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Driving and operating143Automatic 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 to + or - 3 144.
Transmission display
The mode or selected gear is shown
in the Driver Information Centre.
In automatic mode, the driving
programme is indicated by D.
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.
Selector lever
Move the selector lever in the shifting
gate as shown in the illustration
above.
P:park position, 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<:upshift in manual mode]:downshift in manual mode
The selector lever 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 lever 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.
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144Driving and operatingEngine braking
To utilise the engine braking effect, select a lower gear in good time when driving downhill, see manual mode.
Rocking the vehicle Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud or snow. Move the selector
lever between D and R in a repeat
pattern. Do not race the engine and
avoid sudden acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake and engage P .Manual mode
Move selector lever out of position D
towards the left in position M.
Tap selector lever upwards + to shift
to a higher gear.
Tap the selector lever downwards - to
shift to a lower gear.
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
R with the number of a higher gear is
indicated, when upshifting 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
Page 147 of 261

Driving and operating145enables 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 3 100.
Electronic transmission control
enables only third gear. The
transmission no longer shifts
automatically.
Do not drive faster than 62 mph.
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.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 219.
If the vehicle battery is not the cause
of the fault, release the selector lever.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Release the selector lever trim from the centre console. Poke
with a finger into the leather
socket below the selector lever
and push the trim upwards.3. Push down the button and move the selector lever out of P. Have
the cause of the power supply
interruption remedied by a
workshop.
4. Mount the selector lever trim onto
the centre console and refit.
Page 148 of 261
146Driving and operatingManual 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
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 90.
Stop-start system 3 136.
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Driving and operating147Brakes
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 R 3 90.
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 90.
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
9 Warning
Before leaving the vehicle, check
parking brake status. Control
indicator R must illuminate
constantly.
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148Driving and operatingManual parking brake9Warning
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 90.
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.
When releasing the brake pedal after
stopping on an incline, brakes remain on for further 2 seconds. 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.
TC 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 braked
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Driving and operating149individually. 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 91.
Deactivation
ESC and TC can be deactivated,
everytime it is required: press a.
Control indicator a illuminates.
Control indicator a 3 91.
A status message appears in the
Driver Information Centre when ESC
and TC are deactivated.
ESC and TC are reactivated by
pressing the a button again, by
applying the brake or in the case that
the vehicle is driven faster than
30 mph.
a extinguishes when ESC and TC are
reactivated.
ESC and TC are 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.
Page 152 of 261

150Driving and operatingDriver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver stays in full control of
the vehicle and accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation and follow applicable
traffic rules.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds above 25 mph.
Additionally at least the third gear
must be engaged on manual
transmission, on automatic
transmission position D or the second
or a higher gear in position M must be
selected.
Deviations from the stored speeds
may occur when driving uphill or
downhill.
The system maintains the vehicle
speed at the preset speed by the
driver, without any action on the
accelerator pedal.
The preset speed can be exceeded
temporarily by pressing the
accelerator pedal firmly.
The status and preset speed is
displayed in the Driver Information Centre.
Do not use the cruise control if it is not advisable to maintain a constant
speed.
Control indicator m 3 93.Switching on the system
Press m on the steering wheel:
symbol m and a message are
indicated in the Driver Information
Centre. The system is still not active.