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To ensure that the vehicle is secured against rolling away unintentionally: Rthe electric parking brake must be applied Rthe transmission must be in position P and the key must be removed from the ignition lock
Ron steep uphill or downhill gradients, turn
the front wheels towards the kerb
Ron steep uphill or downhill gradients, the
front axle of an empty vehicle must be secured, for example with a wheel chock Ron steep uphill or downhill gradients, the rear axle of a laden vehicle must be addi- tionally secured, for example with a wheel chock.
Switching off the engine Important safety notes G WARNING The automatic transmission switches to neu- tral position N when you switch off the engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an accident. After switching off the engine, always switch to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi- cle from rolling away by applying the parking brake.
Using the key X Engage the electric parking brake. X Shift the transmission to position P. X Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition
lock and remove it. The immobiliser is activated.
i If you switch the engine off with the trans- mission in position R or D, the automatic transmission shifts to N automatically. If you then open one of the front doors or remove the key from the ignition, the auto- matic transmission shifts to P. If you shift the automatic transmission to N before switching off the engine, the auto-
matic transmission remains in N even if a door is opened.
Using KEYLESS-GO X Engage the electric parking brake. X Shift the transmission to position P. X Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 159).
The engine stops and all the indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
i If you use the Start/Stop button to switch off the engine, the automatic transmission shifts to N automatically. If you then open one of the front doors, the automatic trans- mission shifts to P.
i The engine can be switched off while the vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/Stop button for about three sec- onds. This function operates independently of the ECO start/stop automatic engine switch-off function.
Electric parking brake General notes G WARNING If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi- cle, they could set it in motion by, for example: Rreleasing the parking brake Rshifting the automatic transmission out of
the parking position P
Rstarting the engine. They could also operate the vehicle's equip- ment. There is a risk of an accident and injury. When leaving the vehicle, always take the key with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
i The electric parking brake carries out a function check at regular intervals when the engine is switched off. Noises that occur are normal.
Engaging/releasing manually
X To engage: push handle :.
When the electric parking brake is engaged, the ! red indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the key is removed.
X To release: pull handle :.
The red ! indicator lamp in the instru- ment cluster goes out.
i The electric parking brake can only be
released: Rwhen the key is in position 1 in the igni-
tion lock or
Rthe ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button.
To ensure that you do not roll backwards when pulling away on an uphill slope, engage the electric parking brake (Y page 162).
Engaging automatically The electric parking brake is engaged auto- matically: Rif DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
Rif the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle
stationary
Parking 183
In addition, at least one of the following con- ditions must be fulfilled: Rthe engine is switched off. Rthe driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
Rthe vehicle is stationary for a lengthy
period.
The red ! indicator lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. i The electric parking brake is not automat- ically applied if the engine is switched off by the ECO start/stop function.
Releasing automatically The electric parking brake is released auto- matically when all of the following conditions are fulfilled: Rthe engine is running. Rthe transmission is in position D or R. Rthe seat belt is fastened. Ryou depress the accelerator pedal. If the transmission is in position R, the boot lid must be closed. If your seat belt is not fastened, the following conditions must be fulfilled to automatically release the electric parking brake: Rthe driver's door is closed Ryou have shifted out of transmission posi- tion P or you have previously driven faster than 3 km/h
Emergency braking
184 Driving tips
X While driving, push handle : of the electric
parking brake.
The vehicle can also be braked during an emergency using the electric parking brake. i The vehicle is braked for as long as the
handle of the electric parking brake is pressed. The longer the electric parking brake handle is depressed, the greater the braking force. During braking: Ra warning tone sounds Rthe Release park. brake message appears
Rthe red ! indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster flashes
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand- still, the electric parking brake is engaged.
Parking up the vehicle If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer than four weeks, the battery may be damaged by exhaustive discharging. X Disconnect the battery or connect it to a
trickle charger.
i You can obtain information about trickle chargers from a qualified specialist work- shop.
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer dam- age as a result of lack of use. X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
Driving tips General notes Important safety notes G WARNING If you switch off the ignition while driving, safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake boosting effect. You will require considerably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk of an accident. Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
Drive sensibly – save fuel Observe the following tips to save fuel: X The tyres should always be inflated to the
recommended tyre pressure. X Remove unnecessary loads. X Remove roof carriers when they are not
needed.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds. X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking. X observe the service intervals in the Service
Booklet or in the service interval display. Have all the maintenance work carried in accordance with Daimler AG regulations. Fuel consumption also increases when driv- ing in cold weather, in stop-start traffic and in hilly terrain.
