Progressive steering
Depending on the vehicle equipment level, progressive steering can adjust the force of the steering
movement in a driving situation. Progressive steering only functions when the engine is running.
In urban driving, smaller steering movements are required when parking, manoeuvring, or turning
sharply.
When driving on country roads or on the motorway, the progressive steering provides a more
sporty, direct steering response, and a dynamic feel.
Troubleshooting
Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
The indicator lamps light up.
Do not drive on! Electromechanical steering not functioning. The steering must be
checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.Electromechanical steering function
reduced. The steering must be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible. If the yellow
warning lamp remains off after the engine has been restarted and you have driven a short distance,
you do not need to consult a qualified workshop.The 12-volt battery has been disconnected
and reconnected. Drive a short distance at a speed of 15 – 20 km/h (9 – 12 mph).
The indicator lamps flash.
Steering column twisted. Turn the steering wheel back and forth.Steering column not
locked or unlocked. Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock and switch the ignition back on
again. Follow any messages that are on the instrument cluster display. Do not continue your
journey if the steering column remains locked when the ignition is switched on. Seek expert
assistance.
Driving profile selection and 4MOTION Active
Control
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Selecting a driving profile (ONROAD)
⇒ Selecting a driving profile (4MOTION Action Control)
⇒ Adjusting the driving profile to suit your requirements
⇒ Troubleshooting
The driving profile selection contains
factory-defined driving profiles which
have different effects on the vehicle
setup. You can also set your own
vehicle setup by means of an individual
driving profile.
Different driving profiles can be selected depending on the vehicle equipment level. The effect on
the vehicle setup in the individual driving profiles depends on the vehicle equipment.
The settings available depend on the type of drive. Vehicles with a front-wheel drive come with
ONROAD driving profiles ⇒ Selecting a driving profile (ONROAD), while vehicles with all-wheel
If the power steering is not working, the steering wheel is difficult to turn, which makes it
difficult to steer the vehicle.
•The power steering only functions when the engine is running.
•Never allow the vehicle to roll if the engine is switched off.
•Never remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock when the vehicle is in motion. The
steering column lock may be activated and it will no longer be possible to steer the
vehicle.
WARNING
In conjunction with the ESC, counter steering assistance provides the driver with
assistance when steering in critical driving situations. The driver must steer the vehicle at
all times. Counter steering assistance does not steer the vehicle.
WARNING
The ignition of the vehicle being towed must be switched on to prevent the steering wheel
from locking, and so that the turn signals, horn, wipers and window washer system can be
used.
NOTICE
Explanation of some technical terms
Fig. 131 Illustration: angle of gradient.
The terrain might look harmless, but there could be hidden dangers. Potholes, hollows,
ditches, precipices, obstacles, shallows, soft and boggy surfaces are often not
recognisable as such and can be covered either fully or partly by water or grass or
branches lying on the ground. Driving off-road over such terrain could cause accidents,
serious injury and also a vehicle breakdown.
•Check any unknown sections of the route on foot carefully before driving.
•Never choose an unsafe route or take a risk which could endanger you or your
passengers. If you are in any doubt about the safety of the route, turn back and choose
another route.
•Always adjust your speed and driving to match vehicle load levels and off-road,
visibility and weather conditions.
WARNING
•Always avoid traversing a slope ⇒ Traversing a slope.
•Vehicle occupants should never leave the vehicle via the doors facing down the hill
when parked sideways on a steep hill. The combined centre of gravity of the vehicle
and its payload (vehicle occupants and payload) can shift and cause the vehicle to roll
over and roll down the incline. Always leave the vehicle slowly via the doors which
open up the incline ⇒ Traversing a slope.
WARNING
The cruise control system has been designed for use on surfaced roads only. The cruise
control system is not suitable for use off-road and may even be hazardous. If you use the
cruise control system while driving off-road, you may lose control over the vehicle and
sustain severe injuries.
