
object, for example, on uphill or downhill gra-
dients
R on uphill or downhill gradients the laden vehi-
cle must also be secured at the rear axle, for
example with a wheel chock or similar object Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X With the key: turn the key to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobiliser is activated.
X With the Start/Stop button: press the
Start/Stop button (Y page 144).
The engine stops and all the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this corre-
sponds to key position 1. When the driver's
door is open, this corresponds to key position
0: "key removed".
If you switch the engine off with the transmis-
sion in position Ror D, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts to Nautomatically.
With the key: if you then open the driver's door
or the front-passenger door or remove the key
from the ignition, the automatic transmission
shifts to Pautomatically.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the automatic transmission shifts to Pautomat-
ically.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with a towing
system:
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO or KEYLESS-
GO start function:
remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock.
X Insert the key into the ignition lock.
X All vehicles: switch the ignition on.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the key in the
ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off while the vehicle
is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/
Stop button for about three seconds. This func- tion operates independently of the ECO start/
stop automatic engine switch-off function. Electric parking brake
General notes G
WARNING
If you leave children unattended in the vehi-
cle, they may be able to set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake
R shift the automatic transmission out of park
position P
R start the engine
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of
an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle.
The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or the system is malfunc-
tioning, it may not be possible to apply the
released parking brake. 168
ParkingDriving and parking

X
If this is the case, park the vehicle only on
level ground and secure it to prevent it from
rolling away.
X Shift the automatic transmission to position
P.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or if there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a
qualified specialist workshop.
The electric parking brake carries out a function
check at regular intervals when the engine is
switched off. Noises that occur are normal.
Applying or releasing manually X
To apply: push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is applied,
red indicator lamp !lights up on the
instrument cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be applied when the key is removed.
X To release: pull handle:.
Red indicator lamp !on the instrument
cluster goes out.
The electric parking brake can be released only:
R when the key is in position 1or 2in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 144) or
R if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically The electric parking brake is automatically
applied when the transmission is in position P
and:
R the engine is switched off or
R the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened To prevent the electric parking brake from being
applied automatically, pull handle :.
The electric parking brake is also applied auto-
matically if:
R DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
R the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle sta-
tionary or
R Active Parking Assist is keeping the vehicle
stationary
In addition, at least one of the following condi-
tions must be fulfilled:
R the engine is switched off
R the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
R there is a system malfunction
R the power supply is insufficient
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
Red indicator lamp !on the instrument clus-
ter lights up.
The electric parking brake is not automatically
applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
Releasing automatically The electric parking brake of your vehicle is
released automatically when all the following
conditions are fulfilled:
R the seat belt is fastened
R the engine is running
R you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R
or
you shift the transmission position from Pto
position Dor R– You will need to accelerate
more on steeper gradients
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 for the electric park- ing brake to be released automatically:
R the driver's door is closed
R you are shifting from transmission position P
or you have previously driven at speeds
greater than 3 km/h
Ensure that you do not depress the accelerator
pedal unintentionally. Otherwise, the parking
brake will be released and the vehicle will start
to move. Parking
169Driving and parking Z

