116Driving and operatingSelector lever
Always move the selector lever in the
appropriate direction as far as it will
go.
After selecting A/M, + or - and
releasing the selector lever, the lever
automatically returns to the centre
position.
N:neutralo:drive positionA/M:switch between automatic and manual mode
The transmission display
shows AUTO when in
automatic mode.R:reverse gear
Engage only when vehicle is
stationary. The transmission
display shows "R" when
reverse gear is engaged.+:shift to a higher gear-:shift to a lower gearCaution
It is not advisable to drive with the hand resting on the selector lever.
Starting-off
When the engine is started, depress
the brake pedal and move the
selector lever towards + to engage
first gear. Shift to a higher or lower
gear by moving selector lever to + or -.
Gears can be skipped by moving the selector lever repeatedly at short
intervals.
The driver will be alerted to an
incorrect gear selection by an audible warning chime in conjunction with a
message in the Driver Information
Centre (DIC) 3 85. The system will
downshift, selecting the most
appropriate gear automatically.
If R is selected, reverse gear is
engaged. The vehicle starts to move
when the brake pedal is released. To
start off quickly, release the brake
pedal and accelerate immediately
after engaging a gear.
Move the selector lever towards A/M
to engage automatic mode; the
transmission shifts to other gears
automatically, dependent on driving
conditions.
To engage manual mode, move the
selector lever towards A/M. The
current gear will appear in the
transmission display.
Stopping the vehicle
In automatic or manual mode,
first gear is engaged and the clutch is
released when the vehicle is stopped. In R, reverse gear remains engaged.
When the vehicle is at a standstill, if
the engine is running and a forward or
reverse gear is engaged, a warning
Driving and operating117chime will sound and the
transmission automatically shifts to
N in certain situations.
When stopping on gradients, engage
parking brake or depress the brake pedal. To prevent overheating of theclutch, an intermittent audible
warning chime may sound as a signal
to depress the brake pedal or apply
the parking brake.
Switch off engine if stopping for a
lengthy period, e.g. in traffic jams.
Engine braking
Automatic mode
When driving downhill, the manual
transmission automated does not
shift into higher gears until a fairly
high engine speed has been reached. It shifts down in good time when
braking.
Manual mode
To utilise the engine braking effect,
select a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill.Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, snow or a hole. Move the
selector lever between R and A/M (or
between + and -) in a repeat pattern,
while applying light pressure to the
accelerator pedal. Do not race the
engine and avoid sudden
acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake. The most
recently engaged gear (see
transmission display) remains
engaged.Caution
Do not leave the vehicle with the
transmission in position N.
When the ignition is switched on, a
warning chime will sound when the
vehicle is parked if the transmission is
still in N.
When the ignition is switched off, the transmission no longer responds to
movement of the selector lever.
Manual mode
If engine speed is too low, the
transmission automatically shifts to a
lower gear.
In manual mode, no automatic
shifting to a higher gear takes place
at high engine revolutions. If engine
speed is too high, the transmission
only switches to a higher gear via
kickdown 3 118.
When gearshifting is recommended
to improve fuel economy, control
indicator [ or Ò illuminates in the
Driver Information Centre (DIC) 3 80.
118Driving and operatingElectronic drivingprogrammes
Eco mode E
When automatic mode is engaged,
the Eco mode can be selected to
reduce fuel consumption.
Eco mode selects the most suitable gear depending on the speed of the
vehicle, the engine speed and the
intensity with which the accelerator is pressed.
Activation
Press E on the selector lever housing.
Control indicator E is shown in the
transmission display to indicate
activation.
Deactivation
Eco mode is switched off by:
● pressing E again
● switching to manual mode
In order to protect the transmission at extremely high clutch temperatures,
an intermittent audible warning chime
may sound. In such cases, depress
the brake pedal, select N and apply
the parking brake to allow the clutch
to cool down.
Kickdown If the accelerator pedal is pressed
past the pressure point, the
transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed. Full
engine power is available for
acceleration.If engine speed is too high the
transmission switches to a higher
gear, even in manual mode. Without
kickdown this automatic shift is not
effected in manual mode.
