
104Instruments and controls
Travel Time: Measurement of the
time from manual activation via Start
to manual deactivation via Reset.
Interruption of power supply If the power supply has been
interrupted or if the battery voltage has dropped too low, the values
stored in the trip computer will be lost.

Lighting113Battery discharge
protection
To prevent the battery from becoming discharged, the exterior lights turn off automatically 10 minutes after the
ignition is switched off.
Battery discharge protection will not
work if the lights are turned on
10 minutes after the ignition has been
switched off; the key cannot be
removed from the ignition switch until the battery is recharged.

122Driving and operatingDriving and operatingDriving hints............................... 122
Starting and operating ...............122
Engine exhaust .......................... 127
Automatic transmission .............. 128
Manual transmission ..................132
Drive systems ............................ 133
Brakes ........................................ 135
Ride control systems .................137
Driver assistance systems .........140
Fuel ............................................ 143
Trailer hitch ................................ 146Driving 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 3 124.
Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in the area of the pedals.
Power steering Never leave the steering wheel on full
lock when the vehicle is stationary as this may damage the power steering
pump.
Control indicator 2 3 86.Starting and operating
New vehicle running-in
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
During the first drive, smoke may
occur because of wax and oil
evaporating off the exhaust system.
Park the vehicle in the open for a
while after the first drive and avoid
inhaling the fumes.
During the running-in period fuel and
engine oil consumption may be
higher and the cleaning process of the diesel particle filter may take
place more often. Autostop may be inhibited to allow for charging of the
battery.
Diesel particle filter 3 127.

124Driving and operating
30 seconds. If engine does not start,
wait 10 seconds before repeating starting procedure.
Ensure the engine oil is of the correct
viscosity, the correct fuel is used,
vehicle services are performed
regularly and the battery is sufficiently charged.
Overrun cut-off The fuel supply is automatically cut-
off during overrun, i.e. when the
vehicle is driven with a gear engaged but accelerator is released.Stop-start system
The stop-start system helps to save
fuel and to reduce the exhaust
emissions. When conditions allow, it
switches off the engine as soon as the
vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill, e.g. at a traffic light or in a
traffic jam. It starts the engine
automatically as soon as the clutch is
depressed. A vehicle battery sensor
ensures that an Autostop is only
performed if the vehicle battery is
sufficiently charged for a restart.
Activation
The stop-start system is available as
soon as the engine is started, the
vehicle starts-off and the conditions
as stated below in this section are
fulfilled.Deactivation
Deactivate the stop-start system
manually by pressing the eco button.
The deactivation is indicated when
the LED in the button extinguishes.
Autostop
If the vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill, activate an Autostop as
follows:
■ Depress the clutch pedal
■ set the lever to neutral
■ release the clutch pedal
The engine will be switched off while
the ignition stays on.

Driving and operating125
An Autostop is indicated by the
needle at the AUTOSTOP position in
the tachometer.
During an Autostop, the heating, power steering and brake
performance will be maintained.
Air conditioning system may or may
not inhibit the stop-start system
according to the cooling performance.
Caution
The steering assist can be
reduced during an Autostop.
Conditions for an Autostop
The stop-start system checks if each
of the following conditions is fulfilled.
■ The stop-start system is not manually deactivated
■ the bonnet is fully closed
■ the driver's door is closed or the driver's seat belt is fastened
■ the vehicle battery is sufficiently charged and in good condition
■ the engine is warmed up
■ the engine coolant temperature is not too high or low
■ the engine exhaust temperature is not too high, e.g. after driving with
high engine load
■ the ambient temperature is not too low
■ the defrosting function is not activated
■ the climate control system does not
inhibit an engine stop
■ the brake vacuum is sufficient■ the self-cleaning function of the diesel particle filter is not active
■ the vehicle has moved since the last Autostop
Otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited.
Certain settings of the climate control
system may inhibit an Autostop. See
Climate control chapter for more
details 3 116.
Immediately after motorway driving
an Autostop may be inhibited.
New vehicle running-in 3 122.
Vehicle battery discharge protection
To ensure reliable engine restarts, several vehicle battery discharge
protection features are implemented
as part of the stop-start system.
Restart of the engine by the
driver
Depress the clutch pedal to restart the
engine.
The engine start is indicated by the
needle at the idle speed position in
the tachometer.

