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
Anti-theft systems
Electronic immobilizer
The electronic immobilizer prevents
unauthorized persons from starting your
vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
key with you and lock the vehicle. The drive
system can be switched on by anyone with a
key that is left inside the vehicle.
X Activating: Remove the key from the
starter switch.
X Deactivating: Insert the key in the
starter switch.
X Turn the key to starter switch position 1.Anti-theft warning system*
Once the anti-theft warning system has
been armed, a visual and audible alarm is
triggered when
R someone opens a door or the tailgate
R someone enters the vehicle’s interior
R there is motion inside the vehicle
R someone attempts to raise the vehicle
The alarm will also be triggered when
unlocking and opening the driver’s door
with the key.
i The alarm will stay on, even if the
driver’s door is immediately closed. For
canceling the alarm, see (Y page 49).
Close the windows and the tailgate before
arming the alarm system. Make sure there
are no moving objects inside the vehicle. X
Arming: Lock the vehicle using the
remote control.
Warning system indicator lamp 0043
flashes rapidly. The anti-theft warning
system arms after about 25 seconds. When
the anti-theft warning system is armed,
warning system indicator lamp 0043
flashes about every three seconds.
i You can also arm the anti-theft warning
system by locking the vehicle without
using the remote control (Y page 177).
X Disarming: Unlock the vehicle using the
remote control.
The anti-theft warning system is dis-
armed. Warning system indicator
lamp 0043stops flashing.
Canceling the alarm X
Insert the key in the starter switch.
X Turn the key to starter switch position 1.
or
X Press button 0034or0038 on the key. Tow-away alarm* and interior motion
sensor*
Once the anti-theft warning system has
been armed, a visual and audible alarm is
triggered when someone attempts to raise
the vehicle or if motion is detected inside
the vehicle. Anti-theft systems
49>> Safety.
* optional Z
Opening and closing
Key
Key with remote control
0043
0038Lock button
0044 0035Opening the retractable soft top 3
/
unlocking the upper tailgate 4
0087 0034Unlock button
The remote control centrally locks and
unlocks:
R the driver’s door
R the charge socket flap
R the passenger door
R the upper tailgate 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. It is possi-
ble for children to open a locked door from
the inside, which could result in an acci-
dent and/or serious personal injury.
! To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the remote control to high lev-
els of electromagnetic radiation.
If you can no longer lock or unlock the vehi-
cle with the remote control, the batteries
in the remote control are discharged, or
the remote control is malfunctioning. X
Check the batteries in the remote control
and replace them if necessary.
X If you do not have a spare transmitter
battery at hand, use the key to open the
driver’s door and the charge socket flap
(Y page 177).
i USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
The product label with FCC ID and IC cer-
tification number can be found in the
battery case.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS‑210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interfer-
ence, and
2. this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
The product label with FCC ID and IC cer-
tification number can be found in the
battery case.
! The remote control has an operating
range of approximately 50 ft (15 meters).
This can fluctuate greatly as a conse-
quence of local conditions (reflective or
3 cabriolet only.
4 coupé only. 52
Opening and closing>> Controls.
absorbing objects) and interference
emitted by other radio transmission sys-
tems. Similarly, the operating range
fluctuates in line with the direction
from which the remote control is acti-
vated.
To prevent theft, however, it is advisable
to only unlock the vehicle when you are
in close proximity to it. Locking and unlocking from the out-
side
X Selective unlocking: Press button0034on
the key once.
All turn signal lamps flash once.
The driver’s door and the charge socket
flap are unlocked.
X Global unlocking: Press button0034on the
key twice.
All turn signal lamps flash once again.
The passenger door and the tailgate are
unlocked in addition to the driver’s door
and the charge socket flap.
X Global locking: Press button0038on the
key.
With the doors, the tailgate(s), and the
charge socket flap closed, the turn sig-
nal lamps flash three times.
The indicator lamp on the central lock-
ing switch flashes (Y page 53).
The interior lamps come on and then go
out again after 12 seconds. Automatic locking
Auto-relock function The vehicle will lock again automatically
within approximately 60 seconds of
unlocking with the key if neither the
driver’s nor passenger door is opened.
! To prevent an inadvertent lockout,
never leave your key lying in the vehicle. Drive lock function The vehicle locks automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning at vehicle speeds of approximately
8 mph (14 km/h) or more. The drive lock
function is enabled at the factory.
X
Switching on: Switch off the ignition.
X Press the central locking switch
(Y page 53) and button 0038on the key
simultaneously.
An acoustic signal sounds.
The drive lock function is switched on.
X Switching off: Switch off the ignition.
X Press the central unlocking switch
(Y page 53) and button 0034on the key
simultaneously.
An acoustic signal sounds.
The drive lock function is switched off. Locking and unlocking from the inside
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.
You can lock and unlock the vehicle from
inside using the central locking or unlock-
ing switch. This can be useful, for example,
if you want to unlock the passenger door
from inside or lock the vehicle before
starting to drive. Opening and closing
53>> Controls. Z
X
Locking: Press central locking
switch 0043.
The indicator lamp on central locking
switch 0043comes on, when the starter
switch is in position 1.
The indicator lamp on central locking
switch 0043flashes, when the starter
switch is in position 0.
With the doors and the tailgate closed,
the vehicle locks.
X Unlocking: Press central unlocking
switch 0044.
The vehicle unlocks and the indicator
lamp on central locking switch 0043goes
out. Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so. X
Pull on inside door handle 0043.
With the driver’s door open a warning
signal sounds if the exterior lamps are switched on and the ignition is switched
off. Opening the upper tailgate on the
coupé
X
Press button 0034on the key twice.
X Press and hold button 0035on the key for
approximately two seconds.
or
X Pull the release handle in handle
recess 0043of the lower tailgate.
The upper tailgate is unlocked.
X Swivel the upper tailgate upwards to
open.
Observe the information on loading the
vehicle (Y page 108).
For information on vehicle weights, see
“Vehicle specification” (Y page 215). Opening the lower tailgate on the
coupé
X Open the upper tailgate (Y page 54).54
Opening and closing>> Controls.
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.