10
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting the vehicle424
Switching off the vehicle426
Ignition modes427
Selecting ignition mode428
Brake functions429
Brakes429
Brake Assist System431
Braking on wet roads431
Braking on salted roads431
Maintenance of the brake system432
Parking brake432
Activating and deactivating the park-ing brake433
Settings for automatically activatingthe parking brake434
Parking on a hill434
Parking brake malfunction435
Auto-hold brakes436
Activating and deactivating Auto-hold at a standstill436
Hill Start Assist437
Braking assist after a collision437
Transmission438
Gear selector positions for automatictransmissions439
Using the steering wheel paddles* toshift441
Shiftlock442
The kickdown function442
Gear indicator*442
All Wheel Drive (AWD)443
Drive systems443
Starting and stopping the combus-tion engine in Twin Engine vehicles444
Drive modes445
Changing drive mode449
Leveling control* and suspension450
Leveling control settings*453
Low Speed Control453
Activating and deactivating LowSpeed Control using the function button454
Hill Descent Control454
Activating and deactivating HillDescent Control using the functionbutton
455
Economical driving456
Using the electric motor only457
Factors affecting electric motor range458
"Hold" and "Charge" functions459
Preparing for a long trip460
Winter driving461
Driving through standing water462
Opening/closing the fuel filler door462
Refueling463
Fuel464
Octane rating465
Emission controls467
Overheating of engine and transmission468
Battery drain469
Jump starting using another battery469
Detachable towbar*471
Driving with a trailer472
Trailer Stability Assist*474
Checking trailer lights475
Towing using a towline476
Attaching and removing the towing eyelet476
Recovery477
HomeLink®*478
Programming HomeLink®*479
Using HomeLink480
Type approval for HomeLink®*481
Compass481
Activating and deactivating the compass482
Calibrating the compass482
DRIVER SUPPORT
}}
* Option/accessory. 301
Automatic transmission
Adaptive Cruise Control can follow another vehi-
cle at speeds from a standstill up to 200 km/h
(125 mph).
The lowest speed that can be set for Adaptive
Cruise Control is 30 km/h (20 mph). When fol-
lowing another vehicle, ACC can monitor that
vehicle's speed and slow your own vehicle down
to a standstill, but it is not possible to set speeds
lower than 30 km/h (20 mph).
The highest possible speed that can be set is
200 km/h (125 mph).
Related information
•Adaptive Cruise Control* (p. 295) Setting Adaptive Cruise Control
time intervals
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC
47
) can be set to
various time intervals to the vehicle ahead.
Different time intervals to the
vehicle ahead can be selected
and are shown in the instru-
ment panel as 1–5 horizontal
bars. The more bars, the longer
the time interval. One bar rep-
resents an interval of
approx. 1 second to the vehicle ahead. 5 bars
represents approx. 3 seconds.
The same symbol appears when the Distance
Alert function is activated.
NOTE When the symbol in the instrument panel
shows two vehicles, ACC is following the vehi-
cle ahead at a preset time interval.
When only one vehicle is shown, there is no
vehicle ahead within a reasonable distance. Controls for setting a time interval
48
. Reduce the time interval
Increase the time interval
Distance indicator
– Press the (1) or (2) button to decrease or
increase the time interval.
>
The distance indicator (3) shows the cur-
rent time interval.
In order to help your vehicle follow the vehicle
ahead as smoothly and comfortably as possible,
Adaptive Cruise Control allows the time interval
to vary noticeably in certain situations. At low
speeds, when the distance to the vehicle ahead
is short, Adaptive Cruise Control increases the
time interval slightly. 47
Adaptive Cruise Control
48 Note: This illustration is general and details may vary depending on mod\
el.
DRIVER SUPPORT
}}
317
–
Change a set speed by pressing the (1)
or (2) buttons briefly or by pressing and
holding them:
• Press briefly: Press briefly: each press
changes the speed in +/- 5 mph
(+/- 5 km/h) increments.
• Press and hold: Release the button when
the set speed indicator (3) has moved to
the desired speed.
• The most recently set speed will be stored.
If speed is increased by depressing the accelera-
tor pedal while pressing the button on the
steering wheel, the vehicle's speed when the but-
ton is pressed will be stored as the set speed.
Temporarily increasing speed using the accelera-
tor pedal, e.g. when passing another vehicle, will
not affect the setting. The vehicle will return to
the set speed when the accelerator pedal is
released.