Short journeys ! Vehicles with a diesel particle filter: if the vehicle is mostly driven for short dis- tances, it is possible that malfunctions may occur during the automatic cleaning of the diesel particle filter. This may lead to fuel collecting in the engine oil and cause engine failure. Therefore, if you frequently drive short distances, you should take a 20
minute trip on a motorway or rural road at least every 500km.Braking Important safety notes G WARNING If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
Driving tips
185
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip. This increases the risk of skidding and having an accident. Do not shift down for additional engine brak- ing on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients Do not depress the brake pedal continuously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. causing the brakes to rub by constantly applying light pressure to the pedal. This results in exces- sive and premature wear to the brake pads. On long and steep downhill gradients, you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. Take particular note of this when driving a laden vehicle. i This also applies if you have activated
cruise control, SPEEDTRONIC or DIS- TRONIC PLUS.
This will use the braking effect of the engine, so less braking will be required to prevent the vehicle from gaining speed. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly.
Heavy and light loads G WARNING The braking system can overheat if you leave your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This increases the braking distance and could even cause the braking system to fail. There is a risk of an accident. Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Do not simultaneously depress both the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal while driving.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy load, do not stop the vehicle immediately. Drive on for a short while. This allows the air- flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
If the brakes have been used only moderately, you should occasionally test their effective- ness. To do this, brake more firmly from a higher speed. This improves the grip of the brakes.
Wet road surfaces If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain without braking, there may be a delayed reac- tion from the brakes when braking for the first time. This may also occur after a car wash or after driving through deep water. You then have to depress the brake pedal more firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle in front. After driving on a wet road or having the vehi- cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten- tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them more quickly and protecting them against corro- sion.
Limited braking performance on salt- treated roads If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt residue may form on the brake discs and brake pads. This can result in a significantly longer braking distance. RBrake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not endanger other road users when doing so. RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
New brake pads/linings New and replaced brake pads and discs only reach their optimum braking effect after sev- eral hundred kilometres of driving. Compen- sate for this by applying greater force to the brake pedal. For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz recom- mends that you only have brake pads/linings fitted to your vehicle which have been
186 Driving tips
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond to an equivalent quality standard. Brake pads/linings which have not been approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not of an equivalent quality could affect your vehicle's operating safety.
High-performance brake system for AMG vehicles The high-performance brake system is designed for high loads. This may lead to noise when braking. This is dependent on: Rspeed Rbraking force Renvironmental conditions, such as temper-
ature and humidity
The wear of individual brake system compo- nents such as the brake pads/linings or brake discs depends on individual driving style and operating conditions. For this reason, it is impossible to state a mileage (service life) that will be valid under all circumstances. An aggressive driving style will lead to high wear. You can obtain further information about this from your Mercedes- Benz Service Centre. New brake pads/brake pads and discs that have been replaced only achieve optimum braking effect after several hundred kilome- tres of driving. Compensate for the reduced braking effect by applying greater force to the brake pedal. Always be aware of this and adapt your driving and braking accordingly during the running-in period. Excessive heavy braking results in corre- spondingly high brake wear. Observe the # brake wear warning lamp in the instru- ment cluster and note any brake status mes- sages in the multifunction display. If you reg- ularly drive at high speeds, it is particularly important to have the brake system checked and maintained regularly.
Driving on wet roads Aquaplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth on the road surface, there is a danger of aqua- planing occurring, even if: Ryou are driving at low speeds Rthe tyres have adequate tread depth. For this reason, do not drive in tyre ruts, and brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads ! Bear in mind that vehicles travelling in front or in the opposite direction create waves. This may cause the maximum per- missible water depth to be exceeded. These notes must be observed under all circumstances. You could otherwise dam- age the engine, the electronics or the trans- mission.
If you have to drive on stretches of road on which water has collected, please bear in mind that: Rthe maximum permissible fording depth in
still water depends on the vehicle equip- ment.
Ryou should drive no faster than walking
pace.
Off-road fording ! The depth of water must not exceed the value specified in the table. Note that the possible fording depth is less in flowing water.
! Under no circumstances should you
accelerate before entering the water. The bow wave could cause water to enter and damage the engine and neighbouring assemblies.
! Do not open any of the vehicle's doors while fording. Otherwise, water could get into the vehicle interior and damage the
vehicle's electronics and interior equip- ment.
RDrive slowly and at a constant speed
through the water.
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187
RDo not stop. RWater offers a high degree of resistance, the ground is slippery and, in some cases, unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and dan- gerous to pull away in the water.
REnsure that a bow wave does not form as
you drive.
RClean any mud from the tyre tread after
fording.
RApply the brakes to dry them after fording.
