
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 81
Important safety notes .................... 81
Replacing ......................................... 81
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 377
Display message ............................ 296
Important safety notes .................. 374
Jump starting ................................. 379
Overview ........................................ 374
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 272
Display message ............................ 305
Notes/function .............................. 227
Trailer towing ................................. 229
see Active Blind Spot Assist
BlueTEC
Adding DEF .................................... 167
BlueTEC (DEF) .................................... 436
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 286
Notes ............................................. 438
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 293
Brake pedal
Pedal resistance/pedal travel .......... 44
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 66
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 70
BAS .................................................. 67
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic
Assist ............................................... 67
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 438
Display message ............................ 281
High-performance brake system .... 185
Important safety notes .................. 183
Maintenance .................................. 184
Parking brake ................................ 179
RBS warning lamp .......................... 318
Recuperative Brake System ............. 44
Riding tips ...................................... 183 Warning lamp ................................. 317
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 369
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 34
C California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 26
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
360° camera ................................. 366
Car wash ........................................ 361
Carpets .......................................... 368
Display ........................................... 367
Exhaust pipe .................................. 366
Exterior lights ................................ 365
Gear or selector lever .................... 367
Interior ........................................... 367
Matte finish ................................... 363
Notes ............................................. 361
Paint .............................................. 363
Plastic trim .................................... 367
Power washer ................................ 363
Rear view camera .......................... 365
Roof lining ...................................... 368
Seat belt ........................................ 368
Seat cover ..................................... 367
Sensors ......................................... 365
Side running board ........................ 365
Steering wheel ............................... 367
Trim pieces .................................... 367
Washing by hand ........................... 362
Wheels ........................................... 364
Windows ........................................ 364
Wiper blades .................................. 364
Wooden trim .................................. 367
Cargo compartment cover
Notes/how to use ......................... 334
Cargo compartment enlargement
Important safety notes .................. 332 Index 5 

Display message ............................ 299
General notes .................................. 42
High-voltage battery ........................ 43
Important safety notes .................... 42
Manual switch off ............................ 42
Opening the hood ............................ 43
Warning lamp ................................. 318
Hybrid vehicles
Important safety notes .................... 42
Hydroplaning ..................................... 185
IIgnition lock
see Key positions
Immobilizer .......................................... 76
Indicator lamps
see Warning and indicator lamps
Indicators
see Turn signals
Insect protection on the radiator .... 357
Instrument cluster
Overview .......................................... 34
Warning and indicator lamps ........... 35
Instrument cluster lighting .............. 263
Interior lighting
Automatic control .......................... 119
Emergency lighting ........................ 119
Manual control ............................... 119
Overview ........................................ 118
Reading lamp ................................. 118
J
Jack
Storage location ............................ 369
Using ............................................. 410
Jump starting (engine) ...................... 379
K
Key positions
KEYLESS-GO .................................. 146
SmartKey ....................................... 145
KEYLESS-GO
Convenience closing feature ............ 93
Deactivation ..................................... 79
Display message ............................ 314
Locking ............................................ 79 Removing the Start/Stop button ... 147
Start function ................................... 80
Start/Stop button .......................... 146
Starting the engine ........................ 148
Unlocking ......................................... 79
Kickdown
Driving tips .................................... 157
Manual gearshifting ....................... 161
Knee bag .............................................. 51
L Lamps
see Warning and indicator lamps
Lane detection (automatic)
see Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Keeping Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 272
Display message ............................ 305
