
Setting the air distribution
Air distribution settings 0061
Directs air through the defroster vents
009C Directs air through the center and side air
vents
009B Directs air through the footwell air vents
009F Directs air through the center, side and
footwell vents
0087 Directs air through the defroster, center
and side air vents
0086 Directs air through the defroster and
footwell vents
008F Directs air through the defroster, center,
side and footwell vents
i Regardless of the air distribution setting,
airflow is always directed through the side air
vents. The side air vents can only be closed if the adjusters are turned clockwise until they
engage.
Setting the air distribution X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 109).
X Press the 004For004A button repeatedly
until the desired symbol appears in the dis-
play. Setting the airflow
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 109).
X To increase or reduce:press the 0097or
0095 button. Switching the ZONE function on/off
X To activate: press the00D6button.
The indicator lamp in the 00D6button lights
up.
The temperature setting for the driver's side
is not adopted for the front-passenger side.
X To deactivate: press the00D6button.
The indicator lamp in the 00D6button goes
out.
The temperature setting for the driver's side
is adopted for the front-passenger side. Defrosting the windshield
General notes You can use this function to defrost the wind-
shield or to clear a fogged up windshield and
side windows.
i You should only select the "Windshield
defrosting" function until the windshield is
clear again.
Switching the "Windshield defrosting"
function on or off X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 109).
X To activate: press the0064button.
The indicator lamp in the 0064button lights
up.
The climate control system switches to the
following functions:
R high airflow
R high temperature
R air distribution to the windshield and front
side windows
R air-recirculation mode off
Vehicles with windshield heating: the
windshield heating is switched on automati-
cally using the "Windshield defrosting" func-
tion.
i The "Windshield defrosting" function auto-
matically sets the blower output to the opti-
mum defrosting effect. As a result, the airflow
may increase or decrease automatically after
the 0064 button is pressed.
i You can adjust the blower output manually
while the "Windshield defrosting" function is
in operation:
Press the 00F2or00F3 button.
X To deactivate: press the0064button.
The indicator lamp in the 0064button goes
out. The previously selected settings are
restored. Air-recirculation mode remains
deactivated.
or X Press the 0058button.
The indicator lamp in the 0064button goes
out. Airflow and air distribution are set to
automatic mode. 102
Operating the climate control systemsClimate control

or
X Turn temperature control 0043or006D counter-
clockwise or clockwise (Y page 99).MAX COOL maximum cooling
The MAX COOL function is only available in vehi-
cles for the USA.
The MAX COOL function only works when the
vehicle is ready to drive.
X To activate: press the00C9button.
The indicator lamp in the button lights up.
X To deactivate: press the00C9button.
The indicator lamp goes out. The previously
selected settings are restored.
When you activate MAX COOL, climate control
switches to the following functions:
R maximum cooling
R maximum airflow
R air-recirculation mode on Defrosting the windows
Windows fogged up on the inside X
Activate the 005A"Cooling with air dehumid-
ification" function.
X Activate automatic mode 0058.
X If the windows continue to fog up, activate the
0064 "Windshield defrosting" function. i
You should only select this setting until the
windshield is clear again.
Windows fogged up on the outside X
Activate the windshield wipers.
X Set the air distribution to 009Cor009B.
i You should only select this setting until the
windshield is clear again. Rear window defroster
General notes The rear window defroster has a high current
draw. You should therefore switch it off as soon
as the rear window is clear. Otherwise, the rear window defroster switches off automatically
after several minutes.
If the battery voltage is too low, the rear window
defroster may switch off.
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 109).
X Press the 006Cbutton.
The indicator lamp in the 006Cbutton lights
up or goes out.
Problems with the rear window defroster Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
0050 0050Solutions The rear window
defroster has deactiva-
ted prematurely or can-
not be activated. The battery has not been sufficiently charged.
X Switch off any consumers that are not required, e.g. reading lamps,
interior lighting or the seat heating.
When the battery is sufficiently charged, the rear window defroster can be activated again. Operating the climate control systems
103Climate control

Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off
General notes You can deactivate the flow of fresh air if
unpleasant odors are entering the vehicle from
outside. The air already inside the vehicle will
then be recirculated.
If you switch on air-recirculation mode, the win-
dows can fog up more quickly, in particular at
low temperatures. Only use air-recirculation
mode briefly to prevent the windows from fog-
ging up.
Activating/deactivating X
Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the ignition
lock (Y page 109).
X To activate: press the008Abutton.
The indicator lamp in the 008Abutton lights
up.
Air-recirculation mode switches on automati-
cally:
R at high outside temperatures
R at high levels of pollution
When air-recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically, the indicator lamp in the 008Abutton
is not lit. Outside air is added after about
30 minutes.
X To deactivate: press the008Abutton.
The indicator lamp in the 008Abutton goes
out.
i Air-recirculation mode deactivates auto-
matically:
R after approximately five minutes at outside
temperatures below approximately 45 ‡
(7 †)
R after approximately five minutes if the
"Cooling with air dehumidification" func-
tion is deactivated
R after approximately 30 minutes at outside
temperatures above approximately 45 ‡
(7 †) if the cooling with air dehumidifica-
tion function is activated Convenience opening or closing using
the air-recirculation button G
WARNING
When using the convenience closing feature,
parts of the body could be trapped in the clos- ing area when a side window is being closed. There is a risk of injury.
Observe the complete closing procedure
when the convenience closing feature is oper-
ating. Make sure that no body parts are in
close proximity during the closing procedure. G
WARNING
During convenience opening parts of the body could be drawn in or become trapped
between the side window and window frame.
There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody touches the side win-
dow during the opening procedure. If some-
one becomes trapped, immediately press
the 0062 switch in the door to stop the move-
ment of the side windows. To continue closing the side window, pull on the 0062switch.
X Convenience closing feature: press and
hold the 008Abutton until the side windows
start to close automatically.
The indicator lamp in the 008Abutton lights
up. Air-recirculation mode is activated.
If parts of the body are in the closing area during convenience closing, proceed as follows:
X Press the 0062button to stop the side win-
dows.
The side window stops.
X To then open the side window, press the 0062
button again.
or X Press and hold the 008Abutton again for at
least two seconds.
The side windows move in the opposite direc- tion.
X Convenience opening feature: press and
hold the 008Abutton until the side windows
start to open automatically.
The indicator lamp in the 008Abutton goes
out. Air-recirculation mode is deactivated. 104
Operating the climate control systemsClimate control

Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
The sensor system of some driving and driving
safety systems adjusts automatically while a
certain distance is being driven after the vehicle
has been delivered or after repairs. Full system
effectiveness is not reached until the end of this teach-in procedure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after several
hundred kilometers of driving. Compensate for
this by applying greater force to the brake pedal. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another. G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
! Before driving away, you must ensure that,
for your own safety and to avoid damage, the charging cable has been removed from the
vehicle socket. Otherwise, you cannot shift
the transmission out of position P.
The braking performance of the electric motor
using recuperative braking is, in some operating modes, either reduced or not effective:
R when the condition of charge of the high-volt-
age battery increases
R if the high-voltage battery is not yet at a nor-
mal operating temperature
R when driving close to the maximum speed
R when the vehicle is almost stationary
R in transmission position N
R during and after ESP stability control
If you do not make an additional effort to apply
the brake yourself, the braking effect may not be sufficient. If necessary, counteract the reduced
regenerative braking effect by applying the
brake yourself.
Before commencing your journey, ensure that
the charging cable required for charging the
high-voltage battery is in the vehicle. 108
DrivingDriving an
d parking

