Hybrid drive system
General notes
Hybrid technology combines a fuel efficient
internal combustion engine with a powerful
electric motor.
Important safety notes
Danger of electric shock
GDANGER
The vehicle's high-voltage electrical system is under high voltage. If you modify components
in the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system
or touch damaged components, you may be
electrocuted. The components in the vehi-
cle's high-voltage electrical system may be
damaged in an accident, although the damage
is not visible. There is a risk of fatal injury.
Following an accident, do not touch any high-
voltage components and never modify the
vehicle's high-voltage electrical system. Have
the vehicle towed away after an accident and
the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system
checked by a qualified specialist workshop.
When towing a vehicle after an accident, be sure
to observe the following sections in the vehicle
Operator's Manual:
RTransporting the vehicle
RTowing the vehicle with the rear axle raised
RTowing a vehicle with both axles on the
ground
Read the safety instructions on towing and tow-
starting (
Ypage 53).
All components of the hybrid drive system are
marked with yellow warning stickers that warn
you of the danger of high voltage. The cables of
the vehicle's high-voltage electrical system are
orange in color.
The ignition must be switched off when carrying
out general tasks, such as changing bulbs or
checking the coolant level.
Automatic switching off of the hybrid
drive system
If components of the restraint system are acti-
vated during an accident, the hybrid drive sys-
tem is automatically deactivated.
The hybrid drive system is not activated when
the vehicle is started if:
Ran electrical short circuit is detected in the
hybrid drive system
Ran electrical connection in the hybrid drive
system is disconnected
This ensures that you do not come into contact
with high voltage.
Manual switching off of the hybrid drive
system
The hybrid drive system can be deactivated
manually using the high voltage switch-off
device.
!To prevent damage to the hybrid drive sys-
tem please observe the following instruc-
tions:
Ronly deactivate the hybrid drive system
manually in the following situations.
Rwork on the hybrid drive system may only
be carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop, even when it has been deactivated
manually.
Deactivate the hybrid system manually if:
Rthe 6 restraint system warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up after an accident
Rthe vehicle is badly damaged, e.g. after an
accident, and the restraint system compo-
nents were not activated
Rthe vehicle is badly damaged and has to be
towed or transported
10Hybrid drive system
Safety
XIf possible, move the vehicle out of the
danger zone:shift the automatic transmis-
sion into position N.
XRelease the electric parking brake.
XRoll the vehicle to a safe place and park it
safely.
Get assistance from others if necessary.
The vehicle is locked automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are turn-
ing. There is therefore a risk of being locked out
if the vehicle is being pushed or tested on a
dynamometer.
XSwitch the ignition off.
XShift the automatic transmission to park posi-
tion P.
Apply the electric parking brake.
Safeguard the vehicle against rolling away
(see the vehicle Operator's Manual).
XTo use the high-voltage switch-off device:
open the tailgate.
XLift the cargo compartment floor upwards
(see the vehicle Operator's Manual).
XPull off the right-hand paneling in the cargo
compartment.
XPress release clip :in the direction of the
arrow and pull it out.
XPull high-voltage switch-off device ;apart
until it engages.
If the hybrid drive system has been deactivated
due to reasons mentioned above, have it
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
before reactivation.
High-voltage battery
GWARNING
In the event of a vehicle fire, the internal pres- sure of the high-voltage battery can exceed a
critical value. In this case flammable gas
escapes through a ventilation valve on the
underbody. The gas can ignite. There is a risk
of injury.
Leave the danger zone immediately. Secure
the danger area at a suitable distance, whilst
observing legal requirements.
GWARNING
If the housing of the high-voltage battery has
been damaged, electrolyte and gases may
leak out. These are poisonous and caustic.
There is a risk of injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
Immediately rinse electrolyte splashes off
with water and seek medical attention
straight away.
!Exhaustive discharge caused by the vehicle
standing idle for lengthy periods can damage
the high-voltage battery. If the vehicle is idle
for lengthy periods leave the high-voltage bat-
tery connected to a charging station.
Charging the high-voltage battery (
Ypage 29).
Engine compartment
Before opening the hood:
XApply the electric parking brake.
XShift the transmission to position P.
XSwitch the ignition off.
XObserve the warning notes on the risk of elec-
tric shock (Ypage 10).
XObserve the warning notes on the hood (see
the vehicle Operator's Manual).
RBS driving safety system (Recupera-
tive Brake System)
The Recuperative Brake System supports you
when braking with an electronically-controlled
brake boost mode and enables the recovery of
kinetic energy (recuperation).
Further information about the Recuperative
Braking System (
Ypage 20).
Hybrid drive system11
Safety
Z
Occupant safety
Restraint system warning lamp
If the restraint system is disrupted, the high-
voltage on-board electrical system may not be
switched off in the event of an accident as inten-
ded.
GDANGER
If the restraint system is malfunctioning,
restraint system components may be trig-
gered unintentionally or may not deploy as
intended during an accident. This can affect
for example the Emergency Tensioning
Device or the air bag. Furthermore, in the
event of an accident, the vehicle's high-volt-
age electrical system may not be deactivated as intended. You may be electrocuted if you
touch the damaged components of the vehi-
cle's high-voltage electrical system. This
poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal
injury.
Have the restraint system checked and
repaired in a qualified specialist workshop assoon as possible. After an accident, switch off
the ignition immediately and remove the key
from the ignition lock.
A malfunction has occurred if the 6restraint
system warning lamp:
Rdoes not light up after the ignition is switched
on
Rdoes not go out after a few seconds while the
combustion engine or hybrid system is run-
ning
Rlights up again while the combustion engine
or hybrid system is running
12Occupant safety
Safety
Overview of climate control systems
General notes
Observe the notes and the recommended settings in the vehicle Operator's Manual. The windowscould otherwise fog up.
Climate control regulates the temperature and air humidity in the vehicle interior. Due to the elec-
trical refrigerant compressor, the "Cooling with dehumidification" function is also operational with-out the combustion engine running. Optimum climate control is only achieved with the side windows
and roof closed.
The residual heat function can only be activated or deactivated with the ignition switched off
(
Ypage 17).
The "Pre-entry climate control" function is available. Use this function to briefly preheat or ventilate
the driver's seat area or the entire vehicle interior before entering the vehicle. The air from the air
vents can also be pre-cooled.
Control panel for dual-zone automatic climate control
USA only
Front control panel
:Sets the temperature, left
;Defrosts the windshield
=Switches the maximum cooling MAX COOL on or off
?Switches cooling with air dehumidification on/off (Ypage 17)
ASwitches the rear window defroster on/off
BSets the temperature, right
CSwitches air-recirculation mode on/off
DSets the air distribution
EIncreases the airflow
FReduces the airflow
GActivates/deactivates climate control
HSets climate control to automatic
Overview of climate control systems13
Climate control
Canada only
Front control panel
:Sets the temperature, left
;Defrosts the windshield
=Switches the ZONE function on/off
?Switches cooling with air dehumidification on/off (Ypage 17)
Switches the residual heat on or off (
Ypage 17)
ASwitches the rear window defroster on/off
BSets the temperature, right
CSwitches air-recirculation mode on/off
DSets the air distribution
EIncreases the airflow
FReduces the airflow
GActivates/deactivates climate control
HSets climate control to automatic
In the vehicle Operator's Manual, information and recommendations can be found on:
Rusing automatic climate control
Rusing the rear control panel
Rthe individual functions
Observe these notes for optimal use of the automatic climate control.
The "Cooling with air dehumidification" function is even available when the engine is not running
(
Ypage 17).
Use the residual heat function if you want to heat or ventilate the vehicle interior when the ignition
is switched off. The residual heat function can only be activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off. When the ignition is switched on, the residual heat function is switched off
(
Ypage 17).
14Overview of climate control systems
Climate control
In the vehicle Operator's Manual, information and recommendations can be found on:
Rusing automatic climate control
Rusing the rear control panel
Rthe individual functions
Observe these notes for optimal use of the automatic climate control.
The "Cooling with air dehumidification" function is even available when the engine is not running
(
Ypage 17).
Use the residual heat function if you want to heat or ventilate the vehicle interior when the ignition is switched off. The residual heat function can only be activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off. When the ignition is switched on, the residual heat function is switched off
(
Ypage 17).
Operating the climate control sys-
tems
Switching cooling with air dehumidi-
fication on/off
If you deactivate the "Cooling with air-dehumid-ification" function, the air inside the vehicle will
not be cooled. The air inside the vehicle will also
not be dehumidified. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Therefore, deactivate the cooling
with air-dehumidification function only briefly.
The "Cooling with air dehumidification" function
is available even when the engine is not running.
The air inside the vehicle is cooled and dehu-
midified according to the temperature selected.
Condensation may drip from the underside of
the vehicle when it is in cooling mode. This is
normal and not a sign that there is a malfunc-
tion.
XTo activate: press the¿orÁ button.
The indicator lamp in the ¿orÁ button
lights up.
XTo deactivate: press the¿orÁ but-
ton.
The indicator lamp in the ¿orÁ button
goes out. The "Cooling with air dehumidifica-
tion" function has a delayed switch-off fea-
ture.
Switching the residual heat on or off
It is possible to make use of the residual heat of
the engine to continue heating the stationary
vehicle for up to 30 minutesafter the engine has
been switched off. The heating time depends on
the set interior temperature.
XTo activate: press theÌorÁ button.
The indicator lamp in the ÌorÁ button
lights up.
XTo deactivate: press theÌorÁ but-
ton.
The indicator lamp in the ÌorÁ button
goes out.
The blower will run at a low speed regardless of
the airflow setting.
If you activate the residual heat function at high
temperatures, only the ventilation will be acti-
vated. The blower runs at medium speed.
Residual heat is deactivated automatically:
Rafter approximately 30 minutes
Rwhen the ignition is switched on
Rif the battery voltage drops
Pre-entry climate control via Smart-
Key
General notes
Before getting in, the vehicle interior can be
briefly warmed or ventilated in advance and the air from the air vents can be pre-cooled.
The high-voltage battery must be sufficiently
charged before "Pre-entry climate control via
SmartKey" can be activated.
When the vehicle is pre-cooled, the following
functions are activated if required:
RClimate control system
RBlower
RSeat ventilation
Operating the climate control systems17
Climate control
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the auto-
matic transmission shifts:
Rinto the drive program that was last selected,
and
Rinto the driving mode that was last selected
If you change the drive program, the operating
mode that was last selected is stored for approx-
imately 60 seconds. After this time, the HYBRID
operating mode is automatically activated.
Starting the engine
The vehicle starts in electric mode without the
internal combustion engine (noiseless start).
The internal combustion engine starts only after the power demanded by the driver exceeds the
available power that the electric motor can cur-
rently provide.
Noiseless start operation is dependent on the
outside temperature and the operating temper- ature of the internal combustion engine. If not all
conditions for noiseless start operation are ful-
filled, the vehicle starts with the internal com-
bustion engine.
Observe the notes on starting in the vehicle
Operator's Manual.
XSwitch on the ignition.
XDepress the brake pedal.
XStart the vehicle (see the vehicle Operator's
Manual).
When the vehicle is operational, the READY
indicator lights up in the multifunction display
(
Ypage 39).
Pulling away
XDepress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
XShift the transmission to position Dor R.
XIf the Apply Brake to Shift from 'P'display message appears in the multifunction display, depress the brake pedal more firmly
and select the desired transmission position.
XRelease the brake pedal.
XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
You can find further information on pulling away
in the vehicle Operator's Manual.
Drive programs
DYNAMIC SELECT controller
Select the drive program using the DYNAMIC
SELECT controller. Depending on the drive pro-
gram selected the following vehicle character-
istics will change:
Rthe drive (engine and transmission manage-
ment)
Rthe suspension
Rthe steering.
Rthe energy management
Each time you start the engine with the ignition SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, the Com-
fort drive program is activated. You can find
further information on starting the engine in the
vehicle Operator's Manual.
XTurn DYNAMIC SELECT controller :as many
times as necessary until the desired drive
program is selected.
The status icon of the selected drive program
is shown in the multifunction display.
In addition, the current drive program settings are displayed briefly in the multimedia system
display.
22Driving
Driving and parking
Problems with HYBRID operation
Internal combustion engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
You cannot start the
internal combustion
engine. The multifunc-
tion display shows no
display messages. The
READY indicator in the
multifunction display is
off.For example, self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the hybrid drive
system is malfunctioning.
XSwitch off the ignition and turn it back on.
XTry to start the internal combustion engine again.
If the internal combustion engine still does not start:
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
You wish to pull away,
but the ECO start/stop
function does not start
the internal combustion
engine. The READY indi-
cator in the multifunc-
tion display is off.The ECO start/stop function has failed. The warning and indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster light up.
XShift the transmission to P.
XSwitch off the ignition and turn it back on.
XStart the engine.
The hybrid drive system is malfunctioning.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Recuperative Brake System
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
Braking resistance is
reduced and brake pedal
travel is longer than
usual.GRisk of accident
The Recuperative Brake System is malfunctioning.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction dis-
play (Ypage 45).
XObserve the information regarding indicator and warning lamps in
the instrument cluster (Ypage 49) .
Driving25
Driving and parking
Z