
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
closing area during the closing process.
Use one of the following options to stop the
closing process:
Rpress theFbutton on the SmartKey.
Rpull or press the remote operating switch
on the driver's door.
Rpress the closing or locking button on the
tailgate.
Rpress the top of the star on the tailgate.
Vehicles with HANDS-FREE ACCESS:
It is also possible to stop the closing process by
performing a kicking movement under the rear
bumper.
!The tailgate swings upwards and to the rear
when opened. Therefore, make sure that
there is sufficient clearance above and behind
the tailgate.
Two warning tones sound while the tailgate is
opening or closing.
The opening dimensions of the tailgate can be
found in the "Vehicle data" section
(
Ypage 364).
Opening automatically
You can open the tailgate automatically using
the SmartKey or by pressing the top of the
star :on the tailgate.
XPress and hold the Fbutton on the Smart-
Key until the tailgate opens.
or
XWith the tailgate unlocked, press the top of
the star :.
or
XWith the tailgate stopped in an intermediate
position, pull the tailgate up.
You can release the tailgate as soon as the
tailgate starts to open.
XWhen the rear view camera is activated:
pull on folded-out star :.
The tailgate opens.
Closing automatically
:Closing button
;Locking button
XPress closing button :in the tailgate.
or
XPull the tailgate down slightly.
You can release the tailgate as soon as the
tailgate starts to close.
When the driver's door is closed, you can simul-
taneously close the tailgate and lock the vehicle.
The KEYLESS-GO key must be in the rear detec- tion range of the vehicle.
XPress locking button ;in the tailgate.
If KEYLESS-GO detects a SmartKey outside
the vehicle, the tailgate closes. The vehicle is
locked.
or
XVehicles with EASY-PACK tailgate and
KEYLESS-GO or KEYLESS-GO start func-
tion: if the SmartKey is located in the imme-
diate vicinity of the vehicle, press the F
button on the SmartKey.
You can release the button as soon as the
tailgate starts to close.
If KEYLESS-GO detects a SmartKey in the cargo
compartment, the tailgate is unlocked again
after closing.
If KEYLESS-GO detects a second SmartKey out-
side the vehicle, the tailgate remains locked.
Cargo compartment85
Opening and closing
Z

If KEYLESS-GO detects a SmartKey in the cargo
compartment before the closing procedure
starts, the tailgate remains open.
HANDS-FREE ACCESS
General notes
With KEYLESS-GO and HANDS-FREE ACCESS,
you can open or close the tailgate or stop the
procedure without using your hands. This is use- ful if you have your hands full. To do this, make
a kicking movement under the bumper with your
foot.
Observe the following points:
RCarry your KEYLESS-GO key about your per-
son. The KEYLESS-GO key must be in the rear
detection range of the vehicle.
RWhen making the kicking movement, make
sure that you are standing firmly on the
ground and that there is sufficient clearance
to the rear of the vehicle. You could otherwise
lose your balance, for example on ice.
RAlways ensure that you only make the kicking
movement within the detection range of sen-
sors :.
RStand at least 12 in (30 cm) away from the
rear area while doing so.
RDo not come into contact with the bumper
while making the kicking movement. Other-
wise, the sensors may not function correctly.
RHANDS-FREE ACCESS does not function
when the engine is started.
RDirt caused by road salt or snow around sen-
sors:may restrict functionality.
Using the HANDS-FREE ACCESS with a pros-
thetic leg may restrict functionality.
RIf a KEYLESS-GO key is within the rear detec-
tion range of KEYLESS-GO, HANDS-FREE ACCESS could be triggered. The tailgate
could thus be opened or closed unintention-
ally, for example, if you:
-install or remove the ball coupling.
-couple or uncouple a trailer.
-install or remove a rear-mounted bicycle
rack.
-load/unload bicycles on/from a rear-
mounted bicycle rack.
-sit on the edge of the cargo compartment.
-set something down or lift something up
behind the vehicle.
-polish the rear of the vehicle.
Do not carry the KEYLESS-GO key about your
person in these situations or in situations sim-
ilar to these. This will prevent unintentional
opening or closing of the tailgate.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The vehicle's exhaust system may be very hot. You could burn yourself by touching the
exhaust system if you use HANDS-FREE
ACCESS. There is a risk of injury. Always
ensure that you only make the kicking move-
ment within the detection range of sensors.
!If the SmartKey is within the rear detection
range of KEYLESS-GO, the following situa-
tions, for example, could lead to the uninten-
tional opening of the tailgate:
Rusing a car wash
Rusing a power washer
Make sure that the SmartKey is at least 10 ft
(3 m) away from the vehicle.
Operation
86Cargo compartment
Opening and closing

