Observe the following when towing a trailer:
R Practice driving around bends, stopping and
backing up at a place where there is no traf-
fic. This enables you to gain experience and
get used to the new handling characteris-
tics.
R Before driving, check:
- that the trailer tow hitch and ball coupling
are secure
- that the safety switch for a braked trailer
is functioning properly
- that the safety chains are secure and not
damaged
- that the electrical connections are secure
- that the lights are working
- that the wheels are in good order and the
tire pressure is correct
R Adjust the exterior mirrors to provide an
unobstructed view of the rear section of the
trailer.
R If the trailer is equipped with a separate
functional braking system, check before
each journey whether the brakes are func-
tioning correctly.
R Secure the load on the trailer according to
the applicable specifications and current
standards on securing loads
(Y page 244).
R When driving with a trailer, check at regular
intervals that the load is secured and that
the brakes and lights are working.
R Bear in mind that the handling will be less
stable when towing a trailer than when driv-
ing without one. Avoid sudden steering
movements.
R The vehicle/trailer combination is heavier,
accelerates more slowly and has a
decreased gradient climbing capability and a
longer braking distance.
It is more susceptible to crosswinds and
requires cautious steering.
R If possible, do not brake suddenly, but
rather moderately at first so that the trailer
can activate its brakes. Then increase the
force on the brake pedal.
R If the automatic transmission repeatedly
shifts between gears when driving on
inclines, restrict the shift range. Select shift
range 4, 3, 2 or 1.
Driving in a low gear and at a low speed
reduces the risk of damaging the engine. R
When driving on a downhill gradient, shift to
a low gear and take advantage of the
engine's braking effect.
Avoid continuous brake application as this
may overheat the vehicle brakes and, if
installed, the trailer brakes.
R If the coolant temperature increases dra-
matically while the air-conditioning system
is switched on, switch off the air-condition-
ing system.
Coolant heat can also be dissipated by
switching the airflow and the temperature of
the air conditioning to the maximum level.
Open the windows if necessary.
R When overtaking, pay particular attention to
the extended length of your vehicle/trailer
combination.
Due to the length of your vehicle/trailer
combination you need an additional dis-
tance before you can return to your original
lane. Uncoupling a trailer
G
WARNING
If you uncouple a trailer with the overrun
brake engaged, you could trap your hand
between the vehicle and the trailer drawbar.
There is a risk of injury.
Do not uncouple a trailer if the overrun
brake is engaged.
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound-
ing of the overrun brake.
X Make sure that the selector lever of the
automatic transmission is in position P.
X Engage the vehicle's parking brake.
X Close all doors.
X Apply the parking brake of the trailer.
X In addition, secure the trailer against rolling
away with a wheel chock or similar object.
X Remove the trailer cable and safety chains
and decouple the trailer. Towing a trailer
171
Driving and parking Z
In daylight, the displays in the instrument clus-
ter are illuminated. A dimming function is not
possible in daylight.
On vehicles with steering wheel buttons, the
light sensor in the instrument cluster automat-
ically controls the brightness of the display
lighting.
While the lights are on, the brightness is
dependent upon the brightness of the ambient
light. You can also adjust the brightness of the
instrument lighting and the display lighting:
R by pressing the f and g buttons on the
instrument cluster on vehicles without
steering wheel buttons (not in the Settings
menu)
R by turning brightness control knob : on
vehicles with steering wheel buttons Speedometer
If you change the wheel size on your vehicle,
make sure it is assigned to the correct wheel
size category ( Y page
278). If you change
wheel size category without recoding the con-
trol unit, the speedometer indication will be
inaccurate. The current vehicle speed may
then be higher than the speed displayed in the
speedometer.
The speed can also be shown in the display in
the form of a digital speedometer:
R on vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Y page 178)
R on vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Y page 185)
i In some countries, a warning sounds
and/or the display shows a message when
the vehicle reaches the maximum legally
permissible speed limit, e.g. at 75 mph
(120 km/h). Tachometer
! Do not drive in the overrevving range, as
this could damage the engine. H
Environmental note
Avoid driving at high engine speeds. This
unnecessarily increases the fuel consump-
tion of your vehicle and harms the environ-
ment as a result of increased emissions. The red band in the tachometer indicates the
engine's overrevving range.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is inter-
rupted when the red band is reached.
Outside temperature display
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
Please bear in mind that the outside tempera-
ture display shows the air temperature meas-
ured and not the road temperature.
