In brief17
Automatic transmissionP=parkR=reverseN=neutralD=drive
Manual mode: move selector lever
from D to the left.
<=higher gear]=lower gear
The selector lever can only be moved
out of P when the ignition is on and
the brake pedal is applied. To engage
P or R, press the release button.
Automatic transmission 3 141.
Starting off
Check before starting off ■ Tyre pressure and condition 3 203,
3 236.
■ Engine oil level and fluid levels 3 182.
■ All windows, mirrors, exterior lighting and number plates are free
from dirt, snow and ice and are
operational.
■ Proper position of mirrors, seats and seat belts 3 28, 3 46,
3 55.
■ Soft top must be completely opened or closed 3 34.
■ Brake function at low speed, particularly if the brakes are wet.Starting the engine
■ Turn key to position 1
■ move the steering wheel slightly to release the steering wheel lock
■ operate clutch and brake
■ automatic transmission in P or N
■ do not operate accelerator pedal
■ diesel engines: turn the key to position 2 for preheating and wait
until control indicator !
extinguishes
■ turn key to position 3 and release
Starting the engine 3 135.
Instruments and controls101
Messages in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC)
The vehicle messages are displayed
as text. Follow the instructions given
in the messages.
The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
■ Service messages
■ Fluid levels
■ Anti-theft alarm system
■ Brakes
■ Ride control systems
■ Driver assistance systems
■ Cruise control
■ Speed limiter
■ Parking assist systems
■ Lighting, bulb replacement
■ Wiper/washer system
■ Doors, windows
■ Soft top
■ Load compartment, boot lid
■ Radio remote control
■ Seat belts
■ Airbag systems
■ Engine and transmission
■ Tyre pressure
■ Diesel particle filter
■ Vehicle battery status
Messages in the
Colour-Info-Display
Some important messages may
appear additionally in the
Colour-Info-Display. Press the
multifunction knob to confirm a
message. Some messages only pop
up for a few seconds.Warning chimes
When starting the engine or
whilst driving Only one warning chime will sound at
a time.
The warning chime regarding
unfastened seat belts has priority
over any other warning chime.
■ If seat belt is not fastened.
■ If a door or the boot lid is not fully closed when starting off.
■ If the soft top is not completely opened or closed.
■ If the soft top lid is not completely closed.
■ If the load compartment partition is folded in when operating the soft
top.
■ If a certain speed is exceeded with parking brake applied.
■ If a certain speed is exceeded when
operating the soft top.
■ If a programmed speed or speed limit is exceeded.
Driving and operating133Driving and operatingDriving hints............................... 133
Starting and operating ...............134
Engine exhaust .......................... 139
Automatic transmission .............. 141
Manual transmission ..................144
Brakes ........................................ 144
Ride control systems .................147
Driver assistance systems .........151
Fuel ............................................ 172
Trailer hitch ................................ 174Driving hints
Control of the vehicleNever coast with engine not
running (except during Autostop)
Many systems will not function in this
situation (e.g. brake servo unit, power steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. All
systems function during an Autostop,
but there will be a controlled reduction
in power steering assist and vehicle
speed is reduced.
Stop-start system 3 136.
Idle boost
If charging of the battery is required
due to battery condition, the power output of the generator has to be
increased. This will be achieved by an
idle boost which may be audible. A
message appears in the Driver
Information Centre.Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in the area of the pedals.
Steering If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or due to a system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered but may require increased
effort.
Control indicator c 3 91.Caution
Vehicles equipped with hydraulic
power steering:
If the steering wheel is turned until it reaches the end of its travel, and
is held in that position for more
than 15 seconds, damage may
occur to the power steering
system and there may be loss of
power steering assist.
144Driving and operatingManual transmission
To engage reverse, with the vehicle
stationary wait 3 seconds after
depressing the clutch pedal and then
press the release button on the
selector lever and engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, set the
lever to neutral, release the clutch
pedal and depress again; then repeat
gear selection.
Do not grind the clutch unnecessarily. When operating, depress the clutchpedal completely. Do not use the
pedal as a foot rest.
