In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ®
:
R when snow chains are used
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
R on specially designated roads when the vehi-
cle's own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP ®
requires a highly qualified and experi-
enced driver.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehicle
if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts to
spin.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®X
To activate SPORT handling mode: briefly
press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp on the instrument cluster lights up. The
SPORT handling mode SPORT handling mode message appears in
the multifunction display.
X To deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button
:.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp on the instrument cluster goes out.
X To deactivate ESP ®
:press button :until
the å ESP®
OFF warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster.
The ÷ OFF
OFF message appears in the multi-
function display.
X To activate ESP ®
:briefly press button :.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp on the
instrument cluster goes out. The ÷ESP® ON
ON message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Characteristics when SPORT handling
mode is activated
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or more wheels start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warn-
ing lamp on the instrument cluster flashes. In
such situations, ESP ®
will stabilise the vehicle
only to a limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
improves driving stability only to a limi-
ted degree
R traction control is still activated
R the engine's torque is only restricted to a limi-
ted degree and the drive wheels may start to spin
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut for better traction on loose surfaces.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not flash. In such situa-
tions, ESP ®
will not stabilise the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels may start to spin
The spinning of the wheels results in a cut for
better traction on loose surfaces.
R traction control is still activated
R Active Brake Assist is no longer available; it is
not activated even if you brake firmly with
assistance from ESP ®
R PRE-SAFE ®
is no longer available; it is not
activated even if you brake firmly with assis-
tance from ESP ®
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly
Off-road ESP ® An ESP
®
system specifically suited to off-road
terrain is activated automatically once the off-
road program is activated (Y page 192).74
Driving safety systemsSafety
2
Driver's seat, front-passenger seat and rear
seats occupied, luggage compartment
laden
3 Driver's and front-passenger seat occupied
and maximum permissible rear axle load uti- lised, e.g. when towing a trailer
The headlamp range control allows you to adjust
the cone of light from the headlamps to suit the
vehicle load.
X Start the engine.
X Turn the headlamp range controller to the
position that corresponds to the load in your
vehicle. Combination switch
X
To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow ;or?.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction of
arrow ;or?.
X To switch on the main-beam headlamps:
turn the light switch to LorÃ.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow :.
The main-beam headlamps only switch on in
the à position if the dipped-beam head-
lamps are on.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up when the main-beam
headlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the main-beam headlamps:
move the combination switch back to its nor-
mal position.
The blue Kindicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out. Vehicles with Adaptive Highbeam Assist:
when Adaptive Highbeam Assist is active, it
controls activation and deactivation of the
main-beam headlamps (Y page 118).
X To switch on the headlamp flasher: pull the
combination switch in the direction of
arrow =. Hazard warning lamps
X
To switch on the hazard warning lamps:
press button :.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on a
turn signal using the combination switch, only the turn signal lamp on the corresponding
side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning lamps:
press button
:.
The hazard warning lamps switch on automati-
cally if:
R an airbag is deployed or
R the vehicle decelerates rapidly from a speed
of above 70 km/h and comes to a standstill
The hazard warning lamps switch off automati-
cally if the vehicle reaches a speed of above
10 km/h again after a full brake application.
The hazard warning lamps continue to operate
even if the ignition is switched off. Adaptive Highbeam Assist
General notes You can use this function to set the headlamps
to switch automatically between dipped beam
and main beam. The system detects vehicles
with their lights on, either approaching from the
opposite direction or travelling in front of your
vehicle, and consequently switches the head- 118
Exterior lightingLights and
windscreen wipers
Protect bulbs from moisture during operation.
Do not allow bulbs to come into contact with
liquids.
Replace only the bulbs listed (Y page 121).
Have the bulbs that you cannot change yourself replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If you require assistance replacing bulbs, con-
sult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult a
qualified specialist workshop.
Headlamps and lights are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times. Have
the headlamp setting verified regularly.
Vehicles with LED headlamps: the front and
rear lamp clusters of your vehicle are equipped
with LED bulbs. Do not replace the bulbs your-
self. Contact a qualified specialist workshop
with the necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required. Overview of bulb types
You can replace the following bulbs. The details for the bulb types can be found in the legend. Vehicles with halogen headlamps
:
Turn signal lamp: PY 21 W
; Main-beam headlamp/daytime driving
lamp/side lamp/parking lamp: H15 55 W/
15 W
= Dipped-beam headlamp: H15 55 W Tail lamps (vehicles with halogen headlamps)
: Reversing lamp: W 16 W
; Turn signal lamp: PY 21 W
= Brake lamp: W 16 W
? Rear foglamp: H 21 W Replacing front bulbs
Fitting/removing the cover on the front wheel arch You must remove the cover in the front wheel
arch before you can change the front turn signal
lamp.
