
The drive system can be switched off while
the vehicle is in motion by pressing and hold-
ing the Start/Stop button for three seconds.
Key positions with the Start/Stop button
:Start/Stop button
;Ignition lock
As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. Further information on situations where
an indicator lamp either fails to go out after
starting the drive system or lights up while
driving (
Ypage 231).
If Start/Stop button :has not yet been
pressed, this corresponds to the key being
removed from the ignition.
XTo switch on the power supply: press
Start/Stop button :once.
The power supply is switched on. You can
now activate the windshield wipers, for
example.
The power supply is switched off again if:
Rthe driver's door is opened and
Ryou press Start/Stop button :twice when
in this position
XTo switch on the ignition: press Start/
Stop button :twice.
The ignition is switched on.
If you press Start/Stop button :once
when in this position, the ignition is
switched off again. Removing the Start/Stop button
You can remove the Start/Stop button from
the ignition lock and start the vehicle as nor-
mal using the SmartKey.
You can only switch between Start/Stop but-
ton mode and SmartKey operation when the
vehicle is stationary.
You must also engage park position P.
XRemove Start/Stop button:from ignition
lock ;.
You do not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you leave
the vehicle. You should, however, always take
the SmartKey with you when leaving the vehi-
cle. As long as the SmartKey is in the vehicle:
Rthe vehicle can be started using the Start/ Stop button
Rthe electrically powered equipment can be
operated
Starting the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
Ropen the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
Rget out and disrupt traffic.
Roperate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the transmission out of park position P
Rstart the vehicle's drive system.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
132Driving
Driving and parking

Vehicles with an electric motor generate
much less driving noise than vehicles with
internal combustion engines. As a result, your
vehicle may not be heard by other road users
in certain situations. This can happen, for
example, when you are parking and your vehi-
cle is not seen by other road users. This
requires you to adopt a particularly anticipa-
tory driving style, as it is necessary to allow
for the possibility that other road users may
behave erratically.
The vehicle is equipped with a sound gener-
ator. The sound generator is activated so that
other road users can hear your vehicle better.
The sound generator is activated at speeds of
under 20 mph (30 km/h) and switches off
automatically at higher speeds.
Starting procedure with the Start/Stop
button
The Start/Stop button can be used to start
the vehicle manually without inserting the
SmartKey into the ignition lock. The Start/
Stop button must be inserted in the ignition
lock and the SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
You can start the drive system if a valid key is
in the vehicle. Switch off the drive system and
always take the key with you when leaving the
vehicle, even if you only leave it for a short
time. Pay attention to the important safety
notes.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XPress the Start/Stop button once
(
Ypage 131).
The drive system is started. Once the vehi-
cle is ready to be driven, the Ready
display
(
Ypage 182) appears in the lower part of
the multifunction display.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey
To start the drive system using the key
instead of the Start/Stop button, pull the
Start/Stop button out of the ignition lock.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 3
(
Ypage 131) in the ignition lock and release
it.
The drive system is started. Once the vehi-
cle is ready to be driven, the Ready
display
(
Ypage 182) appears in the lower part of
the multifunction display.
Pulling away
The vehicle is equipped with a sound gener-
ator. At low speeds, an electric vehicle makes
less noise than a vehicle with a combustion
engine. The sound generator is activated so
that other road users can hear your vehicle
better. The sound generator is activated at
speeds of under 20 mph (30 km/h) and
switches off automatically at higher speeds.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XMove the DIRECT SELECT lever to position
D or R.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The electric parking brake is automatically
released (
Ypage 155).
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter goes out.
The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors
drop down. You can open the doors from the
inside at any time.
It is only possible to move the DIRECT SELECT
selector lever from position Pto the desired
selector lever position if you depress the
brake pedal. The parking lock is then deacti-
vated and the electrical parking brake is
released automatically. If the brake pedal is
not depressed, the DIRECT SELECT lever can
still be moved but the parking lock remains
engaged.
Make sure that no charging cable is plugged
in. The parking lock cannot be released if a
charging cable is plugged in.
Driving133
Driving and parking
Z

