2020 MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS automatic transmission

not depress the brake pedal constantly, but
periodically.
Observe the notes on ESP
®
trailer stabilization
( Y page
69).
Driving tips If the trailer begins to swing from side to side:
X Do not accelerate.
X Do not counter-steer.
X Brake if necessary.
i You can reduce the risk of the trailer
swinging and rocking by retrofitting anti-roll
bars or trailer stability programs. Further
information is available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Van Dealer.
R Maintain a greater distance than you would
when driving without towing a trailer.
R Avoid sudden braking. Apply the brakes gen-
tly at first to allow the trailer brake to over-
run. Then, increase the brake force quickly.
R The figures for the gradient climbing capa-
bilities from a standstill refer to sea level.
When driving in mountainous areas, note
that the power output of the engine, and
with it its gradient climbing capability,
decrease with increasing altitude. Coupling up a trailer
Trailer coupled ready for use X
Make sure that the selector lever of the
automatic transmission is in position j.
X On vehicles with an automatic transmission,
ensure that the transmission is in position
j.
X Engage the vehicle's parking brake.
X Close all doors.
X Position the trailer horizontally behind your
vehicle.
X Couple the trailer.
X Establish all electrical and other connec-
tions to the trailer. When doing so, hook the
breakaway cable of the trailer into the eye-
let on the ball coupling.
X Remove the objects that are preventing the
trailer from rolling, e.g. wheel chocks.
X Release the trailer parking brake.
Observe the maximum permissible trailer
dimensions (width and length).
Most federal states and all Canadian provinces
require by law: R Safety chains between the towing vehicle
and the trailer. The chains should be cross-
wound under the trailer drawbar. They must
be fastened to the vehicle's trailer coupling,
not to the bumper or the axle.
Leave enough slack in the chains. This
allows you to drive round tight corners.
R A separate brake system for certain types of
trailer.
R A safety shut-off for braked trailers. Find out
the specific requirements according to the
applicable laws.
If the trailer becomes detached from the
towing vehicle, the safety shut-off applies
the trailer brakes. Towing a trailer
There are numerous legal requirements con-
cerning the towing of a trailer, e.g. speed
restrictions. Many states require a separate
functional braking system for your trailer once
a certain weight limit is exceeded. For reasons
of safety, it is recommended that all trailers
use a separate functional braking system.
Make sure your vehicle/trailer combination
complies with local laws. This not only means
where you live, but also anywhere you are driv-
ing to. Information on this can be obtained
from the police and local authorities. 170
Towing a trailer
Driving and parking