X To remove: switch off the lights.
X Turn the front wheels inwards.
X Slide cover :up and remove it.
X To fit: insert cover :again and slide it down
until it engages. Replacing bulbs
121Lights and windscreen wipers Z
X
To open: turn release knob :anti-clockwise
and remove side trim panel ;.
X To close: insert side trim panel ;and turn
release knob :clockwise. Right-hand side trim panel
You must open the side trim panel in the luggage compartment before you can replace the bulbs
in the tail lamps.
X To open: release right-hand trim panel :at
the top and fold it down in the direction of the
arrow.
X To close: insert side trim panel :.
Tail lamps Due to their position, have the bulbs in the
reversing lamp (vehicles with halogen head-
lamps) and rear foglamp in the tailgate changed at a qualified specialist workshop.
X Switch off the lights.
X Open the luggage compartment.
X Open the side trim panel (Y page 122).X
Release and remove connector ;.
X Hold the tail lamp and unscrew wing nut :.
X Remove the tail lamp. Tail lamps
X Remove screws =using a screwdriver.
X Remove the bulb holder from the tail lamp. Bulb holder
?
Turn signal
A Brake lamp
X Turn signal: press the bulb gently into the
bulb holder, turn it anti-clockwise and remove
it from the bulb holder.
X Insert the new bulb into the bulb holder and
turn it clockwise.
X Brake lamp: remove the corresponding bulb
from the bulb holder.
X Insert the new bulb into the bulb holder.
X Insert the bulb holder into the tail lamp and
screw it firmly into place using screws =.
X Insert the tail lamp into the vehicle.
X Tighten wing nut :and re-establish contact
with connector ;.
X Close the side trim panel (Y page 122). Replacing bulbs
123Lights andwindscreen wipers Z
If you lock the vehicle centrally using the button
on the front door (Y page 87), you can continue
to start the engine with the Start/Stop button.
You can switch off the engine while the vehicle is
in motion by pressing and holding the Start/
Stop button for around three seconds. This func-
tion operates independently of the ECO start/
stop automatic engine switch-off function.
Key positions with the Start/Stop button :
Start/Stop button
; Ignition lock
When you switch on the ignition, all the indicator lamps on the instrument cluster light up.
For further information on situations in which an
indicator lamp either fails to go out after the
engine is started or lights up while driving,
please refer to "Warning and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster" (Y page 266).
If Start/Stop button :has not yet been
pressed, this corresponds to the key being
removed from the ignition.
X To switch on the power supply: press
Start/Stop button :once.
The power supply is switched on. You can now activate the windscreen 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 :twice when in
this position
X To switch on the ignition: press Start/Stop
button :twice.
The ignition is switched on.
If you press Start/Stop button :once when
in this position, the ignition is deactivated
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 key.
You can only switch between Start/Stop button
mode and key operation when the vehicle is sta- tionary.
You must also engage park position j(vehicles
with automatic transmission).
X Remove Start/Stop button :from ignition
lock ;.
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
key with you when leaving the vehicle. As long as the key 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 vehicle
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open doors, thereby endangering other per-
sons or road users
R get out and be struck by oncoming traffic
R operate vehicle equipment and become
trapped, for example
In addition, the children could also set the
vehicle in motion, for example, if they:
R release the parking brake
R shift the automatic transmission out of park
position P or shift manual transmission into
neutral
R start the engine
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave
children and animals unattended in the vehi-
cle. Keep the keys out of the reach of children. Driving
145Driving and parking Z
G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation. G
WARNING
Flammable materials introduced through
environmental influence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
General notes Vehicles with a petrol engine:
the engine runs
at a higher engine speed during the cold start
procedure so that the catalytic converter can
reach operating temperature more quickly. The
sound of the engine may change as a result.
Manual transmission You can only start the engine when the clutch
pedal is fully depressed.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X Engage neutral i.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position j
(Y page 155).
The transmission position indicator in the
multifunction display shows P(Y page 155).
i You can start the engine in transmission
position jand i. Starting procedure using the key To start the engine using the key instead of the
Start/Stop button, pull the Start/Stop button
out of the ignition lock.