Automatic transmission
Pilot Assist can follow another vehicle at speeds
from a standstill up to 200 km/h (125 mph).
The lowest speed that can be set for Pilot Assist
is 30 km/h (20 mph). When following another
vehicle, ACC can monitor that vehicle's speed
and slow your own vehicle down to a standstill,
but it is not possible to set speeds lower than
30 km/h (20 mph). The highest possible speed that can be set is
200 km/h (125 mph).
Related information
•
Pilot Assist (p. 311) Setting a time interval for Pilot
Assist
Pilot Assist
can be set to different time intervals.
Different time intervals to the
vehicle ahead can be selected
and are shown in the instru-
ment panel as 1–5 horizontal
bars. The more bars, the longer
the time interval. One bar rep-
resents an interval of
approx. 1 second to the vehicle ahead. 5 bars
represents approx. 3 seconds.
NOTE When the symbol in the instrument panel
shows a vehicle and a steering wheel, Pilot
Assist follows a vehicle ahead at a preset
time interval.
When only a steering wheel is shown, there is
no vehicle ahead within a reasonable dis-
tance.
||STARTING AND DRIVING
426
NOTE
With a cold start, idling speed may be consid-
erably higher than normal for certain engine
types. This is done to get the emissions sys-
tem up to normal operating temperature as
quickly as possible, which minimizes exhaust
emissions and protects the environment.
CAUTION
•
When starting in cold weather, the auto-
matic transmission may shift up at slightly
higher engine speeds than normal until
the automatic transmission fluid reaches
normal operating temperature.
• Do not race a cold engine immediately
after starting. This could prevent fluids
from properly lubricating vital compo-
nents in the engine before it has reached
the proper operating temperature.
• The engine should be idling when the
gear selector is moved. Never accelerate
until the gear is fully engaged. Accelerat-
ing rapidly before a gear is properly
engaged could lead to harder wear of
components.
• To help prevent the transmission oil from
overheating, select P or N when idling at
a standstill for prolonged periods of time.
Related information
• Switching off the vehicle (p. 426)
• Ignition modes (p. 427)
• Adjusting the steering wheel (p. 199)
• Jump starting using another battery (p. 469)
• Selecting ignition mode (p. 428) Switching off the vehicle
The vehicle can be switched off using the start
knob in the tunnel console. Start knob in the tunnel console.
To switch off the vehicle:
– Turn the start knob clockwise and release to
switch off the vehicle. The control will auto-
matically return to the original position.
If the vehicle rolls:
– Turn clockwise and hold the knob until the
vehicle switches off.
Related information
• Starting the vehicle (p. 424)
• Ignition modes (p. 427)
• Adjusting the steering wheel (p. 199)
||STARTING AND DRIVING
428
Mode
Functions
II •The headlights illuminate.
• Warning/indicator lights illumi-
nate for 5 seconds.
• A number of other systems are
activated. However, seat and rear
window heating can only be acti-
vated when the engine is running.
This ignition mode uses a lot of
current from the battery and
should be avoided whenever pos-
sible! A
Also activated when the door is opened.
Related information
• Starting the vehicle (p. 424)
• Adjusting the steering wheel (p. 199)
• Jump starting using another battery (p. 469)
• Selecting ignition mode (p. 428) Selecting ignition mode
The vehicle's ignition can be put in various
modes (levels) to make different functions availa-
ble.
Selecting an ignition mode Start knob in the tunnel console.
•
Ignition mode 0 - Unlock the vehicle and
keep the remote key in the passenger com-
partment.
NOTE To set level I or II without engine start – do
not depress the brake pedal (or clutch pedal
for vehicles with manual transmission) when
selecting this ignition mode. •
Ignition mode I - Turn the start knob clock-
wise and release it. The control will automati-
cally return to the original position.
• Ignition mode II - Turn the start knob clock-
wise and hold it there for approx. 5 seconds.
Release the knob, which will automatically
return to its original position.
• Back to ignition mode 0 - To return to igni-
tion mode 0 from mode I and II, turn the start
knob clockwise and release it. The control
will automatically return to the original posi-
tion.
Related information
• Starting the vehicle (p. 424)
• Switching off the vehicle (p. 426)
• Ignition modes (p. 427)
• Adjusting the steering wheel (p. 199)
• Jump starting using another battery (p. 469)
||STARTING AND DRIVING
434
Deactivating automatically
1. Fasten your seat belt.
2. Depress the brake pedal firmly.
3. Start the vehicle.
4.
