
•Proactive occupant protection system
In vehicles with a DSG dual clutch gearbox, the system automatically changes to gear 
position S when the Sport driving profile is selected. The system automatically switches to gear 
position D when the Eco driving profile is selected. Since coasting is active in the Eco driving 
profile, the gearbox programme E is additionally displayed on the instrument cluster display.
The driver can adjust certain vehicle functions irrespective of the selected driving profile. For 
example, the driver can switch to gear position S when the Eco driving profile is selected.
Selecting a driving profile (4MOTION Action Controlyf
Fig. 129 In the lower section of the centre console: control for the 4MOTION Active Control in 
vehicles with all-wheel drive.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Key to ⇒ Fig. 129:
MODE button: Selects Onroad driving profiles and opens menu in the Infotainment system.
Snow driving profile.
On-road driving profile.
Off-road driving profile.
Off-road Individual driving profile.
Selecting the driving profile
•Switch on the ignition.
•Turn the control for the 4MOTION Active Control until the LED next to the desired driving profile 
lights up ⇒ Fig. 129.
•To switch through the Onroad driving profiles, press the MODE button or press an Onroad 
driving profile in the Infotainment system.
•Touch the  function button to display additional information about the active driving mode.
•Touch the function button for the required driving profile in the Infotainment system.
When the ignition is switched off, the set driving profile and the individual settings will remain 
selected.
If one of the driving profiles Snow, Off-road or Off-road Individual was the last active profile, the 
most recently active On-road driving profile is activated if the ignition remains switched off for a 
relatively long period.
The driving profile Sport will also remain selected after the ignition has been switched off. However, 
sport functions, e.g., for the engine and gearbox, can be deactivated when switching on the ignition 
again. To reactivate the sports functions, tip the gearbox selector lever to the rear ⇒ DSG dual 
clutch gearbox.
Recommended driving situations for each driving profile
•Snow: The Snow driving profile improves the efficiency of the accelerator on icy or snowy 
roads. In addition, the lane holding when cornering and the power in straight driving are also 
improved. The dynamic of the ACC Adaptive Cruise Control is restricted. The dynamic 
cornering light is adjusted to provide better support in poor visibility. It is not possible to shift into 
the S position in the Snow driving profile.
•Off-road: The Off-road driving profile improves the efficiency of the accelerator when driving 
off-road. The engine brake is always available and gearshifts can be prevented in critical 
situations. In the Off-road driving profile, the Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control are 
active. The dynamic cornering light is adjusted to provide better support in poor visibility. It is 
not possible to shift into the S position in the Off-road driving profile. When the driving profile is 
active, the instrument cluster displays the symbol m/k/s562MK.
Changing the driving profile can alter the vehicle handling. Never allow the driving profile 
selection to tempt you into taking any risks when driving.
•Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic 
conditions.
WARNING
®
® 

•Off-road Individual: Enhanced version of the off-road driving profile that can be adjusted to the 
driver's needs ⇒ Adjusting the driving profile to suit your requirements. When the driving profile 
is active, the instrument cluster displays the symbol m/k/s562MK.
•Onroad:The Onroad driving profile enables you to choose between Eco, Comfort, Normal, 
Sport and Individual.
Adjusting the driving profile to suit your requirements
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Selecting the Individual driving profile
•Switch on the ignition.
•Switch on the Infotainment system.
•Press the  driving profile selection button or turn the control for 4MOTION Active Control 
until the LED next to the Onroad driving profile ⇒ Fig. 129③ lights up.
•Touch the Change function button to open the Individual menu.
Selecting the Off-road Individual driving profile
•Switch on the ignition.
•Switch on the Infotainment system.
•If necessary, turn the control ⇒ Fig. 129 for the 4MOTION Active Control until the LED next to 
the Off-road Individual driving profile ⇒ Fig. 129⑤ lights up.
•If the Off-road Individual driving profile is already selected, press the MODE button on the 
control  ⇒ Fig. 129.
•Touch the Change function button to open the Individual menu.
Troubleshooting
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Fault in adaptive chassis control (DCCyf   J R  W R  D  T X D O L I L H G  Z R U N V K R S  D Q G  K D Y H  W K H  V \ V W H P  F K H F N H G .
If there is a fault in the adaptive chassis control (DCCyf   W K H  P H V V D J H  Fault: damping control may 
be shown on the instrument cluster display.
