Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Adaptive brake lamps
If you brake sharply fro maspeed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS
or Adaptive Brake Assist, the brake lamps
flash rapidly. In this way, traffic traveling
behind you is warned in an even more
noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply to a standstill from a
speed of more than 70 km/h, the hazard
warning lamps are activated automatically. If
the brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h .You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning button (Y page 99).
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59). G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition. Application of the brakes by
ESP ®
may otherwise destroy the brake
system. When towing your vehicle with the front axle
raised, pay attention to the notes about
ESP
®
(Y page 286).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 222) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 194).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side. Driving safety systems
63Safety Z
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP
®
.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®i
Observe the "Importan tsafety notes"
sectio n(Ypage 59). G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
X To deactivate:(Y page 187).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To activate: (Ypage 187).
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
R the engine's torque is no longer limited and
the drive wheels can spin. The spinning of
the wheels results in a cutting action, which
provides better grip. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 59). G
WARNING
If EBDh as malfunctioned, the rear wheels can
still lock, e.g .unde rfull braking .This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have
the brake system checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 220) as well as
display messages (Y page 196).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In
addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also has the HOLD function
(Y page 160) and hill start assist
(Y page 128). For further information, see
Driving tips (Y page 146). STEER CONTROL
STEER CONTROL helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering
wheel in the direction required for vehicle
stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in
particular if:
R both right wheels or both left wheels are on
a wet or slippery road surface when you
brake
R the vehicle starts to skid
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, you will not receive
steering support from STEER CONTROL. 64
Driving safety systemsSafety
Seats
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The seats can still be adjusted when there is
no key in the ignition lock. For this reason,
children should never be left unsupervised in
the vehicle. They could otherwise become
trapped when adjusting the seat. G
WARNING
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control, all seat, head restraint, steering
wheel and rear view mirror adjustments, as
well as fastening of seat belts, must be done
before setting the vehicle in motion. G
WARNING
Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never travel in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck.T his could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the wearer is
in a position that is as upright as possible and
seat belts are properly positioned on the
body. G
WARNING
Your seat belt must be adjusted so that you
can correctly fasten your seat belt.
Observe the following points:
R adjust the seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
R adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far back as possible with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
R adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the center
of the head restraint supports the back of
the head at eye level.
R never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. G
WARNING
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained on the rear
seats than on the front-passenger seat. Thus,
we strongly recommend that children be
placed in the rear seat whenever possible.
Regardless of seating position, children 12
years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriately sized
child restraint system or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information, see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
Ac hild's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint. G
WARNING
Make sure that the back of your head is
supported at eye level by the central area of
the head restraint.Ify our head is not
supported correctly by the head restraint, you
could suffer a severe neck injury in the event
of an accident. Never drive if the head
restraints are not engaged and set correctly. Seats
85Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z
X
Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow :.
In the Ãposition, the high-beam
headlamps are only switched on when it is
dark and the engine is running.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the high-
beam headlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
i Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active,
it controls activation of the high-beam
headlamps (Y page 100).
High-beam flasher X
To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1or 2or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R
an air bag is deployed.
R the vehicle is slowed down rapidly from a
speed of over 45 mph (70 km/h) and
comes to a halt. X
To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button :.
If the vehicle returns to a speed of over
6m ph (10 km/h) after a full application of the
brakes, the hazard warning lamps are
deactivated automatically.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated five times while the lights are on and
the engine is running (Y page 109). When you
switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning system is reset and
counting is resumed from 0. Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road over a wide angle in
the direction you are turning, enabling better
visibility in tight bends, for example. The
cornering light function can only be activated
when the low-beam headlamps are switched
on. Exterior lighting
99Lights and windshield wipers Z
Tail lamp (halogen headlamps)
:
Tail lamp/turn signal lamp/brake lamp:
P 21 W
; Inoperative
= Side marker lamp: P 21 W
? Rear fog lamp: P 21 W
A Backup lamp: W 16 W Tail lamp (Bi-Xenon headlamps)
:
Turn signal lamp/brake lamp: P 21 W
; Rear fog lamp: H 21 W
= Backup lamp: W 16 W License plate lamp (vehicles with halogen
headlamps)
:
License plate lamp: C 5W Changing the front bulbs
Removing and installing th ecover in the
front wheel housing You must remove the cover from the front
wheel housing before you can change the
frontb
ulbs. X
To remove: switch off the lights.