XTo open or close:kick into sensor detection
range :under the bumper with your foot.
Two warning tones sound while the tailgate is
opening or closing.
XIf the tailgate does not open or close after
several attempts: wait at least ten seconds
then kick under the bumper once again.
If you hold your foot under the bumper for too
long, the tailgate does not open or close. Repeat
the leg movement more quickly if this occurs.
To stop the opening or closing procedure, you
have the following options:
RKick with your foot into sensor detection
range :under the bumper.
RPress the top of the star on the tailgate.
RPress the closing button on the tailgate.
RPress the Fbutton on the SmartKey
If the tailgate closing procedure has been stop-
ped:
RMove your foot under the bumper again and
the tailgate will open.
If the tailgate opening procedure has been stop-
ped:
RKick with your foot under the bumper again
and the tailgate will close.
Opening/closing automatically from
inside
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. If the tailgate is open when the engine is running, particu-
larly if the vehicle is moving, exhaust fumes
could enter the passenger compartment.
There is a risk of poisoning.
Turn off the engine before opening the tail-
gate. Never drive with the tailgate open.
GWARNING
Parts of the body could become trapped dur-
ing automatic closing of the tailgate. In addi-
tion, people may be standing in the closing
area or may enter the closing area, e.g. chil-
dren, during the closing procedure. There is a
risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
closing area during the closing process.
Release the remote operating switch imme-
diately if somebody becomes trapped. To re-
open the tailgate pull on the remote operating
switch.
Vehicles with HANDS-FREE ACCESS:
It is also possible to stop the closing process by
performing a kicking movement under the rear
bumper.
!The tailgate swings upwards and to the rear
when opened. Therefore, make sure that
there is sufficient clearance above and behind
the tailgate.
Two warning tones sound while the tailgate is
opening or closing.
The opening dimensions of the tailgate can be
found in the "Vehicle data" section
(
Ypage 364).
Opening and closing
XTo open: pull remote operating switch :for
the tailgate until the tailgate opens.
XTo close: turn the SmartKey to position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
XPress and hold remote operating switch for
tailgate :until the tailgate is completely
closed.
When the vehicle is stationary, you can close the
tailgate from the driver's seat. When the vehicle is also unlocked, you can also open the tailgate
from inside.
Cargo compartment87
Opening and closing
Z

Limiting the opening angle of the tail-
gate
General notes
!Make sure there is sufficient clearance to
open the tailgate fully when setting the open-
ing angle. The tailgate could otherwise be
damaged. Ideally, set the opening angle out-
side.
You can limit the opening angle of the tailgate.
This is possible in the top half of its opening
range, up to approximately 8 in (20 cm) before
the stop.
To open the tailgate fully, push the top of the star
on the tailgate again after it has stopped auto-
matically. This does not delete the stored posi-
tion.
Activating
XTo open the tailgate: push the top of the star
on the tailgate.
XTo stop the opening process at the
desired position: press the closing button on
the tailgate or push the top of the star on the
tailgate again.
XTo store the position: press and hold the
closing button in the tailgate until you hear a
short tone.
The opening angle limiter is activated. The
tailgate will now stop in the stored position
when opening.
Deactivating
XPress and hold the closing button on the tail-
gate until two short tones sound.
Unlocking the tailgate using the
mechanical key
General notes
Use the mechanical key if the tailgate can no
longer be unlocked:
Rusing the SmartKey
Rusing HANDS-FREE ACCESS
Rusing the remote operating switch on the door
control panel
!The tailgate swings upwards and to the rear
when opened. Therefore, make sure that
there is sufficient clearance above and behind
the tailgate.
Unlocking
XRemove cargo compartment cover
(Ypage 279).
XFold the rear seat backrest forward
(Ypage 276).
XInsert mechanical key ;into opening :in
the paneling and push it in.
XOpen the tailgate.
When you lock the vehicle, the cargo compart-
ment is also locked again.
Side windows
Important safety notes
GWARNING
While opening the side windows, body parts
could become trapped between the side win-
dow and the door frame as the side window
moves. There is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody touches the side win-
dow during the opening procedure. If some-
body becomes trapped, release the switch or
pull the switch to close the side window again.
GWARNING
While closing the side windows, body parts in
the closing area could become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
When closing make sure that no parts of the
body are in the closing area. If somebody
88Side windows
Opening and closing

