Fold in the mirror in a car wash
Before entering an automatic car wash,
fold in the exterior mirrors by hand or with the
button; otherwise, they could be damaged, de‐
pending on the width of the vehicle.◀
Automatic heating
Depending on the external temperature, both
exterior mirrors are automatically heated when
the engine is running or the ignition is switched
on.
Interior rearview mirror
Reducing the blinding effect
From behind when driving at night: turn the
knob.
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic
dimming feature
Two photocells are used for control:
▷In the mirror glass, see arrow.▷On the back of the mirror.
For proper operation:
▷Keep the photocells clean.▷Do not cover the area between the inside
rearview mirror and the windshield.
Steering wheel
General information Do not adjust while driving
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving; otherwise, an unexpected movement
could result in an accident.◀
Adjusting
1.Fold the lever down.2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred
height and angle to suit your seating posi‐
tion.3.Fold the lever back.
Do not use force to swing the lever back.
Do not use force to swing the lever back
up; otherwise, the mechanism will be dam‐
aged.◀
Steering wheel heating
Switching on/off Press the button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.Seite 49AdjustingControls49
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DrivingVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control into the
ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into the ig‐
nition lock.
▷Radio ready state is switched on. Individual
electrical consumers can operate.
Comfort Access
If the car is equipped with Comfort Access, only
insert the remote control into the ignition lock,
refer to page 36, under special circumstances.
Removing the remote control from the
ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control out
of the ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control out of the
ignition lock as this may cause damage.◀
Before removing the remote control, push it all
the way in to release the locking mechanism.▷The ignition is switched off if it was on.
Automatic transmission
You can only take out the remote control if trans‐
mission position P is engaged: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the ig‐
nition on or off and starts the engine.
The engine starts if the brake pedal is pressed
when you press the Start/Stop button.
Radio ready state
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
The time and the external temperature are dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio ready state is switched off automatically:
▷When the remote control is removed from
the ignition lock.▷In cars with Comfort Access, refer to
page 36, by touching the surface above the
door lock.
Ignition on
All electrical consumers can operate. The od‐
ometer and trip odometer are displayed in the
instrument cluster.
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To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Radio ready state and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps as well as dis‐
plays in the instrument cluster go out.
Automatic transmission, 8-gear
In certain situations, transmission position P is
engaged automatically. To make it possible for
the vehicle to roll, such as in an automatic car
wash, follow the instructions in Car washes, re‐
fer to page 259.
Starting the engine
General information Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the car unattended with the
engine running; otherwise, it presents a poten‐
tial source of danger.
Before leaving the car with the engine running,
shift to neutral or engage transmission posi‐
tion P and set the handbrake firmly; otherwise,
the vehicle may begin to roll.◀
Frequent starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated futile attempts at starting
the car and avoid starting the car frequently in
quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is not
burned or is inadequately burned, and there is
the danger of overheating and damaging the
catalytic converter.◀Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Starting the engine
Automatic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with Com‐
fort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to page 36.
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Engage transmission position P if neces‐
sary.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Engine stop
General information Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for example,
cannot operate the windows and injure them‐
selves.◀
Set the handbrake and further secure the
vehicle as required
Set the handbrake firmly when parking; other‐
wise, the vehicle may roll. On steep upward and
downward inclines, further secure the vehicle,
for example, by turning the steering wheel in the
direction of the curb.◀
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Before driving into a car wash
To make it possible for the vehicle to roll in an
automatic car wash, follow the information on
Washing in automatic car washes, refer to
page 259.
Switching off the engine
Automatic transmission1.Engage transmission position P with the ve‐
hicle stopped.2.Press the Start/Stop button.3.Set the handbrake firmly.4.Remove the remote control from the ignition
lock, refer to page 54.
Automatic Engine Start/Stop
Function
The concept
The Auto Start/Stop function helps save fuel.
The system switches off the engine during a
stop, for instance in congestion or at traffic
lights. The ignition remains switched on. The
engine starts automatically when you wish to
drive away.
