Driving and operating127Automatic Starter ControlThis function controls the engine
starting procedure. The driver does
not need to hold the key in position 3.
Once applied, the system will go on starting automatically until the engine is running. Because of the checkingprocedure, the engine starts running
after a short delay.
Possible reasons for a non-starting
engine:
● clutch pedal not operated (manual transmission)
● brake pedal not operated or selector lever not in P or N
(automatic transmission)
● timeout occurred
Turbo engine warm-up Upon start-up, engine available
torque may be limited for a short time,
especially when the engine
temperature is cold. The limitation is
to allow the lubrication system to fully protect the engine.Overrun cut-off
The fuel supply is automatically cut off during overrun, i.e. when the vehicle
is driven with a gear engaged but
accelerator is released.
Stop-start system The stop-start system helps to save
fuel and to reduce the exhaust
emissions. When conditions allow, it
switches off the engine as soon as the
vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill, e.g. at a traffic light or in a
traffic jam. It starts the engine
automatically as soon as the clutch is
depressed. A battery sensor ensures
that an Autostop is only performed if
the battery is sufficiently charged for
a restart.
Activation
The stop-start system is available as
soon as the engine is started, the
vehicle starts-off and the conditions
as stated below in this section are
fulfilled.Deactivation
Deactivate the stop-start system
manually by pressing Ï.
Deactivation is indicated when the
LED in the button extinguishes.
Autostop If the vehicle is at a low speed or at a
standstill, activate an Autostop as
follows:
● Depress the clutch pedal.
● Set the lever in neutral.
● Release the clutch pedal.
The engine will be switched off while
the ignition stays on.
128Driving and operating
An Autostop is indicated by the
needle at the AUTOSTOP position in
the tachometer.
During an Autostop, the heating
performance, power steering and
brake performance will be
maintained.
Conditions for an Autostop
The stop-start system checks if each
of the following conditions is fulfilled:
● The stop-start system is not manually deactivated .
● The bonnet is fully closed.
● The driver's door is closed or the driver's seat belt is fastened.
● The battery is sufficientlycharged and in good condition.
● The engine is warmed up.
● The engine coolant temperature is not too high.
● The engine exhaust temperature is not too high, e.g. after driving
with high engine load.
● The ambient temperature is not too low.
● The climate control system allows an Autostop.
● The brake vacuum is sufficient.
● The self-cleaning function of the diesel particle filter is not active.
● The vehicle has moved since the
last Autostop.
Otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited.
Ambient temperature near to the
freezing point can inhibit an Autostop.
Certain settings of the climate control
system may inhibit an Autostop. See
'Climate control' chapter for more
details.
Immediately after motorway driving
an Autostop may be inhibited.New vehicle running-in 3 125.
Battery discharge protection To ensure reliable engine restarts,
several battery discharge protection
features are implemented as part of
the stop-start system.
Power saving measures
During an Autostop, several electrical
features such as auxiliary electric
heater or rear window heating are
disabled or switched into a power
saving mode. The fan speed of the
climate control system is reduced to
save power.
Restart of the engine by the driver Depress the clutch pedal to restart the
engine.
The engine start is indicated by the
needle at the idle speed position in
the tachometer.
If the selector lever is shifted out of
neutral before depressing the clutch
first, control indicator - illuminates
or is shown as a message in the Driver Information Centre.
Control indicator - 3 84.
Driving and operating129Restart of the engine by the stop-start system
The selector lever must be in neutral
to enable an automatic restart.
If one of the following conditions
occurs during an Autostop, the
engine will be restarted automatically by the stop-start system:
● The stop-start system is manually deactivated.
● The bonnet is opened.
● The driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door
is opened.
● The engine temperature is too low.
● The battery is discharged.
● The brake vacuum is not sufficient.
● The vehicle starts to move.
● The climate control system requests an engine start.
● The air conditioning is manually switched on.If the bonnet is not fully closed, a
warning message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre.
If an electrical accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop
during engine restart might be
noticeable.
Parking9 Warning
● Do not park the vehicle on an
easily ignitable surface. The
high temperature of the
exhaust system could ignite the
surface.
