2020 MERCEDES-BENZ METRIS steering

Useful information
This Operator's Manual describes all models
as well as standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle that were available at the time of
going to print. Country-specific variations are
possible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the described functions.
This also applies to systems and functions rel-
evant to safety.
Read the information on qualified specialist
workshops (Y page
32).Breaking-in notes
Important safety notes
In certain driving and driving safety systems,
the sensors adjust automatically while a cer-
tain distance is being driven after the vehicle
has been delivered or after repairs. Full system
effectiveness is not reached until the end of
this teach-in procedure.
New or replaced brake pads and brake discs
only reach their optimal braking effect after a
few hundred kilometers of driving. Until then,
compensate for this by applying greater force
to the brake pedal. The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
For the service life and economy of your vehi-
cle it is crucial that you break in the engine
with due care.
R Therefore, protect the engine for the first
1000 miles (1500 km

) by driving at varying
vehicle and engine speeds.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle and high
engine speeds during this period, e.g. driv-
ing at full throttle. Do not exceed Ø of the
permissible maximum speed for each gear.
R Do not change down a gear manually in
order to brake.
R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown).
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you can increase
the engine speed gradually and accelerate the
vehicle to full speed.
i You should also observe these notes on
breaking-in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Flammable materials introduced through
environmental influence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system
or parts of the engine that heat up. There is
a risk of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could
affect, for example, the power steering and
the brake boosting effect. You will require
considerably more effort to steer and brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake
can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident.
Release the parking brake fully before driv-
ing off.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to the
desired drive position when the vehicle is
stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery roads.
You could otherwise damage the drive train. 126
Driving
Driving and parking

Key positions
g
To insert/remove the key, to lock the
steering wheel
1 To unlock the steering wheel, power sup-
ply for some consumers (e.g. the radio)
2 To switch on the ignition, power supply for
all consumers, preglow and drive position
3 To start the engine
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle, it
can still be turned in the ignition lock. How-
ever, the ignition will not be switched on.
The engine cannot be started. Preparing for a journey
Visual check of the vehicle exterior X
In particular, check the following compo-
nents on the vehicle, and on the trailer as
necessary:
R
license plates, vehicle lighting, turn sig-
nals, brake lamps and wiper blades for
dirt and damage
R tires and wheels for firm seating, correct
tire pressure and general condition
R trailer tow hitch for play and security
The trailer coupling is one of the most
important vehicle parts with regard to
road safety. Observe the notes on opera-
tion, care and maintenance of the trailer
tow hitch (see the manufacturer's operat-
ing instructions).
X Rectify any noticeable defects before com-
mencing the journey. Checks in the vehicle Emergency equipment/first-aid kit
X Check the equipment to make sure that it is
accessible, complete and ready for use.
The first aid and breakdown assistance equip-
ment is located:
R in the front door stowage compartments
R in the seat base of the left front seat
R in the rear stowage compartment on the
right-hand side of the vehicle
(Y page 270)
Vehicle lighting
X Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition
lock.
X Check the lighting system with the aid of a
second person.
X Replace defective bulbs (Y page
105). Before driving off
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict
the clearance around the pedals or block a
depressed pedal. This jeopardizes the oper-
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is
a risk of an accident.
Stow all objects securely in the vehicle so
that they do not get into the driver's foot-
well. When using floormats or carpets, make
sure that they are properly secured so that
they do not slip or obstruct the pedals. Do
not place several floormats or carpets on
top of one another. G
WARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct
usage of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals. Driving
127
Driving and parking Z

G
WARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position N when you switch off the
engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a
risk of an accident.
Before switching off the engine, always
switch to parking position P. Prevent the
parked vehicle from rolling away by applying
the parking brake.
! When the engine is switched off, rolling in
idle i can damage the power transmission
and result in transmission damage.
Always observe the instructions and safety
notes under "Tow starting and towing away"
( Y page
274).
Bear in mind that power transmission between
the engine and the transmission is interrupted
when the engine is switched off. For this rea-
son, shift the automatic transmission to trans-
mission position j before switching off the
engine when the vehicle is stationary. Apply
the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from
rolling away. DIRECT SELECT lever
Overview of the transmission shift
system j
Park position with parking lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral
h Drive
The DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right of the
steering column.
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to its
original position. The display in the instrument cluster shows the current transmission posi-
tion j, k, i or h (Y page

132).
Selecting transmission positions !
If the engine speed is too high or the vehi-
cle is coasting, do not shift the automatic
transmission directly from h to k, from
k to h or directly to j. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission may be damaged.
! Only move the automatic transmission to
k when the vehicle is stationary.
X If park position j is selected, depress the
brake pedal to change the transmission
position.
X Drive position h: push the DIRECT
SELECT lever down beyond the 1st point of
resistance.
X Reverse gear k: push the DIRECT SELECT
lever upwards beyond the 1st point of
resistance.
X Neutral i: push the DIRECT SELECT lever
up or down as far as the 1st point of resist-
ance.
i When you switch off the engine, the auto-
matic transmission automatically shifts into
neutral i.
X Park position j: push the button of the
DIRECT SELECT lever in the direction of the
arrow j.
Park position j is engaged automatically in
the following situations:
R if you pull out the key.
R if you open the driver's door when the vehi-
cle is stationary or when driving at a very
low speed and the transmission is in posi-
tion h or k.
To maneuver with an open driver's door, open
the driver's door while stationary and engage
transmission position h or k again.
If you want the automatic transmission to
remain in neutral i after you switch off the
engine, you must leave the key in the ignition
lock. Automatic transmission
131
Driving and parking Z

Shift ranges
:
To shift down and restrict the shift range
; To shift up and derestrict the shift range
In transmission position h and drive pro-
grams E and C, you can use the steering wheel
paddle shifters to change gear yourself and
restrict or derestrict the shift range of the
automatic transmission.
X To shift down and restrict the shift
range:
briefly pull left steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear down, depending on the gear cur-
rently engaged. The shift range is also
restricted.
The transmission position indicator also
shows the set shift range, e.g. D2. The auto-
matic transmission shifts only as far as the
relevant gear.
or X Pull and hold left steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission will shift to a
range which allows easy acceleration and
deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more gears
and restricts the shift range.
The transmission position indicator also
shows the set shift range, e.g. D2. The auto-
matic transmission shifts only as far as the
relevant gear.
The automatic transmission does not shift
down if you pull the left steering wheel pad-
dle shifter whilst traveling at too high a
speed. If the maximum engine speed for the
restricted shift range is reached and you
continue to depress the accelerator pedal,
the automatic transmission will shift up
automatically. This protects the engine from
overrevving. X
To shift up and extend the shift range:
briefly pull right steering wheel paddle
shifter
;.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
next gear up, depending on the gear cur-
rently engaged. This derestricts the shift
range at the same time.
If the display shows only transmission posi-
tion h, the shift range restriction is can-
celed.
X To derestrict the shift range: pull and hold
right steering wheel paddle shifter ;.
The automatic transmission shifts up one or
more gears depending on the gear currently
engaged. At the same time, the shift range
restriction is canceled and the display
shows transmission position D .
Shift ranges and driving situations =
Use the engine's braking effect.
5
Use the braking effect of the engine
on steep downhill gradients and for
driving:
R on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
Use the braking effect of the engine
on extremely steep downhill gradi-
ents and long downhill stretches.
Drive programs
General notes You can use the program selector button to
choose between different drive programs for
the automatic transmission, depending on the
engine. Engine management and the gearshift-
ing characteristics of the automatic transmis-
sion change depending on which drive pro-
gram is selected. Thus, a more comfort-orien-
ted, a more economical, or a sportier driving
style is supported, depending on the wish of
the driver. Selecting drive program M deacti-
vates automatic gearshifting, requiring that
you change gear manually.
After the engine is started, the automatic
transmission automatically switches to drive
program C (Comfort) for a comfortable and
economical driving style. Automatic transmission
133Driving and parking Z

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

Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
X Disconnect the battery (Y page 260).
or X Connect the battery to a trickle charger.
Be sure to observe the notes on charging
the batteries

(Y page 262).
You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist work-
shop.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
6 weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as a
result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice. Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could
affect, for example, the power steering and
the brake boosting effect. You will require
considerably more effort to steer and brake.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
Mobile communications equipment distracts
the driver from traffic conditions. In addi-
tion, the driver could lose control of the
vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
As a driver, use mobile communications
equipment only when the vehicle is at a
standstill.
As a vehicle occupant, use mobile communi-
cations equipment only in the designated
area, e.g. the rear passenger compartment. Observe the legal requirements of the country
in which you are driving. Some jurisdictions
prohibit the driver from using a mobile phone
while driving a vehicle.
Always use the hands-free system for tele-
phoning while driving. Only use the telephone
if road traffic conditions permit. If this is not
the case, pull over to a safe location before
using the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately

50 km/h), your vehicle is cov-
ering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
Drive sensibly – save fuel In order to save fuel, observe the following
tips:
X The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
X Remove unnecessary loads.
X Remove roof carriers when they are not nee-
ded.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X Have all maintenance work carried out as
indicated by the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or by the service inter-
val display.
Fuel consumption also increases when driving
in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in
mountainous terrain.
Overrun cutoff If you are in overrun mode and take your foot
off the accelerator pedal, the fuel supply is cut
off when the engine speed is out of the idle
speed control range.
Drinking and driving G
WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident is greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive. 140
Driving tips
Driving and parking

