Page 177 of 541

Please also obser
vethefo llowing running-in
no tes:
R In cer tain driving and driving saf ety sy stems,
th e sensors adjust automatically while a cer-
ta in distance is being driven aTer theve hicle
has been deli vered or aTer repairs. Full sys-
te m e.ectiveness is not reached until the end
of this teach-in process.
R Brakepads, brake disks and tyres that are
either new or ha vebeen replaced only achie ve
optimum braking e.ect and grip aTer se veral
hund red kilometres of driving. Compensate for
th ere duced braking e.ect byapplying greater
fo rc eto the brake pedal. N
No
ot
tes on dr
es on dr iving
iving &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident due toobjects
in the driver's foot we ll
Objects in the driver's foot we ll may impede
pedal tr avel or block a depressed pedal.
This jeopardises the operating and road saf ety
of theve hicle. #
Stow all objects in theve hicle securely
so that they cannot getinto the driver's
fo ot we ll. #
Always /t the 0oor mats securely and as
prescribed in order toensure that there
is alw ays su1cient room forth e pedals. #
Do not use loose 0oor mats and do not
place 0oor mats on top of one ano ther. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident due toincor-
re ct foot we ar
Incor rect foot we ar includes, forex ample:
R shoes with plat form soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident. #
Alwayswe ar suitable foot we ar so that
yo u can operate the pedals safel y. &
W
WARNI NG
ARNI NGRisk of accident if theve hicle is
switched o. while driving
If yo u switch o. theve hicle while driving,
saf ety functions are restric ted or no longer
av ailable.
This may a.ect the po wer steering system and
th e brake forc e boosting, forex ample.
Yo u will need touse considerably more force
to steer and brake, forex ample. #
Do not switch o. theve hicle while driv-
ing. &
D
DAN
AN GER
GER Risk of fatal injuries caused by
ex haust gases
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
ga ses such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
th ese exhaust gases is hazardous tohealth
and leads topoisoning. #
Never lea vetheve hicle or, if present, the
stationa ryheater running in an enclosed
space without su1cient ventilation. 174
174
Driving and parking
Page 178 of 541

&
W
W ARNI NG
ARNI NGRisk of skidding and of an acci-
dent due toshiTing down on slippe ryroad
sur faces
If yo u shiT down on slippery road sur faces to
increase the engine braking e.ect, the drive
wheels may lose traction. #
Do not shiT down on slippery road sur fa-
ces toincrease the engine braking
e.ect. &
D
D AN
AN GER
GER Risk of fatal injury due topoison-
ous exhaust gases
If th eta ilpipe is bloc ked or su1cient ventila-
tion is not possible, poisonous exhaust gases
such as carbon monoxide may enter theve hi-
cle. This is the case if theve hicle gets stuck in
sno w,forex ample. #
Keep theta ilpipe and the area around
th eve hicle free from snow when the
ve hicle or the stationary heater is run-
ning. #
Open a wind owonthe side of theve hicle
fa cing away from the wind toensure an
adequate supply of fresh air. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident due tothe
brake system overheating
If yo u lea veyour foot on the brake pedal when
driving, the brake system may overheat.
This increases the braking distance and the
brake system can even fail. #
Never use the brake pedal as a foot re st. #
Do not depress the brake pedal and the
accelerator pedal at the same time while
driving. *
N
NOOTE
TE Engine damage due toexcessively
high engine speeds The engine will be damaged if
you drive with
th e engine in theove rrev ving range. #
Do not drive with the engine in theove r-
re vving range. *
N
NOOTE
TE Causing wearto the brake linings by
permanently depressing the brake pedal #
Do not permanently depress the brake
pedal while driving. #
Touse braking e.ect of the engine, shiT
to a lo werge ar in good time. *
N
NOOTE
TE Damage tothe driv etra in and
engine when pulling away #
Do not warm upthe engine while the
ve hicle is stationar y.Pull away immedi-
atel y. #
Avoid high engine speeds and driving at
full thro ttle until the engine has reached
its operating temp erature. *
N
NOOTE
TE Damage tothe catalytic con verter
due tonon-combusted fuel The engine is not
running smoo thly and is mis-
/ring.
Non-combus ted fuel may getinto the catalytic
con verter. Driving and parking
175 175
Page 179 of 541