● Always apply the parking brake. Activate the parking
brake without pressing the
release button. Apply as firmly
as possible on a downhill slope
or uphill slope. Depress brake
pedal at the same time to
reduce operating force.
● Switch off the engine.
● If the vehicle is on a level surface or uphill slope, engage
first gear or set the selector
lever to position P before
removing the ignition key. On
an uphill slope, turn the front
wheels away from the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill
slope, engage reverse gear or
set the selector lever to position P before removing the ignition
key. Turn the front wheels
towards the kerb.
● Close the windows and the sunroof.
● Remove the ignition key from the ignition switch. For vehicles
with automatic transmission,
the key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in
position P.
Turn the steering wheel until
the steering wheel lock is felt to engage.
● Lock the vehicle.
● Activate the anti-theft alarm system.
132Driving and operatingSelector leverP:park position, wheels are locked,engage only when the vehicle is
stationary and the parking brake
is appliedR:reverse gear, engage only when
the vehicle is stationaryN:neutralD:automatic modeM:manual mode<:upshift in manual mode]:downshift in manual mode
The selector lever is locked in P and
can only be moved when the ignition
is on and the brake pedal is applied.
To engage P or R, press the release
button.
The engine can only be started with
the lever in position P or N. When
position N is selected, press the brake
pedal or apply the parking brake
before starting.
Do not accelerate while engaging a
gear. Never depress the accelerator
pedal and brake pedal at the same
time.
When a gear is engaged, the vehicle
slowly begins to creep when the
brake is released.
Engine braking
To utilise the engine braking effect,select a lower gear in good time when
driving downhill, see manual mode.
Rocking the vehicle Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between D and R in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake and engage P .
The ignition key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in position
P .
Driving and operating133Manual mode
Move selector lever to position M.
Press button on the selector lever:
<:shift to a higher gear]:shift to a lower gear
If a higher gear is selected when
vehicle speed is too low, or a lower
gear when vehicle speed is too high,
the shift is not executed. This can
cause a message in the Driver
Information Centre.
In manual mode no automatic shifting to a higher gear takes place at high
engine revolutions.
Electronic driving
programmes
● Following a cold start, the operating temperature
programme increases engine
speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
● The automatic neutral shift function automatically shifts to
idling when the vehicle is stopped
with a forward gear engaged and
the brake pedal is pressed.
● Special programmes automatically adapt the shifting
points when driving up inclines or down hills.
Kickdown
If the accelerator pedal is pressed
down completely in automatic mode,
the transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed.Fault
In the event of a fault, g illuminates.
Additionally a code number or a
vehicle message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre. Vehicle
messages 3 94.
The transmission no longer shifts
automatically. Continued travel is possible with manual shifting.
Only the highest gear is available.
Depending on the fault, second gear
may also be available in manual
mode. Shift only when vehicle is at a
standstill.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Interruption of power supply In the event of an interruption of
power supply, the selector lever
cannot be moved out of the P
position. The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition switch.
If the battery is discharged, start the
vehicle using jump leads 3 198.
If the battery is not the cause of the
fault, release the selector lever.
134Driving and operating1. Turn the ignition off and removethe key.
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal
and pull the parking brake lever
up.
3. Remove the cap on the console with a thin object such as ascrewdriver.
4. Insert a screwdriver into the opening as far as it will go.
5. Shift selector lever to N.
6. Remove the screwdriver from the slot.
7. Reinstall the cap.
8. Have the cause of the power supply interruption remedied by a
workshop.
Manual transmission
To engage reverse, with the vehicle
stationary, depress clutch pedal,
press the release button on the
selector lever and engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, set the
lever to neutral, release the clutch
pedal and depress again; then repeat
gear selection.
Do not slip the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch
pedal completely. Do not use the
pedal as a foot rest.
136Driving and operatingBrakes
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 the 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 84.
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 84.
Adaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.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 no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
Driving and operating1379Warning
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.
Control indicator R 3 84.
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.
The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 127.Ride control systems
Traction Control system The Traction Control system (TC) is a component of the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) 3 138.
TC 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.
TC is operational after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator
b extinguishes.
When TC operates b flashes.