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Brakes
The brake pedal is used to apply the vehicle'sregular brakes, which are part of the brake sys-tem.
The vehicle is equipped with two brake circuits. Ifone brake circuit is damaged, the brake pedal willgo down further when depressed. More pressurewill then be required from the driver for normalbraking effect.
WARNING
The power brakes only work when the electricmotor or combustion engine is running.
If the brake pedal is used when the engine isswitched off, greater pressure must be applied tobrake the vehicle.
In very hilly areas or when driving with a heavyload, gear position B can be used to augment thebrakes with engine braking.
Use the Off Road drive mode to increase theengine braking effect when driving on steepdowngrades at low speeds.
Anti-lock brakes
The vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock BrakingSystem (ABS), which helps prevent the wheelsfrom locking and helps maintain steering controlwhen braking. Vibrations may be felt from the
brake pedal when ABS is operating, which is nor-mal.
After the vehicle is started, a brief test of theABS system is automatically performed when thedriver releases the brake pedal. An additionalautomatic test of the system may be performedwhen the vehicle is traveling at a low speed. Dur-ing the test, the brake pedal may feel as though itis pulsating.
Light braking charges the hybrid battery
When the brakes are applied lightly, the electricmotor braking function is used. This converts thevehicle's kinetic energy into electrical energy,which is used to charge the hybrid battery. Whenthe battery is being charged with the electricmotor braking function, this will be indicated inthe instrument panel.
When the battery is being charged with the electricmotor braking function, this will be indicated in theinstrument panel.
This function is active at speeds in the range of150-5 km/h (93-3 mph). When braking atspeeds outside of this range, or during harderbraking, the hydraulic braking system is used toaugment braking. This is indicated in the instru-ment panel with the pointer down in the red area.

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Related information
Rear Collision Warning (p. 349)
BLIS* (p. 350)
Brake functions (p. 434)
Transmission
The transmission is part of the vehicle's driveline(power transmission) between the engine andthe drive wheels. The function of the transmis-sion is to change gears depending on speedand power needs.
The vehicle has an 8-speed automatic transmis-sion and an electric motor for rear-wheel drive.The number of gears allows the engine's torqueand power band to be effectively utilized. Two ofthe gears are overdrive gears that save fuel whendriving at a constant engine speed. The steeringwheel paddles* can be used to shift up or downmanually. The instrument panel shows the gearcurrently in use.
CAUTION
Check the operating temperature of thetransmission to help avoid damage to any ofthe drive system components. If there is a riskof overheating, a warning symbol will appearin the instrument panel and a text messagewill be displayed. Follow the recommenda-tions given.
Symbols in the instrument panel
If a problem should occur with the transmission, asymbol and a message will appear in the instru-ment panel.
SymbolMeaning
Information and messages relatedto the transmission. Follow the rec-ommendations provided.
Hot or overheated transmission.Follow the recommendations provi-ded.
Reduced performance/Acceler-ation performance reduced
In the event of a temporary fault inthe driveline, the vehicle may gointo a "limp home" mode withreduced power output to help avoiddamage to the driveline.
Related information
Gear selector positions for automatic trans-missions (p. 445)

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Help functions
The system will automatically shift to P:
if the ignition is switched off while D or R isselected.
if the driver unbuckles the seat belt andopens the driver's door while the vehicle isrunning with the gear selector in a gear otherthan P.
To park a vehicle with an unbuckled seat belt andopen door – end P mode by shifting to R or Dagain.
The system will not automatically shift to P if theignition is switched off while the gear selector isin the neutral position (N). This is to make it pos-sible to wash the vehicle in an automatic carwash in which the vehicle is pulled forward onrolling wheels.
Reverse - R
Select R when backing up. The vehicle must bestationary when Reverse is selected.
Neutral - N
No gear is selected and the engine can bestarted. Apply the parking brake if the vehicle isstationary with the gear selector in N.
To move the gear selector from Neutral toanother gear, the brake pedal must be depressedand the ignition in mode II.
D drive mode
D is the normal driving gear position. The trans-mission shifts up or down automatically depend-
ing on acceleration and speed. The vehicle mustbe stationary when the gear selector is movedfrom R to D.
Brake - B
B can be selected at any time during a drive. In Bmode, the engine braking function is activatedwhen the accelerator pedal is released, whichhelps charge the hybrid battery. This offers addi-tional opportunities to recharge the hybrid bat-tery, since the battery is charged even when thebrake pedal is not depressed.
B mode in the instrument panel.
From B mode, it is possible to manually shift tolower gears. The currently selected gear (1-8) willbe displayed in the instrument panel.
Pull the gear selector backward once to shiftdown one gear.
Pull the gear selector backward again to shiftdown to lower gears.
To shift manually to a higher gear, the vehiclemust be equipped with steering wheel paddles*.
Push the gear selector forward to return to Dmode.
For smooth shifting and engine performance, thetransmission will shift down automatically if thevehicle's speed becomes too low for the selectedgear.
Related information
Shiftlock (p. 448)
Using the steering wheel paddles* to shift(p. 447)
The kickdown function (p. 448)