Caution
It is not advisable to drive with the hand resting on the selector lever.
Brakes
The brake system comprises two independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear
this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 89.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.
Driving and operating147
Control indicator m flashes: electric
parking brake is not fully applied or released. When continuously
flashing, release electric parking
brake and retry applying.
Brake assist If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist The system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the foot brake after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further two seconds.
The brakes release automatically as
soon as the vehicle begins to
accelerate.The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.Ride control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction Control system (TC) is a
component of the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) 3 148.
TC improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
156Driving and operating
General information9Warning
Forward collision alert is just a
warning system and does not
apply the brakes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
rapidly, it may not provide you
enough time to avoid a collision.
The driver accepts full
responsibility for the valid
following distance based on traffic, weather and visibility conditions.
The complete attention of the
driver is always required while
driving. He shall always be ready to take action and apply the
brakes.
System limitations
The system is designed to warn only for vehicles, but may react also on
other objects.
In the following cases, forward
collision alert may not detect a vehicle
ahead or sensor performance is
limited:
■ on winding roads,
■ when weather limits visibility, such as fog, rain, or snow,
■ when the sensor is blocked by snow, ice, slush, mud, dirt, or
windscreen damage.
Following distance
indication The following distance indication
displays the distance to a preceding
moving vehicle. The front camera in
the windscreen is used to detect the
distance of a vehicle directly ahead in
the vehicle's path. It is active at
speeds above 40 km/h.
When a preceding vehicle is detected
ahead, the distance is indicated in
seconds, displayed on a page in the
Driver Information Centre 3 94 . Press
the MENU button on the turn signal
lever to select Vehicle InformationMenu X and turn the adjuster
wheel to choose following distance
indication page.
The minimum indicated distance is
0.5 seconds.
If there is no vehicle ahead or the vehicle ahead is out of range, two
dashes will be displayed: -.- s.
Vehicle care185Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Brakes
In the event of minimum thickness ofthe brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake lining replaced as
soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake fluid
9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
When topping up, ensure maximum cleanliness as contamination of the
brake fluid can lead to brake system
malfunctions. Have the cause of the
loss of brake fluid remedied by a
workshop.
Only use high-performance brake
fluid approved for the vehicle. Brake
and clutch fluid 3 224.
Vehicle battery
Vehicles without stop-start system
will be equipped with a lead acid
battery. Vehicles with stop-start
system will be equipped with an
AGM battery which is not a lead acid
battery.
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
240IndexAAccessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 180
Active head restraints ...................45
Adaptive forward lighting ..........
.................................. 93, 114, 190
Adjustable air vents ...................131
Airbag, belt tensioners and anti- roll bars ..................................... 88
Airbag deactivation ................61, 88
Airbag system .............................. 56
Air conditioning regular operation ................................ 132
Air conditioning system .............. 124
Air intake .................................... 131
Air vents...................................... 131
Antilock brake system ................ 144
Antilock brake system (ABS) .......90
Anti-theft alarm system ................26
Anti-theft locking system .............. 25
Appearance care ........................220
Armrest ......................................... 52
Armrest storage ........................... 70
Ashtrays ....................................... 83 Automatic anti-dazzle ..................30
Automatic light control ...............111
Automatic locking ........................23
Automatic transmission .............141
Auxiliary heater ........................... 130B
Battery discharge protection ......122
Battery voltage ........................... 102 Bonnet ....................................... 182
Brake and clutch fluid .................224
Brake and clutch system .............89
Brake assist ............................... 147
Brake fluid .................................. 185
Brakes ............................... 144, 185
Breakdown.................................. 218
Bulb replacement ....................... 188
C
Capacities .................................. 235
Car Pass ...................................... 19
Catalytic converter .....................140
Central locking system ................21
Centre console storage ...............70
Changing tyre and wheel size ...207
Charging system .......................... 89
Child restraint installation locations ................................... 64
Child restraints.............................. 62
Child restraint systems ................62
Cigarette lighter ........................... 83
Climate control ............................. 15
Climate control systems .............123
Clock............................................. 80
Code ........................................... 100