
Start/Stop button
=
USA only
? Canada only Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these
exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces
without sufficient ventilation.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
General notes i
Vehicles with a gasoline engine: the
catalytic converter is preheated for up to
30
seconds after a cold start. The sound of
the engine may change during this time.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N. Starting procedure with the SmartKey i
To start the engine using the SmartKey
instead of KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/
Stop button out of the ignition lock.
X To start a gasoline engine: turn the
SmartKey
to position 3 (Y page 153) in the
ignition lock and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
X To start a diesel engine: turn the
SmartKey
to position 2 (Y page 153) in the
ignition lock.
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X When the preglow indicator lamp %
goes out, turn the SmartKey to position 3
(Y page 153) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You
can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine G
WARNING
As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the
vehicle
can be started. Therefore, never leave
children unattended in the vehicle, as they
could otherwise accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. 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.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle manually without inserting
the SmartKey into the ignition lock. The
Start/Stop button must be inserted into
the ignition lock and the SmartKey must be
in the vehicle. This mode for starting the
engine operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function. Driving
155
Driving and parking Z

ECO start/stop function
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically.
The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes i
Hybrid vehicles: the ECO start/stop
function cannot be deactivated.
The
ECO start/stop function is only available
for the E 63 AMG.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
Every time you switch on the engine using the
SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, the ECO
start/stop function is activated.
The ECO start/stop function is only available
in drive program C.
If the green ¤ symbol is shown in the
multifunction display, all the conditions for
automatic engine switch-off have been
fulfilled ( Y page 158). The Stop/Start
active display message also appears in the
multifunction display. If conditions for
automatic engine switch-off have not been
fulfilled ( Y page 158), the ¤ symbol will
be shown in yellow. The Stop/Start
inactive display message also appears in
the multifunction display.
If the ECO start/stop function has been
manually deactivated ( Y page 157) or a
malfunction has caused the system to be deactivated, the ¤ symbol is not
displayed.
AMG vehicles:
in the AMG menu on the
multifunction display, the Stop/Start
active or Stop/Start inactive display
message disappears.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function ECO button
X
To switch off: press button : in drive
program C.
or
X Switch to drive program S, S+ or M
(Y page 165).
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.
X To switch on: press button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up. If drive
program S, S+
or M is active, the automatic
transmission switches to drive program C.
If all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off ( Y page 158) are fulfilled, the
¤ symbol is shown in green in the
multifunction display. In addition, the
Stop/Start active message is shown in
the AMG menu in the multifunction display.
If conditions for automatic engine switch-
off (Y page 158) have not been fulfilled, the
¤ symbol will be shown in yellow. If this Driving
157
Driving and parking Z

is the case, the ECO start/stop function is
not
available. In addition, the Stop/Start
inactive message is shown in the AMG
menu in the multifunction display.
i If
indicator lamp ; is off, the ECO start/
stop function has been deactivated
manually or as the result of a malfunction.
The engine will then not be switched off
automatically when the vehicle stops.
i Every time you switch on the engine using
the SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, the
ECO start/stop function is activated.
Automatic engine switch-off Method of operation
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in
D or
N, the ECO start/stop function switches off
the engine automatically.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
and the ¤ symbol is displayed in green in
the multifunction display, if:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the outside temperature is within the
comfort range
R the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
R the
set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on
R the hood is closed.
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened.
If conditions for automatic engine switch-off
have not been fulfilled, the ¤ symbol will
be shown in yellow. In addition, the Stop/
Start inactive message is shown in the
AMG menu in the multifunction display. i
If you shift the transmission from R to D,
the ECO start/stop function is available
again once the ¤ symbol reappears in
green in the multifunction display.
i You can still activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary, even if the
engine has been switched off
automatically. It is then not necessary to
continue applying the brakes during the
automatic stop phase. When you depress
the accelerator pedal, the engine starts
automatically
and the braking effect of the
HOLD function is deactivated. Depress the
accelerator pedal carefully, as the engine
must be started first.
i During automatic engine switch-off, the
climate control system only operates at a
reduced capacity. If you require full climate
control capacity, the ECO start/stop
function can be deactivated by pressing the
ECO button ( Y page 157).
Vehicles with automatic transmission
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in
transmission position D or N and the brake
remains depressed, the ECO start/stop
function switches off the engine
automatically.
i You can still activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary, even if the
engine has been switched off
automatically. It is then not necessary to
continue applying the brakes during the
automatic stop phase. When you depress
the accelerator pedal, the engine starts
automatically and the braking effect of the
HOLD function is deactivated. Depress the
accelerator pedal carefully, as the engine
must be started first. 158
Driving
Driving and parking

