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242Driving and operatingStarting the engine
Depress the brake pedal when
starting the engine. If the brake pedal
is not depressed, T illuminates in the
transmission display and the engine
cannot be started.
When the brake pedal is depressed,
the transmission automatically shifts
to N (neutral). "N" appears in the
transmission display and the engine
can be started. There may be a slight delay.
Selector leverAlways move the selector lever in the
appropriate direction as far as it will
go. Upon release, it automatically
returns to the centre position.N:neutralD/M:switch between automatic and manual mode
The transmission display
shows "D" when in automatic
mode.R:reverse gear
Engage only when vehicle is
stationary. The transmission
display shows "R" when
reverse gear is engaged.+:shift to a higher gear.-:shift to a lower gear.
Starting off
When the engine is started, the
transmission is in automatic mode.
Depress the brake pedal and move
the selector lever towards + to
engage first gear.
If R is selected, reverse gear is
engaged. The vehicle starts to move
when the brake pedal is released. To
start off quickly, release the brake
pedal and accelerate immediately
after engaging a gear.
In automatic mode the transmission
shifts to other gears automatically,
dependent on driving conditions.
To engage manual mode, move the
selector lever towards D/M. The
current gear will appear in the
transmission display.
To engage first gear, depress brake
pedal and move selector lever
towards + or -. Shift to a higher or
lower gear by moving selector lever to + or -. Gears can be skipped by
moving the selector lever repeatedly
at short intervals.
Stopping the vehicle In automatic or manual mode,
first gear is engaged and the clutch is
released when the vehicle is stopped.
In R, reverse gear remains engaged.
When stopping on gradients, engage parking brake or depress the brake
pedal. To prevent overheating of the
clutch, an intermittent audible
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Driving and operating243warning may sound as a signal to
depress the brake pedal or apply the
parking brake.
Switch off engine if stopping for a lengthy period, e.g. in traffic jams.
When the vehicle is parked and the
driver's door is opened, a warning
chime will sound if neutral is not
selected or the brake pedal has not
been depressed.
Engine braking
Automatic mode
When driving downhill, the manual transmission automated does not shift into higher gears until a fairly
high engine speed has been reached. It shifts down in good time when
braking.
Manual mode
To utilise the engine braking effect, select a lower gear in good time when driving downhill.Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle is only
permissible if the vehicle is stuck in
sand, mud, snow or a hole. Move the
selector lever between R and D/M (or
between + and -) in a repeat pattern,
while applying light pressure to the
accelerator pedal. Do not race the
engine and avoid sudden
acceleration.
Parking
Apply the parking brake. The most recently engaged gear (see
transmission display) remains
engaged. With N, no gear is engaged.
When the ignition is switched off, the transmission no longer responds to
movement of the selector lever.
If the ignition is not switched off, or the parking brake has not been applied, a
warning chime will sound upon
opening the driver's door.
Manual mode If a higher gear is selected when the
engine speed is too low, or a lower
gear when the speed is too high, theshift is not executed. This prevents
the engine from running at too low or
too high an engine speed.
If engine speed is too low, the
transmission automatically shifts to a
lower gear.
If engine speed is too high, the
transmission only switches to a higher gear via kickdown.
Electronic driving programmes
Laden mode kg
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244Driving and operatingIt is possible to use the Laden mode
in both manual and automatic modes. In both cases, the gearshifting
patterns are adapted automatically
for carrying an increased payload.
Activation
Press kg. Control indicator kg is
shown in the transmission display.
The transmission will then select
optimized gearshift patterns.
Deactivation
The Laden mode is switched off by:
● pressing kg again
● turning off the ignition
Kickdown If the accelerator pedal is pressed
past the pressure point, the
transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on engine speed. Full
engine power is available for
acceleration.
If engine speed is too high the
transmission switches to a higher
gear, even in manual mode. Without
kickdown this automatic shift is not
effected in manual mode.Fault
In the event of a fault, control indicator W is shown in the transmission
display. Continued driving is possible
provided the vehicle is driven with
care and anticipation.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Interruption of power supply The clutch is not disengaged if there
is an interruption of the power supply
when a gear is engaged. The vehicle
cannot move.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 304.
If the cause of the fault is not a
discharged vehicle battery, seek the
assistance of a workshop.
If neutral cannot be selected, the
vehicle must only be towed with the
drive wheels raised off the ground
3 306.
Towing the vehicle 3 306.Brakes
The brake system comprises two
independent 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 you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your 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 R 3 100.
Antilock brake system Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.
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250Driving and operatingFor safety reasons the cruise control
cannot be activated until the brake
pedal has been operated once.
Do not use the cruise control if it is not advisable to maintain a constant
speed.
With manual transmission
automated, only activate cruise
control in automatic mode.
Control indicators m and U 3 103.
Switching on the system
Press m, control indicator U
illuminates green in the instrument
cluster.
Cruise control is now in standby mode
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre.
Accelerate to the desired speed and
press < or ]. The current speed is
now stored and maintained and the
accelerator pedal can be released.
Control indicator m illuminates green
in the instrument cluster together with
U and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre.
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal.
The stored speed flashes in the
instrument cluster. When the
accelerator pedal is released, the
previously stored speed is resumed.
Cruise control remains activated
while gearshifting.
The speed is saved until the ignition
is switched off.
Page 309 of 353

Vehicle care307Caution
Do not tow the vehicle from the
rear. The front towing eye must
only be used for towing and not
recovering a vehicle.
Switch on ignition to permit operation
of brake lights, horn and windscreen
wipers, and move the steering wheel
slightly to release the steering wheel
lock.
Switch off the air suspension system 3 231.
Caution
Deactivate the driver assistance
systems like active emergency
braking 3 253, otherwise the
vehicle may automatically brake during towing.
Move the selector lever to neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Caution
Vehicles with manual
transmission automated: If neutral cannot be selected, the vehiclemust only be towed with the drive
wheels raised off the ground.
The vehicle should always be
towed with the ignition switched
off.
Manual transmission automated
3 241.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
To prevent the entry of exhaust fumes
from the towing vehicle, switch on the air recirculation system 3 209 and
close the windows.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye
and refit the cover.
Towing another vehicle
Attach a tow rope – or better still a tow
rod – to the rear towing eye, never to
the rear axle and suspension units.
Caution
The rear towing eye must only be
used for towing and not recovering a vehicle.