Function/information .................... 229
see Active Lane Keeping Assist
Lap time (RACETIMER) ...................... 277
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ................................................ 62
Level control (display message) ...... 302
Level control (vehicle with the Off-
Road Engineering package)
Basic settings ................................ 202
Function/notes ............................. 201
Important safety notes .................. 201
License plate lamp (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 293
Light function, active
Display message ............................ 294
Light sensor (display message) ....... 294
Lights
Adaptive Highbeam Assist ............. 117
Automatic headlamp mode ............ 114
Cornering light function ................. 117
Hazard warning lamps ................... 116
High beam flasher .......................... 116
High-beam headlamps ................... 116
Light switch ................................... 114
Low-beam headlamps .................... 115
Parking lamps ................................ 115
Rear fog lamp ................................ 115
Standing lamps .............................. 11512
Index 

Important safety notes .................. 210
Problem (malfunction) ................... 213
Range of the sensors .................... .2 10
Trailer towing ................................. 210
Warning display ............................. 211
PASSENGER AIR BAG
Display message ............................ 290
Indicator lamps ................................ 45
Problem (malfunction) ................... 290
Pets in the vehicle ............................... 65
Plastic trim (cleaning instruc-
tions) .................................................. 367
PLUG-IN HYBRID operating
Electrical energy generated ........... 250
PLUG-IN HYBRID operation
Automatic engine start (ECO
start/stop function) ....................... 253
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) ....................... 253
Charge level of the high-voltage
battery ........................................... 247
Charging the high-voltage battery .. 248
Displaying the total range and
electric range ................................. 250
Driving tips .................................... 252
DYNAMIC SELECT controller ......... 251
ECO start/stop function ................ 253
Electric motor (power display) ....... 245
Electrical energy generated
(Audio 20) ...................................... 250
Electrical energy generated
(COMAND) ..................................... 250
Energy flow display ........................ 247
Fuel consumption .......................... 250
Fuel consumption (Audio 20) ......... 250
Fuel consumption (COMAND) ........ 250
General notes ................................ 242
High-voltage battery (condition of
charge) .......................................... 247
Hybrid drive system overview ........ 244
HYBRID menu ................................ 273
Important safety notes .................. 242
Instrument cluster (power dis-
play) ............................................... 245
Instrument cluster overview .......... 245
Noiseless start ............................... 250
Operating (on-board computer) ..... 247
Operating mode ............................. 246 Overrun mode ................................ 253
Pa rking .......................................... 254
P o wer display (electric motor) ....... 245
Problems with SRS (supplemental
restraint system) ............................ 256
Problems with the combustion
engine ............................................ 255
Problems with the hybrid drive
system ........................................... 256
Problems with the Recuperative
Brake System ................................ 255
Pulling away ................................... 251
READY display ............................... 250
Recuperative Brake System ........... 242
Resetting the values (Audio 20) ..... 250
Resetting the values (COMAND) .... 250
Route-based operating strategy ..... 253
Shifting manually ........................... 251
Starting .......................................... 250
When the vehicle is stationary ....... 252
Power locks ......................................... 86
Power washers .................................. 363
Power windows
see Side windows
Pre-entry climate control (via
SmartKey)
Problems (malfunctions) ................ 140
Pre-entry climate control at depar-
ture time
General notes ................................ 140
Pre-entry climate control at time of
departure
Setting departure time ................... 141
Pre-entry climate control via key
General notes ................................ 139
Pre-entry climate control via
SmartKey
Activating/deactivating ................. 139
PRE-SAFE ®
(anticipatory occupant
protection)
Display message ............................ 287
Operation ......................................... 58
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
Activating/deactivating ................. 272
Display message ............................ 287
Function/notes ................................ 74
Important safety notes .................... 7416
Index 

Reversing feature
Panorama sliding sunroof ................ 96
Roller sunblinds ............................... 97
Side windows ................................... 91
Sliding sunroof ................................. 96
Tailgate ............................................ 87
Reversing lamps (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 293
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 27
Roller sunblind
Panorama roof with power tilt/
sliding panel ..................................... 97
Rear side windows ......................... 341
Roof carrier ........................................ 338
