Page 174 of 323

172Driving and operatingThe selected gear is indicated in the
instrument cluster.
Temporary manual mode in drive
mode D
Manual paddle shifting is also
possible in automatic mode D. Upon
completion of manual shifting
operation, transmission changes to
automatic mode D after a defined
time.
To interrupt manual mode and return
to D, do one of the following:
● Press + paddle for 1 second.
● Move selector lever towards the left to manual mode and back toposition D.
If the vehicle is at a standstill and
engine is idling, the transmission will remain in temporary manual mode. It
changes to automatic mode when
accelerator pedal is operated for a
defined time, and no paddle shifting
at the steering wheel is performed.
General
If a higher gear is selected when
vehicle speed is too low, or a lower
gear when vehicle speed is too high,the shift is not executed. This can
cause a message in the Driver
Information Centre.
In manual mode, no automatic
shifting to a higher gear takes place
at high engine revolutions, except
activating the kickdown function.
Gear shift indication
The symbol R or S with a number
beside it is indicated when gear
shifting is recommended for fuel
saving reasons.
Shift indication appears only in
manual mode.
Electronic driving programmes
● When SPORT mode is engaged,
the vehicle shifts at higher engine speeds (unless cruise control is
on).
SPORT mode 3 180.● Special programmes
automatically adapt the shifting
points when driving up inclines or
down hills.
● In snowy or icy conditions or on other slippery surfaces, the
electronic transmission control
enables the driver to manually
select first, second or third gear
for starting off.
Kickdown Pressing down the accelerator pedal
beyond the kickdown detent will lead to maximum acceleration
independent of the selected driving
mode. The transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on engine
speed and shifts to a higher gear at
high engine revolutions.
Overheat protection
In the event of transmission-
overheating due to high outside
temperatures or sporty driving style,
the torque and the maximum speed of the engine can be temporarily
reduced.
Page 176 of 323

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.
Page 181 of 323

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.
Page 276 of 323

274Vehicle carepoints: pull out the cover at the
respective jacking point firstly.
4. Set the jack to the necessary height. Position it directly below
the jacking point in a manner that
prevents it from slipping.
Attach wheel wrench and with the
jack correctly aligned rotate wheel wrench until wheel is clear of the
ground.
5. Unscrew the wheel nuts. 6. Change the wheel.
7. Screw on the wheel nuts.
8. Lower the vehicle and remove jack.
9. Install the wheel wrench ensuring that it is located securely and
tighten each nut in a crosswise
sequence. Tightening torque is
140 Nm for all models except GSi.
GSi models have a tightening
torque of 190 Nm
10. Align the valve hole in the wheel cover with the tyre valve before
installing.
Install wheel nut caps.
11. Install vehicle jacking point cover,
if removed before.
12. Stow and secure the replaced wheel, the vehicle tools 3 259 and
the adapter for the locking wheel
nuts 3 73.
13. Check the tyre pressure of the installed tyre and the wheel nut
torque as soon as possible.
Stowing the replaced full size
wheel in the spare wheel well
Secure a damaged full size wheel facing upwards with the wing nut in
the spare wheel well after mounting
an extension bolt on the thread bolt.
The extension bolt is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 259. To secure the
wheel: