Driving on slopes
Hill start assist
Hill start assist helps when starting to drive uphill by actively holding the vehicle in place.
Hill start assist activates automatically under the following conditions
The following conditions must be met at the same time:
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The vehicle must be stationary and held with the brake pedal until you start driving.
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The engine must be running “evenly”.
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All four wheels must have good ground contact and the vehicle must not be tilted on an angle.
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Forwards or reverse gear is engaged.
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.
Hill Start Assist deactivated
Hill Start Assist is immediately deactivated if one of the conditions specified below in is no longer met:
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The driver’s door is opened.
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If the engine is running unevenly or in the event of an engine fault.
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The engine is switched off or it stalls.
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The selector lever is in the neutral position N.
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As soon as one of the tires does not have enough contact with the ground, for example, if the vehicle is tilted on an angle
CAUTION
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If you do not pull away immediately after releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle may roll backward under certain circumstances. In this case, immediately operate the brake pedal or apply the parking brake.
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Press the brake pedal or apply the parking brake immediately if the engine stops.
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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.
Downhill speed control
The downhill speed control system provides braking assistance when driving downhill in vehicles with automatic gearboxes ⇒ 
. Downhill speed control does this by using the braking power of the engine.
The automatic gearbox takes over selection of the ideal gear, depending on the current slope and speed. For this to happen, the selector lever must be in the D or S selector lever position. Downhill speed control is not active in Tiptronic mode.
As the downhill speed control can only downshift as far as third gear, you may need to switch to Tiptronic mode on very steep downhill stretches. In Tiptronic mode, manually shift into second or first gear to use the engine's braking power and reduce the load on the brakes.
Downhill speed control activates automatically:
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If the gradient is greater than approximately 6%.
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And: If the selector lever is in selector lever position D or S.
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Additionally if the cruise control system is switched off: If the speed is below approximately 80 km/h (50 mph) or the brake is pressed.
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Additionally if the cruise control system is active: If the saved speed is exceeded.
Downhill speed control deactivates automatically:
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When the gradient decreases.
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Or: if the transmission upshifts because the engine speed is greater than approximately 4500 rpm.
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Or additionally if the cruise control system is active: If the saved speed can be complied with.
WARNING
The intelligent technology of downhill speed 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 provided by the driver assistance systems to tempt you into taking risks.
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Unintentional vehicle movements can cause serious injuries.
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Downhill speed control is not a replacement for the driver's attention.
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Always adapt your speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
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Downhill speed 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.
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Downhill speed control is merely a tool and cannot sufficiently brake the vehicle going downhill under every circumstance.
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The vehicle can go faster despite the downhill speed control.
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