
If one or more of the indicator lamps in
respective seat heating button : are
flashing, there is insufficient voltage available
since too many electrical consumers are
turned on. The seat heating switches off
automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is
available.
Rear seat heating
:Normal heating;Rapid heating
The red indicator lamps in the switch come
on to show which heating level you have
selected.
The seat heating switches from level 2 (rapid
seat heating) to level 1 (normal seat heating)
after approximately 5 minutes.
The seat heating switches off automatically
from level 1 after approximately 30 minutes.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on seat heating: Press upper
switch position :.
A red indicator lamp in the switch comes
on.
XSwitching off seat heating: Press upper
switch position : once more.
XSwitching on rapid seat heating: Press
lower switch position ;.
Both red indicator lamps in the switch
come on.
XSwitching off rapid seat heating: Press
lower switch position ; once more.
If one or both of the indicator lamps in the
seat heating switch are flashing, there is
insufficient voltage available since too many
electrical consumers are turned on. The seat
heating switches off automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is
available.
Multifunction steering wheel
Safety notes
GWarning!
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving
could cause the driver to lose control of the
vehicle.
The steering wheel adjustment feature can be
operated when the driver’s door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Make sure
Ryou can reach the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent at the elbows
Ryou can move your legs freely
Rall displays (including malfunction and
indicator lamps) on the instrument cluster
are clearly visible
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Steering wheel adjustmentXSwitch on the ignition.
or
XOpen the driver’s door.XAdjusting steering wheel in or out: Move
stalk in direction of arrows :.
XAdjusting steering wheel up or down:
Move stalk in direction of arrows ;.
iThe memory function (Y page 70) lets
you store the settings for the steering
wheel together with the settings for the
seat position and the exterior rear view
mirrors.
Easy-entry/exit feature
This feature allows the driver an easier entry
into and exit from the vehicle. When entering
and exiting the vehicle, the steering wheel is
in its uppermost position.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be activated
or deactivated in the Convenience submenu
of the control system (Y page 108).
GWarning!
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated.
To stop steering wheel movement do one of
the following:
RMove steering wheel adjustment stalk.
RPress one of the memory position buttons.
RPress the memory button.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel will return to its last set
position when you close the driver’s door with
the ignition switched on. The steering wheel
will also return to its last set position when
you insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch with the driver’s door closed.
iThe last set steering wheel position is
stored when the ignition is switched off or
the position is stored in memory
(Y page 71).
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel tilts upwards when you
remove the SmartKey from the starter switch.
The steering wheel also tilts upwards when
you open the driver’s door with the SmartKey
in starter switch position 0 or 1.
iWhen the current position for the steering
wheel is in the uppermost tilt position, the
steering wheel will no longer be able to
move upward when the easy-entry/exit
feature is activated.
The adjustment procedure is briefly
interrupted when the engine is started.
GWarning!
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in
motion. All steering wheel adjustment must
be completed before setting the vehicle in
motion. Driving off with the steering wheel
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still adjusting could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
Heated steering wheel
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Turn switch at the tip of the
stalk in direction of arrow :.
Indicator lamp = comes on.
iThe steering wheel heating may be
suspended temporarily. However, indicator
lamp = remains on. The steering wheel
heating is suspended when the
temperature of the vehicle interior is above
86‡ (30†). It is also suspended when the
temperature of the steering wheel is above
95‡ (35†).
When these conditions do not apply
anymore, steering wheel heating
continues.
XSwitching off: Turn switch at the tip of
stalk in direction of arrow ;.
Indicator lamp = goes out.
iIndicator lamp = flashes or goes out in
case of power surge or undervoltage or if
the steering wheel heating malfunctions.
iThe steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.
For more information on the steering wheel,
see “Multifunction steering wheel”
(Y page 97).
Mirrors
Notes
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a good
view of the road and traffic conditions.
Interior rear view mirror
XAdjust the interior rear view mirror
manually.
Exterior rear view mirrors
GWarning!
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a
wider field of view). Objects in mirror are
closer than they appear. Check your interior
rear view mirror and glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress button = for the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror or button ; for
the passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror.
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RSteering wheel position
RExterior rear view mirrors’ position
GWarning!
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function while
driving could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle.
Each memory position button on the front
passenger side can store all of the following
settings:
RSeat position
RMulticontour seat: previously saved setting
Storing positions into memory
XAdjust the seats.XOn the driver’s side, additionally adjust the
steering wheel and exterior rear view
mirrors to the desired positions.
XPress memory button ;.XPress memory button ; once and within
3 seconds press one memory position
button : 1, 2 or 3.
All settings are stored to the selected
position.
Recalling positions from memoryXPress and hold desired memory position
button 1, 2 or 3 until the seat has
completely moved to the stored position.
On the driver’s side, also wait for the
steering wheel and exterior rear view
mirrors to move to the stored position.
iReleasing the memory position button
stops movement to the stored positions
immediately.
