transmission temperature
* +
The transmission is overheated.
Reduce speed immediately and
stop at a suitable location so that the
system can cool down again. Have the
system checked immediately.
Yellow: stop immediately
Flat Tire Monitor
+
An acoustic signal also sounds:
there is a flat tire or extensive
inflation pressure loss. Reduce speed
immediately for stopping while avoiding
extreme braking and steering maneu-
vers.
For additional information, refer to
page99
Red or yellow: continue to drive
cautiously
The red brake warning lamp
lights up together with the warn-
ing lamps for ABS and DSC/
xDrive. In addition, a warning
signal sounds:
ABS, DSC, HDC and xDrive
have failed. Drive may be being
exerted exclusively via the rear
axle. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages91, 92
Proceed cautiously and defen-
sively. When driving on poor
roads, avoid using full throttle or press-
ing the accelerator beyond the kick-
down point and also avoid forceful
braking or full braking. Otherwise, the
drive train may be damaged or acci-
dents can occur.<
If the brake warning lamp lights up in
yellow in the above-described combi-
nation, the EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution is still available.
Display of the previously
described malfunction in Cana-
dian models.
21n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps Red: an important reminder
Handbrake
*
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page64
Handbrake warning lamp
* for
Canadian models
Please fasten safety belts +
Indicator lamp flashes or lights
up. In addition, a signal sounds
and, depending on the equipment, a
message* appears in the Check Con-
trol. Please check safety belts for cor-
rect placement.
The belt reminder is activated when the
safety belt on the driver's side has not
yet been fastened.
The belt reminder is also active at
speeds greater than approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h when the passenger belt has
not yet been fastened, heavy objects
are placed on the front passenger seat,
or passengers sitting in the front
remove their safety belts.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page49
Airbags
+
Malfunction in airbag system.
Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page55
Yellow: check as soon as possible
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
+
Malfunction in the DBC system.
Please have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For details on DBC, refer to page91
Display of the previously
described malfunction in Cana-
dian models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute minimum;
refill as soon as possible. Do not drive
more than approx. 30 miles/50 km until
you do.
For additional information, refer to
page152
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity, e.g.
when you stop to refuel.
For additional information, refer to
page152
Automatic transmission
*
The automatic transmission
switches into the emergency
program due to a malfunction. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page67
Brake pads
* +
Have the condition of the brake
pads checked.
For additional information, refer to
page140
Self-leveling suspension
* +
The self-leveling suspension
is inactive. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page95
62n
Ignition lock Starting engine Ignition key positions 0 Steering lock engaged
1Steering lock disengaged
2 Ignition on
3Starting engineSteering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until
you hear the lock engage.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal sounds after the driver's door is
opened.390de010
Automatic transmission:
Only move the selector lever from
position P with the engine running.
To turn the key back to position 0 or to
remove it, first place the selector lever
in position P: interlock.<
Steering lock disengaged Slightly moving the steering often
makes it easier to turn the key from 0
to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready
for operation. Starting engine
Manual transmission:
Depress the clutch when starting
the engine. If you do not, a lock pre-
vents the engine from starting.<
Before starting >Engage the handbrake
>Be sure that the gearshift lever is in
Neutral or the selector lever in Park if
the vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic transmission
>Depress the clutch.
If the clutch is not depressed, the
engine cannot be started
>Press the footbrake with an auto-
matic transmission.
Do not run the engine in closed
rooms, otherwise the inhalation of
toxic exhaust gases can cause uncon-
sciousness and death. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with
the engine running, as such a vehicle
represents a potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select neutral or the position P
and engage the handbrake before leav-
ing the vehicle with the engine run-
ning.<
When starting the engine, do not press
the accelerator pedal.
64n
Handbrake Manual transmissionThe handbrake is primarily intended to
prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked; it brakes the rear wheels.EngagingThe lever engages automatically when
you pull it up and the indicator lamp
comes on in the instrument cluster in
ignition key position 2, refer to
pages 19, 21.Releasing Pull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever. 530de262
If exceptional circumstances
should make it necessary to
engage the handbrake while the vehicle
is in motion, do not pull it too strongly.
In doing so, continuously press the but-
ton of the handbrake lever. Otherwise
strong application of the handbrake can
lead to overbraking of the rear axle and
associated 'fishtailing' of the vehicle
rear end.
Manual transmission:
Always engage the handbrake when
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces. Even placing the gearshift lever
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in Park.<
To prevent corrosion and one-
sided braking action, occasionally
apply the handbrake lightly when the
vehicle is slowly coming to a stop if the
traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when
the handbrake is applied.
Press the clutch all the way down each
time you shift, pressing the gearshift
lever into its proper end position.
Depress the clutch when starting the
vehicle, too. If the clutch is not
depressed, the interlock will prevent the
engine from starting.
While shifting in the 5th/6th gear
slot, press the gearshift lever
toward the right, otherwise, accidental
shifting into the 3rd or 4th gear could
result in engine damage.< 380de044
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
67n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Sport Program and manual
operation M/S Shift selector lever from position D
toward the left into the shifting slot M/S:
the Sport Program is activated and D S
appears in the instrument cluster. This
position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style.
Briefly pressing the selector lever
toward the front or rear activates man-
ual operation and Steptronic changes
gears. The following display appears in
the instrument cluster, depending on
the model:
>1 to 5 or 1 to 6
>M1 to M5 or M1 to M6. 530de264
Upshifts and downshifts are executed
only when they will result in a plausible
combination of engine and vehicle
speed; thus, for example, a downshift
that would cause the engine to overrev
will not be executed by the system. The
gear selected will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster and then the current
gear will reappear.
To return to automatic mode, move the
selector lever toward the right into posi-
tion D.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up or
the message TRANS.FAILSAFE
PROG appears in the Check
Control. A malfunction has occurred in
the transmission system. Avoid heavy
loads.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to P. Set the
parking brake and switch the engine off
by turning the ignition key to position 0.
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual. If the indica-
tor lamp does not go out, you can place
the selector lever in all positions, but
the vehicle will now only drive forward
with limited gear selection.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Information on jump starting, tow-
starting and towing begins on
page174.
77n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control Graphic display
*
The following alerts or status messages
are displayed with icons as of ignition
key position 2 until the defects are cor-
rected:
1 Check low beams
2 Add washer fluid, goes out after
approx. 1 minute
3Door open
4 Tailgate open
5 Check brake and tail lamps. A defec-
tive center brake lamp is indicated by
the upper symbol.
When you open the door after stopping,
a warning signal sounds without a
visual indicator for:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK. 390de121
Alphanumeric display
*
Text messages are used to alert the
driver to system malfunctions as of igni-
tion key position 2. The alert is accom-
panied by an acoustic signal.
1 Status messages symbol
2Display
3CHECK button
Messages concerning system defects
are differentiated based on two priori-
ties: 530de254
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by an acoustic signal and a flash-
ing warning symbol 1. Simultaneous
defects will be displayed consecutively.
These status messages remain on the
display until the defects are corrected.
They cannot be deleted by pressing the
CHECK button 3:
>RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE
>COOLANT TEMPERATURE
Temperature too high. Stop the vehi-
cle immediately and switch off the
engine, refer to pages76 and154
>STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS
Oil pressure too low. Stop the vehicle
immediately and switch off the
engine, refer to pages19 and152