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 368
Roof load (maximum) ........................ 441
Route (navigation)
see Route guidance (navigation)
Route guidance (navigation) ............ 268
SSafety
Children in the vehicle ..................... 60
Hybrid drive system ......................... 42
see Occupant safety
Safety notes
Hybrid vehicles ................................ 42
Safety system
see Driving safety systems
SD memory card
Selecting ........................................ 269
Seat belts
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt ......................... 48
Adjusting the height ......................... 48
Cleaning ......................................... 368
Correct usage .................................. 47
Fastening ......................................... 48
Important safety guidelines ............. 46
Introduction ..................................... 46
Releasing ......................................... 48
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ...................... 276
Warning lamp ................................. 316
Warning lamp (function) ................... 49 Seats
Adjusting (electrically) ................... 102
Adjusting the head restraint .......... 102
Cleaning the cover ......................... 367
Correct driver's seat position ........ 100
Folding the rear bench seat for-
wards/back ................................... 332
Important safety notes .................. 101
Overview ........................................ 101
Seat heating problem .................... 106
Seat ventilation problem ................ 107
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 113
Switching seat heating on/off ....... 104
Switching seat ventilation on/off .. 106
Section
Sliding sunroof ................................. 95
Securing hooks .................................. 334
Selector lever
Cleaning ......................................... 367
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 365
Service menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 273
Service message
see ASSYST PLUS
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 438
Coolant (engine) ............................ 438
DEF special additives ..................... 436
Engine oil ....................................... 437
Fuel ................................................ 434
Important safety notes .................. 433
Refrigerant (air-conditioning sy s-
tem) ............................................... 440
Washer fluid ................................... 439
Setting the air distribution ............... 135
Setting the airflow ............................ 135
Setting the charge current (on-
board computer) ............................... 273
Setting the departure time (on-
board computer) ............................... 274
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 276
On-board computer ....................... 273
SETUP (on-board computer) ............. 277
Side impact air bag ............................. 5118
Index 

If a child is traveling in your vehicle, also
observe the following notes: R
Always secure children under twelve years of
age and less than 5 ft (1.50 m) tall in suitable
child restraint systems. R
Child restraint systems should be installed on
the rear seats. R
Only secure a child in a rearward-facing child
restraint system on the front-passenger seat
when the front-passenger front air bag is
deactivated. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF
indicator lamp is permanently lit, the front-
passenger front air bag is deactivated
( Y
page 45).R
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes on the "Occupant Classification System
(OCS)" ( Y
page 52) and on "Children in the
vehicle" ( Y
page 60) in addition to the child
restraint system manufacturer's installation
and operating instructions.
Objects in the vehicle interior may prevent
an air bag from functioning correctly. Before
starting your journey and to avoid risks resulting
from the speed of the air bag as it deploys, make
sure that: R
there are no people, animals or objects
between the vehicle occupants and an air
bag. R
there are no objects between the seat, door
and B-pillar. R
no hard objects, e.g. coat hangers, hang on
th e grab handles or coat hooks. R
no accessories, such as cup holders, are
attached to the vehicle within the deployment
area of an air bag, e.g. to doors, side windows,
rear side trim or side walls. R
no heavy, sharp-edged or fragile objects are in
the pockets of your clothing. Store such
objects in a suitable place.
G WARNING
If you modify the air bag cover or affix objects
such as stickers to it, the air bag can no longer
function correctly. There is an increased risk
of injury.
Never modify an air bag cover or affix objects
to it.
G WARNING
Sensors to control the air bags are located in
the doors. Modifications or work not per- formed correctly to the doors or door panel-
ing, as well as damaged doors, can lead to the
function of the sensors being impaired. The air
bags might therefore not function properly
anymore. Consequently, the air bags cannot
protect vehicle occupants as they are
designed to do. There is an increased risk of
injury.
Never modify the doors or parts of the doors.
Always have work on the doors or door pan-
eling carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Front air bags
Driver's air bag  C deploys in front of the steer-
ing wheel. Front-passenger front air bag  D
deploys in front of and above the glove box.
When deployed, the front air bags offer addi-
tional head and thorax protection for the occu-
pants in the front seats.
The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and PASSENGER
AIR BAG ON indicator lamps inform you about
the status of the front-passenger air bag
( Y
page 45).
