Driving on slopes
Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps when starting to drive uphill by actively holding the vehicle in place.
Functional requirements
The following requirements must be met at the same time:
-
The vehicle must be stationary and held with the brake pedal until you start driving.
-
The engine must be running “evenly”.
-
A gear or a position is engaged for driving up an incline.
To start driving, take your foot off the brake pedal and press the accelerator pedal immediately. The brakes will release gradually as you start driving.
The holding function of the Hill Start Assist remains active only for a short time. Drive off within approx. two seconds.
When is it active?
Hill Start Assist is immediately deactivated if one of the conditions specified below in is no longer met:
-
The driver’s door is opened.
-
If the engine is running “unevenly” or in the event of an engine fault.
-
The engine is switched off or it stalls.
-
The selector lever is in the neutral position
.
CAUTION
If you do not pull away immediately after releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle may roll backward under certain circumstances.
-
If this is the case, press the brake pedal or set the electronic parking brake immediately.
-
Press the brake pedal or set the electronic parking brake immediately if the engine stops.
-
Press the brake pedal for a few seconds before you start to drive if you are driving on an incline in heavy traffic and you would like to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting to drive.
Hill Descent Control
If the Hill Descent Control is active, the green indicator light 
comes on.
If the Hill Descent Control is not active, the grey indicator light turns on. The system is activated, but it is not regulating.
Hill descent control maintains the speed on all four wheels when driving forward or in reverse on steep inclines through automatic braking interventions. The wheels will not lock up because the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) remains active.
When starting to drive downhill at speeds less than approx. 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph), the speed is limited to minimum approx. 2 km/h (approx. 1 mph) and maximum approx. 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph). The driver can increase or decrease the vehicle speed within these speed limits by pressing the accelerator or brake pedal.
However, there must be enough traction. Hill descent control cannot function as expected, if for example the hill is icy or if the surface is greasy.
Hill descent control is automatically activated under the following conditions:
-
The vehicle engine must be running.
-
The speed must be less than approx. 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph), the
indicator light appears in the instrument cluster display. -
The gradient must be at least 10%.
-
The brake pedal or accelerator pedal must not be pressed.
Hill Descent Control is deactivated if the speed is higher than approx. 30 km/h (approx. 19 mph), when the brake pedal or accelerator pedal is pressed, or the gradient is less than 5%.
WARNING
The intelligent technology of hill descent control cannot overcome the natural laws of physics and it can only operate within the limits of the system. Do not allow the increased convenience of the Hill Descent Control to tempt you into taking risks.
-
Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injuries.
-
Hill descent control is not a replacement for the driver's attention.
-
Always adapt your speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
-
Hill descent control cannot hold the vehicle on the incline or brake sufficiently going downhill in every situation, for example if the ground is slippery or icy.
WARNING
Always be ready to brake. If this is not the case, accidents and injuries may result.
-
Hill descent control is merely a tool and cannot sufficiently brake the vehicle going downhill under every circumstance.
-
The vehicle can go faster despite the hill descent control.
Download Manual