Winter driving General notes G WARNING If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip. This increases the risk of skidding and having an accident. Do not shift down for additional engine brak- ing on a slippery road surface. G DANGER If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of fatal injury. If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area around the vehicle are clear of snow. To ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open a window on the side of the vehicle that is not facing into the wind.
! Take care not to damage the sealing strip
and the moulding on the side of the rear window when scraping ice off the rear win- dow.
The table shows fording depth : when loa- ded and ready to drive. When the vehicle is loaded and ready to drive, it has a full tank, all fluids have been topped up and the driver is in the vehicle. On vehicles with the AIRMATIC package or the ON&OFFROAD package, loads up to the maximum permissible load have no influence on fording capability :.
Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD package Raised level Vehicles with the ON&OFF- ROAD package Off-road level 3
Off-road level 2
Off-road level 1Fording depth
50 cm
60 cm 50 cm 50 cm
REstablish how deep the water is and the
characteristics of the body of water before fording.
RSelect the highest possible vehicle level. RRestrict the shift range to 1 or 2. RAvoid high engine speeds. REnter and exit the water at a flat place and
at a steady walking pace.
188 Driving tips
At the onset of winter, have your vehicle win- terproofed at a qualified specialist workshop. Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD pack- age: if driving in snow or with snow chains, select the snow program (Y page 249) with the off-road program selector wheel in the centre console. Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" section (Y page 398).
Driving with summer tyres Observe the notes in the "Winter operation" section (Y page 398).
Slippery road surfaces G WARNING If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip. This increases the risk of skidding and having an accident. Do not shift down for additional engine brak- ing on a slippery road surface.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be stopped when moving at low speed: X Move the transmission to position N. X Try to bring the vehicle under control by
using corrective steering.
i For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page 399).
You should drive particularly carefully on slip- pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera- tion, steering and braking manoeuvres.
Off-road driving Important safety notes G WARNING If you drive up a steep incline at an angle or turn on a steep incline, the vehicle could slip
sideways, tip and overturn. There is a risk of an accident. When driving up an incline, drive into the line of fall (upwards or downwards in a straight line) and do not turn. G WARNING If the vehicle level is high, the vehicle centre of gravity is raised. This could cause the vehi- cle to tip over more easily on uphill or downhill gradients. There is a risk of an accident. Select the lowest possible vehicle level.
When driving off-road, sand, mud and water, possibly mixed with oil, for example, could get into the brakes. This could result in a reduced braking effect or in total brake failure and also in increased wear and tear. The braking char- acteristics change depending on the material ingressing the brakes. Clean the brakes after driving off-road. If you detect a reduced brak- ing effect or grinding noises, have the brake system checked in a qualified specialist work- shop as soon as possible. Adapt your driving style to the different braking characteristics. Driving off-road increases the likelihood of damage to the vehicle, which, in turn, can lead to failure of the mechanical assembly or sys- tems. Adapt your driving style to suit the ter- rain conditions. Drive carefully. Have damage to the vehicle rectified immediately at a quali- fied specialist workshop. Do not switch to transmission position N when driving off-road. You could lose control of the vehicle if you attempt to brake using the service brake. If the gradient is too steep, drive backwards in reverse gear.
General notes H Environmental note Protection of the environment is of primary importance. Treat nature with respect. Observe all prohibiting signs.
Read this section before driving your vehicle off-road. Practise by travelling over more gen- tle off-road terrain first. The following driving systems are specially adapted to off-road driving: ROff-road program (vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD package) (Y page 252)
ROff-road program 1 and 2 (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) (Y page 253)
RLOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles with
the ON&OFFROAD package) (Y page 254)
RDifferential lock (vehicles with the
ON&OFFROAD package) (Y page 254)
ROff-road ABS (Y page 61) ROff-road 4ETS (Y page 66) ROff-road ESP®(Y page 67) RAIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
RDSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
(Y page 212)
(Y page 251)
Observe the following notes: RStop your vehicle and, if necessary, select the off-road program (Y page 252) or the LOW RANGE off-road gear (Y page 254) before driving off-road.
RSelect a vehicle level suitable for the off-
road terrain. To avoid damaging the vehicle, make sure there is always sufficient ground clearance.
RCheck that items of luggage and loads are
stowed safely and are well secured (Y page 343).
RAlways keep the engine running and in gear when driving on a downhill gradient. Acti- vate DSR (Y page 251).
RDrive slowly and evenly, if necessary at
walking pace.
REnsure that the wheels are in contact with
the ground at all times.
RDrive with extreme care on unknown off-
road routes where visibility is poor. For safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first and survey the off-road route.
Driving tips
189
RCheck the depth of water before fording
rivers and streams.
RLook out for obstacles such as rocks, holes,
tree stumps and furrows.
