Steptronic transmission
Information
WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can put itself into
motion and roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:
▷Set the parking brake.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, turn the
front wheels in the direction of the curb.
▷On uphill grades or on a slope, also secure
the vehicle, for example with a wheel
chock.◀
Selector lever positions
D Drive
Selector lever position for normal vehicle oper‐
ation. All gears for forward travel are activated
automatically.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
The vehicle may roll. Use in automatic car
washes, for example.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
drive wheels are blocked.
Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that se‐
lector lever position P is set. Otherwise, the ve‐
hicle may begin to move.
Kickdown
Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving
performance. Step on the accelerator pedal be‐
yond the resistance point at the full throttle po‐
sition.
Engaging selector lever positions
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a gear, maintain pressure on the brake
pedal until you are ready to start.
The selector lever can only be taken out of se‐
lector lever position P if the ignition is on or the
engine is running.
With the vehicle stationary, depress the brake
pedal before shifting out of selector lever posi‐
tion P or N; otherwise, the shift block will not be
deactivated and the shift command will not be
executed.
A block prevents the inadvertent switching to
selector lever position P or R or the inadvertent
change from selector lever position P.
Canceling the lock
Press unlock button on the front of the selector
lever, arrow.
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Sport program and manual mode M/S
Activating the sport program
Press the selector lever to the left out of selec‐
tor lever position D.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster, for example, S1.
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
Activating the M/S manual mode
1.Press the selector lever to the left out of se‐
lector lever position D.
2.Push the selector lever forward or back‐
ward.
Manual mode M/S becomes active and the gear
is changed.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster, for example, M1.
If the situation requires, the Steptronic trans‐
mission continues to shift automatically.
Example: once maximum engine speed is at‐
tained, M/S manual mode is automatically up‐
shifted as needed.
Switching to manual mode
▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.
▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rear‐
wards.
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds, for example downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the currently se‐
lected gear.
Manual mode M/S: prevent automatic
upshifting
Once a particular engine speed is attained, M/S
manual mode is automatically upshifted as
needed.
For vehicles with Steptronic Sport transmission,
automatic shift operations are not performed if
one of the following conditions is met:
▷DSC is deactivated.▷TRACTION is activated.
In addition, there is no downshifting for kick‐
down.
With the respective transmission version, the
lowest possible gear can be selected by simul‐
taneously operating the kickdown and the left
shift paddle. This is not possible, when switch‐
ing briefly via the shift paddles from selector
lever position D to manual mode M/S.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Shift paddles for Steptronic Sport
transmission
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.
▷Shift up: briefly pull right shift paddle.Seite 76CONTROLSDriving76
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▷Shift down: briefly pull left shift paddle.▷The lowest possible gear can be selected by
pulling and holding the left shift paddle.
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds, for example downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
If the shift paddles on the steering wheel are
used to shift gears in automatic mode, the
transmission temporarily switches to manual
mode.
In the manual mode, after conservative driving
for a certain amount of time or if there has
been no acceleration or shifting of the shift
paddles within a certain amount of time, the
transmission switches back to automatic mode.
It is possible to switch into the automatic mode:
▷Pull and hold right shift paddle.
or
▷In addition to the briefly pulled right shift
paddle, briefly pull the left shift paddle.
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position is dis‐
played, for example: P.
Manually release the transmission lock
Should the selector lever be blocked in selector
lever position P despite the ignition being
turned on, the brake being depressed and the
unlock button being pressed, the transmission
lock can be manually canceled:
Before unlocking the transmission lock man‐
ually, set the parking brake to prevent the vehi‐
cle from rolling away.
1.Loosen the selector lever sleeve together
with the lower retaining ring and possibly
the Driving Dynamics Control from the cen‐
ter console. For this purpose, pull the re‐
taining ring and possibly the Driving Dy‐
namics Control upward on the rear edge.
2.Lift the sleeve. Unplug the cable connector
if needed.
3.Using the screwdriver from the onboard ve‐
hicle tool kit, refer to page 203, press the
yellow release lever downward, arrow.
4.Move the selector lever slightly toward the
rear; to do this press the unlock button on
the front of the selector lever.
Release the release lever.
5.Bring the selector lever into the desired po‐
sition.
Steptronic Sport transmission: Launch
Control
The concept
Launch Control enables optimum acceleration
on surfaces with good traction.
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SymbolMeasureSymbol lights up red: prewarning.
Brake and increase distance.
