
Steptronic Sport transmission:
Launch Control
The concept Launch Control enables optimum accelerationon surfaces with good traction.
Hints Component wear
Do not use Launch Control too often;
otherwise, this may result in premature wear of
components due to the high stress placed on
the vehicle.◀
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page 174, period.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
An experienced driver may be able to achieve
better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode.
Requirements Launch Control is available when the engine is
warmed up, that is, after uninterrupted driving
of at least 6 miles/10 km.
To start with Launch Control do not steer the
steering wheel.
Start with launch controlWhile the engine is running:1. Press button or select Sport+ with
the Driving Dynamics Control.
TRACTION is displayed in the instrument
cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC OFF
lights up.2.Engage selector lever position S.3.With the left foot, forcefully press down on
the brake.4.Press and hold down the accelerator pedal
beyond the resistance point at the full
throttle position.A flag symbol is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster.5.The starting engine speed adjusts. Within
3 seconds, release the brake.
Before using Launch Control, allow the trans‐
mission to cool down for approx. 5 minutes.
Launch Control adjusts to the surrounding
conditions, e.g., wet pavement, when used
again.
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Engine oil temperature▷Cold engine: the pointer is at
the low temperature end.
Drive at moderate engine
and vehicle speeds.▷Normal operating tempera‐
ture: the pointer is in the
middle or in the left half of
the temperature display.▷Hot engine: the pointer is at the high end of
the temperature range. A Check Control
message is also displayed.
Coolant temperature
If the coolant along with the engine becomes
too hot, a Check Control message is displayed.
Check the coolant level, refer to page 213.
Odometer and trip odometer Display
▷Odometer, arrow 1.▷Trip odometer, arrow 2.
Show/reset kilometers Press the knob.
▷When the ignition is
switched off, the time, the
external temperature and
the odometer are displayed.▷When the ignition is switched on, the trip
odometer is reset.External temperature
If the indicator drops to
+37 ℉/+3 ℃ or lower, a signal
sounds.
A Check Control message is displayed.
There is an increased risk of ice on roads.
Ice on roads
Even at temperatures above
+37 ℉/+3 ℃, roads might be icy.
Therefore, drive carefully on bridges and
shaded roads, e.g., to avoid the increased risk
of an accident.◀
Time The time is displayed in the in‐
strument cluster.
Setting the time on the Control
Display, refer to page 92.
Date The date is displayed in the in‐
strument cluster.
Set the date on the Control Dis‐
play, refer to page 92.
Range Display With a low remaining range:▷A Check Control message is
displayed briefly.▷The remaining range is
shown on the computer.▷With a dynamic driving style - e.g., taking
curves aggressively - engine operation
might vary.Seite 85DisplaysControls85
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On the Control Display:1."Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Service required"
Required maintenance procedures and le‐
gally mandated inspections are displayed.4.Select an entry to call up detailed informa‐
tion.
Symbols
Sym‐
bolsDescriptionNo service is currently required.The deadline for scheduled mainte‐
nance or a legally mandated inspec‐
tion is approaching.The service deadline has already
passed.
Entering appointment dates
Enter the dates for the required inspections.
Make sure that the vehicle's date and time are
set correctly.
On the Control Display:
1."Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Service required"4."§ Vehicle inspection"5."Date:"6.Adjust the settings.7.Confirm.
The entered date is stored.
Automatic Service Request
Data regarding the service status or legally
mandated vehicle inspections are automati‐
cally transmitted to your service center before
a service due date.
You can check when your service center was
notified.
On the Control Display:1."Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3.Open "Options".4."Last Service Request"
Gear shift indicator
The conceptThe system recommends the most fuel effi‐
cient gear for the current driving situation.
Depending on the vehicle's features and coun‐
try version of the vehicle, the gear shift indica‐
tor is active in the manual mode of the Step‐
tronic transmission and with manual
transmission.
Suggestions to shift gear up or down are dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
On vehicles without a gear shift indicator, the
engaged gear is displayed.