Certain vehicle components may experience
additional wear as a result of this system.
Automatic operation
The automatic engine Start/Stop function is op‐
erational after each engine start.
The function is activated at a certain speed:
▷Automatic transmission: at 5 mph/9 km/h.
Automatic engine stop
The engine is switched off automatically during
a stop under the following conditions:
Automatic transmission:
▷The selector lever is in transmission position
D.▷The brake pedal remains depressed while
the vehicle is at a standstill.▷The driver's safety belt is fastened or the
driver's door is closed.
When the engine is switched off, the air volume
of the automatic climate control is reduced.
Indicator lamp in the instrument cluster The indicator lamp lights up when the
Auto Start/Stop function is ready to
start the engine automatically.
The indicator lamp lights up if the re‐
quirements for an automatic engine
stop are not fulfilled.
Note
The engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:
▷External temperatures below ap‐
prox. 37 ℉/+3 ℃.▷High external temperature and operation of
the automatic climate control.▷The interior is not yet heated or cooled as
much as desired.▷The engine is not yet at operating tempera‐
ture.▷Sharp steering angle or the steering wheel
is being turned.▷After driving in reverse.▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.▷Vehicle battery charge is very low.▷Hood is unlocked.▷HDC is activated.▷Stop-and-go traffic.▷The selector lever is in position N or S/M.
The indicator lamp is lit.
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Parking the vehicle during an
automatic engine stop
The vehicle can be parked safely during an au‐
tomatic engine stop, such as when you wish to
leave the vehicle.1.Press the Start/Stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated.
Automatic transmission: transmission posi‐
tion P is engaged automatically.2.Set the handbrake.
Start the engine as usual using the Start/Stop
button.
Automatic engine start
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions to enable the driver to drive
away:
▷Automatic transmission:
The brake pedal is released.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
The engine does not start by itself after it is
switched off automatically if any of the following
conditions are fulfilled:
▷The driver's safety belt is unfastened or the
driver's door is open.▷Hood was unlocked.
The indicator lamp lights up. A mes‐
sage appears on the Control Display.
The engine can only be started via the
Start/Stop button.
Note
Even if you do not wish to drive away, the stop‐
ped engine still starts automatically in the fol‐
lowing situations:
▷The interior has heated up strongly with the
cooling function switched on.▷The steering wheel is turned.▷The vehicle begins to roll.▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from D to N, R or M/S.▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from P to N, D, R or M/
S.▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.▷Vehicle battery charge is very low.▷The interior has cooled down strongly with
the heating switched on.▷Low braking pressure, such as from de‐
pressing the brake pedal a number of times
consecutively.
Preventing automatic engine stop with
an automatic transmission
The concept
To permit the driver to drive away especially
quickly, such as at intersections, the automatic
engine stop can be actively prevented.
Preventing the engine stop using the
brake pedal
The engine stop can be actively prevented
within one second after the vehicle comes to a
standstill.
▷Depress the brake pedal briefly and force‐
fully immediately after the vehicle comes to
a standstill.▷Then continue depressing the brake pedal
with normal braking force.Seite 57DrivingControls57
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The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched on,
the headlamps are cleaned at regular and ap‐
propriate intervals.
Do not use the washer system at freezing
temperatures
Do not use the washers if there is any danger
that the fluid will freeze on the windshield; oth‐
erwise, your vision could be obscured. For this
reason, use antifreeze.
Avoid using the washer when the reservoir is
empty; otherwise, you could damage the
pump.◀
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated au‐
tomatically while the engine is running or the ig‐
nition is switched on.
Fold-out position of the wipers
Required when changing the wiper blades or
under frosty conditions, for example.1.Switch off the ignition.2.Under frosty conditions, ensure that the
wiper blades are not frozen onto the wind‐
shield.3.Press the wiper lever up beyond the point of
resistance and hold it for approx. 3 seconds,
until the wiper remains in a nearly vertical
position.