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position
This feature is only available in Canada
vehicles.
For easier parking, you can adjust the
passenger-side exterior rear view mirror so
that you can see the right rear wheel as soon
as you engage reverse gear R.
For information on activating the parking
position, see (Y page 70).
XStop the vehicle.XSwitch on the ignition.XPress button =.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror is selected.
XAdjust the passenger-side exterior rear
view mirror with adjustment button : so
that you see the rear wheel and the road
curb.
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High beam XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
L (Y page 72).
XSwitching on: Push the combination
switch in direction of arrow :.
The high-beam headlamp indicator lamp
K in the instrument cluster comes on.
XSwitching off: Pull the combination switch
in direction of arrow ; to its original
position.
High-beam flasher
XSwitching on: Pull the combination switch
briefly in direction of arrow ;.
Turn signals
XPress the combination switch in direction
of arrow : or ;.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lamp ! or # in the instrument
cluster flashes.
The combination switch resets automatically
after major steering wheel movements.
iTo signal minor directional changes such
as changing lanes, press combination
switch only to point of resistance and
release. The corresponding turn signal
lamps will flash three times.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be switched
on at all times, even with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.
The hazard warning flasher comes on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
XSwitching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch :.
All turn signal lamps are flashing.
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either
left or right turn, only the respective left or
right turn signals will operate when the
ignition is switched on.
XSwitching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch : again.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard
warning flasher switch : to switch it off.
Headlamp cleaning system
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carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
GWarning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
Starting the engine
GWarning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
jPark position with gear selector lever lockkReverse geariNeutral positionhDrive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (Y page 87).
XMake sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
Starting
XDo not depress the accelerator pedal.XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3 (Y page 62) and release it.
The engine starts automatically.
Starting difficulties
! Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the battery.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the starter switch.
In this case, the steering is locked.
XTo unlock, remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch and reinsert.
The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction in the engine
electronics or in the fuel supply system.
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RTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch.
RTake the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving.
Parking brake
GWarning!
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock
up. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s
brake lights do not light up when the parking
brake is engaged.
GWarning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P, either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
XReleasing: Pull up slightly on parking brake
lever : and press release button ;.
XPush parking brake lever : down to its
original position.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the brake warning lamp
$ (USA only) or J (Canada only) in
the instrument cluster goes out.
XEngaging: Pull up parking brake lever :
firmly.
When the engine is running, the brake
warning lamp $ (USA only) or J
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Turning off the engine
GWarning!
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the engine
not running, there is no power assistance for
the brake and steering systems. In this case,
it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
XShift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
XEngage the parking brake.
iAlways engage the parking brake in
addition to shifting the automatic
transmission into park position P.
When parked on an incline, also turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
XTurn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0.
XRemove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.
The SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the automatic
transmission in park position P.
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switches in sequential order (center, rear,
front) (Y page 94). When the transfer case
(center) differential is locked, half of the
engine’s power is automatically distributed to
the front wheels and half to the rear wheels.
When the rear differential is locked, power
going to the rear wheels is equally distributed,
so that both rear wheels turn at the same
speed and torque. Please be aware that
engaging the differential locks will
significantly reduce the steering ability of the
vehicle.
For your safety and the safety of others and
to prevent damage to the vehicle, the
differential locks must not be engaged when
driving on paved roads. It is important to
understand that during on-road/paved
driving, differentials are absolutely necessary
for providing the essential control and
steering ability of the vehicle. The differential
locks, therefore, must not be engaged when
driving on paved roads and should only be
used to the extent necessary to negotiate off-
road conditions which cannot be handled by
the systems (the 4-ETS, the ESP®, and the
manual switch position “LOW” of transfer
case) this vehicle comes equipped with.
Switching differential locks on and off
The switches are located on the upper part of
the center console.
:Transfer case (center) differential lock;Rear axle differential lock=Front differential lock?Engagement indicator lamps (yellow)AFunction indicator lamps (red)
The differential locks can only be switched on
in the sequence :, ;, =.
Switching differential locks on
! To avoid damage to the transfer case and
differential locks:
REngage the differential locks only at low
speed (walking speed, not more than
5 mph [8 km/h]).
RDo not engage the differential locks if the
driving wheels are spinning due to lack
of traction.
RDo not engage the differential locks on
paved roads.
Transfer case differential lock
XPress switch :.
Yellow engagement indicator lamp ? for
the transfer case differential lock comes
on.
The ESP® warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster comes on.
When the differential lock engagement
operation has been completed, the red
function indicator lamp A comes on.
The message ABS not available
differential locked appears in the
multifunction display.
The ESP® warning lamp d and the !
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster come
on.
Once the transfer case differential lock is
switched on, you can now, if needed, switch
on rear axle differential lock ;, or switch on
rear axle differential lock ; and front
differential lock =.
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