manual transmission MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS HATCHBACK 2011 User Guide

Pulling away
Manual transmission !
Change gear in good time and avoid spin-
ning the wheels. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the vehicle.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Release the electric parking brake
(Y page 145).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerator pedal.
i Follow the shift recommendations in the
multifunction display for an economical
driving style (Y page 134).
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 203).
Automatic transmission i
It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position Pto the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then can
the parking lock be deactivated. If the
brake pedal is not depressed, the DIRECT
SELECT lever can still be operated, but the
parking lock remains engaged.
i At transmission fluid temperatures below
Ò20 †, you can only shift out of park posi-
tion Pinto another transmission position
when the engine is running.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R. X
Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The electric parking brake (Y page 145) is
automatically released.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 203).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Pulling away with a trailer To ensure that you do not roll backwards
when pulling away on an uphill slope, engage
the electric parking brake.
X Press and hold handle :.
The electric parking brake continues to
brake and prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster remains on.
X Depress the accelerator pedal.
X As soon as the vehicle/trailer combination
is held by the driving force of the engine,
release lever :.
The electric parking brake is released. 128
DrivingDriving and parking

The red
!indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
i For further information on the electric
parking brake, see (Y page 145).
Hill starta ssist G
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill
start assist. After approximately one second,
hill start assist will no longer brake your vehi-
cle and it could roll away.
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll.
X Take your foot off the brake pedal.
The vehicle is then held for about a second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist will not function if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is in position N.
R the electric parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
General notes G
WARNING
If the ECO symbol appears in the multifunc-
tion display when the engine is switched off,
the engine was switched off automatically.
However, all vehicle systems remain active. If
you open the door, unfasten your seat belt or
remove your foot from the brake pedal, the engine will automatically start
.The vehicle
may begin moving. There is a risk of accident.
To prevent the vehicle from accidentally pull-
ing away, do not release the brake pedal until
you want to drive on.
Do not leave the vehicle until you have
switched off the ignition and secured the vehi-
cle to prevent it from rolling away.
! Always switch the ignition off and take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically .The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.
The ECO start/stop function is activated each
time the engine is switched on. The system is
operational when the ¤symbol is shown
in the multifunction display.
If the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
(Y page 131), the ¤symbol is not shown.
Automatic engine switch-off General notes
The engine is only switched off if:
R
the vehicle is at a standstill (vehicles with
automatic transmission).
R in the case of vehicles with manual trans-
mission: the vehicle speed is below a cer-
tain threshold.
R the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windscreen is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the bonnet is closed. Driving
129Driving and parking Z

R
the vehicle is not being steered.
R the driver's door is closed and the seat belt
is fastened.
i The engine can be switched off automat-
ically a maximum of four times (first stop
and three subsequent stops) in succession.
The automatic engine switch-off is then
available agai nafter the ECO symbol
appears in the multifunction display.
i During automatic engine switch-off, the
climate control system only operates at a
reduced capacity. If you require full climate
control capacity, the ECO start/stop func-
tion can be deactivated by pressing the
ECO button (Y page 131).
Vehicles with manual transmission
The ECO start/stop function switches off the
engine automatically at low speeds. X
Brake the vehicle.
X Engage neutral N(Ypage 134) (follow
gearshift instruction :to engage neutral
N, if necessary).
X Release the clutch pedal.
The engine is switched off automatically.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
braked to a standstill and the brake remains
depressed with the transmission in position
D or N.
i You can also activate the HOLD function
whe nthe vehicle is stationary if the engine has been switched off automatically
.Itis
the nnot necessary to continue applying
the brakes during the automatic stop
phase. When you depress the accelerator
pedal, the engine starts automatically and
the braking effect of the HOLD function is
deactivated. Depress the accelerator pedal
carefully, as the engine must be started
first.
Automatic engine start General notes
The engine is started automatically if:
R
the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
by pressing the ECO button.
R the vehicle starts to roll.
R the brake system requires this.
R the system detects moisture on the wind-
screen when the air-conditioning system is
switched on.
R the battery's charge status is too low.
R the driver's seat belt is removed or the driv-
er's door is opened.
R the bonnet is opened.
R you shift the transmission from position D
to Ron a vehicle with automatic transmis-
sion.
R you steer the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed.
The engine is started automatically if you:
R depress the clutch pedal
R depress the accelerator pedal
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The engine is started automatically if you:
R release the brakes when in transmission
position Dor N, unless the HOLD function
is activated or
R engage reverse gear Ror
R depress the accelerator pedal 130
DrivingDriving and parking

