
Problems with the auxiliary heating/ventilation
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
FAIL The starter battery is not charged sufficiently or the system is
faulty.
X
Charge the starter battery.
X Make another attempt to switch on the auxiliary heating using
the remote control.
X Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. $
FAIL The signal transmission between the transmitter and the vehicle
is faulty.
X
Change your position in relation to the vehicle, moving closer if
necessary.
X Make another attempt to switch the auxiliary heating on or off
using the remote control. ©
FAIL There is not enough fuel in the fuel tank, or the auxiliary heating
is faulty.
X
Refuel at the nearest filling station.
X Make another attempt to switch on the auxiliary heating using
the remote control.
X Have the auxiliary heating checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Adjusting the air vents
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Very hot or very cold air can flow from the air
vents. This could cause burns or frostbite to
bare skin in the immediate vicinity of the
vents. Keep bare skin away from these air
outlets. If necessary, direct the airflow away
to a different area of the vehicle interior. In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air
through the air vents into the vehicle interior,
please observe the following notes:
R
keep the air inlet between the windscreen
and the bonnet free of blockages, such as
ice, snow or leaves.
R never cover the vents or ventilation grilles
in the vehicle interior. Adjusting the air vents
155Climate control Z

Useful information
............................160
Running-in notes ............................... 160
Driving ............................................... 160
Manual transmission ........................169
Automatic transmission ...................170
Refuelling ........................................... 179
Parking ............................................... 183
Driving tips ........................................ 185
Driving systems ................................ 189
Towing atrailer ................................. 234 159Driving and parking

General notes
i
Hybrid vehicles: the ECO start/stop
function cannot be deactivated.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically. The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumptio nand emissions of your vehicle.
Every time you switch on the engine using the
key or the Start/Stop button, the ECO start/
stop functio nis activated.
AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop function
is only available in drive program C.
The system is operational when the ¤
symbol is shown in green in the multifunction
display.
AMG vehicles: the AMG menu in the multi-
function display additionally shows the Stop/Start active message.
If all conditions for automatic engine switch-
off have not been met (Y page 166), the
¤ symbol is shown in yellow.
AMG vehicles: the AMG menu in the multi-
function display additionally shows the Stop/Start inactive message.
If the ECO start/stop function has been man-
ually deactivated (Y page 165) or a malfunc-
tion has caused the system to be deactivated,
the ¤ symbol is not displayed.
AMG vehicles: in the AMG menu on the mul-
tifunction display, the Stop/Start activeor
Stop/Start inactive display message
disappears.
If the engine is switched off and the ¤
symbol is shown in green in the multifunction
display, the engine has been switched off
automatically. However, all vehicle systems
remain active. Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function
ECO button
X
To switch off (except AMG vehicles):
press button :.
Indicator lamp ;on button :and the
¤ symbol in the multifunction display go
out.
X To switch on (except AMG vehicles):
press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If all conditions
for automatic engine switch-off
(Y page 166) are fulfilled, the ¤symbol
is shown in green in the multifunction dis-
play.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 166) are fulfilled, the
¤ symbol is shown in yellow in the mul-
tifunction display. If this is the case, the
ECO start/stop function is not available.
X To switch off (AMG vehicles): press but-
ton :in drive program C.
or
X Switch to drive program S,S+ orM
(Y page 175).
Indicator lamp ;on button :and the
¤ symbol in the multifunction display go
out.
The Stop/Start active or
Stop/Start inactive message in the AMG menu in the
multifunction display goes out. Driving
165Driving and parking Z

Problems with the engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The engine does not
start. The HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
X
Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 205) or DISTRONIC
PLUS (Y page 203).
X Try to start the engine again. The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X Before attempting to start the engine again, turn the key in the
ignition back to position 0or press the Start/Stop button
repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrumen tcluster go
out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 162). Avoid excessively
long and frequent attempts to start the engine, as this will drain
the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start
.The starter motor
can be heard. The
reserve fuel warning
lamp is lit and the fuel
gauge display shows 0. The fuel tank is empty.
X
Refuel the vehicle. The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak
or discharged.
X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 370).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X
Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 168
DrivingDriving and parking

