Page 153 of 283
Driving and operating1513. Push down the button and movethe selector lever out of P. Have
the cause of the power supply
interruption remedied by a
workshop.
4. Mount the selector lever trim onto
the centre console and refit.Manual transmission
To engage reverse on 6-speed
transmission, depress the clutch
pedal, pull the ring under the selector
lever and move the selector lever
quite to the left and front.
If the gear does not engage, set the
selector lever to neutral, release the
clutch pedal and depress again. Then
repeat gear selection.
Do not slip the clutch unnecessarily.
When operating, depress the clutch
pedal completely. Do not use the
pedal as a foot rest.
When clutch slip is detected for a specific time, the engine power will be reduced. A warning is displayed in the
Driver Information Centre. Release
the clutch.Caution
It is not advisable to drive with the hand resting on the selector lever.
Gear shift indication 3 97.
Stop-start system 3 139.
Page 154 of 283

152Driving and operatingDrive systems
Drive modes The plug-in hybrid vehicle providesseveral drive modes.
The drive modes can be selected via
the drive mode selector. The selected
drive mode is indicated in the Driver
Information Centre and in the Driver
Info Display. Selecting a drive mode
is only possible if READY is displayed
in the instrument cluster.
Hybrid system active 3 96.
AWD
The all-wheel drive mode improves
the grip of the vehicle. The vehicle is
driven by front and rear axle.
Depending on the driving situation
and the charge level of the high
voltage battery, the vehicle can be
driven 100% electrically.
All-wheel drive 3 152
Sport
This mode combines the power of the combustion engine and the electrical
engine for a dynamic driving style.
Hybrid
Hybrid mode focuses on optimising
the vehicle's fuel consumption.
Combustion engine and electrical
engine operate together or in
alternation depending on driving
conditions and driving style.
Electric
In this mode, the vehicle is driven by
the electric engine only. Electric
mode is the default mode.Electric propulsion is available for
speeds below 135 km/h.
All-wheel drive The all-wheel drive system enhances
driving characteristics and stability,
and helps to achieve the best
possible driveability.
In all-wheel drive mode, the front axle is driven by the combustion engine or
the electrical engine, the rear axle is
driven by a second electrical engine.
Page 155 of 283