i
Shifting the transmissio nto position P
does not start the engine.
i If you shift the transmission from Rto D,
the ECO start/stop function will be availa-
ble again once the ¤symbol reappears
in the multifunction display.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function X
To deactivate: press button:.
Indicator lamp ;and the ¤symbol in
the multifunction display go out.
X To activate: press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If all conditions
are fulfilled, the ¤symbol appears in
the multifunction display.
If not all conditions are fulfilled, the ¤
symbol is not shown in the multifunction
display .Ifthis is the case, the ECO start/
stop function is not available.
If indicator lamp ;is off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of a malfunction. The engine will
then not be switched off automatically when
the vehicle stops.
i The ECO start/stop function is activated
each time the engine is switched on. Driving
131Driving and parking Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Vehicles with a petrol
engine:
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and is
misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. The coolant tempera-
ture display is showing
more than 120 †. The
coolant warning lamp
may also be lit and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 265). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary. If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.
X If the coolant temperature is less than 120 †, you can continue
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving on
mountain roads and stop-start traffic. Manual transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The movement of the pedals must not be
impaired in any way. Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that floor-
mats or carpets are correctly secured and
that there is sufficient clearance for the ped-
als.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident.
Gear lever
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed.
! When shifting between 5thand 6thgear,
you should always push the gear lever all
the way to the right. Otherwise, you could
shift unintentionally into 3rdor4th gear
and damage the transmission.
If you shift down at too high a speed (trans-
mission braking), this can cause the engine
to overrev, leading to engine damage.
Do not use the clutch bite point to keep the
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients.
There is otherwise a risk of damaging the
clutch. Manual transmission
133Driving and parking Z

Example: progra
mselector button E
Economy Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gearshifting
X
Press program selecto rbutton :repeat-
edly until the lette rfor the desired gearshift
program appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
i The automatic transmission switches to
automatic drive program Eeach time the
engine is started.
i For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 138).Steering wheel gearshift paddles
:
Left steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts down)
; Right steering wheel gearshift paddle
(shifts up) In drive program
M, you can change gear
yourself using the steering wheel gearshift
paddles.
If you pull the left or right steering wheel gear-
shift paddle when in automatic drive program
E or S, the automatic transmission shifts into
drive program Mfor a limited time. Depend-
ing on which gearshift paddle is pulled, the
automatic transmission immediately shifts
into the next gear down or up.
i You can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel gearshift paddles when the trans-
mission is in position D.
i For further information on the manual
drive program, see (Y page 139). Automatic drive program
Drive program Eis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R comfort-oriented engine settings.
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner.
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully.
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example.
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin.
Drive program Sis characterised by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine settings
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-
sibly being higher 138
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Manual drive program
Introduction In manual drive program
M, you can change
geary ourself by using the steering wheel
gearshift paddles. For this, the transmission
must be in position D. The gear currently
selected and engaged is shown in the multi-
function display.
Manual drive program Mdiffers from drive
programs Eand Swith regard spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes. Gear Driving situations
=
To use the engine's braking effect
5
To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches
Activating the manual drive program
Activating permanently
X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 137) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Manual drive program Mremains active
until drive program Eor Sis engaged.
Activating temporarily
X Pull the right or left steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 138).
M is shown in the multifunction display.
Manual drive program Mis temporarily
active. Depending on which gearshift pad-
dle is pulled, the automatic transmission
immediately shifts into the next gear down
or up. i
When manual drive program Mis activa-
ted via the steering wheel gearshift pad-
dles, the temporarily active manual drive
program Mwill be deactivated automati-
cally after a limited time, if the driving sit-
uation permits. In this case, the automatic
transmission shifts into the automatic drive
program that was last engaged, i.e. Eor S.
When driving on downhill gradients, the
temporarily active manual drive program
M will only be deactivated if the accelerator
pedal is depressed while the vehicle is roll-
ing downhill.
Upshifting X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 138).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
i If the maximum engine speed on the cur-
rently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
Downshifting X
Pull the left-hand steerin gwheel gearshift
paddle (Y page 138).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
i If you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
i For maximum acceleration, pull the left-
hand steering wheel gearshift paddle until
the transmission selects the optimum gear
for the current speed.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto-
matic transmission protects against engine
damage by not shifting down. Automatic transmission
139Driving and parking Z

