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Driving and operating127Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission permits
automatic gearshifting (automatic
mode) or manual gearshifting
(manual mode).
Transmission display
The mode or selected gear is shown
in the transmission display.
Selector leverP=park position, wheels are
locked, engage only when the
vehicle is stationary and the
parking brake is appliedR=reverse gear, engage only
when the vehicle is stationaryN=neutralD=automatic mode with all gearsM=manual mode
The selector lever is locked in P and
can only be moved when the ignition
is on and the brake pedal is applied.
To engage P or R, press the release
button.
The engine can only be started with
the lever in position P or N. When
position N is selected, press the brake
pedal or apply the parking brake
before starting.
Do not accelerate while engaging a
gear. Never depress the accelerator
pedal and brake pedal at the same
time.
When a gear is engaged, the vehicle
slowly begins to creep when the
brake is released.
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128Driving and operating
Engine brakingTo utilise the engine braking effect,
select a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill, see manual mode.
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between D and R in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake and engage P .
The ignition key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in position
P .Manual mode
Move selector lever to position M.
Press button on the selector lever:
<=Shift to a higher gear.]=Shift to a lower gear.
If a higher gear is selected when
vehicle speed is too low, or a lower
gear when vehicle speed is too high,
the shift is not executed. This can
cause a message in the
Driver-Info-Display.
In manual mode no automatic shifting to a higher gear takes place at high
engine revolutions.
Electronic driving
programmes ■ Following a cold start, the operating
temperature programme increases
engine speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
■ The automatic neutral shift function
automatically shifts to idling when
the vehicle is stopped with a
forward gear engaged and the
brake pedal is pressed.
■ Special programmes automatically adapt the shifting points when
driving up inclines or down hills.
Kickdown If the accelerator pedal is pressed
down completely in automatic mode, the transmission shifts to a lower gear depending on engine speed.
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Driving and operating129FaultIn the event of a fault, g illuminates.
Additionally a code number or a
vehicle message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre. Vehicle
messages 3 93.
The transmission no longer shifts automatically. Continued travel is possible with manual shifting.
Only the highest gear is available.
Depending on the fault, 2nd gear may also be available in manual mode.
Shift only when vehicle is at a
standstill.
Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Interruption of power
supply
In the event of an interruption of
power supply, the selector lever
cannot be moved out of the P
position. The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition switch.
If the battery is discharged, start the
vehicle using jump leads 3 185.If the battery is not the cause of the
fault, release the selector lever.
1. Turn the ignition off and remove the key.
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal
and pull the parking brake lever
up.
3. Remove the cap on the console with a thin object such as ascrewdriver.
4. Insert a screwdriver into the opening as far as it will go.
5. Shift selector lever to N.
6. Remove the screwdriver from the slot.
7. Reinstall the cap.
8. Have the cause of the power supply interruption remedied by a
workshop.
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130Driving 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 slip the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch
pedal 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.
Drive systems
All-wheel drive
The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system
enhances driving characteristics and
stability, and helps to achieve the best possible driveability regardless of
ground surface. The system is always
active and cannot be deactivated.
The torque is distributed steplessly
between the wheels of the front and rear axle, depending on the driving
conditions. Additionally the torque
between the rear wheels is distributed
depending on the surface.
For optimum system performance,
the vehicle's tyres should not have
varying degrees of wear.
When using a temporary spare
wheel, the AWD system is
automatically disabled.
The AWD system will also be
temporarily disabled to protect the
system from overheating if there is
excessive wheel spin. When the
system cools down, AWD will be
restored.
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Driving and operating131
The deactivation of the AWD system
will be indicated by a message on the
Driver Information Centre.
If a service message or warning
code S73 is displayed on the Driver Information Centre, there is a
malfunction in the AWD system. Seek the assistance of a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 93, Towing the
vehicle 3 186.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 84.
Antilock brake system Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.ABS starts to regulate brake pressure
as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
After starting off the system performs a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 85.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.
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132Driving and operating
Fault9Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release button,
and apply as firmly as possible on a
downhill or uphill slope.
To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the release
button and fully lower the lever.
To reduce the operating forces of the
parking brake, depress the foot brake
at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 84.
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 unintended movement 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.
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Driving and operating133Ride control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction Control system (TC) is a component of the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) 3 133.
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.
TC is operational after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator
b extinguishes.
When TC operates b flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 86.
Deactivation
TC can be switched off when spinning of drive wheels is required:
press button t briefly to deactivate
TC, k illuminates. Deactivation is
displayed as status message in the
Driver Information Centre.
TC is reactivated by pressing the t
button again.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Electronic Stability Control Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESC is operational after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator b extinguishes.
When ESC operates b flashes.
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134Driving and operating9Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 86.
Deactivation
For very high-performance driving
ESC can be deactivated: hold button
t depressed for approx. 5 seconds.
Control indicator k and n illuminate.
ESC is reactivated by pressing the t
button again. If the TC system was
previously disabled, both TC and
ESC are reactivated.
ESC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Descent control system The Descent control system (DCS)
allows the vehicle to travel at a low
speed without depressing the foot
brake. The vehicle will automatically
decelerate to a low speed and remain
at that speed when the system is
activated. Some noise or vibration
from the brake system may be
apparent when the system is active.Caution
Use only when descending steep
grades while driving off-road. Do
not use when driving on normal
road surfaces. Unnecessary
usage of the DCS function, such
as while driving on normal roads,
may damage the brake system
and the ESC function.
Switching on
At speeds below approx. 25 mph,
press button u. DCS is operational as
soon as control indicator u
illuminates.
Activation
DCS is active at speeds between 1.2 and 22 mph. Depending on the
current speed, the vehicle will be