2020 MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS trailer

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear down, depending on the engine
speed.
X Ease off on the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts up again.
Rocking the vehicle free At speeds up to 5 mph (9 km/h) you can
switch back and forth between drive position
h and reverse gear
k without applying the
brakes. This helps when rocking the vehicle
out of snow or slush.
X Push the DIRECT SELECT lever alternately
up and down beyond the first point of resist-
ance.
Towing a trailer X
Depending on the downhill gradient, limit
the shift range
(Y page 133) or shift man-
ually into a lower gear (Y page 135) in which the engine will operate in the middle
of the engine speed range. This also applies
if cruise control is activated. Manual gearshifting
General notes If you select drive program
M, automatic gear-
shifting is deactivated and manual gearshifting
is automatically activated. You must then per-
manently change gear yourself for as long as
the drive program is selected.
Permanent manual gearshifting is deactivated
automatically when you switch from drive pro-
gram M to another drive program. The auto-
matic transmission then shifts gears automati-
cally. The display shows the selected drive
program and transmission position h again. Shifting gears
:
To shift down
; To shift up
The drive program display shows M and the
transmission position indicator shows the
selected gear.
X To shift up: briefly pull right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter ;.
If the engine speed is sufficient, the auto-
matic transmission shifts up to the next
gear.
If the maximum engine speed is reached in
the currently engaged gear and you con-
tinue to accelerate, the automatic transmis-
sion will not shift up automatically. Always
make sure that the engine speed does not
reach the red area of the tachometer.
Observe the gearshift recommendation in
the display

(Y page 136). When the engine
reaches its maximum speed, the fuel supply
is cut to prevent the engine from overrev-
ving.
X To shift down: pull briefly on left-hand
steering wheel paddle shifter :.
Provided that the engine will not exceed its
maximum speed when shifting down, the
automatic transmission shifts down to the
next gear.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter until the automatic transmission
selects the optimum gear for the current
speed.
i When coasting, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts down automatically. Automatic transmission
135
Driving and parking Z

Vehicles with halogen headlamps
The headlamps do not need to be switched to
symmetrical low beam. The legal requirements
of countries in which traffic drives on the
opposite side of the road to the country where
the vehicle is registered are met without the
need to convert the headlamps. Transport by rail
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be sub-
ject to certain restrictions or require special
measures to be taken in some countries due
to varying tunnel heights and loading stand-
ards.
You can obtain information on this from any
Mercedes-Benz Commercial Van Center. Braking
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface
in an attempt to increase the engine's brak-
ing effect, the drive wheels could lose their
grip. There is an increased danger of skid-
ding and accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients !
Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
This also applies to automatic braking if you
have activated cruise control.
On long and steep downhill gradients, you
should change down to shift range 2 or 1 in
good time
(Y page 133).
This should be observed in particular when
driving with a laden vehicle and when towing a
trailer.
You thereby make use of the braking effect of
the engine and do not have to brake as often
to maintain the speed. This relieves the load
on the service brake and prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too quickly. Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal
while driving, the braking system can over-
heat. This increases the stopping distance
and can even cause the braking system to
fail. There is a risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest.
Never depress the brake pedal and the
accelerator pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately.
Drive on for a short while. The brakes are
cooled down more quickly in the airflow.
Wet road surfaces If you have been driving for a long time in
heavy rain without braking, there may be a
delayed response when you first apply the
brakes. This may also occur after driving
through a car wash or deep water.
You must depress the brake pedal more firmly.
Maintain a longer distance to the vehicle in
front.
While paying attention to the traffic conditions,
you should brake the vehicle firmly after driv-
ing on a wet road surface or through a car
wash. This heats the brake discs, so that they
dry more quickly, which protects them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads When driving on salted roads, salt may start to
build up on the brake disks and brake pads.
This can increase braking distances considera-
bly.
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in
front.
To remove any build-up of salt that may have
formed:
X Apply the brakes at the start of the journey,
occasionally during journey and at the end 142
Driving tips
Driving and parking