•Never use the cruise control system when driving off-road.
WARNING
The area monitoring system (Front Assist) was developed for use on paved roads only.
The area monitoring system is not suitable for use off-road and may even be hazardous. If
you use the area monitoring system while driving off-road, you may lose control over the
vehicle and sustain severe injuries.
•Never use the area monitoring system when driving off-road.
WARNING
Driving the vehicle when the fuel level is too low could lead to your vehicle breaking down
off-road, accidents and serious injuries.
•When the fuel level is too low, the fuel supply to the engine could be irregular,
especially when driving up or down hills and inclines.
•The steering, all driver assist systems and brake support systems will not function if
the engine sputters or stops completely due to a lack of fuel or irregular fuel supply.
•Always fill the tank when it is still 1/4 full. This reduces the risk of running out of fuel
and breaking down.
WARNING
Any rain entering the vehicle when the windows or glass roof are open can soak the
interior equipment and cause damage to the vehicle. Always keep the windows and glass
roof closed when driving off-road.
NOTICE
Clean the turn signals, headlight system, the number plate and all windows.
If necessary, remove the towing eye and the snow chains.
Check the tyres, struts and axles for damage and remove dirt, stones and other foreign
bodies from the tyre tread.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and remove all items that are jammed in the brake system,
on the wheels, in the running gear, in the exhaust system and in the engine, such as
branches, leaves or pieces of wood . If you see any damage or leaks, take your vehicle to a
qualified workshop.
Clean heavy soiling from the radiator grille and the vehicle underbody Vehicle care.
Check the engine compartment to see if any dirt is affecting the engine operation In the
engine compartment.
Switch off OFF-ROAD mode Selecting a driving profile (4MOTION Action Control).
Switch on TCS again Brake support systems.
If your vehicle gets stuck
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Rocking out a vehicle requires a great deal of training and feeling for the vehicle.
If you make a mistake when rocking the vehicle, it can sink deeper and you will need assistance to
get out of the mud.
When you cannot proceed ...
•Carefully dig out all the wheels and check that no other parts of the vehicle are stuck in the
sand.
•Engage reverse gear.
•Reverse over your own tracks, accelerating gently.
If this does not help, place brushwood, floor mats or sacking directly in front of the wheels to
increase grip ⇒.
Rocking the vehicle
Never allow the wheels to spin for long periods as this will cause the vehicle to sink deeper ⇒.
•Switch off TCS ⇒ Brake support systems.
•Position the steering wheel so that it is facing straight ahead.
•Reverse until the point where the wheels just start to spin.
•Quickly select first gear and drive forwards until the wheels start to spin again.
•Repeat driving back and forth until you have enough momentum to free yourself.
•Switch the TCS on after the rocking procedure is completed ⇒ Brake support systems.
•Use the Off-road driving profile.
After off-road driving
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Checklist
Never drive through a ditch if the entry/exit angle is too steep for the vehicle and the ditch
is too deep. The vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll.
WARNING
If you drive into the ditch at a right angle, the front wheels will fall in. The underbody of
your vehicle could get stuck and damaged which means that the vehicle could break
down. It is then almost impossible to get out of the ditch despite having all-wheel drive.
NOTICE
Nobody may stand either in front or behind the vehicle, particularly if you are attempting
to free a stuck vehicle.
•Spinning wheels can propel stones, brushwood, pieces of wood or other objects that
are in front or behind the wheels at enormous speed and cause potentially fatal injury.
•People standing in front of or behind the vehicle could be run over if the stuck vehicle
starts to move suddenly.
WARNING
•OR: depending on the vehicle equipment, by means of the button for the driver assist systems
⇒ Button for driver assist systems.
•OR: depending on the vehicle equipment, in the Driver assistance menu in the Infotainment
system ⇒ Operation and display in the Infotainment system.