#
Only depress the accelerator pedal
slightl y. #
Have the cause recti/ed immediately at
a qu ali/ed specialist workshop. *
N
NOOTE
TE Reduced battery life due tofrequent
short-distance trips The 12 V battery may not be su1cien
tly
ch arge d when theve hicle is used only for
short-dis tance trips. This reduces the life of
th e batter y. #
Drive longer distances regula rly to
ch arge the batter y. *
N
NO
OTE
TE Damage totheve hicle due tonot
observing the maximum permitted head-
ro om clearance If
th eve hicle height is greater than the maxi-
mum permitted headroom clearance, thero of
and other parts of theve hicle may be dam-
aged. #
Obser vethe signposted headroom clear-
ance. #
Ifth eve hicle height is greater than the
permitted headroom clearance, do not
enter. #
Obser vethech anged vehicle height with
add-on roof equipment. N No
ot
tes on dr
es on dr iving wit
iving with a r
h a roof load, tr
oof load, tr ailer or fully
ailer or fully
laden v
laden v ehicle
ehicle
When driving with a loaded roof luggage rack or
trailer as well as with a fully laden or fully occu-
pied vehicle, theve hicle's driving and steering
ch aracteristics change.
Yo u should bear thefo llowing in mind:
R Do not exceed the permissible roof load and
to wing capacity. Also obser vethete ch nical
data in the printed Owner's Manual.
R Evenly distribute thero of load, and place
heavy objects at the bottom. Also comply with
th e no tes on loading theve hicle
(/ page 119). R
Drive attentivel y,and avoid suddenly pulling
awa y,braking and steering as well as rapid
cornering.
N
No ot
tes on dr
es on dr iving on salt-tr
iving on salt-tr eat
eated r
ed r oads
oads
The braking e.ect is limited on salt-treated roads.
Therefore, obser vethefo llowing no tes:
R due tosalt build-up on the brake disks and
brakepads, the braking distance can increase
considerably or result in braking only on one
side
R maintain a much greater safe distance tothe
ve hicle in front
To remo vesalt build-up:
R brake occasionally while paying attention to
th e tra1c conditions
R carefully depress the brake pedal at the end of
th e journey and when starting the next jour-
ney
Not
Not es on aq
es on aq uaplaning
uaplaning
Aq uaplaning can take place once a cer tain
amount of water has accumulate d onthero ad
sur face. 176
176
Driving and parking
Page 180 of 541

Obser
vethefo llowing no tes during heavy precipi-
ta tion or in conditions in whi chaquaplaning may
occur:
R reduce speed
R avoid tyre ruts
R avoid sudden steering mo vements
R brake careful ly
% Also obser vethe no tes on regula rly ch ecking
wheels and tyres (/ page 379).
N
No ot
tes on dr
es on dr iving t
iving thr
hrough w
ough w at
ater on t
er on t he r
he road sur-
oad sur-
f
f ace
ace
Wa ter which has entered into theve hicle can
damage the engine, electrics and transmission.
Wa ter can also enter the air intake of the engine
and cause engine damage.
Obser vethefo llowing if you must drive thro ugh
wa ter:
R The water,when calm, may only reach the
lo we r edge of theve hicle body.
R Drive at a maximum speed of 10 km/h; water
can otherwise enter theve hicle interior or
engine compartment. R
Vehicles tr avelling in front, or oncoming vehi-
cles, can create waves which may exceed the
maximum permissible dep thofthewa ter.
The braking e.ect of the brakes is reduced aTer
fo rd ing. Brake carefully while paying attention to
th e tra1c conditions until braking po wer has been
fully restored. N No
ot
tes on
es on o.-r
o.-r oad
oad dr
driving
iving &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of accident if you do not
ke ep toline of fall on inclines
If yo u drive at an angle or turn on an incline,
th eve hicle could slip side ways, tip and roll-
ove r. #
Always drive on inclines in the line of fall
(straight up or down) and do not turn. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of /re due to0ammable
materials on hot parts of theex haust sys-
tem
Flammable material such as lea ves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of theex haust system. #
When driving on unpa vedro ads or o.-
ro ad, regula rly ch eck theve hicle under-
side. #
Remo vetrapped plants or other 0amma-
ble material, in particular. #
Ifth ere is damage, consult a quali/ed
specialist workshop immediatel y. When driving o.-
road, sand, mud and water or
wa ter mixed with oil may get into the brakes. This
may lead toare duction in braking e.ect or total
brake failure as a result of increased wear. The
braking characteristics will vary depending on the
material that has entered the system. Clean the
brakes aTer driving o.- road. If youth en notice
re duced braking e.ect or hear scraping noises,
ha ve the brake system checked at a quali/ed spe- Driving and parking
177
177
Page 181 of 541