X To start a diesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock (Y page 144).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
X Turn the key to position 3in the ignition lock
(Y page 144) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
Starting procedure using the Start/
Stop button The Start/Stop button can be used to start the
vehicle manually without inserting the key in the
ignition lock. The key must be in the vehicle and the Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock. This mode for starting the engine
manually operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function.
You can start the engine if a valid key is in the
vehicle. Switch off the engine and always take
the key with you when leaving the vehicle, even
if you leave it for only a short time. Observe the important safety notes.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:
depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Vehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Press the Start/Stop button once
(Y page 144).
Vehicles with a petrol engine: the engine
starts.
Vehicles with a diesel engine: preglow is
activated and the engine starts. Pulling away
General notes G
WARNING
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
If the engine speed is above the engine idling speed and you then engage transmission 146
DrivingDriving and parking
Vehicles with manual transmission
The ECO start/stop function switches off the
engine automatically at low speeds.
X Brake the vehicle.
X Shift to neutral i(Ypage 153) (follow gear-
shift instruction :to shift to neutral i, as
necessary).
X Release the clutch pedal.
The engine is switched off automatically.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill with the
transmission in hori, the ECO start/stop
function switches off the engine automatically.
The HOLD function can be activated if the
engine has been switched off automatically. It is then not necessary to continue applying the
brakes during the automatic stop phase. When
you depress the accelerator pedal, the engine
starts automatically and the braking effect of
the HOLD function is deactivated.
Automatic engine start General notes
The engine is started automatically if:
R you switch off the ECO start/stop function by
pressing the ECO button
R you engage reverse gear k
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the driv-
er's door
R the vehicle starts to roll
R the brake system requires this
R the temperature in the vehicle interior devi-
ates from the set range
R the system detects moisture on the wind-
screen when the air-conditioning system is
switched on
R the battery's charge status is too low Vehicles with manual transmission
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal is
depressed.
The engine is started automatically if you:
R depress the clutch pedal fully
R depress the accelerator pedal
Vehicles with automatic transmission The engine is started automatically if you:
R release the brake pedal in transmission posi-
tion hori when the HOLD function is not
active
R depress the accelerator pedal
R activate the off-road program
R move the transmission out of position j
Shifting the transmission to position jdoes
not start the engine.
If you shift the transmission from ktoh, the
ECO start/stop function is available as soon as
the è ECO symbol appears on the multifunc-
tion display.
Switching the ECO start/stop function
off/on X
To deactivate: press ECO button :.
Indicator lamp ;and the èorç ECO
symbol on the multifunction display go out.
X To activate: press ECO button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up.
If all conditions for the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 148)are fulfilled, the è
ECO symbol is shown in the multifunction dis- play.
If all conditions for the automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 148) are not fulfilled, the
ç ECO symbol is shown in the multifunc- Driving
149Driving and parking Z
Applying or releasing manually
X
To apply: push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the red !indicator lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be applied
when the key is removed.
X To release: pull handle:.
The red !indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
The electric parking brake can be released
only:
R if the key is in position 1or2 in the igni-
tion lock (Y page 144) or
R if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically (vehicles with
automatic transmission) The electric parking brake is automatically
applied when the transmission is in position
P
and:
R the engine is switched off or
R the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake from being applied automatically, pull handle :.
The electric parking brake is also applied auto-
matically if:
R Distance Pilot DISTRONIC brings the vehicle
to a standstill or
R the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle sta-
tionary or
R Parking Pilot is keeping the vehicle stationary In addition, at least one of the following condi-
tions must be fulfilled:
R the engine is switched off
R the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
R there is a system malfunction
R the power supply is insufficient
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red !indicator lamp on the instrument
cluster lights up.
The electric parking brake is not automatically
applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO
start/stop function.
Applying automatically (vehicles with
manual transmission) The electric parking brake is applied automati-
cally when the vehicle is being kept stationary by the HOLD function.
In addition, at least one of the following condi-
tions must be fulfilled:
R the engine is switched off
R the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is open
R there is a system malfunction
R the power supply is insufficient
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red !indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
The electric parking brake is not automatically
applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
Releasing automatically The electric parking brake can only be released
automatically in vehicles with automatic trans-
mission.
The electric parking brake of your vehicle is
released automatically when all the following
conditions are fulfilled:
R the engine is running
R the transmission is in position hork and
you depress the accelerator pedal or shift
from position jtoh ork
R the seat belt is fastened
If the transmission is in position k, the tailgate
must be closed. 168
ParkingDriving and pa
rking