2012-2017 Mercedes A Class 4 Door Driving and parking User Manual
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Driving and parking for Your Mercedes A Class 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2017)

155  
Useful information ............................ 156  
Running-in notes ............................... 156  
Driving ............................................... 156  
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehi-  
cles except Mercedes-AMG vehi-  
cles) .................................................... 166  
DYNAMIC SELECT controller  
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ................. 167  
Manual transmission ........................ 168  
Automatic transmission ................... 169  
Refuelling ........................................... 180  
Parking ............................................... 184  
Driving tips ........................................ 187  
Driving systems ................................ 191  
Towing a trailer ................................. 229  
Driving  
156  
R
R
Do not shift down a gear manually in order  
to brake.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
try to avoid depressing the accelerator  
pedal beyond the point of resistance (kick-  
down).  
Useful information  
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-  
els, series and optional equipment for your  
vehicle that were available at the time of  
going to press. National variations are pos-  
sible. Note that your vehicle may not be  
equipped with all of the functions descri-  
bed. This is also the case for systems and  
functions relevant to safety.  
After 1500 km, you may gradually bring the  
vehicle up to full road and engine speeds.  
Additional notes on running in Mercedes-  
AMG vehicles:  
i Read the information on qualified special-  
ist workshops: (Y page 24).  
R
for the first 1,500 km do not drive at speeds  
above 140 km/h.  
R
only allow the engine to reach a maximum  
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.  
Running-in notes  
You should also observe these notes on run-  
ning-in if the engine or parts of the drive train  
on your vehicle have been replaced.  
Always observe the maximum permissible  
speed.  
Important safety notes  
In certain driving and driving safety systems,  
the sensors adjust automatically while a cer-  
tain distance is being driven after the vehicle  
has been delivered or after repairs. Full sys-  
tem effectiveness is not reached until the end  
of this teach-in process.  
Driving  
Brake pads/linings and discs that are either  
new or have been replaced only achieve opti-  
mum braking effect after several hundred kil-  
ometres of driving. Compensate for the  
reduced braking effect by applying greater  
force to the brake pedal.  
Important safety notes  
WARNING  
G
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict  
the clearance around the pedals or block a  
depressed pedal. This jeopardises the oper-  
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is a  
risk of an accident.  
The first 1500 km  
Stow all objects securely in the vehicle so that  
they do not get into the driver's footwell.  
Always fit the floormats securely and as pre-  
scribed in order to ensure that there is always  
sufficient room for the pedals. Do not use  
loose floormats and do not place several floor-  
mats on top of one another.  
If you treat the engine with sufficient care  
from the very start, you will be rewarded with  
excellent performance for the remainder of  
the engine's life.  
R
Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine  
speeds for the first 1500 km.  
R
Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this  
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.  
Change gear in good time, before the rev  
counter needle is Ô of the way to the red  
WARNING  
G
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage  
of the pedals, e.g.:  
R
R
shoes with thick soles  
shoes with high heels  
area of the rev counter.  
R
R
slippers  
Driving  
157  
Key positions  
Key  
There is a risk of an accident.  
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct  
usage of the pedals.  
WARNING  
G
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.  
g
To remove the key  
Power supply for some consumers, such  
as the windscreen wipers  
Ignition (power supply for all consumers)  
and drive position  
To start the vehicle  
WARNING  
G
If the parking brake has not been fully  
1
released when driving, the parking brake can:  
2
3
R
overheat and cause a fire  
lose its hold function.  
R
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release  
the parking brake fully before driving off.  
Vehicles with manual transmission: the  
steering is locked when the key is taken out of  
the ignition lock.  
! Do not warm up the engine when the vehi-  
cle is stationary. Drive off immediately.  
Avoid high engine speeds and driving at full  
throttle until the engine has reached its  
operating temperature.  
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle, it  
can still be turned in the ignition lock. How-  
ever, the ignition will not be switched on.  
The engine cannot be started.  
Only shift the automatic transmission to  
the desired drive position when the vehicle  
is stationary.  
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive  
wheels when pulling away on slippery  
roads. You could otherwise damage the  
drive train.  
Start/Stop button  
General notes  
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with  
keys featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO  
function and a detachable Start/Stop button.  
A check which periodically establishes a radio  
connection between the vehicle and the key  
determines whether a valid key is in the vehi-  
cle. This occurs, for example, when starting  
the engine.  
When you insert the Start/Stop button into  
the ignition lock, the system needs approx-  
imately two seconds recognition time. You  
can then use the Start/Stop button.  
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles: avoid full-load  
operation and engine speeds greater than  
5000 rpm when the engine is cold. This will  
help to protect the engine and maintain  
smooth engine operation.  
Z
Driving  
158  
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times function operates independently of the ECO  
in succession corresponds to the different  
key positions in the ignition lock. Pre-requi-  
site for this is that:  
start/stop automatic engine switch-off func-  
tion.  
Key positions with the Start/Stop button  
R
you do not depress the brake pedal (vehi-  
cles with automatic transmission)  
R
you do not depress the clutch pedal (vehi-  
cles with manual transmission)  
If you depress the brake pedal and press the  
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-  
ately (vehicles with automatic transmission).  
If you depress the clutch pedal and press the  
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-  
ately (vehicles with manual transmission).  
To start the vehicle without actively using the  
key:  
:
Start/Stop button  
Ignition lock  
;
R
the Start/Stop button must be inserted in  
When you switch on the ignition, all of the  
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light  
up. Further information on situations where  
an indicator lamp either fails to go out after  
starting the engine or lights up while driving  
(Y page 294).  
the ignition lock  
the key must be in the vehicle  
the vehicle must not be locked with the key  
or KEYLESS-GO (Y page 83)  
R
R
Do not keep the KEYLESS-GO key:  
R
with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile  
phone or another key  
with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metal  
If Start/Stop button : has not yet been  
pressed, this corresponds to the key being  
removed from the ignition.  
R
film  
X
To switch on the power supply: press  
R
inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case  
Start/Stop button : once.  
The power supply is switched on. You can  
now activate the windscreen wipers, for  
example.  
This can affect the functionality of KEYLESS-  
GO.  
If you lock the vehicle with the key's remote  
control or with KEYLESS-GO, after a short  
time:  
The power supply is switched off again if:  
R
the driver's door is opened and  
R
R
you will not be able to switch on the ignition  
with the Start/Stop button  
you press Start/Stop button : twice when  
in this position  
R
you will not be able to start the engine with  
the Start/Stop button until the vehicle is  
unlocked again  
X
To switch on the ignition: press Start/  
Stop button : twice.  
The ignition is switched on.  
If you lock the vehicle centrally using the but-  
ton on the front door (Y page 90), you can  
continue to start the engine with the Start/  
Stop button.  
If you press Start/Stop button : once  
when in this position, the ignition is deac-  
tivated again.  
The engine can be switched off while the vehi-  
cle is in motion by pressing and holding the  
Start/Stop button for three seconds. This  
Driving  
159  
Removing the Start/Stop button  
children and animals unattended in the vehi-  
cle. Keep the keys out of the reach of children.  
You can remove the Start/Stop button from  
the ignition lock and start the vehicle as nor-  
mal using the key.  
WARNING  
G
You can only switch between Start/Stop but-  
ton mode and key operation when the vehicle  
is stationary.  
You must also engage park position P (vehi-  
cles with automatic transmission).  
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust  
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling  
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There  
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave  
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-  
out sufficient ventilation.  
X
Remove Start/Stop button : from ignition  
lock ;.  
WARNING  
G
You do not have to remove the Start/Stop  
button from the ignition lock when you leave  
the vehicle. You should, however, always take  
the key with you when leaving the vehicle. As  
long as the key is in the vehicle:  
Flammable materials introduced through  
environmental influence or by animals can  
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system or  
parts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk  
of fire.  
R
the vehicle can be started using the Start/  
Stop button  
the electrically powered equipment can be  
operated  
Carry out regular checks to make sure that  
there are no flammable foreign materials in  
the engine compartment or in the exhaust  
system.  
R
! Do not depress the accelerator when  
starting the engine.  
Starting the vehicle  
Important safety notes  
General notes  
WARNING  
G
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,  
they could:  
Vehicles with a petrol engine: the engine  
runs at a higher engine speed during the cold  
start procedure so that the catalytic con-  
verter can reach operating temperature more  
quickly. The sound of the engine may change  
as a result.  
R
open doors, thereby endangering other per-  
sons or road users  
get out and be struck by oncoming traffic  
R
R
operate vehicle equipment and become  
trapped, for example  
Manual transmission  
You can only start the engine when the clutch  
pedal is fully depressed.  
In addition, the children could also set the  
vehicle in motion, for example, if they:  
X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it  
R
release the parking brake  
depressed.  
R
shift the automatic transmission out of park  
X
Depress the clutch pedal fully.  
position P or shift manual transmission into  
neutral  
X
Shift to neutral N.  
R
start the engine  
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  
Z
Driving  
160  
Automatic transmission  
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
depress the brake pedal and keep it  
depressed.  
X Vehicles with manual transmission:  
depress the clutch pedal and keep it  
depressed.  
X
Shift the transmission to position P  
(Y page 170).  
The transmission position indicator in the  
multifunction display shows P  
(Y page 170).  
X
Press the Start/Stop button once  
i You can start the engine in transmission  
position P and N.  
(Y page 157).  
Vehicles with a petrol engine: the engine  
starts.  
Starting procedure with the key  
Vehicles with a diesel engine: preglow is  
activated and the engine starts.  
To start the engine using the key instead of  
the Start/Stop button, pull the Start/Stop  
button out of the ignition lock.  
Pulling away  
X
To start a diesel engine: turn the key to  
position 2 in the ignition lock (Y page 157).  
The % preglow indicator lamp in the  
instrument cluster lights up.  
General notes  
WARNING  
G
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
X
Turn the key to position 3 in the ignition  
If the engine speed is above the engine idling  
speed and you then engage transmission  
position D or R, the vehicle may accelerate  
suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.  
When engaging transmission position D or R,  
always keep the brake pedal firmly depressed  
and do not depress the accelerator pedal at  
the same time.  
lock (Y page 157) and release it as soon as  
the engine is running.  
Starting procedure using the Start/  
Stop button  
The Start/Stop button can be used to start  
the vehicle manually without inserting the key  
into the ignition lock. The key must be in the  
vehicle and the Start/Stop button must be  
inserted in the ignition lock. This mode for  
starting the engine operates independently of  
the ECO start/stop automatic engine start  
function.  
You can start the engine if a valid key is in the  
vehicle. Switch off the engine and always take  
the key with you when leaving the vehicle,  
even if you only leave it for a short time. Pay  
attention to the important safety notes.  
! Vehicles with manual transmission:  
change gear in good time and avoid spin-  
ning the wheels. You could otherwise dam-  
age the vehicle.  
Depress the accelerator carefully when pull-  
ing away.  
The vehicle locks centrally once you have  
pulled away. The locking knobs in the doors  
drop down.  
You can open the doors from the inside at any  
time.  
You can also deactivate the automatic locking  
feature (Y page 251).  
Vehicles with automatic transmission: it  
is only possible to shift the transmission from  
position P to the desired position if you  
Driving  
161  
depress the brake pedal. Only then can the  
parking lock be deactivated.  
The red ! indicator lamp in the instru-  
ment cluster remains lit.  
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-  
cles): if you do not depress the brake pedal,  
the DIRECT SELECT lever can still be moved  
but the parking lock remains engaged.  
X
X
Depress the accelerator pedal.  
As soon as the vehicle/trailer combination  
is held by the driving force of the engine,  
release lever :.  
the electric parking brake is released  
The red ! indicator lamp in the instru-  
ment cluster goes out.  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: if you do not  
depress the brake pedal, the selector lever  
can still be moved but the parking lock  
remains engaged.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission: at  
transmission fluid temperatures below  
Ò20 †, you can only shift out of position P into  
another transmission position when the  
engine is running.  
For further information on the electric parking  
brake, see (Y page 185).  
Hill start assist  
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away  
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient. It  
holds the vehicle for a short time after you  
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.  
This gives you enough time to move your foot  
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal  
and depress it before the vehicle begins to  
roll.  
i Vehicles with automatic transmis-  
sion: upshifts take place at higher engine  
speeds after a cold start. This helps the  
catalytic converter to reach its operating  
temperature more quickly.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
information on automatically releasing the  
electric parking brake (Y page 185).  
WARNING  
G
After a while, hill start assist no longer holds  
the vehicle and it may roll away. There is a risk  
of an accident and injury.  
Pulling away with a trailer  
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the  
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never  
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start  
assist.  
Hill start assist is not active if:  
R
you are pulling away on a level road or a  
downhill gradient  
R
on vehicles with automatic transmission,  
the transmission is in position N  
R
the electric parking brake is applied  
To ensure that you do not roll backwards  
when pulling away on an uphill slope, apply  
the electric parking brake.  