switched off. The sounds that can be heard while
this is occurring are normal.
Applying or releasing manually
XTo apply:push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is applied,
the red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp lights up in the instru-
ment cluster.
The electric parking brake can also be applied
when the SmartKey is removed.
XTo release: pull handle:.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument cluster goes out.
The electric parking brake can only be released:
Rif the SmartKey is in position 1or2 in the
ignition lock (Ypage 127) or
Rif the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button
Applying automatically
The electric parking brake is automatically
applied when the transmission is in position j
and:
Rthe engine is switched off or
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
To prevent the electric parking brake from being
automatically applied, pull handle :.The electric parking brake is also engaged auto-
matically if:
RDISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
Rthe HOLD function is keeping the vehicle sta-
tionary
RActive Parking Assist is keeping the vehicle
stationary
In addition, at least one of the following condi-
tions must be fulfilled:
Rthe engine is switched off
Rthe driver is not wearing a seat belt and the
driver's door is opened
Rthere is a system malfunction
Rthe power supply is insufficient
Rthe vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period
The red !indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
The electric parking brake is not automatically
engaged if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
Releasing automatically
Your vehicle's electric parking brake is auto-
matically released if all of the following condi-
tions are met:
Rthe seat belt has been fastened.
Rthe engine is running.
Rthe transmission is in position hork and
you accelerate.
or
you shift from transmission position jto
position hork. You will need to accelerate
more on steeper gradients.
If the transmission is in position kthe tailgate
must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
Rthe driver's door is closed.
Ryou are shifting out of transmission position
j or you have previously driven faster than
2 mph (3 km/h).
Ensure that you do not depress the accelerator
pedal unintentionally. Otherwise the parking
brake will be released and the vehicle will start
to move.
Parking151
Driving and parking
Z

Surroundingsmessage appears on the mul-
tifunction display.
iYou will achieve the best results by waiting
for the steering procedure to complete before
pulling away.
If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-
tion.
XDrive forward and back up as prompted by the
PARKTRONIC warning displays, several times
if necessary.
Once you have exited the parking space com-
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and the Park
AssistSwitchedOffmessage appears
on the multifunction display. You will then have
to steer and merge into traffic on your own.
PARKTRONIC is still available. You can take over
the steering before the vehicle has exited the
parking space completely. This is useful if you
recognize that it is already possible to pull out of
the parking space.
Canceling Active Parking Assist
XStop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at once.
The Park Assist Canceled
message
appears in the multifunction display.
or
XPress the PARKTRONIC button (Ypage 172).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active Park-
ing Assist is immediately canceled. The Park
Assist Canceledmessage appears in the
multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled automatically
if:
Rthe electric parking brake is engaged
Rtransmission position jis selected
Rparking using Active Parking Assist is no lon-
ger possible
Ryou are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
Ra wheel spins, ESP®intervenes or fails. In
such cases the ÷warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster
A warning tone sounds. The parking symbol dis-
appears and the multifunction display shows the
Park Assist Canceled
message.
When Active Parking Assist is canceled, you
must steer and brake again yourself. If a system malfunction occurs, the vehicle is
braked to a standstill. To drive on, depress the
accelerator again.
Rear view camera
General notes
Rear view camera :is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It shows the area behind the
vehicle with guide lines in the multimedia sys-
tem.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
iThe text shown in the multimedia system
depends on the language setting. The follow-
ing are examples of rear view camera displays
in the multimedia system.
Important safety notes
The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your immedi-
ate surroundings. You are always responsible
for safe maneuvering and parking. Make sure
that there are no persons, animals or objects in
the maneuvering area while maneuvering and
parking in parking spaces.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function in
a limited manner:
Rif the tailgate is open
Rin heavy rain, snow or fog
Rat night or in very dark places
Rif the camera is exposed to very bright light
Rif the area is lit by fluorescent bulbs or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
Driving systems177
Driving and parking
Z

