ground clearance MERCEDES-BENZ V-CLASS 2021 Owners Manual

The selected shiT
range is sh own in the inst ru-
ment cluster displa y.The automatic transmis-
sion shiTs only as far as the selected gear. #
T
To de-r
o de-r es
estr
trict t
ict t he
heshiT
shiT r
rang
ang e:
e:Pull and hold the
stee ring wheel gearshiT paddle 2.
or #
engage transmission position hagain
(/ page 143).
The automatic transmission shiTs up one or
more gears depending on thege ar cur rently
engaged. Simul taneous ly,th e shiT range
re striction is deactivated and the transmission
position appears in the inst rument cluster dis-
play h.
Re commended shiT ranges forth efo llowing driv-
ing conditions:
3 Usethe engine's braking e.ect.
2 Usethe engine's braking e.ect on downhill
gr adients and when driving on steep roads, in
moun tainous areas as well as under arduous
operating conditions.
1 Usethe engine's braking e.ect on extremely
steep downhill gradients and on long downhill
str etch es. Dr Dr
iv
ive pr
e pr ogr
ograms
ams F
F
unction of t
unction of t he D
he DYN
YNAMIC SELECT switchAMIC SELECT switch
% Depending on the engine line-up and equip-
ment, theve hicle has di.erent drive prog rams.
Use theDY NAMIC SELECT switch toswitch
between thefo llowing drive prog rams.
The drive prog ram selected appears in the inst ru-
ment cluster display next tothe transmission posi-
tion displa y.ATer starting theve hicle, the auto-
matic transmission switches automatically todrive
prog ram A.
¥ Manual
R Perm anent manual gearshiTing
C Sports
R Stable but sporty handling
R Can lead tohigher fuel consumption
A Comfort
R Comfor table and economical driving
R Balance between traction and stability
R Impr oved driving stability, e.g., on slippery road
sur faces ;
Eco
R Particular lyeconomical driving
R Reduced engine torque
R In kickdown, automatic change toA
R Impr oved driving stability, e.g., on slippery road
sur faces
F¦ (LiT)vehicles with AIRMATIC:
R Driving up toa speed of appr ox. 30 km/h with
increased vehicle le velfo rgr eater ground
clearance
R Comfor table and economical driving
R From speeds of appr ox. 100 km/h changes
automatically toA
% Forth e drive prog ram LiT LiT, the inst rument clus-
te r display sho ws theF symbol next tothe
transmission position displa y.The display
sh ow sth e symbol ¦.
Selecting t
Selecting t he dr
he driv
ive pr
e pr ogr
ogram
am #
Press theDY NAMIC SELECT switch 1for-
wa rds or backwards.
The selected drive prog ram appears in the
inst rument cluster displa y. Manual
Manual
shiTing
shiTing 144
144
Driving and parking

Yo
u can change gear manual lywith the steering
wheel gearshiT paddles when the automatic trans-
mission is in position h. If permissible,the auto-
matic transmission shiTs toa higher or lo werge ar
depending on the steering wheel gearshiT paddle
th at has been pulled.
To shiT the automatic transmission manuall y,you
ha ve thefo llowing options:
R Temp orary setting in all drive prog rams except
¥ with simultaneous limitation
(/ page 143) of the shiT range.
R Perm anent setting in drive prog ram ¥.
P
P er
er manent se
manent se tting:
tting: #
Select the drive prog ram p(/ page 144).
The transmission position ¥andthe cur-
re nt gear appears in the display of the inst ru-
ment cluster.
% Perm anent manual shiTing is deacti vated
automatically when you switch from drive pro-
gr am ¥ toano ther drive prog ram. The h
transmission position is shown again in the
inst rument cluster displa y. #
T
To
o shiT
shiT up:
up:Pull steering wheel gearshiT paddle
2.
If th e engine speed is su1cient, the automatic
transmission shiTs up tothe next gear.
If th e maximum engine speed is reached in the
cur rently engaged gear and you continue toaccel-
erate, the automatic transmission will not shiT up
automaticall y.Alw ays make sure that the engine
speed does not reach there d area of there v coun-
te r. Obser vethege arshiT recommendation in the
display of the inst rument cluster. When the engine
re aches its maximum speed, the fuel supply is cut
to prev ent the engine from overrevving. #
T To o shiT
shiT do
down:
wn: Pull steering wheel gearshiT
paddle 1.
Pr ov ided that the engine will not exceed its
maximum speed when shiTing down, the auto-
matic transmission shiTs tothe next lo wer
ge ar.
If yo u pull and hold the steering wheel gearshiT
paddle 1,the transmission shiTs tothe lo w-
est possible gear.
% When coasting, the automatic transmission
shiTs down automaticall y.
Gear
Gear shiT
shiT r
recommendation
ecommendation
The gearshiT recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. It will appear in
the transmission position and drive prog ram dis-
pla y. #
Ifge arshiT recommendation 1appears, shiT
to there commended gear. Using kic
Using kic
kdo
kdown
wn #
F
For maximum acceler
or maximum acceler ation:
ation:depress the accel-
erator pedal be yond the pressure point.
% The drive prog ram switches automatically
from ; toA (vehicles with drive pro-
gr am ;). All-wheel dr
All-wheel dr
ive
ive N
No
ot
tes on t
es on t he 4MA
he 4MA TIC
TIC 4MATIC ensu
res permanent drive for all four
wheels, and toget her with ESP ®
it impr ovesthe
ve hicle's traction.
% In wint ryroad conditions, the maximum e.ect
of 4MATIC can be achie ved only if you use
winter tyres (M+S tyres), with snow chains if
necessar y.
Use DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) when driving
downhill o.-road (/ page 159).
If yo ufa ilto adapt your driving style, 4MATIC can
neither reduce therisk of an accident nor override
th e la wsof ph ysics. 4MATIC cannot take account
of road, weather and tra1c conditions. 4MATIC is
only an aid. You are responsible especially for
maintaining a safe distance from theve hicle in
front, forve hicle speed, for braking in good time
and for st aying in lane. AIRMA
AIRMA
TIC
TIC F
F
unction of AIRMA
unction of AIRMA TIC
TIC AIRMATIC is an air suspension system with an all-
ro
und le vel control system, which also ensures the
best possible suspension and constant ground
clearance, even with a laden vehicle. When you Driving and parking
145 145

