
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. The coolant tempera-
ture display is showing
more than 120 †. A
display message may
also appear in the mul-
tifunction display and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 417). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic. DYNAMIC SELECT switch
This section describes the DYNAMIC SELECT
switch for all vehicles, except PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles. Information on the
DYNAMIC SELECT switch on PLUG ‑IN
HYBRID vehicles (Y page 295).
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to change
the drive program. Depending on the drive
program selected, the following vehicle char- acteristics will change:
R the drive (engine and transmission man-
agement)
R the suspension
R the steering R
the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion
R the climate control
- the climate control settings
- the rear window heating operation period
- the performance of the seat heating
If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected drive program
is activated when the engine is next started. If the ignition is switched off for more than fourhours, drive program Cis activated when the
engine is next started. DYNAMIC SELECT switch
195Driving and parking Z

X
Push DYNAMIC SELECT switch :up or
down until the desired drive program is
selected.
The status icon of the selected drive pro-
gram is shown in the multifunction display.
In addition, the current drive program set-
tings are displayed briefly in the Audio 20 or COMAND Online display.
i In a few countries, the ECO start/stop
function is deactivated at the factory due to the quality of the available fuel. In this case,
the ECO start/stop function is not available in any drive program, regardless of the dis-
play in the Audio 20 or COMAND Online
display.
Available drive programs: I
Individual Individual settings
S+
Sport Plus Particularly sporty driving
characteristics
S
Sport Sporty driving character-
istics
C
Comfort Comfortable and econom-
ical driving characteristics E
Economy Particularly economical
driving characteristics
Additional information for drive programs
(Y page 200).
You can also change gear yourself using the
steering wheel gearshift paddles. Further
information on the manual drive program
(Y page 201). Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering
package:
information on the off-road pro-
grams (Y page 250). Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate. G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Observe the important safety notes for PLUG-
IN HYBRID vehicles (Y page 44). DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of transmission positions j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear 196
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Double-clutch function
When shifting down, the double-clutch func-
tion is active regardless of the currently selec-
ted drive program. The double-clutch function reduces load change reactions and is condu-cive to a sporty driving style. The sound gen-
erated by the double-clutch function depends
on the drive program selected.
Kickdown Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Rocking the vehicle free Rocking the vehicle free by shifting the trans-
mission repeatedly between transmission
positions Dand Rmay help to free the vehicle
if it has become stuck in mud or snow.
The vehicle's engine management restricts
repeated shifting between transmission posi- tions Dand Rup to a maximum speed of
9 km/h.
To shift back and forth between transmission
positions Dand R, move the DIRECT SELECT
lever up and down past the point of resist-
ance.
Towing a trailer Towing a trailer is not possible with all mod-
els. For further information, see
(Y page 303).
X Drive in the middle of the engine speed
range on uphill gradients.
X Manual shifting: depending on the uphill
or downhill gradient, shift into a gear
(Y page 201) in which the engine will run in
the middle of the engine speed range. This also applies if cruise control,
DISTRONIC PLUS or SPEEDTRONIC are
activated. Drive programs
Drive program I (Individual) In drive program
Ithe following properties of
the drive program can be selected:
R the drive (engine and transmission man-
agement)
R the suspension
R the steering
R the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion
R the climate control
i To permanently select the gears in drive
program Iusing the steering wheel pad-
dles, select the M(manual) setting for the
drive.
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus) Drive program
S+is characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driv-
ing characteristics.
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later.
R As a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-sibly being higher.
R the suspension exhibits particularly stiff
springing and damping settings (vehicles
with AIR BODY CONTROL)
R the ECO start/stop function is not availa-
ble. 200
Automatic transmissionDriving and pa
rking

Drive program S (Sport)
Drive program
Sis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle exhibits sporty driving charac-
teristics.
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later.
R As a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos- sibly being higher.
R the suspension exhibits stiff springing and
damping settings (vehicles with
AIR BODY CONTROL).
Drive program C (Comfort) Drive program
Cis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-
cal driving characteristics.
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
R the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low
engine speed range and the wheels are less likely to spin.
Drive program E (Economy) Drive program
Eis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R the vehicle exhibits comfortable, economi-
cal driving characteristics.
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears unless the accel-
erator pedal is depressed fully.
R the vehicle having improved driving stabil-
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low
engine speed range and the wheels are less
likely to spin.
R during deceleration, the engine is discon-
nected from the drive train. The vehicle
uses kinetic energy and consumes less fuel
(overrun mode).
R the performance of the air-conditioning and
heating systems is reduced. Manual gearshifting
General notes You can change gear yourself using the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles. The transmissionmust be in position D.
Depending on which gearshift paddle is
pulled, the automatic transmission immedi-
ately shifts into the next gear up or down, if
permitted.
If you activate manual gearshifting, the mul-
tifunction display will show the current gear
instead of transmission position D.
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the
gears will be selected automatically.
Temporary setting X
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever
to position D.
X Pull steering wheel gearshift paddle :
or ;. Automatic transmission
201Driving and parking Z