Function
Rear Traffic Alert monitors the traffic crossing behind the vehicle when reversing out of a parking
space or manoeuvring. Rear Traffic Alert functions using radar sensors in the rear bumper.
Key to ⇒ Fig. 150:
Critical situation. Do not drive on!Possible critical situation.
Detection of a critical situation can also take place acoustically:
•A warning signal will sound and a text message will be displayed in the instrument cluster for
vehicles without Park Distance Control.
•A warning signal will sound with the continuous Park Distance Control tone if Park Distance
Control is installed in the vehicle. If the Park Distance Control is deactivated, no warning can be
given to the driver and the Rear Traffic Alert system will also be switched off temporarily.
If there is a fault in the system's scanned area, the yellow indicator lamp lights up .
Automatic braking intervention to minimise damage
If Rear Traffic Alert detects an approaching road user and the driver has not pressed the brake, the
system can brake automatically.
The Rear Traffic Alert helps the driver to prevent damage by initiating an automatic braking
intervention. Automatic braking intervention takes place when reversing at speeds of between
1-12 km/h (1-7 mph). The vehicle is held stationary for up to two seconds after vehicle standstill has
been detected.
After automatic braking intervention is activated to prevent damage to the vehicle, the system
requires approximately ten seconds before it can activate another automatic braking intervention.
The automatic braking intervention can be interrupted by pressing the accelerator or brake pedal
sharply and taking control of the vehicle.
Troubleshooting
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
No sensor visibility, error message, system switches itself off
•Clean the radar sensors or remove stickers or accessories from the radar sensors ⇒ Caring for
and cleaning the vehicle exterior.
•Check whether any damage is visible.
The system is not responding as expected
•The radar sensors are dirty ⇒ Caring for and cleaning the vehicle exterior. The sensor visibility
may be impaired by dirt and snow or also residue from cleaning agents or coatings.
•The prerequisites for system operation must be met ⇒ System limits.
•The radar sensors are covered by water.
•The vehicle is damaged in the area of the radar sensors, e.g. caused by parking collisions.
•The detection ranges of the radar sensors are blocked by add-on parts, e.g. bicycle carriers.
•Changes have been made to the paintwork in the area of the radar sensors or structural
modifications have been made, e.g. on the vehicle front end or the running gear.
•Tinting foils have been retrofitted on the side windows.
The intelligent technology of the lane change system including Rear Traffic Alert cannot
overcome the laws of physics, and functions only within the limits of the system. Do not
let the auxiliary function of the Rear Traffic Alert tempt you to take any risks while driving
– this can cause accidents. The system is not a substitute for the full concentration of the
driver.
•Never use the system with impaired vision or in unpredictable traffic situations, e.g. on
extremely busy roads or across several lanes.
•Always pay attention to the area around the vehicle – cyclists and pedestrians are
often not clearly detected.
•The Rear Traffic Alert will not always independently bring the vehicle to a complete
stop.
WARNING
Parking and manoeuvring
Parking
Stopping the vehicle
Always park the vehicle in the specified order.
Always stop the vehicle on a suitable surface ⇒.
•Bring the vehicle to a stop. On vehicles with a manual gearbox, fully depress the clutch.
•Press and hold the brake pedal.
•With a DSG dual clutch gearbox, move the selector lever to position P.
•Switch on the electronic parking brake ⇒ Electronic parking brake.
•Stop the engine and switch off the ignition ⇒ Starting and stopping the engine. The indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster display must light up red.
•With a manual gearbox, select first gear for flat ground and uphill inclines, or reverse gear for
downhill inclines, and then release the clutch.
•Locking the steering column ⇒ Steering
•Take your left foot off the brake.
•Make sure that all vehicle occupants leave the vehicle.
•Get out of the vehicle. Take all vehicle keys with you.
•Lock the vehicle.
Parking on uphill and downhill gradients
Turn the steering wheel so that the front wheels will roll against the kerb if the parked vehicle starts
to move.