Kickdown
You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program M.
X Depress the accelerato rpedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Shift back up once the desired speed is
reached.
i During kickdown, you cannot shift gears
using the steering wheel gearshift paddles.
i If you apply full throttle, the automatic
transmission shifts up to the nextg ear
when the maximum engine speed is
reached. This prevents the engine from
overrevving.
Switching off the manual drive program X
Press the program selector button
(Y page 137) repeatedly until Eor S
appears in the multifunction display.
Deactivating the temporary manual drive
program
X Pull and hold the right steering wheel gear-
shift paddle until the automatic transmis-
sion shifts into the last active automatic
drive program Eor S.
i When manual drive program Mis deacti-
vated, the automatic transmission in auto-
matic drive program Eor Smay shift from
the curren tgear into a higher or lower gear.
This is dependen tonthe position of the
accelerator pedal, speed and load. 140
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The fuel filler flap can-
not be opened. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The key battery is discharged.
X
Unlock the vehicle (Y page 72).
or
X Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element
(Y page 73). The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is jam-
med.
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Only remove the key from the ignition lock
when the vehicle is stationary, as you cannot
steer the vehicle when the key is removed.
Never leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle. They might release the electric parking
brake. This could lead to aserious or fatal
accident. G
WARNING
Under no circumstances should the exhaust
system come into contact with flammable
materials such as dry grass or petrol, for
example. Do not park the vehicle on dry grass-
land or harvested grain fields. The hot exhaust
system could otherwise ignite the flammable
material and set the vehicle on fire.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
R the electric parking brake must be applied.
R on vehicles with manual transmission,
engage first gear or reverse gear.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission must be in position Pand
the transmission position display must
show Pin the multifunction display. R
the key must be removed from the ignition
lock.
R on uphill or downhill gradients, turn the
fron twheels towards the kerb. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the steering and brakes. Steer-
ing and braking then requires significantly
greater effort.
As a result, you might lose control of the vehi-
cle, cause an accident and injure yourself and
others.
Therefore, do not switch off the engine while
you are driving.
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock and remove it.
The immobiliser is activated.
X Apply the electric parking brake. 144
ParkingDriving and parking

Vehicles with automatic transmission
X
Apply the electri cparking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock and remove it.
The immobiliser is activated.
i If you switch the engine off with the trans-
mission in position Ror D, the automatic
transmission shifts to Nautomatically.
If you then open the driver's door or the
front-passenger door or remove the key
from the ignition, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts to P.
If you shift the automatic transmission to
N before switching off the engine, the auto-
matic transmission remains in Neven if a
door is opened. Electric parking brake
General notes i
The electric parking brake carries out a
function check at regular intervals when
the engine is switched off .Noises that
occur are normal.
Engaging/releasing manually Engaging
X
Push handle :.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. i
The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the key is removed.
Releasing
X Turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock.
X Pull handle :.
The red !indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
i You can only release the electric parking
brake when the key is at position 1in the
ignition lock.
Engaging automatically The electric parking brake of your vehicle is
automatically applied if DISTRONIC PLUS
(only for vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion) or the HOLD function brakes the vehicle
until it is stationary or keeps the vehicle sta-
tionary. In addition, at least one of the follow-
ing conditions must be fulfilled:
R
the engine is switched off.
R the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
R there is a system malfunction.
R the power supply is insufficient.
R the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red !indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
i The electric parking brake is not automat-
ically engaged if the engine is switched off
by the ECO start/stop function.
Releasing automatically i
The electric parking brake can only be
released automatically in vehicles with
automatic transmission.
The electric parking brake of your vehicle is
released automatically when all of the follow-
ing conditions are fulfilled:
R the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position Dor R. Parking
145Driving and parking Z