
144Climate control
■Automatic mode  AUTO
■ Cooling  A/C
■ Air recirculation  4
■ Demisting and defrosting  V
■ System ON/OFF  X
■ Dual zone temperature
synchronisation  SYNC
Heated rear window  Ü 3  41.
Heated front seats  ß 3  52.
Ventilated front seats  A 3  53.
Heated steering wheel  * 3  86.
IndicationTemperature settings are indicated
for driver and passenger side
separately on the panels.
Each change of settings is shown in
the Info-Display for a few seconds.
The dual automatic climate control
system is only fully operational when
the engine is running.
Climate control system settings are
saved in the key used to lock the vehicle.
Automatic mode AUTOBasic setting for maximum comfort: ■ Press  AUTO, the air distribution
and fan speed are regulated
automatically. Activation is
indicated by the LED in the button.
■ Press  A/C to switch on optimal
cooling and demisting. Activation is indicated by the LED in the button.
■ Set temperature by touching  R or
S  on the driver side. Suggested
comfort setting is 22 °C.
Temperature can be set differently
for driver and passenger. Touch  R
or  S on the passenger side to allow
different temperature zones.
■ Open all air vents to allow optimised air distribution in
automatic mode.
Setting of fan speed regulation in
automatic mode can be changed in the vehicle personalisation menu in
the Colour-Info-Display.
Select the relevant setting in  Settings,
I  Vehicle , in the Colour-Info-Display.
Colour-Info-Display  3 117.
Vehicle personalisation  3 121. 

150Climate control
Active carbon filterIn addition to the particle filter, the
active carbon filter reduces odours.
Filter replacement must be carried out
during a regular service.
Air conditioning regular
operation In order to ensure continuously
efficient performance, it is
recommended that air coditioning
should be operated for a few minutes once a month, irrespective of the
weather and time of year.
Service For optimal cooling performance, it is
recommended to annually check the
climate control system, starting
three years after initial vehicle
registration, including:
■ Functionality and pressure test
■ Heating functionality
■ Leakage check
■ Check of drive belts■ Cleaning of condenser and evaporator drainage
■ Performance check 

Driving and operating151Driving and operatingDriving hints............................... 151
Starting and operating ...............152
Engine exhaust .......................... 159
Automatic transmission .............. 160
Manual transmission ..................164
Drive systems ............................ 165
Brakes ........................................ 165
Ride control systems .................168
Driver assistance systems .........173
Fuel ............................................ 204
Trailer hitch ................................ 211Driving hints
Control of the vehicleNever coast with engine not
running (except during Autostop)
Many systems will not function in this
situation (e.g. brake servo unit, power steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. All
systems function during an Autostop,
but there will be a controlled reduction
in power steering assist and vehicle
speed is reduced.
Stop-start system  3 156.
Pedals
To ensure the pedal travel is
uninhibited, there must be no mats in the area of the pedals.Steering
If power steering assist is lost
because the engine stops or due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered but may require increased
effort.
Control indicator  c 3  106.Caution
Vehicles equipped with hydraulic
power steering:
If the steering wheel is turned until it reaches the end of its travel, and
is held in that position for more
than 15 seconds, damage may occur to the power steering
system and there may be loss of
power steering assist. 

Driving and operating153
Ignition on power mode: press and
hold  Engine Start/Stop  button for
6 seconds without operating clutch or brake pedal. The green LED in the
button illuminates, diesel engine is
preheating. Control indicators light up
and the most electrical functions are
operable.
Engine start:  operate clutch pedal
(manual transmission) or brake pedal (automatic transmission) and press
Engine Start/Stop  button once more.
Release button after starting
procedure begins.
Ignition off:  press Engine Start/Stop
button briefly in each mode or when
engine is running. Some functions
remain active until driver's door is
opened, if ignition was on before.
Steering wheel lock
The steering wheel lock activates
automatically when:
■ the vehicle is stationary and
■ the ignition has been switched off and
■ the driver's door is opened.To release steering wheel lock, open
and close driver's door and switch on accessory mode or start the engine
directly.9 Warning
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
the vehicle must not be towed,
tow-started or jump-started as the
steering wheel lock cannot be
disengaged.
Emergency operation on
vehicles with electronic key
system
If either the electronic key fails or the
battery of the electronic key is weak,
the Driver Information Centre may
display  No Remote Detected  or
Replace Battery in Remote Key  when
you try to start the vehicle.Open the centre console storage area by lifting up the armrest. Place the
electronic key in the transmitter
pocket. Depress the clutch pedal
(manual transmission) or the brake
pedal (automatic transmission) and
press the  Engine Start/Stop  button.
To switch off the engine, press the Engine Start/Stop  button again.
Remove the electronic key from the
transmitter pocket.
This option is intended for
emergencies only. Replace the
electronic key battery as soon as
possible  3 21. 

