When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the
braking distance. G
WARNING
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded. The ABS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or hydroplan-
ing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabil-
ities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others. Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®
)
Your vehicle is equipped with the Elec-
tronic Stability Program (ESP ®
). The ESP ®
is operational as soon as the drive system
is switched on and it monitors the vehicle’s
traction (force of adhesive friction
between the tires and the road surface) and
handling.
The ESP ®
recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel
and by limiting the power output, the ESP ®
works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP ®
is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP ®
also
stabilizes the vehicle during braking and
steering maneuvers.
The ESP ®
warning lamp 00E5in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP ®
is
engaged.
The ESP ®
warning lamp 00E5in the instru-
ment cluster comes on when you switch on the ignition. It goes out when the drive
system is active.
Depending on the driving situation, the
ESP ®
R reduces the speed
R selectively brakes individual wheels
R equalizes the speed of the driven wheels
R stabilizes the vehicle when braking
R assists you in evasive maneuvers on all
roads G
WARNING
If the ESP ®
warning lamp 00E5in the
instrument cluster flashes, proceed as fol-
lows:
R While driving off, apply as little throt-
tle as possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP ®
cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed. G
WARNING
The ESP ®
cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The
ESP ®
cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ESP ®
equip-
ped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
! Because the ESP ®
operates automati-
cally, the ignition must be switched off
when the parking brake is being tested
on a brake test dynamometer. Active
braking action through the ESP ®
may oth- Driving safety systems
47>> Safety. Z
erwise seriously damage the brake sys-
tem which is not covered by the smart
Limited Warranty.
i The ESP ®
will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended tire
size (Y page 216). Hydraulic brake assistant
The hydraulic brake assistant operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the hydraulic brake
assistant automatically provides full
brake boost, thereby potentially reducing
the braking distance.
X Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The
hydraulic brake assistant is then deacti-
vated. G
WARNING
When the hydraulic brake assistant is mal-
functioning, the brake system is still func-
tioning normally, but without the addi-
tional brake boost that would normally be
provided during an emergency braking
maneuver. Therefore, the braking distance
may increase. G
WARNING
The hydraulic brake assistant cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking
efficiency beyond that afforded by the con-
dition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded. The hydraulic brake
assistant cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle
too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of a hydraulic
brake assistant equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
Activating the hazard warning flasher
after an emergency braking maneuver
If you bring the vehicle to a complete stop
by strongly braking at a speed of more than
43 mph (70 km/h), the hazard warning
flasher comes on automatically as soon as
the vehicle is at a standstill. The hazard
warning flasher will remain on until it is
switched off using the hazard warning
flasher switch (Y page 68) or until the
speed of the vehicle has exceeded 6 mph
(10 km/h). Acoustic Vehicle Indication*
Vehicles with electric motors develop con-
siderably lower driving noises than vehi-
cles with combustion engines. Therefore
your vehicle in traffic might not be acous-
tically noticed by other road users in cer-
tain situations.
In order to avoid this, a built-in sound
generator emits a certain noise (Acoustic
Vehicle Indication) within a speed range
between 0 to 20 mph (30 km/h). Thus, other
road users, especially pedestrians and
bicycle riders can notice your vehicle bet-
ter. Acoustic Vehicle Indication can also
be heard inside of the vehicle.
The volume of Acoustic Vehicle Indication
depends on the current engine speed (rpm).
The stronger you accelerate, the louder the
noise. At speed of more than 20 mph
30 km/h the noise is switched off. From this
speed on the natural noises of the vehicle
are sufficient so that other road users can
notice the vehicle on time. 48
Driving safety systems>> Safety.
* optional
X
Pull either of the release levers 0043back-
wards.
The lower tailgate is unlocked.
X Swivel the lower tailgate downwards to
open.
The lower tailgate is held in the hori-
zontal position by means of the two
retaining straps.
! When folded down, the lower tailgate
can bear loads up to maximum of 220 lbs
(100 kg).
Observe the information on loading the
vehicle (Y page 108).