X Turn the fron twheels inwards.
X Turn rotary knob :through 90°.
Cover ;is released.
X Push cover ;down.
X To install: push cover ;up.
X Turn rotary knob :through 90°.
Cover ;is locked. 104
Replacing bulbsLights and windshield wipers
Tail lamp
Turn signal lamp/tail lamp and brake
lamp
X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the cargo compartment.
X Open the side trim panel (Y page 106).X
Press retaining lugs :simultaneously in
the direction of the arrow and pull the bulb
holde rout. Bulb holder
:
Tail lamps/brake lamps 4
; Inoperative lamps (vehicles without LEDs)
= Side marke rlamp (vehicle swithout LEDs)
X Lightly press the corresponding bulb into
the holder, tur nitcounter-clockwise and
remove it from the bulb holder.
X Insert the corresponding new bulb into the
bulb holder and turn it clockwise. X
Attach the bulb holder and press firmly.
The retaining lugs on the bulb holder
engage audibly.
X Close the side trim panel (Y page 106).
Backup lamp and rear fog lamp
Due to their location, have the bulbs in the
backup lamp and rear fog lamp in the tailgate
changed at a qualified specialist workshop.
X Switch off the lights.
X Open the tailgate. X
In recess ?on the inside of the closing
handle, pry off and remove the upper
section of handle =with a flat and smooth
object, e.g. a screwdriver.
X Pull the lower section of handle :using a
sharp, sudden movementtor emove it from
the trim and then place it to one side. X
Reach under the right-hand side of trim
B and apply a gentle jolting force along the
entire length of the trim in order to unclip
it.
4 Vehicles with LEDs: turn signal/brake light only. Replacing bulbs
107Lights and windshield wipers Z
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The engine is not
running 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.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic
converter and damage it. The coolant
temperature display is
showing more than
248 ‡ (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 263). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor
R, the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral position Nwhen you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away.T here is a
risk of an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake. G
WARNING
The clutch may overheat if you hold the
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients by depressing the accelerator pedal. If the clutch
does overheat, a warning tone sounds and a
display message is shown in the multifunction
display.T
he frictional connection of the clutch
may then be interrupted. The vehicle may roll
away.A s a result, you could cause an
accident.
You will only be able to continue your journey
once the clutch has cooled down and the
display message in the multifunction display
has disappeared.
Never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients by depressing the accelerator.
Instead, only ever hold the vehicle stationary
on uphill gradients by:
R depressing the brake pedal
or
R activating the HOLD function
or
R engaging the electric parking brake 132
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking
engine is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal.
Applying/releasing manually Applying
X
Push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is
engaged, the !red indicator lamp lights
up in the instrument cluster.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed.
Releasing
X Turn the SmartKey to position 1in the
ignition lock.
X Pull handle :.
The red !indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
i The electric parking brake can only be
released if the SmartKey is in position 1in
the ignition lock.
Applying automatically The electric parking brake is applied
automatically:
R
if DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
R if the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle
stationary
In addition, at least one of the following
conditions must be fulfilled:
R the engine is switched off.
R the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
R there is a system malfunction.
R the power supply is insufficient.
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red !indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
i The electric parking brake is not
automatically engaged if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop
function.
Releasing automatically i
The electric parking brake can only be
released automatically on vehicles with
automatic transmission.
Your vehicle's electric parking brake is
automatically released if all of the following
conditions are met:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position Dor R.
R the seat belt has been fastened.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in position R, the tailgate
must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parkin gbrake:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you shift out of position Por you have
previously drivenf aster than2mph
(3 km/h).
Emergency braking The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking
brake.
X
While driving, push handle :of the electric
parking brake (Y page 142).
i The vehicle is braked for as long as
handle :of the electric parking brake is
pressed. The longer electric parking brake
handle :is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
R a warning tone sounds.
R the Please Release Parking Brake message appears.
R the red !indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster flashes. Parking
143Driving and parking Z