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
Driving and operating245ABS 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.
Control indicator u 3 100.
Fault
If control indicators u and j
illuminate with a message in the
Driver Information Centre, there is a fault in the ABS. The brake system
remains operational but without ABS
regulation.9 Warning
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.
If control indicators u, j , R and
C illuminate, the ABS and ESC are
deactivated and a message is shown
in the Driver Information Centre.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake
9 Warning
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release
button, and apply as firmly as
possible on a downhill or uphill
slope.
To release the parking brake, pull
the lever up slightly, press the
release button and fully lower the
lever.
To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
brake pedal at the same time.
Control indicator j 3 100.
Parking 3 231.
246Driving and operatingRetractable parking brake
Depending on vehicle, the parking
brake lever retracts to the horizontal
position even with the parking brake
applied.
To release the parking brake, press the release button and pull the lever
up slightly, then return the lever to the
horizontal position.
To apply the parking brake, pull the
lever up then release it. The lever
returns to the horizontal position.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.
Brake assist is not available during an
Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 228.
Hill start assist
The system helps prevent unintended movement when driving away on
inclines, depending on the steepness.
When releasing the brake pedal after
stopping on an incline (with the
selector lever in a forward gear or
reverse gear), the brakes remain on
for a further 2 seconds. The brakes
release automatically as soon as the
vehicle begins to accelerate.Caution
The hill start assist cannot
completely prevent vehicle
movement in all situations
(extremely steep gradients, etc.).
If necessary, depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from
rolling backwards.
The hill start assist is not active during
an Autostop.
Stop-start system 3 228.
254Driving and operatingThe indicator light l and the chimes
stop when the system detects that a
collision is not imminent anymore.
Just before the imminent collision, the
system brakes automatically to
reduce the impact speed of the
collision or prohibit a crash.9 Warning
Do not rely on the system to brake
the vehicle. Active emergency
braking will not brake outside of its
operating speed range and only
responds to detected vehicles.
Deactivation and re-activation
Active emergency braking can be
deactivated with the vehicle
stationary and the ignition switched
on:
Toggle through the Driver Information
Centre with the buttons on the right
lever until message Active braking
appears.
To deactivate the system, press and
hold one of the two buttons for
approx. 3 seconds. l illuminates in
the instrument cluster until system is
re-activated again.
To re-activate the system, press and hold one of the two buttons for
approx. 3 seconds. l disappears.
We recommend to deactivate the
system in the vehicle personalisation
in the following cases:
● when the vehicle is being towed
● before using an automatic car wash with ignition switched on
● if the windscreen has been damaged close to the camera
● if the front bumper has been damaged
Conditions for re-activation
The Active emergency brake system
can only be re-activated if:
● the gear lever is not in neutral
● parking brake is not activated
● vehicle is not cornering
System limitations In some cases, the active emergency
braking system may provide an
automatic braking in situations that
seem to be unnecessary, for instance in parking garages, due to traffic signs
in a curve or due to vehicles in
another lane. This is normal
operation, the vehicle does not need
service. Firmly apply the accelerator
Driving and operating255pedal to override the automatic
braking if the situation and the
surroundings permit.
In the following cases, active
emergency braking performance is limited:
● driving on winding or hilly roads
● detecting all vehicles, especially vehicles with a trailer, tractors,
muddy vehicles, etc.
● detecting a vehicle when weather
limits visibility, such as in fog,
rain, or snow
● driving during nighttime
● sensor in the windscreen or radar
unit behind the front bumper
blocked by snow, ice, slush, mud, dirt, etc.
● windscreen damaged or affected
by foreign objects, e.g. stickers
Complete attention is always required
while driving, and you should be
ready to take action and apply the
brakes and / or steer the vehicle to
avoid crashes.Fault
In case the system requires a service,
a message is displayed in the Driver
Information Centre.
Additionally, warning lights l and
j illuminate at the same time.
When the system detects that its
function is not available, warning light l or j illuminates and stays on.
