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
Switching off the engine
Important safety notes 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.
Vehicles with automatic transmission X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X With the key: turn the key to position 0in
the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobiliser is activated.
X With the Start/Stop button: press the
Start/Stop button (Y page 187).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this cor-
responds to key position 1. When the driv-
er's door is open, this corresponds to key
position 0: "key removed".
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position Ror D, the automatic
transmission shifts to Nautomatically.
With the key: if you then open the driver's
door or the front-passenger door or remove
the key from the ignition, the automatic trans- mission shifts to Pautomatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then
open the driver's door or the front-passenger
door, the automatic transmission shifts to P
automatically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing system: With the key:
X Switch the ignition on.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the key in
the ignition lock.
With the Start/Stop button:
X Switch the ignition on.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the key in
the ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off while the vehi-
cle is in motion by pressing and holding the
Start/Stop button for about three seconds.
This function operates independently of the
ECO start/stop automatic engine switch-off
function. Electric parking brake
General notes G
WARNING
If you leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle, they may be able to set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake
R shift the automatic transmission out of park
position P
R start the engine 220
ParkingDriving and parking
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle.
The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or if there is a malfunc-
tion in the system, it may not be possible to
apply the released parking brake.
X If this is the case, only park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it to prevent it from
rolling away.
X Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or if there is a malfunction in the system. Con-
tact a qualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake carries out a func-
tion check at regular intervals when the
engine is switched off. Noises that occur are
normal.
Applying or releasing manually X
To apply: push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is applied, the red !indicator lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the key is removed. X
To release: pull handle:.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
The electric parking brake can only be
released:
R when the key is in position 1or 2in the
ignition lock (Y page 187) or
R if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically The electric parking brake is automatically
applied when the transmission is in position
P
and:
R the engine is switched off or
R the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake from
being automatically applied, pull handle :.
The electric parking brake is also engaged
automatically if:
R DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
R the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle
stationary
R Active Parking Assist is keeping the vehicle
stationary
In addition, at least one of the following con-
ditions must be fulfilled:
R there is a system malfunction
R the power supply is insufficient
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red !indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
The electric parking brake is not automati-
cally applied if the engine is switched off by
the ECO start/stop function. Parking
221Driving and parking Z
steer the vehicle yourself to ensure that it
does not leave the lane.
The system may be impaired or may not func-
tion if:
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insuffi-
cient illumination of the road, or due to
snow, rain, fog or spray
R there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,
the sun or reflection from other vehicles
(e.g. if the road surface is wet)
R the windscreen is dirty, misted up, dam-
aged or covered, for instance by a sticker,
in the vicinity of the camera
R no or several, unclear lane markings are
present for one lane, e.g. in a construction
area
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
R the distance to the vehicle in front is too
small and the lane markings thus cannot be
detected
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g.
lanes branch off, cross one another or
merge
R the road is narrow and winding
R there are highly variable shade conditions
on the road
The system is switched to passive and no lon-
ger assists you by performing steering inter-
ventions if:
R you actively change lane
R you switch on the turn signal
R you take your hands off the steering wheel
or do not steer for a prolonged period of
time
i After you have finished changing lanes,
Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are auto-
matically active again. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot cannot
provide assistance:
R on very sharp corners
R when towing a trailer
R a loss of tyre pressure or a defective tyre
has been detected and displayed
Pay attention also to the important safety
notes for DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 236).
The steering interventions are carried out
with a limited steering moment. The system
requires the driver to keep his hands on the
steering wheel and to steer himself.
If you do not steer yourself or if you take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you
with a visual warning. A steering wheel sym-
bol appears in the multifunction display. If you have still not started to steer and have not
taken hold of the steering wheel after five
seconds at the latest, a warning tone also
sounds to remind you to take control of the
vehicle. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
switch to passive mode. DISTRONIC PLUS
remains active.
Activating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot X
Press button ;.
Indicator lamp :lights up. The DTR+: DTR+:
steering assist. on
steering assist. on message appears
in the multifunction display. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are activated. 246
Driving systemsDriving and parking
Information in the multifunction display
If Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are acti-
vated but not ready for a steering interven-
tion, steering wheel symbol :appears in
grey. If the system provides you with support
by means of steering interventions, sym-
bol :is shown in green.
Deactivating Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
X Press button ;.
Indicator lamp :goes out. The DTR+:
DTR+:
steering
steering assist.
assist.off
off message appears
in the multifunction display. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are deactivated.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated or not available, Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot
are deactivated automatically. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when manoeuvring on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancelled and the HOLD function is deactivated when you depress theaccelerator pedal to pull away. Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply
R the HOLD function is deactivated by the
accelerator pedal being depressed, e.g. by
a vehicle occupant
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
from rolling away.
! When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD
function is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations:
R when towing away
R in a car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function
(Y page 248).
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if all of
the following conditions are fulfilled:
R the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened
R the electric parking brake is released
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated Driving systems
247Driving and parking Z
Changing the set speed while the vehi-
cle is in motion When DSR is activated, you can change the
set speed to a value between 2 km/h and
18 km/h while the vehicle is in motion.
X To increase or reduce the set speed in
1 km/h increments: briefly press the
cruise control lever to the pressure point,
up : for a higher or down ;for a lower set
speed.
The set value appears in the status indica-
tor of the multifunction display. Off-road program
General notes The off-road programs are only available for
vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age.
Use the off-road program button to open the
Off-road menu in the Audio 20 or COMAND
Online. Depending on the off-road program
selected, the following vehicle characteristics
will change:
R the drive (engine and transmission man-
agement)
R the suspension (vehicles with AIR BODY
CONTROL)
R the steering
R the availability of the ECO start/stop func-
tion
You can choose between the pre-configured
off-road programs in the off-road menu. Up to five off-road programs are available, depend-
ing on the equipment level.
Available off-road programs: Slippery
Optimal driving character-
istics on slippery or snow-
covered roads Off-road
Optimal driving character-
istics for easily negotiable
off-road terrain Rocking free
Optimal driving character-
istics for off-road terrain
with raised vehicle level or
if vehicle is stuck Gradient
Optimal driving character-
istics for steep off-road
terrain Trailer
Optimal driving character-
istics for towing a trailer The
Rocking free off-road program is only
available for vehicles with AIR BODY CON-
TROL.
If the ignition is switched off for less than four
hours, the previously selected off-road pro-
gram is activated when the engine is next
started. If the ignition is switched off for more than four hours, the Comfortdrive program is
activated when the engine is next started.
Off-road programs Off-road program, Slippery
You can select the
Slipperyoff-road program
for snow or rain.
The Slippery off-road program has the fol-
lowing characteristics:
R the steering, drive, transmission and sus-
pension are adapted for comfort.
R the vehicle is adjusted to normal level (vehi-
cles with AIR BODY CONTROL).
R the ECO start/stop function is available
(Y page 191). 250
Driving systemsDriving and parking
:
Detected parking space on the left
; Parking symbol
= Detected parking space on the right
Active Parking Assist is activated automati-
cally when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately
35 km/h. While in operation, the system inde- pendently locates and measures parking
spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parkingspaces:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and are at least 1.5 m wide
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 1.0 mlonger than your vehicle
R that are at right angles to the direction of
travel and at least 1.0 m wider than your
vehicle
i Note that Active Parking Assist cannot
measure the size of a parking space if it is at
right angles to the direction of travel. You
will need to judge whether your vehicle will
fit in the parking space.
When driving at speeds below 30 km/h, you
will see parking symbol ;as a status indi-
cator in the instrument cluster. When a park- ing space has been detected, an arrow
towards the right or the left also appears.
Active Parking Assist only displays parking
spaces on the front-passenger side as stand-
ard. Parking spaces on the driver's side are
displayed as soon as the turn signal on the driver's side is activated. When parking on the
driver's side, this must remain activated untilyou confirm the use of Active Parking Assist
by pressing the abutton on the multi-
function steering wheel. The system auto-
matically determines whether the parking
space is parallel or at right angles to the direc-
tion of travel.
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are approx-
imately 15 m away from it.
Parking G
WARNING
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being
braked by Active Parking Assist it could roll
away if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
R the vehicle is accelerated, e.g. by a vehicle
occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always secure it
against rolling away.
i When PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically
during the parking process. You are respon-
sible for braking in good time.
X Stop the vehicle when the parking symbol
shows the desired parking space in the
instrument cluster.
X Shift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist?Yes: OKNo:
Start Park Assist?Yes: OKNo:
% message appears in the multifunction
display. Driving syste
ms
259Driving an d parking Z
position as it is manoeuvred into the park-
ing space.
R a manoeuvring distance of at least 1.0 m
must be available.
Active Parking Assist can only assist you with exiting a parking space if you have parked thevehicle parallel to the direction of travel using
Active Parking Assist.
i If PARKTRONIC detects obstacles, Active
Parking Assist brakes automatically whilst
the vehicle exits the parking space. You are responsible for braking in good time.
X Start the engine.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch on the turn signal in the direction
you are pulling away.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
The Start Park Assist?
Start Park Assist? Yes: OK Yes: OKNo:
No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or pull away.
or
X To exit a parking space using Active
Parking Assist: press theabutton on
the multifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate
Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake
and brake Observe surroundings Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
X Release the multifunction steering wheel.
X Pull away, being ready to brake at all times.
Do not exceed a maximum speed of
approximately 10 km/h when exiting a
parking space. Otherwise, Active Parking
Assist will be cancelled.
X Depending on the message or as required,
shift the transmission to position Dor R.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in the other direction. The Park Assist
Park Assist
active Accelerate and brake active Accelerate and brake
Observe Observe surroundings
surroundings message appears
in the multifunction display. i
You will achieve the best results by wait-
ing for the steering procedure to complete before pulling away.
If you reverse after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi- tion.
X Drive forwards and reverse as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com- pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and
the Park Assist switched off
Park Assist switched off message
appears in the multifunction display. You will
then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available. You
can take over the steering before the vehicle has exited the parking space completely. This
is useful, for example, when you recognise
that it is already possible to pull out of the
parking space.
Cancelling Active Parking Assist X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be cancelled at
once. The Park Assist cancelled
Park Assist cancelled mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or
X Press the PARKTRONIC button
(Y page 256).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately cancelled.
The Park Assist cancelled Park Assist cancelled message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is cancelled automati-
cally if:
R the electric parking brake is applied
R transmission position Pis selected
R parking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible Driving systems
261Driving and parking Z