drive at speed,
theve hicle is lo wered automatically
to impr ovedriving saf ety and toreduce fuel con-
sum ption. There is also the option of raising the
ve hicle le vel while driving slo wly, e.g. for driving o.
public roads. The AIRMATIC settings are depend-
ent on the drive prog ram selection.
AIRM ATIC consists of thefo llowing functions and
components:
R all-round air suspension
R speed-dependent lo wering toreduce fuel con-
sum ption
R high le velfo rgr eater ground clearance when
driving slo wly,fo rex ample o. public roads, set
with the LiTLiT F/¦ drive program
R DYNAMIC SELECT switch
% Forth e LiTLiT drive prog ram, the inst rument clus-
te r sho ws th eF symbol next tothe trans-
mission position displa y.The media display
sh ow sth e¦ menu.
V
V ehicle lev
ehicle lev els per dr
els per dr iv
ive pr
e pr ogr
ogram
am
Drive prog rams A and¥:
R theve hicle is set tonormal le vel
R at speeds abo veappr ox. 110 km/h, theve hi-
cle is lo wered
R at speeds below appr ox. 75 km/h, theve hicle
is raised again
Drive prog ram C:
R theve hicle is set tolow le vel
R at higher speeds, theve hicle le vel does not
continue tolower
Drive prog ram F/¦:
R theve hicle is set tohigh le vel
R at speeds abo veappr ox. 30 km/h, theve hicle
le ve l lo wersto the normal le vel
R at speeds below appr ox. 10 km/h, theve hicle
is raised again
R at speeds abo veappr ox. 100 km/h, theve hi-
cle switches todrive prog ram A
% Ifth eve hicle is raised in the LiTLiT drive prog ram
or lo wered when changing from the LiTLiT drive
prog ram to ano ther drive prog ram, occasional
creaking noises may occur at the brake.
% Oper
Oper ation wit
ation wit h a tr
h a trailer or bicy
ailer or bicy cle r
cle rac
ack:
k: ifthe
electrical connection has been cor rectly
es tablished, theve hicle remains on normal
le ve lre ga rdless of speed. Syst
Syst em limits
em limits
If ove rheating pr otection has been activated due to
se veral le velch anges in a short period of time,
AIRMATIC will not function or its availability will be
limi ted. The Compressor is cooling message is
shown in the multifunction displa y.
ATer the cooling phase, AIRMATIC is again availa-
ble without restrictions. R
R
efuelling
efuelling R
R
efuelling t
efuelling t he v
he vehicle
ehicle &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of/re orexplosion from
fuel
Fu els are highly 0ammable. #
Fire, naked 0ames, smoking and creating
spar ksmust be avoided. #
Before refuelling, switch o. theve hicle
and, if /tted, the stationary heater and
ke ep switched o. during /lling. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of injury from fuels
Fu els are poisonous and hazardous toyour
health. #
Do not swallow fuel or let it come into
contact with skin, eyes or clo thing. #
Do not inhale fuel vapour. #
Keep children away from fuel. #
Keep doors and windo wsclosed during
th ere fuelling process.
If yo u or other people come into contact with
fuel, obser vethefo llowing: #
Immediate lyrinse fuel o. your skin with
soap and water. #
If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical at tention
immedia tely. #
Ifyo u swallow fuel, seek medical atten-
tion immediatel y.Do not induce vomiting. #
Change immediately out of clo thing that
has come into contact with fuel. &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of /re and explosion due to
electrostatic charge
Electrostatic charge can ignite fuel vapour. 146
146
Driving and parking