Additionally, a message in the Driver Information Centre appears. The
system may be temporarily disrupted
(for example: radar or camera
obscured by dirt, mud, snow etc.). In
this case, park the vehicle and switch
off the engine. Clean the windscreen
area around the camera and the
detection zone of the radar in the front bumper. When the warning lights and
messages still appear after starting
the vehicle again, seek the
assistance of a workshop.Parking assist9 Warning
It is the driver who bears full
responsibility for the parking
manoeuvre.
Always check the surrounding
area while reversing and using the rear parking assist system.
The parking assist measures the
distance between the vehicle and
obstacles behind and, if available, in
front of the vehicle. It informs and
warns the driver by giving acoustic
signals.
The system consists of four ultrasonic parking sensors in the rear bumper
and, if available, four ultrasonic
parking sensors in the front bumper.
Driving and operating265Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust fitting of towing equipment at
a later date to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
Driving characteristics and towing tips
In the case of trailers with brakes,
attach the breakaway stopping cable.
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the coupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements. For trailers with
low driving stability the use of a
stabiliser is recommended.
A maximum speed of 80 km/h must
not be exceeded, even in countries
where higher speeds are permitted.If the trailer starts snaking, drive more slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 317.
Trailer towing
Trailer loads The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle-dependent and engine-
dependent maximum values which
must not be exceeded. The actual
trailer load is the difference between
the actual gross weight of the trailer
and the actual coupling socket load
with the trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12%.
The permitted trailer load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 m above sea level.Since engine power decreases as
altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10%
for every 1000 m of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than 8%, e.g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 316.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load is specified on the
towing equipment identification plate
and in the vehicle documents. Always aim for the maximum load, especially in the case of heavy trailers. The
vertical coupling load should never
fall below 25 kg.
266Driving and operatingIn the case of trailer loads of
1200 kg or more, the vertical coupling load should not be less than 50 kg.
Rear axle load When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded (including all occupants), the permissible rear
axle load (see identification plate or
vehicle documents) can be exceeded by 15%. If the permissible rear axle
load is exceeded, a maximum speed
of 80 km/h applies and the tyre
pressure must be increased by 20
kPA / 0.2 bar.
Towing equipment For vehicles fitted with towing
equipment, when connected to a
trailer the pitch of the audible warning
changes upon operation of the turn
lights.
The pitch of the audible warning will
change if a turn light on the trailer or
the towing vehicle fails.Trailer stability assist
If the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle / trailer combination is
selectively braked until the snaking
ceases. While the system is working,
keep steering wheel as still as
possible.
Trailer stability assist is a function of
the Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
3 248.Auxiliary features
Power take-off
Activation
To activate the power take-off, with
the vehicle stationary and the engine
idling:
● Set the gearshift lever to neutral (vehicles with manual
transmission automated:
selector lever in position N).
● Depress the clutch pedal.
268Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................269
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 269
Vehicle storage ........................269
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....270
Vehicle checks ........................... 270
Performing work ......................270
Bonnet ..................................... 270
Engine oil ................................. 271
Engine coolant ......................... 272
Power steering fluid .................273
Washer fluid ............................ 273
Brakes ..................................... 274
Brake fluid ............................... 274
Vehicle battery ......................... 274
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....276
Wiper blade replacement ........277
Bulb replacement .......................277
Headlights ............................... 278
Front fog lights ......................... 279
Front turn lights .......................279
Tail lights ................................. 280
Side turn lights ......................... 282
Centre high-mounted brake light ......................................... 282Number plate light...................283
Interior lights ............................ 284
Instrument panel illumination ...285
Electrical system ........................285
Fuses ....................................... 285
Engine compartment fuse box . 286
Instrument panel fuse box .......287
Load compartment fuse box ....288
Vehicle tools .............................. 290
Tools ........................................ 290
Wheels and tyres .......................291
Tyres ....................................... 291
Winter tyres ............................. 291
Tyre designations ....................291
Tyre pressure .......................... 291
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 292
Tread depth ............................. 294
Changing tyre and wheel size . 295
Wheel covers ........................... 295
Tyre chains .............................. 295
Tyre repair kit .......................... 296
Wheel changing .......................299
Spare wheel ............................ 301
Jump starting ............................. 304
Towing ....................................... 306
Towing the vehicle ...................306
Towing another vehicle ...........307Appearance care .......................308
Exterior care ............................ 308
Interior care ............................. 310