®
R
ESP is malfunctioning  
Further information on holding the vehicle  
stationary on uphill gradients (Y page 174).  
X
Press and hold handle :.  
The electric parking brake continues to  
brake and prevent the vehicle from rolling  
backwards.  
Z
Driving  
162  
Automatic engine switch-off  
General notes  
ECO start/stop function  
Introduction  
The ECO start/stop function is operational  
and the è ECO symbol is displayed in  
green in the multifunction display, if:  
The ECO start/stop function switches the  
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop-  
ped under certain conditions.  
When pulling away again, the engine starts  
automatically. The ECO start/stop function  
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-  
sumption and emissions of your vehicle.  
R
the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit  
green  
R
the outside temperature is within the range  
that is suitable for the system  
R
the engine is at normal operating temper-  
Important safety notes  
ature  
R
the set temperature for the vehicle interior  
has been reached  
the battery is sufficiently charged  
the system detects that the windscreen is  
not misted up when the air-conditioning  
system is switched on  
the bonnet is closed  
WARNING  
G
If the engine is switched off automatically and  
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted  
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.  
There is a risk of accident and injury.  
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off  
the ignition and secure the vehicle against  
rolling away.  
R
R
R
R
the driver's door is closed and the driver's  
seat belt is fastened  
If the conditions for automatic engine switch-  
off are not all fulfilled, the è ECO symbol is  
shown in yellow.  
General notes  
All of the vehicle's systems remain active  
when the engine is switched off automati-  
cally.  
The engine can be switched off automatically  
a maximum of four times (initial stop, then  
three subsequent stops) in succession. The  
è ECO symbol is shown in yellow in the  
multifunction display after the engine has  
been started automatically for the fourth  
time. When the è ECO symbol is shown in  
green in the multifunction display, automatic  
engine switch-off is again possible.  
:
ECO start/stop display  
The ECO start/stop function is activated  
whenever you start the engine using the key  
or the Start/Stop button.  
If the è ECO symbol is shown in green in  
the multifunction display, the ECO start/stop  
function switches the engine off automati-  
cally once the vehicle stops moving.  
Vehicles with manual transmission  
If the ECO start/stop function has been man-  
ually deactivated (Y page 163) or a malfunc-  
tion has caused the system to be deactivated,  
the è ECO symbol is not displayed.  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the ECO start/  
stop function is only available in drive pro-  
gram C.  
Driving  
163  
The ECO start/stop function switches off the The engine is started automatically if you:  
engine automatically at low speeds.  
R
depress the clutch pedal fully  
X
Brake the vehicle.  
Shift to neutral N (Y page 168) (follow  
gearshift instruction : to shift into neutral  
N, if necessary).  
R
depress the accelerator pedal  
X
Vehicles with automatic transmission  
The engine is started automatically if you:  
R
X
Release the clutch pedal.  
release the brake pedal in transmission  
The engine is switched off automatically.  
position D or N when the HOLD function is  
not active  
depress the accelerator pedal  
move the transmission out of position P  
Shifting the transmission to position P does  
Vehicles with automatic transmission  
R
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill with the  
transmission in D or N, the ECO start/stop  
function switches off the engine automati-  
cally.  
The HOLD function can be activated if the  
engine has been switched off automatically. It  
is then not necessary to continue applying the  
brakes during the automatic stop phase.  
When you depress the accelerator pedal, the  
engine starts automatically and the braking  
effect of the HOLD function is deactivated.  
R
not start the engine.  
If you shift the transmission from R to D, the  
ECO start/stop function is available again  
once the è ECO symbol reappears in  
green in the multifunction display.  
Switching the ECO start/stop function  
off/on  
Automatic engine start  
General notes  
The engine is started automatically if:  
R
you switch off the ECO start/stop function  
by pressing the ECO button  
R
you engage reverse gear R  
R
you unfasten your seat belt or open the  
driver's door  
R
the vehicle starts to roll  
the brake system requires this  
the temperature in the vehicle interior devi-  
ates from the set range  
the system detects moisture on the wind-  
screen when the air-conditioning system is  
switched on  
X
To deactivate: press ECO button :.  
Indicator lamp ; and the è ECO sym-  
bol in the multifunction display go out.  
R
R
X
To activate: press ECO button :.  
Indicator lamp ; lights up.  
If all conditions for automatic engine  
switch-off (Y page 162) are fulfilled, the  
è ECO symbol is shown in green in the  
multifunction display.  
R
R
the battery's charge status is too low  
Vehicles with manual transmission  
If the conditions for automatic engine  
switch-off (Y page 162) are not all fulfilled,  
the è ECO symbol is shown in yellow in  
the multifunction display. If this is the case,  
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal is  
depressed.  
Z
Driving  
164  
the ECO start/stop function is not availa-  
ble.  
If indicator lamp ; on ECO button : is off,  
the ECO start/stop function has been deac-  
tivated manually or as the result of a mal-  
function. The engine will then not be switched  
off automatically when the vehicle stops.  
AMG Performance exhaust system  
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)  
You can choose between different AMG Per-  
formance exhaust system volumes using the  
position of the exhaust flap.  
If the ignition is switched off for less than four  
hours, the previously selected setting is acti-  
vated when the engine is next started. If the  
ignition is switched off for more than four  
hours, the quietest setting is activated when  
the engine is next started.  
Setting the volume:  
X
Press button :.  
If you select the loudest setting, indicator  
lamp ; lights up.  
The volume of the AMG Performance exhaust  
system can also be set using the DYNAMIC  
SELECT controller (Y page 167).  
Driving  
165  
Problems with the engine  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
The engine does not  
start.  
The HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.  
X
Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 204) or DISTRONIC  
PLUS (Y page 196).  
X
Try to start the engine again.  
R
R
The engine does not  
start. The starter motor  
can be heard.  
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.  
There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.  
Before attempting to start the engine again:  
X
Turn the key back to position 0 in the ignition lock.  
or  
X
Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps  
in the instrument cluster go out.  
X
Try to start the engine again (Y page 159). Avoid excessively  
long and frequent attempts to start the engine, as this will drain  
the battery.  
If the engine does not start after several attempts:  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
The engine does not  
start. The starter motor  
can be heard. The  
The fuel tank is empty.  
X
Refuel the vehicle.  
reserve fuel warning  
lamp is lit and the fuel  
gauge display shows 0.  
The engine does not  
The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or  
start. You cannot hear discharged.  
the starter motor.  
X
Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 348).  
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.  
X
Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two  
minutes.  
X
Try to start the engine again.  
If the engine still does not start:  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
Z
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)  
166  
Problem  
Vehicles with a petrol There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
engine:  
component of the engine management system.  
The engine is not run-  
ning smoothly and is  
misfiring.  
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.  
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-  
verter and damage it.  
X
Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist  
workshop.  
The coolant tempera-  
The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine  
ture display is showing is no longer being cooled sufficiently.  
more than 120 †. The  
X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to  
cool down.  
Check the coolant level (Y page 326). Observe the warning  
notes as you do so and top up the coolant if necessary.  
coolant warning lamp  
may also be on and a  
warning tone may  
sound.  
X
If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.  
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled  
sufficiently.  
X
If the coolant temperature is below 120 †, you can continue  
driving to the nearest qualified specialist workshop.  
X
Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in  
mountainous terrain and stop-start traffic.  
hours, drive program C is activated when the  
engine is next started.  
DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles  
except Mercedes-AMG vehicles)  
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to change  
the drive program. Depending on the drive  
program selected, the following vehicle char-  
acteristics will change:  
R
the drive (engine and transmission man-  
agement)  
R
the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-  
tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)  
R
the steering  
R
the availability of the ECO start/stop func-  
tion  
the climate control  
X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT controller : as  
many times as necessary until the desired  
drive program is selected.  
R
The selected drive program appears in the  
multifunction display. After five seconds  
the display goes out and the status icon of  
the selected drive program appears.  
If the ignition is switched off for less than four  
hours, the previously selected drive program  
is activated when the engine is next started. If  
the ignition is switched off for more than four  
DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)  
167  
In addition, the current drive program set- If the ignition is switched off for less than four  
tings are displayed briefly in the Audio 20 or hours, the previously selected drive program  
COMAND Online display.  
is activated when the engine is next started. If  
the ignition is switched off for more than four  
hours, drive program C is activated when the  
engine is next started.  
i In a few countries, the ECO start/stop  
function is deactivated at the factory due to  
the quality of the available fuel. In this case,  
the ECO start/stop function is not available  
in any drive program, regardless of the dis-  
play in the Audio 20 or COMAND Online  
display.  
Available drive programs:  
C Comfort  
S Sport  
Comfortable and econom-  
ical driving characteristics  
Sporty driving character-  
istics  
I Individual  
E Economy  
Individual settings  
X
Turn DYNAMIC SELECT controller : as  
many times as necessary until the desired  
drive program is selected.  
The selected drive program appears in the  
multifunction display. After five seconds  
the display goes out and the status icon of  
the selected drive program appears.  
Particularly economical  
driving characteristics  
Additional information for drive programs  
(Y page 175).  
You can also change gear yourself using the  
steering wheel gearshift paddles. Further  
information on the manual drive program  
(Y page 177).  
The drive program indicator on DYNAMIC  
SELECT controller : lights up in red.  
Available drive programs:  
I Individual  
C Comfort  
Individual settings  
Comfort-orientated,  
engine and transmission  
settings optimised for  
economy  
DYNAMIC SELECT controller  
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles)  
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT controller to  
change the drive program. Depending on the  
drive program selected, the following vehicle  
characteristics will change:  
S Sport  
Sporty engine and trans-  
mission settings  
S+ Sport Plus Particularly sporty trans-  
R
the drive  
the transmission management  
mission settings  
R
®
RACE  
R
R
Maximum sportiness and  
engine and transmission  
settings suitable for the  
racetrack  
ESP  
the suspension (vehicles with AMG RIDE  
CONTROL)  
the availability of the ECO start/stop func-  
tion  
R
R
Additional information for drive programs  
(Y page 175).  
the availability of gliding mode  
Z
Manual transmission  
168  
You can also change gear yourself using the  
steering wheel gearshift paddles. Further  
information on the manual drive program  
(Y page 177).  
Shifting to neutral N  
Manual transmission  
Gear lever  
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal is  
depressed.  
! When shifting to 5th and 6th gear, you  
must press the shift lever to the right. Oth-  
erwise, you could shift unintentionally into  
3rd or 4th gear and damage the engine or  
transmission.  
X
Depress the clutch pedal fully.  
Shift the gear lever to position N :.  
X
If you shift down at too high a speed (trans-  
mission braking), this can cause the engine  
to overrev, leading to engine damage.  
Do not use the clutch bite point to keep the  
vehicle stationary on uphill gradients.  
There is otherwise a risk of damaging the  
clutch.  
Engaging reverse gear  
! Only shift into reverse gear R when the  
vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, you could  
damage the transmission.  
X
Pull the gear lever up, push it to the left and  
then pull it back.  
The ECO start/stop function is not available  
when reverse gear is engaged. Further infor-  
mation on the ECO start/stop function  
(Y page 162).  
! On long and steep downhill gradients,  
especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a  
trailer, you must shift into gear 1, 2 or 3 in  
good time. This uses the engine's braking  
effect. This relieves the load on the brake  
system and prevents the brakes from over-  
heating and wearing too quickly.  
Gearshift recommendation  
The gearshift recommendations assist you in  
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-  
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction  
display.  
k
Reverse gear  
Forward gears  
X
Shift gear according to gearshift recom-  
1 - 6  
mendation : when shown in the multi-  
function display of the instrument cluster.  
Automatic transmission  
169  
Drive programs  
Automatic transmission  
Important safety notes  
Drive program C (Comfort)  
Drive program C is characterised by the fol-  
WARNING  
G
lowing:  
If the engine speed is above the idling speed  
and you engage transmission position D or R,  
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is  
a risk of an accident.  
R
the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-  
cal driving characteristics.  
R
the vehicle having improved driving stabil-  
When engaging transmission position D or R,  
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do  
not simultaneously accelerate.  
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.  
Drive program S (Sport)  
Drive program S is characterised by the fol-  
lowing:  
WARNING  
G
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.  
R
sporty engine settings.  
Drive program I (Individual)  
After switching off the engine, always switch  
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-  
cle from rolling away by applying the parking  
brake.  
In drive program I the following properties of  
the drive program can be selected:  
R
the drive (engine and transmission man-  
agement)  
R
the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-  
tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)  
the steering  
the availability of the ECO start/stop func-  
DIRECT SELECT lever  
R
Overview of transmission positions  
R
tion  
R
the climate control  
Information about configuring drive program I  
with COMAND Online or Audio 20 can be  
found in the Digital Owner's Manual.  
Drive program E (Economy)  
Drive program E is characterised by the fol-  
lowing:  
R
the vehicle exhibits comfortable, economi-  
cal driving characteristics.  
the vehicle having improved driving stabil-  
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.  
j
Park position with parking lock  
Reverse gear  
Neutral  
Drive  
k
R
i
h
R
theperformanceoftheair-conditioningand  
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-  
cles): the DIRECT SELECT lever is on the right  
of the steering column.  
heating systems is reduced.  
Z
Automatic transmission  
170  
For information on the selector lever in  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles (Y page 172).  
The DIRECT SELECT lever always returns to  
its original position. The current transmission  
position P, R, N or D appears in the transmis-  
sion position display in the multifunction dis-  
play (Y page 170).  
Transmission position and drive pro-  
gram display  
j
k
i
h
Park position with parking lock  
Reverse gear  
Neutral  
The current transmission position and drive  
program appear in the multifunction display.  
Drive  
X
Push the DIRECT SELECT lever in the direc-  
tion of arrow P.  
Transmission position display P is shown in  
the multifunction display.  
When you have engaged park position P,  
make sure that the transmission position dis-  
play shows P in the multifunction display.  
You can only engage park position P when the  
vehicle is stationary.  
Depressing the brake and pushing the  
DIRECT SELECT lever up or down disengages  
the parking lock. The transmission is in neu-  
tral N.  
At transmission fluid temperatures below  
Ò20 †, you can only shift out of park position  
P into another transmission position when  
the engine is running.  
:
Transmission position  
Gear  
Drive program display  
;
=
The arrows in the transmission position dis-  
play show how and into which transmission  
positions you can shift using the DIRECT  
SELECT lever.  
If the transmission position display in the mul-  
tifunction display is not working, you should  
pull away carefully to check whether the  
desired transmission position is engaged.  
Ideally, you should select transmission posi-  
tion D and drive program E or S.  
In order to shift from park position P directly  
into R or D:  
Engaging park position P  
R
depress the brake pedal and  
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down  
past the first point of resistance  
! If the engine speed is too high, do not shift  
the automatic transmission directly from D  
to R, from R to D or directly to P. Otherwise,  
the automatic transmission could be dam-  
aged.  
R
Automatic transmission  
171  
Engaging park position P automatically Shifting to neutral N  
Park position P is automatically engaged if:  
WARNING  
G
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,  
they can:  
R
you switch off the engine using the key and  
remove the key  
R
you switch off the engine using the key or  
using the Start/Stop button and open the  
driver's door or front-passenger door  
you open the driver's door when the vehicle  
is stationary or when driving at a very low  
speed and the transmission is in position D  
or R  
R
open doors and endanger other persons or  
road users  
climb out and be injured by the traffic  
operate vehicle equipment and, for exam-  
R
R
R
ple, trap themselves.  
Children could also set the vehicle in motion,  
for example by:  
Under certain conditions, the automatic  
transmissionshiftsautomaticallytotransmis-  
sion position P if the HOLD function or  
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. Observe the  
information on the HOLD function  
(Y page 205) and on DISTRONIC PLUS  
(Y page 199).  
R
releasing the parking brake  
shifting the automatic transmission out of  
park position P  
R
R
starting the engine.  
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 unattended in the vehicle. Always  
keep the key out of reach of children.  
Engaging reverse gear R  
! Only shift the automatic transmission to R  
when the vehicle is stationary.  
X
If the transmission is in position D or R:  
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up or down  
to the first point of resistance.  
If the transmission is in position P: depress  
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT  
SELECT lever up or down to the first point of  
resistance.  
X
If the transmission is in position D or N:  
push the DIRECT SELECT lever up past the  
first point of resistance.  
If the transmission is in position P: depress  
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT  
SELECT lever up past the first point of  
resistance.  
X
X
If you switch the engine off with the trans-  
mission in position R or D, the automatic  
transmission shifts to N automatically.  
With the key: if you then open the driver's  
door or the front-passenger door or remove  
the key from the ignition, the automatic trans-  
mission shifts to P automatically.  
The ECO start/stop function is not available  
when reverse gear is engaged. Further infor-  
mation on the ECO start/stop function  
(Y page 162).  
With the Start/Stop button: if you then  
open the driver's door or the front-passenger  
door, the automatic transmission shifts to P  
automatically.  
If you want the automatic transmission to  
remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the  
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with  
a towing system:  
Z
Automatic transmission  
172  
With the key:  
Selector lever (Mercedes-AMG vehi-  
cles)  
X
Switch the ignition on.  
X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it  
depressed.  
Overview of transmission positions  
X
Shift to neutral N.  
X
Release the brake pedal.  
X
Release the electric parking brake.  
X
Switch off the ignition and leave the key in  
the ignition lock.  
With the Start/Stop button:  
X
Remove the Start/Stop button from the  
ignition lock.  
X
Insert the key into the ignition lock.  
j
Park position with parking lock  
Reverse gear  
Neutral  
Drive  
X
Switch the ignition on.  
Depress the brake pedal and keep it  
depressed.  
Shift to neutral N.  
k
X
i
h
X
X
Release the brake pedal.  
Release the electric parking brake.  
Switch off the ignition and leave the key in  
the ignition lock.  
Transmission position and drive pro-  
gram display  
X
X
The current transmission position and drive  
program appear in the multifunction display.  
Engaging drive position D  
X
If the transmission is in position R or N:  
push the DIRECT SELECT lever down past  
the first point of resistance.  
X
If the transmission is in position P: depress  
the brake pedal and push the DIRECT  
SELECT lever down past the first point of  
resistance.  
:
Transmission position display  
Drive program display  
;
If the transmission position display in the mul-  
tifunction display is not working, you should  
pull away carefully to check whether the  
desired transmission position is engaged.  
Ideally, you should select transmission posi-  
tion D and drive program C or S.  
Automatic transmission  
173  
Engaging park position P  
Transmission positions  
Park position  
B
This prevents the vehicle from roll-  
ing away when stopped.  
Only shift the transmission into  
position P when the vehicle is sta-  
tionary (Y page 170). The parking  
lock should not be used as a brake  
when parking. In order to secure  
the vehicle, always apply the elec-  
tric parking brake in addition to the  
parking lock.  
X
When the vehicle is stationary, press but-  
ton :.  
In the event of a malfunction of the  
vehicle's electronics, the transmis-  
sion may lock in position P. Have  
the vehicle electronics checked  
immediately at a qualified special-  
ist workshop.  
Park position P is automatically  
engaged if:  
R
you switch off the engine using  
the key and remove the key  
R
you switch off the engine using  
the key or using the Start/Stop  
button and open the driver's  
door or front-passenger door  
R
you open the driver's door when  
the vehicle is stationary or when  
driving at a very low speed and  
the transmission is in position D  
or R  
Reverse gear  
C
Only shift the transmission into  
position R when the vehicle is sta-  
tionary.  
Z
Automatic transmission  
174  
Holding the vehicle stationary on uphill  
gradients  
Neutral  
A
Do not shift the transmission to N  
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-  
matic transmission could be dam-  
aged.  
No power is transmitted from the  
engine to the drive wheels.  
Releasing the brakes will allow you  
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to  
push it or tow it.  
WARNING  
G
If the clutch overheats, the electronic man-  
agement system is automatically deactivated.  
This interrupts the power transmission. The  
vehicle may, for example, roll backwards on  
gradients. There is a risk of an accident.  
Never hold the vehicle stationary on uphill  
gradients by depressing the accelerator.  
If ESP® is deactivated or faulty:  
shift the transmission to position N  
if the vehicle is in danger of skid-  
ding, e.g. on icy roads.  
If you switch the engine off with the  
transmission in position R or D, the  
automatic transmission shifts to N  
automatically.  
The clutch may overheat if you hold the vehi-  
cle stationary on uphill gradients by depress-  
ing the accelerator pedal. If the clutch over-  
heats, a warning tone sounds.  
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-  
cles): the Stop vehiclee SShhiifftt ttoo PP  
Leave engiinnee rruunnnniinngg display message  
appears in the multifunction display. You will  
only be able to continue your journey once the  
clutch has cooled down and the display mes-  
sage in the multifunction display has disap-  
peared.  
! Rolling in neutral N can lead to  
damage to the transmission.  
Drive  
7
The automatic transmission  
changes gear automatically. All  
forward gears are available.  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the Trans. oil  
overheatedd DDrriivvee oonn wwiitthh ccaarree display  
message appears in the multifunction dis-  
play.  
Do not hold the vehicle stationary on uphill  
gradients by depressing the accelerator  
pedal. Instead, only ever hold the vehicle sta-  
tionary on uphill gradients by:  
Driving tips  
Changing gear  
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi-  
vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-  
mission position D. Gearshifting is deter-  
mined by:  
R
depressing the brake pedal  
R
activating the HOLD function  
R
engaging the electric parking brake  
R
the selected drive program  
Kickdown  
R
the position of the accelerator pedal  
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:  
R
the road speed  
X
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the  
Accelerator pedal position  
pressure point.  
The transmission shifts to a lower gear  
depending on the engine speed.  
Ease off the accelerator pedal once the  
desired speed is reached.  
The automatic transmission shifts back up.  
Your style of driving influences how the auto-  
matic transmission shifts gear:  
X
R
little throttle: early upshifts  
R
more throttle: late upshifts  
Automatic transmission  
175  
Drive program S (Sport)  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: it is only possible  
to use kickdown in the automatic drive pro-  
grams and in temporary manual drive pro-  
gram M. When manual drive program M is  
selected permanently, kickdown is not pos-  
sible.  
Drive program S is characterised by the fol-  
lowing:  
R
sporty engine settings.  
R
the automatic transmission shifting up  
later. as a result of the later automatic  
transmission shift points, the fuel con-  
sumption possibly being higher.  
For further information on kickdown in man-  
ual drive program M (Y page 179).  
Drive program I (Individual)  
Towing a trailer  
In drive program I the following properties of  
the drive program can be selected:  
Towing a trailer is not possible with all mod-  
els. For further information, see  
(Y page 231).  
R
the drive (engine and transmission man-  
agement)  
X
Drive in the middle of the engine speed  
R
the suspension (vehicles with damping sys-  
tem or AMG RIDE CONTROL)  
range on uphill gradients.  
X
Depending on the uphill or downhill gradi-  
R
R
the steering  
the availability of the ECO start/stop func-  
tion  
ent, select a lower gear (Y page 189), even  
if cruise control, DISTRONIC PLUS, or  
SPEEDTRONIC are activated.  
R
the climate control  
Information about configuring drive program I  
with COMAND Online or Audio 20 can be  
found in the Digital Owner's Manual.  
Drive programs  
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG  
vehicles)  
i To permanently select the gears in drive  
program I using the steering wheel pad-  
dles, select the M (manual) setting for the  
drive.  
Drive program C (Comfort)  
Drive program C is characterised by the fol-  
lowing:  
Drive program E (Economy)  
R
the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-  
Drive program E is characterised by the fol-  
lowing:  
cal driving characteristics.  
R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in  
R
forward and reverse gears unless the accel-  
erator pedal is depressed fully.  
comfort-oriented engine settings.  
R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from  
R
the vehicle having improved driving stabil-  
the automatic transmission shifting up  
sooner.  
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.  
R
R
optimal fuel consumption resulting from  
the vehicle pulling away more gently in  
the automatic transmission shifting up  
sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low  
engine speed range and the wheels are less  
likely to spin.  
forward and reverse gears unless the accel-  
erator pedal is depressed fully.  
the vehicle having improved driving stabil-  
R
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.  
R
the automatic transmission shifting up  
sooner. This results in the vehicle being  
Z
Automatic transmission  
176  
Drive program S (Sport)  
driven at lower engine speeds and the  
wheels being less likely to spin.  
Drive program S is characterised by the fol-  
R
gliding mode is activated automatically  
when engine-internal conditions are fulfil-  
led and the accelerator is not depressed. At  
the same time the transmission’s clutch  
opens and the vehicle rolls freely using its  
kinetic energy. As a result great distances  
can be completed without the engine brake  
and fuel consumption reduced.  
lowing:  
R
the vehicle exhibits sporty driving charac-  
teristics  
R
the automatic transmission shifting up  
later. as a result of the later automatic  
transmission shift points, the fuel con-  
sumption possibly being higher.  
R
the suspension exhibits stiff springing and  
damping settings (vehicles with AIR RIDE  
CONTROL).  
gliding mode is not available.  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles  
Drive program I (Individual)  
R
In drive program I the following properties of  
the drive program can be selected:  
R
the ECO start/stop function is not availa-  
ble.  
R
the drive (engine management)  
the transmission management  
the suspension (vehicles with AMG RIDE  
CONTROL)  
Drive program S+ (Sport Plus)  
R
Drive program S+ is characterised by the fol-  
lowing:  
R
R
the vehicle exhibits particularly sporty driv-  
®
R
ESP  
ing characteristics.  
