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Driving and operating159P:park position, front wheels are
locked, engage only when the
vehicle is stationary and the
parking brake is appliedR:reverse gear, engage only when
the vehicle is stationaryN:neutralD:automatic modeM:manual mode
The gear selector is locked in P and
can only be moved when the ignition
is on and the brake pedal is applied.
The engine can only be started with
the gear selector in position P or N.
When position N is selected, press
the brake pedal or apply the parking
brake before starting.
Do not accelerate while engaging a
gear. Never depress the accelerator
pedal and brake pedal at the same
time.
When a gear is engaged, the vehicle
slowly begins to creep when the
brake is released.
Engine braking
To utilise the engine braking effect,select a lower gear when driving
downhill.
Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the gear
selector between D and R in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake and select P.
Manual mode
Manual mode M can be activated
from position D in each driving
situation and speed.
Press button M.
Pull steering wheel paddles to select
gears manually.
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160Driving and operatingPull right paddle + to shift to a higher
gear.
Pull left paddle - to shift to a lower
gear.
Multiple pulls allow gears to be
skipped.
The selected gear is indicated in the
instrument cluster.
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.
Gear shift indication
The symbol R or S with a number
beside it is indicated when
gearshifting is recommended for fuel
saving reasons.
Shift indication appears only in
manual mode.Electronic driving
programmes
● Following a cold start, the operating temperature
programme increases engine
speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
● 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 select
manually 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 selected driving
mode. The transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on engine
speed.Fault
In the event of a fault a message is
displayed in the Driver Information Centre.
Vehicle messages 3 117.
Electronic transmission control
enables only third gear. The
transmission no longer shifts
automatically.
Do not drive faster than 100 km/h.
Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Eco mode
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Driving and operating161This mode adjusts the settings of the
systems for a more economic fuel
consumption, e.g. by optimising the
automatic transmission shift points
and adapting the sensitivity of the
accelerator pedal.Manual transmission
To engage reverse on 5-speed
transmission, depress the clutch
pedal and move the selector lever to
the right and rear.
To engage reverse on 6-speed
transmission, depress the clutch
pedal, pull the ring under the selector
lever and move the selector lever
quite to the left and front.
If the gear does not engage, set the
selector 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.
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162Driving and operatingWhen 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 3 106.
Stop-start system 3 150.
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 the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing 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 m 3 105.
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.
When braking in an emergency, the
hazard warning flashers are switched
on automatically depending on the
force of deceleration. They are
switched off automatically the first
time you accelerate.
After starting off, the system performs a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 106.
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Driving and operating163Fault9Warning
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.
Manual 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
foot brake at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 105.
Electric parking brake
Applying when vehicle is stationary
9 Warning
Pull switch m for a minimum of
one second until control indicator
m illuminates constantly and
electric parking brake is applied
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164Driving and operating3 106. The electric parking brake
operates automatically with
adequate force.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the electric parking brake status.
Control indicator m 3 106.
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 only
possible if the automatic operation of
the electric parking brake is activated.
It 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 only possible if the automatic
operation of the electric parking brake
is activated. It is not possible when
switch m is pulled at the same time.
Braking when vehicle is moving
When the vehicle is moving and the
switch m is kept pulled, the electric
parking brake system will decelerate the vehicle. As soon as the switch
m is released, braking will be
stopped.
The antilock brake system and the Electronic Stability Control stabilise
the vehicle while the switch m is kept
pulled. If an error of the electric
parking brake occurs, a warning
message is displayed in the driver
information centre. If the antilock
brake system and the Electronic
Stability Control fail, one or both
indicators i and J illuminate in theinstrument cluster. In this case,
stability can only be provided by
repeatedly pulling and pushing the
switch m until the vehicle is
immobilised.
Automatic operation
Automatic operation includes
automatic application and automatic
release of the electric parking brake.
The electric parking brake can also be
applied or released manually by using
the switch m.
Automatic application: ● The electric parking brake is automatically applied when the
vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.
● j illuminates in the instrument
cluster and a display message
pops up to confirm the
application.
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Driving and operating165Automatic release:● Parking brake releases automatically after moving off.
● j extinguishes in the
instrument cluster and a display message pops up to confirm the
release.
If the vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission and the brake
is not released automatically, make
sure the front doors are correctly
closed.Deactivation of automatic operation 1. Start the engine.
2. If the parking brake is released, apply the parking brake pulling the
switch m.
3. Take your foot off the brake pedal.
4. Press the switch m for at least
10 s and maximum 15 s.
5. Release the switch m.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal. 7. Pull the switch m for 2 s.
The deactivation of the automatic operation of the electric parking brake
is confirmed by o illuminating in theinstrument cluster 3 106 . The electric
parking brake can only be applied and released manually.
To reactivate the automatic
operation, repeat the steps described above.
Functionality check
When the vehicle is not moving, the
electric parking brake might be
applied automatically. This is done to
check the system.
Fault
Failure mode of electric parking brake
is indicated by a control indicator j
and by a vehicle message which is
displayed in the Driver Information Centre.
Vehicle messages 3 117.
Apply electric parking brake: pull and
hold the switch m for more than 5 s.
If control indicator m illuminates,
electric parking brake is applied.
Release electric parking brake: push
and hold the switch m for more than
2 s. If control indicator m
extinguishes, electric parking brake is
released.Control indicator m flashes: electric
parking brake is not fully applied or released. When continuously
flashing, release electric parking
brake and retry applying.
Brake assist If brake pedal is depressed quickly
and forcefully, maximum brake force
is automatically applied.
Operation of brake assist might
become apparent by a pulse in the
brake pedal and a greater resistance
when depressing the brake pedal.
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal as long as full braking is
required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when brake pedal is released.
Hill start assist The system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
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166Driving and operatingWhen releasing the brake pedal after
stopping on an incline, brakes remain on for further 2s. The brakes release
automatically as soon as the vehicle
begins to accelerate.Ride control systems
Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control system
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 driven wheels from
spinning.
The TC is a component of the ESC. Traction Control improves driving
stability when necessary, regardless
of the type of road surface or tyre grip,
by preventing the driven wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the driven wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is brakedindividually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
ESC and TC are operational after
each engine start as soon as the
control indicator b extinguishes.
When ESC and TC operate, 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 3 107.