R
no engine-relevant diagnostics are active.
R the driver's door is closed and the sea tbelt
is fastened.
Automatic engine start The engine is started automatically if you:
R release the brake pedal when HOLD is not
activated and the transmission is in
position Dor N
R shift the transmission to position R
R depress the accelerator pedal
R switch off the ECO start/stop function or
switch to drive program Sor M
R unfasten your seat belt or open the driver's
door
The engine is also started automatically if:
R the vehicle starts to roll.
R the brake system requires this.
R the system detects moisture on the
windshield when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the temperature in the vehicle interior
deviates from the set range.
R the charge level of the battery is too low.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function General notes
You can deactivate and activate the ECO
start/stop function using COMAND
(Y page 235).
i You can also use the programmable
button (Y page 113) to activate and
deactivate the ECO start/stop function if
you have assigned this function to the
button.
Deactivating
X Deactivate the ECO start/stop function
using COMAND (Y page 235).
The ¤ symbol goes out and the Stop/Start deactivated message is shown in
the multifunction display. i
If drive program Sor Mhas been selected,
the ECO start/stop function is always
deactivated.
Activating
X Activate the ECO start/stop function using
COMAND (Y page 235).
The ¤ symbol and the Stop/Start active message are shown in
multifunction display.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 276) are fulfilled, the
Stop/Start inactive message appears.
i If you activate the ECO Start/Stop
function in drive programs Sor M, drive
program Cis selected automatically. Driving
277Driving and parking Z
Problems with the engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The 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 0or press the Start/Stop button
repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrumen tcluster go
out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 274). 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-star tthe vehicle (Y page 445).
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. 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.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic
converter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. 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 424). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary. 278
DrivingDriving and parking
Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.
G
Risk of explosion or fire
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the ignition lock and remove
it immediately (Y page 273).
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap
cannot be opened. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
X
Unlock the vehicle .
or
X Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Y page 77).The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is
jammed.
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system. Combustible
materials, such as grass, hay or leaves could
be ignited by the hot exhaust system and
cause a vehicle fire. Do not park the vehicle
on dry grassland or harvested grain fields.
Unintended vehicle movement can cause
serious personal injury or damage to the
vehicle or the vehicle drivetrain. To reduce
such risks, always do the following before
turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle:
R keep your right foot on the brake pedal.
R engage the electric parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission into park
position P.
R slowly release the brake pedal. R
when parked on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
R turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 0and remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock, or press the KEYLESS-GO
Start/Stop button.
R take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the engine
not running, there is no power assistance for
the brake and steering systems. In this case,
it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle. Parking
289Driving and parking Z
i
The electric parking brake can only be
released:
R if the SmartKey is in position 1in the
ignition lock or
R if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button.
Engaging the electric parking brake
automatically If the HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS
brake the vehicle until it is stationary, the
electric parking brake is automatically
applied. Additionally, 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 the hood is released.
R the trunk lid is opened while the automatic
transmission is in position R.
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
i In addition to the electric parking brake,
P may also be engaged automatically.
Releasing the electric parking brake
automatically The electric parking brake is released
automatically when the following conditions
are simultaneously fulfilled:
R the engine is running.
R the automatic transmission is in position
D or R.
R the hood is closed.
R your seat belt is fastened.
R you accelerate.
If the automatic transmission is in position
R, the trunk lid must be closed. If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you have shifted out of Por you have
previously driven faster than 3 km/h.
R you have shifted out of Por you have
previously driven faster than 2mph
(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 290).
i The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
the handle of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer the 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 F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster appears.
When the vehicle has been braked to a
standstill, the electric parking brake is
engaged. Parking the vehicle for
along period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
X Connecting a trickle charger.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop. Parking
291Driving and parking Z
If these conditions are fulfilled, yourv
ehicle
is accelerated. Acceleration will be
interrupted if changing lanes takes too long
or if the distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in fron tbecomes too small.
i When changing lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS
monitors the left lane on left-hand drive
vehicles and the right lane on right-hand
drive vehicles. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS and Active Blind Spot Assist
are only aids designed to assist driving.
They do not relieve you of the responsibility
of paying attention .The driver remains fully
responsible for the vehicle's distance from
other vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for
braking in good time. Always pay attention to
traffic conditions and your surroundings.
Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers
in time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
Stopping G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated.
DISTRONIC PLUS must also never be
operated, activated or deactivated by a
passenger or from outside the vehicle.
DISTRONIC PLUS does not replace the
electric parking brake and must not be used
for parking.