126Driving and operating
If the selector lever is shifted out of
neutral before depressing the clutch
first, control indicator - illuminates.
Control indicator - 3 89.
Restart of the engine by the
stop-start system
The selector lever must be in neutral to enable an automatic restart.
If one of the following conditions occurs during an Autostop, the
engine will be restarted automatically
by the stop-start system.
■ The stop-start system is manually deactivated
■ the bonnet is opened
■ the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened
■ the engine temperature is too low
■ the charging level of the vehicle battery is below a defined level
■ the brake vacuum is not sufficient
■ the vehicle is driven at least at walking speed
■ the defrosting function is activated■ the climate control system requests
an engine start
■ the air conditioning is manually switched on
If an electrical accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop
during restart might be noticeable.
Parking ■ Do not park the vehicle on an easily
ignitable surface. The high
temperature of the exhaust system
could ignite the surface.
■ Always apply the electrical parking brake.
Pull switch m.
For maximum force, e.g. parking
with a trailer or on inclines, pull
switch m twice.
■ Switch off the engine and turn the ignition key to position LOCK, push
key into ignition switch and remove.
Turn the steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock is felt to
engage.For vehicles with automatic
transmission, depress foot brake
and shift into P before pushing key
into ignition switch and removing.
■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or
uphill slope, engage first gear ormove the selector lever to P before
switching off the ignition. On an
uphill slope, turn the front wheels
away from the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill slope, engage reverse gear or move the
selector lever to P before switching
off the ignition. Turn the front
wheels towards the kerb.
■ Lock the vehicle with button p on
the radio remote control 3 20 and
activate the anti-theft alarm system 3 24.

Driving and operating131
Activation
In automatic mode, press button
s ; control indicator s
illuminates in the instrument cluster 3 88.
The settings of certain electronic
systems are adapted to reduce fuel
consumption:
■ The engine reacts less quickly to the accelerator pedal.
■ Automatic upshift points occur sooner and downshift points occur
later.
■ The transmission locks itself to the engine at cruising speeds, to
improve efficiency and increase
power and torque.
■ The fuel supply is automatically cut-
off more quickly during vehicle
deceleration. Overrun cut-off
3 124.
Do not use fuel economy mode whilst towing, e.g. a trailer.Deactivation
Fuel economy mode is switched off
by pressing button s again;
control indicator s extinguishes in
the instrument cluster.
Fault
In the event of a fault in the automatic
transmission, control indicator Z
illuminates in the instrument cluster 3 84 . Automatic shifting may be much
harsher than normal or, in the case of
a serious fault, cancelled altogether.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
If control indicator g illuminates in
the instrument cluster when the
engine is running, this may indicate a
fault in the transmission electronics
3 84. The electronics switch to the
emergency running programme, fuel
consumption may increase and the
driveability of the vehicle may be
affected. Seek the assistance of a
workshop.Interruption of power
supply
The clutch is not disengaged if the
vehicle battery is discharged and a
gear has been selected. The vehicle
cannot move. The selector lever
cannot be moved out of position P or
N .
If the battery is discharged, start the
vehicle using jump leads 3 187.
If the battery is not the cause of the
fault, release the selector lever:
1. Switch off ignition and remove the
key.
2. Depress and hold foot brake.

136Driving and operatinghard braking, the vehicle can nolonger be steered and may
swerve.
You can continue driving, provided
you drive with care and anticipation.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake Electrical parking brake
Applying when vehicle is stationary
Pull switch m, the electrical parking
brake operates automatically with
adequate force. For maximum force,
e.g. parking with a trailer or on
inclines, pull switch m twice.
The electrical parking brake can
always be activated, even if the
ignition is off.
Do not operate electrical parking
brake system too often without
engine running as this will discharge
the battery.
Before leaving the vehicle, check the
electrical parking brake status.
Control indicator m 3 85.
Releasing
Switch on ignition. Keep foot brake
depressed and then push switch m.
If the foot brake is not depressed
when attempting to release electrical
parking brake, a warning chime will
sound and control indicator -
illuminates in the instrument cluster
3 89.Drive away function
With the engine running, selecting a
forward gear (manual transmission)
or engaging D (automatic
transmission) and then depressing the accelerator pedal automatically
releases the electrical parking brake.
This is not possible when the switch
m is pulled at the same time.
This function also helps driving away
on inclines.
Aggressive drive away may reduce
life time of wear parts.
Dynamic braking when vehicle is
moving
When the vehicle is moving and the
switch m is kept pulled, a warning
chime will sound and the electrical
parking brake system will decelerate
the vehicle, but will not apply
statically.
As soon as the switch m is released,
dynamic braking will be stopped.