towards the edge of the carriageway, your vehi-
cle could come into contact with the kerb or
other road boundaries. Be particularly aware of
other road users, e.g. cyclists, that are directly
next to your vehicle.
Obstacles such as traffic pylons on the lane or
projecting out into the lane are not detected.
An inappropriate steering intervention, e.g. after
you have intentionally driven over a lane mark-
ing, can be corrected at any time if you steer
slightly in the opposite direction.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and
Stop&Go Pilot cannot continuously keep your
vehicle in lane. In some cases, the steering
intervention is not sufficient to bring the vehicle back to the lane. In such cases, you must steer the vehicle yourself to ensure that it does not
leave the lane.
The system may be impaired or may not function
in the following situations:
R poor visibility, e.g. due to insufficient illumi-
nation of the road, or due to snow, rain, fog or
spray
R glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic, the sun or
reflection from other vehicles (e.g. if the road
surface is wet)
R the windscreen is dirty, misted up, damaged
or covered, for instance by a sticker, in the
vicinity of the camera
R no or several, unclear lane markings are pres-
ent for one lane, e.g. in a construction area
R the lane markings are worn away, dark or cov-
ered up, e.g. by dirt or snow
R the distance to the vehicle in front is so small
that the lane markings cannot be detected
R the lane markings change quickly, e.g. lanes
branch off, cross one another or merge
R the road is narrow and winding
R there are highly variable shade conditions on
the roadway
The system is switched to passive and no longer assists you by performing steering interventions
if:
R you actively change lane
R you switch on the turn signal
R you take your hands off the steering wheel or
do not steer for a prolonged period of time
After you have finished changing lanes, Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are automatically
active again. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot cannot pro-
vide assistance in the following situations:
R on very sharp corners
R when a loss of tyre pressure or a defective
tyre has been detected and displayed
Also observe the important safety notes for
DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 178).
The steering interventions are carried out with a
limited steering moment. The system requires
the driver to keep his hands on the steering
wheel and to steer himself.
If you do not steer yourself or if you take your
hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged
period of time, the system will first alert you with a visual warning. A steering wheel symbol
appears on the multifunction display. If you have
still not started to steer and have not taken hold
of the steering wheel after five seconds at the
latest, a warning tone also sounds to remind you to take control of the vehicle. Steering Assist
and Stop&Go Pilot switch to passive mode.
DISTRONIC PLUS remains activated.
Activating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot X
Press button ;.
Indicator lamp :lights up. The DTR+: DTR+:
steering
steering assist.
assist.on
onmessage appears on
the multifunction display. Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are activated. Driving systems
185Driving and parking Z

Information on the multifunction display
If Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are activa-
ted but not ready for a steering intervention,
steering wheel symbol :appears in grey. If the
system provides you with support by means of
steering interventions, symbol :is shown in
green.
Deactivating Steering Assist and Stop&Go
Pilot
X Press button ;.
Indicator lamp :goes out. The DTR+:
DTR+:
steering assist. off
steering assist. off message appears
on the multifunction display. Steering Assist
and Stop&Go Pilot are deactivated.
When DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated or not
available, Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot are deactivated automatically. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep slopes
R when manoeuvring on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is cancelled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away. Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply
R the HOLD function is deactivated by the
accelerator pedal being depressed, e.g. by
a vehicle occupant
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
from rolling away.
! When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat- ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations:
R when towing away
R in a car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function (Y page 187).
Activation conditions You can activate the HOLD function if all the fol-
lowing conditions are fulfilled:
R the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running or it has been automat-
ically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt is
fastened
R the electric parking brake is released
R the transmission is in position h,kori.
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated 186
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

Activating the HOLD function
X
Make sure that the activation conditions are
met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until :appears on the multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
If depressing the brake pedal the first time does
not activate the HOLD function, wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automatically
if:
R you depress the accelerator and the trans-
mission is in position hork
R the transmission is in position j
R you depress the brake pedal again with a cer-
tain amount of pressure until display ë
disappears from the multifunction display.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric park-
ing brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
After a short period, the vehicle is secured by
the electric parking brake, thus relieving the
service brake.
When the HOLD function is activated, the trans-
mission is shifted automatically to position jif
R the driver's seat belt is not fastened and the
driver's door is open
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/stop
function The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activated,
the vehicle is stationary and:
R a system fault occurs
R the power supply is insufficient
If a malfunction occurs, the transmission may
also be shifted to position jautomatically. AIR BODY CONTROL
General notes AIR BODY CONTROL is an air suspension system
with variable damping for improved driving com-
fort. All-round level control ensures the best
possible suspension and constant ground clear- ance, even with a laden vehicle. When you driveat speed, the vehicle is lowered automatically to improve driving safety and to reduce fuel con-
sumption. You also have the option of manually
adjusting the vehicle level. AIR BODY CONTROL
consists of level setting, level control and the
ADS Adaptive Damping System.
The vehicle level can be set using the DYNAMIC SELECT switch (Y page 152) or the level button
(Y page 188). The setting always corresponds
to the last function selected.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
People's limbs may become trapped if they
are located underneath the vehicle or
between the vehicle body and the tyres when the vehicle is lowering. There is a danger of
injury.
When lowering the vehicle, make sure no one
is underneath the vehicle or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel arches.
i If one of the doors is open, the vehicle is not
lowered. Driving systems
187Driving and parking Z