Drivingtips
Holding th e vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients
Do no t hold the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients by depressing the accelerator
pedal. Instead, only ever hold the vehicle sta-
tionary on uphill gradients by:
Rdepressing the brake pedal
Rengaging the electric parking brake
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress th e accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The needle in the power display points to
th e boost are a(
Ypage 183).
XEase offthe accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
iMaximum acceleration is available fo ra
limited time.
Rocking the vehicle free
Shiftin gth e transmission repeatedly between
gears Dand Rmay help to free the vehicle if it
has become stuck in slush or snow. The vehi-
cle's engine management system limits the
speed to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h) when shifting back and forth. To shift back and forth
between transmission positions Dand R,
move th eDIREC T SELECT lever up and down
past the point of resistance.
Program selector button
The program selector button allows you to
choose between drive programs with differ-
ent driving characteristics .
XPress program selector button :.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display.
The transmission switches to automatic drive
program Eeach time th e drive system is star-
ted.
E EconomyComfortable, economical
driving style
S Spor tSporty driving style
E+Economy
PlusComfortable, particularly
economical driving style
Drive programs
Drive program E (Economy)
Drive program Eis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
Rth e vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward gear unless the accelerator pedal
is depressed fully.
Rreduced power on the accelerator pedal
increases sensitivity. This supports an even
and economical driving style.
Rth e wheels are less likely to spin.
Rfull power output by using kickdown.
Transmission137
Driving and parking
Z

If you change between radar-based and man-
ual recuperation, the following levels are acti-
vated depending on the selection via the
steering wheel paddle shifters:
:Steering
wheel paddle
shifter -selects D-(maximum
recuperation)
; Steering
wheel paddle
shifter +selects D+(overrun)
In particular, the function of the radar sensors
can be impaired in the case of:
Rthere is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
Rthere is snow or heavy rain
Rthere is interference by other radar sources
Rthere are strong radar reflections, for
example in parking garages
Ra narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
Ra vehicle traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the front end of the vehi-
cle, have the radar sensor settings and oper-
ation checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately. This also applies to colli-
sions at slow speeds where there is no visible
damage to the front of the vehicle.
If the radar sensors are not available, the sys-
tem switches automatically to level Dwith
moderate recuperation. Have the radar sen-
sors checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately.
Automatic adjustment of recuperation
on downhill gradients
The vehicle can detect steep downhill gradi-
ents. To reduce acceleration downhill and to
charge the high-voltage battery, recuperation
is increased steplessly. This is comparable to
the engine brake in a combustion engine
when you downshift a gear on a downhill gra-
dient. Automatic adjustment of recuperation on
downhill gradients is available in level
D
AUTO
or on vehicles without steering wheel paddle
shifters in levelD.
Intelligent recuperation
The vehicle uses the map and camera data of
Traffic Sign Assist in addition to the sensors
of COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
during radar-based recuperation (D
AUTO). The
rate of recuperation is then automatically
adjusted to the current traffic situation, tak-
ing the current and future maximum speed
into account.
High-voltage battery
Important safety notes
GDANGER
The vehicle's high-voltage electrical system is under high voltage. If you modify components
in the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system
or touch damaged components, you may be
electrocuted. The components in the vehi-
cle's high-voltage electrical system may be
damaged in an accident, although the damage
is not visible. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Following an accident, do not touch any high-
voltage components and never modify the
vehicle's high-voltage electrical system. Have
the vehicle towed away after an accident and
the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system
checked by a qualified specialist workshop.
GWARNING
In the event of a vehicle fire, the internal pres- sure of the high-voltage battery can exceed a
critical value. In this case flammable gas
escapes through a ventilation valve on the
underbody. The gas can ignite. There is a risk
of injury.
Leave the danger zone immediately. Secure
the danger area at a suitable distance, whilst
observing legal requirements.
140High-voltage battery
Driving and parking

XSlide fastener?to the right.
Socket cap =is open.
XInsert the power supply plug into the elec-
trical outlet to the stop.
XInsert the charging cable connector into
vehicle socket Bto the stop.
The high-voltage battery is being charged.
The vehicle must not be moved while the
charging cable is connected or during charg-
ing.
iDepending on the temperature, the
engine cooling system and battery cooling
system may audibly switch on when the
charging cable is connected or during the
charging process.
Removing the charging cable
!Before driving away, you must ensure
that, for your own safety and to avoid dam-
age, the charging cable has been removed
from the vehicle socket. Otherwise, you
cannot shift the transmission out of posi-
tion P.
When the charge level display reaches 100%, the battery is fully charged (
Ypage 184).
When the battery is charged:
XPress and hold button Don the charging
cable connector and remove the charging
cable from vehicle socket B.
XClose socket cap=.
XClose the charge socket flap.
XRemove the charging cable from the elec-
trical outlet.
XStow the charging cable safely in the vehi-
cle (
Ypage 147).
Charging high-voltage battery at a
charging station/wallbox
General notes
Only use charging cables that have been tes-
ted and approved by the manufacturer for
charging the high-voltage battery in an elec-
tric vehicle.
Pay attention to the "Important safety notes"
(
Ypage 140).
Charging communication at a charging
station
The charging station first has to be activated
before you can charge at a charging station.
You can activate the charging station by using
an RFID card or via telephone activation.
Observe the on-site operator instructions for
the charging station.
When the vehicle is connected to the charging
station, information and details on technical
parameters are exchanged. It can thus take
up to 30 seconds for the charging process to
begin.
High-voltage battery149
Driving and parking
Z

