
Engine running while vehicle is stationary
The combustion engine is running while the
vehicle is stationary. The high-voltage battery is
not being charged.
The arrows for the energy flow are not shown.
The combustion engine is highlighted.
Charging while vehicle is stationary
The engine powers the electric motor. The elec-
tric motor operates as a generator. The high-
voltage battery is being charged.
The arrow representing energy flow is shown in
white.
Driving using the engine
The engine powers the vehicle. The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
white.
Driving using the engine plus boost mode
If you rapidly depress the accelerator, the elec-
tric motor supports the internal combustion
engine by providing additional torque.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in red.
Driving using the engine plus energy
recovery
The engine powers the vehicle. The electric
motor is operating as a generator, e.g. in over-
run mode and when braking ( Y
page 253). The
kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted into
electrical energy. The high-voltage battery is
being charged.
The arrows for the energy flow are shown in
green.246
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Pulling away X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift the transmission to position D or R .X
If the Apply Brake to Shift from 'P'
display message appears in the multifunction
display, depress the brake pedal more firmly
and select the desired transmission position. X
Release the brake pedal. X
Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
For further information on pulling away
( Y
page 165).
Driving
Program selector button Automatic drive programs E, S and E+
X
Press program selector button C to change
the drive program.
The selected drive program appears in the
multifunction display. The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving characteris-
tics.
E Economy R
Comfortable, economical
driving R
Electric operation mode
is used as often as possi-
ble R
ECO start/stop function
is available
S Sport R
Sporty driving style with
boost mode R
The internal combustion
engine is always
switched on
E+ Economy
Plus R
Comfortable, economical
driving R
Electric operation mode
is used as often as possi-
ble R
The ECO start/stop func-
tion is available R
Double pulses in the hap-
tic accelerator pedal, as
an indication to release
the accelerator pedal
( Y
page 251) R
After the accelerator
pedal has been released,
the coasting characteris-
tics of the vehicle are
adapted to the traffic
conditions
For further information on the automatic drive
program, see ( Y
page 174).
Manual drive program
In addition to automatic drive programs E and S ,
you can switch to manual drive program M using
the steering wheel paddle shifters.
In manual drive program M , you can briefly
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be
in position D . In manual drive program M the
internal combustion engine is always switched
on.250
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Activating when driving with the electric motor: X
Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Y
page 174).
The combustion engine is switched on. Man-
ual drive program M is temporarily activated.
The selected gear and M appear in the multi-
function display.
Activating when driving with the combustion
engine: X
Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Y
page 174).
Manual drive program M is temporarily acti-
vated. The selected gear and M appear in the
multifunction display.
The ECO start/stop function is not available in
manual drive program M .
Haptic accelerator pedal General notes The haptic accelerator pedal helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of
your vehicle.
There are two different functions available for
this purpose: R
an additional point of resistance in E-MODE
operating mode ( Y
page 243)R
a double impulse in E+ operating mode
( Y
page 250)
Additional point of resistance in the hap-
tic accelerator pedal The maximum available electric performance is
indicated by a tangible point of resistance in the
haptic accelerator pedal.
The additional point of resistance is available in
E-MODE operating mode ( Y
page 243).
If you depress the haptic accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point, the combustion
engine is switched on.
Double pulses in the haptic accelerator
pedal
A tangible double pulse in the haptic accelerator
pedal gives you a recommendation to release
the accelerator pedal. The combustion engine
can switch off and be disconnected from the
drive train (overrun mode).
The double pulse is available in drive program E+
( Y
page 250). After the accelerator pedal has been released,
the coasting characteristics of the vehicle are
adapted to the traffic conditions.
To avo id getting too close to the vehicle in front,
y
ou must apply the brakes manually when nec-
essary.
Driving tips General driving tips Drive carefully and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front. Avoid frequent and
sudden acceleration as well as abrupt braking.
During partial electric driving, pulling away and
acceleration, the electric motor supports the
internal combustion engine.
During overrun in transmission position D and
braking, the electric motor will operate as a gen-
erator.
Further information on the ECO start/stop func-
tion ( Y
page 252).
Additional driving tips ( Y
page 192).
Stationary vehicle If the vehicle is stopped, the combustion engine
is, for the most part, switched off. Automatic
climate control continues to function. The elec-
tromechanically assisted steering gear allows
you to use the power steering without reduced
comfort.
Acceleration Depending on the operating mode, pulling away
and driving under low load conditions are per-
formed: R
entirely by electric propulsion R
in combination with the internal combustion
engine
When accelerating at an increased or full load,
boost mode is utilized. The electric motor sup-
ports the internal combustion engine by provid-
ing additional torque when the accelerator is
depressed rapidly.