After the wipers are folded back down, the
washer/wiper system, refer to page 59, must be
reactivated.
Fold the wipers back down
Before switching the ignition on, fold the
wipers back down to the windshield; otherwise,
the wipers may become damaged when they are
switched on.◀
1.Switch on the ignition.2.Press the wiper levers down. The wipers
move to their resting position and are ready
for operation.
Rear window wiper
1Intermittent wipe
When reverse gear is engaged, the system
switches to continuous operation.2Cleaning the rear window
The rear window wiper does not move if the lever
is in position 1 before the ignition is switched on.
To switch on the rear window wiper:
1.Move the lever to its basic position.2.Select the required position again.
Do not use the washing mechanisms
when the washer fluid reservoir is empty
Do not use washing mechanisms when the
washer fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise you
will damage the washer pump.◀
Washer fluid
General information Antifreeze for washer fluid
Antifreeze is flammable. Therefore, keep
it away from sources of ignition.
Only keep it in the closed original container and
inaccessible to children.
Follow the instructions on the container.◀
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Washer fluid reservoirAdding washer fluid
Only add washer fluid when the engine is
cool, and then close the cover completely to
avoid contact between the washer fluid and hot
engine parts.
Otherwise, there is the danger of fire and a risk
to personal safety if the fluid is spilled.◀
All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser‐
voir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to the manufacturer's rec‐
ommendations.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to maintain
the correct mixing ratio.
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic, 6-gear
In addition to the fully automatic mode, gears
can also be shifted manually using Steptronic,
refer to page 63.
Parking the vehicle Secure the vehicle
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running, move the selector lever to position P
and set the handbrake; otherwise, the vehicle
will begin moving.◀
Disengaging the remote control
To remove the remote control from the ignition
lock, first move the selector lever to position P
and switch off the engine: interlock. Remove the
remote control from the ignition lock, refer to
page 54.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position is displayed and the
engaged gear, such as M4, is displayed in
manual mode.
Changing selector lever positions
▷With the ignition switched on or the engine
running, the selector lever can be moved out
of position P.▷When the vehicle is stationary, step on the
brake before shifting out of P or N; other‐
wise, the selector lever is locked: shiftlock.
Press on the brake pedal until you start
driving
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after
you select a driving position, maintain pres‐
sure on the brake pedal until you are ready
to start.◀Seite 62ControlsDriving62
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Shifting gears using the shift paddles
on the steering wheel
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.▷When the shift paddles on the steering
wheel are used to shift gears while in auto‐
matic mode, the transmission switches to
manual mode.▷If the shift paddles are not used to accelerate
or shift gears for a certain amount of time,
the transmission switches back to auto‐
matic mode.
If the selector lever is in the M/S gear plane,
manual mode remains active.
▷Shift up: briefly pull right shift paddle +.▷Shift down: briefly pull left shift paddle –.
The vehicle only shifts up or down at appropriate
engine and road speeds, e.g., it does not shift
down if the engine speed is too high. The se‐
lected gear is briefly displayed in the instrument
panel, followed by the current gear.
Overriding selector lever lock
If the selector lever is locked in position P al‐
though the ignition is switched on, the brake is
depressed, and the button on the selector lever
is pressed, the selector lever lock can be over‐
ridden:
1.Switch off the ignition.2.Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.3.Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever un‐
til the sleeve is inside out.4.Using the screwdriver from the tool kit, refer
to page 245, press the red lever while mov‐
ing the selector lever to the desired position
with the button pressed.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic, 8-gear
Transmission positions
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for‐
ward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con‐
sumption is lowest when you are driving in po‐
sition D.
Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Press on the accelerator beyond
the resistance point at the full throttle position.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N is Neutral
The vehicle can roll.
N remains engaged after the engine is switched
off if the remote control remains in the ignition
lock. This function can be used in an automatic
car wash, refer to page 259, for example. P is
automatically engaged after approx. 30 minutes.
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