
Transporting children safelyVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due tothe selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
The right place for children
Information
WARNING
Unattended children or animals can
move the vehicle and endanger themselves
and traffic, e.g. with the following actions:▷Pressing the Start/Stop button.▷Releasing the parking brake.▷Opening and closing of doors or windows.▷Shifting the selector lever into neutral.▷Using vehicle equipment.
There is risk of accidents or injuries. Do not
leave children or animals unattended in the ve‐
hicle. Carry remote control along when exiting
and lock the vehicle.◀
Children should always be in the rear WARNING
Persons shorter than 5 ft, 150 cm cannot
correctly fasten the safety belt without suitable
additional restraint systems. The protective ef‐
fect of the safety belts can be limited or lost
when safety belts are fastened incorrectly. An
incorrectly fastened safety belt can cause ad‐
ditional injuries, e.g. in the event of an accident
or during braking and evasive maneuvers.
There is risk of injuries or danger to life. Secure
persons shorter than 5 ft, 150 cm using suita‐
ble restraint systems.◀
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is in the back seat.
Only transport children younger than 13 years
of age or shorter than 5 ft, 150 cm in the rear in
child restraint systems provided in accordance
with the age, weight and size of the child.
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint
system can no longer be used due to their age,
weight and size.
Children on the front passenger seat
Should it ever be necessary to use a child re‐
straint system in the front passenger seat,
make sure that the front, knee and side airbags
on the front passenger side are deactivated.
Automatic deactivation of front-seat passen‐
ger airbags, refer to page 116.
Information WARNING
Active front-seat passenger airbags can
injure a child in a child restraint system when
the airbags are activated. There is risk of inju‐
ries. Make sure that the front-seat passenger
airbags are deactivated and that the PASSEN‐
GER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp lights up.◀
WARNING
The stability of the child restraint system
is limited or compromised with incorrect seat
adjustment or improper installation of the child
seat. There is risk of injuries or danger to life.
Make sure that the child restraint system fitsSeite 71Transporting children safelyControls71
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securely against the backrest. If possible, ad‐
just the backrest tilt for all affected backrests
and correctly adjust the seats. Make sure that
seats and backrests are securely engaged. If
possible, adjust the height of the head re‐
straints or remove them.◀
Installing child restraint
systems
Information Pay attention to the specifications of the child
restraint system manufacturer when selecting,
installing, and using child restraint systems.
WARNING
The stability of the child restraint system
is limited or compromised with incorrect seat
adjustment or improper installation of the child
seat. There is risk of injuries or danger to life.
Make sure that the child restraint system fits
securely against the backrest. If possible, ad‐
just the backrest tilt for all affected backrests
and correctly adjust the seats. Make sure that
seats and backrests are securely engaged. If
possible, adjust the height of the head re‐
straints or remove them.◀
On the front passenger seat
Deactivating airbags WARNING
Active front-seat passenger airbags can
injure a child in a child restraint system when
the airbags are activated. There is risk of inju‐
ries. Make sure that the front-seat passenger
airbags are deactivated and that the PASSEN‐
GER AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp lights up.◀
After installing a child restraint system in the
front passenger seat, make sure that the front,
knee and side airbags on the front passenger
side are deactivated.Deactivate the front-seat passenger airbags
automatically, refer to page 116.
Seat position and height
Before installing a child restraint system, move
the front passenger seat as far back as possi‐
ble and bring it up to medium height to obtain
the best possible position for the belt and to
offer optimal protection in the event of an acci‐
dent.
If the upper anchorage of the safety belt is lo‐
cated in front of the belt guide of the child seat,
move the passenger seat carefully forward un‐
til the best possible belt guide position is
reached.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger
safety belt can be permanently locked to fas‐
ten child restraint systems.
The front passenger safety belt can be perma‐
nently locked to fasten child restraint systems.
Locking the safety belt
1.Pull out the strap completely.2.Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.3.Allow the strap to be pulled in and pull it
tight against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking the safety belt
1.Unbuckle the belt buckle.2.Remove the child restraint system.Seite 72ControlsTransporting children safely72
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not guided across sharp edges and without
twisting to the upper retaining strap.◀1Direction of travel2Head restraint3Hook for upper retaining strap4Mounting point5Rear window shelf6Seat backrest7Upper retaining strap
Attaching the upper retaining strap to
the mounting point
1.Remove the mounting point cover.2.Raise the head restraint. Do not change
the middle head restraint.3.Guide the upper retaining strap between
the supports of the head restraint.
Guide it over the head restraint of the mid‐
dle seat.4.Attach the hook of the retaining strap to
the anchor.5.Tighten the retaining strap by pulling it
down.6.Lower and lock head restraints as needed.Securing of doors and
windows in the rear
Rear doors
Push the locking lever on the rear doors down.