#
Push cap 1onto the /ller opening until it
audibly engages. Cleaning and care
Cleaning and care
N
No
ot
t es on w
es on w ashing t
ashing t he v
he vehicle in an aut
ehicle in an aut omatic car
omatic car
w
w ash
ash &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of an accident due to
re duced braking po wer aTer washing the
ve hicle
Braking e1ciency is reduced aTer washing the
ve hicle. #
ATer theve hicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention tothe
tra1c conditions until braking po wer has
been fully restored. *
N
NOOTE
TE Dama getotheve hicle due toauto-
matic braking When
thefo llowing functions are activated, the
ve hicle brakes automatically in cer tain situa-
tions:
R Active Brake Assist
R Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
R HOLD function
To avo id damage totheve hicle, deacti vate
th ese systems in thefo llowing or similar situa-
tions: #
when towing #
in a car wash *
N
NOOTE
TE Damage due tounsuitable car wash #
Before driving into a car wash make sure
th at the car wash is suitable forth eve hi-
cle dimensions. #
Ensure there is su1cient ground clear-
ance between the underbody and the
guide rails of the car wash. #
Ensure that the clearance width of the
car wash, in particular the width of the
guide rails, is su1cient. To
avo id damage toyour vehicle, obser vethefo l-
lowing before using an automatic car wash:
R Active Brake Assist is deactivated.
R Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is deactiva-
te d. R
The HOLD function is switched o..
R The side windo wsand roof are comple tely
closed.
R The outside mir rors are folded in and an addi-
tional antenna is remo ved, if present.
R The climate control blo wer is switched o..
R The windscreen wiper switch is in position g.
If th eve hicle is very dirty, wash o. excess dirt
before cleaning theve hicle in an automatic car
wa sh.
ATer leaving the car wash, pay attention tothefo l-
lowing:
R The outside mir rors are fully folded out again
and an additional antenna is mounted again, if
present.
R Remo vewaxre sidues on the windscreen and
wiper rubbers toprev ent smearing and reduce
wiper noise.
Re mo vewaxre sidues from the camera lens in
ve hicles with a reve rsing camera (/ page 232). N
No
ot
tes on use of a high-pr
es on use of a high-pr essur
essure cleaner
e cleaner &
W
WARNING
ARNING Risk of an accident when using
high-pressure cleaners with round-spr ay
nozzles
The water jet can cause extern ally invisible
damage.
Components damaged in this wa y may un ex-
pectedly fail. #
Do not use a high-pressure cleaner with
round-spr aynozzles. #
Have damaged tyres or chassis parts
re placed immediatel y. *
N NO
OTE
TE Damage tocomponent parts due to
improper high-pressure cleaning Components can be damaged if
the distance
of the high-pressure nozzle is too small. #
Maintain a minimum distance of about
30 cm between the high-pressure nozzle
and car parts. #
Do not use a high-pressure cleaner with
aro und-spr aynozzle. #
Keep thewa ter jet moving constantly
while cleaning. 230 230
Maintenance and care

Displa
Displa
y messag
y messag es P
es P ossible causes/conseq
ossible causes/consequences and uences andM
MSolutions
Solutions
The following causes are possible:
R The windscreen is dirty in the camera's /eld of vision.
R Visibility is impaired due toheavy rain, snow or fog.
If th e causes mentioned abo veno longer app ly,th e display message
will disappear and Tra1c Sign Assist will be operational again.
If th e display message does not go out: #
Stop in accordance with the tra1c conditions. #
Secure theve hicle against rolling away. #
Clean the windscreen.
ë
Off *T
he HOLD function has been deacti vated. The vehicle has star ted
skidding.
A wa rning tone also sounds. #
Switch the HOLD function on again later (/ page 164).
*T he HOLD function has been deacti vated. An activation condition will
no longer be met when the brake pedal is depressed.
A wa rning tone also sounds. #
Che ckthe activation conditions of the HOLD function
(/ page 164).
Â
Lowering *
The vehicle le vel may be lo weredfo rth efo llowing reasons:
R You ha veselected a di.erent drive prog ram.
R You ha veexceeded the speed limit.
Á Vehicle rising *
The vehicle le vel may be raised forth efo llowing reasons:
R You ha veselected a di.erent drive prog ram.
R You ha vefallen below the speed limit.
Á
Compressor is cooling *D
uetofrequent le velch anges within a short space of time, the com-
pressor /r stneeds tocool down toenable the selected driving le velto
be set.
When the compressor has cooled down, theve hicle will continue ris-
ing tothe selected vehicle le vel. #
Drive on in a manner appropriate forth e cur rent le vel. Make sure
th at there is su1cient ground clearance.
ä
Malfunction See Own-
er's Manual *A
IRM ATIC is functioning only toa limi tedex tent. The vehicle's han-
dling characteristics may be a.ected.
* N
NO OTE TE The tyres on the front axle or thefe nders could be
damaged bylarge stee ring mo vements #
Avoid lar gestee ring mo vements while driving and lis tenfor
scraping sounds. #
Ifyo u hear scraping sounds, pull over and stop theve hicle in
accordance with the tra1c conditions, and set a higher vehi-
cle le vel if possible. 294
294
Display message
s andwarning and indicator lamps