Driving and operating137Driving and
operatingDriving hints ............................... 137
Control of the vehicle ...............137
Steering ................................... 138
Ground clearance ....................138
Starting and operating ...............138
New vehicle running-in ............138
Ignition switch positions ...........139
Retained power off ..................139
Starting the engine ..................139
Overrun cut-off ........................ 140
Stop-start system ....................140
Parking .................................... 142
Engine exhaust .......................... 143
Exhaust filter ............................ 143
Catalytic converter ...................144
Automatic transmission ..............145
Transmission display ...............145
Selector lever .......................... 146
Manual mode ........................... 147
Electronic driving programmes 147
Fault ........................................ 147
Interruption of power supply ....147
Manual transmission ..................148Brakes........................................ 149
Antilock brake system .............149
Parking brake .......................... 150
Brake assist ............................. 151
Hill start assist ......................... 152
Ride control systems .................152
Traction Control system ..........152
Electronic Stability Control ......153
Interactive driving system ........154
Driver assistance systems .........156
Cruise control .......................... 156
Speed limiter ........................... 157
Forward collision alert .............159
Following distance indication ...161
Parking assist .......................... 162
Side blind spot alert .................169
Rear view camera ...................170
Traffic sign assistant ................172
Lane departure warning ..........176
Fuel ............................................ 177
Fuel for petrol engines .............177
Refuelling ................................ 178
Trailer hitch ................................ 180
General information .................180
Driving characteristics and towing tips .............................. 180
Trailer towing ........................... 180
Towing equipment ...................181Driving hints
Control of the vehicle
Never coast with engine not
running (except during Autostop)
Many systems will not function in this
situation (e.g. brake servo unit, power
steering). Driving in this manner is a
danger to yourself and others. All
systems function during an Autostop,
but there will be a controlled reduction
in power steering assist and vehicle
speed is reduced.
Stop-start system 3 140.
Idle boost
If charging of the battery is required
due to battery condition, the power
output of the generator has to be
increased. This will be achieved by an idle boost which may be audible. A
message is displayed in the Driver
Information Centre.
Driving and operating143key. Turn the front wheels
towards the kerb.
● Close the windows and the soft
top.
● Remove the ignition key. Turn the steering wheel until the
steering wheel lock is felt to
engage.
For vehicles with automatic
transmission, the key can only
be removed when the selector
lever is in position P.
● Lock the vehicle.
● Activate the anti-theft alarm system.
● The engine cooling fans may run
after the engine has been
switched off 3 187.
Caution
After running at high engine
speeds or with high engine loads,
operate the engine briefly at a low load or run in neutral for
approx. 30 seconds before
switching off, in order to protect
the turbocharger.
Note
In the event of an accident with
airbag deployment, the engine is
turned off automatically if the vehicle
comes to a standstill within a certain time.
Engine exhaust9 Danger
Engine exhaust gases contain
poisonous carbon monoxide,
which is colourless and odourless and could be fatal if inhaled.
If exhaust gases enter the interior
of the vehicle, open the windows.
Have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop.
Avoid driving with an open load
compartment, otherwise exhaust
gases could enter the vehicle.
Exhaust filter
The exhaust filter is a particle filter for diesel and gasoline engines.
Driving and operating145Caution
Fuel grades other than those listedon pages 3 177, 3 238 could
damage the catalytic converter or
electronic components.
Unburnt petrol will overheat and
damage the catalytic converter.
Therefore avoid excessive use of the starter, running the fuel tank
dry and starting the engine by
pushing or towing.
In the event of misfiring, uneven
engine running, a reduction in engine performance or other unusual
problems, have the cause of the fault
rectified by a workshop as soon as
possible. In an emergency, driving
can be continued for a short period,
keeping vehicle speed and engine
speed low.
Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission permits
automatic gearshifting (automatic
mode) or manual gearshifting
(manual mode).
Manual shifting is possible in manual mode by tapping the selector lever
3 147.
Transmission display
The mode or selected gear is shown
in the transmission display.
In automatic mode, the driving
programme is indicated by D in the
Driver Information Centre.
In manual mode, M and the number
of the selected gear is indicated.
R indicates reverse gear.
N indicates neutral position.
P indicates park position.
Driving and operating147ParkingApply the parking brake and engage
P .
The ignition key can only be removed
when the selector lever is in position
P .
Manual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left to select manual
mode M.
Tap selector lever
forwards <:shift to a higher gearbackwards ]:shift to a lower gearThe 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.
Electronic driving programmes
● When SPORT mode is engaged,
the vehicle shifts at higher engine speeds (unless cruise control is
on). SPORT mode 3 154.
● Special programmes automatically adapt the shifting
points when driving up inclines or
down hills.
Kickdown If the accelerator pedal is pressed
down completely in automatic mode, the transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed.Fault
In the event of a fault, a vehicle message is displayed in the Driver
Information Centre. Vehicle
messages 3 103.
The transmission no longer shifts
automatically. Continued travel is
possible with manual shifting.
Only the highest gear is available.
Depending on the fault, 2nd gear may also be available in manual mode.
