Automatic gearbox*
110
Selector lever positions
The selector lever position you have engaged is shown in the information display
of the instrument cluster with the co rresponding gear symbol highlighted
⇒ fig. 123 .
P - Parklock
The driven wheels are locked mechanically in this position.
The Parklock must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary ⇒.
If you wish to move the select or lever into or out of this position, you must press the
Shiftlock button in the handle of the select or lever and at the same time depress the
brake pedal. R - Reverse
Reverse gear must only be engaged when
the vehicle is stationary and the engine
idling ⇒ .
The brake pedal must be depressed and at the same time the Shiftlock must be
pressed, if you wish to obtain the selector lever positions R, P or N.
The reversing lights come on when the selector lever is moved into position R when
the ignition is also on.
N - Neutral
The transmission is in Neutral in this position.
The brake pedal must be depressed (if the lever is in its position for longer than 2
seconds) in order to move the selector lever out of the position N into another posi-
tion, with the ignition switched on, on a vehicle travelling at less than 5 km/h or on
a stationary vehicle.
D - Drive, position for driving forward
When the selector lever is in this position, the forward gears are shifted up and
down automatically in line with engine load, vehicle speed and the dynamic shift
programme (DSP).
You must depress the brake pedal ⇒ if you wish to move the selector lever into
position D from N when the vehicle is travelling at less than 5 km/h or is stationary.
In certain circumstances (e.g. when driving in mountainous regions or when towing
a trailer) it may be beneficial to select the manual shift programme ⇒page 113 for
a short time in order to adapt the gearbox ratios manually to the driving situations.
4 - Position when driving in hilly areas
We recommend this position if driving with the selector lever in position D would,
in certain circumstances, result in the gearbox frequently shifting between fourth
and fifth gears.
The gearbox then shifts up and down automa tically into the first, second, third and
fourth gears in line with engine load and vehicle speed. Fifth gear is not engaged in
this case. This makes it possible to expl oit greater engine braking power when the
accelerator is released ⇒.
Fig. 122 Selector lever
Fig. 123 Information
display: Selector lever
positions
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The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving out of posi-
tion
4 into position D.
3 - Position when driving in mountainous regions
This position of the selector lever is suitable for long sloping sections.
The gearbox shifts up and down automatically into first, second and third gear in
line with engine load and vehicle speed. The fourth and fifth gears remain locked
out in order to avoid unnecess ary gear changes. Enhanced engine braking power is
thus available.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must not be pressed when moving out of
position 3 into position 4.
2 - Position for extreme mountainous sections
This position of selector lever is suit able for very steep downhill sections.
T h e g e a r b o x s h i f t s u p a n d d o w n a u to m a ti c a l l y i n t o f i rs t a n d s e c o n d g e a r i n l i n e w i th
engine load and vehicle speed. Third, fourth and fifth gears are not engaged. This
position offers you the maximum possible engine braking power.
The Shiftlock on the selector lever grip must be pressed when moving out of posi-
tion 2 into position 3.
The cruise control system is locked in position 2.
WARNING
•Never move the selector lever into position R or P when driving - risk of
an accident!
•When the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary, it is necessary
to hold the car with the brake pedal in all the positions of the selector lever
(except P and N) since the power transmission is never completely inter-
rupted, also not when the engine is idling - the vehicle "creeps".
•You must on no account unintentionally operate the throttle (e.g. by
hand from the engine compartment) if a drive position is engaged when the
car is stationary. The vehicle would ot herwise immediately start off - also
when the handbrake is firmly applied - risk of an accident!
•You must move the selector lever into position P and firmly apply the
handbrake first before you or any othe r person opens the bonnet and starts
working on the engine when it is running - risk of accident! It is also essential
to observe all warnings ⇒page 185, “Working in the engine compartment”.
Note
•Take your foot off the accelerator if you inadvertently shift into N when driving
and wait until the engine speed has dropped to the idling speed range before
shifting into D.
•If you shift gear manually it is possible to select positions 4, 3 and 2, but the
automatic gearbox will not shift down until there is no risk of the engine
overrevving.
Selector lever lock
Automatic selector lever lock
With the ignition on, the selector lever is locked when it is in the positions P and N .
You must depress the brake pedal first and press the Shiftlock button at the same
time in order to move the selector lever out of these positions. The following will be
displayed in the information display*:
"Apply foot brake when selecting gear with vehicle stationary"
Symbol
also lights up in the selector lever cover until the brake pedal is actuated.
A time delay element ensures that the sele ctor lever is not blocked when rapidly
switching over the position N (e.g. from R to D). This does, for example, allow one
to seesaw out a stuck vehicle. The selector lever lock will click into place if the lever
is in the N position for more than 2 seconds without the brake pedal being pressed.