Fault
In the event of a fault, control indicator s is shown in the transmission
display.
Continued driving is possible,
provided the vehicle is driven with
care and anticipation. A warning
message may appear in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC) in
conjunction with a warning chime
3 90.
Notice
The volume of the warning chime can also be adjusted via the Driver
Information Centre (DIC) 3 85.
Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Driving and operating119Brakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has
been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 79.
Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
After starting off the system performs
a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 79.
Fault9 Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS
are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can nolonger be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Manual parking brake
120Driving and operating9Warning
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release
button, and apply as firmly as
possible on a downhill or uphill
slope.
To release the parking brake, pull
the lever up slightly, press the
release button and fully lower the
lever.
To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
brake pedal at the same time.
A warning chime will sound if a certain
speed is exceeded with the parking
brake applied.
Notice
The volume of the warning chime
can also be adjusted via the Driver
Information Centre (DIC) 3 85.
Control indicator R 3 79.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the brake pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the brake pedal after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further two seconds.
The brakes release automatically as
soon as the vehicle begins to
accelerate.
If control indicator Z illuminates
while driving, there is a fault in the Hill
start assist 3 80 . Seek the assistance
of a workshop to have the fault remedied.The Hill start assist is not active
during an Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 110.
Driving and operating121Ride control systems
Traction Control system The Anti-Slip Regulator (ASR) is a
component of the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC).
ASR improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
ASR is operational as soon as the
control indicator R extinguishes.
When ASR is active, control indicator
R flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Deactivation
ASR can be switched off when
spinning of drive wheels is required:
press ASR OFF briefly.
LED in button illuminates and,
depending on version, a message may also appear in the Driver
Information Centre (DIC) 3 85.
ASR is reactivated by pressing
ASR OFF again.
ASR is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault
ASR will switch off automatically in
the event of a fault. Control indicator R will illuminate in the instrument
cluster. Depending on version, a
message may also appear in the DIC 3 85.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Control indicator R 3 80.
Electronic Stability Control Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the wheels are braked individually. This
Driving and operating123
Do not use the cruise control if it is notadvisable to maintain a constant
speed.
Control indicator m 3 84.
Switching on
Turn end of lever to the ON position;
control indicator m illuminates in the
instrument cluster. Depending on version, a message may also appear
in the Driver Information Centre (DIC)
3 85.
Activation
Accelerate to the desired speed and
push lever upwards ( +); the current
speed is stored and maintained.
Accelerator pedal can be released.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the previously stored speed
is resumed.
Cruise control remains activated
while gearshifting.
Increase speed With cruise control active, push lever
upwards ( +) or briefly push lever
upwards ( +) repeatedly: speed
increases continuously or in small
increments.
Alternatively accelerate to the desired speed and store by pushing lever
upwards ( +).Reduce speed
With cruise control active, push lever
downwards ( -) or briefly push lever
downwards ( -) repeatedly; speed
decreases continuously or in small
increments.
Deactivation
Automatic deactivation: ● vehicle speed below approx. 20 mph
● the brake pedal is depressed
● the clutch pedal is depressed
● the traction control system/Anti- Slip Regulator (ASR) or
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
is operating
Resume stored speed
Press = at a speed above 20 mph.
The stored speed will be obtained.
130Driving and operatingTrailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Vehicles with natural gas engine may
require special towing equipment.
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
Fitting of towing equipment could
cover the opening of the towing eye.
If this is the case use the coupling ball bar for towing. Always keep the
coupling ball bar in the vehicle.
Driving characteristics and towing tips
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate the coupling ball. However, do not do so if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements.For trailers with low driving stability
and caravan trailers with a permitted
gross vehicle weight of more than
1300 kg the use of a stabiliser is
strongly recommended when driving
above 50 mph.
If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 179.
Trailer towing
Trailer loads The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be
exceeded. The actual trailer load is the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12%.
The permitted trailer load applies up
to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sea
level. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10% for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than
8%, e.g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is specified on the identification plate
3 170.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.