RTake care when turning on an uphill or downhill slope or when driving across a slope. The vehicle could otherwise tip over. RAlways keep the side windows and the pan-
orama sliding sunroof closed during the journey.
RDo not stray from marked routes or paths. i Information about retrofitting special all- terrain tyres is available from any qualified specialist workshop.
i Do not use the HOLD function when driv- ing off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gra- dients or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle on such surfaces.
Checklist before driving off-road X Engine oil level: check the engine oil and
top it up if necessary. When driving on steep gradients, the engine oil level must be sufficiently high to ensure a correct oil supply in the vehicle. X AdBlue® tank (BlueTEC vehicles): check the fluid level and, if necessary, refill to the maximum (13 l) (Y page 178).
X Tyre-change tool kit: check that the jack
is working and make sure you have the wheelbrace, a robust tow cable and a fold- ing spade in the vehicle.
X Wheels and tyres: check the tyre tread
depth and tyre pressure.
X Check for damage and remove any foreign
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/tyres.
X Replace any missing valve caps. X Replace dented or damaged wheels. X Wheels: dented or bent wheels can lead to a loss of tyre pressure and damage to the tyre bead. Before driving off-road, check the wheels and replace them if necessary.
190 Driving tips
Checklist after driving off-road ! If you detect damage to the vehicle after driving off-road, have the vehicle checked immediately at a qualified specialist work- shop.
X Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD pack-
age: activate the on-road program (Y page 253).
X Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD
package: deactivate the on-road program (Y page 252).
X Deactivate the LOW RANGE off-road gear
(Y page 254).
X Deactivate DSR (Y page 251). X Lower the vehicle level again to a level suit- able to the road conditions, e.g. to the high- way/high-speed level.
X Clean the headlamps and rear lights and
check for damage.
X Clean the front and rear licence plates. X Clean the wheels/tyres with a water jet and
remove any foreign objects.
X Clean the wheels, wheel arches and the vehicle underside with a water jet; check for any foreign objects and damage.
X Check whether twigs or other parts of
plants have become trapped. These increase the risk of fire and can damage fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber bel- lows of the axle joints and propeller shafts.
X After the trip, examine without fail the
entire undercarriage, wheels, tyres, brakes, bodywork structure, steering, chassis and exhaust system for damage.
X After driving for extended periods across sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty conditions, have the brake discs, wheels, brake pads/linings and axle joints checked and cleaned.
X If you detect strong vibrations after off-road
travel, check for foreign objects in the wheels and drive train and remove them if necessary. Foreign objects can disturb the balance and cause vibrations.
Driving over rough terrain places greater demands on your vehicle than driving on nor- mal roads. After driving off-road, check the vehicle. This allows you to detect damage promptly and reduce the risk of an accident to yourself and other road users.
Driving on sand Observe the following rules when driving on sand: Rvehicles with the ON&OFFROAD pack-
age: select off-road program 1
(Y page 253).Rvehicles without the ON&OFFROAD package: select the off-road program (Y page 252).
Rselect a higher vehicle level. Rselect a shift range appropriate to the ter-
rain.
Rdrive quickly to overcome the rolling resist-
ance. Otherwise, the vehicle's wheels could become stuck in loose ground.
Rdrive in the tracks of other vehicles if pos-
sible. Make sure that:
the tyre ruts are not too deep. the sand is sufficiently firm. the ground clearance of the vehicle is sufficient.
Tyre ruts and gravel roads ! Check that the ruts are not too deep and that your vehicle has sufficient clearance. Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged or bottom out and get stuck.
Observe the following rules when driving along ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with loose gravel: RActivate the off-road program
(Y page 252).
RVehicles with the AIRMATIC package:
select a raised vehicle level.
RAvoid high engine speeds. RRestrict the shift range to 1.
RDrive slowly. RWhere ruts are too deep, drive with the
wheels on one side on the middle section of turf if possible.
Driving over obstacles ! Obstacles could damage the floor of the vehicle or components of the chassis. Ask passengers for guidance when driving over large obstacles. Any damage to the vehicle always increases the risk of an accident.
Observe the following rules when driving over tree stumps, large stones and other obsta- cles: RSelect the off-road program (Y page 252)
or the LOW RANGE off-road gear (Y page 254).
RRaise the vehicle level. RAvoid high engine speeds. RRestrict the shift range to 1. RDrive very slowly. RDrive straight over the centre of obstacles.
Travelling uphill Approach/departure angle G WARNING If you drive up a steep incline at an angle or turn on a steep incline, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip and overturn. There is a risk of an accident. When driving up an incline, drive into the line of fall (upwards or downwards in a straight line) and do not turn.