The selector lever lock is only active if th e vehicle is stationary or moving at speed
of less than 5 km/h. The lock is swit ched off automatically into position N when the
car is travelling at a higher speed.
WARNING (continued)
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Using the systemSafetyDriving TipsGeneral MaintenanceBreakdown assistanceTechnical Data
Correct seated position
Correct seated position for the driver
Correct seated position for the driver is important for safe and
relaxed driving.
For your own safety and to reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident, we
recommend the following setting.
•Adjust the steering wheel so that the distance between the steering wheel and
your chest is at least 25 cm ⇒fig. 135 .
•Position the driver seat in the forward/back direction so that you are able to
press the pedals with your legs at a slight angle .
•Adjust the backrest so that you are able to reach the highest point of the steering
wheel with your arms at a slight angle.
•Adjust the head restraint so that the top edge of the head restraint is at the same
level as the upper part of your head ⇒ fig. 136.
•Fasten the seat belt correctly ⇒page 132, “How are seat belts correctly
fastened?”.
Manual driver seat adjustment ⇒page 59, “Adjusting front seats manually”.
Electrical driver seat adjustment ⇒ page 60, “Adjusting seats”.
WARNING
•The front seats and the head restraints must always be adjusted to match
the body size of the seat occupant as well as the seat belts must always be
correctly fastened in order to provide an optimal protection for you and your
occupants.
•The driver must maintain a distance of at least 25 cm to the steering
wheel ⇒fig. 135 . Not maintaining this minimum distance will mean that the
airbag system will not be able to properly protect you - hazard!
•When driving, hold the steering wheel with both hands firmly on the
outer edge in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position. Never hold the steering
wheel firmly in the 12 o'clock position or in another way (e.g. in the middle
of the steering wheel or at the inner steering wheel edge). In such cases,
injuries to the arms, the hands and the head can occur when the driver
airbag is deployed.
•The backrests must not be angled to o far back when driving otherwise
this will affect proper operation of the seat belts and of the airbag system -
risk of injury!
•Ensure that there are no objects in the footwell as any objects may get
behind the pedals during a driving or braking manoeuvre. You would then
no longer be able to operate the clutch, to brake or accelerate.
Fig. 135 The correct
distance of the driver
from the steering wheel
Fig. 136 The correct
head restraint adjust-
ment for the driver
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Driving Tips
Intelligent Technology
Electronic stability programme (ESP)*
General
General
The ESP aids you maintain control of your vehicle in situations in borderline driving
situations such as when negotiating a curve too fast. The risk of skidding is reduced
and your car thus offers greater driving stability depending on the conditions of the
road surface. This occurs at all speeds.
The following systems are integrated into the electronic stability programme:
•Electronic Differential Lock (EDL),
•Traction control system (TCS),
•Antilock brake system ABS,
•Brake Assist. Operating principle
The ESP switches on automatically when the engine is started and then conducts a
self-test. The ESP control unit processes data from the individual systems. It also
processes additional measurement data which are supplied by highly sensitive
sensors: the rotational velocity of the vehi
cle about its vertical axis, the lateral accel-
eration of the vehicle, the brakin g pressure and the steering angle.
The direction which the driver wishes to ta ke is determined based on the steering
angle and the speed of the vehicle and is constantly compared with the actual
behaviour of the vehicle. If differences exis t, such as the car beginning to skid, the
ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel.
The car is stabilised again by the forces which take effect when the wheel is braked.
Intervention into the brake system takes place primarily on the outer front wheel of
a vehicle which tends to oversteer (tendency for the rear of the vehicle to break
away) while occurs this is on the inner re ar wheel of a vehicle which tends to under-
steer (tendency to shift out of the curve). This braking control cycle is accompanied
by noises.
The ESP operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 159, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)”. If there is a fault in the ABS system, the ESP also does not operate.
The ESP warning light ⇒page 28 lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a
fault on the ESP.
Switching off
You can switch the ESP off and on again as you wish, by pressing the button
⇒ fig. 163 . The ESP warning light ⇒page 28 lights up in the instrument cluster
when the ESP is switched off.
The ESP should normally always be switched on. It may be good practice to switch
the system off only in particular exceptional situations if you desire wheel slip.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains,
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042HFig. 163 ESP switch
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Intelligent Technology
156
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface,
•when it is necessary to rock a ca r free when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the ESP again.
WARNING
It is also not possible for the ESP to overcome the physical limits of the
vehicle. Even if a vehicle fitted with ESP you should still always adapt your
style of driving to the condition of the road surface and the traffic situation.
This particularly applies when driving on slippery and wet roads. The
increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than other-
wise - risk of an accident!
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-
free operation of the ESP. Differing rolling circumferences of the tyres can lead to an
undesirable reduction in the engine output.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other assign-
ment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the ESP ⇒page 205.