SmartKey positions
SmartKey 005A
To remove the SmartKey
(shift the transmission to position P)
0047 Power supply for some consumers, such as
the windshield wipers
0048 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
0049 To start the engine
i The SmartKey can be turned in the ignition
lock even if it is not the correct SmartKey for
the vehicle. The ignition is not switched on.
The drive system cannot be started.
Start/Stop button General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
SmartKeys featuring the integrated KEYLESS-
GO function and a detachable Start/Stop but-
ton.
A check which periodically establishes a radio
connection between the vehicle and the Smart-
Key determines whether a valid SmartKey is in
the vehicle. This occurs, for example, when
starting the drive system.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into the
ignition lock, the system needs approximately
two seconds recognition time. You can then use the Start/Stop button.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times in
succession corresponds to the different Smart- Key positions in the ignition lock. This is only the
case if you are not depressing the brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the drive system starts
immediately. To start the vehicle without actively using the
SmartKey:
R
the Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock.
R the SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
R the vehicle must not be locked with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO (Y page 66)
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key:
R with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile phone
or another SmartKey.
R with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal foil.
R inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case
This can affect the functionality of KEYLESS-GO.
If you lock the vehicle with the SmartKey remote
control or with KEYLESS-GO, after a short time:
R you will not be able to switch on the ignition
with the Start/Stop button.
R you will no longer be able to start the drive
system with the Start/Stop button until the
vehicle is unlocked again
If you lock the vehicle centrally using the button
on the front door (Y page 72), you can continue
to start the drive system with the Start/Stop
button.
The drive system can be switched off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/Stop button for three seconds.
Key positions with the Start/Stop button 0043
Start/Stop button
0044 Ignition lock
As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up.
For further information on situations in which an indicator lamp either fails to go out after the
drive system is started or lights up while driving, Driving
109Driving and parking Z

please refer to "Warning and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster" (Y page 192).
If Start/Stop button 0043has not yet been
pressed, this corresponds to the SmartKey
being removed from the ignition.
X To switch on the power supply: press
Start/Stop button 0043once.
The power supply is switched on. You can now
activate the windshield wipers, for example.
The power supply is switched off again if:
R the driver's door is opened and
R you press Start/Stop button 0043twice when in
this position
X To switch on the ignition: press Start/Stop
button 0043twice.
The ignition is switched on.
If you press Start/Stop button 0043once when
in this position, the ignition is switched off
again.
Removing the Start/Stop button
You can remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock and start the vehicle as normal
using the SmartKey.
You can only switch between Start/Stop button
mode and SmartKey operation when the vehicle is stationary.
You must also engage park position P.
X Remove Start/Stop button 0043from ignition
lock 0044.
You do not have to remove the Start/Stop but-
ton from the ignition lock when you leave the
vehicle. You should, however, always take the
SmartKey with you when leaving the vehicle. As
long as the SmartKey is in the vehicle:
R the vehicle can be started using the Start/
Stop button
R the electrically powered equipment can be
operated Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the transmission out of park position P
R start the vehicle's drive system.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
Vehicles with an electric motor generate much
less driving noise than vehicles with internal
combustion engines. As a result, your vehicle
may not be heard by other road users in certain
situations. This can happen, for example, when
you are parking and your vehicle is not seen by
other road users. This requires you to adopt a
particularly anticipatory driving style, as it is
necessary to allow for the possibility that other
road users may behave erratically.
The vehicle is equipped with a sound generator.
The sound generator is activated so that other
road users can hear your vehicle better. The
sound generator is activated at speeds of under
20 mph (30 km/h) and switches off automati-
cally at higher speeds.
Starting procedure with the Start/Stop
button The Start/Stop button can be used to start the
vehicle manually without inserting the SmartKey
into the ignition lock. The Start/Stop button
must be inserted in the ignition lock and the
SmartKey must be in the vehicle. 110
DrivingDriving and parking