For information on vehicle weights, see
“Vehicle specification” (Y page 215).Closing the tailgate(s) on the coupé
G
WARNING
To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from the
cargo compartment opening when closing
the tailgate(s). Be especially careful when
small children are around. X
Swivel the lower tailgate upwards to
close. Allow the two release levers to
engage audibly.
X Swivel the upper tailgate downwards to
close. G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave chil-
dren 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 per-
sonal injury. Opening and closing the retractable
soft top (cabriolet only)
You can fully open the retractable soft top
with the key. Opening and closing
55>> Controls. Z
Key with remote control
0043
0038Lock button
0044 0035Opening the retractable soft top
0087 0034Unlock button
X Opening: Press button 0035on the key for
approximately two seconds.
The retractable soft top opens.
i Pressing symbols 0034,0038or0035 on the
key with remote control while opening
the retractable soft top will interrupt
the opening procedure.
X Closing: Press symbol 0055on the
retractable soft top switch (Y page 55).G
WARNING
When closing the retractable soft top, make
sure there is no danger of anyone being
harmed by the closing procedure.
i The remote control has an operating
range of approximately 50 ft (15 meters).
Take care that you do not open your vehi-
cle’s retractable soft top inadvertently. Opening the tailgate on the cabriolet
X
Press button 0034on the key twice.
X Pull the release handle in handle
recess 0043of the tailgate.
The tailgate is unlocked.
X Swivel the tailgate downwards to open. Opening and closing the rear soft top
(cabriolet only)
You can open the rear soft top to ease load-
ing and unloading. X
Opening: Push release levers 0043, located
to the left and right of the retaining
clip, upwards.
X Swivel the rear soft top upwards to open. G
WARNING
To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from the
cargo compartment opening when closing
the rear soft top. Be especially careful
when small children are around. 56
Opening and closing>> Controls.
X
Closing: Swivel the rear soft top down-
wards to close.
X Pull soft top down.
X Pull release levers 0043, located to the left
and right of the retaining clip, down-
wards.
X Make sure the rear soft top is correctly
locked in place on both sides. Closing the tailgate on the cabriolet
G
WARNING
To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from the
cargo compartment opening when closing
the tailgate. Be especially careful when
small children are around.
! When closing the tailgate, you must
first close the rear soft top. Otherwise
you might break the release levers of the
rear soft top.
X Swivel the tailgate upwards to close. Let
the tailgate lock into place. G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave chil-
dren 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 per-
sonal injury. Starter switch positions
Starter switch
005A
For removing key
0047
Ignition (power supply for all elec-
trical consumers) and driving posi-
tion
0048
Starting the drive system
i
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator and warning lamps (except
low‑beam headlamp indicator lamp,
high‑beam headlamp indicator lamp, and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come on.
The indicator and warning lamps (except
low‑beam headlamp indicator lamp,
high‑beam headlamp indicator lamp, and
turn signal indicator lamps if activated)
will go out when the drive system is run-
ning. This indicates that the respective
systems are operational.
i When you start the drive system, READY
READY
appears in the multifunction display.
The warning and indicator lamps will go
out.
The pointer of the power gauge moves
from "OFF“ to "0“ (Y page 81). Starter switch positions
57>> Controls. Z
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch to position 0058when driving or
when traffic and/or ambient lighting con-
ditions require you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from position 0058to0058 with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from position 0058to0058 will
briefly switch off the headlamps. Doing so
while driving in low ambient lighting con-
ditions may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible
for the operation of the vehicle’s lights at
all times.
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
0058.
With the key in starter switch position
1, the tail and parking lamps, the license
plate lamps, and the side marker lamps
will come on and go out automatically
depending on the brightness of the ambi-
ent light.
With the engine running, the low‑beam
headlamps, the tail and parking lamps,
the license plate lamps and the side
marker lamps will come on and go out
automatically depending on the bright-
ness of the ambient light.
Daytime running lamp mode* In USA, the daytime running lamp mode can
be deactivated.
In Canada, the daytime running lamp mode
is mandatory and therefore in a constant
mode.
Depending on the vehicle equipment, your
vehicle comes either with low-beam day-
time running lamps or with LED daytime
running lamps. Switching on:
X
Start the drive system.
The daytime running lamps are switched
on.