Problems with the transmission
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. Problems with PLUG-IN HYBRID operation (Y
page 301).Transfer case
This section only applies to vehicles with all-
wheel drive (4MATIC). The front and rear
axles are constantly driven.
! Performance tests may only be carried
out on a two-axle roller dynamometer. Oth-
erwise, the braking system or the transfer
case could be damaged. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop for more information
on performance tests.
! Since ESP ®
engages automatically, the
ignition must be switched off (the key or
Start/Stop button must be in position 0or
1) if:
R the electric parking brake is being tested
using a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is being towed with only one
axle raised (not permitted for vehicles
with 4MATIC).
The brake system could otherwise be dam-
aged. !
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed
with the front or rear axle raised; otherwise,
the transmission may be damaged. Refuelling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-
sion.
You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before refuelling. G
WARNING
Fuels are poisonous and hazardous to health. There is a danger of injury.
Do not swallow fuel or let it come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale fuel Refuelling
203Driving and parking
Z

vapours. Keep fuels out of the reach of chil-
dren.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash the fuel off any affected areas of skin
with water and soap immediately.
R If you get fuel in your eyes, rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water immediately. Seek
immediate medical attention.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek immediate medi-
cal attention. Do not induce vomiting.
R Change any clothing that has come into
contact with fuel immediately. G
WARNING
Electrostatic charge can cause sparks and
thereby ignite fuel vapours. There is a risk of
fire and explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. This discharges any electrostatic
charge that may have built up.
Do not get into the vehicle again during the
refuelling process. Otherwise, electrostatic
charge could build up again. G
WARNING
Vehicles with a diesel engine:
If you mix diesel fuel with petrol, the flash
point of this fuel mixture is lower than that of pure diesel fuel. When the engine is running,
components in the exhaust system may over-
heat unnoticed. There is a risk of fire.
Never refuel with petrol. Never add petrol to
diesel fuel.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
petrol engine. Do not switch on the ignition if you accidentally refuel with the wrong
fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel
system. Even small amounts of the wrong
fuel can result in damage to the fuel system
and the engine. Notify a qualified specialist
workshop and have the fuel tank and fuel
lines drained completely. !
Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a
diesel engine. Do not switch on the ignition if you accidentally refuel with the wrong
fuel. Otherwise, fuel can enter the fuel sys-tem. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel
could result in damage to the fuel system
and the engine. The repair costs are high.
Notify a qualified specialist workshop and
have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel
can. The fuel lines and/or the fuel injection
system could otherwise be blocked by par- ticles from the fuel can.
If you overfill the fuel tank, some fuel may
spray out when you remove the fuel pump
nozzle.
Further information on fuel and fuel quality
(Y page 480). Refuelling
General notes Observe the important safety notes
(Y
page 203).
If you unlock/lock the vehicle from the out-
side, the fuel filler flap also unlocks/locks.
The position of the 8fuel filler cap is dis-
played in the instrument cluster. The arrow
next to the filling pump indicates the side of
the vehicle. 204
RefuellingDriving and parking

Opening the fuel filler flap
:
To open the fuel filler flap
; To insert the fuel filler cap
= Tyre pressure table
? Instruction label on the fuel type to be
refuelled
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start func-
tion or KEYLESS‑ GO:
X Open the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status
0. This is the same as the key having been
removed.
X Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow :.
The fuel filler flap swings up.
X Turn the fuel filler cap anti-clockwise and
remove it.
X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder on
the inside of fuel filler flap ;.
X Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place
and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
Do not add any more fuel after the pump
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise, fuel
may leak out.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: the filler neck is designed for refuelling at diesel filling pumps. Closing the fuel filler flap X
Replace the cap on the filler neck and turn
clockwise until it engages audibly.
X Close the fuel filler flap.
Close the fuel filler flap before locking the
vehicle. Refuelling
205Driving and parking Z

Problems with the fuel and fuel tank
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle. G
WARNING
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
There is a risk of fire or explosion.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
or, on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start function or KEYLESS ‑GO:
X Open the driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status 0. This is the same as
the key having been removed.
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start. The fuel tank of a vehicle with a diesel engine has been run com-
pletely dry.
X Refuel the vehicle with at least 5 litres of diesel.
X Turn the ignition on for approximately ten seconds
(Y page 187).
X Start the engine continuously for a maximum of ten seconds
until it runs smoothly.
If the engine does not start:
X Turn the ignition on again a maximum of ten seconds
(Y page 187).
X Start the engine again continuously for a maximum of ten sec-
onds until it runs smoothly.
If the engine does not start after three attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap can-
not be opened. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
X Unlock the vehicle (Y page 95). The key battery is discharged or nearly discharged.
X Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 97). The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is jam-
med.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 206
RefuellingDriving and parking