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

Digital speedometer
:
Gearshift recommendation
Automatic transmission (Y page 136)
; Digital speedometer
Use the steering wheel buttons.
X Press = or ; to select the Trip
menu.
X Select the digital speedometer by press-
ing : or 9.
Resetting values Resetting values (example: "From start" trip com-
puter)
Using the steering wheel buttons
X Press = or ; to select the Trip
menu.
X Press : or 9 to select the function
you would like to reset.
X Press a to confirm.
X Press : to select Yes and press a to
confirm. You can reset the values of the following func-
tions:
R Trip odometer
R "From start" trip computer
R "From reset" trip computer Navigation menu
Displaying navigation instructions In the
Navi menu, the display shows the navi-
gation instructions from the audio system and
or the navigation system. Further information
on the audio and/or navigation system can be
found in the separate operating instructions.
Using the steering wheel buttons
X Activate the audio and/or navigation system
(see separate operating instructions).
X Press = or ; to select the Navi
menu.
X Press a to confirm.
Route guidance not active :
Direction of travel
; Current street On-board computer (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)
185
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsTire Pressure Moni‐
tor Currently
Unavailable Due to a source of radio interference, no signals can be received
from the wheel sensors. The tire pressure monitor is temporarily
malfunctioning.
The tire pressure monitor restarts automatically as soon as the
problem has been solved. Wheel Sensor(s)
Missing There is no signal from the tire pressure sensor of one or several
wheels. The pressure of the affected tire is not shown in the display.
X Have the faulty tire pressure sensor replaced at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Tire Pressure Moni‐
tor Inoperative No
Wheel Sensors The wheels installed do not have suitable tire pressure sensors. The
tire pressure monitor is deactivated.
X Install wheels with suitable tire pressure sensors.
The tire pressure monitor is activated automatically after driving
for a few minutes. Tire Press. Moni‐
tor Inoperative The tire pressure monitor is malfunctioning.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicle
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsShift to 'P' or
'N' to Start Engine You have attempted to start the engine in transmission position
k
or h.
X Shift the transmission to position j or i.Auxiliary Battery
Malfunction The auxiliary battery for the transmission is no longer being
charged.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Apply Brake to
Shift from 'P' You attempted to shift the transmission to position
h, k or i
without depressing the brake pedal.
X Depress the brake pedal. Perm. N Activated
Risk of Rolling An additional warning tone sounds. The transmission has been shif-
ted to position i when the vehicle is coasting or being driven.
X Stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal and when the
vehicle is stationary shift the transmission to position j.
X Continue driving by shifting the transmission to position h or
k. Risk of Rolling:
Transmission Not
in P An additional warning tone sounds. The driver's door is open and
the transmission is in position k, i or h.
X Shift the transmission to position j.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away ( Y page 138).Display messages (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)
225
On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsService Required
Do Not Shift Gears
Visit Dealer An additional warning tone sounds. You cannot change the trans-
mission position due to a malfunction.
If transmission position h is selected:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop without shifting transmis-
sion position h.
If transmission position k, i or j is selected:
X Notify a qualified specialist workshop. Reverse Not Poss.
Service Required The transmission is malfunctioning. Transmission position k can-
not be selected.
X Notify a qualified specialist workshop. Transmission Mal‐
function Stop The transmission is malfunctioning. The transmission shifts to neu-
tral i automatically.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions.
X Shift the transmission to position j.
X Notify a qualified specialist workshop. Only Shift to 'P'
when Vehicle is
Stationary The vehicle is still moving.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions.
X Shift the transmission to position j.Ò The tailgate is open.
X Close the tailgate. Ñ The rear-end door is open.
X Close the rear-end door/doors. Ó An additional warning tone sounds. The hood is open.
G WARNING
The open hood may then block your view when the vehicle is in
motion.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle immediately, paying attention to road and traffic
conditions.
X Secure the vehicle to prevent it from rolling away (Y page 138).
X Close the hood. C An additional warning tone sounds while the vehicle is in motion.
The display shows the open door(s).
X Close all doors.226
Display messages (vehicles with steering wheel buttons)
On-board computer and displays

Disconnecting and removing
G
WARNING
During the charging process, a battery pro-
duces hydrogen gas. If a short circuit occurs
or sparks are created, the hydrogen gas can
ignite. There is a risk of an explosion.
R Make sure that the positive terminal of a
connected battery does not come into
contact with vehicle parts.
R Never place metal objects or tools on a
battery.
R It is important that you observe the
described order of the battery terminals
when connecting and disconnecting a bat-
tery.
R When jump-starting, make sure that the
battery poles with identical polarity are
connected.
R It is particularly important to observe the
described order when connecting and dis-
connecting the jumper cables.
R Never connect or disconnect the battery
terminals while the engine is running. G
WARNING
Battery acid is caustic. There is a risk of
injury.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing. Do
not inhale any battery gases. Do not lean
over the battery. Keep children away from
batteries. Wash away battery acid immedi-
ately with plenty of clean water and seek
medical attention.
! You should have all work involving the bat-
tery carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
If, in exceptional circumstances, you need
to disconnect the battery yourself, please
make sure that:
R Secure the vehicle to prevent it from roll-
ing away.
R You have switched off the engine and
removed the key. Make sure the ignition
is switched off. Check to see that there
are no indicator lamps lighting in the instrument cluster. Electronic compo-
nents such as the alternator may other-
wise be damaged.
R After the battery has been disconnected,
the parking brake is automatically
engaged. You can then no longer move
the vehicle.
R For vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is locked in position P
after disconnecting the battery. You can
then no longer move the vehicle.
R You have first removed the negative ter-
minal and then the positive terminal.
Never mix up the terminal clamp discon-
nection/connection order and never mix
up the terminal clamps. The vehicle's
electronics may otherwise be damaged.
The battery and the cover of the positive ter-
minal clamp must be installed securely dur-
ing operation. Seat base (example: right-hand front seat)
The following description on disconnecting
and removing the battery is based upon the
example of the starter battery in the seat base
of the driver's seat. The additional battery is
disconnected and removed in the same way as
the starter battery. The auxiliary battery is
located in the seat base of the left-hand front
seat.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Switch off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition lock.
X Open the front door on the right-hand side.
i To disconnect or remove the additional
battery, open the left-hand front door. The
auxiliary battery is located in the seat base
of the left-hand front seat. 260
BatteryMaintenance and care

