136Driving and operatingshift is not executed. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or
too high an engine speed.
If engine speed is too low, the
transmission automatically shifts to a
lower gear.
If engine speed is too high, the
transmission only switches to a higher gear via kickdown.
Electronic driving programmes
Winter mode VActivate the Winter mode if you have
problems starting off on a slippery
road surface.
Activation
Press V. Control indicator V is shown
in the transmission display. The
transmission switches to automatic
mode and the vehicle starts off in a
suitable gear.
Deactivation
The Winter mode is switched off by:
● pressing V again
● turning off the ignition
● switching to manual mode
In order to protect the transmission at extremely high clutch temperatures,
an intermittent audible warning may
sound. In such cases, depress the
brake pedal, select "N" and apply the parking brake to allow the clutch to
cool down.Laden mode kg
It is possible to use the Laden mode
in both manual and automatic modes. In both cases, the gearshifting
patterns are adapted automatically
for carrying an increased payload.
Activation
Press kg. Control indicator kg is
shown in the transmission display.
The transmission will then select
optimized gearshift patterns.
Driving and operating137Deactivation
The Laden mode is switched off by:
● pressing kg again
● turning off the ignition
Kickdown
If the accelerator pedal is pressed past the pressure point, the
transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed. Full
engine power is available for
acceleration.
If engine speed is too high the
transmission switches to a higher
gear, even in manual mode. Without
kickdown this automatic shift is not
effected in manual mode.
Fault
In the event of a fault, control indicator W is shown in the transmission
display. Continued driving is possible
provided the vehicle is driven with
care and anticipation.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.Interruption of power supply
The clutch is not disengaged if there
is an interruption of the power supply
when a gear is engaged. The vehicle
cannot move.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 193.
If the cause of the fault is not a
discharged vehicle battery, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
If neutral cannot be selected, the
vehicle must only be towed with the
drive wheels raised off the ground
3 195.
Towing the vehicle 3 195.Brakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has
been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 88.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.
140Driving and operatingRide control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction Control system (TC) is a component part of the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP® Plus
) which
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational as soon as the
ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding
message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC) 3 92.
When TC is active b flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 89.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 155.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, the Traction control system
(TC) can be deactivated to enhance
traction:
Press Ø on the instrument panel.
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the DIC 3 92.
When vehicle speed reaches 30 mph, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
Traction function to TC operation.
Control indicator Ø extinguishes in
the instrument cluster.
Driving and operating141TC is reactivated by pressing Ø
again. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control
indicator b 3 89 illuminates together
with A 3 87 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the DIC 3 92.
The Traction control system (TC) is
not operational. Have the cause of the
fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 92.
Electronic stability program The Electronic Stability Program
(ESP® Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of the type of road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and thewheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
the ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding
message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC) 3 92.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action b
flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 89.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 155.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, ESP® Plus
can be
deactivated to enhance traction:
Press Ø on the instrument panel.
Driving and operating151is detected, control indicator ì
flashes together with a warning chime
to alert the driver.
Deactivation
The system is deactivated by
pressing ì; LED in the button
illuminates. A corresponding message also appears in the DIC.
At speeds below approx. 37 mph the
system is inoperable.
Operation hints
The lane departure warning system
may not operate properly when:
● The windscreen is not clean.
● There are adverse environmental
conditions like heavy rain, snow,
direct sunlight or shadows.
The system cannot operate when no
lane marking is detected.
Fault In the event of a fault in the system, a
warning message appears in the DIC
and the LED in the button illuminates.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.Driver Information Centre (DIC) 3 92.Fuel
Fuel for diesel engines
Only use diesel fuel that complies
with EN 590. The fuel must have low
sulphur content (max. 10 ppm).
Equivalent standardised fuels with a
biodiesel (= FAME according to
EN14214) content of max. 7% by
volume (like DIN 51628 or equivalent
standards) may be used.
In countries outside the European
Union use Euro-Diesel fuel with a
sulphur concentration below 50 ppm.Caution
Use of fuel that does not comply to EN 590 or similar can lead to
engine powerloss, increased wear
or engine damage and may affect
your warranty.
Do not use marine diesel oils, heating
oils or entirely plant-based diesel
fuels, such as rape seed oil or bio
152Driving and operatingdiesel, Aquazole and similar diesel-
water emulsions. Diesel fuels must not be diluted with fuels for petrol
engines.
The flow and filterability of diesel fuels are temperature-dependent. When
temperatures are low, refuel with
diesel fuel with guaranteed winter
properties.
Diesel fuel filter 3 165, diesel fuel
system bleeding 3 166.
Refuelling9 Danger
Before refuelling, switch off engine
and any external heaters with
combustion chambers. Switch off
any mobile phones.
Follow the operating and safety
instructions of the filling station
when refuelling.
9 Danger
Fuel is flammable and explosive.
No smoking. No naked flames or
sparks.
If you can smell fuel in your
vehicle, have the cause of this
remedied immediately by a
workshop.
Caution
In case of misfuelling, do not
switch on ignition.
The fuel tank filler neck with bayonet
cap is located on the left front side of
the vehicle.
The fuel filler flap can only be opened
if the vehicle is unlocked and the door is opened. Open the fuel filler flap by
hand.
9 Danger
Vehicles with stop-start system:
The engine must be switched off
and the ignition key removed, to
avoid risk of engine being
restarted automatically by the
system.
Capacities 3 224.
Remove the fuel filler cap by turning
it anti-clockwise.
The fuel filler cap can be hung on the lower hook of the fuel filler flap.
For refuelling, fully insert the pump
nozzle and switch it on.
Driving and operating153After automatic cut-off, it can be
topped up by operating the pump
nozzle a maximum of two more times.Caution
Wipe off any overflowing fuel
immediately.
When refuelling is complete, replace
the fuel filler cap and turn it clockwise.
Close the fuel filler flap.
Fuel filler cap
Only use genuine fuel filler caps.
Diesel-engined vehicles have special
fuel filler caps.
Fuel consumption - CO 2-
Emissions For the values specific to your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of
Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
General information
The official fuel consumption and
specific CO 2 emission figures quoted
relate to the EU base model with
standard equipment.
Fuel consumption data and CO 2
emission data are determined
according to regulation
715/2007 692/2008 A, taking into
consideration the vehicle weight in
running order, as specified by the
regulation.
The figures must not be taken as a
guarantee for the actual fuel
consumption of a particular vehicle.
Additional equipment may result in
slightly higher results than the stated
consumption and CO 2 figures.
Furthermore, fuel consumption is dependent on personal driving style
as well as road and traffic conditions.Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust fitting of towing equipment at
a later date to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
Driving characteristics and towing tips
In the case of trailers with brakes,
attach the breakaway stopping cable.
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 the use of a
stabiliser is recommended.
A maximum speed of 50 mph must
not be exceeded, even in countries
where higher speeds are permitted.
154Driving and operatingIf the trailer starts snaking, drive moreslowly, 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 3 225.
Trailer towing Trailer loadsThe permissible trailer loads are
vehicle-dependent 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 load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sealevel. 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).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is specified on the identification plate
3 204.
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 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.In the case of trailer loads of
1200 kg or more, the vertical coupling load should not be less than 50 kg.
Rear axle load When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded (including all occupants), the permissible rear
axle load (see identification plate or
vehicle documents) must not be
exceeded.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Towing equipment audible
warning
For vehicles fitted with towing
equipment, when connected to a
trailer the pitch of the audible warning
changes upon operation of the turn
signals.