Information about configuring drive program I  
with COMAND Online or Audio 20 can be  
found in the Digital Owner's Manual.  
R
the automatic transmission shifting up  
later.  
as a result of the later automatic transmis-  
R
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-  
sibly being higher.  
the suspension exhibits particularly stiff  
springing and damping settings (vehicles  
with AIR RIDE CONTROL).  
gliding mode is not available.  
Drive program C (Comfort)  
Drive program C is characterised by the fol-  
lowing:  
R
R
the vehicle delivers comfortable, economi-  
cal driving characteristics.  
R
R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in  
R
the ECO start/stop function is not availa-  
ble.  
forward and reverse gears unless the accel-  
erator pedal is depressed fully.  
R
R
Drive program RACE (vehicles with AMG  
RIDE CONTROL)  
the vehicle having improved driving stabil-  
ity, for example on slippery road surfaces.  
optimal fuel consumption resulting from  
the automatic transmission shifting up  
sooner. The vehicle is driven in the low  
engine speed range and the wheels are less  
likely to spin.  
Drive program RACE is characterised by the  
following:  
R
the vehicle exhibits driving characteristics  
suitable for the racetrack.  
R
all vehicle systems are set for maximum  
R
R
gliding mode is available.  
the ECO start/stop function is available.  
sportiness.  
R
the automatic transmission shifting up  
later.  
Automatic transmission  
177  
R
R
X
X
as a result of the later automatic transmis-  
sion shift points, the fuel consumption pos-  
sibly being higher.  
the suspension exhibits particularly stiff  
springing and damping settings (vehicles  
with AIR RIDE CONTROL).  
gliding mode is not available.  
the ECO start/stop function is not availa-  
ble.  
To activate: shift the DIRECT SELECT lever  
to position D.  
Pull steering wheel gearshift paddle :  
or ;.  
Temporary setting will be active for a certain  
amount of time. Under certain conditions the  
minimum amount of time is extended, e.g. in  
the case of lateral acceleration, during an  
overrun phase or when driving on steep ter-  
rain.  
R
R
X
To deactivate: pull steering wheel gear-  
shift paddle ; and hold it in place.  
Manual gearshifting  
General notes  
or  
X
Use the DIRECT SELECT lever to shift the  
transmission position.  
You can change gear yourself using the steer-  
ing wheel gearshift paddles. The transmission  
must be in position D.  
Depending on which gearshift paddle is  
pulled, the automatic transmission immedi-  
ately shifts into the next gear up or down, if  
permitted.  
or  
X
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG vehi-  
cles): use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to  
change the drive program.  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: use the DYNAMIC  
SELECT controller to change the drive pro-  
gram.  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: to use manual  
shifting, you have two options:  
R
temporary setting  
Permanent setting (Mercedes-AMG  
vehicles)  
R
permanent setting  
If you activate manual gearshifting, the mul-  
tifunction display will show the current gear  
instead of transmission position D.  
If manual gearshifting is deactivated, the  
gears will be selected automatically.  
Temporary setting  
X
To activate: shift the selector lever to posi-  
tion D.  
X
Press button :.  
X
To deactivate: press button :.  
or  
X
If position D (automatic transmission) is  
selected for the transmission in drive pro-  
Z
Automatic transmission  
178  
Gearshift recommendation  
gram I: shift to drive program I with the  
DYNAMIC SELECT controller.  
Shifting gears  
! Mercedes-AMG vehicles: the automatic  
transmission does not shift up automati-  
cally even when the engine limiting speed  
for the current gear is reached. When the  
engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel  
supply is cut to prevent the engine from  
overrevving. Always make sure that the  
engine speed does not reach the red area of  
the rev counter. There is otherwise a risk of  
engine damage.  
The gearshift recommendations assist you in  
adopting an economical driving style. The rec-  
ommended gear is shown in the multifunction  
display.  
X
Shift to recommended gear ; according  
to gearshift recommendation : when  
shown in the multifunction display.  
Upshifting (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)  
! The automatic transmission does not shift  
up automatically even when the engine lim-  
iting speed for the current gear is reached.  
When the engine limiting speed is reached,  
the fuel supply is cut to prevent the engine  
from overrevving. Always make sure that  
the engine speed does not reach the red  
area of the rev counter. There is otherwise  
a risk of engine damage.  
X
To shift up: pull steering wheel gearshift  
paddle ;.  
The automatic transmission shifts up to the  
next gear.  
All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG  
vehicles): if the maximum engine speed on  
the currently engaged gear is reached and  
you continue to accelerate, the automatic  
transmission automatically shifts up in  
order to prevent engine damage.  
To shift down: pull steering wheel gear-  
shift paddle :.  
The automatic transmission shifts down to  
the next gear.  
Automatic downshifting occurs when  
coasting.  
Beforetheenginespeed reachesthered area,  
an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-  
tifunction display.  
X
X
Shift to recommended gear : when mes-  
sage ; is shown in the multifunction dis-  
play.  
If the engine exceeds the maximum engine  
speed when shifting down, the automatic  
transmission protects against engine dam-  
age by not shifting down.  
Automatic transmission  
179  
Kickdown  
X
For maximum acceleration, depress the  
accelerator pedal beyond the pressure  
point.  
The transmission shifts to a lower gear  
depending on the engine speed.  
X
Shift back up once the desired speed is  
reached.  
During kickdown, you cannot shift gears  
using the steering wheel gearshift paddles.  
If you apply full throttle, the automatic trans-  
mission shifts up to the next gear when the  
maximum engine speed is reached. This pre-  
vents the engine from overrevving.  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: it is only possible  
to use kickdown in temporary manual drive  
program M. When manual drive program M is  
selected permanently, kickdown is not pos-  
sible.  
Z
Refuelling  
180  
Problems with the transmission  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
The transmission has  
problems shifting gear.  
The transmission is losing oil.  
X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-  
shop immediately.  
The acceleration ability The transmission is in emergency mode.  
is deteriorating.  
X
Stop.  
The transmission no  
longer shifts into all of  
the gears.  
Reverse gear can no  
longer be engaged.  
X
Shift the transmission to position P.  
Switch off the engine.  
Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.  
Shift the transmission to position D.  
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-  
shop immediately.  
X
X
X
X
Refuelling  
R
R
If fuel is swallowed, seek immediate medi-  
cal attention. Do not induce vomiting.  
Change any clothing that has come into  
contact with fuel immediately.  
Important safety notes  
WARNING  
G
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel  
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-  
sion.  
You must avoid fire, naked flames, creating  
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine  
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before  
refuelling.  
WARNING  
G
Electrostatic charge can cause sparks and  
thereby ignite fuel vapours. There is a risk of  
fire and explosion.  
Always touch the vehicle body before opening  
the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump  
nozzle. This discharges any electrostatic  
charge that may have built up.  
WARNING  
G
Fuels are poisonous and hazardous to health.  
There is a danger of injury.  
WARNING  
G
Vehicles with a diesel engine:  
If you mix diesel fuel with petrol, the flash  
point of this fuel mixture is lower than that of  
pure diesel fuel. When the engine is running,  
components in the exhaust system may over-  
heat unnoticed. There is a risk of fire.  
Do not swallow fuel or let it come into contact  
with skin, eyes or clothing. Do not inhale fuel  
vapours. Keep fuels out of the reach of chil-  
dren.  
If you or others come into contact with fuel,  
observe the following:  
Never refuel with petrol. Never add petrol to  
diesel fuel.  
R
Wash the fuel off any affected areas of skin  
with water and soap immediately.  
R
If you get fuel in your eyes, rinse them thor-  
oughly with clean water immediately. Seek  
immediate medical attention.  
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a  
petrol engine. Do not switch on the ignition  
if you accidentally refuel with the wrong  
Refuelling  
181  
Opening the fuel filler flap  
fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel  
system. Even small amounts of the wrong  
fuel can result in damage to the fuel system  
and the engine. Notify a qualified specialist  
workshop and have the fuel tank and fuel  
lines drained completely.  
! Do not use petrol to refuel vehicles with a  
diesel engine. Do not switch on the ignition  
if you accidentally refuel with the wrong  
fuel. Otherwise, fuel can enter the fuel sys-  
tem. Even small amounts of the wrong fuel  
could result in damage to the fuel system  
and the engine. The repair costs are high.  
Notify a qualified specialist workshop and  
have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained  
completely.  
:
To open the fuel filler flap  
Tyre pressure table  
To insert the fuel filler cap  
Instruction label on the fuel type to be  
refuelled  
;
=
?
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the  
fuel system.  
X
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove  
the key from the ignition lock.  
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted  
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the  
paintwork.  
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO start-func-  
tion or KEYLESS-GO: open the driver's  
door.  
The on-board electronics now have status  
0. This is the same as the key having been  
removed.  
Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of  
arrow :.  
The fuel filler flap swings up.  
Turn the fuel filler cap anti-clockwise and  
! Use a filter when adding fuel from a fuel  
can. The fuel lines and/or the fuel injection  
system could otherwise be blocked by par-  
ticles from the fuel can.  
X
Do not get into the vehicle again during the  
refuelling process. Otherwise, electrostatic  
charge could build up again.  
If you overfill the fuel tank, some fuel may  
spray out when you remove the fuel pump  
nozzle.  
X
remove it.  
X
Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder on  
the inside of fuel filler flap =.  
Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel  
pump nozzle into the tank, hook in place  
and refuel.  
Further information on fuel and fuel quality  
(Y page 396).  
X
X
Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle  
switches off.  
Refuelling  
General notes  
Vehicles with a diesel engine: the filler neck is  
designed for refuelling at diesel filling pumps.  
Do not add any more fuel after the pump  
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise, fuel  
may leak out.  
The fuel filler flap is unlocked/locked auto-  
matically when you unlock/lock the vehicle  
with the key.  
The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed  
æ in the instrument cluster. The arrow  
next to the filling pump indicates the side of  
the vehicle.  
Z
Refuelling  
182  
Closing the fuel filler flap  
X
Replace the cap on the filler neck and turn  
clockwise until it engages audibly.  
X
Close the fuel filler flap.  
Close the fuel filler flap before locking the  
vehicle.  
Refuelling  
183  
Problems with the fuel and fuel tank  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
Fuel is leaking from the The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.  
vehicle.  
WARNING  
G
There is a risk of fire or explosion.  
X
Turn the key to position 0 immediately and remove it  
(Y page 157).  
X
X
Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.  
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
The engine does not  
start.  
The fuel tank of a vehicle with a diesel engine has been run com-  
pletely dry.  
X
Refuel the vehicle with at least 5 litres of diesel.  
X
Turn the ignition on for approximately ten seconds  
(Y page 157).  
X
Start the engine continuously for a maximum of ten seconds  
until it runs smoothly.  
If the engine does not start:  
X
Turn the ignition on again a maximum of ten seconds  
(Y page 157).  
X
Start the engine again continuously for a maximum of ten sec-  
onds until it runs smoothly.  
If the engine does not start after three attempts:  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
The fuel filler flap can- The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.  
not be opened.  
X
Unlock the vehicle (Y page 83).  
The key battery is discharged or nearly discharged.  
X
Unlock the vehicle using the emergency key element  
(Y page 85).  
The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is jam-  
med.  
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop.  
Z
Parking  
184  
R
R
the key must be removed from the ignition  
lock.  
on uphill or downhill gradients, the front  
wheels must be turned towards the kerb.  
Parking  
Important safety notes  
WARNING  
G
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or  
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with  
hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust  
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.  
Switching off the engine  
Important safety notes  
Park the vehicle so that no flammable mate-  
rial can come into contact with hot vehicle  
components. In particular, do not park on dry  
grassland or harvested grain fields.  
WARNING  
G
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.  
WARNING  
G
After switching off the engine, always switch  
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-  
cle from rolling away by applying the parking  
brake.  
If you leave children unattended in the vehi-  
cle, they may be able to set the vehicle in  
motion if, for example, they:  
R
release the parking brake  
R
shift the automatic transmission out of park  
Vehicles with manual transmission  
position P or shift manual transmission into  
neutral  
X
Shift to either 1st gear or reverse gear R.  
R
start the engine  
X
With the key: turn the key to position 0 in  
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-  
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of  
an accident and injury.  
the ignition lock and remove it.  
The immobiliser is activated.  
With the Start/Stop button: press the  
X
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key  
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave  
children unattended in the vehicle.  
Start/Stop button (Y page 157).  
The engine stops and all the indicator  
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.  
When the driver's door is closed, this cor-  
responds to key position 1. When the driv-  
er's door is open, this corresponds to key  
position 0: "key removed".  
! Always secure the vehicle correctly  
against rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle  
or its drivetrain could be damaged.  