Off-road display
The off-road display contains digital 
instruments that show additional 
information about the vehicle and its 
surroundings. This makes it possible to 
assess the current driving situation 
more precisely.
Fig. 130 In the Infotainment system: off-road display.
Opening the off-road display
Changing the driving profile can alter the vehicle handling. Never allow the driving profile 
selection to tempt you into taking any risks when driving.
•Always adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic 
conditions.
WARNING
Accidents and injuries can occur if the driver is distracted. Operating the Infotainment 
system can distract you from the road.
WARNING 

Driving in sand and mud
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Always drive at a steady speed through sand or mud and, if you have a manual gearbox, do not 
change gear.
•Check whether ESC is active. The indicator lamp  or  in the instrument cluster display 
should not light up ⇒ Brake support systems.
•Keep the vehicle moving constantly.
•Use the Off-road driving profile ⇒ Selecting a driving profile (4MOTION Action Controlyf.
•Select a suitable gear and remain in this gear until you have reached more solid ground 
⇒ Changing gear.
If the tyres have lost their grip, turn the steering wheel back and forth quickly. This can briefly give 
the tyres on the front wheels better grip for this ground surface condition.
Driving through sand
Do not under any circumstances reduce the tyre pressure to drive through sand ⇒. If however 
the tyre pressure has been reduced for driving through sand, the correct tyre pressure must always 
be reset before driving on. Driving with reduced tyre pressure can lead to a loss of control over the 
vehicle and increase the risk of serious and fatal injuries.
Driving through mud
Do not change speed or direction. The tyres can lose their traction when driving through mud. If the 
vehicle slides, steer in the direction needed to get the vehicle under control.
Driving in steep terrain
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Driving up and down hills
Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation before you attempt to drive up or down a hill:
•Walk along the section and check the firmness of the ground. Look out for obstacles and other 
hidden dangers ⇒.
•Check the section beyond the hill.
•You should not follow the route if it is too steep, uneven or if the ground surface is too loose. 
Select another route.
•Drive slowly and at constant speed straight up or down a slope.
Driving through snowy terrain is very dangerous.
•Both shallow and deep potholes, hollows, ditches, precipices, frozen surfaces and 
other obstacles can be fully or partially covered by snow.
•Dangers concealed by snow can cause an accident, serious injuries, or cause the 
vehicle to break down in extreme weather conditions.
•Always adjust your speed and driving to match vehicle load levels and off-road, 
visibility and weather conditions.
WARNING
Driving through mud, sand and slush can be dangerous. The vehicle can slide 
uncontrollably. This increases the risk of injury. Always drive carefully through sand, mud 
and slush.
•Never choose an unsafe route or take a risk which could endanger you or your 
passengers. If you are in any doubt about the safety of the route, turn round and 
choose another way.
WARNING
Incorrect tyre pressure can cause severe or even fatal accidents.
•Incorrect tyre pressures will increase the levels of wear on the tyres and will negatively 
affect the vehicle's driving response.
•An incorrect tyre pressure can cause overheating, sudden tyre damage including tyre 
bursts and ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control over the vehicle.
WARNING 

Fig. 134 On steep slopes, you should always use the doors pointing up the hill to get out of the 
vehicle.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Traversing a slope is one of the most dangerous off-road situations ⇒.
It may look harmless, but you should not underestimate the difficulty and danger of traversing a 
slope. A vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll when in this position. This can cause severe or 
fatal injuries for all vehicle occupants.
Check whether you can use a safer route before driving across a slope.
If you have to drive at an angle, make sure the ground is as firm as possible. The vehicle is more 
likely to slip, dip and tip over on slippery or soft ground. Always be aware that uneven ground 
makes the slope steeper. The vehicle could otherwise tip over and start to roll.
When driving across a slope, the wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never enter dips or 
hollows. The wheels on the upper side of the vehicle must never roll over bumps, for example 
stones, tree trunks or other obstacles.
If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer immediately into the fall line and depress the accelerator 
slightly ⇒ Fig. 133. If it is not possible to drive along the fall line, then steer uphill and depress the 
accelerator slightly.
The centre of gravity should be as low as possible. The weight of all vehicle occupants should be 
evenly distributed. People with a larger or heavier build should sit on the higher side of the vehicle. 
Remove the roof carrier and secure heavy items. The vehicle could tip over if items were to slide 
suddenly ⇒.
Driving through ditches
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
•Check whether the tilt angle and gradient entry/exit angles are small enough to drive through 
the ditch with the vehicle ⇒.
•If possible, drive through the ditch at an acute angle ⇒.
•The tilt angle may not get too large when driving through the ditch.
Never try to traverse a slope, particularly if it is too steep for the vehicle. The vehicle could 
slide away, tip over or roll. Please note the following points in order to reduce the risk of 
accidents and serious injuries:
•You should never underestimate the difficulty and danger of traversing a slope. Never 
choose an unsafe route or take a risk which could endanger you or your passengers. If 
you are in any doubt about the safety of the route, turn round and choose another way.
•The vehicle can lose its grip and slide away sideways, tip over or roll over and roll 
down the hill.
•The wheels on the lower side of the vehicle must never enter dips or hollows. The 
wheels on the upper side of the vehicle must never roll over bumps, for example 
stones, tree trunks or other obstacles.
•Please ensure that you can steer in the fall line on a route driving across a slope. 
Choose another route if this is not guaranteed. If the vehicle threatens to tip over, steer 
immediately into the fall line and depress the accelerator slightly ⇒ Fig. 133.
•If the vehicle is stopped when traversing a slope, avoid sudden movements in the 
vehicle. The vehicle can lose its grip and slide away sideways, tip over or roll over and 
roll down the hill.
•Vehicle occupants should never leave the vehicle via the doors facing down the hill 
when parked sideways on a steep hill. This could cause the centre of gravity to move. 
The vehicle could otherwise tip over or roll over and roll down the hill. To avoid this, 
always leave the vehicle carefully on the side that is facing uphill ⇒ Fig. 134.
•When getting out the vehicle, please ensure that the vehicle door which opens uphill 
does not close with its own weight or through carelessness thus potentially causing 
injury.
WARNING 

Clean the turn signals, headlight system, the number plate and all windows.
If necessary, remove the towing eye and the snow chains.
Check the tyres, struts and axles for damage and remove dirt, stones and other foreign 
bodies from the tyre tread.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and remove all items that are jammed in the brake system, 
on the wheels, in the running gear, in the exhaust system and in the engine, such as 
branches, leaves or pieces of wood . If you see any damage or leaks, take your vehicle to a 
qualified workshop.
Clean heavy soiling from the radiator grille and the vehicle underbody Vehicle care.
Check the engine compartment to see if any dirt is affecting the engine operation In the 
engine compartment.
Switch off OFF-ROAD mode Selecting a driving profile (4MOTION Action Controlyf .
Switch on TCS again Brake support systems.
If your vehicle gets stuck
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Rocking out a vehicle requires a great deal of training and feeling for the vehicle.
If you make a mistake when rocking the vehicle, it can sink deeper and you will need assistance to 
get out of the mud.
When you cannot proceed ...
•Carefully dig out all the wheels and check that no other parts of the vehicle are stuck in the 
sand.
•Engage reverse gear.
•Reverse over your own tracks, accelerating gently.
If this does not help, place brushwood, floor mats or sacking directly in front of the wheels to 
increase grip ⇒.
Rocking the vehicle
Never allow the wheels to spin for long periods as this will cause the vehicle to sink deeper ⇒.
•Switch off TCS ⇒ Brake support systems.
•Position the steering wheel so that it is facing straight ahead.
•Reverse until the point where the wheels just start to spin.
•Quickly select first gear and drive forwards until the wheels start to spin again.
•Repeat driving back and forth until you have enough momentum to free yourself.
•Switch the TCS on after the rocking procedure is completed ⇒ Brake support systems.
•Use the Off-road driving profile.
After off-road driving
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Checklist
Never drive through a ditch if the entry/exit angle is too steep for the vehicle and the ditch 
is too deep. The vehicle could slide away, tip over or roll.
WARNING
If you drive into the ditch at a right angle, the front wheels will fall in. The underbody of 
your vehicle could get stuck and damaged which means that the vehicle could break 
down. It is then almost impossible to get out of the ditch despite having all-wheel drive.
NOTICE
Nobody may stand either in front or behind the vehicle, particularly if you are attempting 
to free a stuck vehicle.
•Spinning wheels can propel stones, brushwood, pieces of wood or other objects that 
are in front or behind the wheels at enormous speed and cause potentially fatal injury.
•People standing in front of or behind the vehicle could be run over if the stuck vehicle 
starts to move suddenly.
WARNING