4ETS (Electronic Traction System)
!A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a two-axle dynamometer.
Before you operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
workshop. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
4ETS is only active when all-wheel drive is acti-
vated (
Ypage 147).
4ETS ensures permanent drive for all four
wheels, and together with ESP
®it improves the
vehicle's traction.
If a driven wheel spins due to lack of traction:
RWhen pulling away, make use of the traction
control integrated in ESP®. Depress the
accelerator pedal as far as necessary.
RWhile driving, slowly take your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains
(
Ypage 251). This is the only way to get the full
benefit from the all-wheel drive system.
Crosswind Assist
Crosswind Assist does not work if ESP®is deac-
tivated or disabled because of a malfunction.
Crosswind Assist does not react:
Rin the event of severe jolts and vibrations, e.g.
as a result of uneven surfaces or potholes.
Rif the vehicle loses traction, e.g. on snow or
ice or when hydroplaning.
Rto large and sudden steering movements by
the driver.
Crosswind Assist is operational again as soon as
the driving conditions return to normal.
Crosswind Assist detects strong crosswind
gusts that can impair the road holding of your
vehicle when driving straight ahead. Crosswind
Assist intervenes depending on the direction
and strength of the crosswind.
A stabilizing brake application helps you to keep
the vehicle on track.
Information appears in the instrument cluster In
the event that Crosswind Assist intervenes
noticeably.
On vehicles without steering wheel buttons: the d indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter flashes. On vehicles with steering wheel buttons:
the
d indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes and the message Crosswind Assist
Interventionappears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Crosswind Assist is active above a vehicle speed
of 50 mph (80 km/h) when the vehicle is driving
straight ahead or cornering gently.
Emergency exit
Emergency exit window
GWARNING
The emergency exit window cannot be locked in place. You risk injury if you exit the vehicle
through the emergency exit window.
RMake sure that nobody becomes trapped,
both when closing and when opening the
emergency exit window.
RThe opened emergency exit window must
be held in place by another person.
Pay attention to traffic conditions.
GWARNING
If the emergency exit window is unlocked
while driving, it could open and slam shut and consequently fall down. There is a risk of an
accident and injury.
Before starting off, make sure that the emer-
gency exit window is locked and the locking
pins are undamaged.
!Make sure there is sufficient clearance
when opening the emergency exit window.
Hold the open window in position. You could
otherwise damage the emergency exit win-
dow.
Emergency exit57
Safety
Z
remain either on the ground or be fully raised.
Observe the instructions for towing the vehi-
cle with all wheels in full contact with the
ground.
!A function or performance test should only
be carried out on a two-axle dynamometer.
Before you operate the vehicle on such a
dynamometer, please consult a qualified
workshop. You could otherwise damage the
drive train or the brake system.
If you fail to adapt your driving style or if you are
inattentive, the all-wheel drive system can nei-
ther reduce the risk of an accident nor override
the laws of physics. The all-wheel drive system
cannot take road, weather and traffic conditions
into account. The all-wheel drive system is only
an aid. You are responsible for the distance to
the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed and for
braking in good time.
4ETS ensures permanent drive for all four
wheels, and together with ESP
®it improves the
vehicle's traction.
If a driven wheel spins due to lack of traction:
RWhen pulling away, make use of the traction
control integrated in ESP®. Depress the
accelerator pedal as far as necessary.
RWhile driving, slowly take your foot off the
accelerator pedal
In wintry driving conditions, always use winter
tires (M+S tires) and if necessary, snow chains
(
Ypage 251). This is the only way to get the full
benefit from the all-wheel drive system.
For information on "Driving off-road", see
(
Ypage 137).
Engaging all-wheel drive
Conditions for engaging/disengaging
All-wheel drive can only be engaged or disen-
gaged if:
Rthe engine is running
Rthe vehicle is stationary
If it is not possible to engage all-wheel-drive:
Rmove the selector lever to position N
Rrelease the brake pedal
Rpress the;button
Rmove the selector lever from Nto Dor R
Engaging/disengaging all-wheel drive
XTo engage/disengage: press the;but-
ton.
The indicator lamp in the ;button flashes.
The h and: indicator lamps light up in
the instrument cluster. ESP
®and ASR are
deactivated for the duration of the engaging/ disengaging process.
If the engaging/disengaging process is suc-
cessful, the hand: indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out and ESP
®and
ASR are reactivated.
If the indicator lamp in the ;button is lit,
all-wheel drive is engaged. On vehicles with
steering-wheel buttons, the display then
shows the following message: Four-wheel
drive active.
