X
To start a diesel engine : turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock (Y page 187).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X Turn the key to position 3in the ignition
lock and release it as soon as the engine is running (Y page 187).
i Vehicles with a diesel engine:
you can
start the engine without preglow if the
engine is warm.
If the engine will not start:
X Remove the key from the ignition lock.
X Reinsert the key into the ignition lock after
waiting for a short period.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 187).
The indicator lamps in the instrument clus- ter light up (Y page 375).
X Turn the key to position 3in the ignition
lock (Y page 187 )and release it as soon as
the engine is running.
Starting procedure using the Start/
Stop button The Start/Stop button is only available on
vehicles with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-
GO start function.
The Start/Stop button can be used to start
the vehicle manually without inserting the key
into the ignition lock. The key must be in the
vehicle and the Start/Stop button must be
inserted in the ignition lock. This mode for
starting the engine operates independently of
the ECO start/stop automatic engine start
function.
You can start the engine if a valid key is in the vehicle. Switch off the engine and always take
the key with you when leaving the vehicle,
even if you only leave it for a short time. Pay
attention to the important safety notes. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Press the Start/Stop button once
(Y page 187).
Vehicles with a petrol engine: the engine
starts.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: preglow is
activated and the engine starts. Pulling away
General 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.
Depress the accelerator carefully when pull-
ing away.
The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at any
time.
You can also deactivate the automatic locking feature, see the Digital Owner's Manual.
It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position Pto the desired position if you
depress the brake pedal. Only then is the
parking lock released. If you do not depress
the brake pedal, the DIRECT SELECT lever can still be moved but the parking lock remains
engaged.
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Information on automatically releasing the
electrical parking brake (Y page 220).190
DrivingDriving an
d parking
Pulling away with a trailer
To ensure that you do not roll backwards
when pulling away on an uphill slope, apply
the electric parking brake.
X Press and hold handle :.
The electric parking brake continues to
brake and prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster remains lit.
X Depress the accelerator pedal.
X As soon as the vehicle/trailer combination
is held by the driving force of the engine,
release lever :.
the electric parking brake is released
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
For further information on the electric parking
brake, see (Y page 220).
Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It
holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. G
WARNING
After a while, hill start assist no longer holds
the vehicle and it may roll away. There is a risk of an accident and injury. Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if: R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient
R the transmission is in position N
R the electric parking brake is applied
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning ECO start / stop function (all vehicles
except PLUG‑ IN HYBRID)
Introduction This section describes the ECO start/stop
function for all vehicles except PLUG-IN
HYBRID vehicles. Information on the ECO
start/stop function in PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles (Y
page 298).
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop- ped under certain conditions.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically. The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving. There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away. Driving
191Driving and parking Z
General notes
:
ECO start/stop display
The ECO start/stop function is activated
whenever you start the engine using the key
or the Start/Stop button.
If the è ECO symbol is shown in green in
the multifunction display, the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off automati-
cally once the vehicle stops moving.
If the ECO start/stop function has been man-
ually deactivated (Y page 193) or a malfunc-
tion has caused the system to be deactivated, the è ECO symbol is not displayed.
Automatic engine switch-off If the vehicle is braked to a standstill with the
transmission in Dor N, the ECO start/stop
function switches off the engine automati-
cally.
The ECO start/stop function is operational
and the èECO symbol is displayed in
green in the multifunction display, if:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green
R the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached
R the battery is sufficiently charged
R the system detects that the windscreen is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on
R the bonnet is closed
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are met, the
èECO symbol is
shown in yellow.
All of the vehicle's systems remain active
when the engine is switched off automati-
cally.
The HOLD function can also be activated if the engine has been switched off automatically. Itis then not necessary to continue applying the
brakes during the automatic stop phase.
When you depress the accelerator pedal, the engine starts automatically and the braking
effect of the HOLD function is deactivated.