!
Secure the tow rope or tow bar to the tow-
ing eye or trailer tow hitch only. Otherwise,
the vehicle could become damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
this could damage the vehicle. If in doubt,
recover the vehicle with a crane.
! Drive slowly and smoothly when towing.
Excessive tractive power could otherwise
damage the vehicles.
! Shift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion i and do not open the driver's or front
passenger's door during towing. The auto-
matic transmission may otherwise shift to
position j, which could damage the trans-
mission.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum
distance of 30 miles (50 kilometers). A tow-
ing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be
exceeded.
For towing distances over 30 miles
(50 kilometers), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
When towing away, you must observe the legal
requirements for the country in which you are
currently driving.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
Have the vehicle transported on a transporter
or trailer if it has transmission damage.
The automatic transmission must be in posi-
tion i when the vehicle is being towed away.
If the automatic transmission cannot be shif-
ted to position i, have the vehicle transpor-
ted on a transporter or trailer.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the key to position 2 in the
ignition lock.
R cannot shift the transmission to position i.
Before the vehicle is towed, switch off the
automatic locking feature (Y page 76). You could otherwise lock yourself out of the vehi-
cle when pushing or towing away the vehicle. Installing/removing the towing eye
The fixture for the front towing eye is located in
the bumper. The rear towing eye is located under the bumper.
If you tow or tow-start a vehicle, attach the
towing device to rear towing eye
;.
If your vehicle is equipped with a trailer tow
hitch, attach the towing device to the trailer
tow hitch (Y page

168).
Installing the front towing eye
X Take the towing eye and screwdriver from
the vehicle tool kit (Y page

270).
X Press the arrow on the cover : and remove
cover : from the opening.
You will see the fixture for the towing eye.
X Screw in the towing eye clockwise to the
stop.
X Insert the screwdriver into the towing eye
and tighten the towing eye.
X Stow the screwdriver in the vehicle tool kit
(Y page

270).
Removing the front towing eye
X Remove the screwdriver from the vehicle
tool kit

(Y page 270).
X Insert the screwdriver into the towing eye
and turn the screwdriver counter-clockwise. Tow-starting and towing away
275
Breakdown assistance Z

X
Unscrew the towing eye.
X Insert cover : with the lug at the top and
press it in at the bottom until it engages.
X Stow the towing eye and the screwdriver
with the vehicle tool kit (Y page
270).Towing with the rear axle raised
! Vehicles with automatic transmission must
not be towed with the rear axle raised. The
vehicle/trailer combination may otherwise
swerve or even roll over.
! The ignition must be switched off if the
vehicle is being towed with the front or rear
axle raised. Otherwise, ESP ®
may intervene
and damage the brake system.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page

101).
X Turn the front wheels to the straight-ahead
position.
X Release the parking brake.
X If necessary, turn the key in the ignition lock
to position g and remove the key from the
ignition lock.
X Take the key with you when leaving the vehi-
cle.
X Do not exceed the towing speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h

).
Please observe the important safety instruc-
tions when towing your vehicle with the rear
axle raised

(Y page 274). Towing the vehicle with both axles
on the ground
Important safety notes G
WARNING
You can no longer steer the vehicle if the
steering wheel lock has been engaged.
There is a risk of an accident.
Always switch off the ignition when towing
the vehicle with a tow cable or a tow bar.
! Do not exceed the towing speed of
30 mph

(50 km/h). You could otherwise
damage the transmission. Please observe the important safety notes
before towing your vehicle

(Y page 274).
Towing vehicles with automatic trans-
mission X
Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the automatic transmission to position
i.
X Leave the key in position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps
(Y page

101).
X Release the parking brake.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Do not exceed the towing speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h

). Recovering a vehicle that is stuck
! When recovering a vehicle that has
become stuck, pull it as smoothly and
evenly as possible. If the tractive power is
too high, the vehicles could be damaged.
If the drive wheels get trapped on loose or
muddy ground, recover the vehicle with the
utmost care. This is especially the case if the
vehicle is laden.
Never attempt to recover a vehicle with a
trailer attached.
Pull out the vehicle backwards, if possible,
using the tracks it made when it became
stuck. Transporting the vehicle
! You may only secure the vehicle by the
wheels, not by parts of the vehicle such as
axle or steering components. Otherwise, the
vehicle could be damaged.
The towing eye or trailer tow hitch can be used
to pull the vehicle onto a trailer or transporter
if you wish to transport it. 276
Tow-starting and towing away
Breakdown assistance