R
Drive with extreme care over unknown ter-
rain where you can only see for a short dis-
tance. As a precaution, get out of the vehi-
cle to take a look at the route to be taken in
advance.
R Check the water depth before fording.
R Watch out for obstacles (e.g. rocks, holes,
tree stumps and ruts).
R Avoid edges where the surface could crum-
ble or break away.
Checklist after driving off-road !
If you detect damage to the vehicle after
driving off-road, have the vehicle checked
immediately at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Off-road driving places a higher demand on
your vehicle than normal road operation.
Check your vehicle after driving on rough ter-
rain. By doing so you will notice any damage in
good time and reduce the risk of an accident
for yourself and other road users. Clean your
vehicle thoroughly before driving on public
roads.
Observe the following points after driving off-
road, on construction sites and before driving
on public roads:
X Activate ESP ®
(Y page 69).
X Clean the headlamps and tail lamps and
check them for damage.
X Clean the front and rear license plates.
X Clean the windshield, windows and exterior
mirrors.
X Clean the steps, door sills and grab handles.
This increases safety of footing.
X Clean the wheels/tires, wheel housings and
the underbody of the vehicle with a water
jet.
This increases road grip, especially on wet
road surfaces.
X Check the wheels/tires and wheel housings
for trapped foreign objects and remove
them.
Trapped foreign objects can damage the
wheels/tires and may be flung out from the
vehicle when you continue driving.
X Check the underbody for trapped branches
or other parts of plants and remove them.
Trapped branches or other parts of plants
increase the risk of fire and can cause dam- age to fuel lines, brake hoses and the rubber
bellows of axle joints and drive shafts.
X Clean the brake disks, brake pads and axle
joints, particularly after operation in sand,
mud, grit/gravel, water or similarly dirty
conditions.
X Check the entire floor assembly, the tires,
wheels, bodywork structure, brakes, steer-
ing, chassis and exhaust system for any
damage.
X Check the service brake for operating
safety, e.g. carry out a brake test.
X If you notice strong vibrations after driving
off-road, check the wheels and drive train
for foreign objects again. Remove any for-
eign objects which can lead to imbalances
and thus cause vibrations. Driving in mountainous areas
When driving in mountainous areas, note that
the power output of the engine, and with it its
gradient climbing capability, decrease with
increasing altitude. Please take note of this
particularly when driving with a trailer in moun-
tainous areas.
The maximum permissible trailer loads are
valid for journeys at altitudes up to

1100 yds
(1000 m) above sea level with gradients up to
12%.
Information on maximum permissible trailer
loads can be found in your vehicle registration
papers and on the vehicle identification plate
(Y page 304) or under "Trailer loads" ( Y page 315).
When driving at altitudes of 2700 yds
(2500 m) above sea level, the ECO start/stop
function is no longer available.
Notes on braking on downhill gradients can be
found in the "Braking" section (Y page 142). Driving systems
Cruise control
General notes Cruise control maintains the speed of the vehi-
cle for you. It brakes automatically in order to
avoid exceeding the set speed.146
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Warning display
Blind Spot Assist is not active at speeds below
approximately
20 mph (30 km/h). Vehicles in
the monitoring range are then not indicated.
If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring
range of Blind Spot Assist at speeds above
approximately 20 mph (30 km/h), warning
lamp : lights up red in the exterior mirror on
the corresponding side. Warning lamp :
always lights up when a vehicle enters the
blind spot monitoring range from behind or
from the side. When you overtake a vehicle,
the warning only occurs if the difference in
speed is less than 7 mph (11 km/h).
If you select reverse gear, Blind Spot Assist is
inactive.
The intensity of warning lamps : depends on
the brightness of the ambient light and is con-
trolled automatically.
Collision warning If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the cor-
responding turn signal, a double warning tone
sounds once. The warning lamp in the corre-
sponding exterior mirror flashes. If the turn
signal remains on, detected vehicles are indi-
cated by the flashing of the warning lamp in
the exterior mirror. There are no further warn-
ing tones.
Activating Blind Spot Assist X
Make sure that Blind Spot Assist is activa-
ted in the on-board computer (Y page

191).
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
The warning lamps in the exterior mirrors
light up for approximately

1.5 seconds. Status indicators in the status overview submenu
If Blind Spot Assist is activated, the display
shows symbol : in the Status Overview
submenu of the on-board computer
(Y page