Driving on flooded roads
!
Do not drive through flooded areas. Check
the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water could enter the
vehicle interior or engine compartment. It
can then damage the engine's or automatic
transmission's electronic components. It
can also be sucked in by the engine's air
intake connection and cause engine dam-
age.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on
which water has collected, please bear in mind
that: R the water level of standing water should not
be above the lower edge of the front
bumper
R you must not drive faster than walking
speed Driving in winter
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.
! An accumulation of snow and ice, particu-
larly when frozen, caught in the area around
the air intake slots, moving parts, the axles
and the wheel arches may:
R restrict air intake
R damage vehicle parts
R cause malfunctions by restricting the
mobility intended by the design (e.g.
reduced possible steering input).
Regularly check the vehicle and remove
snow or ice when traveling in wintry condi-
tions.
If there is any damage, inform a qualified
specialist workshop.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission may
only briefly coast in neutral position N.
Extended coasting of the wheels, e.g. when
towing, results in transmission damage. Have your vehicle winterized at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery roads.
Avoid sudden acceleration, steering and brak-
ing maneuvers. Do not use cruise control.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position i.
X Try to maintain control of the vehicle using
corrective steering.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-
played after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the freezing
point do not guarantee that the road surface is
free of ice. The road may still be icy, especially
in wooded areas or on bridges. If you do not
adjust your driving style, the vehicle may start
to skid. Always adapt your driving style and
drive at a speed to suit the prevailing weather
conditions.
You should pay special attention to road con-
ditions when temperatures are around freezing
point.
You can find further information under:
R "M+S tires" ( Y page
280)
R "Snow chains" (Y page 281)
R "Driving with summer tires" (Y page 280)
Also observe the notes under "Winter opera-
tion" (Y page 280). Driving off-road
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or
turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle
could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is
a risk of an accident.
Always drive on a steep incline in the line of
fall (straight up or down) and do not turn the
vehicle. 144
Driving tips
Driving and parking

G
WARNING
When driving off-road, your body is subject
to forces from all directions, due to the
uneven surface. You could be thrown from
your seat, for instance. There is a risk of
injury.
Always wear a seat belt, even when driving
off-road. G
WARNING
If you drive over obstacles or in ruts, the
steering wheel may jerk out of your grip,
causing injury to your hands.
Always hold the steering wheel firmly with
both hands. When driving over obstacles,
you must expect steering forces to increase
briefly and suddenly. G
WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact
with hot parts of the exhaust system. There
is a risk of fire.
When driving on an unpaved road or off-
road, check the vehicle underside regularly.
In particular, remove trapped plant parts or
other flammable material. Contact a quali-
fied specialist workshop immediately if dam-
age is detected.
! When driving off-road or on unpaved surfa-
ces, check the underside of the vehicle as
well as the wheels and tires at regular inter-
vals. In particular, remove trapped foreign
objects, such as stones and branches.
Such foreign objects could:
R damage the chassis, the fuel tank or the
brake system
R cause imbalance and thereby vibrations
R be thrown out as you continue your jour-
ney
If there is any damage, inform a qualified
specialist workshop.
When driving off-road and on construction
sites, sand, mud and water mixed with oil, for
example, may get into the brakes. This may
lead to a reduction in braking performance or
total brake failure, also as a result of increased wear. The braking characteristics will vary
depending on the material that has got into
the system. Clean the brakes after driving off-
road. If you then notice reduced braking per-
formance or hear scraping noises, have the
brake system checked at a qualified specialist
workshop. Adjust your driving style to the
changed braking characteristics.
Driving off-road or on construction sites
increases the possibility of vehicle damage
which may in turn lead to the failure of certain
assemblies and systems. Adapt your driving
style to the off-road driving conditions. Drive
carefully. Have any vehicle damage rectified at
a qualified specialist workshop as soon as pos-
sible.
When loading your vehicle for driving off-road
or on a construction site, keep the vehicle's
center of gravity as low as possible.
Rules for driving off-road !
Always bear the vehicle's ground clear-
ance in mind and avoid obstacles, e.g. deep
ruts.
Obstacles may damage the following parts
of the vehicle:
R the chassis
R the drive train
R the fuel and supply tanks
For this reason, you should always drive
slowly when driving off-road. If you have to
drive over obstacles, have the front
passenger direct you.
i We recommend that you additionally carry
a shovel and a recovery rope with shackle in
the vehicle.
R Ensure that loads and items of luggage are
securely stowed or lashed down
(Y page
242).
R Before driving off-road, stop the vehicle and
shift to a low gear.
R If the surface requires, temporarily deacti-
vate ESP ®
when pulling away (Y page 69).
R Only drive off-road with the engine running
and a gear engaged.
R Drive slowly and smoothly. Walking pace is
necessary in many situations.
R Avoid spinning the drive wheels.
R Make sure that the wheels always remain in
contact with the ground. Driving tips
145
Driving and parking Z