Driving
CO
<
O
rN
IV
rN
t-H
o <
® For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by running it with
the car stationary. You should drive off imme
diately whenever possible. This will help avoid
unnecessary exhaust emissions.
© Note
- Any noises which may be heard when the
engine is started are quite normal and no
cause for concern.
- If
you
leave your vehicle with the ignition
switched on, it will be switched off auto
matically after
a
while. Please note that
electrical equipment such as the exterior
lighting will also be switched off.
Switching off the engine
Applies to: vehicles with convenience key
•
Stop the vehicle.
•
Automatic gearbox: Move the selector lever to
position P.
•
Press the ISTART ENGINE STOP| button
tapage
76, Fig. 70.
Steering
lock15
The steering will be locked if
you
switch off the
engine with the ISTART ENGINE STOP| button,
move the selector lever to position P (on vehicles
with automatic gearbox*) and open the driver's
door. The steering lock acts as a theft deterrent.
Emergency Off function
If necessary in an emergency, the engine can be
switched off while the vehicle is still moving at
speeds of 7 km/h and above. To switch off the
engine, press the ISTART ENGINE STOP| button
twice in quick succession or hold it in for longer
than two seconds.
A WARNING
- Never switch off the engine until the vehicle
is stationary. Otherwise you may not have
the full benefit of the brake servo and pow
er steering. You may need more strength to
steer and brake the vehicle than you nor
mally would. This would mean a greater risk
of accidents and serious injury, because you
cannot steer and brake in the normal
man
ner.
- Always take the key with you when you Leave
the vehicle. Otherwise the engine can be
started or power-operated equipment such
as the electric windows can be used. This
could result in serious injury.
- When parking, always move the selector
lever to position
P
to prevent the vehicle
from rolling back accidentally.
If the engine has been working hard for
a
long
time,
there is a risk of heat building up in the
engine compartment after the engine has
been switched off; this could cause engine
damage. For this reason, you should leave the
engine idling for about 2 minutes before
switching it off.
©
Note
After the engine is stopped, the radiator fan
may remain on or turn itself back on for up to
10 minutes, even if the ignition is switched
off. This may occur for the following reasons:
- Residual heat has raised the coolant
tem
perature.
- Direct sunlight has additionally heated up
the engine compartment while the engine is
warm.
- Applies to vehicles with diesel particulate
filter: The emission control system is hot
because of the regeneration process, even
though the engine has
not
yet reached oper
ating temperature.
Driver messages
Engine running. Warning! Switch off ignition
before leaving car
1J
This function is not available on all export versions.
77
Driving
This message appears
and a
buzzer sounds
if
you
open
the
driver's door while
the
engine
is
run
ning.
Pressing start/stop button again will switch
off
engine.
This message appears
if
you press
the
ISTART
ENGINE
STOPI*
button while
the
vehicle
is moving
<^>page
77,
Emergency
Off
function.
Engine start system: fault. Please contact work
shop
A fault
has
occurred when starting
the
engine
au
tomatically (automatic start function). Drive
to a
qualified workshop soon
and
have
the
fault
recti
fied.
To
start
the
engine, turn
the
ignition
key to
position
@
^>page
74 or
press
the
ISTART
ENGINE
STOPl
button and hold the
key/button until
the
engine starts.
D
Key not
recognised. See owner's manual
This message appears
if
there
is no
convenience
key inside
the
vehicle
or if
the system cannot
de
tect
or
identify
the
key. This
can
happen,
for ex
ample,
if
the radio signal from
the key is
obstruc
ted
by a
metal briefcase
or
similar,
or if the key
battery
is
weak. Electronic equipment, such
as
mobile phones,
can
also interfere with
the
radio
signal from
the key.
The engine
can
still
be
started
or
stopped
if
this
happens (please refer
to
^page
79).
C]
Remote control key: hold back
of key
against marked area.
See
owner's manual
If
the
indicator lamp lights
up and the
message
appears,
a
malfunction
has
occurred
^>page
79.
3
Key not in
vehicle?