Driving tips
191
The table shows approach/departure angles : and ; loaded and ready to drive. On vehicles with the AIRMATIC package or the ON&OFFROAD package, loads up to the maximum permissible load have no influence on approach and departure angles. All vehicles (except AMG vehicles and vehicles AMG bodystyling)
Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD package Highway level Raised level Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package Highway level Off-road level 1
Off-road level 2
Off-road level 3: ;
25° 30°
20° 25°
25° 28° 30° 33°
20° 23° 25° 27°
Vehicles with AMG bodystyling
Vehicles without the ON&OFFROAD package Highway level Raised level
: ;
20° 24°
20° 24°
192 Driving tips
Vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package Highway level Off-road level 1
Off-road level 2
Off-road level 3AMG vehicles
Highway level (AMG RIDE CONTROL sports mode) Raised level
: ;
20° 22° 24° 26°
20° 22° 24° 26°
: ; 19° 19°
23°
22°
RFollow the line of fall when driving on slopes
and steep inclines.
RBefore driving on extreme uphill and down- hill gradients, select the off-road program (Y page 252) or the LOW RANGE off-road gear (Y page 254).
RObserve the warnings for off-road driving
(Y page 188). RDrive slowly. RAccelerate gently and make sure that the
wheels are gripping.
RAvoid high engine speeds, except when driving on sandy and muddy routes with high driving resistance.
RSelect a shift range appropriate to the gra-
dient.
RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1.
Do not shift into transmission position N when driving off-road. You could lose control of the vehicle if you attempt to brake the vehicle using the service brake. If the gradient is too steep for your vehicle, back up in reverse gear.
Maximum gradient-climbing capability On good road surfaces and with the LOW RANGE off-road gear selected, the full gradi- ent-climbing capability is available. i If the load on the front axle is reduced
when pulling away on a steep uphill slope, the front wheels have a tendency to spin. 4ETS recognises this and brakes the wheels accordingly. The rear wheel torque is increased and it is easier to pull away.
Hilltops When driving up an uphill gradient, slightly reduce pressure on the accelerator immedi- ately before reaching the brow of the hill. Make use of the vehicle's own impetus to travel over the brow. This style of driving prevents: Rthe vehicle from lifting off the ground on the
brow of a hill
Rthe vehicle from travelling too quickly down
the other side.
Driving downhill RDrive slowly. RDo not drive at an angle down steep
inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive with the front wheels aligned straight. Oth- erwise, the vehicle could slip sideways, tip and overturn.
RBefore tackling steep downhill gradients,
select shift range 1.
RActivate DSR. If this is not sufficient, brake gently. When doing so, make sure that the vehicle is facing in the direction of the line of fall.
RCheck that the brakes are working normally
after a long downhill stretch.
i Off-road ABS is activated when the off-
road program or LOW RANGE off-road gear is selected. At speeds below 30 km/h, the front wheels lock cyclically during braking. The digging-
in effect achieved in the process reduces the stopping distance when driving off- road. The steerability of the vehicle is con- siderably reduced if the wheels lock.
Driving systems Cruise control Important safety notes G WARNING Do not change down for additional engine braking on a slippery road surface. This could cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. G WARNING Cruise control cannot take account of road and traffic conditions. Always pay attention to traffic conditions even when cruise control is activated. Cruise control is only an aid designed to assist driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's speed and for braking in good time. G WARNING Do not use cruise control Rin traffic conditions that do not allow you to drive at a constant speed (e.g. heavy traffic or winding roads). You may otherwise cause an accident.
Ron slippery roads. The drive wheels may
lose their grip when braking or accelerating and the vehicle may skid.
Rwhen there is low visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow.
General notes Cruise control maintains a constant road speed for you. It brakes automatically in order to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. By
Driving systems
193
doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. Use cruise control only if road and traffic con- ditions make it appropriate to maintain a steady speed for a prolonged period. You can store any road speed above 30 km/h.
Cruise control lever
: To activate or increase speed ; LIM indicator lamp = To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
? To activate or reduce speed A To switch between cruise control and var-
iable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate cruise control You can operate cruise control and variable SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever. X To switch between variable SPEED- TRONIC and cruise control: press the cruise control lever in the direction of arrow A.
LIM indicator lamp ; on the cruise control lever indicates which function you have selec- ted: RLIM indicator lamp ; off: cruise control
is selected.
RLIM indicator lamp ; on: variable
SPEEDTRONIC is selected.
When you activate cruise control, the stored speed is shown in the multifunction display
i Cruise control may be unable to maintain the stored speed on uphill gradients. The stored speed is resumed when the gradient evens out. Cruise control maintains the stored speed on downhill gradients by automatically applying the brakes.