Connecting the charging cable
:To open the charge socket flap
;Tire pressure table
=Socket cap
?Fastener
AReference sticker (voltage range)
BVehicle socket
CWarning sticker (charging cable)
XShift the DIRECT SELECT lever to position
P.
XSwitch the ignition off.
XPress the charge socket flap in the direc-
tion of arrow:.
The charge socket flap swings up.
XSlide fastener ?to the right.
Socket cap =is open.
XInsert the charging cable connector into
vehicle socket Bto the stop.
The high-voltage battery is being charged.
The vehicle must not be moved while the
charging cable is connected or during charg-
ing.
iDepending on the temperature, the
engine cooling system and battery cooling
system may audibly switch on when the
charging cable is connected or during the
charging process.
Removing the charging cable
!Before driving away, you must ensure
that, for your own safety and to avoid dam-
age, the charging cable has been removed
from the vehicle socket. Otherwise, you
cannot shift the transmission out of posi-
tion P.
When the charge level display reaches 100%,
the battery is fully charged (
Ypage 184).
When the battery is charged:
XPress and hold button Don the charging
cable connector and remove the charging
cable from vehicle socket B.
XClose socket cap=.
XClose the charge socket flap.
150High-voltage battery
Driving and parking

GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the transmission out of park position
P.
Rstart the vehicle's drive system.
They could also operate the vehicle's equip-
ment. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
!While the vehicle is rolling, do not shift the
transmission directly from Dto R, from Rto
D or directly to P.
Do not open the driver's door while the
vehicle is in motion. Otherwise, at low
speeds in transmission position Dor R,
park position Pis engaged automatically
and the electrical parking brake is applied.
The transmission could be damaged.
!Always secure the vehicle correctly
against rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle
or its drivetrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
Rthe electric parking brake must be applied.
Rthe transmission must be in position P.
Rthe SmartKey in the ignition lock must be
turned to position0and removed from the
ignition lock.
Ron steep uphill or downhill gradients, turn
the front wheels towards the curb.
Switching off the drive system
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This can affect
the power steering and the brake boosting
effect, for example. You will require consider-
ably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
XShift the DIRECT SELECT lever to position
P.
XWith the SmartKey: turn the SmartKey to
position 0in the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
XWith the Start/Stop button: press the
Start/Stop button (
Ypage 131).
The drive system and all the indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this cor-
responds to SmartKey position 1. When the
driver's door is open, this corresponds to
SmartKey position 0: "SmartKey removed".
If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position Ror D, the transmission
automatically shifts to N.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the
driver's door or the front-passenger door or
remove the SmartKey from the ignition, the
transmission automatically shifts to P.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then
open the driver's door or the front-passenger
door, the transmission automatically shifts to
P.
If you want the transmission to remain in neu-
tral N, e.g. when having the vehicle cleaned in
an automatic car wash with a towing system:
Using the SmartKey:
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift to neutral N.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
154Parking
Driving and parking

Do not depress the brake pedal continuously
while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. causing the
brakes to rub by constantly applying light
pressure to the pedal. This results in exces-
sive and premature wear to the brake pads.
Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately.
Drive on for a short while. This allows the air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first
time. This may also occur after the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi-
cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up
the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
RIn order to prevent any salt build-up, apply
the brakes occasionally while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
Rif the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and
Ryou hear a warning tone while the engineis running
Observe additional warning messages in
the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-
ately. Consult a qualified specialist work-
shop to arrange this.
!A function or performance test should
only be carried out on a 2-axle dynamom-
eter. If you wish to operate the vehicle on
such a dynamometer, please consult a
qualified specialist workshop in advance.
You could otherwise damage the drive train
or the brake system.
!As the ESP®system operates automati-
cally, the engine and the ignition must be
switched off (the SmartKey must be in posi-
tion 0or 1in the ignition lock) if:
Rthe electric parking brake is tested on a
brake dynamometer (for a maximum of
ten second s)
Rthe vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised.
Braking triggered automatically by ESP
®
may seriously damage the brake system.
Driving tips159
Driving and parking
Z