The display shows the outside temperature in
the header:
R on vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(Y page
176)
R on vehicles with steering wheel buttons
(Y page 183)
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay. Coolant temperature gauge
G
WARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department.
On vehicles without steering wheel buttons,
you can have the coolant temperature shown
in the display
(Y page 178).
On vehicles with steering wheel buttons, an
analog coolant temperature gauge is located
in the tachometer in the instrument cluster
(Y page 40). Under normal driving conditions and at the
correct coolant level, the display may rise to
the letter H or to the red mark. Display and operation
175
On-board computer and displays Z
Use the buttons in the instrument cluster.
X To display: press È to select the trip com-
puter display.
The values displayed relate to those meas-
ured since the trip computer was last reset.
X To reset values: press and hold 3 until all
values are reset.
The trip computer is automatically reset if the
value exceeds 9,999 hours or 99,999 miles.
You can set the unit of measurement for con-
sumption and distance in the Distance
Unit: submenu ( Y page 180).Range menu
Use the buttons in the instrument cluster.
X Press È to select the Range display.
The approximate range that can be covered
is calculated according to your current driv-
ing style and the amount of fuel in the tank.
If there is only a small amount of fuel left in
the fuel tank, the display shows a vehicle
being refueled Ï instead of the approxi-
mate range.
You can set the unit of measurement for dis-
tance in the Distance Unit: submenu
(Y page
180). Current fuel consumption menu
:
Recuperation display
; Range Use the buttons in the instrument cluster.
X Press È to select the fuel consumption bar
display.
Recuperation display : shows whether, and,
if so, how much kinetic energy is being trans-
formed into electric current whilst the vehicle
is coasting. The recuperated energy is then
stored in the starter battery. Recuperation dis-
play : is dependent on the engine installed
and is therefore not available in all vehicles.
You can set the unit of measurement for con-
sumption in the Distance Unit: submenu
(Y page
180). Digital speedometer menu
Use the buttons in the instrument cluster.
X Press È to select the speed display.
You can set the unit for the digital speedome-
ter in the Distance Unit: submenu
(Y page
180). Coolant temperature menu
G
WARNING
Opening the hood when the engine is over-
heated or when there is a fire in the engine
compartment could expose you to hot gases
or other service products. There is a risk of
injury.
Let an overheated engine cool down before
opening the hood. If there is a fire in the
engine compartment, keep the hood closed
and contact the fire department. 178
On-board computer (vehicles without steering wheel buttons)
On-board computer and displays
Engine
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions# An additional warning tone sounds. The battery is not being
charged.
Possible causes:
R faulty alternator
R torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions, and switch off the engine.
! Do not drive any further. Otherwise the engine may overheat.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away ( Y page 138).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. ?
Stop Vehicle Turn
Eng. Off An additional warning tone sounds. The coolant is too hot.
G WARNING
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when the engine is
overheated can cause fluids which may have leaked into the engine
compartment to catch fire.
In addition, steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns, which can occur just by opening the hood.
There is a risk of injury.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away ( Y page
138).
X Wait until the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the radiator is not obstructed, by
frozen slush for example.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is below the maximum value speci-
fied. The engine could otherwise be damaged.
X Pay attention to the coolant temperature gauge (Y page
178).
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Under normal driving conditions and at the correct coolant level, the
coolant temperature gauge may rise to the letter H.204
Display messages (vehicles without steering wheel buttons)
On-board computer and displays
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions? The fan motor is faulty.
X Check the coolant temperature (Y page 178).
X If the coolant temperature is below the maximum value specified
below, you can continue driving to the nearest qualified specialist
workshop.
Avoid heavy loads on the engine, e.g. driving in mountainous ter-
rain, and stop-and-go traffic.
Under normal driving conditions and at the correct coolant level, the
coolant temperature gauge may rise to the letter H.Check Coolant Level
+ The coolant level is too low.
! Avoid longer journeys when there is insufficient coolant in the
engine cooling system. You could otherwise damage the engine.
X Add coolant, making sure to observe the warning notes
(Y page
253).
X Have the engine cooling system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop if the coolant needs to be refilled more often than
usual. 4
Check Engine Oil
Level An additional warning tone sounds. The engine oil level has dropped
to the minimum level.
X Check the oil level at the latest when next refueling
(Y page
252).
X If necessary, add engine oil ( Y page
253).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if you
need to add engine oil more often than usual.
! Avoid longer journeys when there is insufficient engine oil. You
could otherwise damage the engine. Manually Check Oil
Level Reminder to check the oil level.
X Check the oil level at the latest when next refueling
(Y page
252).
