General driving notes
Closing the tailgate
Safety information
WARNING
An open tailgate protrudes from the vehicle
and can endanger occupants and other road
users or damage the vehicle in the event of
an accident, braking or evasive maneuvers.
In addition, exhaust gas or water may enter
the vehicle interior. There is a risk of injury
and risk of property damage. Do not drive
with the tailgate open.
Driving with the tailgate open
Drive with the tailgate closed. If it is necessary
to drive with the tailgate open, note the follow-
ing:
▷
Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
▷
Greatly increase the blower output.
▷
Drive moderately.
▷
Secure the tailgate, e.g., with a tensioning
belt.
Ground clearance
NOTICE
If the ground clearance is insufficient,
e.g., underground garage entrances, speed
bumps, or curbs, the ground may come
into contact with vehicle parts, e.g., spoiler,
and the underbody. There is a risk of prop-
erty damage. Ensure that there is sufficient
ground clearance available. Adjust your driv-
ing style to the respective conditions.
Driving at high speeds
WARNING
Damage to vehicle components can nega-
tively impact handling at high speeds. This
includes, among other things, tires, under-
body and parts for improving aerodynamics.
There is a risk of accident, injury, and prop-
erty damage. Have damage corrected by an
authorized service center or another qualified
service center or repair shop. Do not drive at
high speeds until the damage is corrected.
Hot exhaust system
WARNING
High temperatures can occur underneath the
body, for instance caused by the exhaust
system, while driving. Contact with the ex-
haust system can cause burns. There is a risk
of injury. Do not touch the exhaust system,
including the exhaust pipe, when hot.
Warning
If combustible materials such as leaves or
grass come in contact with hot parts of the
exhaust system, these materials can ignite.
There is a risk of fire and an injury hazard.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure
that no combustible materials can come in
contact with hot vehicle parts while driving, in
Neutral or during parking.
Exhaust gas particulate filter
Principle
The exhaust gas particulate filter collects soot
particles. The soot particles are burned at high
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tion. To achieve the best possible braking as-
sistance, do not reduce the pressure on the
brake pedal during full
braking.
Steering is still responsive. You can still avoid
any obstacles with a minimum of steering
movement.
Sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that
the Antilock Braking System is regulating.
Objects in the travel path of the pedals
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can limit the
pedal travel or block a depressed pedal.
There is a risk of accident, injury, and prop-
erty damage.
▷ Stow objects in the vehicle such that
they are secured and cannot enter into
the driver's footwell.
▷ Use (carpet) floor mats that are suitable
for the vehicle and can be securely at-
tached to the floor.
▷ Do not use loose floor mats, and do not
layer multiple floor mats on top of one
another.
▷ Make sure that there is sufficient clear-
ance for the pedals.
▷ Make sure that floor mats are securely
reattached after removing them, e.g.,
when cleaning.
Pedal feel when driving off
After turning on drive-ready state from idle
state, the pedal may feel unusual, e.g., the
pedal travel path may feel short or long. After
the brake pedal has been fully released, the
pedal will feel as usual again.
Driving in wet conditions
In case of wet roads, exposure to road salt or
in heavy rain, gently depress the brake pedal
every few kilometers. Ensure that this action
does not endanger other road
users.
The heat generated while braking dries brake
disks and brake pads and protects them
against corrosion.
In
this way the brake power will be available
when you need it.
Hills
General information
Drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear that requires least braking effort. Other-
wise, the brake system may overheat and re-
duce braking
effect.
You can increase the engine braking effect by
downshifting, going all the way to first gear, if
needed.
Safety information
WARNING
Light but constant pressure on the brake
pedal can lead to high temperatures, brake
wear, and even failure of the brake system.
There is a risk of accident, injury, and prop-
erty damage. Avoid placing excessive load on
the brake system.
WARNING
In Neutral or with drive-ready state switched
off, safety functions, for instance engine brak-
ing effect, braking assistance and steering
assistance, may be restricted or not availa-
ble. There is a risk of accident, injury, and
property damage. Do not attempt to drive in
Neutral or with drive-ready state switched off.
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Driving on racetracks
General information
Before and after driving on a racetrack, have
the vehicle checked by an authorized service
center or another qualified service center or
repair shop.
Higher
mechanical and thermal loads during
racetrack operation lead to increased wear.
Use of the vehicle in M sport or motorsport
type competition is an improper use of the ve-
hicle and may affect your warranty coverage.
Please consult the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty Booklet for further information on war-
ranty matters.
Safety information
WARNING
The vehicle is not designed for use in M Sport
or motorsport-like competition. There is a risk
of accident, injury, and property damage. Do
not use the vehicle for motorsport or motor-
sport-like competitions.
Sport tires
The vehicle manufacturer recommends using
special sport tires, e.g., high-performance tires.
Sports tires are matched to the special require-
ments of a sporty driving style. For more infor-
mation on sport tires, contact an authorized
service center or another qualified service cen-
ter or repair shop.
Roof bars
Principle
Roof bars are devices that are mounted on the
vehicle to facilitate the
transport of luggage.
When driving with a roof bar, various specifica-
tions, e.g., correct load, must be followed.
General information
Roof bars recommended by the manufacturer
of the vehicle are available as optional acces-
sories.
Safety information
WARNING
When driving with a roof load, e.g., roof bars,
the vehicle's center of gravity is higher. This
increases the risk of the vehicle tipping in
critical driving situations. There is a risk of
accident, injury, and property damage. Drive
with roof load only with activated Dynamic
Stability Control.
Installation
You can only install roof bars if the vehicle has
a roof rail.
Follow the
installation instructions for roof bars
when installing.
Be
sure that adequate clearance is maintained
for tilting and opening the glass sunroof.
Loading
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center
of gravity when loaded, they have a significant
effect on vehicle handling
and steering.
When loading and driving, note the following:
▷
Do not exceed the permissible roof load,
axle load, and gross vehicle weight.
▷
Distribute the roof load evenly.
▷
The roof load should not extend past the
vehicle sides.
▷
Always place the heaviest items on the bot-
tom.
▷
Secure roof luggage firmly, for instance us-
ing tie-down straps.
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