You can start the drive system if a valid key is in
the vehicle. Switch off the drive system and
always take the key with you when leaving the
vehicle, even if you only leave it for a short time. Pay attention to the important safety notes.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Press the Start/Stop button once
(Y page 109).
The drive system is started. Once the vehicle
is ready to be driven, the Ready
Ready display
(Y page 152) appears in the lower part of the
multifunction display.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey To start the drive system using the key instead
of the Start/Stop button, pull the Start/Stop
button out of the ignition lock.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 3(Y page 109)
in the ignition lock and release it.
The drive system is started. Once the vehicle
is ready to be driven, the Ready Readydisplay
(Y page 152) appears in the lower part of the
multifunction display. Pulling away
The vehicle is equipped with a sound generator.
At low speeds, an electric vehicle makes less
noise than a vehicle with a combustion engine.
The sound generator is activated so that other
road users can hear your vehicle better. The
sound generator is activated at speeds of under
20 mph (30 km/h) and switches off automati-
cally at higher speeds.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Move the DIRECT SELECT lever to position D
or R.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The electric parking brake is automatically
released (Y page 131).
The red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
The vehicle locks centrally once you have pulled
away. The locking knobs in the doors drop down. You can open the doors from the inside at any
time. It is only possible to move the DIRECT SELECT
selector lever from position
Pto the desired
selector lever position if you depress the brake
pedal. The parking lock is then deactivated and
the electrical parking brake is released auto-
matically. If the brake pedal is not depressed,
the DIRECT SELECT lever can still be moved but
the parking lock remains engaged.
Make sure that no charging cable is plugged in. The parking lock cannot be released if a charg-
ing cable is plugged in. Hill start assist
Hill start assist will aid you when pulling away on
a hill. It holds the vehicle for a short time after
you have removed your foot from the brake
pedal. This gives you enough time to move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator
pedal and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. G
WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
Hill start assist is not active if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or on a
downhill gradient.
R the DIRECT SELECT lever is in position N.
R the electric parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning.
Further information on holding the vehicle sta-
tionary on uphill gradients (Y page 114). Transmission
Important safety notes
Shift the DIRECT SELECT lever to position P
when the drive system is switched off and the
vehicle is stationary. Park position Pis engaged
and the electric parking brake is applied auto-
matically: Transmission
111Driving and parking Z

Shifting to neutral N
G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the transmission out of park position P
R start the vehicle's drive system.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
X If the transmission is in position Dor R: push
the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down to the
first point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT
lever up or down to the first point of resist-
ance.
When the drive system is switched off, the trans-
mission shifts to Nautomatically.
With the SmartKey: if you then open the driv-
er's door or the front-passenger door or remove
the SmartKey from the ignition, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts to P.
With the Start/Stop button: if you then open
the driver's door or the front-passenger door,
the transmission automatically shifts to P.
If you want the transmission to remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the vehicle cleaned in an
automatic car wash with a towing system:
X Vehicles with the Start-Stop button:
remove the Start-Stop button from the igni-
tion lock.
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
X All vehicles: switch the ignition on.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed. X
Shift to neutral N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Release the electric parking brake.
X Switch off the ignition and leave the SmartKey
in the ignition lock.
Engaging drive position D X
If the transmission is in position Ror N: push
the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first
point of resistance.
X If the transmission is in position P: depress
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past the first point of resistance. Transmission positions
0045 Park position
This prevents the vehicle from rolling
away when stopped. Only move the
DIRECT SELECT lever to Pwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
The SmartKey can only be removed
when the DIRECT SELECT lever is in
position P. When there is no Smart-
Key in the ignition lock, the DIRECT
SELECT lever is locked in position P. 0046 Reverse gear
Only move the DIRECT SELECT lever
to Rwhen the vehicle is stationary. 0044 Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
drive system to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you to
move the vehicle freely.
If ESP ®
is faulty: only move the
DIRECT SELECT lever to Nif the vehi-
cle is in danger of skidding, e.g. on icy
roads. 003A Drive
For driving forwards Transmission
113Driving and parking Z