
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsYou have lost the
mechanical key. X
Report the loss immediately to the vehicle insurers.
X If necessary, have the locks changed as well. The engine cannot be
started using the
SmartKey. The on-board voltage is too low.
X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 350).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 352).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles without
DIRECT SELECT lever
only:
The engine cannot be
started using the
SmartKey. The steering lock is mechanically blocked.
X
Remove the SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock. While
doing this, turn the steering wheel in both directions. The engine cannot be
started
using KEYLESS-
GO. The SmartKey is in
the vehicle. A door is open. Therefore, the SmartKey cannot be detected as
easily.
X
Close the door and try to start the vehicle again. There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves.
X
Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock.84
SmartKey
Opening/closing

X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
1 or 2 in the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button : repeatedly
until the desired heating level is set.
X To switch off: press button : repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out.
i If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
heating may switch off.
Problems with the seat heating The seat heating has switched off
prematurely or cannot be switched on. The
vehicle's electrical system voltage is too low
because too many electrical consumers are
switched on.
X
Switch off electrical consumers that you do
not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting. Switching the seat ventilation on/off
Activating/deactivating The three blue indicator lamps in the buttons
indicate the ventilation level you have
selected.
X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X To switch on: press button : repeatedly
until the desired ventilation level is set.
X To switch off: press button : repeatedly
until all the indicator lamps go out. i
If the battery voltage is too low, the seat
ventilation may switch off.
i You can open the side windows and the
sliding sunroof using the "Convenience
opening" feature ( Y page 94). The seat
ventilation of the driver's seat
automatically
switches to the highest level.
Problems with the seat ventilation The seat ventilation has switched off
prematurely or cannot be switched on. The
vehicle's electrical system voltage is too low
because too many electrical consumers are
switched on.
X
Switch off electrical consumers that you do
not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting. Steering wheel
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving
could cause the driver to lose control of the
vehicle.
The electrical steering wheel adjustment
feature can be operated at any time.
Therefore, 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. Steering wheel
111
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors Z

Adjusting the steering wheel
:
To adjust the steering wheel height
; To adjust the steering wheel position
(fore-and-aft adjustment)
i Further related subjects:
R EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
(Y page 112)
R Storing settings
(Y page 116) Steering wheel heating
Activating/deactivating X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X To switch on/off: turn the lever in the
direction of arrow : or ;.
Indicator lamp = lights up or goes out.
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: when you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock,
the steering wheel heating is deactivated. Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: when you switch
off
the ignition and open the driver's door, the
steering wheel heating is deactivated.
i The steering wheel heating may switch off
temporarily if:
R the temperature of the vehicle interior is
above 86 ‡ (30 †)
R the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95 ‡ (35 †)
Indicator lamp = remains on.
Problems with the steering wheel
heating If steering wheel heating indicator lamp
=
is
flashing, the steering wheel heating has
switched off automatically. The vehicle's
electrical system voltage is too low because
too many electrical consumers are switched
on.
X Switch off electrical consumers that you do
not need, such as the rear window
defroster or interior lighting.
Once
the battery is sufficiently charged, the
steering wheel heating will switch back on
automatically. EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
when you activate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT
feature.
If there is a risk of someone becoming
trapped, stop the adjustment procedure. To
halt the procedure:
R press the steering column adjustment
button.
R press one of the memory function position
buttons.
The steering column stops moving
immediately. 112
Steering wheel
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

Rear window defroster
Activating/deactivating G
WARNING
Clear all windows of ice or snow before setting
off. Otherwise, impaired visibility could
endanger you and others.
The
rear window defroster has a high current
draw. You should therefore switch it off as
soon as the rear window is clear. Otherwise,
the rear window defroster switches off
automatically after several minutes.
If the battery voltage is too low, the rear
window defroster may switch off.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X Press the ¤ button.
The indicator lamp above the ¤ button
lights up or goes out.
Problems with the rear window
defroster The rear window defroster has deactivated
prematurely or cannot be activated.
X
Switch off any consumers that are not
required, e.g. reading lamps or interior
lighting.
When the battery is sufficiently charged,
the rear window defroster is activated
again automatically. Activating/deactivating air-
recirculation mode
G
WARNING
At low outside temperatures, only switch over
to air-recirculation mode for brief periods.
Otherwise, the windows could fog up, thus
impairing visibility and endangering yourself
and others. This may prevent you from
observing the traffic conditions and thereby
cause an accident. You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle
from outside. The air already inside the
vehicle will then be recirculated.
The
operation of air-recirculation mode is the
same for all control panels.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
X To activate: press the g button.
The indicator lamp above the g button
lights up.
i In
the event of high pollution levels 2
or at
high outside temperatures, air-
recirculation mode is automatically
activated. When air-recirculation mode is
activated automatically, the indicator lamp
above the g button does not light up.
Outside air is added after about
30 minutes.
X To deactivate: press the g button.
The indicator lamp above the g button
goes out.
i Air-recirculation mode deactivates
automatically:
R after approximately five minutes at
outside temperatures below
approximately
41 ‡ (5 †)
R after approximately five minutes if
cooling with air dehumidification is
deactivated
R after approximately 30 minutes at
outside temperatures above
approximately 41 ‡ (5 †) Activating/deactivating the residual
heat function
The
residual heat function is only available in
vehicles for Canada with automatic climate
control.
It is possible to make use of the residual heat
of the engine to continue heating the
stationary vehicle for up to 30 minutes after
2 Automatic climate control only. Operating the climate control systems
147
Climate control Z

