
Transporting children safelyVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehi‐
cle, e. g., because of the selected optional
equipment or country variant. This also applies
for safety-related functions and systems.
The right place for chil‐
dren
Note Children in the vehicle
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger them‐
selves and other persons, e.g., by opening the
doors. ◀
Children should always be in the rear Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is in the back seat.
Transporting children in the rear
Only transport children younger than
13 years of age or shorter than 5 ft/150 cm in
the rear in child restraint fixing systems pro‐
vided in accordance with the age, weight and
size of the child; otherwise, there is an in‐
creased risk of injury in an accident.
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint fixing system can no longer be used, due to
their age, weight and size. ◀
Children on the front passenger seat Should it ever be necessary to use a child re‐
straint fixing system in the front passengerseat, make sure that the front, knee and side
airbags on the front passenger side are deacti‐
vated. Automatic deactivation of front passen‐
ger airbags, refer to page 73.
Note Deactivated front passenger airbags
If a child restraint fixing system is used in
the front passenger seat, the front passenger
airbags must be deactivated; otherwise, there
is an increased risk of injury to the child when
the airbags are triggered, even with a child re‐
straint fixing system. ◀
Installing child re‐
straint fixing systems
Hints Manufacturer's information for child re‐straint fixing systems
To select, mount and use child restraint fixing
systems, observe the information provided by
the system manufacturer; otherwise, the pro‐
tective effect can be impaired. ◀
Lock the rear seat backrests in position
Before installation of child restraint sys‐
tems on the rear seat backrest, set a backrest
tilt at which the childseat rests firmly against
the backrest and securely latch all backrests.
Otherwise, the stability of the child seat is lim‐
ited, and there is an increased risk of injury be‐
cause of unexpected movement of the rear
seat backrest. ◀Seite 40ControlsTransporting children safely40
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On the front passenger seat
Deactivating airbags After installing a child restraint fixing system in
the front passenger seat, make sure that the
front, knee and side airbags on the front pas‐
senger side are deactivated.
Deactivate the front passenger airbags auto‐
matically, refer to page 73.
Deactivating the front passenger airbags
If a child restraint fixing system is used in
the front passenger seat, the front passenger
airbags must be deactivated; otherwise, there
is an increased risk of injury to the child when
the airbags are triggered, even with a child re‐
straint fixing system. ◀
Seat position and height Before installing a child restraint fixing system,
move the front passenger seat as far back as
possible and adjust its height to the highest po‐
sition to obtain the best possible position for
the belt and to offer optimal protection in the
event of an accident.
Do not change the seat position and height af‐
ter this.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger
safety belt can be locked against pulling out for
mounting the child restraint fixing systems.
Locking the safety belt1.Pull out the belt webbing completely.2.Secure the child restraint fixing system with
the belt.3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull it taut against the child restraint fixing
system. The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking the safety belt
1.Unbuckle the belt buckle.2.Remove the child restraint fixing system.3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com‐
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fix‐
ing system
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tether for Children.
Note Manufacturer's information for LATCH
child restraint fixing systems
To mount and use the LATCH child restraint fix‐
ing systems, observe the operating and safety
information from the system manufacturer;
otherwise, the level of protection may be re‐
duced. ◀
Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors
The lower anchors may be used to attach the
CRS to the vehicle seat up to a combined child
and CRS weight of 65 lb when the child is restr-
ained by the internal harnesses.
Correctly engage the lower LATCH an‐
chors
Make sure that the lower LATCH anchors have properly engaged and that the child restraint
fixing system is resting snugly against the back‐
rest; otherwise, the degree of protection of‐
fered may be reduced. ◀
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Attaching the upper retaining strap to
the mounting point1.Raise the head restraint if necessary.2.Guide the upper retaining strap between
the supports of the head restraint.3.Attach the hook of the retaining strap to
the mounting eye on the rear seat.4.Tighten the retaining strap by pulling it
down.5.Lower and lock head restraints as needed.Seite 43Transporting children safelyControls43
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DrivingVehicle equipmentAll standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehi‐
cle, e. g., because of the selected optional
equipment or country variant. This also applies
for safety-related functions and systems.
Start/Stop button
The concept Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches the ignition on or off
and starts the engine.
Automatic transmission: the en‐
gine starts in selector lever posi‐
tion P or N if the brake pedal is pressed when
you press the Start/Stop button.
Manual transmission: the engine starts if the
clutch pedal is depressed when the Start/Stop
button is pressed.
Ignition on Automatic transmission: press the Start/Stop
button, and do not press on the brake pedal at
the same time.
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button, and do not press on the clutch pedal at
the same time.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster light up for varying lengths
of time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.Note
If the engine is switched off and the ignition is
switched on, the system automatically switches
to the radio ready state when the door is
opened if the lights are switched off or the day‐
time running lights are switched on.
Ignition off
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button again, and do not press on the clutch
pedal at the same time.
Automatic transmission: press the Start/Stop
button again, and do not press on the brake
pedal at the same time.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Ignition automatically cuts off while the vehicle
is stationary and the engine is stopped:▷During locking, also with the low beams ac‐
tivated.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started. This function is only available when
the low beams are switched off.▷When opening and closing the driver door,
if the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the
low beams are switched off.▷While the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, if
the driver's door is open and the low beams
are switched off.
When the ignition is switched off, by opening or
closing the driver's door or unbuckling the driv‐
er's seat belt, the radio ready state remains ac‐
tive.
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Radio ready state
Activate radio ready state:▷When the engine is running: press the Start/
Stop button.
