As a result of its basic characteristics, the
amount of energy available from the high-
voltage battery decreases over the course of
its life.
This reduces:
Rthe maximum range that can be achieved
by the vehicle
Rthe maximum output (acceleration) of the
vehicle
You can actively reduce the energy consump-
tion of your vehicle in a number of ways, for
example, by:
Ran anticipatory driving style
Rreducing the use of electrical consumers
Rhaving the vehicle regularly maintained
The charging time of the high-voltage battery may change over the course of its life.
Observe the displays on energy usage
(
Ypage 188) and range (Ypage 188).
RANGE PLUS
If you activate RANGE PLUS, the operating
window of the battery will be extended at thenext charging process. An extended driving
range will be available to you for the next
journey.
Using RANGE PLUS shortens the service life
of the battery. Therefore, only use RANGE
PLUS if, for example:
Rlong journeys are planned or
Rthe availability of charging stations at the
destination is limited
The more often RANGE PLUS is used, the
more the extended range is reduced.
Therefore always check the range display
before every journey (
Ypage 188).
XTo switch on: press button:.
The green Indicator lamp lights up.
XTo switch off: press button:.
The indicator lamp goes out.
RANGE PLUS switches off automatically if:
Rthe charging cable is disconnected or
Rthe charging process is complete
Information on charging with RANGE PLUS
(
Ypage 195).
Displays on energy consumption and
range
Displaying energy consumption and
recuperated electric energy (COMAND/
Audio 20)
:Energy consumption
;Recuperated electric energy
Every bar of the graph displays the average
value for one minute.
Energy consumption indicator :may differ
from the indicator in the From Start
144High-voltage battery
Driving and parking
If you use the supplied 12 A charging cable to
charge a high-voltage battery:
Rthe charge time increases considerably
Relectrical consumption increases consider-
ably
Where possible, charge the high-voltage bat-
tery at a charging station (
Ypage 149). Only
then can certified electrical energy consump-
tion levels be reached.
iThe charging process can vary depending
on the charging station. Therefore, always
observe the local information.
Stowing the charging cable
The charging cable can be stowed in a bag in
the trunk of the vehicle. To do so, the bag
must be secured to the cargo tie-down rings
using the retaining strap provided.
Controls on the charging cable
:A/C status indicator
;Control/protection system indicator
=Charge current indicator
?Charge current setting button
When displays :and ;on the charging
cable light up, this means the following:
Display :
Lights up
greenThe external power supply
connection is working prop-
erly. The high-voltage bat-
tery can be charged.
Flashes redA malfunction has been
detected in the external
power supply. The high-volt-
age battery is recharged as
soon as the electricity signal
registers normal values.
Lights up redThere is a malfunction. The
charging cable must be
removed from the electrical
outlet and then re-inserted.
Display;
Lights up
greenThere are no malfunctions.
The high-voltage battery
can be charged.
Lights up redThere is a malfunction. The
high-voltage battery cannot
be charged.
For information on problems relating to the
charging process, see (
Ypage 151).
Setting the maximum charge current
GWARNING
If the charge current draw via a mains socket
is too high during the charging process, the
external electrical system may overheat.
There is a risk of fire.
Before beginning the charging process, check
the maximum permissible charge current
locally. Consult a qualified expert to do so
where necessary.
If necessary, adjust your vehicle's settings.
!An excessive charge current can blow a
fuse or lead to overheating of the external
power supply. Check whether the external
power supply is compatible with the set
High-voltage battery147
Driving and parking
Z
With the Start/Stop button:
XRemove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
XInsert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift to neutralN.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XSwitch off the ignition and leave the Smart-
Key in the ignition lock.
If you try to switch off the drive system when
the transmission is not in position P:
Ra message appears in the multifunction dis-
play
Ra warning signal sounds
Electric parking brake
General notes
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.
The function of the electric parking brake and
the parking lock is dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-board voltage is low or if
there is a malfunction in the system, it may
not be possible to apply the released parking
brake or to shift the transmission to the P
position.
XIf this is the case, only park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it to prevent it roll-
ing away.
XShift the transmission to position P.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake carries out a func-
tion check at regular intervals when the drive
system is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal.
Applying or releasing manually
XTo engage: push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed.
XTo release: pull handle:.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter goes out.
Parking155
Driving and parking
Z
The electric parking brake can only be
released:
Rwhen the SmartKey is in position1or 2in
the ignition lock (
Ypage 131) or
Rif the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically
When the vehicle's HOLD function is holding
the vehicle at a standstill, the electric parking
brake is engaged automatically.