189). If you are driving faster than
20 mph (30 km/h), the symbol also shows
radar waves ; between the two vehicles.
Blind Spot Assist is then ready for use.
Towing a trailer If you attach a trailer, make sure that you have
correctly established the electrical connection.
This can be accomplished by checking the
trailer lighting. Blind Spot Assist is then deacti-
vated and the Blind Spot Assist Cur‐
rently Unavail. See Operator's Manual
message appears in the display. Lane Keeping Assist
General notes Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area in front
of your vehicle by means of camera : which
is mounted at the top of the windshield. Lane
Keeping Assist detects lane markings on the
road and can warn you before you leave your
lane unintentionally.
This function is available in the range between
40 mph (60 km/h

) and 125 mph (200 km/h).
A warning may be given if a front wheel
touches a lane marking. It will warn you by Driving systems
153
Driving and parking Z

PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h
). PARKTRONIC is reactiva-
ted at speeds below 10 mph (16 km/h).
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It cannot replace
your own awareness of the immediate sur-
roundings. You are responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and pulling away. Make
sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in the maneuvering area while maneu-
vering and parking in/leaving parking spaces.
! Pay particular attention to obstacles above
or below the sensors when parking, such as
flower pots or trailer towbars. PARKTRONIC
does not recognize such objects when they
are in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle.
You could damage the vehicle or objects.
PARKTRONIC can suffer interference from:
R ultrasonic sources such as a truck's
compressed-air brakes, an automatic car
wash or a pneumatic drill
R attachments to the vehicle, e.g. rear
mounted racks
R number plates (vehicle license plates)
that are not affixed flat against the
bumper
R dirty or icy sensors
Remove a detachable trailer coupling if it is no
longer required. PARKTRONIC measures the
minimum detection range to an obstacle from
the bumper, not the ball coupling.
Range of the sensors PARKTRONIC does not account for obstacles
that are:
R beneath its detection range, e.g. persons,
animals or objects
R above its detection range, e.g. overhanging
loads, overhangs or loading ramps of trucks The sensors must be free of dirt, ice or slush.
Otherwise, they cannot function correctly.
Clean the sensors regularly, taking care not to
scratch or damage them (Y page

267).
Front sensors Center Approx. 39 in
(100 cm

) Corners Approx. 24 in
(60 cm

) Rear sensors
Center Approx. 47 in
(120 cm

) Corners Approx. 31 in
(80 cm

) Minimum distance
Center Approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners Approx. 8 in (20 cm)
If an obstacle is within this range, the corre-
sponding segments of the warning displays
light up and you hear a warning tone. If the
distance falls below the minimum, the dis- Driving systems
157
Driving and parking Z

Towing a trailer
PARKTRONIC detects a coupled trailer if your
vehicle is equipped with the corresponding
electrical installations for trailer towing.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area
when you establish an electrical connection
between your vehicle and a trailer. If you use
an adapter for the socket, remove it from the
socket after detaching the trailer. Otherwise,
PARKTRONIC remains deactivated for the rear
area.
Problems with PARKTRONIC Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsOnly the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
In addition, a warning
tone sounds for approx.
two seconds
PARKTRONIC is then
deactivated.
The indicator lamp of
the f button lights
up and the red seg-
ments in the
PARKTRONIC warning
display go out. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched itself off.
X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. The PARKTRONIC warn-
ing displays implausible
distances.
For example, all the
segments may be lit
even though there is no
obstacle present. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or iced up.
X Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors ( Y page 267).
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock. The license plate or other parts attached near the sensors may not
be secured correctly.
X Check the license plate and attachment parts near the sensors
for correct seating. An external radio or ultrasonic source may be causing interference.
X Check PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Active Parking Assist
General notes Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid. The system uses ultrasound sensors to
measure the road on both sides of the vehicle
and indicates suitable parking spaces. It can
then actively steer and brake the vehicle to
help you to park and exit the parking space.
Active Parking Assist includes the
PARKTRONIC parking aid which indicates visu-
ally and audibly the distance between your vehicle and an obstruction. To do this,
PARKTRONIC uses the ultrasonic sensors of
the Active Parking Assist

(Y page 156).
Important safety notes Active Parking Assist is only an aid. It is not a
substitute for your attention to the immediate
surroundings. You are responsible for safe
maneuvering, parking and pulling away. Make
sure that no persons, animals or objects are in
the maneuvering range. Driving systems
159
Driving and parking Z

