174Driving and operatingManual transmission
To engage reverse, depress the
clutch pedal and then press the
release button on the selector lever
and engage the gear.
If the gear does not engage, set the
lever to neutral, release the clutch
pedal and depress again; then repeat
gear selection.
Do not slip the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch
pedal completely. Do not use the
pedal as a foot rest.
When clutch slip is detected for a specific time, the engine power will be reduced. A warning is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre. Release
the clutch.Caution
It is not advisable to drive with the hand resting on the selector lever.
Gear shift indication 3 108.
Stop-start system 3 162.
Drive systems
All-wheel drive
The All-wheel drive system enhances
driving characteristics and stability,
and helps to achieve the best
possible driveability regardless of
ground surface. The system is always
active and cannot be deactivated.
The torque is distributed steplessly
between the wheels of the front and rear axle up to a torque split of 50%to 50%. Depending on the driving
conditions, i.e. steady state driving,
All wheel drive system transfers a
minimum amount of torque for fuel
efficiency. Additionally the torque
vectoring between the rear wheels is
distributed depending on the vehicle
dynamic and surface.
This is possible because the All wheel
drive system operates with two
clutches, one on each side.
For optimum system performance,
the vehicle's tyres should not have
varying degrees of wear.
Driving and operating175If a service message is displayed in
the Driver Information Centre, the
system may have limited functionality
(or be completely disabled in some
cases, i.e. the vehicle switches to
Front-wheel drive). Seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Towing the vehicle 3 277.Brakes
The brake system comprises twoindependent 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 the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek the assistance of a workshop beforecontinuing the 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 3 107.
Active emergency braking 3 200.
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 3 108.
Adaptive brake light During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.
176Driving and operatingFault9Warning
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.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
9 Warning
Before leaving the vehicle, check
parking brake status. Control
indicator m must illuminate
constantly.
Electric parking brake
Applying when vehicle is stationary
9 Warning
Pull switch m for a minimum of
1 second until control indicator m
illuminates constantly and electric
parking brake is applied 3 107.
The electric parking brake
operates automatically with
adequate force.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the electric parking brake status.
Control indicator m 3 107.
The electric parking brake can always
be activated, even if the ignition is off.
Do not operate electric parking brake
system too often without engine
running as this will discharge the vehicle battery.
Releasing
Switch on ignition. Keep foot brake
pedal depressed and then push
switch m.
Drive away function
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Depressing the clutch pedal and then
slightly releasing the clutch pedal and slightly depressing the accelerator
pedal releases the electric parking
brake automatically. This is not
possible when switch m is pulled at
the same time.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: Engaging D and then depressing the
accelerator pedal releases the
electric parking brake automatically.
This is not possible when switch m is
pulled at the same time.
178Driving and operatingExtended hold hill start assist
Vehicles with automatic transmission
are additionally equipped with the
extended hold hill start assist. This
function holds the vehicle stationary
for up to 5 minutes after the brake
pedal is released.
The electric parking brake will be
automatically activated to prevent
vehicle movement when one of the
following conditions occurs:
● extended hold hill start assist is deactivated after 5 minutes.
● ignition is switched off.
● driver's exit is detected.
Hill start assist or extended hold hill
start assist can be selected in the
vehicle personalisation 3 124.
Note
Hill start assist and extended hold
hill start assist will not be activated in
neutral gear. If neutral gear is
selected during an active hold,
assists will deactivate and vehicle may start moving.Ride control systems
Traction Control system The Traction Control system (TC) is a
component of the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC).
TC 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 after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator
b extinguishes.
When TC operates 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 3 108.
Deactivation
TC can be switched off when spinning of drive wheels is required: press t
briefly.
Driving and operating179
Control indicator k illuminates.
A status message appears in the
Driver Information Centre when TC is
deactivated.
When TC is deactivated, ESC
remains active but with higher control threshold.
TC is reactivated by pressing t again.
A status message pops up in the Driver Information Centre when TC is reactivated.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If there is a fault in the system the
control indicator b illuminates
continuously and a message appears
in the Driver Information Centre. The
system is not operational.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Electronic Stability Control Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer / oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the wheels are braked individually.
ESC operates in combination with the
Traction Control system (TC). It
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
Torque distribution is a special
feature that allocates the torque to the drive wheels before the ESC
intervenes. When cornering, the
wheels on the inner curve are braked
individually. Additionally, engine
torque will be delivered to the drive wheel on the outer curve. This
reduces the tendency of
understeering and improves traction
when cornering fast.