the engine has been switched off. The heating
time depends on the temperature that has
been set.
X
To activate: press the Ì button.
The indicator lamp above the Ì button
lights up.
i The blower will run at a low speed
regardless of the airflow setting.
i If you activate the residual heat function
at high temperatures, only the ventilation
will be activated. The blower runs at
medium speed.
X To deactivate: press the Ì button.
The indicator lamp above the Ì button
goes out.
i It is possible that the residual heat
function
may be activated automatically an
hour after the SmartKey is removed. The
vehicle is then ventilated for 30 minutes to
dry the air-conditioning system.
Residual heat is deactivated automatically:
R after approximately 30 minutes
R when the ignition is switched on
R if the battery voltage drops Setting 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
vents.
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 windshield
and the hood free of blockages, such as ice,
snow or leaves.
R never cover the air vents or air intake grilles
in the vehicle interior. Setting the center air vents
: Center air vent, left
; Center air vent, right
= Center vent thumbwheel, right
? Center vent thumbwheel, left
X
To open/close: turn thumbwheels =
and ? up or down. Setting the side air vents
X
To open/close: turn
thumbwheel = up or
down. 148
Setting the air vents
Climate control

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

Cigarette lighter
G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system, 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. The children
could:
R injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
R be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or cold
R injure themselves or cause an accident with
vehicle equipment that can be operated
even if the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock or removed from the vehicle,
such as seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment, or the memory function
If children open a door, they could injure other
persons or get out of the vehicle and injure
themselves or be injured by following traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and the child could be burned on these
parts. G
WARNING
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
Make sure any children traveling with you do
not injure themselves or start a fire with the
hot cigarette lighter. X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock ( Y page 153).
X To open: slide cover : forwards until it
engages.
X Press in cigarette lighter ;.
Cigarette lighter ; will pop out
automatically when the heating element is
red-hot.
X To close: briefly press cover : at the
front.
The cover moves back. 12 V sockets
General notes X
Turn the SmartKey to position 1 in the
ignition lock ( Y page 153).
The sockets can be used for accessories with
a maximum draw of
180 W (15 A).
Accessories include such items as lamps or
chargers for mobile phones.
If you use the sockets for long periods when
the engine is switched off, the battery may
discharge.
i An emergency cut-out ensures that the
on-board voltage does not drop too low. If
the on-board voltage is too low, the power
to the sockets is automatically cut. This
ensures that there is sufficient power to
start the engine. Features
309
Stowage and features Z

Jump-starting
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. G
WARNING
Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump starting. You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper connection of jumper cables, smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding. G
WARNING
Non-combusted fuel can collect in the exhaust system and ignite. There is a risk of fire. Avoid
repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
! Vehicles with a gasoline engine: avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Otherwise, the catalytic converter could be damaged by non-combusted fuel.
Do
not start the vehicle using a rapid charging device. If your vehicle's battery is discharged,
the engine can be jump-started from another vehicle or from a second battery using jumper
cables. Observe the following points:
R The battery is not accessible in all vehicles. If the other vehicle's battery is not accessible,
jump-start the vehicle using a second battery or a jump-starting device.
R Vehicles with a gasoline engine: only jump-start the vehicle when the engine and exhaust
system are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery is frozen. Let the battery thaw first.
R Only jump-start from batteries with a 12 V voltage rating.
R Only use jumper cables which have a sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R If the battery is fully discharged, leave the battery that is being used to jump-start connected
for a few minutes before attempting to start. This charges the empty battery a little.
R Make sure that the two vehicles do not touch.352
Jump-starting
Breakdown assistance