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. The coolant tempera-
ture display is showing
more than 120 †. The
coolant warning lamp
may also be lit and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 348). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. Manual transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The movement of the pedals must not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident.
Gear lever
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed.
! When shifting between 5thand 6thgear,
you should always push the gear lever all
the way to the right. Otherwise, you could
shift unintentionally into 3rdor4th gear
and damage the transmission.
If you shift down at too high a speed (trans-
mission braking), this can cause the engine
to overrev, leading to engine damage.
Do not use the clutch bite point to keep the
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients.
There is otherwise a risk of damaging the
clutch. Manual transmission
169Driving and parking Z

AMG vehicles
Drive progra
mselector with manual drive program
X Turn drive program selector :until the
desired drive program appears in the mul-
tifunction display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicato rondrive pro-
gram selector :lights up in red. C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
S+
SportPlus Extremely sporty driving
style
M
Manual Manual gearshifting
RS
RACE
START Optimal vehicle accelera-
tion from a standstill
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 175).
i The automatic transmission switches to
automatic drive program Ceach time the
engine is started.
i RScannot be selected during normal driv-
ing. For further information on RACE
START, see (Y page 207). Steering wheel gearshift paddles
:
Left-hand steering wheel gearshift paddle
; Right-hand steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using
the steering wheel gearshift paddles or the
selector leve r(Ypage 176).
In the manual drive program, you can change
gear using the steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles or the selector lever (Y page 177).
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans-
mission is in position D. Automatic drive program
Drive program E(drive program Con AMG
vehicles) is characterised by the following:
R comfort-oriented engine settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner .This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin Automatic transmission
175Driving and parking Z

Drive program
S(or, in the case of AMG vehi-
cles, drive programs Sand S+) is character-
ised by the following:
R sporty engine and automatic transmission
settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R as a resul tofthe later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-
sibly being higher. Shift ranges
Introduction i
OnAMG vehicles andvehicles with
steering wheel gearshift paddles, you
can restrict or derestrict the shift range
using the steering wheel gearshift paddles.
On standard vehicles with aselector
lever , you can also restric torderestrict the
shift range using the selector lever.
When the automatic transmission is in posi-
tion D, it is possible to restrict or derestrict
the shift range (Y page 176).
The shift range selected is shown in the mul-
tifunction display. The automatic transmis-
sion shifts only as far as the selected gear.
Shift range: =
To use the engine's brakin
geffect 5
To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R
on steep mountai nroads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches Restricting the shift range
X
Press the selector lever to the left towards
D–.
or
X Pull the left-hand steerin gwheel gearshift
paddle.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear and restricts the shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto-
matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down.
i If the maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to accel-
erate, the automatic transmission shifts up,
even if the shift range is restricted. This
prevents the engine from overrevving.
Extending the shift range X
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+.
or
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Press and hold the selector lever towards
D+ until Dis shown once more in the mul-
tifunction display.
or
X Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
gearshift paddle until Dis shown again in
the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.176
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Selecting the ideal shift range
X
Press the selector lever to the left towards
D– and hold it in position.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears. Manual drive program
Activating the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 174) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
X AMG vehicles: turn the drive program
selector (Y page 175) until Mappears in the
multifunction display.
The indicator Mon the drive program selec-
tor lights up in red.
AMG vehicles and vehicles with aDIRECT
SELECT lever: you can select manual drive
program Musing the program selector or the
drive program selector button. In manual
drive program M, you can change gear using
the steering wheel gearshif tpaddles if the
transmission is in position D.
Standar dvehicles with aselector lever:
you can selec tmanual drive program Musing
the program selector button. If the transmis-
sion is in position D, you can change gear
using the steering wheel gearshif tpaddles or
the selecto rlever in manual drive program
M.
Upshifting !
In manual gearshift program M, the auto-
matic transmission does not shift up auto-
matically even when the engine limiting
speed for the curren tgear is reached.
When the engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel supply is cut to preven
tthe engine
from overrevving. You must make sure that
the engine speed does not reach the red
area of the rev counter. Otherwise, there is
a risk of engine damage.
X Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+.
or
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle.
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
AMG vehicles
X If the colour in the multifunction display in
the speedometer changes to red and the
UP display message is shown, shift up a
gear.
Downshifting X
Briefly press the selector lever to the left
towards D–.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle.
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you desire maximum acceleration, push
the selector lever to the left or pull and hold
the left-hand steering wheel gearshift pad-
dle until the transmission shifts to the opti-
mal gear for the current speed.
Kickdown You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program
M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
i AMG vehicles: it is not possible to use
kickdown in manual drive program M. Automatic transmission
177Driving and parking Z