144Driving and operating
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.
Engine braking To 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 out of position D
towards the left to select manual
mode M.
Tap selector lever
forwards <=shift to a higher gearbackwards ]=shift to a lower gear
The selected gear is indicated in the
instrument cluster.
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
Information Centre.
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.
■ When SPORT mode is engaged, the vehicle shifts at higher engine
speeds (unless cruise control is
on). SPORT mode 3 151.
■ Special programmes automatically adapt the shifting points when
driving up inclines or down hills.
146Driving and operatingManual transmission
To engage reverse, with the vehicle
stationary, depress clutch pedal,
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.
Upshift indication 3 91.
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 90.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.
166Driving and operating
Basic notes on parking assistsystems9 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 system 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 in the vicinity
(e.g. off-road vehicles, mini vans,
vans). Object identification and
correct distance indication in the
upper part of these vehicles
cannot be guaranteed.
Objects with a very small reflection
cross-section, e.g. objects of
narrow size or soft materials, may
not be detected by the system.
Parking assist systems do not
detect objects outside the
detection range.
Notice
The parking assist system can be
activated and deactivated by
changing the settings in the
Info-Display. If a trailer coupling is
attached, it must be selected in the
menu.
Vehicle personalisation 3 104.
Notice
The parking assist system
automatically detects factory-fitted
towing equipment. It is deactivated
when the connector is plugged in.
It is possible that the sensor detects
a non-existing object (echo
disturbance) caused by external acoustical or mechanic
disturbances.
Advanced parking assist system
may not respond to changes in the
parking space after initiating a
parallel parking manoeuvre.
Notice
After use the advanced parking
assist requires a calibration. For
optimal parking guidance, a driving
distance of at least 22 miles,
including a number of bends, is
required.
Side blind spot alert The Side blind spot alert system
detects and reports objects on either
side of the vehicle, within a specified
"blind spot" zone. The system alerts visually in each exterior mirror, when
detecting objects that may not be
visible in the interior and exterior
mirrors.
Driving and operating167
The system's sensors are located in
the bumper on the left and right side
of the vehicle.9 Warning
Side blind spot alert does not
replace driver vision.
The system does not detect: ■ Vehicles outside the side blind zones which may be rapidly
approaching.
■ Pedestrians, cyclists or animals.
Before changing a lane, always
check all mirrors, look over the
shoulder and use the turn signal.
When the system detects a vehicle in the side blind zone while driving
forward, either while passing a
vehicle or being passed, an amber warning symbol B will illuminate in
the relevant exterior mirror. If the
driver then activates the turn signal,
the warning symbol B starts flashing
amber as a warning not to change
lanes.
Notice
If the passing vehicle is at least
6 mph faster than the passed
vehicle, the warning symbol B in the
relevant exterior mirror will not
illuminate.
Side blind spot alert is active from
speeds of 6 mph up to 87 mph.
Driving faster than 87 mph
deactivates the system, indicated by
low lighting warning symbols B in
both exterior mirrors. Reducing the speed again will extinguish the
warning symbols. If a vehicle is then
detected in the blind zone, the
warning symbols B will illuminate as
normal on the relevant side.
When the vehicle is started, both exterior mirror displays will briefly
come on to indicate that the system is operating.
The system can be activated or
deactivated in the menu Settings in
the Info-Display, vehicle
personalisation 3 104.
Deactivation is indicated by a
message in the Driver Information
Centre (DIC).
Detection zones
The system sensor covers a zone of
approx. 3 metres on both sides of the
vehicle. This zone starts at each
exterior mirror and extends rearwards by approx. 3 metres. The height of the zone is approx. between 0.5 metres
and 2 metres off the ground.
The system is deactivated if the
vehicle is towing a trailer.
170Driving and operating
Deactivation
The camera is deactivated when a
certain forward speed is exceeded or if reverse gear is not engaged for
approx. 10 seconds.
Activation or deactivation of the rear
view camera can be changed in the
Settings menu in the Info-Display.
