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142
Driving and operating
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake
pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist
The system helps pull away on
inclines. After releasing the brake
pedal, if the hand brake is not applied
the brakes are released after a 2-
second delay. Ride control systems
Electronic stability
program
Electronic stability program
(ESP®
Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of the
type
of road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
control indicator v extinguishes.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action v
flashes. 9
Warning Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator
v 3 89.
Deactivation ESP®
Plus
can be deactivated when
Sport mode is engaged for high-
performance driving:
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Driving and operating
143
Hold the SPORT button depressed
for about 4 seconds. Control indicator
v illuminates. ESPoff also appears in
the service display. 9
Warning Do not deactivate ESP®
Plus
if
a
run-flat tyre 3 has lost pressure.ESP®
Plus
is reactivated by pressing
the SPORT
button. ESPon appears in
the service display. ESP® Plus
is also
reactivated the next time the ignition
is switched on.
Sport mode 3 143.
Interactive driving system
Interactive driving system (IDS Plus
)
combines the electronic stability
program (ESP® Plus
) with the antilock
brake system (ABS) and continuous
damping control (CDC) to improve
driving dynamics and vehicle safety. Sport mode
Suspension and steering become
more direct and provide better
contact with the road surface. The
engine reacts more quickly to
accelerator pedal movements.
Automatic
gear changing is also more
responsive.
Control indicator IDSPlus
3 91.
Activation Press SPORT button.
Control indicator
1 3 89. Winter programme activation not
possible.
Deactivation
Briefly press the SPORT button.
Sport mode is deactivated the next
time the ignition is switched on or if
the Winter programme is activated.
Continuous damping
control
Continuous damping control (CDC)
changes suspension with damping
adaptation
of each shock absorber to
the current driving situation and road
conditions.
When Sport mode is engaged, the
damping control is adapted to
a sportier driving style.
Control indicator IDS+ 3 91.
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Driving and operating
Automatic level control The rear level of the vehicle is
automatically adjusted to the load
conditions while driving. Suspension
and ground clearance are increased,
which improves driving conditions.
The automatic level control is
activated after the vehicle has been
driven for some distance, depending
on the vehicle loading and the road
conditions.
Do
not use full payload in the event of
a fault. Have the cause of the fault
remedied by a workshop. Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain
speeds of approx. 30 to 200
km/h. Deviations from the stored
speeds may occur when driving uphill
or downhill.
For safety reasons the cruise control
cannot be activated until the foot
brake has been operated once. Do not use the cruise control if it is not
advisable to maintain a constant
speed. With automatic transmission or
manual
transmission automated, only
activate cruise control in automatic
mode.
Control indicator m 3 93.
Activation
Briefly press the m button: the current
speed is stored and maintained.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the previously stored speed
is resumed.
The speed is saved until the ignition
is switched off.
To resume the saved speed, briefly
press the g button at a speed above
30 km/h.
Increase
With cruise control active, hold down
button m or briefly press it repeatedly:
speed is increased continuously or in
small increments.
When button m is released the
current speed is stored and
maintained.
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Driving and operating
145
Reduction
With cruise control active, hold down
button g
or briefly press it repeatedly:
speed is reduced continuously or in
small increments.
When button g is released the current
speed is stored and maintained.
Deactivation
Briefly press the § button: cruise
control is deactivated.
Automatic deactivation:
■ Vehicle speed below approx. 30 km/h
■ The brake pedal is depressed
■ The clutch pedal is depressed
■ Selector lever in N. Object detection
systems
Parking assist Parking assist makes parking easier
by measuring the distance between
the vehicle and obstacles. It is the
driver, however, who maintains full
responsibility for parking.
The
system consists of four ultrasonic
parking sensors bumper mounted.
Control indicator r 3 89.
Note
Attached parts in the detection area
cause system malfunction.
Activation When reverse gear is engaged, the
system switches itself on
automatically.
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Driving and operating
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 220.
Trailer towing
Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified
in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 % The permitted trailer load applies up
to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea
level. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases because of the
air becoming thinner, therefore
reducing climbing ability, the
permissible gross train weight also
decreases by 10 % for every 1000
metres of additional altitude. The
gross
train weight does not have to be
reduced when driving on roads with
slight inclines (less than 8 %, e. g.
motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 208.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (75 kg) is specified on
the towing equipment identification
plate and in the vehicle documents. Always aim for the maximum load,
especially in the case of heavy
trailers. The vertical coupling load
should never fall below 25 kg.
Rear axle load
When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded, the
permissible rear axle load (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) may be exceeded by 90
kg
and the gross vehicle weight rating
by 75 kg. If the permissible rear axle
load is exceeded, a maximum speed
of 100 km/h applies.
Towing equipment Caution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Page 153 of 228
Driving and operating
153
Dismounting the coupling ball
bar Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c (1
) to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out
coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold
away socket.
Insert cover in bumper: Insert guides
of cover into bumper, first in the front
and then in the rear and engage.
Compress cover in a slightly bent
position while doing so. Trailer stability assist
If the system detects snaking
movements,
engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is
selectively braked until the snaking
ceases.
Trailer stability assistant (TSA) is
a function of the Electronic Stability
Program (ESP® Plus
) 3 142.
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154
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
General Information ...................154
Vehicle checks ........................... 155
Bulb replacement .......................160
Electrical system ........................167
Vehicle tools .............................. 173
Wheels and tyres .......................174
Jump starting ............................. 185
Towing ....................................... 187
Appearance care .......................189 General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We
recommend to use Genuine Parts
and Accessories and factory
approved parts specific for your
vehicle type. We cannot assess or
guarantee for other products - even if
they have a regulatory or otherwise
granted approval.
Do not make any modifications to the
electrical system, e. g. changes of
electronic control units (chip tuning).
Vehicle storage
Storage for a long period of time
Following must be done if the vehicle
should be stored for several months:
■ Wash and wax the vehicle.
■ Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
■ Clean and preserve rubber seals.
■ Change engine oil. ■ Drain washer fluid reservoir.
■
Check coolant anti-freeze andcorrosion protection.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park vehicle in dry, well ventilated place. Engage first or reverse gear
or set selector lever to P. Prevent
the vehicle from rolling.
■ Do not apply hand brake.
■ Open bonnet, close all doors and lock the vehicle.
■ Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery. Beware that all systems are
not functional, e.g. anti-theft alarm
system.
Putting back into operation
Following must be done if the vehicle
is putting back into operation: ■ Connect the clamp to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery.
Activate the electronic of the power
windows.
■ Check tyre pressure.
■ Fill up the washer fluid reservoir.
Page 158 of 228
158
Vehicle care
concentration checked and have the
cause of the coolant loss remedied by
a workshop.
Washer fluid Fill with clean water mixed with
a suitable quantity of windscreen
wash solution which contains anti-
freeze. Brakes
A squealing noise indicates that the
brake lining is at its minimum
thickness. Continued driving is
possible but have the brake lining
replaced as soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid
9
Warning Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive.
Avoid contact with eyes,
skin, fabrics and painted surfaces. The brake fluid level must be between
the MIN and the MAX marks.
When topping up, ensure maximum
cleanliness as contamination of the
brake fluid can lead to brake system
malfunctions.
Have the reason for the
loss of brake fluid remedied by
a workshop.
Only use high-performance brake
fluid approved for your vehicle.
Battery
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free.