Please adhere to relevant legislation when stopping and parking your vehicle.
®
The components of the exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires and serious
injuries.
•Never park the vehicle where parts of the exhaust system can come into contact with
inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. undergrowth, leaves, dry grass, spilt
fuel, oil etc.
WARNING
The vehicle may roll away if you leave and park the vehicle incorrectly. This can cause
accidents and serious injuries.
•Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the electronic parking brake is switched on
and that the indicator light lights up red on the instrument cluster display when
the ignition is switched off.
•Never remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock when the vehicle is in motion. The
steering lock may be activated and you will no longer be able to steer or control the
vehicle.
•Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could
switch off the electronic parking brake, or move the selector lever or gearshift lever,
and thus set the vehicle in motion.
•Always take all vehicle keys with you every time you leave the vehicle. The engine can
be started and electrical equipment such as the window controls can be operated. This
can cause serious injury.
•Never leave children or people requiring assistance alone in the vehicle. They could
become trapped in the vehicle in an emergency and may not be able to get themselves
to safety. For example, locked vehicles may be subjected to very high or very low
temperatures depending on the season. This can cause serious injuries and illness or
fatalities, especially among small children.
WARNING
•Always take care when driving in car parks with protruding kerbstones or bollards.
Objects that protrude from the ground can damage the bumper and other components
when parking the vehicle or driving out of a parking space. Stop before the wheels
touch the fixed boundaries or kerbs.
•Drive carefully through dips in the road, over driveways, ramps, kerbstones and other
objects. Low-lying vehicle components such as the bumper, spoiler and parts of the
running gear, engine or exhaust system could be damaged.
NOTICE
Always ensure that the ventilation openings between the rear window and the stowage area
are uncovered to allow stale air to escape from the vehicle.
Stowage compartment on the driver side
Fig. 163 On the driver side: stowage compartment.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
To open: pull the handle ⇒ Fig. 163.
To close: press the cover upwards until it engages.
There is a memory card holder on the inside of the cover.
Stowage compartment on the front passenger side
Loose objects may be flung through the vehicle interior in the event of a sudden driving or
braking manoeuvre. This can cause serious injury and can also lead to loss of control of
the vehicle.
•Do not stow any pets or any hard, heavy or sharp objects in the vehicle's open stowage
areas, on the dash panel, on the shelf behind the rear seats, or in items of clothing and
bags in the vehicle interior.
•Always keep stowage compartments closed while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING
Objects in the driver footwell can hinder pedal operation. This can lead to loss of control
of the vehicle and increase the risk of serious injury.
•Please ensure that all pedals can always be operated without any hindrance.
•The floor mats must always be properly secured in the footwell.
•No additional floor mats or other floor coverings should be placed over the fitted floor
mat.
•Ensure that no objects can enter the driver footwell while the vehicle is in motion.
•If there are any objects in the footwell, remove them when the vehicle is parked.
WARNING
Cigarette lighters in the vehicle could be damaged or accidentally lit. This could lead to
serious burns and other injuries.
•Before adjusting the seats, always ensure that there is no lighter on or near the
moveable parts of the seat.
•Before closing stowage areas or compartments always ensure that there is no lighter
in the way.
•Never stow lighters in stowage areas, compartments or on other surfaces in the
vehicle. High surface temperatures, especially in summer, may cause cigarette lighters
to self-ignite.
WARNING
•Hard objects could rub against the wires of the heating element in the rear window and
cause damage.
•Do not stow any temperature-sensitive objects, food or medicines inside the vehicle.
Hot and cold temperatures could damage them or render them unusable.
•Objects stored in the vehicle that are made from transparent materials, such as
glasses, magnifying glasses or transparent suction cups on the windows, can
concentrate the sun's rays and thus cause damage to the vehicle.
NOTICE
•If necessary, fold back the rear seat backrest and allow it to engage securely.
•If necessary, adjust the headlight range ⇒ Headlights.