Traction control system (TCS)*
The traction control system prevents the driven wheels from spinning
when accelerating.
General
The TCS makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, accelerate
and climb a steep hill when the conditions of the road surface are unfavourable.
Operating principle
The TCS switches on automatically when th e engine is started and then conducts a
self-test. The system monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the
ABS sensors. If the wheels ar e spinning, the force transmitted to the road surface is
automatically adapted by reducing the engi ne speed. This occurs at all speeds.
The TCS operates in combination with the ABS ⇒page 159, “Antilock brake system
(ABS)”. The TCS will not function if a fault exists in the ABS system.
The TCS warning light ⇒page 28 lights up in the instrument cluster when there is a
fault on the TCS.
Switching off
You can switch the TCS off and on again as you wish by pressing the button
⇒ fig. 164 . The TCS warning light ⇒page 28 lights up in the instrument cluster
when the TCS is switched off.
B1Z-0042HB1Z-0042HFig. 164 TCS switch
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The TCS should normally always be switched
on. It may be good practice to switch
the system off only in particular exceptional situations if you desire wheel slip.
Examples:
•when driving with snow chains,
•when driving in deep snow or on a loose surface,
•when it is necessary to rock a car free when it has become stuck.
then you should switch on the TCS again.
The EDL ⇒page 157, “Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)” is a part of the TCS. THE
EDL operates independently of the TCS (a lso when the TCS has been switched off
using the TCS button).
WARNING
You should always adjust your style of driving to the conditions of the road
surface and the traffic situation. The increased safety offered must not tempt
you to take greater risks than otherwise - risk of an accident!
Note
•All four wheels must be fitted with the same tyres in order to achieve problem-
free operation of the TCS. Differing rollin g circumferences of the tyres can lead to
an undesirable reduction in the engine output.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other assign-
ment of tyres and wheels) can influence the function of the TCS ⇒page 205,
“Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
The electronic differential lock pr events an individual wheel from
slipping.
General
The EDL makes it much easier, and sometimes at all possible, to start off, accelerate
and climb a steep hill when the conditio ns of the road surface are unfavourable. Operating principle
The EDL is activated automatically, that is without any action on the part of the
driver. It monitors the speeds of the driven wheels with the aid of the ABS sensors.
Should only
one drive wheel begin spinning on a sl ippery surface there will be an
appreciable difference in the speed of the driven wheels. The EDL function brakes
the slipping wheel and the differential transmits a greater driving force to the other
driven wheel. This control proce ss is also accompanied by noises.
Overheating of the brakes
The EDL switches off automatically if unus ually severe stresses exist in order to
avoid excessive heat generation in the disc brake on the wheel which is being
braked. The vehicle can continue to be driven and has the same characteristics as a
vehicle not fitted with EDL.
The EDL switches on again automatically as soon as the brake has cooled down.
WARNING
•Depress the accelerator carefully when accelerating on uniformly slip-
pery road surfaces, such as ice and sn ow. The driven wheels might still spin
despite the EDL and affect the stability of the vehicle - risk of an accident!
•You should always adapt your style of driving to the condition of road
surface and to the traffic situation even when your vehicle is fitted with EDL.
The increased safety offered must not tempt you to take greater risks than
otherwise - risk of an accident!
Note
•If the ABS warning light comes on, this may also indicate a fault in the EDL.
Please have the car inspec ted as soon as possible by a specialist garage.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other assign-
ment of tyres and wheels) can in fluence the function of the EDL ⇒page 205,
“Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
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Intelligent Technology
158
Brakes
What has a negative effect on braking efficiency?
Wear-and-tear
Wear-and-tear to the brake pads is greatly dependent on the operating conditions
of the vehicle and your style of driving. Particularly if you drive a great deal in towns
and over short distances or if you adopt a sporty style of driving, it may be neces-
sary to have the thickness of the brake pads inspected at a specialist garage
between the service inspections.
Wet roads or road salt
There may be a certain delay before the brakes take full effect under certain condi-
tions such as when driving through water, during heavy rain showers or after the
vehicle has been washed in an automatic vehicle wash, since the brake discs and
brake pads may be moist or even have a coating of ice on them in winter. You
should dry the brakes as soon as possib le (by applying and releasing the brakes
several times, if the road conditions and the traffic situation allows it).
There also may be a certain delay before the full braking efficiency is available when
driving on roads which have been treated wi th road salt if you have not used the
brakes for some considerable time beforeha nd. The layer of salt on the brake discs
and brake pads must first be rubb ed off when you apply the brakes.
Corrosion
Corrosion on the brake discs and dirt on th e bake pads occur if the vehicle has been
parked for a long period and if you do not make much use of the braking system.
We recommend cleaning the brake discs by firmly applying the brakes at a fairly
high speed if you do not make much use of the braking system or if surface corro-
sion is present ⇒.