To ensure that the vehicle is safeguarded  
against rolling away unintentionally:  
X
Apply the electric parking brake.  
R
the electric parking brake must be applied.  
on vehicles with manual transmission,  
engage 1st gear or reverse gear.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission  
R
X
Apply the electric parking brake.  
X All vehicles (except Mercedes-AMG  
vehicles): shift the transmission to posi-  
tion P.  
R
on vehicles with automatic transmission,  
the transmission must be in position P and  
the transmission position display must  
show P in the multifunction display.  
Parking  
185  
X
X
X
Release the brake pedal.  
Release the electric parking brake.  
Switch off the ignition and leave the key in  
the ignition lock.  
With the Start/Stop button:  
X
Remove the Start/Stop button from the  
ignition lock.  
X
Insert the key into the ignition lock.  
X
Switch the ignition on.  
X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it  
depressed.  
Shift to neutral N.  
Release the brake pedal.  
Release the electric parking brake.  
Switch off the ignition and leave the key in  
the ignition lock.  
X
X
Mercedes-AMG vehicles: press but-  
ton :.  
X
With the key: turn the key to position 0 in  
the ignition lock and remove it.  
The immobiliser is activated.  
With the Start/Stop button: press the  
Start/Stop button (Y page 157).  
X
X
X
X
The engine stops and all the indicator  
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.  
When the driver's door is closed, this cor-  
responds to key position 1. When the driv-  
er's door is open, this corresponds to key  
position 0: "key removed".  
Electric parking brake  
General notes  
WARNING  
G
If you leave children unattended in the vehi-  
cle, they may be able to set the vehicle in  
motion if, for example, they:  
If you switch the engine off with the trans-  
mission in position R or D, the automatic  
transmission shifts to N automatically.  
R
release the parking brake  
shift the automatic transmission out of park  
position P or shift manual transmission into  
neutral  
With the key: if you then open the driver's  
door or the front-passenger door or remove  
the key from the ignition, the automatic trans-  
mission shifts to P automatically.  
R
R
With the Start/Stop button: if you then  
open the driver's door or the front-passenger  
door, the automatic transmission shifts to P  
automatically.  
start the engine  
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-  
ment and become trapped. There is a risk of  
an accident and injury.  
If you want the automatic transmission to  
remain in neutral N, e.g. when having the  
vehicle cleaned in an automatic car wash with  
a towing system:  
When leaving the vehicle, always take the key  
with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave  
children unattended in the vehicle.  
With the key:  
X
Switch the ignition on.  
X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it  
depressed.  
X
Shift to neutral N.  
Z
Parking  
186  
The function of the electric parking brake is  
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-  
board voltage is low or if there is a malfunc-  
tion in the system, it may not be possible to  
apply the released parking brake.  
The electric parking brake can only be  
released:  
R
when the key is in position 1 or 2 in the  
ignition lock (Y page 157) or  
R
if the ignition was switched on using the  
X
If this is the case, only park the vehicle on  
Start/Stop button  
level ground and secure it to prevent it from  
rolling away.  
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
shift the automatic transmission to posi-  
tion P.  
Applying automatically (vehicles with  
automatic transmission)  
The electric parking brake is automatically  
applied when the transmission is in position P  
and:  
X Vehicles with manual transmission:  
engage first gear.  
R
the engine is switched off or  
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the  
driver's door is opened  
To prevent the electric parking brake from  
It may not be possible to release an applied  
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or  
if there is a malfunction in the system. Con-  
tact a qualified specialist workshop.  
R
being automatically applied, pull handle :.  
The electric parking brake is also engaged  
automatically if:  
The electric parking brake carries out a func-  
tion check at regular intervals when the  
engine is switched off. Noises that occur are  
normal.  
R
DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a  
standstill or  
the HOLD function is keeping the vehicle  
Applying or releasing manually  
R
stationary  
R
Active Parking Assist is keeping the vehicle  
stationary  
In addition, at least one of the following con-  
ditions must be fulfilled:  
R
there is a system malfunction  
R
the power supply is insufficient  
R
the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period  
The red ! indicator lamp in the instrument  
cluster lights up.  
X
To apply: push handle :.  
The electric parking brake is not automati-  
cally applied if the engine is switched off by  
the ECO start/stop function.  
When the electric parking brake is applied,  
the ! red indicator lamp lights up in the  
instrument cluster.  
The electric parking brake can also be  
applied when the key is removed.  
Applying automatically (vehicles with  
manual transmission)  
X
To release: pull handle :.  
The red ! indicator lamp in the instru-  
ment cluster goes out.  
When the vehicle's HOLD function is holding  
the vehicle at a standstill, the electric parking  
brake is applied automatically.  
Driving tips  
187  
X
In addition, at least one of the following con-  
ditions must be fulfilled:  
While driving, push handle: of the electric  
parking brake (Y page 185).  
The vehicle is braked as long as you keep  
handle : of the electric parking brake  
pressed. The longer the electric parking  
brake handle : is depressed, the greater  
the braking force.  
R
the engine is switched off  
the driver is not wearing a seat belt and the  
driver's door is open  
there is a system malfunction  
the power supply is insufficient  
the vehicle is stationary for a lengthy period  
R
R
R
During braking:  
R
R
a warning tone sounds  
the Release park. brake message  
appears  
the red ! indicator lamp in the instru-  
ment cluster flashes  
When the vehicle has been braked to a stand-  
still, the electric parking brake is applied.  
The red ! indicator lamp in the instrument  
cluster lights up.  
The electric parking brake is not automati-  
cally applied if the engine is switched off by  
the ECO start/stop function.  
R
R
Releasing automatically  
The electric parking brake can only be  
released automatically in vehicles with auto-  
matic transmission.  
The electric parking brake of your vehicle is  
released automatically when all of the follow-  
ing conditions are fulfilled:  
Parking up the vehicle  
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer  
than four weeks, the battery may be damaged  
by exhaustive discharging.  
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer  
than six weeks, it may suffer from lack of use.  
R
the engine is running  
R
the transmission is in position D or R  
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop and  
R
the seat belt is fastened  
seek advice.  
R
you depress the accelerator pedal  
i You can obtain information about trickle  
chargers from a qualified specialist work-  
shop.  
Ifthe transmission is inposition R, the tailgate  
must be closed.  
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following  
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically  
release the electric parking brake:  
Driving tips  
R
the driver's door is closed  
General notes  
R
you have shifted out of transmission posi-  
tion P or you have previously driven faster  
than 3 km/h  
Ensure that you do not depress the acceler-  
ator pedal unintentionally. Otherwise, the  
parking brake will be released and the vehicle  
will start to move.  
Important safety notes  
WARNING  
G
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.  
Emergency braking  
The vehicle can also be braked during an  
emergency by using the electric parking  
brake.  
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.  
Z
Driving tips  
188  
Drive sensibly – save fuel  
in the instrument cluster lights up  
(Y page 301).  
Observe the following tips to save fuel:  
The ECO display consists of three sections,  
with an inner and outer area. The sections  
correspond to the following three categories:  
R
The tyres should always be inflated to the  
recommended tyre pressure.  
Remove unnecessary loads.  
Remove roof racks when they are not nee-  
R
:
Acceleration (evaluation of all  
R
acceleration processes):  
ded.  
R
the outer area fills up and the  
R
Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.  
inner area lights up green: mod-  
erate acceleration, especially at  
higher speeds  
the outer area empties and the  
inner area is grey: sporty accel-  
eration  
R
Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.  
Have all maintenance work carried out as  
indicated by the service intervals in the  
Service Booklet or by the service interval  
display.  
R
R
Fuel consumption also increases when driv-  
ing in cold weather, in stop-start traffic, on  
short journeys and in hilly terrain.  
;
Coasting (evaluation of all decel-  
eration processes):  
R
the outer area fills up and the  
inner area lights up green: antic-  
ipatory driving, keeping your dis-  
tance and early release of the  
accelerator. The vehicle can  
coast without use of the brakes.  
the outer area empties and the  
ECO display  
The ECO display shows you how economical  
your driving style is. The ECO display assists  
you in achieving the most economical driving  
style for the selected settings and prevailing  
conditions. Consumption can be significantly  
influenced by your driving style.  
R
innerarea is grey:frequentheavy  
braking  
=
Constant (continuous evaluation  
over the entire journey):  
R
the outer area fills up and the  
inner area lights up green: con-  
stant speed and avoidance of  
unnecessary acceleration and  
deceleration  
:
Acceleration  
;
Coasting  
Constant  
Additional range achieved  
R
the outer area empties and the  
inner area is grey: fluctuations in  
speed  
=
?
Range ? is shown under Bonus fr.. start  
and represents the additional range achieved  
since the beginning of the journey as a result  
of an adapted driving style.  
If the fuel level has dropped into the reserve  
range, the Reserve ffuel message is shown  
in the multifunction display instead of  
The three inner areas display the current driv-  
ing style and light up green as a result of a  
particularly economical driving style.  
Depending on the driving situation, up to two  
areas may light up simultaneously.  
At the beginning of the journey, the three  
outer areas are empty and fill up as a result of  
range ?. In addition, the 8 warning lamp  
Driving tips  
189  
economical driving. A higher level indicates a  
more economical driving style. If the three  
outer areas are completely filled at the same  
time, the driver has adopted the most eco-  
nomical driving style for the selected settings  
and prevailing conditions. The ECO display  
border lights up.  
The ECO display does not indicate the actual  
fuel consumption. The additionally achieved  
range displayed under Bonus fr. start  
does not indicate a fixed consumption reduc-  
tion.  
Brakes  
Important safety notes  
WARNING  
G
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.  
In addition to driving style, the actual con-  
sumption is affected by other factors, such  
as:  
Downhill gradients  
Change into a lower gear in good time on long  
and steep downhill gradients. Take particular  
note of this when driving a laden vehicle and  
when towing a trailer. For vehicles with auto-  
matic transmission, you need to activate  
manual gearshifting (Y page 177).  
This also applies if you have activated cruise  
control, SPEEDTRONIC or DISTRONIC PLUS.  
This will use the braking effect of the engine,  
so less braking will be required to maintain  
vehicle speed. This relieves the load on the  
brake system and prevents the brakes from  
overheating and wearing too quickly.  
R
R
R
R
R
load  
tyre pressure  
cold start  
choice of route  
the use of electrical consumers  
These factors are not included in the ECO dis-  
play.  
An economical driving style involves driving at  
a moderate engine speed.  
To achieve a higher value in the categories  
"Acceleration" and "Constant":  
Briefly depressing the accelerator pedal on  
downhill gradients while the manual drive  
program M is temporarily activated (vehicles  
with automatic transmission): the automatic  
transmission may switch back to the last  
active automatic drive program E or S. The  
automatic transmission may shift to a higher  
gear. This can reduce the engine's braking  
effect.  
R
observe the gearshift recommendation  
drive the vehicle in drive program C or E  
(vehicles with DYNAMIC SELECT button).  
R
On long journeys at a constant speed, e.g. on  
the motorway, only the outer area for "con-  
stant" will change.  
The ECO display summarises the driving style  
from the start of the journey to its completion.  
Therefore, there are more marked changes in  
the outer areas at the start of a journey. Dur-  
ing a prolonged driving time, these changes  
are smaller. For more marked changes, per-  
form a manual reset (Y page 243).  
Heavy and light loads  
WARNING  
G
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.  
Further information on the ECO display  
(Y page 242).  
Z
Driving tips  
190  
R
R
R
In order to prevent any salt build-up, apply  
the brakes occasionally while paying atten-  
tion to the traffic conditions.  
Carefully depress the brake pedal at the  
end of the journey and when starting the  
next journey.  
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.  
Maintain a much greater distance to the  
vehicle in front.  
If heavy demands are made on the brakes, do  
not park the vehicle immediately. Drive on for  
a short while. This allows the airflow 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, paying attention to traffic con-  
ditions. This improves the grip of the brakes.  
New brake pads/linings  
Brake pads/linings and discs that are either  
new or have been replaced only achieve opti-  
mum braking effect after several hundred kil-  
ometres of driving. Compensate for the  
reduced braking effect 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  
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.  
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 will have to depress the brake pedal more  
firmly. Maintain a greater distance to the vehi-  
cle 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.  
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:  
Limited braking performance on salt-  
treated roads  
R
you are driving at low speeds  
the tyres have adequate tread depth  
R
For this reason, drive in the following manner  
in the event of heavy rain or in conditions in  
which aquaplaning can occur:  
If you drive on salt-treated roads, a layer of  
salt may form on the brake discs and pads.  
This can increase the braking distance con-  
siderably.  
R
lower your speed  
R
avoid tyre ruts  
R
avoid sudden steering movements  
R
brake carefully  
Driving systems  
191  
Driving on flooded roads  
You should drive particularly carefully on slip-  
pery road surfaces. Avoid sudden accelera-  
tion, steering and braking manoeuvres. Do  
not use cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS.  