On vehicles with low beam daytime run-
ning lamps the parking lamps also come
on.
Switching off - vehicles without rain-
light sensor*:
X Switch on the parking lamps 0060or the
low‑beam headlamps 0059.
The daytime running lamps are switched
off.
Switching off - vehicles with rain-light
sensor*:
X Switch on the parking lamps 0060or the
low‑beam headlamps 0059.
The daytime running lamps are switched
off.
or
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
0058.
With the engine running, the low‑beam
headlamps, the tail and parking lamps,
the license plate lamps and the side
marker lamps will come on and go out
automatically depending on the bright-
ness of the ambient light.
Deactivating (USA only):
X Switch off the ignition.
X Remove the key from the starter switch.
X Switch on the high-beam flasher and
press button 0034on the key simultane-
ously.
An acoustic signal sounds.
The daytime running lamp mode is deac-
tivated. Lighting
65>> Controls.
* optional Z
Reactivating (USA only):
X
Switch off the ignition.
X Remove the key from the starter switch.
X Switch on the high-beam flasher and
press button 0034on the key simultane-
ously.
An acoustic signal sounds.
The daytime running lamp mode is reac-
tivated. Combination switch (high beam, high
beam flasher and turn signals)
X Make sure the key is in starter switch
position 1.
High‑beam headlamps and high-beam
flasher X
Make sure the low‑beam headlamps are
switched on (Y page 64).
X Switching on: Push the combination
switch to position 0047.
The high‑beam headlamps come on.
The high‑beam headlamp indicator lamp
0057 in the instrument cluster comes on.
X Switching off: Pull the combination
switch in direction of arrow 0044to its
original position.
The high‑beam headlamps go out.
The high‑beam headlamp indicator lamp
0057 in the instrument cluster goes out.
X High-beam flasher: Pull the combination
switch briefly in direction of arrow 0044.Turn signals
0043
Turn signals, right
0044 Turn signals, left
X Switching on: Push the combination
switch in direction of arrow 0043or0044.
The corresponding turn signals flash.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lamp 003E or003D in the instrument
cluster flashes.
The combination switch resets automat-
ically after major steering wheel move-
ment.
i To signal minor directional changes
such as changing lanes, push the combi-
nation switch only to the point of resist-
ance and release. The corresponding turn
signals will flash three times. Coming home function
The interior lamps come on and then go out
again after 12 seconds every time when you
lock or unlock the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle X
Remove the key from the starter switch.
X Exit the vehicle.
X Press button 0038on the key.
The vehicle is locked.
The interior lamps come on and then go
out again after 12 seconds. 66
Lighting>> Controls.
0044
Front right
0087 Rear right
0085 Rear left
0083 Front left
X Install the side rails with the respective
front end 0044or0083 first. G
WARNING
Make sure the side rails are properly
mounted. Otherwise the side rails could
disengage while driving and injure you and
other persons. X
Take one side rail and start by attaching
it to front end 006C.
X Make sure the seal of the side rail is
facing up at position 0084and is not
pinched.
X Push the side rail at rear end 006Bdown-
wards until it audibly engages into place
twice.
X Install the side rail on the other side in
the same manner. !
Make sure the side rails are installed
correctly. Otherwise the side rails may
not function properly or may be damaged.
X Close the storage compartment cover.
X Press on the “PRESS” marking in the mid-
dle of the storage compartment cover
until it engages audibly.
X Close the tailgate. Let the tailgate lock
into place.
X Close the driver’s and passenger door.
X Open the side windows if desired.
! Make sure the storage compartment
cover is closed before closing the tail-
gate. Otherwise the tailgate could jam. Side windows
Opening and closing the side windows
Opening and closing the power windows G
WARNING
Do not keep any part of your body up against
the side window pane when opening a win-
dow. The downward motion of the pane may
pull that part of your body down between the
window pane and the door frame and trap it
there. If there is a risk of entrapment,
release the switch and pull up the top of the
switch to close the window. G
WARNING
When closing the windows, make sure there
is no danger of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
The closing of the side windows can be
immediately stopped by releasing the
switch.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave chil-
dren unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. A child’s
unsupervised access to a vehicle could Side windows
75>> Controls.
Z