X If necessary, add engine oil (Y page
253).
X To confirm the oil check: press and hold 3.
! Avoid longer journeys when there is insufficient engine oil. You
could otherwise damage the engine. 4
Stop Vehicle Turn
Eng. Off The oil level is too low. There is a risk of engine damage.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away ( Y page
138).
X Check the oil level ( Y page
252).
X If necessary, add engine oil (Y page
253).Display messages (vehicles without steering wheel buttons)
205
On-board computer and displays Z
Engine
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions# An additional warning tone sounds. The battery is not being
charged.
Possible causes:
R faulty alternator
R torn poly-V-belt
R a malfunction in the electronics
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions, and switch off the engine.
! Do not drive any further. Otherwise the engine may overheat.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away ( Y page 138).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. ?
Coolant Too Hot:
Stop Vehicle Turn
Engine Off An additional warning tone sounds. The coolant is too hot.
G WARNING
Never drive with an overheated engine. Driving when the engine is
overheated can cause fluids which may have leaked into the engine
compartment to catch fire.
In addition, steam from an overheated engine can cause serious
burns, which can occur just by opening the hood.
There is a risk of injury.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away ( Y page
138).
X Wait until the engine has cooled down.
X Make sure that the air supply to the radiator is not obstructed, by
frozen slush for example.
X Do not start the engine again until the display message goes out
and the coolant temperature is below the maximum value speci-
fied. The engine could otherwise be damaged.
X Monitor the ? coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.
X If the temperature increases again, visit a qualified specialist
workshop immediately.
Under normal operating conditions and at the correct coolant level,
the display may rise to the red mark. Display messages (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)
219
On-board computer and displays Z
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions? The fan motor is faulty.
X Check the ? coolant temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster.
If the coolant temperature is below the maximum value specified
below, you can continue driving to the nearest qualified specialist
workshop.
Avoid heavy loads on the engine, e.g. driving in mountainous ter-
rain, and stop-start traffic.
Under normal operating conditions and at the correct coolant level,
the display may rise to the red mark. +
Check Coolant
Level See Oper.
Manual The coolant level is too low.
! Avoid longer journeys when there is insufficient coolant in the
engine cooling system. You could otherwise damage the engine.
X Add coolant, making sure to observe the warning notes
(Y page 253).
X Have the engine cooling system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop if the coolant needs to be refilled more often than
usual. 4
Check Engine Oil
At Next Refueling X
Check the oil level at the latest when next refueling
(Y page
252).
X If necessary, add engine oil (Y page
253).
X Have the engine checked at a qualified specialist workshop if you
need to add engine oil more often than usual.
! Avoid longer journeys when there is insufficient engine oil. You
could otherwise damage the engine. 4
Manually Check Oil
Level Reminder to check the oil level.
X Check the oil level at the latest when next refueling
(Y page
252).
X If necessary, add engine oil (Y page
253).
X To confirm the oil check: press a.
! Avoid longer journeys when there is insufficient engine oil. You
could otherwise damage the engine. 4
Eng. Oil Level
Low: Stop Vehicle
Turn Engine Off The oil level is too low. There is a risk of engine damage.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions, and switch off the engine.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away ( Y page
138).
X Check the oil level ( Y page
252).
X If necessary, add engine oil (Y page
253).220
Display messages (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)
On-board computer and displays
Engine
Warning/
indicator
lamp
N Signal type
Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions;
N The yellow Check Engine warning lamp lights up while the engine is running.
There may be a malfunction in the following vehicle systems:
R in the engine management
R in the transmission management
R in the fuel injection system
R in the exhaust system
R in the ignition system (for vehicles with a gasoline engine)
R in the fuel system
The emission limit values may be exceeded and the engine may be running in
emergency mode.
X Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible at a qualified specialist work-
shop. 6
N The yellow reserve fuel warning lamp is on while the engine is running.
The fuel level has dropped to the reserve range.
X Refuel at the nearest gas station. ?
N The red coolant warning lamp comes on while the engine is running.
On vehicles without steering wheel buttons, the coolant temperature gauge is at
the start of the bar display
(Y page 178).
On vehicles with steering wheel buttons, the coolant temperature gauge is at
the start of the scale in the instrument cluster ( Y page 40).
The temperature sensor for the coolant temperature gauge is faulty.
The coolant temperature is no longer being monitored. There is a risk of engine
damage if the coolant temperature is too high.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic conditions,
and switch off the engine. Do not continue driving under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away (Y page
138).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Indicator and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
233
On-board computer and displays Z