•Adjust the tyre pressure according to the vehicle load. Observe the tyre pressure sticker ⇒ Tyre
pressure.
•In vehicles with a tyre monitoring system, set the new vehicle load level as necessary ⇒ Tyre
monitoring systems.
Do not cover the ventilation openings in the area around the rear window as this prevents
stale air escaping from the vehicle.
Luggage compartment cover
Fig. 181 In the luggage compartment: removing and installing the luggage compartment cover.
Objects that are not secured, or are secured incorrectly, can cause serious injuries in the
event of a sudden driving or braking manoeuvre or accident. This applies particularly if
objects are struck by the airbag when activated and then flung through the vehicle
interior. To reduce the risk of accidents, please observe the following guidelines:
•Always stow all objects in the vehicle securely.
•Small and light objects should also be secured.
•Objects should be stowed in the vehicle interior in such a way that they can never
enter the airbag deployment zones while the vehicle is in motion.
•Always keep stowage compartments closed while the vehicle is in motion.
•Stowed objects must never cause passengers to assume an incorrect sitting position.
•If an item is being stowed on a seat, this seat must not be used by any passengers.
•Do not stow any hard, heavy or sharp objects loose in any of the vehicle's open
stowage areas, on the surface behind the rear seat backrest or on the dash panel.
•Remove any hard, heavy or sharp objects from items of clothing and bags inside the
vehicle and stow them securely.
WARNING
Transporting heavy objects changes the vehicle's handling and increases the braking
distance. Heavy loads that are not properly stowed or secured in the vehicle can lead to a
loss of vehicle control and can cause serious injury.
•Never exceed the vehicle's maximum payload. Both the payload and the distribution of
the load in the vehicle will have an effect on the driving response and braking distance
of the vehicle.
•Transporting heavy objects changes the vehicle's handling and the centre of gravity.
•The payload should be distributed as evenly as possible in the vehicle.
•Always secure heavy objects in the luggage compartment as far in front of the rear axle
as possible.
•Loose objects in the luggage compartment can suddenly slide and change the way the
vehicle handles.
•Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic
conditions.
•Accelerate carefully and gently.
•Avoid sudden braking and driving manoeuvres.
•Brake earlier than in normal driving.
WARNING
Objects rubbing against the rear windows may damage or destroy the heating wires or,
depending on the vehicle equipment, also the aerial.
NOTICE
Wiper blades
Service position
Fig. 201 Wiper blades in service position.
The wiper arms can be lifted off the windscreen when in the service position. Proceed as follows to
move the wipers to the service position ⇒ Fig. 201:
Activating the service position
•The bonnet must be closed ⇒ In the engine compartment.
•Switch the ignition on and then off again.
•Push the wiper lever downwards.
Lifting the windscreen wiper arms
•Move the wiper arms to the service position before lifting ⇒.
•When lifting the wiper arm hold it only by the wiper blade mounting.
Place the windscreen wiper arms back onto the windscreen before driving away. With the ignition
switched on, briefly press the windscreen wiper lever down to bring the windscreen wiper arms
back to the original position.
Cleaning and replacing the wiper blades
Fig. 202 Changing the windscreen wiper blades.
Fig. 203 Changing the rear window wiper blade.
The factory-fitted windscreen wiper blades are coated with graphite. The graphite coating ensures
that the windscreen wiper blade moves quietly over the windscreen. If the graphite coating is
damaged, the windscreen wiper will become louder.
Check the condition of the wiper blades on a regular basis. Rubbing wiper blades should be
changed if damaged or cleaned if dirty ⇒.
Damaged wiper blades should be replaced immediately. Windscreen wiper blades can be bought
from a qualified workshop.
•In order to prevent damage to the bonnet and the windscreen wiper arms, the
windscreen wiper arms should only be lifted when in the service position.
•Always return the windscreen wiper arms to the windscreen before starting your
journey.
NOTICE