The front-passenger front air bag will only
deploy if: R
the system, based on the OCS weight sensor
readings, detects that the front-passenger
seat is occupied ( Y
page 52). The
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON indicator lamp is lit
( Y
page 52) R
the restraint system control unit predicts a
high accident severity50
Occupant safety
Safety 

the vehicle. This process is pre-emptive in
nature. Deployment should take place in good
time at the start of the collision.
The rate of vehicle deceleration or acceleration
and the direction of the force are essentially
determined by: R
the distribution of forces during the collision R
the collision angle R
the deformation characteristics of the vehicle R
the characteristics of the object with which
the vehicle has collided
Factors which can only be seen and measured
after a collision has occurred do not play a deci-
sive role in the deployment of an air bag. Nor do
they provide an indication of air bag deploy-
ment.
The vehicle can be deformed considerably, with-
out an air bag being deployed. This is the case if
only parts which are relatively easily deformed
are affected and the rate of deceleration is not
high. Conversely, air bags may be deployed even
though the vehicle suffers only minor deforma-
tion. This is the case if, for example, very rigid
vehicle parts such as longitudinal body mem-
bers are hit, and sufficient deceleration occurs
as a result.
If the control unit of the restraint system dete cts
a
side impact or a vehicle rollover, the relevant
components of the restraint system are activa-
ted separately depending on the anticipated
type of accident. R
Side impact air bags on the side where the
impact takes place, independently of the
Emergency Tensioning Device and the use of
the seat belt on the driver's seat and outer
seats in the second row
The side impact air bag on the front-
passenger side (front) deploys under the fol-
lowing conditions: -
the OCS system detects that the front-
passenger seat is occupied or -
the belt tongue is engaged in the belt
buckle of the front-passenger seat R
Window curtain air bag on the side of impact,
independently of the use of the seat belt and
independently of whether the front-
passenger seat is occupied R
Emergency Tensioning Devices, if the system
determines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection in this situation R
Window curtain air bags on the driver's and
front-passenger side in certain situations when the vehicle rolls over, if the system
determines that deployment can offer addi-
tional protection to that provided by the seat
belt
i Not all air bags are deployed in an accident.
T he different air bag systems work independ-
ently of each other.
How the air bag system works is determined
by the severity of the accident detected,
especially the vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration and the apparent type of accident: R
Frontal collision R
Side impact R
Rollover
PRE-SAFE ®
(anticipatory occupant
protection system)
Introduction In certain hazardous situations, PRE-SAFE ®
takes pre-emptive measures to protect the vehi-
cle occupants.
Important safety notes
! Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats. There is a danger
that the seats and/or objects could be dam-
aged when PRE-SAFE ®
is activated.
Although your vehicle is equipped with PRE-
SAFE ®
, the possibility of injury in the event of an
accident cannot be ruled out. Always adapt your
driving style to suit the prevailing road and
weather conditions and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
Function PRE-SAFE ®
intervenes: R
in emergency braking situations, e.g. when
BAS is activated R
in critical driving situations, e.g. when physi-
cal limits are exceeded and the vehicle under-
steers or oversteers severely R
on vehicles with the Driving Assistance pack-
age: if BAS PLUS intervenes powerfully or the
radar sensor system detects an imminent
danger of collision in certain situations58
Occupant safety
Safety 

PRE-SAFE ®
takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detected: R
the front seat belts are pre-tensioned. R
if the vehicle skids, the side windows and the
sliding sunroof are closed. R
vehicles with the memory function: the front-
passenger seat is adjusted if it is in an unfav-
orable position. R
vehicles with a multicontour seat: the air pres-
sure in the side bolsters of the seat backrest
is increased.
If the hazardous situation passes without result-
ing in an accident, PRE-SAFE ®
slackens the belt
pre-tensioning. On vehicles with multicontour
seats, the air pressure in the side bolsters is
reduced again. All settings made by PRE-SAFE ®
can then be reversed.
