138Driving and operatingVehicle messages 3 104.
Note
When the fast idle function is
activated, the stop-start system is
automatically deactivated and
cannot be reactivated by pressing
Î . LED in button illuminates to
indicate deactivation and a
corresponding message may
appear in the Driver Information Centre 3 103.
Idle speed control 3 136.
Depending on version, if the driver's door is opened or the driver's seat belt is unfastened, the stop-start system is
deactivated automatically, and the
engine is switched off. Restart engine by pressing START/STOP .
Power button 3 133.
Autostop
If the vehicle is at a low speed or at a standstill, activate an Autostop as
follows:
● depress the clutch pedal
● move the selector lever to neutral
● release the clutch pedalThe engine will be switched off while
the ignition stays on if the required
conditions are met.
An Autostop is indicated when Ï
illuminates in the instrument cluster
3 102.
During an Autostop, heating and brake performance will be
maintained. Brake assist, however, is
not available 3 149.
Caution
The power steering assist may be
reduced during an Autostop.
If you exit the vehicle while the engine is in an Autostop, a warning chime will
sound and a message " IGNITION
OFF " is displayed in the Driver
Information Centre as a reminder that
the engine is on standby and has not
been switched off.
Conditions for an Autostop
The stop-start system checks if each
of the following conditions is fulfilled,
otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited and control indicator \ will
illuminate in the instrument cluster:
● the stop-start system is not manually deactivated
● the bonnet is fully closed
● the driver's door is closed or the driver's seat belt is fastened
● the vehicle battery is sufficiently charged and in good condition
● the engine is warmed up
● the engine coolant temperature is
not too high
● the outside temperature is not too
low or too high (e.g. below 0 °C
or above 35 °C)
Driving and operating139● the defrosting function is notactivated
● the climate control system does not inhibit an Autostop
● the brake vacuum is sufficient
● the self-cleaning function of the diesel particle filter is not active
3 141
● the Antilock brake system (ABS) 3 148, Traction Control system
(TC) 3 150 and Electronic
Stability Program (ESP® Plus
)
3 151 ride control systems are
not actively engaged
● the vehicle has moved since the last Autostop
Otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited.
Certain settings of the climate control system may also inhibit an Autostop.
See " Climate control " chapter for
further information 3 120.
Immediately after motorway driving
an Autostop may be inhibited.
New vehicle running-in 3 133.Vehicle battery discharge protection
To ensure reliable engine restarts,
several battery discharge protection
features are implemented as part of
the stop-start system.
Restart of the engine by the driver
Depress the clutch pedal to restart the
engine.
Note
If any gear is selected, the clutch
pedal must be fully depressed to
restart the engine.
The engine restart may be interrupted
if the clutch pedal is released too
quickly while a gear is engaged.
If the engine does not restart first
time, depress clutch pedal fully again.
Alternatively, press button Î to
restart the engine while in an
Autostop.
Control indicator Ï 3 102
extinguishes in the instrument cluster when the engine is restarted.Restart of the engine by the stop-
start system
The selector lever must be in neutral
to enable an automatic restart.
If one of the following conditions
occurs during an Autostop, the
engine will be restarted automatically
by the stop-start system:
● the vehicle battery is discharged
● the outside temperature is too low or too high (e.g. below 0 °C
or above 35 °C)
● the defrosting function is activated 3 120
● the brake vacuum is not sufficient
● the brake pedal is operated repeatedly
● the vehicle starts to move
An automatic engine restart may not
be possible if a door or the bonnet is
open.
If an electrical accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop
during engine restart may be
noticeable.
Driving and operating141Engine exhaust9Danger
Engine exhaust gases contain
poisonous carbon monoxide,
which is colourless and odourless and could be fatal if inhaled.
If exhaust gases enter the interior
of the vehicle, open the windows.
Have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop.
Avoid driving with an open load
compartment, otherwise exhaust
gases could enter the vehicle.
Diesel particle filter
The diesel particle filter system filters
harmful soot particles out of the
exhaust gases. The system includes
a self-cleaning function that runs
automatically during driving without
any notification.
The filter is cleaned by periodically
burning off the soot particles at high
temperature. This process takes
place automatically under set driving
conditions. Autostop is not available
and fuel consumption may be higher
during this period. The emission of
smells and smoke during this process is normal.
Under certain driving conditions, e.g.
short distances, the system cannot
clean itself automatically.
If cleaning of the filter is required and
if previous driving conditions did not
enable automatic cleaning, it will be
indicated by the illumination of control
indicators j 3 99 and Z 3 99 in the
instrument cluster. Seek the
assistance of a workshop
immediately.Caution
If the cleaning process is
interrupted, there is a risk of
provoking severe engine damage.
Cleaning takes place quickest at high engine speeds and loads.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gases.Caution
Fuel grades other than those listed on page 3 161, 3 212 could
damage the catalytic converter or
electronic components.
Unburnt fuel will overheat and
damage the catalytic converter.
Therefore avoid excessive use of the starter, running the fuel tank
dry and starting the engine by
pushing or towing.
In the event of misfiring, uneven
engine running, a reduction in engine performance or other unusual
problems, have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop as soon as
possible. In an emergency, driving
can be continued for a short period,
keeping vehicle speed and engine
speed low.
148Driving and operatingCaution
It is inadvisable to drive with hand
resting on the selector lever.
Upshift 3 100.
Stop-start system 3 137.
Brakes
The brake system comprises two independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
If control indicator R illuminates in
the instrument cluster while driving
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 103, there is a fault in the
braking system. Seek the assistance
of a workshop immediately.Control indicator R 3 99.
Vehicle messages 3 104.
Antilock brake system Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.
ABS starts to regulate brake pressure
as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
After starting-off, the system performs a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 100.
Fault
If control indicator u does not go out
a few seconds after the ignition is switched on, or if it illuminates while
Driving and operating149driving, there is a fault in the ABS.
Control indicator j 3 99 may also
illuminate in the instrument cluster
together with a corresponding
message in the Driver Information
Centre. The brake system remains
operational but without ABS
regulation.9 Warning
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, j , R 3 99
and C 3 99 illuminate, there is a fault
in the braking system. A
corresponding message also
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 103. Have the cause of the
fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 104.
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 99.
Parking 3 140.
Brake assist If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Brake assist is not available during an
Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 137.
Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the brake pedal after
stopping on an incline (with the
selector lever in a forward gear or
reverse gear), the brakes remain on
150Driving and operatingfor a further 2 seconds. The brakes
release automatically as soon as the
vehicle begins to accelerate.Caution
The Hill start assist cannot
completely prevent vehicle
movement in all situations
(extremely steep gradients, etc.).
If necessary, depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from
rolling forwards or backwards.
The Hill start assist is not active
during an Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 137.
Ride control systems
Traction Control system The Traction Control system (TC) is a component part of the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP® Plus
) which
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC 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 3 103.
When TC is active 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 3 100.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 164.
Enhanced Traction function
Driving and operating151If 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 3 103.
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 3 100 illuminates together
with j 3 99 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 103.
TC is not operational. Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 104.
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.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer / oversteer),
engine output is reduced and thewheels 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 3 103.
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 3 100.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 164.
152Driving and operatingEnhanced 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 3 103.
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.
Engine Drag Torque Control
The engine drag torque control
system is an integral feature of
ESP® Plus
. When downshifting under
slippery road conditions, the engine speed and torque increases to help
prevent locking of the drive wheels
during sudden deceleration.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control indicator b 3 100 illuminates together
with j 3 99 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 103.
The Electronic stability program
(ESP® Plus
) is not operational. Have
the cause of the fault remedied by a
workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 104.