Vehicle personalisation 3 104.
Fault
Fault messages are displayed with a 9 on the top line of the Info-Display.
The rear view camera may not
operate properly when:
■ The surrounding area is dark.
■ The sun or the beam of headlights is shining directly into the camera
lens.
■ Ice, snow, mud, or anything else covers the camera lens. Clean the
lens, rinse it with water, and wipe it
with a soft cloth.
■ The vehicle had a rear-end accident.
■ There are extreme temperature changes.Traffic sign assistant
Functionality The traffic sign assistant system
detects designated traffic signs via a
front camera and displays them in the
Driver Information Centre (DIC).
Traffic signs, which will be detected,
are:
Limit and no passing signs ■ speed limit
■ no passing
■ end of speed limit
■ end of no passingRoad signs
Beginning and end of:
■ motorways
■ A-roads
■ play streetsAdd on signs ■ additional hints to traffic signs
■ restriction of trailer towing
■ tractor constraints
■ wet warning
■ ice warning
■ direction arrows
Speed limit signs and no passing
signs are displayed in the DIC until
the next speed limit sign or end of
speed limit is detected or up to a
defined sign timeout.
Driving and operating177
Vehicles with misfuel inhibitor9Warning
Do not try to open the flap of the
fuel filler neck manually on
vehicles with misfuel inhibitor.
Disregarding this could lead to
trapping of the fingers.
Vehicles with a selective catalytic
reduction system are equipped with a
misfuel inhibitor.
The misfuel inhibitor ensures that the flap of the fuel filler neck can only be
opened by using a nozzle for diesel
fuel or a funnel for emergency
refilling.
Turn the fuel filler cap slowly anti-
clockwise.
The cap can be retained in the
bracket on the fuel filler flap.
Place the nozzle in straight position to
the filler neck and press with slight
force to insert.
In case of an emergency refilling with a canister, a funnel must be used to
open the cap of the filler neck.The funnel is located in the load
compartment.
Place the funnel in straight position to the filler neck and press with slight
force to insert.
Use the funnel to fill in the diesel fuel
into the filler neck.
After topping-up, put the funnel into
the plastic bag and stow it in the storage compartment.
Selective catalytic reduction system
3 140.
Fuel filler cap
Only use genuine fuel filler caps.
Diesel-engined vehicles have special fuel filler caps.
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions
The fuel consumption (combined) is
within a range of 39 to 54 mpg.
The CO 2 emission (combined) is
within a range of 172 to 138 g/km.
178Driving and operating
For the values specific to your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
General information The official fuel consumption and
specific CO 2 emission figures quoted
relate to the EU base model with
standard equipment.
Fuel consumption data and CO 2
emission data are determined
according to regulation
R (EC) No. 715/2007 (in the latest
applicable version), taking into
consideration the vehicle weight in
running order, as specified by the
regulation.
The figures are provided only for the
purpose of comparison between
different vehicle variants and must
not be taken as a guarantee for the
actual fuel consumption of a
particular vehicle. Additional
equipment may result in slightly
higher results than the stated
consumption and CO 2 figures.Furthermore, fuel consumption is
dependent on personal driving style
as well as road and traffic conditions.Trailer hitch
General information Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
The bulb outage detection function for
trailer brake light cannot detect a
partial bulb outage, e.g. in case of 4 x
5 Watt bulbs, the function only detects
lamp outage when only a single
5 Watt lamp remains or none remain.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball
bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle.
Driving and operating179Driving characteristics and
towing tips Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the coupling ball, is being used to reduce snaking movements.
For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1200 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 50 mph.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 242.Trailer towing
Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 %.
The permitted trailer load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea
level. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10 %
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than
8 %, e.g. motorways).The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 231.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load (75 kg) is specified on
the towing equipment identification
plate and in the vehicle documents.
Always aim for the maximum load,
especially in the case of heavy
trailers. The vertical coupling load
should never fall below 25 kg.