! 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 the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be  
stopped when moving at low speed:  
X Vehicles with manual transmission:  
shift to neutral.  
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
shift the transmission to position N.  
If you must drive on stretches of road on  
which water has collected, please bear in  
mind that:  
X
Try to bring the vehicle under control by  
using corrective steering.  
R
The outside temperature indicator is not  
designed to serve as an ice-warning device  
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.  
Changes in the outside temperature are dis-  
played after a short delay.  
in the case of standing water, the water  
level must be no higher than the lower edge  
of the vehicle body  
you should drive no faster than walking  
pace  
R
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-  
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-  
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,  
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.  
You should pay special attention to road con-  
ditions when temperatures are around freez-  
ing point.  
Further information on driving with snow  
chains (Y page 361).  
Further information on driving with summer  
tyres (Y page 360).  
Winter driving  
WARNING  
G
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.  
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"  
section (Y page 360).  
DANGER  
G
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.  
Driving systems  
Cruise control  
General notes  
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.  
Cruise control maintains a constant road  
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order  
to avoid exceeding the set speed. You must  
select a lower gear in good time on long and  
steep downhill gradients, especially if the  
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. For vehi-  
cles with automatic transmission, you need to  
have selected manual shift drive program M  
(Y page 177). By doing so, you will make use  
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified  
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.  
Z
Driving systems  
192  
Cruise control lever  
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 are appropriate for maintaining a  
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can  
store any road speed above 30 km/h.  
The speed indicated in the speedometer may  
differ slightly from the speed stored.  
Important safety notes  
:
To activate or increase speed  
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise  
control can neither reduce the risk of an acci-  
dent nor override the laws of physics. Cruise  
control cannot take into account road,  
weather or traffic conditions. Cruise control is  
only an aid. You are responsible for the dis-  
tance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle speed,  
for braking in good time, and for staying in  
lane.  
;
LIM indicator lamp  
To activate at the current speed/last  
stored speed  
To activate or reduce speed  
To switch between cruise control and var-  
iable SPEEDTRONIC  
To deactivate cruise control  
=
?
A
B
You can operate cruise control and variable  
SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever.  
Do not use cruise control:  
R
in road and traffic conditions which do not The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control  
allowyou to maintaina constant speed, e.g. lever indicates which system you have selec-  
in heavy traffic or on winding roads  
ted:  
R
on smooth or slippery roads. Braking or  
accelerating can cause the drive wheels to  
lose traction and the vehicle could then  
skid  
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,  
heavy rain or snow  
R
LIM indicator lamp off: cruise control is  
selected  
LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-  
TRONIC is selected  
R
R
When you activate cruise control, the stored  
speed is shown in the multifunction display  
for five seconds.  
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new  
driver of the speed stored.  
Selecting cruise control  
X
To select cruise control: check whether  
LIM indicator lamp ; is on or off.  
If it is off, cruise control is already selected.  
X
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in  
the direction of arrow A.  
LIM indicator lamp ; in the cruise control  
lever goes out. Cruise control is selected.  
Driving systems  
193  
Activation conditions  
Storing the current speed or calling up the  
last stored speed  
To activate cruise control, all of the following  
activation conditions must be fulfilled:  
WARNING  
G
If you call up a stored speed and this is dif-  
ferent from the current speed, the vehicle  
accelerates or brakes. If you do not know  
what the stored speed is, the vehicle may  
accelerate or brake unexpectedly. There is a  
risk of an accident.  
Take the traffic conditions into account  
before calling up the stored speed. If you do  
not know what the stored speed is, store the  
desired speed again.  
R
the electric parking brake must be  
released.  
R
you are driving faster than 30 km/h.  
®
R
R
R
R
ESP must be switched on, but not inter-  
vening.  
on vehicles with automatic transmission,  
the selector lever must be in position D.  
on vehicles with manual transmission, a  
gear must be engaged.  
cruise control must be selected.  
X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards  
you =.  
Storing, maintaining and calling up a  
speed  
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.  
Storing and maintaining the current  
speed  
You can store the current speed if you are  
driving faster than 30 km/h.  
X
Accelerate the vehicle to the desired  
Setting a speed  
speed.  
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever up :  
or down ?.  
Remove your foot from the accelerator  
Bear in mind that it may take a brief moment  
until the vehicle has accelerated or braked to  
the set speed.  
X
pedal.  
X
Press the cruise control lever up : for a  
higher speed or down ? for a lower speed.  
Keep the cruise control lever pressed until  
Cruise control is activated. The vehicle  
automatically maintains the speed.  
X
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 braking the vehicle.  
the desired speed is reached.  
Release the cruise control lever.  
The new speed is stored.  
X To adjust the set speed in 1 km/h incre-  
ments: briefly press the cruise control  
lever up : or down ? to the pressure  
point.  
X
i Vehicles with manual transmission:  
The last stored speed increases or decrea-  
ses in 1 km/h increments.  
X To adjust the set speed in 10 km/h  
increments: briefly press the cruise con-  
trol lever up : or down ? beyond the  
pressure point.  
R
Always drive at adequate, but not exces-  
sive, engine speeds.  
Change gear in good time.  
If possible, do not change down several  
R
R
gears at a time.  
The last stored speed increases or decrea-  
ses in 10 km/h increments.  
Z
Driving systems  
194  
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.  
SPEEDTRONIC  
General notes  
SPEEDTRONIC brakes automatically so that  
you do not exceed the set speed. You must  
select a lower gear in good time on long and  
steep downhill gradients, especially if the  
vehicle is laden or towing a trailer. For vehi-  
cles with automatic transmission, you need to  
have selected manual shift drive program M  
(Y page 177). 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 continuously.  
Deactivating cruise control  
There are several ways to deactivate cruise  
control:  
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-  
wards B.  
or  
X
Brake.  
or  
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever in the  
You can set a variable or permanent limit  
speed:  
direction of arrow A.  
Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM  
indicator lamp ; in the cruise control lever  
lights up.  
R
variable for speed limits, e.g. in built-up  
areas  
R
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:  
permanent for long-term speed restric-  
tions, e.g. when driving with winter tyres  
fitted (Y page 196)  
R
the vehicle is secured with the electric  
parking brake  
R
you are driving at less than 30 km/h  
i The speed indicated in the speedometer  
may differ slightly from the limit speed  
stored.  
®
®
R
R
ESP intervenes or you deactivate ESP  
while driving a vehicle with manual trans-  
mission, you shift into neutral or depress  
the clutch pedal for longer than six seconds  
Important safety notes  
R
R
on vehicles with manual transmission, you  
shift to a gear that is too high, and as a  
result the engine speed is too low  
on vehicles with automatic transmission,  
you shift to position N while driving  
If you fail to adapt your driving style, SPEED-  
TRONIC can neither reduce the risk of an  
accident nor override the laws of physics.  
SPEEDTRONIC cannot take into account  
road, weather or traffic conditions. SPEED-  
TRONIC is only an aid. You are responsible for  
the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle  
speed, for braking in good time, and for stay-  
ing in lane.  
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear a  
warning tone. You will see the Cruisse con‐  
trol offf message in the multifunction dis-  
play for approximately five seconds.  
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new  
driver of the speed stored.  
i The last speed stored is cleared when you  
switch off the engine.  
Driving systems  
195  
Variable SPEEDTRONIC  
General notes  
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in  
the direction of arrow A.  
LIM indicator lamp ; in the cruise control  
lever lights up. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is  
selected.  
Storing the current 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.  
:
To activate or increase speed  
;
LIM indicator lamp  
Storing or calling up the speed  
=
To activate at the current speed/last  
stored speed  
WARNING  
G
If you call up the stored speed and it is lower  
than the current speed, the vehicle deceler-  
ates. If you do not know the stored speed, the  
vehicle could decelerate unexpectedly. There  
is a risk of an accident.  
?
To activate or reduce speed  
To switch between cruise control and var-  
iable SPEEDTRONIC  
To deactivate cruise control  
A
B
Pay attention to the road and traffic condi-  
tions before calling up the stored speed. If you  
do not know the stored speed, store the  
desired speed again.  
With the cruise control lever, you can operate  
cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS and vari-  
able SPEEDTRONIC.  
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control  
lever indicates which system you have selec-  
ted:  
X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards  
you =.  
R
LIM indicator lamp off: cruise control or  
Setting a speed  
DISTRONIC PLUS is selected  
R
X To adjust the set speed in 10 km/h  
increments: briefly press the cruise con-  
trol lever up : beyond the pressure point  
for a higher speed, or down ? for a lower  
speed.  
LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-  
TRONIC is selected  
When the engine is running, you can use the  
cruise control lever to limit the speed to any  
speed between 30 km/h and the technically  
permitted maximum speed of the vehicle. If  
the set value of permanent SPEEDTRONIC is  
lower then this value applies (Y page 196).  
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.  
Selecting variable SPEEDTRONIC  
X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp ; is on.  
If it is on, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already  
selected.  
X To adjust the set speed in 1 km/h incre-  
ments: briefly press the cruise control  
Z
Driving systems  
196  
Permanent SPEEDTRONIC  
lever up : to the pressure point for a  
higher speed or down ? for a lower speed.  
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 251).  
Shortly before the stored speed is reached, it  
appears in the multifunction display.  
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  
a higher speed or down ? for a lower  
speed.  
Permanent SPEEDTRONIC remains active  
even if variable SPEEDTRONIC is deactivated.  
Switching SPEEDTRONIC to passive  
You cannot exceed the stored limit speed  
even if you depress the accelerator pedal  
beyond the pressure point (kickdown).  
If you depress the accelerator pedal beyond  
the pressure point (kickdown), SPEED-  
TRONIC is switched to passive mode. The fol-  
lowing message appears in the multifunction  
display: SPEEDTRONIC passive.  
You can then exceed the stored speed.  
SPEEDTRONIC is activated again if you:  
DISTRONIC PLUS  
General notes  
R
drive slower than the stored speed without  
kickdown  
set a new speed or  
call up the last speed stored again  
DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and  
automatically helps you maintain the dis-  
tance to the vehicle detected in front. Vehi-  
cles are detected with the aid of the radar  
sensor system. DISTRONIC PLUS brakes  
automatically to avoid exceeding the set  
speed or to maintain the designated distance  
from the vehicle in front.  
Change into a lower gear in good time on long  
and steep downhill gradients. Take particular  
note of this when driving a laden vehicle. 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.  
R
R
The SPEEDTTRONICC passive message in the  
multifunction display disappears.  
Deactivating variable SPEEDTRONIC  
It is not possible to deactivate variable  
SPEEDTRONIC by braking.  
There are several ways to deactivate variable  
SPEEDTRONIC:  
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-  
wards B.  
or  
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that there is a risk  
of a collision, you will be warned visually and  
acoustically. Without your intervention,  
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot prevent a collision.  
An intermittent warning tone will then sound  
and the distance warning lamp will light up in  
the instrument cluster. Brake immediately to  
increase the distance to the vehicle driving in  
front, or take evasive action, provided it is  
safe to do so.  
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever in the  
direction of arrow A.  
LIM indicator lamp ; in the cruise control  
lever goes out. Variable SPEEDTRONIC is  
deactivated.  
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is selec-  
ted.  
Vehicles with manual transmission:  
SPEEDTRONIC switches off if you shift to a  
higher gear and as a result, the engine speed  
is too low.  
DISTRONIC PLUS operates in the range  
between 0 km/h and 200 km/h.  
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on  
roads with steep gradients.  
i The last speed stored is cleared when you  
switch off the engine.  
Driving systems  
197  
Important safety notes  
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate  
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in  
the following or similar situations:  
WARNING  
G
DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to:  
R
when towing away  
R
people or animals  
R
in a car wash  
R
stationary obstacles on the road, e.g. stop-  
If you fail to adapt your driving style,  
ped or parked vehicles  
DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk  
of an accident nor override the laws of phys-  
ics. DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take road and  
weather conditions or traffic conditions into  
account. DISTRONIC PLUS is only an aid. You  
are responsible for the distance to the vehicle  
in front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good  
time and for staying in lane.  
R
oncoming and crossing traffic  
As a result, DISTRONIC PLUS may neither give  
warnings nor intervene in such situations.  
There is a risk of an accident.  
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-  
uation and be ready to brake.  
WARNING  
G
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS:  
DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly rec-  
ognise other road users and complex traffic  
conditions.  
R
in road and traffic conditions which do not  
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g.  
in heavy traffic or on winding roads  
In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:  
R
on smooth or slippery roads. Braking or  
R
accelerating can cause the drive wheels to  
lose traction and the vehicle could then  
skid.  
when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,  
heavy rain or snow  
give an unnecessary warning and then  
brake the vehicle  
R
R
neither give a warning nor intervene  
accelerate or brake unexpectedly  
R
There is a risk of an accident.  