cialist
workshop. Adapt your driving style tothe
ch anged braking characteristics.
* N
NOOTE
TE Damage caused bydriving over
obstacles The
vehicle can be damaged by:
R driving onto high kerbs or unpa vedro ads.
R quickly driving over obstacles such as
ke rbs, speed bumps or po tholes.
R heavy objects hitting the underbody or
ch assis components. #
Do not drive over obstacles that could
damage theve hicle. #
Check theve hicle regula rly fo r damage
during o.- road driving. #
Adjust theve hicle speed tosuit thero ad
sur face conditions. #
Ifth ere is damage, consult a quali/ed
specialist workshop immediatel y. +
ENVIR
ENVIR
ONMENT
ONMENT AL NO
AL NOTE
TEEnvironmen tal
damage due tonon-obser vance of prohibi-
tion signs Environmental pr
otection has priority. Treat
nature with respect. #
Be sure toobser veprohibition signs. %
The vehicle is designed for easily negotiable
and moderate o.- road terrain. When driving
o.-road, make sure there is su1cient ground
clearance.
Chec
Chec klis
klist beft bef or
ore dr
e dr iving
iving o.-r
o.-r oad
oad
Check thefo llowing points before driving o.- road:
R Fuel le vel
R V
Vehicles wit
ehicles wit h a diesel engine:
h a diesel engine: AdBlue ®
level
R Engine oil le vel: /ll engine oil tothe maximum
le ve lto ensure full gradeability (/ page 345)
R Tyre-change tool kit and spare wheel
R Tyres and wheels O.-r
O.-r
oad
oaddr
driving
iving
Re ad this section before driving your vehicle o.-
ro ad. Practise bydriving over more gentle o.-road
te rrain /rst.
R Obser vethe no tes on the cross-country ABS
(/ page 228).
R If necessar y,select theF (/page 187)
drive prog ram before driving o.-road.
R Alwayske ep the engine running and in gear
when driving on downhill gradients and slopes.
Obser vethe no tes on driving in moun tainous
te rrain.
R Do not drive on unkn ownte rrain that is not
easily visible and st ayon mar kedro utes.
R Alwayske ep the doors and windo wsclosed
while theve hicle is in motion.
R Deactivate Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC,
cruise control and theva riable limi ter.
R Adapt your driving style tothete rrain.
R Do not use the HOLD function on steep down-
hill or uphill gradients with slippery or loose
sur faces. 178
178
Driving and parking
Page 182 of 541

Dr
Dr
iving on sand
iving on sand
When driving on sand, also obser vethefo llowing
inst ructions:
R Select theF drive prog ram.
R ShiT toa lo werge ar.
R Drive quickly toove rcome the rolling resist-
ance; theve hicle may otherwise dig itself in.
R Drive in the trac ksofother vehicles if possi-
ble. Make sure that thefo llowing prerequisites
are met:
- the tyre ruts are not too deep
- the sand is /rm enough
- thegr ound clearance is su1cient
F F or
or ding ding
Also obser vethefo llowing information when ford-
ing:
R Drive no faster than 10 km/h.
R The water,when calm, may only reach the
lo we r edge of theve hicle body.
R Switch o. automatic climate cont rol
( / page 159). R
V
V ehicles wit
ehicles wit h st
h stationar
ationar y heat
y heater/v
er/ventilation:
entilation:
switch the stationary heater/ventilation o.
(/ page 164).
R Ensure that a bow wave does not form asyou
drive.
R Do not stop in thewa ter and do not switch o.
th e engine. Ensure the ECO start/s top func-
tion is switched o. (/ page 181).
Dr Dr iving in mount iving in mount ainous t
ainous terr
errain
ain
Also obser vethefo llowing information when driv-
ing in mountainous terrain:
R Obser vetheva lues of the approach/depar-
ture angle and of the maximum gradient
(/ page 413).
R Avoid high engine speeds.
R Use the braking po wer of the engine when
driving downhill.
R ShiT toa lo werge ar on uphill gradients and on
long, steep downhill gradients.
R Activate DSR before driving downhill, if neces-
sary (/ page 244). Chec
Chec klis
klisttaTer
aTer dr
driving
iving o.-r
o.-road
oad
Driving o.- road places greater demands on your
ve hicle than driving on normal roads. Check the
entire vehicle for damage and fore ign bodies
ev ery time aTer driving o.- road. Foreign bodies in
th e wheels or driv etra in can lead toimbalances
and therefore vibrations.
R Ifth eF drive prog ram is selected: select
ano ther drive prog ram.
R Deactivate DSR.
R Apply the brakes todry them aTer ford ing.
R Check that the service brake is working nor-
mally aTer a long downhill str etch.
R Clean thefo llowing components every time
aTer driving o.- road:
- licence plate number
- headlamps and tail lamps
- tyres, wheels and wheel ar ches
- underbody
R ATer driving thro ugh sand, mud, water or
gr av el, ha vethefo llowing components
ch ecked and cleaned: Driving and parking
179
179
Page 183 of 541