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Using the steering wheel paddles*to shift
The steering wheel paddles are a supplement tothe gear selector and make it possible to shiftmanually without removing your hands from thesteering wheel.
Activating the steering wheel paddles
In order to shift gears using the paddles, theymust first be activated:
–Pull one of the paddles toward the steeringwheel.
>A number in the instrument panel indi-cates the current gear being used.
Instrument panel when the paddles are activated forshifting.
Change
To shift one gear:
–Pull one of the paddles toward the steeringwheel and then release.
"-": Shift down one gear.
"+": Shift up one gear.
As long as the engine speed (rpm) is within thepermissible range for the selected gear, a gearshift will take place each time a paddle is pulled.
After each gear shift, a number indicating thecurrent gear will be displayed in the instrumentpanel.
Turning off Start/Stop
Manual deactivation in gear D and B
–Deactivate the paddles by pulling the rightpaddle (+) toward the steering wheel andholding it until the number of the currentgear is no longer displayed in the instrumentpanel.
>The transmission will revert to gear D or Bdepending on which gear was selectedbefore the paddles were activated.
Automatic deactivation
In gear position D, the steering wheel paddlesare deactivated after a short period of time if theyare not used. The number of the current gear willno longer be displayed in the instrument panel.
In gear position B, the paddles will not activateautomatically.
Related information
Gear selector positions for automatic trans-missions (p. 445)

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Starting and stopping thecombustion engine in Twin Enginevehicles
An advanced control system determines the dis-tance that the vehicle can be driven on the com-bustion engine, electric motor, or both at thesame time. When driving on only the electricmotor, the vehicle may automatically start thecombustion engine due to outside circumstan-ces, e.g. low ambient temperatures. This is com-pletely normal. The combustion engine will alsoalways start when the hybrid battery is nearlyfully discharged.
Climate settings at low temperatures
At low ambient temperatures, the combustionengine will sometimes start automatically to helpachieve the desired passenger compartmenttemperature and air quality. The amount of timethe combustion engine is running can be affec-ted by:
lowering the temperature
reducing blower speed
activating Pure drive mode.
Using the electric motor in hot or cold
weather
At very low or high ambient temperatures, theelectric motor's driving range and power may bereduced and affect how often the combustionengine automatically starts.
Emission control system
To help ensure that the emission control systemfunctions optimally, the combustion engine willrun for several minutes after it is started. Theamount of time the combustion engine needs tobe used varies depending on the temperature ofthe three-way catalytic converter.
WARNING
California Proposition 65
Operating, servicing and maintaining a pas-senger vehicle can expose you to chemicalsincluding engine exhaust, carbon monoxide,phthalates, and lead, which are known to theState of California to cause cancer and birthdefects or other reproductive harm. To mini-mize exposure, avoid breathing exhaust, donot idle the engine except as necessary, serv-ice your vehicle in a well ventilated area andwear gloves or wash your hands frequentlywhen servicing your vehicle. For more infor-mation go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-vehicle.
Related information
Drive systems (p. 449)
Economical driving (p. 463)
Using the electric motor only (p. 465)
Drive modes (p. 450)
Drive modes
Drive modes affect the vehicle's driving charac-teristics in different ways to enhance and sim-plify the driving experience in certain types of sit-uations.
Drive modes enable easy access to the vehicle'smany functions and settings in different drivingsituations. The following systems are adapted tohelp optimize driving characteristics in each drivemode:
Steering
Engine/transmission/all-wheel drive
Brakes
Pneumatic suspension* and shock absorbers
Instrument panel
Climate control settings
Select the drive mode that is best suited to thecurrent driving conditions. Keep in mind that notall drive modes are available in all situations.