ESC is operational after each engine
start as soon as the control indicator
b extinguishes.
When ESC operates 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 3 108.
Driving and operating181● adaptive cruise control
● all-wheel drive
● engine sound enhancement
● instrument cluster theme
SPORT mode
The settings of the systems are
adjusted for a sportier driving style:
● Damping of shock absorbers is set up for increased handling andagility.
● The engine reacts more quickly to accelerator pedal changes.
● Steering support is sportier.
● Automatic transmission shift points optimised for sporty
driving.
● Adaptive cruise control is adjusted for a sportier driving
style.
● All-wheel drive supports active sporty driving of the vehicle.
● Engine sound enhancement intensifies interior engine sound
in a sporty manner.
● Cluster theme changes to sport.
TOUR modeTOUR mode adjusts the settings of
the systems for a comfortable driving
style.
● Damping of shock absorbers is adapted for increased driving
comfort.
● Steering efforts are reduced. ● Adaptive cruise control is adjusted for a more relaxed
driving style.
AUTO mode
All versions except GSi: All settings of the systems are preset to standard
values optimised for daily driving
(default mode). This is the fully
adaptive mode, adjusting systems to
both comfort and sport settings
depending on driving style and driving
situation.
Normal mode
GSi versions only: All settings of the
systems are preset to standard
values optimised for daily driving
(default mode). This mode keeps the
standard values independent of
driving style or driving situation.
Driving and operating183Do not use the cruise control if it is not
advisable to maintain a constant
speed.
Control indicator m 3 111.
Switching on the system
Press m; control indicator m in
instrument cluster illuminates white.
Activation of the functionality
Accelerate to the desired speed and
turn thumb wheel to SET/-, the
current speed is stored and
maintained. Control indicator m in
instrument cluster illuminates green.
On Mid- and Uplevel display m
illuminates green and set speed is
indicated. Accelerator pedal can be
released.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
When the accelerator pedal is
released, the previously stored speed
is resumed.
Cruise control remains activated
while gearshifting.
Increase speed
With cruise control active, hold thumb
wheel turned to RES/+ or briefly turn
to RES/+ repeatedly: speed
increases continuously or in small
increments.
Alternatively accelerate to the desired speed and store by turning to SET/-.
Reduce speed With cruise control active, hold thumb
wheel turned to SET/- or briefly turn to
SET/- repeatedly: speed decreases
continuously or in small increments.
Deactivation of the functionality
Press y; control indicator m in
instrument cluster illuminates white.
On Mid- or Uplevel display m
changes to white.
Cruise control is deactivated, but not
switched off. Last stored speed
remains in memory for later speed
resume.
184Driving and operatingAutomatic deactivation:● Vehicle speed is below approx. 30 km/h.
● Vehicle speed drops more than 25 km/h below the set speed.
● The brake pedal is depressed.
● The clutch pedal is depressed for
a few seconds.
● The selector lever is in N.
● Engine speed is in a very low range.
● The Traction Control system or Electronic Stability Control is
operating.
● Parking brake is applied.
● Simultaneous pressing RES/+
and brake pedal deactivates
cruise control and will delete
stored speed.
Resume stored speed
Turn thumb wheel to RES/+ at a
speed above 30 km/h. The stored
speed will be obtained.Switching off the system
Press m, control indicator m in
instrument cluster extinguishes. The
stored speed is deleted.
Pressing L to activate the speed
limiter or switching off the ignition also
switches off cruise control and
deletes the stored speed.
Speed limiter
The speed limiter prevents the
vehicle exceeding a preset maximum
speed.
The maximum speed can be set at
speeds above 25 km/h up to
200 km/h.
The driver can only accelerate up to
the preset speed. Deviations from the
limited speed may occur when driving
downhill.
The preset speed limit is displayed in
the Driver Information Centre when
the system is active.Activation
Press L, symbol L illuminates in the
Driver Information Centre.
If cruise control has been activated
before, it is switched off when speed
limiter is activated and the control
indicator m extinguishes.
Set speed limit
Accelerate to the desired speed and
briefly turn thumb wheel to SET/-: the
current speed is stored as maximum speed.
On Baselevel display L and the
speed limit is displayed.