Transporting children safelyVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are notnecessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
The right place for children
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 systems provided in
accordance with the age, weight and size of
the child; otherwise, there is an increased 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
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 system in the front passenger seat,
make sure that the front, knee and side airbags
on the front passenger side are deactivated.
Automatic deactivation of front-seat passen‐
ger airbags, refer to page 114.Note
Deactivating the front-seat passenger
airbags
If a child restraint system is used in the front
passenger seat, deactivate the front-seat pas‐
senger airbags; otherwise, there is an in‐
creased risk of injury to the child when the air‐
bags are activated, even with a child restraint
system.◀
Installing child restraint
systems
Hints Manufacturer's information for child re‐straint systems
To select, mount and use child restraint sys‐
tems, observe the information provided by the
system manufacturer; otherwise, the protec‐
tive effect can be lost.◀
Ensuring the stability of the child seat
When installing child restraint systems,
make sure that the child seat is securely fas‐
tened to the backrest of the seat. Angle and
headrest of the backrest might need to be ad‐
justed or possibly be removed. Make sure that
all backrests are securely locked. Otherwise
the stability of the child seat can be affected,
and there is an increased risk of injury becauseSeite 71Transporting children safelyControls71
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of unexpected movement of the rear seat
backrest.◀
On the front passenger seat
Deactivating airbags Deactivating the front-seat passenger
airbags
If a child restraint system is used in the front
passenger seat, deactivate the front-seat pas‐
senger airbags; otherwise, there is an in‐
creased risk of injury to the child when the air‐
bags are activated, even with a child restraint
system.◀
After installing a child restraint system in the
front passenger seat, make sure that the front,
knee and side airbags on the front passenger
side are deactivated.
Deactivate the front-seat passenger airbags
automatically, refer to page 114.
Seat position and height
Before installing a child restraint system, move
the front passenger seat as far back as possi‐
ble and bring it up to medium height to obtain
the best possible position for the belt and to
offer optimal protection in the event of an acci‐
dent.
If the upper anchorage of the safety belt is lo‐
cated in front of the belt guide of the child seat,
move the passenger seat carefully forward un‐
til the best possible belt guide position is
reached.
Backrest width Backrest width for the child seat
Before installing a child restraint system
in the front passenger seat, the backrest width
must be opened completely. Do not change
the adjustment after this; otherwise, the stabil‐
ity of the child seat will be reduced.◀
Adjustable backrest width: before installing a
child restraint system in the front passengerseat, open the backrest width completely. Do
not change the backrest width again and do
not call up a memory position.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger
safety belt can be permanently locked to fas‐
ten child restraint systems.
Locking the safety belt
1.Pull out the strap completely.2.Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.3.Allow the strap to be pulled in and pull it
tight against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking the safety belt
1.Unbuckle the belt buckle.2.Remove the child restraint system.3.Allow the strap to be pulled in completely.
LATCH child restraint
system
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tether for Chil‐
dren.
Note Follow manufacturer's information for
LATCH child restraint systems
To mount and use the LATCH child restraint
systems, observe the operating and safety in‐
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NoteMounting eyelets
Use the mounting eyes only for the up‐
per retaining strap to secure child restraint
systems; otherwise, the mounting eyes could
be damaged.◀
Retaining strap guide Retaining strap
Make sure that the upper retaining strap
is not passed over the head restraints or sharp
edges and is not twisted up to the upper
mounting points; otherwise, the belt cannot
properly secure the child restraint system in an
accident.◀1Direction of travel2Head restraint3Hook for upper retaining strap4Mounting point/eye5Rear window shelf6Seat backrest7Upper retaining strap
Attaching the upper retaining strap to
the mounting point
1.Remove the mounting point cover.2.Raise the head restraint.
Do not change the middle head restraint.3.Guide the upper retaining strap between
the supports of the head restraint.Guide it over the head restraint of the mid‐
dle seat.4.Attach the hook of the retaining strap to
the mounting eye.5.Tighten the retaining strap by pulling it
down.6.Lower and lock head restraints as needed.