Problems with the engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe 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 SmartKey
in
the ignition back to position 0 or press the Start/Stop button
repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go
out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 155). Avoid excessively
long
and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain
the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 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 352).
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. Vehicles with a
gasoline engine:
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 gauge
shows a value above
248 ‡
(120 †). 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 331). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.160
Driving
Driving and parking

Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position D or
R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There
is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position D or R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do
not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to
neutral position N when you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away. There 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
HYBRID vehicles: It is imperative that you read
the HYBRID Supplemental Operating
Instructions
included in your vehicle literature
portfolio. You may otherwise not receive all
necessary safety information and warning for
the operation of your vehicle. Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions Selector lever in AMG vehicles with P button
j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
Transmission position and drive
program display !
If
the transmission position display in the
multifunction display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position is
engaged. Ideally, you should select
transmission position D and drive program
E. Do not restrict the shift range. :
Transmission position display
; Drive program display
The indicators light up when the SmartKey is
inserted
into the ignition lock. The indicators
go out when the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock.
AMG vehicles: the current position of the
selector lever is shown by the indicators next
to the selector lever. Automatic transmission
161
Driving and parking Z

function depends on the drive program
selected.
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The
automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and
forth between transmission positions
D and
R can help to free a vehicle that has become
stuck in mud or snow. The engine
management system of the vehicle limits
shifting
back and forth between transmission
positions D and R to a maximum speed of
5 mph (9 km/h). To shift back and forth
between transmission positions D and R,
move the selector lever up and down beyond
the pressure point. Program selector button
General notes Program selector button on all models except AMG
vehicles
X
Press program selector button :
repeatedly until the letter for the desired gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving
characteristics. E Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S Sport Sporty driving style
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see
(Y page 166).
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program E each time the
engine is started.
AMG vehicles Drive program selector with manual drive program
X
Turn drive program selector : until the
desired drive program appears in the
multifunction display in the speedometer.
The drive program indicator on drive
program selector : lights up in red. C Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S Sport Sporty driving style
S+ SportPlus Extremely sporty driving
styleAutomatic transmission
165
Driving and parking Z

Shift range:
=
You can use the engine's braking
effect.
5
To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
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
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
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
automatic 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
accelerate, the automatic transmission
shifts up, even if the shift range is
restricted. This prevents the engine from
overrevving.
Derestricting the shift range X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The shift range is derestricted. Clearing the shift range restriction X
Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
paddle
shifter until D is shown again in the
multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter 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
Switching
on the manual drive program X
Turn the drive program selector
(Y page 165) until M appears in the
multifunction display.
The indicator M on the drive program
selector lights up in red.
The manual drive program is only available for
AMG vehicles.
Manual drive program M is different from
drive programs S and S+ with regard to
spontaneity, responsiveness and
smoothness of gear changes.
Manual drive program M can be selected
using the drive program selector. In manual
drive program M, you can change gear using
the steering wheel paddle shifters if the
transmission is in position D. The gear
currently selected and engaged is shown in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting !
In
manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is Automatic transmission
167
Driving and parking Z

reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The
automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear. :
Gear indicator
; Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the
multifunction display.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter.
The
automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
Kickdown i
Kickdown is not possible in manual drive
program M.
Switching
off the manual drive programX
Turn the drive program selector
(Y
page 165) until C, S or S+ appears in the
multifunction display. 168
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking