Driving and operating147warning may sound as a signal to
depress the brake pedal or apply the
parking brake.
Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy period, e.g. in traffic jams.
When the vehicle is parked and the
driver's door is opened, a warning
chime will sound if neutral is not
selected or the brake pedal has not
been depressed.
Engine braking
Automatic mode
When driving downhill, the manual transmission automated does not shift into higher gears until a fairly
high engine speed has been reached. It shifts down in good time when
braking.
Manual mode
To utilise the engine braking effect, select a lower gear in good time when driving downhill.Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, snow or a hole. Move the
selector lever between R and A/M (or
between + and -) in a repeat pattern,
while applying light pressure to the
accelerator pedal. Do not race the
engine and avoid sudden
acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake. The most recently engaged gear (see
transmission display) remains
engaged. With N, no gear is engaged.
When the ignition is switched off, the transmission no longer responds to
movement of the selector lever.
If the ignition is not switched off, or the parking brake has not been applied, a
warning chime will sound upon
opening the driver's door.
Manual mode If a higher gear is selected when the
engine speed is too low, or a lower
gear when the speed is too high, theshift is not executed. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or too high an engine speed.
If engine speed is too low, the
transmission automatically shifts to a
lower gear.
If engine speed is too high, the
transmission only switches to a higher gear via kickdown.
Electronic driving programmes
Winter mode V
148Driving and operatingActivate the Winter mode if you have
problems starting off on a slippery
road surface.
Activation
Press V. Control indicator V is shown
in the transmission display. The
transmission switches to automatic
mode and the vehicle starts off in a
suitable gear.
Deactivation
The Winter mode is switched off by:
● pressing V again
● turning off the ignition
● switching to manual mode
In order to protect the transmission at extremely high clutch temperatures,
an intermittent audible warning may
sound. In such cases, depress the
brake pedal, select "N" and apply the parking brake to allow the clutch to
cool down.Laden mode kg
It is possible to use the Laden mode
in both manual and automatic modes. In both cases, the gearshifting
patterns are adapted automatically
for carrying an increased payload.
Activation
Press kg. Control indicator kg is
shown in the transmission display.
The transmission will then select
optimized gearshift patterns.
Deactivation
The Laden mode is switched off by:
● pressing kg again
● turning off the ignition
Kickdown If the accelerator pedal is pressed
past the pressure point, the
transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed. Full
engine power is available for
acceleration.
If engine speed is too high the
transmission switches to a higher
gear, even in manual mode. Without
kickdown this automatic shift is not
effected in manual mode.
Fault
In the event of a fault, control indicator W is shown in the transmission
display. Continued driving is possible
provided the vehicle is driven with
care and anticipation.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
150Driving and operating9Warning
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.
If control indicators u, A , R and
C illuminate, the ABS and ESP are
deactivated and the message
BRAKING FAULT is shown in the
Driver Information Centre. Seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake9 Warning
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 94.
Parking 3 134.
Retractable parking brake
Depending on vehicle, the parking
brake lever retracts to the horizontal
position even with the parking brake
applied.
To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the release
button and return the lever to the
horizontal position.
To apply the parking brake, pull the
lever up and release it. The lever rests
in a horizontal position.
152Driving and operating9Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 95.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 167.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, the Traction control system
(TC) can be deactivated to enhance
traction:
Press Ø on the instrument panel.
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 98.
When vehicle speed reaches 50 km/h, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
Traction function to TC operation.
Control indicator Ø extinguishes in
the instrument cluster.
TC is reactivated by pressing Ø
again. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control indicator b 3 95 illuminates together
with A 3 93 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 98.
The Traction control system (TC) is
not operational. Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 99.
Electronic stability program
The Electronic Stability Program
(ESP® Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of the type of road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
Driving and operating153As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
the ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding
message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre 3 98.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action b
flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 95.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 167.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, ESP® Plus
can be
deactivated to enhance traction:
Press Ø on the instrument panel.
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 98.