If the engaging/disengaging process fails, the indicator lamp in the ;button flashes
three times briefly. One of the gear change
conditions was not fulfilled.
As long as the indicator lamp in the ;button
is flashing, you can cancel the engaging/disen-
gaging process by pressing the ;again.
iIf the LOW RANGE transmission ratio
(Ypage 147) is engaged, all-wheel drive can-
not be disengaged.
LOW RANGE transmission ratio
General notes
The LOW RANGE transmission ratio assists you
when driving on difficult terrain. If you engage
LOW RANGE, the engine's performance charac-
teristics and the automatic transmission's shift-
ing characteristics are adjusted accordingly.
The transmission ratio from the engine to the
wheels is around 40% lower than in the on-road position. This increases the drive torque.
Driving systems147
Driving and parking
Z
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
h
The yellow ESP®
indicator lamp is
lit while the
engine is running.ESP®is deactivated due to undervoltage or a malfunction. As a result,
cruise control has also been deactivated.
Engine power output may be reduced.
The battery may not be being charged.
GWARNING
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®will not stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and accidents.
XVehicles with steering wheel buttons: also observe the messages in the display (Ypage 181).
XDrive on with care.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
6 The red warning
lamp does not go
out approx-
imately four sec-
onds after the
ignition is
switched on, or it
lights up again.The restraint systems have malfunctioned.
GWARNING
If the restraint systems are malfunctioning, individual systems could
be triggered inadvertently or might not be triggered at all in the event
of an accident.
There is an increased risk of injury and accidents.
XDrive on with care.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
# The red battery
indicator lamp is
lit while the
engine is running.The battery is not being charged. Possible causes are a defective
alternator or a torn poly-V-belt.
XStop the vehicle as soon as possible, paying attention to road and
traffic conditions.
XCheck the poly-V-belt.
XIf the poly-V-belt is torn: do not continue driving. Consult the near-
est qualified specialist workshop.
XIf the poly-V-belt is not damaged: have the vehicle checked as soon
as possible by a qualified specialist workshop.
#The red battery
indicator lamp is
lit while the
engine is running.The battery is faulty.
XStop the vehicle as soon as possible, paying attention to road and
traffic conditions.
XDo not continue driving under any circumstances.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
#The yellow brake
pad wear indica-
tor lamp is lit after
the engine is star-
ted or while the
vehicle is in
motion.The brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.
GWARNING
Braking performance can be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
XHave the brake pads/linings replaced as soon as possible at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster199
On-board computer and displays
Z
The automatic transmission selector lever must
be in theNposition when towing the vehicle.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
Rcannot turn the key in the ignition lock to
position 2
Rcannot move the selector lever to position N
on vehicles with automatic transmission
Before the vehicle is towed, switch off the auto-
matic locking feature (
Ypage 66). You could
otherwise lock yourself out of the vehicle when
pushing or towing away the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
The fixture for the front towing eye is located in the
bumper.
Rear towing eye under the bumper, attached to the
chassis
Your vehicle may be equipped with rear towing
eye ;. If you tow or tow-start a vehicle, attach
the towing device to rear towing eye ;.
If your vehicle is equipped with a trailer tow
hitch, attach the towing device to the trailer tow hitch (
Ypage 154). Installing the front towing eye
XTake the towing eye and screwdriver from the
vehicle tool kit (Ypage 241).
XPress cover
:and remove cover :from the
opening.
You will see the fixture for the towing eye.
XScrew in the towing eye clockwise to the stop.
XInsert screwdriver into the towing eye and
tighten it.
Removing the front towing eye
XRemove the screwdriver from the vehicle tool
kit.
XInsert the screwdriver into the towing eye and
turn the screwdriver counter-clockwise.
XUnscrew the towing eye.
XInsert cover :with the lug at the bottom and
press it in at the top until it engages.
XPlace the towing eye and screwdriver back in
the vehicle tool kit.
Towing away in the event of malfunc-
tions
Front or rear axle damage on all-wheel-
drive vehicles
!For vehicles with all-wheel drive, all four
wheels must be raised for towing away. Oth-
erwise, you may damage the transfer case.
If the vehicle can only be raised by the front
axle, you must remove the propeller shaft
between the rear axle and the transfer case.
Always use new bolts when installing the pro-
peller shaft.
If the vehicle has front or rear axle damage, have
it transported on a transporter or trailer.
With transmission damage
!Always use new bolts when installing the
propeller shafts.
iOnly have the propeller shafts fitted or
removed by qualified, skilled personnel.
If the vehicle has transmission damage, have the
propeller shaft removed before towing away.