The door can now be opened from the outside
only.
Safety switch for the rear Press button on the driver's door if
children are being transported in the
rear.
This locks various functions so that they can‐
not be operated from the rear: safety switch,
refer to page 54.
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DrivingVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Start/Stop button, drive readiness
The concept The following ready states can
be attained by pressing the
Start/Stop button:▷Radio ready state on/off.▷Ignition on/off.▷Activating/deactivating drive readiness.
To activate drive readiness, press the brake
pedal.
Switching radio-ready state on/off
The radio-ready state is activated by pressing
the Start/Stop button in the following situa‐
tions:
▷When the engine is running.▷When drive readiness is activated.▷When the engine is switched off automati‐
cally using the Auto Start/Stop function
and the brake is not applied.
Some electronic systems/power consumers
remain ready for operation.
Radio ready state is switched off automatically:
▷After approx. 8 minutes.▷When the vehicle is locked using the cen‐
tral locking system.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
If the engine is switched off and the ignition is
switched on, the system automatically
switches to the radio-ready state if the lights
are turned off or, if correspondingly equipped,
the daytime running lights are activated.
Ignition on Press the Start/Stop button, and do not press
on the brake pedal at the same time.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lights in the
instrument cluster light up for a varied length
of time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Ignition offPress the Start/Stop button again without
stepping on the brake.
All indicator lights in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Information When switching off the ignition, the selector
lever position P is selected automatically if the
selector lever position D or R is selected.
The ignition is switched off automatically in the
following situations while the vehicle is station‐
ary and the engine is off:
▷When locking the vehicle, and when the
low beams are activated.Seite 75DrivingControls75
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▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started. This function is only available
when the low beams are turned off.▷When opening and closing the driver door,
if the driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the low beams are turned off.▷While the driver's safety belt is unbuckled
with driver's door open and low beams off.
The low beams switch to parking lights after
approx. 15 minutes of no use.
When the ignition is switched off automatically
by opening or closing the driver's door, un‐
buckling the driver's safety belt or by the auto‐
matic switching of the low beams to parking
lights, the radio-ready state remains active.
Drive readiness
When drive readiness is activated, the vehicle
is operational. Activated drive readiness is the
equivalent of a running engine in conventional
vehicles. Deactivated engine readiness is
equivalent to switching the ignition off.
Drive readiness in detail
The concept
The following are the different drive readiness
variants:
▷Electric drive readiness, Silent Start, refer
to page 77
The vehicle is powered by the electric mo‐
tor.▷Starting the combustion engine, refer to
page 77
The vehicle is powered by the combustion
engine.Information
WARNING
When driving in electric mode, pedes‐
trians and other traffic might pay less attention
to the vehicle due to missing engine noise.
There is risk of an accident. Adjust the driving
style to the traffic conditions. Watch traffic
closely and actively interfere in the respective
situations.◀
WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can put itself into
motion and roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:▷Set the parking brake.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, turn the
front wheels in the direction of the curb.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, also secure
the vehicle, e.g. with a wheel chock.◀
WARNING
Unattended children or animals can
move the vehicle and endanger themselves
and traffic, e.g. with the following actions:
▷Pressing the Start/Stop button.▷Releasing the parking brake.▷Opening and closing of doors or windows.▷Shifting the selector lever into neutral.▷Using vehicle equipment.
There is risk of accidents or injuries. Do not
leave children or animals unattended in the ve‐
hicle. Carry remote control along when exiting
and lock the vehicle.◀
Activating drive readiness
1.Close the driver's door.2.Depress the brake pedal.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
Drive readiness is activated:
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▷Electric drive readiness, Silent Start or▷Starting the combustion engine.
Electric drive readiness, Silent StartThe vehicle is ready for driving without starting
the combustion engine.
Silent Start is possible if the requirements for
Electric driving, refer to page 78, are met.
Display READY indicates drive readi‐
ness.
Starting the combustion engine DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or ventila‐
tion is insufficient, harmful exhaust gases can
enter into the vehicle. The exhaust gases con‐
tain carbon monoxide, an odorless and color‐
less but highly toxic gas. In enclosed areas, ex‐
haust gases can also accumulate outside of
the vehicle. There is danger to life. Keep the
exhaust pipe free and ensure sufficient ventila‐
tion.◀
WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can put itself into
motion and roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:
▷Set the parking brake.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, turn the
front wheels in the direction of the curb.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, also secure
the vehicle, e.g. with a wheel chock.◀
CAUTION
In the case of repeated starting attempts
or repeated starting in quick succession, the
fuel is not burned or is inadequately burned.