The DISTRONIC PLUS braking effect is
canceled and the vehicle can start moving if:
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated using the
cruise control lever.
R you accelerate.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g.
battery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected. If you wish to leave the vehicle or park it,
deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the
vehicle against rolling away.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle
in front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until
it is stationary.
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains
stationary and you do not need to depress the
brake.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
i Depending on the specified minimum
distance, your vehicle will come to a
standstill at a sufficient distance behind the
vehicle in front.T he specified minimum
distance is set using the control on the
cruise control lever.
Setting aspeed G
WARNING
Keep in mind tha titmay take a brie fmoment
until the vehicle has made the necessary
adjustments.
Increase or decrease the set vehicle speed to
a value that the prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden
and unexpected acceleration or deceleration
of the vehicle could cause an accident and/
or serious injury to you and others.
X Press the cruise control lever up :for a
higher speed or down ;for a lower speed.
X To adjust the speed in 1 mph
increments (1 km/h increments): briefly
press the cruise control lever up :or
down ;to the pressure point.
The last speed stored is increased or
decreased every time the cruise control
lever is pushed up :or down ;.
X To adjust the speed in 5 mph
increments (10 km/h increments):
briefly press the cruise control lever Driving systems
303Driving and parking Z
HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the drive
rinthe
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary.
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened.
R the electric parking brake is released.
R the hood is closed.
R the transmission is in position R,Nor D.
The trunk lid must be closed in position R.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until ë appears in the instrument
cluster.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again. G
WARNING
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function if the vehicle is to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing).
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated
automatically if:
R
you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you apply the brakes again with a certain
amount of pressure until ëdisappears
from the instrument cluster.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake. G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when the HOLD
function is activated.
The HOLD function must never be operated
or deactivated by a passenger or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the
electric parking brake and must not be used
for parking.
The braking effect of the HOLD function is
canceled and the vehicle could roll away if:
R the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or the
brake pedal.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g.
battery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you leave the vehicle or park it, deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away. 308
Driving systemsDriving and parking
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The red
F(USAonly)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp lights
up.
The powe rsupply for the electric parking brake was interrupted.
X Pull the electric parking brake handle.
or
X Pull away carefully.
or
X Pull the electric parking brake handle until the display message
disappears. The red
F(USAonly)/! (Canada only) indicator lamp lights
up .The yellow F(USA only)/! (Canada only) warning lamp
lights up.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning.
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Engage or release the electric parking brake.
or
X Pull away carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. The yellow
F(USA only)/! (Canada only) warning lamp
lights up. The red F(USA only)/! (Canada only) indicator
lamp flashes for approximately ten seconds after the electric
parking brake has been applied or released. It then goes out or
remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning, e.g. because of
overvoltage or undervoltage.
X Pull away carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If there is overvoltage or undervoltage:
X Remove the cause for the overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging the battery or restarting the engine.
X Switch the ignition off and on, and then engage or release the
electric parking brake.
If this does not release the electric parking brake:
X Do not drive on.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Display messages
359On-board computer and displays Z
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
# The battery is no
tbeing charged.
Possible causes are:
R a defective alternator
R a torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely and switch off the engine,
paying attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Open the hood.
X Check whether the poly-V-belt is torn.
If the poly-V-belt is torn:
! Do not continue driving. The engine could otherwise overheat.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the poly-V-belt is not damaged:
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 4
Check Engine Oil
at Next Refueling Vehicles with an oil dipstick
:the oil level has dropped to the
minimum level.
X Check the oil level when next refueling, at the latest
(Y page 421).
X If necessary, add engine oil (Y page 423).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
engine oil needs to be added more often than usual.
! Avoid long journeys with too little engine oil. The engine will
otherwise be damaged.
Information on approved engine oils can be obtained from any
qualified specialist workshop or on the Internet at http://
www.mbusa.com (USA only). 4
Check Engine Oil
Level (Add 1
quart) (USA only)
Check Engine Oil Level (Add 1
Liter) (Canada only) Vehicles without an oil dipstick: the engine oil level is too low.
X
Check the oil level when next refueling, at the latest
(Y page 421).
X If necessary, add engine oil (Y page 423).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if
engine oil needs to be added more often than usual.
! Avoid long journeys with too little engine oil. The engine will
otherwise be damaged.
Information on approved engine oils can be obtained from any
qualified specialist workshop or on the Internet at http://
www.mbusa.com (USA only). Display messages
373On-board computer and displays Z