Some electronic systems/power consumers re‐
main ready for operation.
Radio ready state switches off automatically:
▷After approx. 8 minutes.▷When the vehicle is locked using the central
locking system.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
Starting the engine
General information Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas, since breathing in 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 vehicle unattended with
the engine running; doing so poses a risk of
danger.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning, set the parking brake and place the trans‐
mission in selector lever position P or neutral to
prevent the vehicle from moving. ◀
Repeated starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated unsuccessful attempts to
start the vehicle or starting the vehicle several
times in quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is
not burned or is inadequately burned, posing a
risk of overheating and damage to the catalytic
converter. ◀
Do not wait for the engine to warm-up while
the vehicle remains stationary. Start driving at
moderate engine speeds.
Diesel engine If the engine is cold and temperatures are be‐
low approx. 32 ℉/0 ℃, the start process may
be delayed somewhat due to automatic pre‐
heating.
A Check Control message is displayed.
Automatic transmission
Starting the engine1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Engage selector lever position P or N.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.
Manual transmission
Starting the engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press on the clutch pedal and shift to neu‐
tral.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 exam‐
ple, cannot start the engine. ◀
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NoteThe engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:▷The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.▷The passenger compartment has not yet
been heated or cooled to the required
level.▷The engine is not yet at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the
steering wheel is being turned.▷After driving in reverse.▷Fogging of the windows when the auto‐
matic climate control is switched on.▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷The parking assistant is activated.▷Stop-and-go traffic.▷Gear selector lever in selector lever posi‐
tioned in or M/S or in drive mode R.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
▷Manual transmission:
The clutch pedal is pressed.▷Automatic transmission:
By releasing the brake pedal.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it
will not start again automatically if any one of
the following conditions are met.
▷The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the driver's door is open.▷The hood was unlocked.
Some indicator lamps light up for varying
lengths of time.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Note
Even if driving away was not intended, the de‐
activated engine starts up automatically in the
following situations:▷Excessive warming of the passenger com‐
partment when the cooling function is
switched on.▷The steering wheel is turned.▷Automatic transmission: the drive mode is
changed from D to R or M/S or into selector
lever position N.▷Automatic transmission: the selector lever
position is changed from P to N, or into
drive mode D, R or M/S.▷The vehicle begins rolling.▷Fogging of the windows when the auto‐
matic climate control is switched on.▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.▷Excessive cooling of the passenger com‐
partment when the heating is switched on.▷Manual transmission: low brake vacuum
pressure; this can occur, for example, if the
brake pedal is depressed a number of times
in succession.
Activating/deactivating the system
manually
Using the button
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Press the button.▷LED comes on: Auto Start Stop function is
deactivated.
The engine is started during an automatic
engine stop.
The engine can only be stopped or started
via the Start/Stop button.▷LED goes out: Auto Start Stop function is ac‐
tivated.
Switching off the vehicle during an automatic engine stop
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e.g., when
leaving it.
1.Press the Start/Stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start/Stop function is
deactivated.2.Set the parking brake.
Engine start as usual via Start/Stop button.
Automatic deactivation
In certain situations, the Auto Start/Stop func‐
tion is deactivated automatically for safety rea‐
sons, such as when the driver is detected to be
absent.
Malfunction
The Auto Start/Stop function no longer switches
of the engine automatically. A Check Control
message is displayed. It is possible to continue
driving. Have the system checked.
Parking brakeApplying
The lever automatically engages after being
pulled up.
The indicator lamp lights up red. The
parking brake is set.
Lower lamp: indicator lamp in Canadian
models
Releasing
Raise lever slightly, press the button and guide
the lever down.
Hints Use while driving
If on a rare occasion it is necessary to use
the parking brake while driving, do not use ex‐
cessive force when applying it. When using it,
keep the button on the lever depressed.
Otherwise, using excessive force when applying
the parking brake may cause the rear wheels to
lock, resulting in fishtailing. ◀
To prevent corrosion and braking control on
one side only, lightly apply the parking brake
periodically while coasting, if traffic conditions
permit.
The brake lamps will not light up if the parking
brake is engaged.
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P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that se‐
lector lever position P of the automatic trans‐
mission is engaged. Otherwise, the vehicle may
begin to roll.
Kickdown Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Press on the accelerator pedal
beyond the resistance point at the full throttle
position.
Selecting drive mode Depress the brake until you start driving
To prevent the vehicle from creeping af‐
ter you select a driving position, maintain pres‐
sure on the brake pedal until you are ready to
start. ◀
The gear selector lever can only taken out of
position P if the ignition is on or the engine is
running.
With the vehicle stationary, press on the brake
pedal before shifting out of P or N; otherwise,
the gear selector lever is blocked: shift lock.
A lock prevents inadvertent shifting into drive
mode R or selector lever position P.
Canceling the lock
Press the button on the front of the gear selec‐
tor lever, arrow.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Activating the sport program
Push the gear selector lever to the left out of
drive mode D.
The engaged drive mode is displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, e.g., S1.
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
Activating the M/S manual mode
1.Push the gear selector lever to the left out
of drive mode D.2.Push the gear selector lever forward or
backward.
Manual mode becomes active and the drive
mode is changed.
The engaged drive mode is displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, e.g., M1.
Once maximum engine speed is attained, M/S
manual mode is automatically upshifted as
needed.
Switching to manual mode
▷To shift down: press the gear selector lever
forward.▷To shift up: push the gear selector lever
rearwards.
Drive mode will only be changed at appropriate
engine and road speeds, e.g., downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
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