156Driving and operatingStop-start systemThe stop-start system helps to save
fuel and to reduce the exhaust
emissions. When conditions allow, it
switches off the engine as soon as the
vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill, e.g. at a traffic light or in a
traffic jam. It starts the engine
automatically as soon as the clutch is depressed. A battery sensor ensures
that an Autostop is only performed if
the vehicle battery is sufficiently
charged for a restart.
Activation
The stop-start system is available as
soon as the engine is started, the
vehicle starts-off and the conditions
as stated below in this section are
fulfilled.Deactivation
Deactivate the stop-start system
manually by pressing the  eco button.
The deactivation is indicated when
the LED in the button extinguishes.
Autostop
If the vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill, activate an Autostop as
follows:
■ Depress the clutch pedal
■ set the lever to neutral
■ release the clutch pedal
The engine will be switched off while
the ignition stays on.
An Autostop is indicated by the
needle at the  AUTOSTOP position in
the tachometer. On some versions a
control indicator in the instrument
cluster lights up when engine is in Autostop.
During an Autostop, the heating and
brake performance will be
maintained. 

158Driving and operating
■ The stop-start system is manuallydeactivated
■ the bonnet is opened
■ the driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door is opened
■ the engine temperature is too low
■ the charging level of the vehicle battery is below a defined level
■ the brake vacuum is not sufficient
■ the vehicle is driven at least at walking speed
■ the climate control system requests
an engine start
■ the air conditioning is manually switched on
If the bonnet is not fully closed, a
warning message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre.
If an electrical accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop during the restart might be noticeable.Parking
■ Do not park the vehicle on an easily
ignitable surface. The high
temperature of the exhaust system
could ignite the surface.
■ Always apply parking brake. Pull electric parking brake switch
m  for approx. one second.
Apply manual parking brake
without pressing release button.
Apply as firmly as possible on
downhill or uphill slopes. Depress the foot brake at the same time to
reduce operating force.
■ Switch off the engine and ignition. Turn the steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock engages.
■ If the vehicle is on a level surface or
uphill slope, engage first gear or set
the selector lever to  P before
switching off the ignition. On an
uphill slope, turn the front wheels
away from the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill slope, engage reverse gear or set theselector lever to  P before switchingoff the ignition. Turn the front
wheels towards the kerb.
■ Lock the vehicle and activate the anti-theft alarm system.
Notice
In the event of an accident with
airbag deployment, the engine is
turned off automatically if the vehicle comes to a standstill within a certain
time. 

162Driving and operating
Tap selector leverforwards=shift to a higher gearbackwards=shift to a lower gear.
The selected gear is indicated in theinstrument cluster.
Steering wheel paddles
Move selector lever out of position  D
towards the left to select manual
mode.
Pull steering wheel paddles to select
gears manually
right
paddle  <=pull briefly to shift
one gear upleft
paddle  ]=pull briefly to shift one
gear down, multiple
pulls allows gears to be
skipped.
The selected gear is indicated in the instrument cluster.
Temporary manual mode in drive
mode D
Manual paddle shifting is also
possible in automatic mode  D. Upon
completion of manual shifting operation, transmission changes to
automatic mode  D after a defined
time.
To interrupt manual mode: ■ press  < paddle for 1 second, or
■ move selector lever towards the left
to manual mode and back to
position  D.
If the vehicle is at a standstill and
engine is idling, the transmission will
remain in temporary manual mode. It
changes to automatic mode when
accelerator pedal is operated for a
defined time and no paddle shifting at
the steering wheel is performed.
General
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 increasesengine 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  3 170. 

166Driving and operating
Fault9Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Manual parking 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  105.
Electric parking brake
Applying when vehicle is stationary
Pull switch  m for approx.
one second, the electric parking
brake operates automatically with an adequate force. For maximum force,
e.g.  parking with trailer or on inclines,
pull switch  m twice.
The electric parking brake is applied
when control indicator  m lights up
3  105.
The electric parking brake can always
be activated, even if the ignition is off.