In an emergency
Making you and your vehicle safe
Observe any legislation concerning the safety of a broken-down vehicle. For example, many
countries stipulate that you have to switch on the hazard warning lights and wear a high-
visibility waistcoat (→ Emergency equipment, Description).
Checklist
To ensure your own safety and that of your passengers, observe the following points in the
specified order →
:
1. Stop the vehicle at a safe distance away from moving traffic and on a suitable surface →
.
2. Switch on the hazard warning lights using the
3. Switch on the electronic parking brake.
4. Move the selector lever to position P.
button (→ Centre console, Overview).
5. Deactivate the vehicle’s drive system (→ Deactivating the vehicle’s drive system, Operation).
6. Ensure that all occupants exit the vehicle and go straight to a safe place away from moving
traffic, e.g. behind the safety barrier. Observe the country-specific regulations concerning
high-visibility waistcoats.
7. Take all vehicle keys with you when you leave the vehicle.
8. Set up the warning triangle to draw the attention of other road users to your vehicle.
9. Allow the electric drive to cool down and, if necessary, seek expert assistance.
When the hazard warning lights are switched on, for example if you are being towed, you can
still indicate a change in direction or lane change by operating the turn signal. The hazard
warning lights will be interrupted temporarily.
Switch on the hazard warning lights, e.g. in the following situations:
—When traffic ahead suddenly slows down or you reach the tail end of a traffic jam to warn
vehicles behind you.
—There is an emergency situation.
—The vehicle has broken down.
—When tow-starting or towing.
Always follow local regulations for the use of the hazard warning lights.
If the hazard warning lights are not working, you must use an alternative method of drawing
attention to the broken-down vehicle. This method must comply with traffic legislation.
WARNING
Any broken-down vehicle poses a high accident risk for the vehicle occupants and other road
users.
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Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
Park the vehicle at a safe distance from moving traffic.
Switch on the hazard warning lights.
Never leave other persons alone in the vehicle, particularly children or people requiring
assistance. This applies in particular when the doors are locked. People locked in the vehicle
may be subjected to very high or very low temperatures.
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