Steptronic transmission: displays
ExampleDescriptionFuel efficient gear is set.Shift into fuel efficient gear.Seite 87DisplaysControls87
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Overview
Button in the vehicle
Operating the programs
Press buttonProgramDSC OFF
TRACTIONSPORT+
SPORT
COMFORT
ECO PRO
Automatic program change
The system may automatically switch to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:
▷Failure of Dynamic Damping Control.▷Failure of DSC Dynamic Stability Control.▷The vehicle has a flat tire.▷When activating cruise control in TRAC‐
TION or DSC OFF mode.
DSC OFF
When DSC OFF, refer to page 124, is active,
driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in curves.
TRACTION When TRACTION is active, the vehicle has
maximum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC
Dynamic Traction Control, refer to page 124, is
activated. Driving stability is limited during ac‐
celeration and when driving in curves.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with optimized suspension and
adapted engine control with limited driving sta‐
bilization.
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.
The driver handles several of the stabilization
tasks.
Activating SPORT+ Press button repeatedly until SPORT+
appears in the instrument cluster and
the DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up.
Automatic program change When activating cruise control, the program
automatically switches to SPORT mode.
Indicator/warning lights
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up:
Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT Consistently sporty tuning of the suspension
and engine control for greater driving agility
with maximum driving stabilization.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications. The configuration is stored for
the profile currently in use.
Activating SPORT Press button repeatedly until SPORT
is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Configuring SPORT When the display is activated on the Control
Display, refer to page 128, the SPORT driving
mode can be set to individual specifications.Seite 127Driving stability control systemsControls127
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▷Activating SPORT.▷"Configure SPORT"▷Configuring the SPORT driving mode.
SPORT can also be configured before it is acti‐
vated:
1."Settings"2."SPORT mode"3.Configure driving mode.
This configuration is retrieved when the
SPORT driving mode is activated.
COMFORT For a balanced tuning with maximum driving
stabilization.
Activating COMFORT Press button repeatedly until COM‐
FORT is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
In certain situations, the system automatically
changes to the NORMAL program, automatic
program change, refer to page 127.
ECO PRO ECO PRO, refer to page 182, provides consis‐
tent tuning to minimize fuel consumption for
maximum range with maximum driving stabili‐
zation.
Comfort functions and the engine controller
are adjusted.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications.
Activating ECO PRO Press button repeatedly until ECO
PRO is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
Configuring ECO PRO
1.Activate ECO PRO.2."Configure ECO PRO"
Make the desired settings.
Displays
Program selection Pressing the button displays a
list of the selectable programs.
Depending on your vehicle's op‐
tional features, the list in the in‐
strument cluster can differ from
the illustration shown.
Selected program The instrument cluster displays
the selected program.
Display on the Control Display Program changes can be displayed on the
Control Display.
1."Settings"2."Control display"3."Driving mode info"
Drive-off assistant
This system supports driving off on inclines.
The parking brake is not required.
1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot
brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive off with‐
out delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
Depending on the vehicle load or when a trailer
is used, the vehicle may roll back slightly.
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Things to remember when 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.
Breaking-in period General information
Moving parts need time to adjust to one an‐
other (break-in time).
The following instructions will help accomplish
a long vehicle life and good efficiency.
During break-in, do not use the Launch Con‐
trol, refer to page 79.
Engine, transmission, and axle drive
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Do not exceed the maximum engine and road
speed:▷For gasoline engine 4,500 rpm and
100 mph/160 km/h.▷For diesel engine 3,500 rpm and
93 mph/150 km/h.
Avoid full load or kickdown under all circum‐
stances.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
Tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐
prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimal per‐
formance between brake discs and brake
pads. Drive moderately during this break-in pe‐
riod.
Following part replacement The same break-in procedures should be ob‐
served if any of the components above-men‐
tioned have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
Driving on poor roads
The vehicle connects four wheel drive to the
advantages of a normal truck
Do not drive on unpaved terrain
Do not drive on unpaved terrain; other‐
wise, the vehicle may be damaged.◀
For your own safety, for the safety of passen‐
gers and of the vehicle, heed the following
points:▷Become familiar with the vehicle before
starting a trip; do not take risks in driving.▷Adjust the speed to the road surface con‐
ditions. The steeper and more uneven the
road surface, the slower the speed should
be.▷When driving on steep uphill or downhill
grades: add engine oil and coolant up toSeite 174Driving tipsThings to remember when driving174
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near the MAX mark. Uphill and downhill
grades can be traveled up to no more than
50 %.▷On steep downhill grades, use Hill Descent
Control HDC, refer to page 125.