Faults in the brake surface
If you notice that the braking distance has suddenly become longer and that the
brake pedal can be depressed further, it is possible that a brake circuit of the dual-
circuit brake system has failed. Drive, in such cases, to the nearest specialist garage
without delay in order to have the problem rectified. Drive at a reduced speed while
on your way to the dealer and adapt your style of driving to the higher brake pedal
pressure required. Low brake fluid level
An insufficient level of brake fluid may result in problems in the brake system. The
level of the brake fluid is monitored electronically
⇒page 29, “Brake system ”.
WARNING
•Only apply the brakes for the purpos e of drying and cleaning the brake
discs if the traffic conditions permit this. Do not place any other road users
in jeopardy.
•When retrospectively mounting a front spoiler, solid wheel hubs etc. one
must ensure that the air supply to the front wheel brakes is not reduced
otherwise the braking sy stem could run too hot.
•Allow for the fact that new brake pads do not achieve their full braking
efficiency until approximately 200 kilo metres. New brake pads must be first
“run in” before they develop their optimal friction force. You can, however,
compensate for this slightly reduced braking force by increasing the pres-
sure on the brake pedal. This guidelin e also applies to any new brake pads
installed at a future date.
Caution
•Never allow the brakes to ru b by applying slight pressure if you do not wish to
brake the vehicle. This causes the brakes to overheat and can also result in a longer
braking distance and excessive wear.
•Before negotiating a steep downhill sect ion, please reduce your speed, shift
down into the next lower gear (manual ge arbox) or select a lower driving stage
(automatic gearbox). This enables you to make full use of the braking power of the
vehicle and reduces the strain on the brakes . Any additional braking should be done
intermittently, not continuously.
Brake booster
The brake booster boosts the pressure which you generate with the brake pedal.
The necessary pressure is only gene rated when the engine is running.
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WARNING
•Never switch off the engine before the vehicle is stationary.
•The brake booster only operates when the engine is running. Greater
physical effort for braking is required when engine is switched off. Because
if you do not stop as normal, this can cause an accident and severe injuries.
Antilock brake system (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels locking when braking.
General
The ABS contributes significan tly to enhancing the active safety of your vehicle.
Compared to a car not fitted with the ABS brake system, you are able to retain
optimal steering ability even during a fu ll brake application on a slippery road
surface because the wheels do not lock up.
You must not expect, however, that the br aking distance will be shorter under all
circumstances as a result of the ABS. Th e braking distance for example on gravel
and fresh snow, when you should anyway be driving slowly and cautiously, will be
longer.
Operating principle
As soon as the vehicle speed has increa sed to about 6 km/h an automatic test
procedure is conducted during which you wi ll be able to hear a pumping noise for
about 1 second.
The brake pressure will be reduced on a wheel which is rotating at a speed which is
too low for the speed of the vehicle and tend ing to lock. This control cycle is notice-
able from a pulsating movement of the brake pedal which is accompanied by
noises. This is consciously intended to pr ovide the driver with the information that
the wheels are tending to lock (ABS control range). You must always keep the brake
pedal depressed to enable the ABS to optima lly control the brake application in this
braking range. Never interrupt the application of the brakes!
WARNING
•The ABS can also not overcome the physic al limits of your vehicle. Please
do not forget this, particularly when driv ing on icy or wet road surfaces. If the
ABS is operating within the control ra nge, adapt your speed immediately to
the conditions of the road surface and the traffic situation. The increased
safety offered by the ABS must not tempt you to take greater risks than
otherwise - risk of an accident!
•The normal braking system is still fully functional if there is an ABS fault.
Visit a specialist garage as quickly as po ssible and adjust your style of driving
to take account of the ABS fault in the meantime since you will not know how
great the damage is.
Note
•A warning light comes on if a fault occurs in the ABS system ⇒page 29.
•Changes to vehicle (e.g. on engine, on the brakes, on chassis or other assign-
ment of tyres and wheels) can in fluence the function of the ABS ⇒page 205,
“Accessories, changes and replacement of parts”.
Brake Assist*
During a severe brake application (e.g. if a hazard exists), the Brake Assist increases
the braking force and thus makes it possible to rapidly produce the pressure
required in the brake system.
The majority of drivers do apply the brakes in good time in dangerous situations,
but do not depress the brake pedal with suff icient pressure. Consequently, it is not
possible for the car to achieve its maxi mum deceleration and the car covers a
greater distance than necessary.
The Brake Assist is activated by the very quick operation of the brake pedal. In such
cases, a much greater braking pressure ex ists than during a normal brake applica-
tion. This makes it possible, even with a relatively low resistance of the brake pedal,
to produce an adequate pressure in the brake system in the shortest possible time,
which is required for maximum deceleration of the car. You must apply the brake
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