3
Remote control key:
key not
recognised.
Is
key still
in
vehicle?
If
the
indicator
lampGB
Lights
up and the
mes
sage appears,
the
convenience
key
was removed
from
the
vehicle while
the
engine
was
running.
If
the convenience
key is not in the
vehicle
you
will
not
be
able
to
switch
on the
ignition
or
restart
the engine after
it has
been switched
off. You
will
also
not be
able
to
lock
the
vehicle from
the
out
side.
Please press brake pedal
This message appears
on
vehicles with
an
auto
matic gearbox
if
you
try to
start
the
engine
with
out first pressing
the
brake pedal.
Please press clutch pedal
This message appears
if
you
try to
start
the en
gine without first pressing
the
clutch pedal.
The
engine will only start
if
you press
the
clutch
ped
al.
Please engage
N or P
This message will appear
if
you
try to
start
or
switch
off the
engine when
the
selector lever
is
not
in N or P. The
engine
can
then
not be
started
or switched
off.
Switch
off
ignition before leaving
car.
Battery
is
being discharged
This message appears
and the
buzzer sounds
if
you open
the
driver's door while
the
ignition
is
switched
on.
Switch
off
the ignition
to
prevent
the vehicle battery from being discharged.
Shift
to P,
vehicle can roll away. Doors can only
be locked
in P
For safety reasons, this message will appear
if
the selector Lever
of the
automatic gearbox
is not
in position P when
you
switch
off the
ignition.
Put
the selector lever
in
position
P;
otherwise
the ve
hicle
can
roll away
and
cannot
be
locked.
78
Driving
CO
<
O
rN
IV
rN
t-H
o <
Starting the engine after
a malfunction
Applies
to: vehicles with convenience key
If the remote control key battery is exhausted or
if radio interference
or
a system malfunction oc
curs, extra steps may be necessary in order to
start the engine.
Fig.
71 Steering column/remote control key: Starting the
engine
after a malfunction
If the message
D
Key not recognised. See
own
er's manual or
|3
Remote control key: hold
back of key against marked area. See owner's
manual is displayed, you can still start the en
gine manually.
•
Manual gearbox: Press the clutch
pedal
• Automatic gearbox: Press the brake pedal.
•
Hold the remote control key against the symbol
fJ)
^>Fig.
71, as shown in the illustration.
• Press the ISTART ENGINE
STOPl
button
^ A in
Starting the engine on page 76. The engine
shouLd start.
•
Drive to a qualified workshop soon and have the
fault rectified.
Note
You can call up the driver message again by
pressing the ISTART ENGINE STOP| button.
Start/stop system
Description
Applies
to: vehicles with start/stop system
The start/stop system can help to save fuel and
reduce
CO2
emissions.
1)
May vary in different countries
In start/stop mode, the engine is switched off
automatically when the vehicle stops, e.g. at
traffic lights. The ignition remains on during this
stop phase. The engine is automatically started
on demand.
The start/stop system is automatically activated
each
time
you switch on the ignition.
Basic conditions for start/stop mode
- The driver's door must be closed.
- The driver's seat belt must be buckled.
- The bonnet must be closed.
- The vehicle must have been moving at over 3
km/h since the Last stop.
CAUTION
Always switch off the start/stop system
^>page
81 before driving through water.
©
The engine is switched
off1)
shortly before the
vehicle comes to a stop. However, the brake
servo and power steering remain fully opera
tional.
Stopping/starting the engine
Applies
to: vehicles with start/stop system
START
(M
STOP
S
Fig.
72 Instrument cluster: Engine switched off (stop
phase)
Applies
to: vehicles with manual gearbox
•
When the vehicle stops, put the gear Lever in
neutral and
take your
foot
off
the clutch pedal.
The engine will switch off. An indicator lamp
I
will light up in the instrument cluster •
79
Driving
start moving immediately and could cause
an accident.