If the seat belt pre-tensioning is not reduced: X
Move the seat backrest or seat back slightly
when the vehicle is stationary.
The seat belt pre-tensioning is reduced and
the locking mechanism is released.
The seat-belt adjustment is an integral part of
the PRE-SAFE ®
convenience function. Informa-
tion about the convenience function can be
found under "Belt adjustment" ( Y
page 48).
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS (anticipatory occu-
pant protection system PLUS)
Introduction PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS is only available in vehicles
with the Driving Assistance package.
Using the radar sensor system, PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS is able to detect that a head-on or rear-end
collision is imminent. In certain hazardous sit-
uations, PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS takes pre-emptive
measures to protect the vehicle occupants.
Important safety notes
The intervention of PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS cannot
prevent an imminent collision.
The driver is not warned about the intervention
of PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS does not intervene if the vehi-
cle is backing up.
When driving, or when parking or exiting a park-
ing space with assistance from Active Parking Assist, PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS will not apply the
brakes.
Function PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS intervenes in certain situa-
tions if the radar sensor system detects an
imminent head-on or rear-end collision.
PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS takes the following measures
depending on the hazardous situation detected: R
if the radar sensor system detects that a
head-on collision is imminent, the seat belts
are pre-tensioned. R
if the radar sensor system detects that a rear-
end collision is imminent: -
the brake pressure is increased if the driver
applies the brakes when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. -
the seat belts are pre-tensioned.
The PRE-SAFE ®
PLUS braking application is can-
celed: R
if the accelerator pedal is depressed when a
gear is engaged R
if the risk of a collision passes or is no longer
detected R
if DISTRONIC PLUS indicates an intention to
pull away
If the hazardous situation passes without result-
ing in an accident, the original settings are
restored.
Automatic measures after an acci-
dent Immediately after an accident, the following
measures are implemented, depending on the
type and severity of the impact: R
the hazard warning lamps are activated R
the emergency lighting is activated R
the vehicle doors are unlocked R
the front side windows are lowered R
vehicles with a memory function: the electri-
cally adjustable steering wheel is raised R
the engine is switched off and the fuel supply
is cut offOccupant safety 59
Safety Z 

Off-road ABS An ABS system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated on: R
Vehicles without the Offroad Engineering
package ( Y
page 237)R
Vehicles with the Off-Road Engineering pack-
age ( Y
page 237)
At speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h), the front
wheels lock cyclically during braking. The dig-
ging-in effect achieved in the process reduces
the stopping distance on off-road terrain. This
limits steering capability.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information BAS operates in emergency braking situations.
If you depress the brake pedal quickly, BAS
automatically boosts the braking force, thus
shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion ( Y
page 66).
G WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
Braking X
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) with Cross-Traffic Assist
General information BAS PLUS can help you to minimize the risk of a
collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian and
reduce the effects of such a collision. If BAS
PLUS detects a danger of collision, you are
assisted when braking.
i Pay attention to the important safety notes
in the "Driving safety systems" section
( Y
page 66).
BAS PLUS is only available on vehicles with the
Driving Assistance package.
For BAS PLUS to assist you when driving, the
radar sensor system and the camera system
must be operational.
With the help of a sensor system and a camera
system, BAS PLUS can detect obstacles: R
that are in the path of your vehicle for an
extended period of time R
that cross the path of your vehicle
In addition, pedestrians in the path of your vehi-
cle can be detected.
BAS PLUS detects pedestrians by using typical
characteristics such as the body contours and
posture of a person standing upright.
If the radar sensor system or the camera system
is malfunctioning, BAS PLUS functions are
restricted or no longer available. The brake sys-
tem is still available with complete brake boost-
ing effect and BAS.
i Observe the restrictions described in the
"Important safety notes" sec-
tion“ ( Y
page 67).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
BAS PLUS cannot always clearly identify
objects and complex traffic situations.
In such cases, BAS PLUS may: R
intervene unnecessarily R
not intervene
There is a risk of an accident.Driving safety systems 67
Safety Z