When you deactivate PARKTRONIC, Active
Parking Assist will also be deactivated.
For vehicles with a trailer coupling installed,
the minimum length for parking spaces will be
slightly increased.
If you have attached a trailer to your vehicle,
you should not use Active Parking Assist. Once
the electrical connection is established
between your vehicle and the trailer, Active
Parking Assist is no longer available.
PARKTRONIC is then deactivated for the rear
area.
G
WARNING
While parking or pulling out of a parking
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could
result in a collision with another road user.
There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active
Parking Assist parking procedure.
! If they cannot be avoided, drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and at an
obtuse angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may also display spaces
not suitable for parking, e.g.:
R in a zone where parking or stopping is pro-
hibited
R in front of driveways or entrances and exits
R on unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips:
R on narrow roads, drive as closely as possible
past the parking space.
R parking spaces that are littered or over-
grown might be identified or measured
incorrectly.
R parking spaces that are partially occupied
by trailer drawbars might not be identified
as such or be measured incorrectly.
R snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R when transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use Active
Parking Assist.
R never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed. R
always ensure that the tire pressure is cor-
rect This has a direct influence on the park-
ing characteristics of the vehicle.
R if you mount wheels with a different wheel
size, this will have a direct influence on the
parking result.
R if you mount tires from another manufac-
turer, this may have an influence on the
parking result.
R if you drive slowly past the parking space, a
better parking result is achieved.
R pay attention to the PARKTRONIC warning
messages ( Y page
158) during the parking
procedure.
R you can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Parking assistance
will then be canceled and Active Parking
Assist stopped.
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces
that are:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel.
R on straight roads, not bends.
R on the same level as the road, e.g. not on
the pavement.
Detecting parking spaces G
WARNING
If there are objects above the detection
range:
R Active Parking Assist may steer too early
R the vehicle may not stop in front of these
objects
This could cause a collision. There is a risk
of an accident.
If objects are located above the detection
range, stop and deactivate Active Parking
Assist.
Objects located above the detection range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, overhangs or truck loading ramps.
Further information about the detection range
(Y page

157).160
Driving systems
Driving and parking

Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces at right angles to the direction of
travel if:
R two parking spaces are located directly next
to one another
R the parking space is directly next to a low
obstacle such as a low curb
R you forward park
Active Parking Assist does not assist you park-
ing in spaces that are parallel or at right angles
to the direction of travel if:
R the parking space is on a curb
R the system reads the parking space as being
blocked, for example by foliage or grass
paving blocks
R the area is too small for the vehicle to
maneuver into
R the parking space is bordered by an obsta-
cle, e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer :
Detected parking space on the left
; Parking symbol
= Detected parking space on the right
If the driver's seat belt is fastened and all
doors are closed, Active Parking Assist is acti-
vated automatically when driving forwards.
The system is operational at speeds of up to
approximately
22 mph (35 km/h). While in
operation, the system independently locates
and measures parking spaces on both sides of
the vehicle.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R parallel or at right angles to the direction of
travel
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and are at least 59 in (1.5 m) wide
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
and at least 40 in (1.0 m) longer than your
vehicle
R that are at right angles to the direction of
travel and at least 40 in (1.0 m) wider than
your vehicle i
Note that Active Parking Assist cannot
measure the length of a parking space if it is
at right angles to the direction of travel. You
will need to judge whether your vehicle will
fit in the parking space.
When the vehicle is driving at speeds of up to
approximately

20 mph (30 km/h), parking
symbol ; is shown as a status display in the
header.
The system detects and differentiates between
parking spaces which are parallel or at right
angles to the direction of travel. When a park-
ing space is detected, an arrow appears next
to parking symbol ; to indicate which side
the parking space is on. The parking space is
displayed while you are driving past it and until
you are approximately 50 ft (15 m) away from
it.
Active Parking Assist displays parking spaces
on the passenger side as standard. The park-
ing spaces on the driver's side are only dis-
played if you operate the turn signal on the
driver's side. When parking on the driver's
side, you must operate the turn signal until
you have started active parking assistance by
pressing the a button on the steering
wheel.
Parking G
WARNING
If you leave the driver's seat when the vehi-
cle is only being braked by Active Parking
Assist, the vehicle could roll away if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are
tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
R the vehicle is accelerated, e.g. by a vehi-
cle occupant.
There is a risk of an accident.
Before leaving the driver's seat, always
secure the vehicle against rolling away.
If PARKTRONIC detects obstacles, Active Park-
ing Assist brakes automatically during the
parking process. You are responsible for brak-
ing in good time. Driving systems
161
Driving and parking Z