Rif there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in win-ter
Rif the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
Observe the notes on cleaning
(
Ypage 310)
Rif the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
case, have the camera position and setting
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
The field of vision and other functions of the rear
view camera may be restricted due to additional
accessories on the rear of the vehicle (e.g.
license plate holder, rear bicycle rack).
The rear view camera is protected from rain-
drops and dust by means of a flap. When the rear view camera is activated, this flap opens.
The flap closes again when:
Ryou have finished the maneuvering process
Ryou switch off the engine
Ryou open the cargo compartment
Observe the notes on cleaning (
Ypage 310).
For technical reasons, the flap may remain open
briefly after the rear view camera has been
deactivated.
Activating/deactivating the rear view
camera
XTo activate: make sure that the Activa‐
tion by R gearfunction is selected in the
multimedia system (see the Digital Operator's
Manual).
XEngage reverse gear.
The rear view camera flap opens. The multi-
media system shows the area behind the vehi-
cle with guide lines.
The image from the rear view camera is avail- able throughout the maneuvering process.
XTo switch the function mode for vehicles
with trailer tow hitch: using the controller,
select symbol :for the "Reverse parking"
function or symbol ;for "Coupling up a
trailer".
The symbol of the selected function is high-
lighted.
XTo deactivate: shift the transmission to posi-
tion j.
or
XDrive forwards at a speed greater than 7 mph
(12 km/h).
Multimedia display
The rear view camera may show a distorted view
of obstacles, show them incorrectly or not at all.
The rear view camera does not show objects in
the following positions:
Rvery close to the rear bumper
Runder the rear bumper
Rin the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
!Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
Rthe bumper of a parked vehicle
Rthe drawbar of a trailer
Rthe ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
Rthe rear section of an HGV
Ra slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the bottom-
most guideline.
178Driving systems
Driving and parking

360° camera
General notes
The 360° camera is a system consisting of four
cameras.
The system processes images from the follow-
ing cameras:
RRear view camera
RFront camera
RTwo side cameras in the exterior mirrors
The cameras cover the immediate surroundings
of the vehicle. The system supports you, for
example when parking or if vision is restricted at
an exit.
You can show images from the 360° camera in
full-screen mode or in seven different split-
screen views on the multimedia system. A split- screen view also includes a top view of the vehi-
cle. This view is calculated from the data sup-
plied by the installed cameras (virtual camera).
The seven split-screen views are:
RTop view and picture from the rear view cam-
era (130° viewing angle)
RTop view and image from the front camera
(130° viewing angle without displaying the
maximum steering wheel angle)
RTop view and enlarged rear view
RTop view and enlarged front view
RTop view and trailer view (vehicles with trailer
tow hitch)
RTop view and images from the rear-facing side
cameras (rear wheel view)
RTop view and images from the forward-facing
side cameras (front wheel view)
When the function is active and you shift the
transmission from hork toi, the guide
lines are hidden in the multimedia system.
When you change between transmission posi-
tions hand k, you see the previously selec-
ted front or rear view.
Distances measured by PARKTRONIC will also
be optically displayed:
Rin split screen view as red or yellow brackets
around the vehicle icon in the top view, or
Rat the bottom right as red or yellow brackets
around the vehicle symbol in full-screen mode
The line thickness and color of the brackets
show how far the vehicle is from an object.
Ryellow brackets with thin lines: PARKTRONIC
is active
Ryellow brackets with normal lines: an object is present in close range of the vehicle
Rred line: an object is present in the immediate
close range of the vehicle
Important safety notes
The 360°camera is only an aid and may show a
distorted view of obstacles, show them incor-
rectly or not at all. The 360°camera is not a
substitute for attentive driving.
You are always responsible for safe maneuver-
ing and parking. Make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the maneuvering
area while maneuvering and parking in parking
spaces.
You are always responsible for safety, and must
always pay attention to your surroundings when
parking and maneuvering. This applies to the
areas behind, in front of and beside the vehicle. You could otherwise endanger yourself and oth-
ers.
The 360° camera will not function or will func-
tion in a limited manner:
Rif the doors are open
Rif the exterior mirrors are folded in
Rif the tailgate is open
Rin heavy rain, snow or fog
Rat night or in very dark places
Rif the cameras are exposed to very bright light
Rif the area is lit by fluorescent bulbs or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
Rif the camera lenses fog up, e.g. when driving
into a heated garage in winter, causing a rapid
change in temperature
Rif the camera lenses are dirty or covered
Rif the vehicle components in which the cam-
eras are installed are damaged. In this case,
have the camera position and setting checked
at a qualified specialist workshop
Do not use the 360° camera in this case. You
can otherwise injure others or cause damage to
objects or the vehicle.
The guide lines in the multimedia system display
show the distances to your vehicle. The distan-
ces only apply to road level.
In trailer mode, the guide lines are shown at the
level of the trailer tow hitch.
182Driving systems
Driving and parking