Locking the doors and
windows
Rear doors
Push the locking lever on the rear doors down.
The door can now be opened from the outside
only.
Safety reel for the rear Press button on the driver's door if
children are being transported in the
rear.
This locks various functions so that they can‐
not be operated from the rear: safety reel, refer
to page 52.
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DrivingVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
Start/Stop button, drive
readiness
The concept The following ready states can
be attained by pressing the
Start/Stop button:▷Radio ready state on/off.▷Ignition on/off.▷Activating/deactivating drive readiness.
To activate drive readiness, press the brake
pedal.
Switching radio-ready state on/off
The radio-ready state is activated by pressing
the Start/Stop button in the following situa‐
tions:
▷When the engine is running.▷When drive readiness is activated.▷When the engine is switched off automati‐
cally using the Auto Start/Stop function
and the brake is not applied.
Some electronic systems/power consumers
remain ready for operation.
Radio ready state is switched off automatically:
▷After approx. 8 minutes.▷When the vehicle is locked using the cen‐
tral locking system.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
Ignition on
Press the Start/Stop button, and do not press
on the brake pedal at the same time.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lights in the
instrument cluster light up for a varied length
of time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
reel off the ignition and any unnecessary elec‐
tronic 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 with doors
open and the lights switched off or the daytime
running lights switched on.
Ignition off
Press the Start/Stop button again, and do not
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
All indicator lights in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
reel off the ignition and any unnecessary elec‐
tronic systems/power consumers.
P when the ignition is switched off
P is engaged automatically when the ig‐
nition is switched off. When in an automatic car wash, e.g., ensure that the ignition is not
switched off accidentally.◀
The ignition is switched off automatically in the
following situations while the vehicle is station‐
ary and the engine is off:
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▷When locking the vehicle, and when the
low beams are activated.▷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 turned off.▷When opening and closing the driver door,
if the driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the low beams are turned off.▷While the driver's safety belt is unbuckled
with driver's door open and low beams off.
The low beams reel to parking lights after ap‐
prox. 15 minutes of no use.
When the ignition is switched off automatically
by opening or closing the driver's door, un‐
buckling the driver's safety belt or by the auto‐
matic switching of the low beams to parking
lights, the radio-ready state remains active.
Drive readiness
When drive readiness is activated, the vehicle
is operational. Activated drive readiness is the
equivalent of a running engine in conventional
vehicles. Deactivated engine readiness is
equivalent to switching the ignition off.
Drive readiness in detail
The concept
The following are the different drive readiness
variants:
▷Electric drive readiness, Silent Start, refer
to page 76
The vehicle is powered by the electric mo‐
tor.▷Starting the combustion engine, refer to
page 76
The vehicle is powered by the combustion
engine.Hints
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
drive readiness active; otherwise, it may pose a
risk.◀
Awareness of vehicle reduced when
driven in electric mode
When driving in electric mode, note that due to
the lack of engine noise pedestrians and other traffic might pay less attention to the vehicle
due to missing engine noises. Please take spe‐
cial care when parking or leaving a parking
space.◀
Activating drive readiness1.Close the driver's door.2.Depress the brake pedal.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
Drive readiness is activated:
▷Electric drive readiness, Silent Start or▷Starting the combustion engine.
Electric drive readiness, Silent Start The vehicle is ready for driving without starting
the combustion engine.
Silent Start is possible if the requirements for
Electric driving, refer to page 78, are met.
Display READY indicates drive readi‐
ness.
Starting the combustion engine 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.◀
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▷High-voltage battery is heavily discharged
or vehicle electrical system is heavily bur‐
dened.▷High stress of the automatic climate con‐
trol in the heating or cooling phase.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷The vehicle is being optimized for the cur‐
rent driving style, for instance during the
break-in period or after a service appoint‐
ment.▷The hybrid system is malfunctioning.
Safety mode
An automatically stopped combustion engine
does not start independently when:
▷The driver's door is open and neither the
brake nor accelerator pedal are depressed.▷Unlocked hood.
The indicator lights come on. The combustion
engine can only be started via the Start/Stop
button.
