154Driving 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.
Driving and operating155Interruption of power supplyThe clutch is not disengaged if there
is an interruption of the power supply
when a gear is engaged. The vehicle
cannot move.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 213.
If the cause of the fault is not a
discharged vehicle battery, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
If neutral cannot be selected, the
vehicle must only be towed with the
drive wheels raised off the ground
3 216.
Towing the vehicle 3 216.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.
Control indicator R 3 99.
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.
Control indicator u 3 99.
Fault
If control indicators u and A
illuminate with the messages CHECK
ABS and CHECK ESP in the Driver
Information Centre, there is a fault in
the ABS. The brake system remains
operational but without ABS
regulation.
156Driving 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 99.
Parking 3 140.
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, press the release button and pull the lever
up slightly, then return the lever to the
horizontal position.
To apply the parking brake, pull the
lever up then release it. The lever
returns to the horizontal position.
Driving and operating157Brake assistIf 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 unintendedmovement 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
for a further two 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 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.
Driving and operating159As 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 3 103.
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) 3 173.
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 3 103.
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.
Driving and operating161For safety reasons the cruise controlcannot be activated until the brake
pedal has been operated once.
Do not use the cruise control if it is not
advisable to maintain a constant
speed.
With manual transmission
automated, only activate cruise
control in automatic mode.
Control indicators m and U 3 102.
Activation
Press m, control indicator U
illuminates green in the instrument
cluster.
Cruise control is now in standby mode
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre.
Accelerate to the desired speed and
press < or ]. The current speed is
now stored and maintained and the
accelerator pedal can be released.
Control indicator m illuminates green
in the instrument cluster together with
U and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
The stored speed flashes in the
instrument cluster. When the
accelerator pedal is released, the
previously stored speed is resumed.
Cruise control remains activated
while gearshifting.
The speed is saved until the ignition
is switched off.
162Driving and operatingIncrease speed
With cruise control active, the vehicle
speed can be increased continuously or in small increments by holding
down or tapping < repeatedly.
When the switch is released the
current speed is stored and
maintained.
Alternatively, accelerate to the
desired speed and store by pressing
< .
Reduce speed
With cruise control active, the vehicle
speed can be decreased
continuously or in small increments
by holding down or tapping ]
repeatedly.
When the switch is released the
current speed is stored and
maintained.Deactivation
Press $: cruise control is deactivated
and the green control indicator m
extinguishes in the instrument cluster.
Automatic deactivation: ● vehicle speed drops below 30 km/h
● the brake pedal is depressed
● the clutch pedal is depressed
● selector lever in N
The speed is stored and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
Reactivation
Press R at a speed above 30 km/h.
If the stored speed is much higher
than the current speed, the vehicle
will accelerate powerfully until the
stored speed is obtained.
Pressing < will also reactivate the
cruise control function, but at the
current vehicle speed only, not the stored speed.
Deleting the stored speedPress m: Green control indicators
U and m extinguish in the instrument
cluster.
Cruise control speed limiter
The speed limiter prevents the
vehicle exceeding a preset maximum speed above 30 km/h.
172Driving and operatingTrailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust fitting of towing equipment at
a later date to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
Driving characteristics and towing tips
In the case of trailers with brakes,
attach the breakaway stopping cable.
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do so if a stabiliser, which acts on thecoupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements. For trailers with
low driving stability the use of a
stabiliser is recommended.
A maximum speed of 80 km/h must
not be exceeded, even in countries
where higher speeds are permitted.If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 247.
Trailer towing
Trailer loads The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle-dependent and engine-
dependent maximum values which
must not be exceeded. The actual
trailer load is the difference between
the actual gross weight of the trailer
and the actual coupling socket load
with the trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12%.
The permitted trailer load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sealevel. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10%
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than 8%, e.g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 226.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load is specified on the
towing equipment identification plate
and in the vehicle documents. Always aim for the maximum load, especially in the case of heavy trailers. The
vertical coupling load should never
fall below 25 kg.