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow  
vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or  
vehicles driving on a different line.  
In particular, the detection of obstacles can  
be impaired in the case of:  
Continue to drive carefully and be prepared to  
brake, particularly if DISTRONIC PLUS warns  
you.  
WARNING  
G
R
dirt on the sensors or obscured sensors  
snow or heavy rain  
interference by other radar sources  
the possibility of strong radar reflections,  
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up  
to 50% of the maximum possible deceleration.  
If this deceleration is not sufficient,  
DISTRONIC PLUS alerts you with a visual and  
acoustic warning. There is a risk of an acci-  
dent.  
R
R
R
for example, in multi-storey car parks  
If DISTRONIC PLUS no longer detects a vehi-  
cle in front, it may unexpectedly accelerate to  
the speed stored.  
Apply the brakes yourself in these situations  
and try to take evasive action.  
This speed can:  
! When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD  
function is activated, the vehicle brakes  
automatically in certain situations.  
R
be too high for a filter lane or a slip road  
R
be so high in the right lane that you pass  
vehicles driving on the left  
R
be so high in the left lane that you pass  
vehicles driving on the right  
Z
Driving systems  
198  
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new  
driver of the speed stored.  
If it is off, DISTRONIC PLUS is already selec-  
ted.  
X
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in  
the direction of arrow B.  
Cruise control lever  
LIM indicator lamp = in the cruise control  
lever goes out. DISTRONIC PLUS is selec-  
ted.  
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS  
Activation conditions  
To activate DISTRONIC PLUS, all of the fol-  
lowing activation conditions must be fulfilled:  
R
the engine must be running. It may take up  
to two minutes of driving before  
DISTRONIC PLUS is ready for use.  
the electric parking brake must be  
:
To store the current speed or a higher  
speed  
To set the specified minimum distance  
LIM indicator lamp  
To store the current speed or to call up the  
last stored speed  
To store the current speed or a lower  
speed  
R
;
released.  
=
®
R
R
ESP must be switched on, but not inter-  
?
vening.  
Active Parking Assist must not be activa-  
ted.  
the transmission must be in position D.  
the driver's door must be closed when you  
shift from P to D or your seat belt must be  
fastened.  
the front-passenger door and the rear  
doors must be closed.  
A
R
R
B
To switch between DISTRONIC PLUS and  
variable SPEEDTRONIC  
To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS  
C
You can operate DISTRONIC PLUS and varia-  
ble SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control  
lever.  
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control  
lever indicates which system you have selec-  
ted:  
R
R
the DISTRONIC PLUS function must be  
selected with the cruise control lever  
(Y page 198).  
Activating  
R
LIM indicator lamp off: DISTRONIC PLUS  
is selected.  
LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-  
TRONIC is selected  
X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards  
you ?, up : or down A.  
DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.  
R
X
Keep the cruise control lever pressed up :  
or down A until the desired speed is set.  
Remove your foot from the accelerator  
pedal.  
Selecting DISTRONIC PLUS  
X
X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp = is off.  
Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the  
vehicle in front, but only up to the desired  
stored speed.  
i If you do not fully release the accelerator  
pedal, the DISTRONIC PLUS inactive  
Driving systems  
199  
Selecting the drive program  
message appears in the multifunction dis-  
play. The set distance to a slower-moving  
vehicle in front will then not be maintained.  
The position of the accelerator pedal will  
determine the speed.  
You can also activate DISTRONIC PLUS when  
stationary. Thelowestspeedthat canbesetis  
30 km/h.  
DISTRONIC PLUS supports a sporty driving  
style when you select the S+ drive program  
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles only), S  
(Y page 175) or the manual drive program  
(Y page 177). Acceleration behind the vehicle  
in front or to the set speed is then noticeably  
more dynamic. If you have selected the E (C in  
Mercedes-AMG vehicles:) drive program, the  
vehicle accelerates more gently. This setting  
is recommended in stop-start traffic.  
Driving with DISTRONIC PLUS  
Pulling away and driving  
Changing lanes  
The vehicle can also pull away when it is  
facing an unidentified obstacle or is driving on  
a different line from another vehicle. The vehi-  
cle then brakes automatically. Be ready to  
brake at all times.  
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated when you  
depress the brake, except when the vehicle is  
stationary.  
X If you want to pull away with  
DISTRONIC PLUS: remove your foot from  
the brake pedal.  
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards  
you ?.  
If you change to the overtaking lane,  
DISTRONIC PLUS supports you if:  
R
you are driving faster than 70 km/h  
R
DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the dis-  
tance to a vehicle in front  
R
you switch on the respective turn signal  
R
DISTRONIC 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.  
X
or  
X
Accelerate briefly.  
Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its  
speed to that of the vehicle in front.  
If no vehicle is detected in front, your vehi-  
cle accelerates to the set speed.  
Stopping  
WARNING  
G
When leaving the vehicle, even if it is braked  
only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if:  
R
there is a malfunction in the system or in  
the voltage supply.  
DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated  
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC  
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise  
control.  
R
with the cruise control lever, e.g. by a vehi-  
cle occupant or from outside the vehicle.  
the electrical system in the engine com-  
partment, the battery or the fuses have  
been tampered with.  
the battery is disconnected.  
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in  
front has slowed down, it brakes your vehicle.  
In this way, the distance you have selected is  
maintained.  
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a faster-moving  
vehicle in front, it increases the driving speed.  
The vehicle is only accelerated up to the  
speed you have stored.  
R
R
R
the accelerator pedal has been depressed,  
e.g. by a vehicle occupant.  
There is a risk of an accident.  
Z
Driving systems  
200  
Setting a speed  
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off  
DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle  
against rolling away.  
Further information on deactivating  
DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 201).  
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle in  
front is stopping, it brakes your vehicle until it  
is stationary.  
Once your vehicle is stationary, it remains  
stationary and you do not need to depress the  
brake.  
Bear in mind that it may take a brief moment  
until the vehicle has accelerated or braked to  
the set speed.  
i After a short period, the vehicle is secured  
by the electric parking brake, thus relieving  
the service brake.  
X
Press the cruise control lever up : for a  
i Depending on the specified minimum dis-  
tance, your vehicle will come to a standstill  
at a sufficientdistance behind the vehicle in  
front. The specified minimum distance is  
set using the control on the cruise control  
lever.  
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. DISTRONIC PLUS  
is activated and adjusts the vehicle's speed  
to the new speed stored.  
X To adjust the set speed in 1 km/h incre-  
ments: briefly press the cruise control  
lever up : or down ; to the pressure  
point.  
The last stored speed increases or decrea-  
ses 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.  
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the  
transmission is shifted automatically to posi-  
tion P if:  
R
the driver's seat belt is not fastened and the  
driver's door is open  
R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-  
matically switched off by the ECO start/  
stop function  
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle  
automatically if DISTRONIC PLUS is activated  
when the vehicle is stationary and:  
The last stored speed increases or decrea-  
ses in 10 km/h increments.  
R
a system fault occurs  
the power supply is insufficient  
R
If a malfunction in the electric parking brake  
occurs, then the transmission may also be  
shifted into position P automatically.  
i DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you  
depress the accelerator pedal. If you accel-  
erate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS  
adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last  
speed stored after you have finished over-  
taking.  
Driving systems  
201  
Setting the specified minimum distance Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS  
You can set the specified minimum distance  
for DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span  
between one and two seconds. With this func-  
tion, you can set the minimum distance that  
DISTRONIC PLUS maintains to the vehicle in  
front, dependent on vehicle speed. You can  
see this distance in the multifunction display  
(Y page 202).  
i Make sure that you maintain the mini-  
mum distance to the vehicle in front as  
required by law. Adjust the distance to the  
vehicle in front if necessary.  
There are several ways to deactivate  
DISTRONIC PLUS:  
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-  
wards :.  
or  
X
Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.  
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.  
X
To increase: turn control = in direc-  
tion ;.  
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a greater  
distance between your vehicle and the  
vehicle in front.  
If you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you will  
see the DISTRONIC PLUS off message in the  
multifunction display for approximately five  
seconds.  
i The last speed stored remains stored until  
you switch off the engine. DISTRONIC PLUS  
is not deactivated if you depress the accel-  
erator pedal.  
X
To decrease: turn control = in direc-  
tion :.  
DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a shorter  
distance between your vehicle and the  
vehicle in front.  
DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically deactiva-  
ted if:  
R
you apply the electric parking brake or if the  
vehicle is automatically secured with the  
electric parking brake  
®
®
R
R
R
ESP intervenes or you deactivate ESP  
the transmission is in the P, R or N position  
you pull the cruise control lever towards  
you in order to pull away and the front-  
passenger door or one of the rear doors is  
open  
Z
Driving systems  
202  
R
the vehicle is skidding  
R
you activate Active Parking Assist  
If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will  
hear a warning tone. You will see the  
DISTRONIC PLUS off message in the multi-  
function display for approximately five sec-  
onds.  
DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the instru-  
ment cluster  
Assistance graphic  
Vehicle in front, if detected  
Distance indicator: current distance to  
the vehicle in front  
Displays in the speedometer  
:
;
=
Specified minimum distance to the vehi-  
cle in front; adjustable  
?
Own vehicle  
X
Select the Assistannce graphic function  
using the on-board computer  
(Y page 248).  
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is activa-  
ted  
Example: DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the speed-  
ometer  
You will initially see the stored speed for  
about five seconds when you activate  
DISTRONIC PLUS.  
When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated and there  
are no vehicles detected in front, one or two  
segments ; in the set speed range light up.  
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle in front,  
segments ; between speed of the vehicle in  
front = and stored speed : light up.  
i For design reasons, the speed displayed  
in the speedometer may differ slightly from  
the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS.  
Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is deacti-  
vated  
In the Assistance menu (Y page 247) of the  
on-board computer, you can select the assis-  
tance graphic.  
Assistance graphic  
Vehicle in front, if detected  
:
;
Specified minimum distance to the vehi-  
cle in front; adjustable  
=
Own vehicle  
?
DISTRONIC PLUS active (text only  
appears when the cruise control lever is  
actuated)  
Driving systems  
203  
X
Other vehicles changing lane  
Select the Assistancee ggrraapphhiicc function  
using the on-board computer  
(Y page 248).  
Tips for driving with DISTRONIC PLUS  
General notes  
The following contains descriptions of certain  
road and traffic conditions in which you must  
be particularly attentive. In such situations,  
brake if necessary. DISTRONIC PLUS is then  
deactivated.  
DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the vehi-  
cle cutting in yet. The distance to this vehicle  
will be too short.  
Cornering, entering and exiting a bend  
narrow vehicles  
The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect vehi-  
cles when cornering is limited. Your vehicle  
may brake unexpectedly or late.  
DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the  
vehicle in front on the edge of the carriageway  
because of its narrow width. The distance to  
the vehicle in front will be too short.  
Vehicles which are not driving in the mid-  
dle of their lane  
Obstructions and stationary vehicles  
DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles  
which are not driving in the middle of their  
lane. The distance to the vehicle in front will  
be too short.  
DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-  
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the  
Z
Driving systems  
204  
Important safety notes  
detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals  
an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC  
PLUS will not brake for these.  
WARNING  
G
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away  
despite being braked by the HOLD function if:  
Crossing vehicles  
R
there is a malfunction in the system or in  
the voltage supply  
R
the HOLD function is deactivated by the  
accelerator pedal being depressed, e.g. by  
a vehicle occupant  
R
the electrical system in the engine com-  
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-  
pered with  
R
the battery is disconnected  
There is a risk of an accident.  
DISTRONIC PLUS may detect vehicles that  
are crossing your lane by mistake. Activating  
DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with cross-  
ing traffic, for example, could cause your vehi-  
cle to pull away unintentionally.  
Before leaving the vehicle, always deactivate  
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle  
from rolling away.  
! When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD  
function is activated, the vehicle brakes  
automatically in certain situations.  
HOLD function  
General notes  
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate  
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in  
the following or similar situations:  
The HOLD function can assist the driver in the  
following situations:  
R
when towing away  
in a car wash  
R
R
when pulling away, especially on steep  
Deactivating the HOLD function  
(Y page 205).  
slopes  
R
when manoeuvring on steep slopes  
R
when waiting in traffic  
Activation conditions  
The vehicle is kept stationary without the  
driver having to depress the brake pedal.  
The braking effect is cancelled and the HOLD  
function is deactivated when you depress the  
accelerator pedal to pull away.  