Starting out is possible on uphill grades up
to 30 %. The permissible side tilt is 30 %.▷Avoid that the chassis bottom coming in
contact with the ground.
The ground clearance is no more than 7.8
inches/20 cm and can vary according to
the vehicle's load.▷When wheels continue to spin, depress the
accelerator so that driving stability control
systems can distribute the driving force to
the wheels. Activate DTC Dynamic Trac‐
tion Control if available.
After a trip on poor roads
After a trip on poor roads, check wheels and
tires for damage to maintain driving safety.
Clear heavy soiling from the body.
General driving notes
Closing the tailgate Drive with the tailgate closed
Only drive with the tailgate closed; other‐
wise, in the event of an accident or braking and
evasive maneuvers, passengers and other traf‐
fic may be injured, and the vehicle may be
damaged. In addition, exhaust fumes may en‐
ter the vehicle interior.◀
If driving with the tailgate open cannot be
avoided:
▷Close all windows and the glass sunroof.▷Greatly increase the air flow from the vents.▷Drive moderately.Hot exhaust system
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures are generated in the
exhaust system.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure
that flammable materials, e. g. hay, leaves,
grass, etc. do not come in contact with the hot
exhaust system while driving, while in idle po‐
sition mode, or when parked. Such contact
could lead to a fire, resulting in an increased
risk of serious personal injury as well as prop‐
erty damage.
Do not touch hot exhaust pipes; otherwise,
there is a danger of getting burned.◀
Diesel particulate filter The diesel particulate filter collects soot parti‐
cles and burns them periodically at high tem‐
peratures.
During several minutes of cleaning the follow‐
ing may occur:▷Temporarily, the engine may run less
smoothly.▷Noises and a slight amount of smoke com‐
ing from the exhaust until shortly after the
engine is shut down.▷A somewhat higher engine speed is neces‐
sary to reach usual performance.
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle
Mobile communication devices in the ve‐
hicle
It is not recommended to use mobile phones,
such as mobile phones, in the vehicle interior
without a direct connection to an external aer‐
ial. Otherwise, the vehicle's electronics and
mobile communication devices can interfere
with each other. In addition, there is no assur‐
ance that the radiation generated during trans‐
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The achieved extended range is displayed in
the instrument cluster as bonus range.
Overview
The system includes the following
EfficientDynamics functions and displays:▷ECO PRO bonus range, refer to page 183.▷ECO PRO tips driving instruction, refer to
page 184▷ECO PRO climate control, refer to
page 183.▷ECO PRO coasting driving status, refer to
page 185.
Activate ECO PRO
Press button repeatedly until ECO
PRO is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
Configuring ECO PRO
Via the Driving Dynamics Control
1.Activate ECO PRO.2."Configure ECO PRO"3.Configure the program.
Via the iDrive
1."Settings"2."ECO PRO mode"
Or
1."Settings"2."Driving mode"3."Configure ECO PRO"
Configure the program.
ECO PRO Tip
▷"Tip at:":
Adjust the ECO PRO speed.▷"ECO PRO speed warning":The output is reduced once the set ECO
PRO speed is reached.
Coasting
Fuel-efficiency can be optimized by disengag‐
ing the engine and Coasting, refer to
page 185, with the engine idling.
This function is only available in ECO PRO
mode.
ECO PRO climate control
"ECO PRO climate control"
Climate control is set to be fuel-efficient.
By making a slight change to the set tempera‐
ture, or slowly adjusting the rate of heating or
cooling of the car's interior, fuel consumption
can be economized.
The mirror heating is made available when out‐
side temperatures are very cold.
ECO PRO potential Shows potential savings with the current set‐
tings in percentages.
Display in the instrument cluster
ECO PRO bonus range An adjusted driving style helps
you extend your driving range.
This may be displayed as the
bonus range in the instrument
cluster.
The bonus range is shown in the range display.
The bonus range is automatically reset every
time the vehicle is refueled.
Seite 183Saving fuelDriving tips183
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