Shifting
P Park position with parking lock
R Reverse
N Neutral
D DriveTransmission position display:
NOTE
If the transmission position display in the ve-
hicle information display is not working, you
should pull away carefully to check whether
the desired transmission position IS en-
gaged. Ideally, you should select transmis-
sion position D and automatic drive program
EorS.
The shift lever indicator
1located in the
lower part of the vehicle information display
shows the current position of the transmis-
sion.
It shows the P,R,N,D modes when the trans-
mission is in auto mode or the shift position
when the transmission is in manual mode.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shift lever is
in any position while the engine is not run-
ning. Failure to do so could cause the ve-
hicle to move unexpectedly or roll away
and result in serious personal injury or
property damage.
CAUTION
Use the P (Park) or R (Reverse) position only
when the vehicle is completely stopped.NSD585NSD649
Starting and driving5-19
Holding the vehicle stationary on
uphill gradients
WARNING
If the transmission overheats, the elec-
tronic management system is automati-
cally deactivated. This interrupts the
power transmission from the engine to the
wheels. The vehicle may, for example, roll
backwards on gradients. There is a risk of
an accident. Never hold the vehicle station-
ary on uphill gradients by depressing the
accelerator.
The transmission may overheat if you hold
the vehicle stationary on uphill gradients by
depressing the accelerator pedal. If the trans-
mission overheats, a warning tone sounds
and the [Stop Vehicle Shift to P Leave Engine
Running] display message appears in the ve-
hicle information display. You will only be able
to continue your journey once the transmis-
sion has cooled down and the display mes-
sage in the vehicle information display has
disappeared.Never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill
gradients by depressing the accelerator. In-
stead, only ever hold the vehicle stationary on
uphill gradients by:•Depressing the brake pedal.
•Engaging the electric parking brake.
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:
•Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
•Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Starting and driving5-21
Drive mode switch
The drive mode switch allows you to choose
between drive programs with different driv-
ing characteristics.
Press drive mode switch
1. A popup2will
be displayed in the vehicle information dis-
play showing the current selection. After
around 2 seconds, the selected drive program
appears in the lower frame of the vehicle
information display
3and the popup will
disappear.The automatic transmission switches to drive
program E each time the engine is started.
E (Economy): comfortable, economical driv-
ing
S (Sport): sporty driving style
M (Manual): manual gear shifting
For more details of the manual drive program
see "Manual drive program" later in this sec-
tion.
NSD587NSD726
NSD725
5-22Starting and driving
Steering wheel gearshift paddles
1Left steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts down)
2Right steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts up)
In drive program M, you can change gear
yourself using the steering wheel gearshift
paddles.
If you pull the left or right steering wheel
gearshift paddle when in automatic drive
program E or S, the automatic transmission
shifts into drive program M for a limited time.
Depending on which gearshift paddle is
pulled, the automatic transmission immedi-
ately shifts into the next gear down or up.
Automatic drive programs
Drive program E is characterized by the fol-
lowing:
•Comfort-oriented engine settings.
•Optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
•The vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears unless the ac-
celerator pedal is depressed fully.
•Increased sensitivity. This improves handling
on slippery road surfaces, for example.
•The automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin.
Drive program S is characterized by the fol-
lowing:
•Sporty engine settings.
•The automatic transmission shifting up later.
•As a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption
possibly being higher.
Manual drive program
In manual drive program M, you can change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel
gearshift paddles. For this, the transmission
must be in position D (Drive). The gear cur-
rently selected and engaged is shown in the
vehicle information display
Manual drive program M differs from drive
programs E and S with regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Using manual gears:
3 To use the engine's braking effect
2 To use the braking effect of the engine on
downhill gradients and for driving on steep
mountain roads, in mountainous terrain or
in arduous conditions.
1 To use the braking effect of the engine on
extremely steep downhill gradients and on
long downhill stretches.
NSD584
Starting and driving5-23
Activating the manual drive program:
•Permanently: Press the drive mode switch
1repeatedly until M appears in the ve-
hicle information display. Manual drive
program M remains active until drive pro-
gram E or S is engaged.
•Temporarily: Pull the right or left steering
wheel gearshift paddle (see "Steering
wheel gearshift paddles" later in this sec-
tion). Manual drive program M is tempo-
rarily active. Depending on which gearshift
paddle is pulled, the automatic transmis-
sion immediately shifts into the next gear
down or up.
When manual drive program M is activated
via the steering wheel gearshift paddles, the
temporarily active manual drive program M
will be deactivated automatically after a lim-ited time, if the driving situation permits. The
automatic transmission switches to the pre-
viously activated drive program E or S. When
driving on downhill gradients, the temporarily
active manual drive program M will only be
deactivated if the accelerator pedal is de-
pressed while the vehicle is rolling downhill.
Upshifting:
Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (see "Steering wheel gearshift
paddles" earlier in this section). The auto-
matic transmission shifts up to the next gear.