Storing or calling up the speed G WARNING Only call up a stored speed if you know what that speed is and if it is suitable for the current traffic and driving situation. You can other- wise endanger yourself or others by uninten- tionally triggering sudden acceleration or braking.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you :.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal. The first time cruise control is activated, it stores the current speed or regulates the speed of the vehicle to the previously stored speed.
194 Driving systems
for five seconds. In the multifunction display, the segments between the stored speed and the maximum speed light up.
Activation conditions To activate cruise control, all of the following activation conditions must be fulfilled: Rthe electric parking brake must be
released.
Ryou are driving faster than 30 km/h. RESP® must be switched on, but not inter-
vening.
Rthe transmission must be in position D. RDSR must be deactivated. Roff-road program 2 must be deactivated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package). Rthe cruise control function must be selec-
ted (Y page 193).
Storing, maintaining and calling up a speed Storing and maintaining the speed
X Accelerate the vehicle to the desired
speed.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
up : or down ;.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal. Cruise control is activated. The vehicle automatically maintains the stored speed. You can accept the current speed if you are driving faster than 30 km/h.
Setting a speed
Deactivating cruise control
Driving systems
195
X Press the cruise control lever up : for a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed. X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored.
X Setting in 1-km/h increments: press the
cruise control lever up : or down ; to the pressure point. The last speed stored is increased or reduced in 1 km/h increments.
X To adjust the set speed in 10-km/h
increments: press the cruise control lever briefly up : or down ; beyond the pres- sure point. The last speed stored is increased or reduced in 10 km/h increments.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you depress the accelerator pedal. For exam- ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake, cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last speed stored after you have fin- ished overtaking.
There are several ways to deactivate cruise control: X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards =.
or X Brake or X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow ;. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM indicator lamp : in the cruise control lever lights up.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if: Ryou engage the electric parking brake. Ryou are driving at less than 30 km/h. RESP® intervenes or you deactivate ESP®. Ryou activate DSR. Ryou activate off-road program 2 on vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package.
Ryou shift the transmission to position N
while driving. If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a warning tone. You will see the Cruise control off message in the multifunction display for approximately five seconds. i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine.
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SPEEDTRONIC Important safety notes G WARNING Never depress the brake pedal continuously while the vehicle is in motion, e.g. never cause the brakes to rub by applying constant slight pedal pressure. This causes the brake system to overheat, increases the braking distance and can lead to the brakes failing completely. G WARNING Do not change down for additional engine braking on a slippery road surface. This could cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. G WARNING SPEEDTRONIC is only an aid designed to assist driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's speed and for braking in good time. G WARNING If there is a change of drivers, advise the new driver of the limit speed stored. Only use variable SPEEDTRONIC if you will not have to accelerate suddenly to a speed above that stored as the limit speed. You could oth- erwise cause an accident. You can only exceed the limit speed stored if you deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC: Rusing the cruise control lever Rby depressing the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point (kickdown) It is not possible to deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC by braking.
General notes SPEEDTRONIC brakes automatically so that you do not exceed the set speed. On long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. By doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on
the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. If you need additional braking, depress the brake pedal repeatedly rather than continu- ously. You can set a variable or permanent limit speed: Rvariable for speed limits, e.g. in built-up
areas
Rpermanent for long-term speed restric- tions, e.g. when driving with winter tyres fitted (Y page 198)
i The speed indicated in the speedometer
may differ slightly from the limit speed stored.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC Cruise control lever
: To activate or increase speed ; LIM indicator lamp = To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
? To activate or reduce speed A To switch between cruise control or DIS- TRONIC PLUS and variable SPEEDTRONIC
B To deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC With the cruise control lever, you can operate cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS and vari- able SPEEDTRONIC. X To switch between variable SPEED-
TRONIC and cruise control/DISTRONIC PLUS: press the cruise control lever in the direction of arrow A.
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197
LIM indicator lamp ; on the cruise control lever indicates which function you have selec- ted: RLIM indicator lamp ; off: cruise control
or DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
RLIM indicator lamp ; on: variable
SPEEDTRONIC is selected.
You can use the cruise control lever to limit the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while the engine is running. Storing the current speed
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you :.
Setting a speed
You can use the cruise control lever to limit the speed to any speed above 30 km/h while the engine is running. X Briefly press the cruise control lever
up : or down ;. The current speed is stored and shown in the multifunction display. The segments in the multifunction display light up from the start of the scale up to the stored speed.
Storing the current speed and calling up the last stored speed G WARNING Only select a stored speed if you know what that speed is and whether it is suitable for the current driving and traffic situation. Other- wise, sudden braking could endanger you or others.