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PURE
Uses the electric motor only, with the lowestpossible energy consumption and carbondioxide emissions.
This drive mode maximizes the use of the hybrid
battery. Ground clearance is lowered3 to reduceair resistance and certain climate system func-tions are reduced to provide the longest possibledriving distance using only electricity.
Pure mode is available when the hybrid battery issufficiently charged. Even in Pure mode, the com-bustion engine will start if the charge level in thebattery gets too low. The combustion engine willalso start
if the vehicle's speed goes above 125 km/h(78 mph)
if the driver requests more power than theelectric motor can provide
if factors such as cold weather affect thesystem or components.
This drive mode is optimized for maximum drivingdistance with electric propulsion and is primarilyintended for use in city driving. Pure helps pro-vide the lowest possible consumption even whenthe hybrid battery is fully discharged. ECO climateis activated to control the climate in the passen-ger compartment, and in slippery road conditionsslightly more wheel spin may be permitted beforeall-wheel drive is automatically activated.
ECO Climate
In Pure mode, ECO climate is automatically acti-vated in the passenger compartment to helpreduce energy consumption.
NOTE
When the Pure drive mode is activated, set-tings for certain climate system and electricityconsuming functions are reduced. Some ofthese settings can be reset manually, but fullfunctionality will only be restored by leavingPure mode or adapting the Individual drivemode to full climate system functionality.
If condensation forms on the windows, tap themax defroster button, which will function normally.
OFF ROAD
Maximizes the vehicle's ability to traverse dif-ficult terrain or poor roads.
In this mode, ground clearance3 is high, steeringis light, and all-wheel drive and Hill DescentControl are activated.
This drive mode is only available at low speeds,up to 40 km/h (25 mph). If this speed is excee-ded, Off road mode will be cancelled and AWDmode will be activated instead.
All-wheel drive requires both the combustion andelectric motor to be in continuous operation,which results in higher fuel consumption.
In Off road mode, a compass will be displayedbetween the speedometer and the tachometer inthe instrument panel. The permissible speedrange will be shown in the speedometer.
3For vehicles with pneumatic suspension.

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This drive mode is optimized for maximum controlwhen driving at low speeds on very poor roads or
difficult terrain. It raises the chassis3, reducesdriveline throttle response, and locks the vehiclein all-wheel drive. The Hill Descent Control func-tion facilitates controlled driving on steep down-grades.
NOTE
This drive mode is not designed to be usedfor normal street driving.
NOTE
Due to the increased ground clearance, if theOFF ROAD mode was selected when theengine was switched off, the suspension willlower when the engine is restarted.
CAUTION
Do not use the OFF ROAD drive mode whentowing a trailer without an electrical connec-tion. This could result in damage to the pneu-matic suspension system's bellows.
AWD
Improves the vehicle's traction and handlingby increasing all-wheel drive.
This drive mode locks the vehicle in all-wheeldrive. An optimal distribution between front andrear axle torque helps provide the best possiblecontrol, stability and traction, e.g. on slipperyroads or when towing a heavy trailer or anothervehicle. The AWD drive mode is always availableregardless of the hybrid battery's charge status.
Both the combustion engine and the electricmotor are engaged to enable all-wheel drive,which results in higher fuel consumption.
In the other drive modes, the vehicle automati-cally adapts the need for all-wheel drive accord-ing to the road surface, and can activate the elec-tric motor or start the combustion engine as nee-ded.
POWER
Power mode is designed to provide sportierdriving characteristics and a faster accelera-tion response.
This drive mode maximizes the combined powerfrom the combustion engine and the electricmotor by providing power to both the front andrear wheels. Gear shifting will be faster and moredistinct and the transmission will prioritize gearswith a higher traction force. Steering response isfaster, suspension is stiffer and ground clearance
is lower3 to help reduce body roll when cornering.
Both the combustion engine and the electricmotor are engaged to enable all-wheel drive,which results in higher fuel consumption.
This drive mode is optimized for maximum per-formance and throttle response. It changes thethrottle response, gear shifting program andturbo boost system. Chassis settings and steer-ing and brake response are also optimized. ThePower drive mode is always available regardlessof the hybrid battery's charge status.
3For vehicles with pneumatic suspension.

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INDIVIDUAL
Customizes drive mode to personal preferen-ces.
Select one of the drive modes as a basis andadjust the settings to achieve your preferred driv-ing characteristics. These settings will be storedin your driver profile.
Individual drive mode is only available if it hasbeen activated in the center display.
Settings view4 for Individual drive mode.
1.Tap Settings in the Top view.
2.Tap My CarIndividual Drive Mode andselect Individual Drive Mode.
3.Under Presets, select one of the followingdrive modes as a basis: Pure, Hybrid orPower.
The following settings can be modified:
Driver Display
Steering Force
Powertrain Characteristics
Brake Characteristics
Suspension Control
ECO Climate.
Using the electric or combustion
engine
An advanced control system determines the dis-tance that the vehicle can be driven on the com-bustion engine, electric motor, or both at thesame time.
Its primary function is to use the motor/engineand the current available in the hybrid battery asefficiently as possible based on the characteris-tics of the various drive modes and the poweroutput requested by the driver by pressing theaccelerator pedal.
In certain cases, temporary limitations in the sys-tem or mandatory functions to help maintain alow overall emissions level may result in greateruse of the combustion engine.
4The image is schematic and the details may vary depending on vehicle model or software update.