Move the gear selector to D or R and press
the accelerator pedal.
> The parking brake will release and the symbol in the instrument panel will go out.
NOTE When the vehicle is initially started, the park-
ing brake could disengage automatically even
if the driver's seat belt is not buckled.
Related information
•
Settings for automatically activating the park-
ing brake (p. 434)
• Parking brake malfunction (p. 435)
• Parking brake (p. 432)
• Parking on a hill (p. 434) Settings for automatically activating
the parking brake
Choose whether the parking brake should be
activated automatically when the vehicle is
switched off.
This selection is made in the Settings menu in
the center display.
1. Tap Settings in the Top view.
2.
Tap My Car Parking Brake and
Suspension and select or deselect the
Auto Activate Parking Brake function.
Related information
• Activating and deactivating the parking brake
(p. 433)
• Parking brake (p. 432) Parking on a hill
Always use the parking brake when parking on a
hill.
WARNING Always apply the parking brake when parking
on an incline. Selecting a gear or putting the
automatic transmission in P may not be suffi-
cient to keep the vehicle stationary in all sit-
uations.
If the vehicle is pointing uphill: • Turn the front wheels so they are pointing
away from the curb.
If the vehicle is pointing downhill:
• Turn the front wheels so they are pointing
toward the curb.
Heavy load uphill
Heavy loads, such as a trailer, could cause the
vehicle to roll backward when the parking brake
is released automatically on steep uphill gradi-
ents. To help avoid this, pull the control upward
while you are driving away. Release the control
when the vehicle gains traction.
Related information
• Activating and deactivating the parking brake
(p. 433)
||STARTING AND DRIVING
* Option/accessory.
438
Related information
• Rear Collision Warning (p. 347)
• BLIS* (p. 348)
• Brake functions (p. 429) Transmission
The transmission is part of the vehicle's driveline
(power transmission) between the engine and
the drive wheels. The function of the transmis-
sion is to change gears depending on speed
and power needs.
The vehicle has an 8-speed automatic transmis-
sion and an electric motor for rear-wheel drive.
The number of gears allows the engine's torque
and power band to be effectively utilized. Two of
the gears are overdrive gears that save fuel when
driving at a constant engine speed. The steering
wheel paddles* can be used to shift up or down
manually. The instrument panel shows the gear
currently in use.
CAUTION Check the operating temperature of the
transmission to help avoid damage to any of
the drive system components. If there is a risk
of overheating, a warning symbol will appear
in the instrument panel and a text message
will be displayed. Follow the recommenda-
tions given.
Symbols in the instrument panelIf a problem should occur with the transmission, a
symbol and a message will appear in the instru-
ment panel. Symbol
Meaning Information and messages related
to the transmission. Follow the rec-
ommendations provided.
Hot or overheated transmission.
Follow the recommendations provi-
ded.
Reduced performance/Acceler-
ation performance reduced
In the event of a temporary fault in
the driveline, the vehicle may go
into a "limp home" mode with
reduced power output to help avoid
damage to the driveline.
Related information
• Gear selector positions for automatic trans-
missions (p. 439)
• Gear indicator* (p. 442)
STARTING AND DRIVING
}}
439
Gear selector positions for
automatic transmissions
In vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
system selects the optimal gear for the current
driving conditions. The transmission also has a
manual mode.
The instrument panel shows which gear is cur-
rently in use:
P
, R, N, D or B.
For manual shifting, the gear indicator in the
instrument panel displays the gear currently
being used (1-8).
Selecting gearsThe gear selector is a shift-by-wire selector,
where shifting is done electronically instead of
mechanically. This makes shifting easier and the
gear positions more distinct. Select gears by moving the spring-loaded, non-
locking gear selector forward or backward.
Gear selector positions
Park - P
Park is activated using the P button located next
to the gear selector. Select P when the vehicle is parked or when star-
ting the engine. The vehicle must be stationary
when Park is selected.
To move to another gear from Park, the brake
pedal must be depressed and the ignition in
mode II.
When parking – apply the parking brake before
shifting to Park.
WARNING Always apply the parking brake when parking
on an incline. Selecting a gear or putting the
automatic transmission in P may not be suffi-
cient to keep the vehicle stationary in all sit-
uations.
NOTE The gear selector must be in the P position
before the vehicle can be locked and the
alarm set.