X To adjust the set speed in 10 km/h
increments: briefly press the cruise con- trol lever up : past the pressure point for a higher speed, or down ; for a lower speed.
or X Keep the cruise control lever pressed
beyond the pressure point until the desired speed is set. Press the cruise control lever up : for a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed.
X To adjust the set speed in 1 km/h incre-
ments: briefly press the cruise control lever up : to the pressure point for a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed.
or X Keep the cruise control lever pressed to the
pressure point until the desired speed is set. Press the cruise control lever up : for
198 Driving systems
a higher speed or down ; for a lower speed.
Deactivating variable SPEEDTRONIC G WARNING It is not possible to deactivate variable Speed- tronic by braking.
There are several ways to deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC: X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards :.
or X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow =. LIM indicator lamp ; in the cruise control lever goes out. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is deactivated. Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is selec- ted.
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is automatically deactivated if: Ryou depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown), but only if your current speed does not differ by more than 20 km/h from the stored speed. You will hear a warning tone if this is the case.
Ryou activate DSR. Ryou activate off-road program 2 (vehicles
with the ON&OFFROAD package).
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine.
Permanent SPEEDTRONIC You can use the on-board computer to limit the speed permanently to a value between 160 km/h(e.g. for driving on winter tyres) and the maximum speed (Y page 283). Shortly before the stored speed is reached, it appears in the multifunction display. Permanent SPEEDTRONIC remains active, even if variable SPEEDTRONIC is deactivated. You cannot exceed the stored limit speed, even if you depress the accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point (kickdown).
DISTRONIC PLUS Important safety notes G WARNING Do not change down for additional engine braking on a slippery road surface. This could cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and the vehicle could skid. G WARNING DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid designed to assist driving. The driver remains fully respon- sible for the vehicle's distance from other vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for braking in good time. DISTRONIC PLUS does not react in particular to: Rpedestrians Rstationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-
ped or parked vehicles
Roncoming and crossing traffic DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow vehi- cles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or vehi- cles driving on a different line. Therefore, always pay attention to traffic conditions even when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Other- wise, you may fail to recognise dangers in time, cause an accident and injure yourself and others.
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199
G WARNING DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of road and traffic conditions. If DISTRONIC does not recognise or no longer recognises the vehicle in front, do not activate DISTRONIC or, if it is already active, deactivate it. This is especially the case: Rbefore corners Ron filter lanes Rwhen changing to a lane with faster moving
traffic
Rin complex driving situations or where lanes are diverted, e.g. at roadworks on a motor- way
DISTRONIC PLUS otherwise maintains the current speed set by you or accelerates up to the set speed. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of weather conditions. Deactivate, or do not activate, DISTRONIC PLUS: Rif the roads are slippery, snow-covered or icy. The wheels could lose their grip when braking or accelerating. The vehicle could start to skid.
Rif the sensors are dirty or there is poor vis-
ibility, e.g. due to snow, rain or fog. Dis- tance control may be impaired.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions even when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Otherwise, you may fail to recognise dangers in time, cause an accident and injure yourself and others. G WARNING DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle up to a maximum of 4 m/s2 depending on its speed. This corresponds to approximately 40% of your vehicle's maximum braking power. You must also apply the brakes yourself if this braking power is not sufficient. If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a risk of collision with a vehicle in front, an intermittent warning tone sounds. In addition, the · distance warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. Brake to avoid a collision.
G WARNING The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. For this reason, deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehicle is to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a car wash or by towing).
The radar sensor system is switched off auto- matically in the vicinity of radio telescope facilities (Y page 433). If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you, the radar sensor system must be activated (Y page 283) and operational.
General notes DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and automatically helps you maintain the dis- tance to the vehicle detected in front. DIS- TRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so that the set speed is not exceeded. On long and steep downhill gradients, espe- cially if the vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. By doing so, you will make use of the braking effect of the engine. This relieves the load on the brake system and prevents the brakes from overheating and wearing too quickly. If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a slower-moving vehicle in front, your vehicle is braked in order to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle in front. If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS operates in the same way as cruise control in the speed range between 30 km/h and 200 km/h. If a vehicle is driving in front of you, DISTRONIC operates in the speed range between 0 km/h and 200 km/h. Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS on roads with steep gradients.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS Activation conditions To activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the following conditions must be fulfilled: Rthe engine must be running. It may take up
to two minutes of driving before DIS- TRONIC PLUS is ready for use.
Rthe electric parking brake must be
released.
RESP® must be switched on, but not inter-
vening.
Rthe transmission must be in position D. Rthe driver's door must be closed when you shift from P to D or your seat belt must be fastened.
Rthe front-passenger door and the rear
doors must be closed.
ROff-road program 2 must be deactivated
(vehicles with the ON&OFFROAD package).