Overrun mode or braking
There are three possible operating modes when
the hybrid vehicle is decelerating: R
energy recovery takes place even when the
vehicle is decelerating purely in overrun mode
( Y
page 240). The electric motor operates asPLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation 251
Driving an d parking Z

a generator and stores the recovered energy
in the high-voltage battery R
when the brakes are applied lightly, the vehi-
cle is slowed down further by the electric
motor. This increases the energy recovery
taking place ( Y
page 240). The electric motor
operates as a generator and stores the recov-
ered energy in the high-voltage battery R
when the brakes are applied with greater
force, the service brakes are also used to slow
the vehicle down. The two systems work
together
Urban driving Energy is recuperated during frequent deceler-
ation and stopping in city traffic.
The vehicle can be driven by the electric motor
alone up to a speed of approximately 81 mph
(130 km/h).
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor alone
only when all conditions for the automatic
engine switch-off are fulfilled.
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off ( Y
page 252).
Driving on inter-urban roads The following phases are possible when driving
on inter-urban roads: R
rapid acceleration (boost mode) R
constant energy consumption R
energy recuperation R
electric operation mode
A great deal of recovered energy may be avail-
able, depending on the route profile. This
reduces consumption and emissions.
Highway driving
During highway driving, fuel consumption and
emissions are favorably influenced in partic ular
by reduced power losses.
The internal combustion engine will be switched
off automatically, if: R
the driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program E and a
speed of 81 mph (130 km/h) is not exceeded R
the driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program E+ and a
speed of 112 mph (180 km/h) is not excee-
ded
Further information on the automatic engine
switch-off ( Y
page 252). ECO start/stop function General notes The ECO start/stop function switches the inter-
nal combustion engine off automatically when
the vehicle stops moving and at high speeds
( Y
page 253).
All vehicle systems remain active, e.g. the auto-
matic climate control.
The ECO start/stop function is only available in
drive programs E and E+ . Electric-only operation
is only possible in drive programs E and E+ .
Additional information for drive programs E and
E+ ( Y
page 250).
Automatic engine switch-off The engine is switched off automatically, includ-
ing when: R
the driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program E and a
speed of 81 mph (13 0 km/ h) is not exceeded
( Y
page 253) R
the driver removes his or her foot from the
accelerator pedal in drive program E+ and a
speed of 112 mph (180 km/h) is not excee-
ded ( Y
page 253) R
the engine has reached its operating temper-
ature R
the driver’s seat belt is fastened and the
driver’s door is closed R
the driver only slightly depresses the accel-
erator pedal in order to, for example, maintain
the current speed for a limited distance R
the hood is closed and engaged properly R
the high-voltage battery is charged suffi-
ciently R
no malfunctions are present in the hybrid
drive system
The internal combustion engine will not be
switched off automatically, if: R
the self-diagnosis function of the engine con-
trol unit is still active R
there is a malfunction in the hybrid drive sys-
t em R
the climate control of the vehicle requires it R
the high-voltage battery is being charged
( Y
page 246) R
automatic emissions tests are running252
PLUG ‑ IN HYBRID operation
Driving and parking

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of publica-
tion of the Operator's Manual. Country-spe-
cific differences are possible. Please note
that your vehicle may not be equipped with all
features described. This also applies to
safety-related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops ( Y
page 28).
Important safety notes
G WARNING
If you operate information systems and com-
munication equipment integrated in the vehi-
cle while driving, you will be distracted from
traffic conditions. You could also lose control
of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Only operate the equipment when the traffic
situation permits. If you are not sure that this
is possible, park the vehicle paying attention
to traffic conditions and operate the equip-
ment when the vehicle is stationary.
You must observe the legal requirements for the
country in which you are currently driving when
operating the on-board computer.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles only:
G WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The
operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
All vehicles, except PLUG-IN HYBRID vehi-
cles:
G WARNING
If the instrument cluster has failed or mal-
functioned, you may not recognize function
restrictions in systems relevant to safety. The operating safety of your vehicle may be
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have the vehicle checked
at a qualified specialist workshop immedi-
ately.
If the operating safety of your vehicle is
impaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so.
Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
The on-board computer only shows messages or
warnings from certain systems in the multifunc-
tion display. You should therefore make sure
your vehicle is operating safely at all times.
For an overview, see the instrument panel illus-
tration ( Y
page 33).
Displays and operation
Instrument cluster lighting The light sensor in the instrument cluster auto-
matically controls the brightness of the multi-
function display. In daylight, the displays in the
instrument cluster are illuminated. A dimming
function is not possible in daylight.
The lighting in the instrument cluster, in the dis-
plays and the controls in the vehicle interior can
be adjusted using the brightness control knob.
The brightness control is located between the
instrument cluster and the multimedia system
display ( Y
page 35). X
Turn the brightness control knob clockwise or
counter-clockwise.
If you turn the light switch ( Y
page 130) to the
` , X or X position, the brightness
will depend upon the brightness of the ambi-
ent light.
Tachometer
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as this
could damage the engine.
The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
The fuel supply is interrupted to protect the
engine when the red band is reached.
PLUG-IN HYBRID vehicles: if you select the oper-
ating mode E-MODE , the display in the instru-
ment cluster changes from tachometer to power
meter ( Y
page 242).256
Displays and operation
On-board computer and displays