106Driving and operatingDriving and operatingDriving hints............................... 106
Starting and operating ...............106
Engine exhaust .......................... 112
Manual transmission ..................113
Manual transmission automa‐
ted .............................................. 114
Brakes ........................................ 118
Ride control systems .................119
Driver assistance systems .........121
Fuel ............................................ 127
Trailer hitch ................................ 129
Auxiliary features .......................130Driving 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 3 108.
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.Starting and operating
New vehicle running-in
Do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys and after new
disc brake pads have been fitted.
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 the
vehicle battery.
Stop-start system 3 108.
Diesel particle filter 3 112.
Driving and operating107Ignition switch positionsSt=Ignition offA=Steering wheel lock released,ignition offM=Ignition on, for diesel engine:
preheatingD=StartingStarting the engine
Manual transmission: operate clutch.
Manual transmission automated:
operate brake; transmission
automatically shifts to N.
Do not accelerate.
Turn the key to position M for
preheating, until control indicator N
extinguishes from the Driver
Information Centre.
Turn key to position D and release.
The increased engine speed
automatically returns to normal idling
speed as the engine temperature
rises.
Start attempts should not last longer
than 15 seconds. If engine does not
start, wait 15 seconds before
repeating starting procedure. If
necessary, depress accelerator
before repeating starting procedure.
Before restarting or to switch off the
engine, turn key back to St.
During an Autostop, the engine can be started by depressing the clutch
pedal. Stop-start system 3 108.
110Driving and operating
If the selector lever is shifted out of
N before depressing the clutch first, a
restart will not take place.
Restart of the engine by the
stop-start system
The selector lever has to be in N 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. Control
indicator Ï will flash green in the
instrument cluster during an
automatic engine restart.
■ The stop-start system is manually deactivated
■ the engine temperature is too low ■ the vehicle battery is discharged
■ the brake vacuum is not sufficient
■ the vehicle starts to move
■ the defrosting function is activated
■ the climate control system requests
an engine start
■ the predetermined timing has been
exceededIf an electrical accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop
during restart might be noticeable.
If the Infotainment system is active,
audio sound may briefly be reduced
or broken during restart.
Warning chimes 3 84.
Fault
If control indicator Ï illuminates
yellow, there is a fault in the stop-start system 3 82. Seek the assistance of
a workshop.
Parking ■ Do not park the vehicle on an easily
ignitable surface. The high
temperature of the exhaust system
could ignite the surface.
■ Always apply parking brake without
pressing release button. Apply as
firmly as possible on a downhill or
uphill slopes. Operate the foot
brake at the same time to reduce
operating force.■ Switch off the engine and ignition. Turn the steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock engages.
■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or
uphill slope, engage first gear
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 before
switching off the ignition. Turn the
front wheels towards the kerb.
■ Lock the vehicle and activate the anti-theft locking and anti-theft
alarm systems.
Air suspension
Operates automatically when the
vehicle is driven. The air suspension
system constantly adjusts the ride
height according to the vehicle load.
For further information on the air
suspension system, refer to the
operating instructions supplied.
Driving and operating117
Laden mode kg
It is possible to use the Laden mode
in both manual and automatic
modes.In both cases, the gearshifting
patterns are adapted automatically
for carrying an increased payload.
Activation
Press the kg button.Control indicator
kg is shown in the transmission
display.The transmission will then
select optimized gearshift patterns.
Deactivation
The Laden mode is switched off by:
■ pressing the kg button again,
■ turning off the ignition.
Kickdown If the accelerator pedal is pressedpast the pressure point, the
transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed.Full
engine power is available for
acceleration.
If engine speed is too high the
transmission switches to a higher
gear, even in manual mode.Without
kickdown this automatic shift is not
effected in manual mode.
Fault In the event of a fault, control indicator
W is shown in the transmission
display. Continued driving is possible
provided the vehicle is driven with
care and anticipation.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.Interruption of power
supply The clutch is not disengaged if there
is an interruption of the power supply
when a gear is engaged. The vehicle
cannot move.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 160.
If the cause of the fault is not a discharged vehicle battery, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
If neutral cannot be selected, the
vehicle must only be towed with the drive wheels raised off the ground
3 162.
Towing the vehicle 3 162.
118Driving and operatingBrakes
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 you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force 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 79.
If the brake pads wear to a
predetermined point, the braking
system will require inspection. Seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Control indicator F 3 80.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.
Control indicator u 3 80.
Fault
If control indicators u and A
illuminate with the messages CHECK
ABS and CHECK ESP in the Driver
Information Centre, there is a fault in the ABS. The brake system remains
operational but without ABS
regulation.9 Warning
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.
If control indicators u, A , R and
C illuminate, the ABS and ESP are
deactivated and the message
BRAKING FAULT is shown in the
Driver Information Centre. Seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Driving and operating119Parking 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 79.
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.Ride control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction control system (TC) is a
component part of the Electronic
stability program (ESP® Plus
) which
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 as soon as the
ignition is switched on and control
indicator v extinguishes in the
instrument cluster.
When TC is active v flashes.
120Driving and operating9Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator v 3 80.
Deactivation
When spinning of the drive wheels is
required TC can be deactivated:
Press the v button. Control indicator
v illuminates in the instrument
cluster.
TC is reactivated by pressing the v
button again. Control indicator v
extinguishes in the instrument cluster. TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
When vehicle speed reaches
30 mph the TC function will be
restored automatically.
Electronic stability
program
The Electronic stability program
(ESP® Plus
) 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.ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
the ignition is switched on and control
indicator v extinguishes in the
instrument cluster.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action v
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 v 3 80.
Driving and operating121
Deactivation
When spinning of the drive wheels is
required ESP® Plus
can be
deactivated:
Press the v button. Control indicator
v illuminates in the instrument cluster
and the message ESP OFF appears
in the Driver Information Centre.
ESP® Plus
is reactivated by pressing
the v button again. Control indicator
v extinguishes in the instrument
cluster. ESP® Plus
is also reactivated
the next time the ignition is switched on.
When vehicle speed reaches
30 mph the ESP® Plus
function will be
restored automatically.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control
indicator A illuminates in the
instrument cluster and the message
CHECK ESP appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 83.Driver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of 20 mph and
above. Deviations from the stored speeds may occur when driving uphill or downhill.
For safety reasons the cruise control cannot be activated until the foot
brake has been operated once.