In order to prevent engine damage the auto-
matic transmission automatically shifts up if
the maximum engine speed on the currently
engaged gear is reached and you depress the
accelerator pedal.Gearshift recommendation:
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The
recommended gear is shown in the vehicle
information display.
Shift to recommended gear1according to
gearshift recommendation
2when shown in
the vehicle information display.
Downshifiting:
Pull the left-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (see "Steering wheel gearshift
paddles" earlier in this section). The auto-
matic transmission shifts down to the next
gear.
If you slow down or stop without shifting
down, the automatic transmission automati-
cally shifts down.
NSD587NSD589
5-24Starting and driving
The Idle Stop/Start function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
stopped under certain conditions.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically. The Idle Stop/Start function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically
and you exit the vehicle, the engine is re-
started automatically. The vehicle may be-
gin moving There is a risk of accident and
injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn
off the ignition and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.If the
Idle Stop/Start symbol is shown
in green in the vehicle information display,
the Idle Stop/Start function switches the
engine off automatically once the vehicle
stops moving.
The Idle Stop/Start function is automatically
activated each time you start the engine with
the ignition switch.
If the Idle Stop/Start function has been manu-
ally deactivated (see"Deactivating/activating
the Idle Stop/Start function" later in this sec-
tion) or a malfunction has caused the system
to be deactivated, the
Idle Stop/Start
symbol is not displayed.
AUTOMATIC ENGINE
SWITCH-OFF
The Idle Stop/Start function is operational
and theIdle Stop/Start symbol is dis-
played in green in the vehicle information dis-
play, if:
•The indicator light in the Idle Stop/Start
button is lit green.
•The outside temperature is within the
range that is suitable for the system.
•The engine is at normal operating tem-
perature.
•The set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
•The battery is sufficiently charged.
•The system detects that the windshield is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
•The hood is closed.
•The driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened.
If the conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are not all fulfilled, the
Idle
Stop/Start symbol is shown in yellow.
NSD620
Idle Stop/Start symbol
IDLE STOP/START SYSTEM (IF
EQUIPPED)
Starting and driving5-29
All of the vehicle's systems remain active when
the engine is switched off automatically.
The engine can be switched off automatically
a maximum of four times (initial stop, then
three subsequent stops) in succession. The
Idle Stop/Start symbol is shown in yel-
low in the vehicle information display after
the engine has been started automatically
for the fourth time. When the
Idle
Stop/Start symbol is shown in green in the
vehicle information display, automatic engine
switch-off is again possible.
NOTE
If the hood is opened while the engine is run-
ning and the Idle Stop/Start function is op-
erational, the engine will switch off auto-
matically.
If the vehicle is brought to a standstill in D or
N, the Idle Stop/Start function switches off
the engine automatically.
AUTOMATIC ENGINE START
The engine is started automatically if:
•You switch off the Idle Stop/Start function
by pressing the Idle Stop/Start button.
•You engage Reverse R or Drive D.
•You unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door.
•The vehicle starts to roll.
•The brake system requires this.
•The temperature in the vehicle interior de-
viates from the set range.
•The system detects moisture on the wind-
shield when the air-conditioning system is
switched on.
•The battery's charge status is too low.
The engine is started automatically if you:
•Release the brake pedal in transmission
position D (Drive) or N (Neutral).
•Depress the accelerator pedal.
•Move the transmission out of position P
(Park).
Shifting the transmission to position P (Park)
does not start the engine.
If you
shift the transmission from R (Reverse)
to D (Drive), the Idle Stop/Start function is
available again once the
Idle Stop/Start
symbol reappears in green in the vehicle infor-
mation display.
DEACTIVATING/ACTIVATING
THE IDLE STOP/START
FUNCTION
•To deactivate:press Idle Stop/Start but-
ton
1. Indicator light2and theIdle
Stop/Start symbol in the vehicle informa-
tion display turn off.
•To activate:press Idle Stop/Start button
1. Indicator light2lights up. If all condi-
tions for automatic engine switch-off (see
"Automatic engine switch-off" earlier in
this section) are fulfilled, the
Idle
Stop/Start symbol is shown in green in the
vehicle information display.
NIC2633
5-30Starting and driving
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are met, theIdle Stop/
Start symbol is lit yellow in the vehicle infor-
mation display. If this is the case, the Idle
Stop/Start function is not active.
If indicator light2on Idle Stop/Start button
1is off, the Idle Stop/Start function has
been deactivated manually or as the result of
a malfunction. The engine will then not be
switched off automatically when the vehicle
stops.
WARNING
Failure to follow the warnings and instruc-
tions for proper use of the LDW system
could result in serious personal injury or
death. The LDW system will not steer the
vehicle or prevent loss of control. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely, keep the vehicle in the traveling
lane, and be in control of the vehicle at all
times.
The LDW system warns the driver with a
warning light and intermittent steering vibra-
tion that the vehicle is beginning to leave the
traveling lane.The LDW system uses a camera
1installed
behind the windshield to monitor the lane
markers of your traveling lane.
NSD644
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING (LDW)
SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
Starting and driving5-31