The engine can be switched off automatically
a maximum of four times (initial stop, then
three subsequent stops) in succession. The
è ECO symbol is shown in yellow in the
multifunction display after the engine has
been started automatically for the fourth
time. When the èECO symbol is shown in
green in the multifunction display, automatic engine switch-off is again possible.
Automatic engine start The engine is started automatically if:
R
you switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button
R you switch to drive program S+
R in transmission position Dor N, the brake
pedal is released and the HOLD function is not active
R you depress the accelerator pedal
R you engage reverse gear R
R you move the transmission out of position
P
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door
R the vehicle starts to roll
R the brake system requires this
R the temperature in the vehicle interior devi-
ates from the set range 192
DrivingDriving and parking
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
i
Neutral
h Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to
its original position. The current transmission
position P,R, Nor Dappears in the transmis-
sion position display in the multifunction dis- play (Y page 198).
Engaging park position P !
If the engine speed is too high, do not shift
the automatic transmission directly from D
to R, from Rto Dor directly to P. Otherwise,
the automatic transmission could be dam-
aged. j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-
tion of arrow P.
Engaging park position P automatically Park position
Pis automatically engaged if:
R you switch off the engine using the key and
remove the key
R you switch off the engine using the key or
using the Start/Stop button and open the
driver's door or front-passenger door
R you open the driver's door when the vehicle
is stationary or when driving at a very low speed and the transmission is in position
D
or R
Under certain conditions, the automatic
transmission shifts automatically to transmis-
sion position Pif the HOLD function or
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Observe the
information on the HOLD function
(Y page 248) and on DISTRONIC PLUS
(Y page 240).
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary.
X If the transmission is in position Dor N:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up past the first point of
resistance.
The ECO start/stop function is not available
when reverse gear is engaged. Further infor-
mation on the ECO start/stop function
(Y page 192).
Shifting to neutral N G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they can:
R open doors and endanger other persons or
road users
R climb out and be injured by the traffic
R operate vehicle equipment and, for exam-
ple, trap themselves.
Children could also set the vehicle in motion, for example by:
R releasing the parking brake
R shifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P
R starting the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury. Automatic transmission
197Driving and parking
Z
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle. Always
keep the key out of reach of children.
X If the transmission is in position Dor R:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down
to the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever up or down to the first point of resistance.
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 Remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
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.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position Ror N:
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past
the first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT
SELECT lever down past the first point of
resistance. Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
The current transmission position and drive
program appear in the multifunction display. :
Status icon, drive program
; Transmission position
= Gear
The arrows in the transmission position dis-
play show how and into which transmission
positions you can shift using the DIRECT
SELECT lever.
If the transmission position display in the mul-
tifunction display is not working, you should
pull away carefully to check whether the
desired transmission position is engaged.
Ideally, you should select transmission posi-
tion Dand drive program Eor S. 198
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking
Transmission positions
B Park position
This prevents the vehicle from roll-
ing away when stopped.
Only shift the transmission into
position Pwhen the vehicle is sta-
tionary (Y page 197). The parking
lock should not be used as a brake when parking. In order to secure
the vehicle, always apply the elec-
tric parking brake in addition to the
parking lock.
Park position Pis automatically
engaged if:
R you switch off the engine using
the key and remove the key
R you switch off the engine using
the key or using the Start/Stop
button and open the driver's
door or front-passenger door
R you open the driver's door when
the vehicle is stationary or driv-
ing at very low speed and the
transmission is in position Dor R
In the event of a malfunction of the
vehicle's electronics, the transmis- sion may lock in position P. Have
the vehicle electronics checked
immediately at a qualified special-
ist workshop. C Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission into
position
Rwhen the vehicle is sta-
tionary. A Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brake pedal will allow
you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
shift the transmission to position N
if the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding, e.g. on icy roads.
If you switch the engine off with the transmission in position Ror D, the
automatic transmission shifts to N
automatically.
! Rolling in neutral
Ncan lead to
damage to the transmission. 7 Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available. Driving tips
Changing gear The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D. Gearshifting is deter-
mined by:
R the selected drive program
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts Automatic transmission
199Driving 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