Parking
G
WARNING
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being
braked by Active Parking Assist it could roll
away if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
R the vehicle is accelerated, e.g. by a vehicle
occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the vehicle, always secure it
against rolling away.
i When PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically
during the parking process. You are respon-
sible for braking in good time.
X Stop the vehicle when the parking symbol
shows the desired parking space in the instru-
ment cluster.
X Shift the transmission to position R.
The Start
Start Park ParkAssist?
Assist? Yes:
Yes:OK
OKNo:
No:%
message appears in the multifunction display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or pull away.
or
X To park using Active Parking Assist: press
the a button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake
and brake Observe surroundings
Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
X Release the multifunction steering wheel.
X Reverse the vehicle, being ready to brake at
all times. When reversing, drive at a speed
below 10 km/h. Otherwise, Active Parking
Assist will be cancelled.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to a
standstill when the vehicle approaches the
rear border of the parking space.
Manoeuvring may be required in tight parking
spaces. The
Park
Park Assist Assist active
activeSelect D
Select D Observe
Observe
surroundings
surroundings message appears in the multi-
function display.
X Shift the transmission to position Dwhile the
vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist active Accelerate Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake
and brake Observe surroundings
Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away.
X Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to a
standstill when the vehicle approaches the
rear border of the parking space.
Manoeuvring may be required in tight parking
spaces.
The Park Park Assist
Assist active
activeSelect R
Select R Observe
Observe
surroundings
surroundings message appears in the multi-
function display.
As soon as the parking procedure is complete,
the Park Assist switched off
Park Assist switched off message
appears and a warning tone sounds. The vehicle
is now parked.
The vehicle is kept stationary without the driver having to depress the brake pedal. The braking
effect is cancelled when you depress the accel-
erator pedal.
Active Parking Assist no longer supports you
with steering interventions and brake applica-
tions. When Active Parking Assist is finished,
you must steer and brake again yourself.
PARKTRONIC is still available.
Parking tips:
R The way your vehicle is positioned in the park-
ing space after parking is dependent on vari-
ous factors. These include the position and
shape of the vehicles parked in front of and
behind it and the conditions of the location. It may be the case that Active Parking Assist
guides you too far into a parking space, or not
far enough into it. In some cases, it may also
lead you across or onto the kerb. If necessary,
you should cancel the parking procedure with Active Parking Assist.
R You can also preselect transmission position
D. The vehicle redirects and does not drive as
far into the parking space. Should the trans-
mission change take place too early, the park- 196
Driving systemsDriving and parking