-
brake disks and brakepads
- tyres and wheels
- axle joints EC
EC
O st
O st ar
art/st
t/st op function
op function EC
EC
O st
O st ar
art/st
t/st op function
op function
% The ECO start/s top function is not available
in all drive prog rams, depending on the
engine. Obser vethe status display in the
inst rument display forth is.
If all vehicle- related conditions for an automatic
engine stop are met, the engine is switched o.
automaticall y:
R V
V ehicles wit
ehicles wit h aut
h automatic tr
omatic tr ansmission:
ansmission: Yo u
brake theve hicle toa standstill in transmis-
sion position hori.
R You activate the HOLD function or engage
transmission position j.
% Ifth e system de tects an intelligent stop inhibi-
to r,fo rex ample, a stop sign, the engine will
not stop. If
yo u activate the HOLD function or engage
th e park position j,the engine can be
switched o. in spite of an intelligent stop
inhibitor.
% In transmission position k,the engine is not
switched o. automatically even when the
HOLD function is switched on.
The engine restarts au tomatically in thefo llowing
cases:
R V
V ehicles wit ehicles wit h aut
h automatic tr
omatic tr ansmission:
ansmission: Yo u
shiT into transmission position hork.
R You depress the accelerator pedal.
R An automatic vehicle engine start is requ ired.
St atus displ ayinthe inst rument displa y:
R The symbol è(gre en) appears when the
ve hicle is at a standstill: The engine was
switched o. bythe ECO start/s top function.
R The symbol ç(yellow) appears when the
ve hicle is at a standstill: Not all vehicle condi-
tions for an engine stop ha vebeen met.
R Neither the symbol ènorç appears
when theve hicle is at a standstill: An intelli- ge
nt stop inhibitor was de tected, e.g. a stop
sign.
R The symbol sappears: The ECO start/
stop function is deactivated or there is a mal-
function.
If th e engine was switched o. bythe ECO start/
stop function and you lea vetheve hicle, a warning
to ne sounds and the engine is not restar ted. In
addition, the display message Vehicle is opera-
tional Switch off ignition before exiting appears
in the inst rument displa y.Ifyo u do not switch o.
th eve hicle, it is automatically switched o. aTer
th re e minutes. 180
180
Driving and parking
Page 184 of 541

Deactiv
Deactiv
ating or activ
ating or activ ating t
ating the EC
he ECO st
O star
art/st
t/st op
op
function
function #
Press button 1.
A display appears in the inst rument cluster
when switching the ECO start/s top function
o./on.
% A continuous sdisplay appears in the
inst rument clus ter while the ECO start/s top
function is deactivated. EC
EC
O displa
O displa y function
y function The ECO display summarises
your driving charac-
te ristics from the start of the journey toits com-
pletion and assists you in achieving the most eco-
nomical driving style.
Yo u can in0uence consum ption bydoing thefo l-
lowing:
R driving with particular care.
R V Vehicles wit
ehicles wit h aut
h automatic tr
omatic tr ansmission:
ansmission: driving
in drive prog ram ;.
R following thege arshiT recommendations. The lettering in
the segment will light up brightl y,
th e outer edge will light up and the segment will
/ll up when thefo llowing driving style is adop ted:
R 1 Steady speed
R 2 Gentle deceleration and rolling
R 3 Moderate acceleration
The lettering in the segment will be grey ,th e outer
edge will be dark and the segment will em pty
when thefo llowing driving style is adop ted:
R 1 Fluctuations in speed
R 2 Heavy braking
R 3 Sporty acceleration
The ECO display will show you when you ha ve
driven economicall y:
R The thre e segments will /ll up comple tely at
th e same time
R The edges around all thre e segments will light
up
The additional range achie ved as a result of your
driving style in comparison with a driver with a
ve ry sporty driving st yle will be shown in the Driving and parking
181 181