Mercedes-Benz

Notes on plug-in hybrid operation

WARNING Risk of chemical burns and poisoning from damaged high-voltage battery

If the housing of the high-voltage battery has been damaged, electrolyte and gases may leak out.

Avoid contact with the skin, eyes or clothing.

Immediately rinse electrolyte splashes off with water and seek medical attention straight away.

DANGER Risk of explosion from excessive internal pressure of the high-voltage battery

Flammable gas may escape and ignite in the event of a vehicle fire.

Stop the charging process immediately in case of unusual odours, smoke or burn marks.

Leave the danger zone immediately. Secure the danger zone at a sufficient distance.

Call the fire brigade.

The hybrid system combines a combustion engine with an electric motor.

Characteristics when the vehicle is at a standstill:

the combustion engine is generally switched off.
engine idling only occurs in certain instances.

Characteristics when starting the vehicle:

if the high-voltage battery is sufficiently charged, the vehicle can be started with the electric drive without the combustion engine (noiseless start).
if the high-voltage battery for the electrical drive is not sufficiently charged or the operating temperature of the combustion engine has not been reached, the vehicle can start with the combustion engine.

Depending on the system, it may happen that even though the high-voltage battery is charged, electric mode has restricted or no availability. Once the combustion engine has been operated for long enough, electric mode is again available without restriction.

Characteristics with moderate power output requests:

the combustion engine is switched off as often as possible during the journey.
the vehicle can, depending on the drive program selected and the charge level, be accelerated electrically up to speeds of approximately 140 km/h.

Characteristics with high power output requests:

the electric motor supports the combustion engine (boost effect), e.g. when pulling away or accelerating.
the high-voltage battery is discharging.

Characteristics when releasing the accelerator pedal during the journey:

the electric motor is operated as a alternator when in overrun mode and during braking.
the high-voltage battery is charging.

Notes on electric mode:

vehicles with hybrid systems generate significantly less noise when stationary and when being driven than vehicles with combustion engines.
when driving in electric mode, the vehicle may not be heard by other road users due to the significantly reduced noise generated.
It is for this reason that the vehicle is equipped with a sound generator, which serves as an acoustic vehicle warning system (AVAS).
if not all of the vehicle conditions for electric mode are met, then the combustion engine is switched on.

Vehicles with diesel particulate filters: During the regeneration of the diesel particulate filter, the drive programmes are not available or are restricted and the battery charge level may change.

Notes on the acoustic vehicle warning system:

the sound generator generates speed-dependent vehicle noise emissions when driving forward or backing up at a speed of up to around 30 km/h.
this helps other road users, particularly pedestrians and bike riders, to hear your vehicle better.
when driving at speeds above 20 km/h the vehicle acoustic warning system gradually switches off.
the sound generator is off when the vehicle is stationary.