In addition, at least one of the following con-
ditions must be fulfilled:
Rthe drive system is switched off.
Rthe driver's door is open and the seat belt is
not fastened.
Rthere is a system malfunction.
Rthe power supply is insufficient.
Rthe vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
lights up.
Releasing automatically
Your vehicle's electric parking brake is auto-
matically released if all of the following con-
ditions are met:
Rthe vehicle has been started.
Rthe transmission is in position Dor R.
Rthe seat belt has been fastened.
Ryou depress the accelerator pedal.
If the transmission is in position R, the tailgate
must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
Rthe driver's door is closed.
Ryou have shifted out of transmission posi-
tion Por you have previously driven faster
than 2 mph (3 km/h). Ensure that you do not depress the acceler-
ator pedal unintentionally. Otherwise the
parking brake will be released and the vehicle
will start to move.
Emergency braking
The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking
brake.
XWhile driving, push handle :of the electric
parking brake (
Ypage 155).
The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
handle :of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle :is depressed, the greater
the braking force.
During braking:
Ra warning tone sounds
Rthe Please Release Parking Brake
message appears
Rthe red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-
still, the electric parking brake is applied.
Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
iYou can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
156Parking
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
ments. PARKTRONIC is operational if yellow
segments showing operational readiness=
light up.
The transmission position of the automatic
transmission and the direction in which the
vehicle is rolling determine which warning
display is active when the engine is running.
Transmission
positionWarning display
DFront area activated
R, Nor the vehicle
is rolling back-
wardsRear and front areas
activated
PNo areas activated
One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.
From the:
Rsixth segment onwards, you will hear an
intermittent warning tone for approx-
imately two seconds.
Rseventh segment onwards, you will hear a
warning tone for approximately two sec-
onds. This indicates that you have now
reached the minimum distance.
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
:Indicator lamp
;Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC
If indicator lamp :lights up, PARKTRONIC is
deactivated.
iPARKTRONIC is automatically activated
when you turn the SmartKey to position 2in
the ignition lock.
Driving systems167
Driving and parking
Z
Problems with PARKTRONIC
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated and the
indicator lamp on the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up.PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
XIf problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated.The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
XClean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Ypage 277).
XSwitch the ignition back on.
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
XSee if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.
Active Parking Assist
General notes
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. It measures the road on
both sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol
indicates a suitable parking space. Active
steering intervention can assist you during
maneuvering and parking. You may also use
PARKTRONIC (
Ypage 165).
Important safety notes
Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. Make sure that
no persons, animals or objects are in the
maneuvering range.
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable.
GWARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park- ing Assist parking procedure.
!If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at a
sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example:
RWhere parking or stopping is prohibited
RIn front of driveways or entrances and exits
ROn unsuitable surfaces
168Driving systems
Driving and parking
XDrive forwards and back up as prompted bythe PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
XStop when PARKTRONIC sounds the con-
tinuous warning tone, if not before.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and
the Park Assist Finished
message
appears in the multifunction display. You will
then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available. You
can take over the steering, before the vehicle
has exited the parking space completely. This
is useful, for example when you recognize
that it is already possible to pull out of the
parking space.
Canceling Active Parking Assist
XStop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. The Park Assist Canceled
mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or
XPress the PARKTRONIC button
(
Ypage 167).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
The Park Assist Canceled
message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled automati-
cally if:
Rthe electric parking brake is engaged
Rtransmission position Pis selected
Rparking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible
Ryou are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
Ra wheel spins, ESP®intervenes or fails. The
÷ warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster
A warning tone sounds. The parking symbol
disappears and the multifunction display shows the
Park Assist Canceled
mes-
sage.
When Active Parking Assist is canceled, you
must steer and brake again yourself.
If a system malfunction occurs, the vehicle is
braked to a standstill. To drive on, depress the
accelerator again.
Rear view camera
General notes
Rear view camera :is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It uses guide lines to show
the area behind your vehicle in the Audio/
COMAND display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
iThe text shown in the Audio/COMAND
display depends on the language setting.
The following are examples of rear view
camera messages in the Audio/COMAND
display.
Observe the notes on cleaning (
Ypage 278).
Important safety notes
The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your imme- diate surroundings. You are always responsi-
ble for safe maneuvering and parking. When
maneuvering or parking, make sure that there
are no persons, animals or objects in the area
in which you are maneuvering.
172Driving systems
Driving and parking