When vehicle speed reaches
50 km/h, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
Traction function to ESP® Plus
operation. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes in the instrument cluster.
ESP® Plus
is reactivated by pressing
Ø again. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes.
ESP® Plus
is also reactivated the next
time the ignition is switched on.
154Driving and operatingFault
If the system detects a fault, control indicator b 3 95 illuminates together
with A 3 93 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 98.
The Electronic Stability Program
(ESP® Plus
) is not operational. Have
the cause of the fault remedied by a
workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 99.
Limited-slip rear axle
Rear-wheel drive vehicles may be
equipped with an automatic locking
rear differential which automatically
controls the torque transmitted to
each rear wheel, enhancing traction
in the event of soft ground, mud or
snow-covered road surfaces.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
When vehicle speed reaches
30 km/h, or once the rear wheels
return to surfaces with normal grip,
e.g. paved roads, the system
automatically deactivates,
sometimes accompanied by a noise
(with no consequence to vehicle
behaviour).
The system can also be deactivated
manually once normal grip conditions have resumed by briefly releasing the
accelerator.
Driver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of 30 km/h and
above. Deviations from the stored
speeds may occur when driving uphill or downhill. The stored speed will
flash in the Driver Information Centre
3 98.
158Driving and operatingSpeed limiter
Maximum speed limiter In accordance with local or national
regulations, the vehicle may be
equipped with a fixed maximum
speed limiter that cannot be disabled.
If equipped, a warning label indicating the fixed maximum speed limit (90 to
130 km/h) is located on the
instrument panel.
Deviations from the maximum speed
limit may occur briefly when driving
downhill, for physical reasons.
A warning buzzer may sound for
ten seconds if the vehicle briefly
exceeds the set limit.
Vehicles also equipped with cruise
control speed limiter: the maximum
speed cannot be exceeded by
depressing the accelerator pedal
firmly beyond the point of resistance.
Cruise control speed limiter 3 154.Parking assist9 Warning
It is the driver who bears full
responsibility for the parking
manoeuvre.
Always check the surrounding
area while reversing and using the rear parking assist system.
The parking assist makes reverse
parking easier by measuring the
distance between the rear of the
vehicle and obstacles.
The system consists of four ultrasonic parking sensors in the rear bumper.
Note
Attached parts in the detection area
cause system malfunction.
Activation
When reverse gear is engaged, the
system switches itself on
automatically. Readiness for
operation is indicated by a brief
acoustic signal.
An obstacle is indicated by buzzers.
The interval between the buzzers
becomes shorter as the vehicle gets
closer to the obstacle. When the
distance is less than 30 cm, the buzzer is continuous.
Driving and operating159Deactivation
It is possible to permanently or
temporarily deactivate the system.
Temporary deactivation
Temporarily deactivate the system by
pressing r on the instrument panel
with the ignition on. LED illuminates in
the button when deactivated.
When reverse gear is selected, no
acoustic signal will sound, indicating
deactivation.
The function is reactivated by
pressing r again or the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Permanent deactivation
Permanently deactivate the system
by pressing and holding r on the
instrument panel for approx. three seconds with the ignition on.
LED illuminates continuously in the
button when permanently
deactivated.
The system is deactivated and will not
operate. When reverse gear is
selected, no acoustic signal will
sound, indicating deactivation.
The function is reactivated by
pressing and holding r for approx.
three seconds.
Fault
If the system detects an operating fault, when selecting reverse gear a
continuous acoustic alarm will sound for approx. three seconds. Consult a
workshop to have the cause of the
fault remedied.Caution
When reversing, the area should
be free from obstacles which could impact on the underside of the
vehicle.
Impact to the rear axle, which may
not be visible, could lead to
uncharacteristic changes in the
vehicle handling. In the event of
such an impact, consult a
workshop.
Basic notes on parking assist
system
9 Warning
Under certain circumstances,
various reflective surfaces on
objects or clothing as well as
external noise sources may cause the system to fail to detect
obstacles.
Special attention must be paid to
low obstacles which can damage
the lower part of the bumper.