- You should only use the emergency braking
function in a real emergency, for example if
the brake system were to fail or if the brake
pedal were to be obstructed. If
you
use the
emergency braking function by activating
the parking brake switch, this has the same
effect as heavy braking. Please remember
that the ESC (and the integrated ABS, EDL
and traction control functions) is still sub
ject to certain physical limits. In a corner or
in bad road or weather conditions an emer
gency stop can cause the vehicle to skid or
lose steering control.
- It is not possible to apply the parking brake
if the electrical power supply fails. In this
case,
park the vehicle on a
level
surface and
select 1st gear (manual gearbox) or move
the selector lever to position
P
(automatic
gearbox) to prevent
it
from rolling. Obtain
professional assistance.
- Always take the key with you when leaving
your
vehide
- even if
you
only intend to be
gone for
a
short time. This is especially im
portant if children are left in the car. They
might otherwise be able to start the engine,
release the parking brake or use power-op
erated equipment such as the electric
win
dows - this could lead to injuries.
- Do not leave anyone (especially children) in
the vehicle when it is locked. Locked doors
could delay assistance in an emergency, po
tentially putting lives at risk.
© Note
Applies to: vehicles with automatic gearbox
You can apply the parking brake manually or
switch on the hold assist* when stopping at
traffic lights, etc. You do not then have to
hold the car with the brake pedal, as the
brakes will stop it creeping forward while a
gear is engaged in the automatic transmis
sion.
When you drive off in the normal way,
co
the parking brake will be released automati-
<
° cally
and your vehicle will start moving
2 •=>
page 83. o < 00
O
Note
- Any slight noise which may be heard when
the parking brake is applied or released is
quite normal and no cause for concern.
- The parking brake runs an automatic test
cycle at regular intervals when the vehicle is
parked.
This may cause a slight noise, which
is normal.
- If the electrical power supply fails, it is not
possible to release the parking brake (if it
was applied) or to apply the parking brake
(if it was released)
•=> A-
Obtain professional
assistance.
Driving away from a
standstill
Various features and safety functions are availa
ble for driving off, depending on the equipment
in your vehicle.
Hill starting with the parking brake applied
Important: The driver's door must be closed.
•
To drive off more easily on a slope, apply the
parking brake and drive off just as you usually
would.
The parking brake will be released auto
matically, but not until there is enough power
at the wheels to make the vehicle move in the
desired direction.
Hill starting with the hill hold assist
The hill hold assist function makes it easier to
drive away on a slope.
Important: The driver's door must be closed and
the engine must be running.
•
To activate the hill hold assist, press and hold
the brake pedal for several seconds. The vehicle
must be on a slope and facing uphill.
When you release the brake pedal the braking
force will be maintained for
a
moment
^^
in
order to hold the vehicle and make it easier for
you to drive away. •
83
Driving
Applies to: vehicles with S tronic gearbox
The
S
tronic is a
dual-clutch
gearbox. Torque is
transmitted via two independent clutches. They
replace the torque converter found on conven
tional automatic gearboxes and allow for
smooth,
uninterrupted acceleration of the
vehi
cle.
Selector lever positions
Applies to: vehicles with automatic gearbox
8:20
09.06.2012
524S km 150.3
+22.5
(
Fig.
75 Instrument cluster: Selector lever positions
Fig.
76 Selector lever lock
The current selector Lever position is shown next
to the selector Lever
^>Fig.
76 and on the instru
ment cluster display
^>Fig.
75. In addition, the
current gear is shown on the instrument cluster
display.
•
Switch on the ignition.
•
If the selector lever is in position
P
or N, you
will need to release the selector lever lock
•=>page
86.
•
Move the selector lever to the desired position.
The current position is indicated on the selector
gate.
Selector lever lock
The selector Lever lock prevents gears from being
engaged inadvertently, so that the vehicle is not
set in motion unintentionally.
The selector Lever is Locked in the
P
and N
posi
tions when the ignition is on. To move the selec
tor lever out of positions
P
and N, the driver must
apply the brake pedal and press the interlock
button.
The selector Lever lock only works if the vehicLe is
stationary or driving at speeds up to approx. 2
km/h.
At higher speeds the selector lever lock in
the N position is disengaged automatically.
The selector Lever lock is not engaged if the se
lector Lever is moved quickly through position N
(e.g.
when shifting from
R
to D). This makes it
possible, for instance, to "rock" the vehicle back
wards and forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud.
The selector Lever lock engages automatically if
the brake pedal is not depressed and the lever is
in position N for more than about two seconds.
Safety interlock for ignition key*
Applies to: vehicles with ignition lock
The key can only be withdrawn from the ignition
lock with the ignition switched off and the selec
tor lever in position P. When the ignition key is
removed,
the selector lever is locked in position
P.
P- Parking lock
In this position, the vehicle cannot roll away. The
parking lock must only be engaged when the ve
hicle is stationary
•=> A-
The selector Lever lock (the button on the selec
tor lever handle) must be released
one/the
brake
pedal must be pressed before the selector lever
can be moved either into or out of position P.
Should the power supply to the selector lever
fail,
the selector lever will be locked in position P
cépage
93, Releasing the selector lever man
ually (left-hand drive vehicles) or
^>page
94,
Releasing the selector lever manually (right-
hand drive vehicles). •
86
Driving
©
y Note
If the selector lever does not lock automati
cally, a malfunction has occurred. In this case,
the power transmission is interrupted to pre
vent the vehicle from moving unintentionally.
Proceed as follows to engage the selector lev
er lock again:
- Applies to vehicles with 6-speed gearbox:
Briefly press the brake pedal.
- Applies to vehicles with 7-speed gearbox:
Press the brake pedal. Move the selector
lever to position
P
or
N
and then select a
gear.
- If the vehicle does not move forwards or
backwards even though a gear is selected,
proceed as follows:
- If the vehicle does not move in the desired
direction,
the system may have failed to en
gage the gear correctly. In this case, press
the brake pedal and select the gear again.
- If the vehicle still does not move in the de
sired direction, a system malfunction has
occurred.
Seek professional assistance and
have the system checked.
General notes on driving an automatic
Applies to: vehicles with automatic gearbox
Fig.
77 Detail of the centre console: Selector lever with in
terlock button
Starting the engine
•
Move the selector Lever to
P
or N. In the case of
Low outside temperatures (below -10 °C), the
engine can only be started when the selector
lever is in position P.
Driving away from a standstill
•
Press and hold the brake pedal.
•
Press and hold the interlock button (the button
in the selector lever handle), set the selector
lever to the desired position (e.g. D)
^>page
86
and release the interlock button.
•
Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a
slight movement can be felt).
•
Release the brake and press the accelerator
There are several convenient functions to help
you drive away on gradients
^page
83.
Stopping briefly
•
Press the brake pedal to hold the vehicLe when
stationary (for instance at traffic lights).
•
Do not press the accelerator.
•
To prevent the vehicLe from rolling away, apply
the parking brake before moving off on steep
gradients
•=>^
and
•=>(]).
• As soon as you acceLerate as normal, the park
ing brake will automatically be released and
the vehicLe will start moving. Important: The
driver's door must be closed.
Stopping/parking the car
If
you
open the driver's door while the selector
lever is not in position P, the vehicle can roll
away. The message Shift to P, otherwise vehicle
can roll away. Doors do not lock if lever is not in
P. appears on vehicles with convenience key*. A
buzzer will also sound.
•
Press and hold the brake pedal
<=>
A..
•
Apply the parking brake.
•
Move the selector Lever to P.
In some situations (such as on mountain roads or
when towing a trailer or caravan) it can be advan
tageous to switch temporarily to the manual
shift programme so that the gear ratios can be
selected manually to suit the driving conditions
^>page
90.
On level ground it is sufficient to move the selec
tor lever to P. On a gradient the parking brake
should be applied first and the selector Lever
should be moved to
P ^>page
82. This reduces
the load on the locking mechanism and makes it
easier to move the selector lever out of position
P. •
88
Towing a trailer
Setting the spring mechanism to the "ready"
position (if required)
•
Insert the key®
^>Fig.
87 for locking the ball
joint into the lock on the knob and turn it
clock
wise.
•
Pull out the knob in direction ®, hold and turn
in direction ® until the locking ball (5) engages
Inserting the ball joint
•
With the spring mechanism in the "ready"
posi
tion,
insert the ball joint into the mounting fix
ture and push it upwards
<=$Fig.
88 in the direc
tion indicated (arrow)
•=> ^.
The spring mecha
nism should then engage automatically with an
audible click.
•
Lock the ball joint by turning the key
anti-clock
wise.
•
Take out the key and press the cover cap onto
the lock.
Continued
^>page
101, Fitting the
ball
joint
(step 3).
Fitting the ball joint (step 3)
Applies to: vehicles with removable towing bracket
A WARNING
- If it is not possible to set the spring mecha
nism to the "ready" position as described
above,
please contact
a
qualified workshop
and,
for safety reasons, do not use the ball
joint.
- To avoid injury, keep your hands away from
the knob when inserting the ball joint in the
mounting fixture.
Make sure that the knob can turn freely when
the
ball
joint is inserted.
Fig.
89 Removable towing bracket: Safety check
M \
AH^H
eg
n
•>*
0
CO
J
m
Fig.
90 Area below rear bumper: Connecting socket®,
eye for safety cable (5)
•
Check
that
the green marking ®
^>Fig.
89 on
the knob is inside the green zone on the ball
joint.
•
Check that the knob is directly against the ball
joint, so that there is no gap (7) between the
knob and the
ball
joint.
•
Check that the ball joint is locked and the key is
removed (so that the knob cannot be pulled
out).
•
Check that the ball joint fits tightly in the
mounting fixture (try moving it about to check).
• To plug in the electrical connection for the
trail
er, swivel the connecting socket down from un
derneath the bumper®
^>Fig.
90.
*•
When you hitch a trailer up to your vehicle,
hook the safety cable into the eye on the tow
ing bracket®
^F/g.
90.
CO
rN
rN
1-1
00
A WARNING
To avoid accidents, the towing bracket must
not be used if any one of the requirements
lis
ted above is not met. If this is the case, the
101
Towing a trailer
ball joint must be fitted again properly
^>page
100. Please contact a qualified work
shop in the event of
a
technical fault.
(T) Note
•
The eye ® on the towing bracket is intended
only for securing the safety cable of the
trail
er.
Removing the ball joint
Applies to: vehicles with removable towing bracket
*—d
^•^Pfip-®
—
t*\®
Fig.
91 Removable towing bracket: Removing the ball
joint
IT)
CD
CO
m
Fig.
92 Area below rear bumper: Fitting the plug
•
Take off the cover cap and insert the key ®
^Fig.
91 in the lock on the knob.
•
Unlock the ball joint by turning the key
clock
wise.
•
Take hold of the ball joint and pull out the knob
in direction®.
•
Keep hold of the knob and turn it as far as it
will go in direction ®.
•
Release the knob. The spring mechanism will
remain in the "ready" position
<=> /\.
•
Pull the ball joint down out of the mounting fix
ture.
•
Insert the plug into the mounting fixture
^>Fig.
92.
•
Swivel the electrical socket upwards as far as
the stop.
•
Stow the ball joint underneath the floor panel
or in the bag on the floor of the Luggage com
partment, depending on your vehicle configura
tion.
- Make sure that the plug is properly fitted in
the mounting fixture for the towing bracket.
Otherwise the ball joint may fail to engage
securely the next time it is attached if dirt
has accumulated in the mounting fixture.
- On vehicles in which the
ball
joint is stowed
in a bag on the floor of the luggage com
partment, the bag must always be secured
to the front right fastening
ring.
Otherwise
the bag could be catapulted through the in
terior of the vehicle in the event of sudden
braking or an accident - risk of injury and ac
cident!
Retrofitting
Please contact a qualified workshop to find out
whether your vehicle can be retrofitted with a
towing bracket.
I
B38.2
556,1
301,1
Fig.
93 Installation dimensions and positions of securing
points •
102