RDSR must be deactivated. Rthe vehicle must not be skidding. Rthe DISTRONIC PLUS function must be
selected (Y page 200). Activating while driving
200 Driving systems
Cruise control lever
: To activate or increase speed ; To set the specified minimum distance = LIM indicator lamp ? To activate at the current speed/last
stored speed
A To activate or reduce speed B To switch between DISTRONIC PLUS and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
C To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS With the cruise control lever, you can operate DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEED- TRONIC. X To switch between variable SPEED-
TRONIC and DISTRONIC PLUS: press the cruise control lever in the direction of arrow B.
LIM indicator lamp = on the cruise control lever indicates which function you have selec- ted: RLIM indicator lamp = off: DISTRONIC
PLUS is selected.
RLIM indicator lamp = on: variable
SPEEDTRONIC is selected.
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201
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ; or press it up : or down =. DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X Press the cruise control lever repeatedly up : or down = until the desired speed is set.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal. Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the vehicle in front, but only up to the desired stored speed.
If the vehicle in front has been detected and is shown in the multifunction display, you can also activate DISTRONIC PLUS when driving at speeds below 30 km/h. If the vehicle in front is no longer detected and displayed, for example because it has changed lanes, DIS- TRONIC PLUS is deactivated. You will hear a warning tone if this is the case. i If you do not fully release the accelerator pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS inactive message appears in the multifunction dis- play. The set distance to a slower-moving vehicle in front will then not be maintained. You will be driving at the speed you deter- mine by the position of the accelerator pedal.
Activating when driving towards a sta- tionary vehicle X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ; or press it up : or down =. DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed
up : or down = until the desired speed is set.
If the vehicle in front of you is stationary, you can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS once your vehicle is stationary as well. i DISTRONIC PLUS can only be activated at under 30 km/h if a vehicle in front has been detected. Therefore, the DISTRONIC PLUS distance display in the instrument cluster should be activated (Y page 277).
i You can use the cruise control lever to set
the stored speed and the control on the cruise control lever to set the specified minimum distance (Y page 204).
Activating at the current speed/last stored speed G WARNING Only call up a stored speed if you know what that speed is and if it is suitable for the current traffic and driving situation. You can other- wise endanger yourself or others by uninten- tionally triggering sudden acceleration or braking.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you :.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal. DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first time it is activated, the current speed is stored. Otherwise, it sets the vehicle cruise speed to the previously stored value.
Driving with DISTRONIC PLUS Pulling away and driving G WARNING If you depress the brake, DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated unless your vehicle is stationary. DISTRONIC PLUS then no longer brakes your vehicle. In such cases, control the distance from vehicles travelling in front with the brake alone. You could otherwise cause an accident and thereby injure yourself and others. The driver remains fully responsible for the vehi-
202 Driving systems
cle's distance from other vehicles, the speed being driven and for braking in good time.
time, cause an accident and injure yourself and others.
If you change to the overtaking lane, DIS- TRONIC PLUS supports you if: Ryou are driving faster than 60 km/h. RDISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the dis-
tance to a vehicle in front.
Ryou switch on the respective turn signals. RDISTRONIC PLUS does not detect a danger
of collision.
If these conditions are met, your vehicle is accelerated. Acceleration will be interrupted if changing lanes takes too long or if the dis- tance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front becomes too small. i When changing lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS monitors the left lane for left-hand-drive vehicles and the right lane for right-hand- drive vehicles.
Vehicles with COMAND Online
Example: roundabout i The following function is not operational
in all countries.
DISTRONIC PLUS uses additional information from your navigation system so that it can adapt to certain traffic situations. This is the case if, while following a vehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS is active and you: Rapproach or drive around a roundabout Rapproach a T-junction Rturn off at a motorway exit
X If the vehicle in front pulls away: remove
your foot from the brake pedal.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you ; or press it up : or down =.
or X Accelerate briefly.
Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its speed to that of the vehicle in front.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC PLUS operates in the same way as cruise control. If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in front has slowed down, it brakes your vehi- cle. In this way, the distance you have selec- ted is maintained. If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a faster-moving vehicle in front, it increases the driving speed. However, the vehicle is only accelerated up to the speed you have stored. Changing lanes G WARNING DISTRONIC PLUS and Active Blind Spot Assist are only an aid designed to assist driving. They do not relieve you of the responsibility of paying attention. The driver remains fully responsible for the vehicle's distance from other vehicles, the vehicle's speed and for braking in good time. Always pay attention to traffic conditions and your surroundings. Oth- erwise, you may fail to recognise dangers in
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203
Even if the vehicle in front leaves the detec- tion range, DISTRONIC PLUS temporarily maintains the current driving speed and does not accelerate. This is based on the current
