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.
142Driving and operatingThe engine start is indicated by the
needle at the idle speed position in
the tachometer.
If the selector lever is shifted out of
neutral before depressing the clutch
first, control indicator - illuminates
or is shown as a symbol in the Driver Information Centre.
Control indicator - 3 92.
Restart of the engine by the stop- start system
The selector lever must be in neutral
to enable an automatic restart.
If one of the following conditions
occurs during an Autostop, the
engine will be restarted automatically
by the stop-start system:
● The stop-start system is manually deactivated.
● The bonnet is opened.
● The driver's seat belt is unfastened and the driver's door
is opened.
● The engine temperature is too low.● The charging level of the vehiclebattery is below a defined level.
● The brake vacuum is not sufficient.
● The vehicle is driven at least at walking speed.
● The climate control system requests an engine start.
● The air conditioning is manually switched on.
If the bonnet is not fully closed, a warning message is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre.
If an electrical accessory, e.g. a
portable CD player, is connected to
the power outlet, a brief power drop during restart might be noticeable.
Parking9 Warning
● Do not park the vehicle on an
easily ignitable surface. The
high temperature of the
exhaust system could ignite the
surface.
● Always apply the parking brake. Activate the manual
parking brake without pressing the release button. Apply as
firmly as possible on a downhill slope or uphill slope. Depress
brake pedal at the same time to
reduce operating force.
For vehicles with electric
parking brake, pull switch m for
approx. one second.
The electric parking brake is
applied when control indicator
m illuminates 3 92.
● Switch off the engine.
● If the vehicle is on a level surface or uphill slope, engage
first gear or set the selector
lever to position P before
removing the ignition key. On
an uphill slope, turn the front
wheels away from the kerb.
If the vehicle is on a downhill
slope, engage reverse gear or
set the selector lever to position
P before removing the ignition
144Driving and operatingAutomatic cleaning process
The exhaust filter system filters soot
particles out of the exhaust gases.
The system includes a self-cleaning
function that runs automatically
during driving without any notification.
The filter is cleaned by periodically
burning off the soot particles at high
temperature. This process takes
place automatically under set driving
conditions and may take up to
25 minutes. Typically it needs
between seven and twelve minutes.
Autostop is not available and fuel
consumption may be higher during
this period. The emission of smells
and smoke during this process is
normal.
System requires cleaning
Under certain conditions, e.g. driving
short distances, the system cannot
clean itself automatically.
If cleaning of the filter is required and if previous driving conditions did not
enable automatic cleaning, it will be
indicated by illumination of % and a
warning message in the Driver
Information Centre.% illuminates along with a warning
message when exhaust filter is full.
Start cleaning process as soon as possible.
% flashes along with a warning
message when exhaust filter has
reached the maximum filling level.
Start cleaning process immediately to avoid damage to the engine.
Activate self-cleaning process
To activate cleaning process,
continue driving, keep engine speed
above 2000 rpm. Shift down if
necessary. Exhaust filter cleaning is
then started.
Cleaning process is completed more quickly at high engine speeds and
loads.
Control indicator % extinguishes as
soon as the self-cleaning operation is
complete. Keep on driving until self-
cleaning operation is complete.Caution
If possible, do not interrupt
cleaning process. Drive until
cleaning is completed to avoid the need for service or repair by a
workshop.
Cleaning process not possible
If cleaning is not possible for anyreason, control indicator Z
illuminates and a warning message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre. Engine power may be
reduced. Seek the assistance of a
workshop immediately.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter reduces the
amount of harmful substances in the
exhaust gases.
150Driving and operatingAdaptive brake light
During full braking, all three brake
lights flash for the duration of ABS
control.
Fault9 Warning
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
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
brake pedal at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 92.
Electric parking brake
Applying when vehicle is stationary
9 Warning
Pull switch m for approx.
one second, the electric parking
brake operates automatically with
152Driving and operatingHill start assistThe system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the brake pedal after
stopping on an incline, the brakes
remain on for a further two seconds.
The brakes release automatically as
soon as the vehicle begins to
accelerate.
The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.Ride control systems
Traction Control system The Traction Control system (TC) is a component of the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) 3 153.
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 94.
Driving and operating153Deactivation
TC can be switched off when spinningof drive wheels is required:
Press b briefly to deactivate TC, k
illuminates. Deactivation is displayed
as status message in the Driver
Information Centre.
TC is reactivated by pressing b
again.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning. ESC operates in
combination with the Traction Control system (TC) 3 152.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road
surfaces.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 94.
Deactivation
156Driving and operatingDriver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of approx. 30 to
200 km/h. Deviations from the stored
speeds may occur when driving uphill or downhill.
For safety reasons, the cruise control cannot be activated until the brake
pedal has been operated once.
Activating in first gear is not possible.
Do not use the cruise control if it is not advisable to maintain a constant
speed.
With automatic transmission, only
activate cruise control in automatic
mode.
Control indicator m 3 96.
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.
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/-.
Driving and operating159Release the accelerator pedal andthe speed limiter function is
reactivated once a speed lower than
the limit speed is obtained.
Deactivation of the functionality Press y: speed limiter is deactivated
and the vehicle can be driven without speed limit.
The limited speed is stored and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
Resume limit speed
Turn thumb wheel to RES/+. The
stored speed limit will be obtained.
Switching off the system
Press L, the speed limit indication in
the Driver Information Centre
extinguishes. The stored speed is
deleted.
By pressing m to activate cruise
control or by switching off the ignition, speed limiter is also deactivated and
the stored speed is deleted.Forward collision alert
The forward collision alert can help to
avoid or reduce the harm caused by
front-end crashes.
Forward collision alert uses the front
camera system in the windscreen to
detect a vehicle directly ahead, in your path, within a distance of approx.
60 metres.
A vehicle ahead is indicated by
control indicator A.
If a vehicle directly ahead is
approached too quickly, a warning
chime and alert in the Driver
Information Centre is provided.
A precondition is that forward collision
alert is not deactivated by pressing
V .
Activation Forward collision alert operates
automatically above 40 km/h, if it is not deactivated by pressing V, see
below.