Tow-starting and towing away245
Breakdown assistance
Z
Checking the tire pressure electroni-
cally (vehicles with steering wheel but-
tons)
Tire pressuredisplay
Using the steering wheel buttons
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XPress the VorU button repeatedly
until the standard display is shown
(
Ypage 166).
XPress the 9or: button repeatedly
until the current pressure of the individual
tires is shown in the display.
If the vehicle is parked for longer than
20 minutes or you then drive at less than 18 mph
(30 km/h), the Tire pres. displayed
after driving for several minutesmes-
sage appears.
iThe tire pressure value shown in the display
may differ from those measured at a gas sta-
tion using a pressure gauge. The on-board
computer will generally give you a more exact
value.
Tire pressure loss warning system
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons
If the tire pressure monitor detects a pressure
loss in one or more tires, the on-board computer
displays the yellow Tire
pres.Adjustpres.warning message. The htire pressure loss
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
(
Ypage 202) flashes for about 60 seconds and
then remains lit.
The tire pressure of the affected wheel is high-
lighted in yellow in the on-board computer.
If the tire pressure monitor detects a significant
pressure loss in one or more tires, the on-board
computer displays the red Tire pres.
Warn‐ingTiredefectwarning message. Theh
tire pressure loss warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster (
Ypage 202) flashes for about 60
seconds and then remains lit. An additional
warning tone sounds. The tire pressure of the affected wheel is high-
lighted in yellow in the on-board computer.
Restarting the tire pressure monitor
When you restart the tire pressure monitor, the
currently set tire pressures are taken as refer-
ence values for monitoring.
In most cases, the tire pressure monitor detects
the new reference values automatically, e.g.
after you have:
Rchanged the tire pressure
Rchanged wheels or tires
Rinstalled new wheels or tires
However, you can also define reference values
manually as described here.
Before restarting the tire pressure monitor:
XSet the tire pressure to the value recommen- ded on the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard or the tire pressure table on the B-pillar on
the driver's side (
Ypage 251).
Observe the notes on tire pressure when
doing so (
Ypage 251).
XMake sure that the tire pressure is correct on
all four wheels.
Restarting the tire pressure monitor (vehi-
cles without steering wheel buttons):
XTurn the key to position 2in the ignition lock.
XPress the 4menu button on the instrument
cluster repeatedly until the display shows the
following message:
+CAL- TPMS
XPress the fbutton on the instrument clus-
ter.
The display shows:
OK TPMS
The tire pressure monitor activation process
has begun. The tire pressure measured for the individual wheels are stored as the new ref-
erence values, provided that the tire pressure
monitor considers them to be plausible.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
XPress the gbutton or the 4menu button on
the instrument cluster.
The activation process is canceled automati-
cally if 30 seconds elapse without input.
256Tire pressure
Wheels and tires
Maximum tire load
Maximum tire load:is the maximum permis-
sible weight for which the tire is approved.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit. The maximum permissible
load can be found on the vehicle's Tire and
Loading Information placard on the B-pillar on
the driver's side (
Ypage 259).
iThe actual values for tires are specific to
each vehicle and may deviate from the values
in the illustration.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations stipulate that every tire
manufacturer or retreader must imprint a TIN in
or on the sidewall of each tire produced.
The TIN is a unique identification number. The
TIN enables the tire manufacturers or retreaders
to inform purchasers of recalls and other safety-
relevant matters. It makes it possible for the
purchaser to easily identify the affected tires.
The TIN is made up of manufacturer identifica-
tion code ;, tire size =, tire type code ?and
manufacturing date A.
DOT (Department of Transportation): tire
symbol :indicates that the tire complies with the requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
Manufacturer identification code:
manufac-
turer identification code ;provides details on
the tire manufacturer. New tires have a code
with two symbols. Retreaded tires have a code
with four symbols.
Further information about retreaded tires
(
Ypage 248).
Tire size: identifier=describes the tire size.
Tire type code: tire type code?can be used by
the manufacturer as a code to describe specific
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture: date of manufactureA
provides information about the age of a tire. The first and second positions represent the week of
manufacture, starting with "01" for the first cal-
endar week. Positions three and four represent
the year of manufacture. For example, a tire that
is marked with "3208", was manufactured in
week 32 in 2008.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Tire characteristics
This information describes the type of tire cord
and the number of layers in sidewall :and
under tire tread ;.
iTire data is vehicle-specific and may deviate
from the data in the example.
Definitions for tires and loading
Tire structure and characteristics
Describes the number of layers or the number of
rubber-coated belts in the tire tread and the tire
wall. These consist of steel, nylon, polyester,
and other materials.
264What you should know about wheels and tires
Wheels and tires