Shift only when vehicle is at a
standstill.
Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Interruption of power supply In the event of an interruption of
power supply, the selector lever
cannot be moved out of the P
position. The ignition key cannot be removed from the ignition switch.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 223.
If the vehicle battery is not the cause
of the fault, release the selector lever.
Driving and operating149Caution
It is not advisable to drive with thehand resting on the selector lever.
Upshift indication 3 93.
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 your 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 92.
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 93.
Driving and operating169correct distance indication in the
upper part of these vehicles
cannot be guaranteed.
Objects with a very small reflection
cross-section, e.g. objects of
narrow size or soft materials, may
not be detected by the system.
Parking assist systems do not
detect objects outside the
detection range.
Note
The parking assist system can be
activated and deactivated by
changing the settings in the
Info-Display. If a trailer coupling is
attached, it must be selected in the
menu.
Vehicle personalisation 3 104.
Note
The parking assist system
automatically detects factory-fitted
towing equipment. It is deactivated
when the connector is plugged in.
It is possible that the sensor detects
a non-existing object (echo
disturbance) caused by external
acoustical or mechanic
disturbances.
Advanced parking assist system
may not respond to changes in the
parking space after initiating a
parallel parking manoeuvre.
Note
After use the advanced parking
assist requires a calibration. For
optimal parking guidance, a driving
distance of at least 35 km, including
a number of bends, is required.
Side blind spot alert The Side blind spot alert system
detects and reports objects on either
side of the vehicle, within a specified
"blind spot" zone. The system
displays a visual alert in each exterior
mirror, when detecting objects that
may not be visible in the interior and
exterior mirrors.
The system's sensors are located in
the bumper on the left and right side
of the vehicle.9 Warning
Side blind spot alert does not
replace driver vision.
The system does not detect:
● vehicles outside the side blind zones which may be rapidly
approaching
● pedestrians, cyclists or animals
Before changing a lane, always
check all mirrors, look over the
shoulder and use the turn signal.
When the system detects a vehicle in the side blind zone while driving
forward, either while passing a
vehicle or being passed, an amber
warning symbol B will illuminate in
the relevant exterior mirror. If the
driver then activates the turn signal,
the warning symbol B starts flashing
amber as a warning not to change
lanes.
170Driving and operatingNote
If the overtaking vehicle is at least
10 km/h faster than the vehicle being
overtaken, the warning symbol B in
the relevant exterior mirror may not
illuminate.
Side blind spot alert is active from
speeds of 10 km/h up to 140 km/h.
Driving faster than 140 km/h
deactivates the system, indicated by
low lighting warning symbols B in
both exterior mirrors. Reducing the speed again will extinguish the
warning symbols. If a vehicle is then
detected in the blind zone, the
warning symbol B will illuminate as
normal on the relevant side.
When the vehicle is started, both exterior mirror displays will briefly
come on to indicate that the system is operating.
The system can be activated or
deactivated in the menu Settings in
the Info-Display. Vehicle
personalisation 3 104.
Deactivation is indicated by a
message in the Driver Information
Centre.
Detection zones The system sensor covers a zone of
approx. 3 metres on both sides of the
vehicle. This zone starts at each
exterior mirror and extends rearwards by approx. 3 metres. The height of the zone is between approx. 0.5 metres
and 2 metres off the ground.
The system is deactivated if the
vehicle is towing a trailer.
Side blind spot alert is designed to ignore stationary objects such as
guardrails, posts, curbs, walls and
beams. Parked vehicles or oncoming
vehicles are not detected.Fault
Occasional missed alerts can occur
under normal circumstances.
Side blind spot alert does not operate when the left or right corners of the
rear bumper are covered with mud,
dirt, snow, ice or slush. Cleaning
instructions 3 226.
In the event of a fault in the system or
if the system does not work due to
temporary conditions, a message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in case of a permanent
fault.
Rear view camera The rear view camera assists the
driver when reversing by displaying a
view of the area behind the vehicle.
The view of the camera is displayed
in the Colour-Info-Display.
Driving and operating173Traffic signs which will be detected
are:Limit and no passing signs ● speed limit
● no passing
● end of speed limit
● end of no passingRoad signs
Beginning and end of:
● motorways
● A-roads
● play streetsAdd-on signs ● additional hints to traffic signs
● restriction of trailer towing
● tractor constraints
● wet warning
● ice warning
● direction arrows
Speed limit signs and no passing
signs are displayed in the Driver
Information Centre until the next
speed limit sign or end of speed limit
is detected or up to a defined sign
timeout.
Indication of multiple signs on the
display is possible.
An exclamation mark in a frame
indicates that there is an add on sign
detected which cannot be recognised
by the system.
The system is active up to a speed of 200 km/h depending on the lighting
conditions. At night the system is
active up to a speed of 160 km/h.
As soon as vehicle speed becomes
slower than 55 km/h the display will
be reset and the content of the traffic
sign page will be cleared, e.g. when
entering a city zone. The next
recognized speed indication will be
displayed.
Display indication
Traffic signs are displayed in the
Traffic sign detection page in the
Driver Information Centre.