Driving and operating111
Master switchCaution
The air suspension system must
be switched off when the vehicle is being towed, jump‐started, raised
off the ground or transported.
Do not switch off the air
suspension system when driving.
The master switch is located on the
door pillar.
Remote control
When increased ground clearance or
improved vehicle access is required,the suspension can be raised or
lowered using the remote control.
The remote control unit is magnetic
and can be fixed to any metal part of
the vehicle.
With the ignition switched on, press
the appropriate button for 2 seconds
to adjust the suspension height.
Indicator light will flash intermittently
while height adjustment is in progress
and illuminates when complete.
Handle with care, protect from
moisture and high temperatures and
avoid unnecessary operation.
Pre-programmed settings Adjusts the suspension height to oneof three pre-programmed positions.
The buttons are only functional when
the engine is running.l=lowered positionk=normal positionj=raised position
Manual settings
Manual adjustment can only be
performed when the vehicle is
stationary.
Select by pressing button h for 2
seconds, then button R to raise, or
button S to lower.
To exit, press any of the pre-
programmed buttons.
When the vehicle is moving, manual
adjustment will exit automatically. If
the ignition is switched off, the vehicle
will return to normal ride height when
the ignition is switched back on.
116Driving and operating
Rocking the vehicleRocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, snow or a hole.Move the
selector lever between R and A/M (or
between + and -) in a repeat pattern,
while applying light pressure to the
accelerator pedal.Do not race the
engine and avoid sudden
acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake.The most recently engaged gear (see
transmission display) remains
engaged.With N, no gear is engaged.
When the ignition is switched off, the
transmission no longer responds to
movement of the selector lever.
If the ignition is not switched off, or the
parking brake has not been applied, a warning chime will sound upon
opening the driver's door.
Manual mode If a higher gear is selected when the
engine speed is too low, or a lower
gear when the speed is too high, theshift is not executed. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or
too high an engine speed.
If engine speed is too low, the
transmission automatically shifts to a
lower gear.
If engine speed is too high, the
transmission only switches to a higher gear via kickdown.
Electronic driving
programmes
Winter mode VActivate the Winter mode if you have
problems starting off on a slippery
road surface.
Activation
Press the V button.Control indicator
V is shown in the transmission
display.The transmission switches to
automatic mode and the vehicle
starts off in a suitable gear.
Deactivation
The Winter mode is switched off by:
■ pressing the V button again,
■ turning off the ignition,
■ switching to manual mode.
In order to protect the transmission at extremely high clutch temperatures,
an intermittent audible warning may
sound.In such cases, depress the
foot brake, select "N" and apply the
parking brake to allow the clutch to
cool down.
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.
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.
122Driving and operating
Do not use the cruise control if it is notadvisable to maintain a constant
speed.
With manual transmission
automated, only activate cruise
control in automatic mode.
Control indicators m and U 3 82.
Activation
Press switch m, control indicator U
illuminates green in the instrument
cluster.
Cruise control is now in standby mode
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre.
Accelerate to the desired speed and
press switch < or ]. The current
speed is now stored and maintained
and the accelerator pedal can be released.
Control indicator m illuminates green
in the instrument cluster together with
U and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal. The stored speed flashes in the
instrument cluster. When the
accelerator pedal is released, the previously stored speed is resumed.
Cruise control remains activated
while gearshifting.
The speed is saved until the ignition
is switched off.
Driving and operating125
closer to the obstacle. When the
distance is less than 1 ft, the buzzer
is continuous.9 Warning
Under certain circumstances,
various reflective surfaces on
objects or clothing as well as
external noise sources may cause the system to fail to detect
obstacles.
Special attention must be paid to
low obstacles which can damage
the lower part of the bumper.
Caution
Performance of the sensor can be reduced when sensors are
covered, e.g. by ice or snow.
Performance of the parking assist
system can be reduced due to
heavy loading.
Special conditions apply if there
are taller vehicles involved (e.g.
off-road vehicles, mini vans,
vans). Object identification in the
upper part of these vehicles
cannot be guaranteed.
Objects with a very small reflection
cross section, like objects of
narrow size or soft materials, may
not be detected by the system.
Parking assist will not detect
objects out of the detection range.
Deactivation
It is possible to deactivate or
temporarily deactivate the system.
Temporary deactivation
Temporarily deactivate the system by
pressing the r button on the
instrument panel with the ignition on
and reverse gear engaged. Control
indicator in the button illuminates.
When reverse gear is selected no
acoustic signal will sound, indicating
deactivation.
The function is reactivated by
pressing button r again or the next
time the ignition is switched on.
Permanent deactivation
Permanently deactivate the system
by pressing and holding the r
button on the instrument panel for
approx. 3 seconds with the ignition on and reverse gear engaged. Control
indicator in the button illuminates
continuously.
The system is deactivated and will not operate. When reverse gear is
selected no acoustic signal will
sound, indicating deactivation.
The function is reactivated by
pressing and holding button r for
approx. 3 seconds.