Driving and operating123Driving and
operatingDriving hints ............................... 124
Control of the vehicle ...............124
Steering ................................... 124
Starting and operating ...............124
New vehicle running-in ............124
Ignition switch positions ...........125
Starting the engine ..................125
Overrun cut-off ........................ 126
Stop-start system ....................126
Parking .................................... 128
Engine exhaust .......................... 129
Diesel particle filter ..................129
Catalytic converter ...................130
Automatic transmission ..............130
Transmission display ...............130
Selector lever .......................... 131
Manual mode ........................... 132
Electronic driving programmes 132
Fault ........................................ 132
Interruption of power supply ....132
Manual transmission ..................133
Drive systems ............................ 134
All-wheel drive ......................... 134Brakes........................................ 135
Antilock brake system .............135
Parking brake .......................... 135
Brake assist ............................. 136
Hill start assist ......................... 136
Ride control systems .................136
Traction Control system ..........136
Electronic Stability Control ......137
Descent control system ...........138
Driver assistance systems .........139
Cruise control .......................... 139
Speed limiter ........................... 140
Forward collision alert .............141
Parking assist .......................... 143
Rear view camera ...................145
Traffic sign assistant ................147
Lane departure warning ..........150
Fuel ............................................ 151
Fuel for petrol engines .............151
Fuel for diesel engines ............151
Fuel for liquid gas operation ....152
Refuelling ................................ 154
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions .............................. 157
Trailer hitch ................................ 158
General information .................158
Driving characteristics and towing tips .............................. 158Trailer towing........................... 158
Towing equipment ...................159
130Driving and operating% flashes when diesel particle filter
has reached the maximum filling
level. Start cleaning process
immediately to avoid damage to the engine.
Cleaning process To activate cleaning process,
continue driving, keep engine speed
above 2000 revolutions per minute.
Shift down if necessary. Diesel
particle filter cleaning is then started.
If control indicator g also
illuminates, cleaning is not possible:
seek the assistance of a workshop.Caution
If the cleaning process is
interrupted, there is a risk of
provoking severe engine damage.
Cleaning takes place quickest at high engine speeds and loads.
The control indicator % extinguishes
as soon as the self-cleaning
operation is complete.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gases.Caution
Fuel grades other than those listed on pages 3 151, 3 212 could
damage the catalytic converter or
electronic components.
Unburnt petrol will overheat and
damage the catalytic converter.
Therefore avoid excessive use of the starter, running the fuel tank
dry and starting the engine by
pushing or towing.
In the event of misfiring, uneven
engine running, a reduction in engine performance or other unusual
problems, have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop as soon as
possible. In an emergency, driving
can be continued for a short period,
keeping vehicle speed and engine
speed low.
Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission permits
automatic gearshifting (automatic
mode) or manual gearshifting
(manual mode).
Transmission display
The mode or selected gear is shown
in the transmission display.
134Driving and operatingCaution
It is not advisable to drive with thehand resting on the selector lever.
Stop-start system 3 126.
Drive systems
All-wheel drive
The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system
enhances driving characteristics and
stability, and helps to achieve the best
possible driveability regardless of
ground surface. The system is always
active and cannot be deactivated.
The torque is distributed steplessly
between the wheels of the front and rear axle, depending on the driving
conditions. Additionally the torque
between the rear wheels is distributed depending on the surface.
For optimum system performance,
the vehicle's tyres should not have
varying degrees of wear.
When using a temporary spare
wheel, the AWD system is
automatically disabled.
The AWD system will also be
temporarily disabled to protect the
system from overheating if there is
excessive wheel spin. When the
system cools down, AWD will be
restored.The deactivation of the AWD system
will be indicated by a message on the
Driver Information Centre.
If a service message or warning
code S73 is displayed on the Driver
Information Centre, there is a
malfunction in the AWD system. Seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 93, Towing the
vehicle 3 199.
Driving and operating145Special 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
automatically detects factory-fitted
towing equipment. It is deactivated
when the connector is plugged in.
The sensor may detect a non-
existent object (echo disturbance)
caused by external acoustic or
mechanical disturbances.
Notice
The parking assist is deactivated
when the rear carrier system is
extended.
Rear view camera
The rear view camera assists the
driver when reversing by displaying a view of the area behind the vehicle.
The view of the camera is displayed
in the Colour-Info-Display.9 Warning
The rear view camera does not
replace driver vision. Note that
objects that are outside the
camera's field of view and the
advanced parking assist sensors,
e.g. below the bumper or
underneath the vehicle, are not
displayed.
Do not reverse the vehicle by only looking at the Info-Display and
check the surrounding area
behind and around the vehicle
before reversing.
Activation
Rear view camera is automatically
activated when reverse gear is
engaged.
Functionality
The camera is mounted in the tailgate handle and has a viewing angle of
130°.
Driving and operating147Traffic sign assistant
Functionality
The traffic sign assistant system
detects designated traffic signs via a
front camera and displays them in the Driver Information Centre.
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
● wet warning
● ice warning
● direction arrows
Speed limit signs are displayed in the
Driver Information Centre until the
next speed limit sign or end of speed
limit is detected or up to a defined sign timeout.
Combinations of more signs in the
display are possible.
158Driving and operatingTrailer 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 four
times five watt bulbs, the function only detects lamp outage when only a
single five 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 when
not in use.Driving 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
1000 kg a speed of 50 mph must not
be exceeded; the use of a stabiliser is
recommended.
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 3 217.Trailer towing
Trailer loadsThe 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 loads apply 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).
Driving and operating159The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 207.
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.
Rear axle load
The permissible axle loads (see
identification plate or vehicle
documents) must not be exceeded.Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Stowage of coupling ball bar
The bag with the coupling ball bar is
stowed in the rear stowage
compartment on the floor.
Place the strap through the lashing
eye, wrap around twice and tighten
the strap to secure the bag.
Fitting the coupling ball bar
Disengage and fold down the socket. Remove the sealing plug from the
opening for the coupling ball bar and
stow it.
Driving and operating161Attach breakaway stopping cable to
eye.
Check that the coupling ball bar is
correctly installed
● Green marking on rotary knob must point towards green
marking on coupling ball bar.
● There must be no gap between the rotary handle and the
coupling ball bar.
● The coupling ball bar must be firmly engaged in the opening.
● The coupling ball bar must be locked and the key removed.9Warning
Towing a trailer is permitted only
when a coupling ball bar is fitted correctly. If the coupling ball bardoes not engage correctly, seekthe assistance of a workshop.
Dismounting the coupling ball bar
Open the protective flap and turn the
key to position c to unlock the
coupling ball bar.
Pull out rotary handle and turn
clockwise as far as it will go. Pull out coupling ball bar downwards.
Insert sealing plug in opening. Fold away socket.