ing procedure will be cancelled. A sensible
parking position can no longer be achieved
from this position.
Exiting a parking space In order that Active Parking Assist can support
you when you are exiting a parking space:
R the border of the parking space must be high
enough at the front and the rear. A kerb, for
example, is too small.
R the border of the parking space must not be
too wide. Your vehicle can be manoeuvred
into the parking space at a maximum angle of
45° to the starting position.
R a manoeuvring distance of at least 1.0 mmust
be available.
Active Parking Assist can assist you with exiting
a parking space as well only if you have parked
the vehicle parallel to the direction of travel
using Active Parking Assist.
i If PARKTRONIC detects obstacles, Active
Parking Assist brakes automatically whilst the vehicle is exiting the parking space. You are
responsible for braking in good time.
X Start the engine.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch on the turn signal in the direction in
which you intend to pull away.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
The Start
Start Park ParkAssist?
Assist? Yes:
Yes:OK
OKNo:
No: %
message appears on the multifunction dis-
play.
X To cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel or pull away.
or
X To exit a parking space with assistance
from Active Parking Assist: press thea
button on the multifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate Park Assist active Accelerate
and brake
and brake Observe surroundings
Observe surroundings mes-
sage appears on the multifunction display.
X Release the multifunction steering wheel.
X Pull away, being ready to brake at all times. Do
not exceed a speed of approximately
10 km/h when exiting a parking space. Oth-
erwise, Active Parking Assist will be cancel-
led. X
Depending on the message or as required,
shift the transmission to position Dor R.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction. The Park Assist
Park Assist
active Accelerate and brake active Accelerate and brake Observe
Observe
surroundings
surroundings message appears on the mul-
tifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results in exiting a
parking space if you wait for the steering pro- cedure to complete before pulling away.
If you reverse after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
X Drive forwards and reverse as prompted by
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several
times if necessary.
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 Park Assist
Assist switched
switched off
offmessage appears
on 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 again before the vehicle has exited the parking space completely. This is useful if
you recognise that it is already possible to pull
out of the parking space.
Cancelling Active Parking Assist X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be cancelled at
once. The Park Assist cancelled Park Assist cancelled mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or
X Press the PARKTRONIC button (Y page 193).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active Park- ing Assist is immediately cancelled. The
Park Assist cancelled Park Assist cancelled message appears
in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is cancelled automatically
if:
R the electric parking brake is applied
R transmission position Pis selected
R parking using Active Parking Assist is no lon-
ger possible
R you are driving faster than 10 km/h
R a wheel spins and ESP ®
intervenes or fails.
The ÷ warning lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster. Driving systems
197Driving and parking Z

Coupling up a trailer
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Position the trailer on a level surface behind
the vehicle.
X Couple up the trailer.
X Establish the electrical connection between
the vehicle and the trailer.
X Check that the trailer lighting system is work-
ing.
X Push the combination switch upwards and
downwards and check whether the corre-
sponding turn signal indicator on the trailer is
flashing.
A connected trailer is only detected when the
electrical connection is established correctly
and the lighting system is working properly. The
function of other systems also depends on this, for example:
R ESP ®
R PARKTRONIC
R Active Parking Assist
R Active Blind Spot Assist
R Active Lane Keeping Assist Uncoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over- run brake, you could trap your hand between
the vehicle and the trailer drawbar. This poses a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. G
WARNING
Vehicles with level control:
If you disconnect the trailer cable, the vehicle is lowered. This can cause you or others to
become trapped between the vehicle body
and tyres, or underneath the vehicle. This
poses a risk of injury.
Make sure that no-one is in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel arch or underneath the
vehicle when disconnecting the trailer cable. !
Do not disconnect a trailer with an engaged
overrun brake. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged by the rebounding of the overrun
brake.
! Remove the adapter cable before folding in
the ball coupling. You could otherwise dam-
age the rear bumper and the adapter cable.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle and trailer against rolling
away.
X Remove the trailer cable and uncouple the
trailer. Trailer power supply
! Accessories with a maximum power con-
sumption of 180 W can be connected to the
permanent power supply.
The trailer battery may not be charged from
the power supply.
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's trailer
socket is equipped with a permanent power
supply and a power supply that is switched on
via the ignition lock.
The permanent power supply is supplied via
trailer socket pin 9.
The power supply that is switched on via the
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin 10.
The trailer's permanent power supply is
switched off in the event of low on-board voltage
and after six hours at the latest.
You can find more information about installing
the trailer electrics at a qualified specialist work- shop.
To activate the switched power supply:
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 144).
or
X Press the Start/Stop button twice on vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO or the KEYLESS-GO start
function (Y page 144).222
Towing a trailerDriving and parking