Driving and operating153All-wheel drive mode can be
activated using the driving mode
switch. Activation is shown in the
Driver Information Centre and the Info
Display.
Driver Information Centre 3 101
Info Display 3 103
All-wheel drive is available for speeds below 135 km/h.Brakes
The brake system comprises twoindependent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when the brake pedal
is depressed firmly. Considerably
more force is needed for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing the journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has
been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator m 3 96.
Antilock brake system Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
When braking in an emergency, the
hazard warning flashers are switched
on automatically depending on the
force of deceleration. They are
switched off automatically the first
time you accelerate.
After starting off, the system performs
a self-test which may be audible.
Control indicator u 3 97.
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154Driving and operatingFault9Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
9 Warning
Before leaving the vehicle, check
parking brake status. Control
indicator j illuminate constantly
when electric parking brake is
applied.
Electric parking brake
Applying when vehicle is stationary
9 Warning
Pull switch m for a minimum of
1 second until control indicator m
illuminates constantly and electric
parking brake is applied 3 96 . The
electric parking brake operates automatically with adequate force.
Before leaving the vehicle, check
the electric parking brake status.
Control indicator m 3 96.
The electric parking brake can always
be activated, even if the ignition is off.
Do not operate electric parking brake
system too often without engine
running as this will discharge the
vehicle battery.
Releasing
Switch on ignition. Keep foot brake
pedal depressed and then push
switch j.
Drive away function
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Depressing the clutch pedal and then slightly releasing the clutch pedal and
slightly depressing the accelerator
pedal releases the electric parking
brake automatically. This is only
possible if the automatic operation of
the electric parking brake is activated. It is not possible when switch m is
pulled at the same time.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: Engaging D and then depressing the
accelerator pedal releases the
electric parking brake automatically.
This is only possible if the automatic
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Driving and operating155operation of the electric parking brake
is activated. It is not possible when
switch m is pulled at the same time.
Braking when vehicle is moving
When the vehicle is moving and the
switch j is kept pulled, the electric
parking brake system will decelerate the vehicle. As soon as the switch
j is released, braking will be
stopped.
The antilock brake system and the
Electronic Stability Control stabilise
the vehicle while the switch j is kept
pulled. If an error of the electric
parking brake occurs, a warning
message is displayed in the driver
information centre. If the antilock
brake system and the Electronic
Stability Control fail, one or both
indicators i and J illuminate in the
instrument cluster. In this case,
stability can only be provided by
repeatedly pulling and pushing the
switch j until the vehicle is
immobilised.Automatic operation
Automatic operation includes
automatic application and automatic
release of the electric parking brake.
The electric parking brake can also be
applied or released manually by using
the switch j.
Automatic application: ● The electric parking brake is automatically applied when the
vehicle is stationary and the
ignition is switched off.
● j illuminates in the instrument
cluster and a display message
pops up to confirm the
application.
Automatic release: ● Parking brake releases automatically after moving off.
● j extinguishes in the
instrument cluster and a display
message pops up to confirm the
release.If the vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission and the brake is not released automatically, make
sure the front doors are correctly
closed.Deactivation of automatic operation 1. Start the engine.
2. If the parking brake is released, apply the parking brake pulling the
switch j.
3. Take your foot off the brake pedal.
4. Press the switch j for at least
10 seconds and maximum
15 seconds.
5. Release the switch m.
6. Press and hold the brake pedal. 7. Pull the switch j for 2 seconds.
The deactivation of the automatic operation of the electric parking brake
is confirmed by o illuminating in the
instrument cluster 3 96. The electric
parking brake can only be applied and
released manually.
To reactivate the automatic
operation, repeat the steps described above.
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156Driving and operatingFunctionality check
When the vehicle is not moving, the
electric parking brake might be
applied automatically. This is done to
check the system.
Fault
Failure mode of electric parking brake
is indicated by a control indicator j
and by a vehicle message which is
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre.
Vehicle messages 3 107.
Control indicator j flashes: electric
parking brake is not fully applied or
released. When continuously
flashing, release electric parking
brake and retry applying.
Brake assist If brake pedal is depressed quickly
and forcefully, maximum brake force
is automatically applied.
Operation of brake assist might
become apparent by a pulse in the
brake pedal and a greater resistance
when depressing the brake pedal.Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal as long as full braking is
required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when brake
pedal is released.
Hill start assist The system helps prevent unintendedmovement when driving away on
inclines.
When releasing the brake pedal after
stopping on an incline, brakes remain
on for further 2 seconds. The brakes
release automatically as soon as the
vehicle begins to accelerate.
Regenerative braking
Regenerative braking generates
electrical energy resulting from
braking to charge the high voltage
battery. Regenerative power may be
limited when the high voltage battery
is fully charged.
If the selector lever is in D, energy is
recuperated when the brake pedal is
depressed.If the selector lever is in B, energy is
recuperated when the accelerator
pedal is lifted.
Automatic transmission electrified
3 147
Page 159 of 283

Driving and operating157Ride control systems
Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control system
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer / oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the wheels are braked individually.
ESC operates in combination with the traction control system. It prevents
the driven wheels from spinning.
The traction control system is a
component of the ESC.
The traction control system improves
driving stability when necessary, regardless of the type of road surface
or tyre grip, by preventing the driven
wheels from spinning.
As soon as the driven wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is brakedindividually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
ESC and traction control system are
operational after each engine start as soon as the control indicator b
extinguishes.
When ESC and traction control
system operate, b flashes.
9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 97.
Deactivation
ESC and traction control system can
be deactivated, everytime it is
required: press a.
The LED in the button a illuminates.
A status message appears in the
Driver Information Centre when ESC
and traction control system are
deactivated.
ESC and traction control system are
reactivated by pressing the a button
again, by applying the brake or in the case that the vehicle is driven faster
than 50 km/h.
Page 160 of 283

158Driving and operatingThe LED in the button a extinguishes
when ESC and traction control
system are reactivated.
ESC and traction control system are
also reactivated the next time the
ignition is switched on.
Fault
If there is a fault in the system, the
control indicator b illuminates
continuously and a message appears
in the Driver Information Centre. The
system is not operational.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Selective ride controlCaution
The vehicle is designed to drive
principally on-road, but it also
enables driving off-road
occasionally.
However, do not drive on terrain
where the vehicle could be
damaged due to obstacles, such
as stones among others and on
terrain with steep inclines and
poor grip.
Do not cross waters.Caution
When driving off-road, sudden
motion and manoeuvres can
cause a collision or losing control.
Selective ride control is designed to
optimise traction in low-grip
conditions (snow, mud and sand).
It adapts to the terrain by acting on the
front wheels, in doing so this saves
the weight normally associated with a more conventional four wheel drive
system.Selective ride control allows to
choose between five driving modes:
● ESC off mode 9
● standard mode 2
● snow mode 3
● mud mode 4
● sand mode 1
The several modes can be activated
by turning the control.
A LED illuminates and a status
message appears in the Driver
Information Centre to confirm the
chosen mode.