Symbol flashes red and an acoustic
signal sounds: acute warning.
You are requested to intervene by
braking or make an evasive maneu‐
ver.
Prewarning
This warning is issued, for example, when there
is the impending danger of a collision or the
distance to the vehicle ahead is too small.
The driver must intervene actively when there
is a prewarning.
Acute warning with braking function
Acute warning in displayed in case of the immi‐
nent danger of a collision when the vehicle ap‐
proaches another object at a high differential
speed.
The driver must intervene actively when there
is an acute warning. If necessary, the driver is
assisted by a minor automatic braking inter‐
vention in a possible risk of collision.
Acute warnings can also be triggered without
previous forewarning.
Braking intervention
The warning prompts the driver himself/herself
to react. During a warning, the maximum brak‐
ing force is used. Premise for the brake booster
is sufficiently quick and sufficiently hard step‐
ping on the brake pedal. The system can assist
with some braking intervention if there is risk of
a collision. At low speeds vehicles may thus
come to a complete stop.
Manual transmission: During a braking inter‐
vention up to a complete stop, the engine may
be shut down.
The braking intervention is executed only if DSC
Dynamic Stability Control is switched on.
The braking intervention can be interrupted by
stepping on the accelerator pedal or by actively
moving the steering wheel.
Object detection can be restricted. Limitations
of the detection range and functional restric‐
tions are to be considered.
System limits
Information
WARNING
The system can react incorrectly or not at
all due to the system limits. There is risk of acci‐
dents or risk of property damage. Observe the
system limits and actively interfere if needed.◀
Detection range
The system's detection potential is limited.
Thus a system reaction might not come or
might come late.
E. g. the following situations may not be de‐
tected:
▷Slow moving vehicles when you approach
them at high speed.
▷Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of
you, or sharply decelerating vehicles.
▷Vehicles with an unusual rear appearance.▷Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷In heavy fog, rain, sprayed water or snow‐
fall.
▷In tight curves.▷If the field of view of the camera or the
front windshield are dirty or covered.
▷If the driving stability control systems are
deactivated, for example DSC OFF.
▷Up to 10 seconds after the start of the en‐
gine, via the Start/Stop button.
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Overview
Button in the vehicle
Intelligent Safety button
Camera
The camera is installed near the interior rear‐
view mirror.
Keep the windshield in the area behind the in‐
terior rearview mirror clean and clear.
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically
The system is automatically active after every
driving-off.
Switching on/off manually
Press button briefly:
▷The menu for the intelligent safety
system is displayed. The systems
are individually switched off ac‐
cording to their respective settings.
▷LED lights up orange or goes out respective
to their individual settings.
Adjust as needed. Individual settings are stored
for the profile currently used.
Press button again:
▷All Intelligent Safety systems are
activated.
▷The LED lights up green.
Hold down button:
▷All Intelligent Safety systems are
turned off.
▷The LED goes out.
Warning with braking function
Display
If a collision with a person detected in this way
is imminent, a warning symbol appears on the
instrument cluster and in the Head-up Display.
The red symbol is displayed and a signal
sounds.
Intervene immediately by braking or
make an evasive maneuver.
Braking intervention
The warning prompts the driver himself/herself
to react. During a warning, the maximum brak‐
ing force is used. Premise for the brake booster
is sufficiently quick and sufficiently hard step‐
ping on the brake pedal. The system can assist
with some braking intervention if there is risk of
a collision. At low speeds vehicles may thus
come to a complete stop.
Manual transmission: During a braking inter‐
vention up to a complete stop, the engine may
be shut down.
The braking intervention is executed only if DSC
Dynamic Stability Control is switched on.
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PDC Park Distance Control
Ultrasound sensors
Ultrasound sensors of the PDC,
for example in the bumpers.
Functional requirements
To ensure full functionality:
▷Do not cover sensors, for example, with
stickers, bicycle racks.
▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.
To clean: when using high-pressure washers,
do not spray the sensors for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 inches/30 cm.
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically
PDC switches on automatically in the following
situations:
▷If selector lever position R is engaged when
the engine is running.
The rearview camera also switches on.
▷With front PDC: when obstacles are de‐
tected behind or in front of the vehicle by
PDC and the speed is slower than approx.
2.5 mph/4 km/h.
With front PDC: You can switch off automatic
activation on obstacle detection:
1. "Settings"2."Parking"3.Select setting.
Settings are stored for the profile currently
used.
Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if needed.
With front PDC: switching on/off
manually
Press button.
▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
The rearview camera image is displayed when
the reverse gear is engaged by pressing the
button.
Display
Signal tones
When approaching an object, an intermittent
sound indicates the position of the object. E. g.
if an object is detected to the left rear of the ve‐
hicle, a signal tone sounds from the left rear
speaker.
The shorter the distance to the object, the
shorter the intervals.
If the distance to a detected object is less than
approx. 10 inches/25 cm, a continuous tone is
sounded.
With front PDC: if objects are located both in
front of and behind the vehicle, an alternating
continuous signal is sounded.
The signal tone is switched off, when selector
lever position P is engaged on vehicles with
Steptronic transmission.
Volume
The ratio of the PDC signal tone volume to the
entertainment volume can be adjusted.
1. "Multimedia", "Radio" or
"Settings"
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Display in the instrument cluster
GREEN bonus range
An adjusted driving style helps
you extend your driving range.
This may be displayed as the bo‐
nus range in the instrument clus‐
ter.
The bonus range is shown in the range display.
The bonus range is automatically reset every
time the vehicle is refueled.
▷Green display: efficient driving style.▷Gray display: adjust driving style, e. g. by
backing off the accelerator pedal.
Driving style
A bar display in the instrument
cluster indicates your current
driving efficiency.
Mark in the left area, arrow 1:
display for energy recovered by
coasting or when braking.
Mark in the right area, arrow 2: display when
accelerating.
Your driving style's efficiency is shown by the
bar's color:
▷Green display: efficient driving style as long
as the mark moves within the green range.
▷Gray display: adjust driving style, e. g. by
backing off the accelerator pedal.
The display switches to green as soon as all
conditions for fuel-efficiency-optimized driving
are met.
GREEN tip driving instruction
Instructions tell you to switch to a more fuel-ef‐
ficient driving style when you back off the ac‐
celerator.
Information
The driving style display and GREEN Mode tips
in the instrument cluster appear when the
GREEN Mode display is activated.
Activating driving style and GREEN Mode tips:
1. "Settings"2."Instrument cluster"3."GREEN Info"
GREEN tip symbols
An additional symbol and text instructions are
displayed.
SymbolMeasureFor efficient driving back off the ac‐
celerator or delay accelerating to al‐
low time to assess road conditions.
Reduce speed to the selected GREEN
speed.
Steptronic transmission: switch from
M/S to D or avoid manual shift inter‐
ventions.
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SymbolMeasureManual transmission: follow shifting
instructions.
Manual transmission: engage neutral
for engine stop.
Indications on the Control Display
MINIMALISM
Information on fuel consumption and technol‐
ogy can be displayed while driving.
1. "Vehicle info"2."MINIMALISM"
Displaying MINIMALISM info
The current efficiency can be displayed.
"MINIMALISM info"
The following systems are displayed:
▷Auto Start/Stop function.▷Energy recovery.▷Climate control output.▷Coasting.
Displaying GREEN Mode tips
"GREEN tips"
Driving instruction and an additional symbol
are displayed.
Settings are stored for the profile currently
used.
Coasting
The concept
The system helps to conserve fuel.
To do this, under certain conditions the engine
is automatically decoupled from the transmis‐
sion when selector lever position D is set. The
vehicle continues traveling with the engine
idling to reduce fuel consumption. Selector
lever position D remains engaged.
This driving condition is referred to as coasting.
As soon as the brake or accelerator pedal is de‐
pressed, the engine is automatically coupled to
the transmission again.
Information
Coasting is a component of the GREEN driving
mode, refer to page 169.
Coasting is automatically activated when
GREEN Mode is called via the Driving Dynamics
Control, refer to page 119.
The function is available in a certain speed
range.
A proactive driving style helps the driver to use
the function as often as possible and supports
the fuel-conserving effect of coasting.
Safety mode
The function is not available under one of the
following conditions.
▷DSC OFF or TRACTION activated.▷Driving in the dynamic limit range and on
steep uphill or downhill grades.
▷Battery charge status temporarily too low
or vehicle electrical system drawing exces‐
sive current.
▷Cruise control activated.
Functional requirements
In GREEN Mode, this function is available in a
speed range from approximately 30 mph, ap‐
prox. 50 km/h to 100 mph, approx. 160 km/h,
if the following conditions are met:
▷Accelerator pedal and brake pedal are not
operated.
▷The selector lever is in selector lever posi‐
tion D.
▷Engine and transmission are at operating
temperature.
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