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 radio-ready state is activated.▷The Auto Start/Stop function is deacti‐
vated.▷Transmission position P is engaged
automatically.2.Set the parking brake.
Malfunction
The Auto Start/Stop function no longer
switches of the combustion engine automati‐
cally in the event of a malfunction. A message is displayed. It is possible to continue driving.
Have the system checked.
Electric driving: eDRIVE
Requirements Electric driving is possible:▷The high-voltage battery is sufficiently
charged.▷Transmission position D or R is set.▷The drive system is at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The accelerator pedal is only slightly de‐
pressed.▷The driver's door is closed.
Possible up to speed of approx. 35 mph, ap‐
prox. 60 km/h.
Possible cruising range
Depending on the charge of the high-voltage
battery, the vehicle can be driven using electric
power constantly for up to 2-2.5 miles/3-4 km.
CoastingThe combustion engine is automatically stop‐
ped and disengaged from the drive train. This
driving condition is referred to as coasting.
Requirements Coasting is possible:
▷The high-voltage battery is sufficiently
charged.▷Transmission position D or R is set.▷The drive system is at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The driver's door is closed.▷In COMFORT mode: when rolling at
speeds exceeding 35 mph, approx.
60 km/h or when braking at speeds above
50 mph, approx. 80 km/h.▷In ECO PRO: mode, when coasting, with‐
out operating the brake, at speeds below
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Malfunction
In the event of a failure or malfunction of the
parking brake, secure the vehicle against roll‐
ing using a wheel chock, e.g., when leaving it.
Manual release Before releasing, secure the vehicle
against rolling
Before releasing the parking brake manually,
and whenever you park the vehicle with the parking brake released, ensure that position P
of the Steptronic transmission is set.
Secure the vehicle in a manner appropriate to
the inclination of the road, e.g., with a wheel
chock; otherwise, there is a danger of an acci‐
dent and injuries if the vehicle rolls uninten‐
tionally.◀
The parking brake can be released manually in the event of a power failure or electrical fault.
Unlocking Have the malfunction corrected
If the parking brake has been released
manually in response to a malfunction, only
technicians can return it to operation.
Have the malfunction corrected by your serv‐
ice center.◀1.Remove the screwdriver from the onboard
vehicle tool kit.2.Fold up the cargo floor panel.3.Take out the floor trim in the cargo area,
removing the screws with the screwdriver,
arrows.4.Insert the screwdriver through the loop, ar‐
row.5.Forcefully pull the screwdriver up against
the resistance until you notice a marked in‐Seite 82ControlsDriving82
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Steptronic transmission
Selector lever positions
D Drive Selector lever position for normal vehicle oper‐
ation. All gears for forward travel are activated
automatically.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral: The vehicle may roll. Use in automatic car
washes, e.g.
When the ignition is switched off, refer to
page 75, selector lever position P is engaged
automatically.
P Park Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
P is engaged automatically:▷After deactivating drive readiness with
radio-ready state, refer to page 75, or igni‐
tion off, refer to page 75, and the selector
lever in position R or D.▷With the ignition off, if selector lever posi‐
tion N is set.▷If the safety belt is unbuckled, the driver's
door is opened, and the brake pedal is not
pressed while the vehicle is stationary and
position D or R is set.
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that se‐
lector lever position P is set. Otherwise, the ve‐
hicle may begin to move.
Kickdown Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Step on the accelerator pedal
beyond the resistance point at the full throttle
position.
Engaging selector lever positions
Press on the brake pedal until you start
driving
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a gear, maintain pressure on the brake
pedal until you are ready to start.◀▷It is not possible to shift out of selector
lever position P until the engine is running
and the brake is applied.▷With the vehicle is stationary, press on the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise, the shift command will not be
executed: shift lock.
Engaging D, R and N
Briefly push the selector lever in the desired di‐
rection, beyond a resistance point if needed.
After releasing the selector lever, it returns to
its center position.
Press unlock button, in order to:
▷Engage R.▷Shift out of P.Seite 87DrivingControls87
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