Driving and operating149In manual mode, no automatic
shifting to a higher gear takes place
at high engine revolutions.
Gear shift indication
The symbol R or S with a number
beside it is indicated when
gearshifting is recommended for fuel
saving reasons.
Shift indication appears only in
manual mode.
Electronic driving programmes
● Following a cold start, the operating temperature
programme increases engine
speed to quickly bring the
catalytic converter to the required
temperature.
● Special programmes automatically adapt the shifting
points when driving up inclines or
down hills.
● In snowy or icy conditions or on other slippery surfaces, the
electronic transmission controlenables the driver to select
manually first, second or third gear for starting off.
Kickdown
Pressing down the accelerator pedal
beyond the kickdown detent will lead to maximum acceleration
independent of selected driving
mode. The transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on engine speed.
Fault
In the event of a fault a message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre.
Vehicle messages 3 106.
Electronic transmission control
enables only third gear. The
transmission no longer shifts
automatically.
Do not drive faster than 62 mph.
Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.Interruption of power supply
In the event of an interruption of
power supply, the selector lever
cannot be moved out of the P
position.
If the vehicle battery is discharged,
start the vehicle using jump leads
3 242.
If the vehicle battery is not the cause
of the fault, release the selector lever.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Release the selector lever trim from the centre console. Poke
with a finger into the leather
socket below the selector lever
and push the trim upwards.
Driving and operating151Drive systems
Drive modes The plug-in hybrid vehicle provides
several 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 95.
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 3 151
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 84 mph.
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.
152Driving and operatingAll-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 3 100
Info Display 3 102
All-wheel drive is available for speeds below 84 mph.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 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 95.
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 96.
156Driving and operatingRide 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 96.
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 30 mph.
158Driving and operatingESC off mode 9
The ESC and Traction Control are
deactivated in this mode.
A LED in the button a illuminates.
ESC and Traction Control are
reactivated automatically from
30 mph or everytime the ignition is
switched on.
Standard mode 2
This mode is calibrated for a low level of wheel spin, based on the different
types of grip generally encountered in normal day to day driving.
Everytime the ignition is switched off,
the system is automatically reset to
this mode.
Snow mode 3
This mode adapts to the grip
conditions encountered by each
wheel when starting.
When advancing, the system
optimises wheel spin to guarantee the best acceleration based on theavailable traction. Recommended in
cases of deep snow and steep
inclines.
This mode is active up to a speed of
30 mph.
Mud mode 4
This mode allows considerable wheel
spin at start-up for the wheel with the
least grip, this removes mud and re- establishes traction.
Simultaneously, the wheel with the
most grip is provided with the most
torque possible.
This mode is active up to a speed of 50 mph.
Sand mode 1
This mode allows a small amount of
simultaneous wheel spin on the two
drive wheels, enabling the vehicle to
advance and reduce the risk of
sinking.
This mode is active up to a speed of
75 mph.Caution
Do not use the other modes on
sand as the vehicle may become
stuck.
Sport mode
Sport mode adapts the settings of
some vehicle systems to a sportier
driving style.
Activation
Press SPORT when engine is
running.
Driving and operating159LED in the button illuminates when
sport mode is active and a status
message appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
Deactivation Briefly press SPORT. Sport mode is
deactivated the next time the ignition
is switched on.Driver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds above 25 mph.
Additionally at least the third gear
must be engaged on manual
transmission, on automatic
transmission position D or the second
or a higher gear in position M must be
selected.
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds above 40 km/h.
Additionally at least the third gear
must be engaged on manual
transmission, on automatic
transmission position D or the second
or a higher gear in position M must be
selected.
Deviations from the stored speeds
may occur when driving uphill or
downhill.
The system maintains the vehicle
speed at the preset speed by the
driver, without any action on the
accelerator pedal.
The preset speed can be exceeded
temporarily by pressing the
accelerator pedal firmly.
The status and preset speed is
displayed in the Driver Information Centre.
Do not use the cruise control if it is not advisable to maintain a constant
speed.
Control indicator m 3 99.
Driving and operating161Adopting speed by the speed limitrecognition
The intelligent speed adaptation
informs the driver when a speed limit
is detected by the speed limit
recognition. The detected speed limit
can be used as new value for the
cruise control.
Using the camera at the top of the
windscreen, this system detects and
reads speed limit and end of speed
limit signs.
If the cruise control is active, the
recognised speed limit will be
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre and MEM illuminates.
Press MEM on the steering wheel to
request saving of the suggested
speed.
Press MEM on the steering wheel
once more to confirm and save the
new speed setting.
This speed is the new value for the
cruise control.
The function can be deactivated or activated in the personalisation menu
3 107.Exceeding the set speed
Vehicle speed can be increased by
depressing the accelerator pedal. When the accelerator pedal is
released, the previously stored speed is resumed.
Deactivation of the functionality Press Ñ, cruise control is in pause
mode and a message is displayed.
The vehicle is driven without cruise
control.
Cruise control is deactivated, but not
switched off. Last stored speed
remains in memory for later speed
resume.
Cruise control is deactivated
automatically:
● The brake pedal is depressed.
● Vehicle speed is below 25 mph.
● The Traction Control system or Electronic Stability Control is
operating.
● The selector lever is in N
(automatic transmission), first or
second gear (manual
transmission).Resume stored speed
Move thumb wheel to RES/+ at a
speed above 25 mph. The stored
speed will be obtained.
Switching off the system
Press m, the cruise control mode is
deselected and the cruise control
indication extinguishes in the Driver
Information Centre.
Pressing ß to activate the speed
limiter deactivates cruise control.
Switching off the ignition cancels any
programmed speed value.
Fault
In the event of a cruise control fault, the speed is cleared resulting in
flashing of the dashes.
The speed limit recognition may not
operate correctly if traffic signs do not comply with the Vienna Convention
on Road Signs and Signals.
162Driving and operatingSpeed limiter
The speed limiter prevents the vehicle from exceeding a preset
maximum speed.
The maximum speed can be set at
speeds above 18 mph.
The driver can accelerate the vehicle
up to the preset speed. Deviations
from the limited speed may occur
when driving downhill.
The preset speed can be exceeded
temporarily by pressing the
accelerator pedal fully.
The status and preset speed limit are
displayed in the Driver Information
Centre.Switching on the system
Press ß, symbol ß and a message
are displayed in the Driver
Information Centre. The system is still not active.
Activation of the functionality
Setting speed by the driver