The catalytic converter can overheat. There is
risk of property damage. Avoid repeated start‐
ing in quick succession.◀
The combustion engine is started with Acti‐
vate drive, refer to page 76, readiness under
the following conditions:▷The drive system is not at operating tem‐
perature.▷The temperature of the hybrid system is
too high.▷The high-voltage battery has an insuffi‐
cient charge.
Driving away
1.Activate drive readiness.2.Engage selector lever position D, M/S or R.3.Release the parking brake.4.Drive away.
Deactivating drive readiness
After stopping the vehicle:
1.Engage selector lever position P.2.Press the Start/Stop button.3.Set the parking brake.
After parking the vehicle, you may hear noises
due to operation of the hybrid system, such as
for cooling of the high-voltage battery.
Before driving into a car wash So that the vehicle can roll into a car wash ob‐
serve instructions for going into an automatic
car wash, refer to page 241.
Auto Start/Stop function
The concept The Auto Start/Stop function helps save fuel.
The system switches off the combustion en‐
gine when conditions for electric driving have
been met. The ignition or drive readiness re‐
mains switched on.
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The tachometer registers 0 rpm. If necessary,
the combustion engine starts automatically.
The combustion engine is also stopped during
the trip when rolling out or braking. This driving
condition, in which the vehicle is traveling with‐
out power and energy recovery is not active, is
referred to as coasting, refer to page 79.
Information The combustion engine is not switched off au‐
tomatically in the following situations:▷The combustion engine is not at operating
temperature.▷The transmission selector lever is in posi‐
tion M/S.▷High-voltage battery is heavily discharged
or vehicle electrical system is heavily bur‐
dened.▷High stress of the automatic climate con‐
trol in the heating or cooling phase.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷The vehicle is being optimized for the cur‐
rent driving style, for instance during the
break-in period or after a service appoint‐
ment.▷The hybrid system is malfunctioning.
Safety mode
An automatically stopped combustion engine
does not start independently when:
▷The driver's door is open and neither the
brake nor accelerator pedal are depressed.▷Unlocked hood.
The indicator lights come on. The combustion
engine can only be started via the Start/Stop
button.
Switching off the vehicle during an
automatic engine stop
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e. g., when
leaving it.1.Press the Start/Stop button.▷The ignition is switched off.▷The radio-ready state is activated.▷The Auto Start/Stop function is deacti‐
vated.▷Transmission position P is engaged
automatically.2.Set the parking brake.
Malfunction
The Auto Start/Stop function no longer
switches of the combustion engine automati‐
cally in the event of a malfunction. A message is displayed. It is possible to continue driving.
Have the system checked.
Electric driving: eDRIVE
Requirements Electric driving is possible:
▷The high-voltage battery is sufficiently
charged.▷Transmission position D or R is set.▷The drive system is at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The accelerator pedal is only slightly de‐
pressed.▷The driver's door is closed.
Possible up to speed of approx. 35 mph, ap‐
prox. 60 km/h.
Possible cruising range
Depending on the charge of the high-voltage
battery, the vehicle can be driven using electric
power constantly for up to 2-2.5 miles/3-4 km.
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this stored electrical energy is output to the
electric motor.
The following conditions must be met to re‐
cover kinetic energy:▷The vehicle is moving.▷Transmission position D, M/S is set.▷The high-voltage battery is not fully
charged.
Energy recovery displays in the instrument
cluster, refer to page 92.
Parking brake
The concept The parking brake is used to prevent the vehi‐
cle from rolling when it is parked.
Overview
Parking brake
Setting WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can put itself into
motion and roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:
▷Set the parking brake.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, turn the
front wheels in the direction of the curb.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, also secure
the vehicle, e.g. with a wheel chock.◀
WARNING
Unattended children or animals can
move the vehicle and endanger themselves
and traffic, e.g. with the following actions:
▷Pressing the Start/Stop button.▷Releasing the parking brake.▷Opening and closing of doors or windows.▷Shifting the selector lever into neutral.▷Using vehicle equipment.
There is risk of accidents or injuries. Do not
leave children or animals unattended in the ve‐
hicle. Carry remote control along when exiting
and lock the vehicle.◀
Pull the switch.
The LED lights up.
The indicator lamp lights up red. The
parking brake is set.
While driving
Use as emergency brake while driving:
Pull the switch and hold it. The vehicle brakes
hard while the switch is being pulled.
The indicator lamp lights up red, a sig‐
nal sounds and the brake lights light
up.
A Check Control message is displayed.
If the vehicle is slowed down to a speed of ap‐
prox. 2 mph/3 km/h the parking brake is set.
Releasing
With the ignition switched on:
Steptronic transmission: Press the
switch while the brake is pressed or se‐
lector lever position P is set.
The LED and indicator lamp go out.
The parking brake is released.
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