You can activate the HOLD function if:  
R
the vehicle is stationary  
R
the engine is running or if it has been auto-  
matically switched off by the ECO start/  
stop function  
R
the driver's door is closed or if your seat  
belt is fastened  
R
the electric parking brake is released  
R
DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated  
R
the transmission is in position D, R or N on  
vehicles with automatic transmission  
Driving systems  
205  
Activating the HOLD function  
When the HOLD function is activated, the  
transmission is shifted automatically to posi-  
tion P if:  
R
the driver's seatbeltis not fastened and the  
driver's door is open  
R
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-  
matically switched off by the ECO start/  
stop function  
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle  
automatically if the HOLD function is activa-  
ted, the vehicle is stationary and:  
X
Make sure that the activation conditions  
are met.  
Depress the brake pedal.  
Quickly depress the brake pedal further  
until : appears in the multifunction dis-  
play.  
X
X
R
a system fault occurs  
the power supply is insufficient  
R
The HOLD function is activated. You can  
release the brake pedal.  
Vehicles with manual transmission  
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle  
automatically if the HOLD function is activa-  
ted and:  
i If depressing the brake pedal the first  
time does not activate the HOLD function,  
wait briefly and then try again.  
R
the driver's seatbeltis not fastened and the  
driver's door is open  
the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-  
matically switched off by the ECO start/  
stop function  
Deactivating the HOLD function  
R
The HOLD function is deactivated automati-  
cally if:  
R
R
you accelerate. On vehicles with automatic  
a system fault occurs  
transmission: only when the transmission  
is in position D or R.  
the transmission is in position P on vehicles  
with automatic transmission.  
you depress the brake pedal again with a  
certain amount of pressure until : disap-  
pears from the multifunction display.  
R
the power supply is insufficient  
The Brake immediately message may also  
appear in the multifunction display.  
R
X
Immediately depress the brake pedal firmly  
until the warning message in the multifunc-  
tion display goes out.  
R
The HOLD function is deactivated.  
R
you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.  
you secure the vehicle using the electric  
parking brake.  
A horn will sound at regular intervals if you  
turn off the engine, take off your seat belt or  
open the driver's door when the HOLD func-  
tion is activated. The horn alerts you to the  
fact that the HOLD function is still activated.  
If you attempt to lock the vehicle, the tone  
becomes louder. The vehicle cannot be  
locked until you have deactivated the HOLD  
function.  
R
i After a short period, the vehicle is secured  
by the electric parking brake, thus relieving  
the service brake.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission  
i Once you have switched off the engine,  
you cannot restart it until you have deacti-  
vated the HOLD function.  
Z
Driving systems  
206  
Cancelling start-off assist  
Start-off assist (except Mercedes-  
AMG vehicles)  
X
Remove your foot from the accelerator  
pedal.  
Reactivate ESP.  
Important safety notes  
X
WARNING  
G
If you use start-off assist, individual wheels  
may start to spin and the vehicle may skid. If  
ESP® is deactivated, there is a greater danger  
of skidding and having an accident. Make sure  
that no persons or obstacles are in the area  
around the vehicle.  
RACE START (AMG vehicles)  
Important safety notes  
i RACE START must not be used on normal  
roads. RACE START must only be activated  
and used on dedicated road circuits, out-  
side of public road use.  
Start-off assist enables optimum acceleration  
from a standstill. For this, a suitably high-grip  
road surface is required, along with the tyres  
and vehicle being in good condition.  
i RACE START is only available in  
Mercedes‑AMG vehicles.  
Do not activate start-off assist on public  
roads.  
Observe the safety notes on driving safety  
WARNING  
G
If you use RACE START, individual tyres may  
get into a spin and the vehicle could skid.  
Depending on the selected ESP® mode, there  
is an increased risk of skidding and having an  
accident. Make sure that no persons, animals  
or obstacles are within range of the vehicle.  
systems (Y page 69).  
Be sure to read the safety notes and informa-  
tion on ESP® (Y page 73).  
Activating start-off assist  
RACE START enables optimum acceleration  
from a standing start. For this, a suitably high-  
grip road surface is required, along with the  
tyres and vehicle being in good condition.  
®
X
X
Deactivate ESP (Y page 248).  
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-  
ahead position.  
X
Depress the brake pedal firmly with your  
left foot and keep the brake pedal  
depressed.  
Shift the transmission to position D.  
Use the DYNAMIC SELECT button to select  
i Observe the safety notes on driving safety  
systems (Y page 69).  
Be sure to read the safety notes and infor-  
X
X
mation on ESP® (Y page 73).  
the S drive program (Y page 166).  
Activation conditions  
X
X
Quickly depress the accelerator pedal fully.  
You can activate RACE START if:  
Take your foot off the brake, but keep the  
accelerator pedal depressed.  
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-  
eration.  
R
the doors, the bonnet and the boot lid are  
closed  
R
the engine is running and the transmission,  
traction control and engine are at operating  
temperature  
i Activate ESP® as soon as the acceleration  
process has ended. ESP® will otherwise not  
be able to stabilise the vehicle if the vehicle  
starts to skid or a wheel starts to spin.  
R
the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead  
position  
R
the vehicle is stationary and the brake  
pedal is depressed (left foot)  
Driving systems  
207  
R
R
the transmission is in position D  
drive program S, S+ or RACE is selected  
(Y page 167)  
The RACE START active message appears  
in the multifunction display.  
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle  
reaches a speed of approximately 50 km/h.  
Activating RACE START  
RACE START is deactivated immediately if  
you release the accelerator pedal during  
RACE START or if any of the activation condi-  
tions are no longer fulfilled. The RACE START  
not posssiblee or RACE START cancelled  
message appears in the multifunction dis-  
play.  
X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot  
and keep it depressed.  
Pull and hold both steering wheel gearshift  
paddles.  
The RACE START Confirm: PPaaddddllee UUPP  
Canceel: Paddle DOWN message appears  
in the multifunction display.  
Release both steering wheel gearshift pad-  
X
X
i After using it several times in short suc-  
cession, RACE START will be unavailable  
until a certain distance has been driven.  
X
dles.  
i If the activation conditions are no longer  
fulfilled, RACE START is cancelled. The  
RACE START not possible SSeeee OOwwnn‐‐  
er's Manual message appears in the mul-  
tifunction display.  
AMG RIDE CONTROL  
General notes  
The electronically controlled damping system  
works continuously. This improves driving  
safety and ride comfort.  
X
To cancel: pull the left steering wheel shift  
paddle (Y page 177).  
or  
X
The damping is tuned individually to each  
wheel and depends on:  
To confirm: pull the right steering wheel  
shift paddle (Y page 177).  
The RACE START available Depress  
accelerator message appears in the mul-  
tifunction display.  
R
your driving style, e.g. sporty  
R
the road surface condition, e.g. bumps  
R
your individual selection of "Sport" or  
"Comfort"  
i If you do not depress the accelerator  
pedal within a few seconds, RACE START is  
cancelled. The multifunction display shows  
the RACE START cancelled message.  
The suspension setting is adjusted using the  
corresponding button in the centre console.  
i The mode can also be set using the AMG  
DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Y page 167).  
X
Fully depress the accelerator pedal.  
The engine speed increases.  
If the ignition is switched off for less than four  
hours, the previously selected drive program  
is activated when the engine is next started. If  
the ignition is switched off for more than four  
hours, Comfort mode is activated when the  
engine is next started.  
The RACE START Release bbrraakkee ttoo  
start message appears in the multifunc-  
tion display.  
i If the brake pedal is not released after a  
short while, RACE START is cancelled. The  
multifunction display shows the RACE  
START cancelled message.  
X
Take your foot off the brake, but keep the  
accelerator pedal depressed.  
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-  
eration.  
Z
Driving systems  
208  
4MATIC, together with ESP®, improves the  
traction of your vehicle whenever a drive  
wheel spins due to insufficient grip.  
Sport mode  
If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC  
can neither reduce the risk of an accident nor  
override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot  
take account of road, weather and traffic con-  
ditions. 4MATIC is only an aid. You are  
responsible for the distance to the vehicle in  
front, for vehicle speed, for braking in good  
time and for staying in lane.  
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:  
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in  
Sport mode ensures even better contact with  
the road. Select this mode when employing a  
sporty driving style, e.g. on winding country  
roads.  
R
when pulling away, only depress the accel-  
erator pedal as far as is necessary.  
accelerate less when driving.  
R
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum  
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if  
you use winter tyres (M+S tyres), with snow  
chains if necessary.  
X
Press button : once.  
Indicator lamp ; lights up. You have selec-  
ted Sport mode.  
The AMG Ride Control SPORT message  
appears in the multifunction display.  
Suspension with Adaptive Damping  
System  
Comfort mode  
General notes  
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics  
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select  
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable  
driving style, but also when driving fast on  
straight roads, e.g. motorways.  
A suspension with the Adaptive Damping Sys-  
tem provides improved driving comfort and  
continuously controls the calibration of the  
dampers. The damping characteristics adapt  
to the current operating and driving situation.  
The damping is tuned individually to each  
wheel and depends on:  
X
Press button : again to switch off indica-  
tor lamp ;.  
You have selected Comfort mode.  
R
your driving style, e.g. sporty  
The AMG Ride Control COMFORT mes-  
sage appears in the multifunction display.  
R
the road surface conditions  
R
the drive program selected  
R
the vehicle level setting  
4MATIC  
The drive program can be set using the  
DYNAMIC SELECT button (Y page 166).  
! Never tow the vehicle with one axle  
raised. This may damage the differential.  
Damage of this sort is not covered by the  
Mercedes-Benz implied warranty. All  
wheels must remain either on the ground or  
be fully raised. Observe the instructions for  
towing the vehicle with all wheels in full  
contact with the ground.  
Selecting Comfort mode  
In the Comfort drive program, the driving  
characteristics of your vehicle are more com-  
fortable. Therefore, select this drive program  
if you prefer a more comfortable driving style.  
Driving systems  
209  
Also select the Comfort drive program when  
driving fast on straight roads, e.g. on straight  
stretches of motorway.  
Ultrasonic sources, such as an automatic  
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes  
or a pneumatic drill, could cause  
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.  
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on  
uneven terrain.  
X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :  
(Y page 166) repeatedly until the Comfort  
drive program is selected.  
! Fold in the ball coupling if the trailer tow  
hitch is not required. PARKTRONIC meas-  
ures the minimum detection range to an  
obstacle from the bumper, not the ball cou-  
pling.  
Selecting Sport mode  
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in  
the Sport drive program ensures even better  
contact with the road. Select this drive pro-  
gram when employing a sporty driving style,  
e.g. on winding country roads.  
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when  
you:  
R
switch on the ignition  
X
Press DYNAMIC SELECT button :  
(Y page 166) repeatedly until the Sport  
drive program is selected.  
R
shift to position D, R or N on vehicles with  
automatic transmission  
R
release the electric parking brake  
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above  
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.  
PARKTRONIC  
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area  
when you establish an electrical connection  
between your vehicle and a trailer.  
Important safety notes  
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with  
ultrasonic sensors. It monitors the area  
around your vehicle using six sensors in the  
front bumper and six sensors in the rear  
bumper. PARKTRONIC indicates visually and  
audibly the distance between your vehicle  
and an object.  
Range of the sensors  
General notes  
PARKTRONIC does not take into account  
obstacles located:  
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a substi-  
tute for your attention to the immediate sur-  
roundings. The responsibility for safe  
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.  
Make sure that there are no persons, animals  
or objects in range while manoeuvring and  
parking.  
R
below the detection range, e.g. persons,  
animals or objects  
above the detection range, e.g. overhang-  
ing loads, tail sections or loading ramps of  
goods vehicles  
R
! When parking, pay particular attention to  
objects above or below the sensors, such  
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.  
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects  
when they are in the immediate vicinity of  
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle  
or the objects.  
The sensors may not detect snow and  
objects which absorb ultrasonic sources.  
Z
Driving systems  
210  
Rear sensors  
Centre  
Approx. 120 cm  
Approx. 80 cm  
Corners  
Minimum distance  
Centre  
Approx. 20 cm  
Approx. 20 cm  
Corners  
:
Example: sensors in the front bumper,  
left-hand side  
If there is an obstacle within this range, the  
relevant warning displays light up and a warn-  
ing tone sounds. If the distance falls below  
the minimum, the distance may no longer be  
shown.  
The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and  
slush. Otherwise, they may not function cor-  
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking  
care not to scratch or damage them  
(Y page 332).  
Warning displays  
Range  
:
Segments on the left-hand side of the  
vehicle  
;
Segments on the right-hand side of the  
vehicle  
=
Segments showing operational readiness  
The warning displays show the distance  
between the sensors and the obstacle. The  
warning display for the front area is located  
on the dashboard above the centre air vents.  
The warning display for the rear area is loca-  
ted on the roof lining in the rear compart-  
ment.  
Front sensors  
Centre  
Approx. 100 cm  
Approx. 60 cm  
Corners  
The warning display for each side of the vehi-  
cle is divided into five yellow and two red seg-  
ments. PARKTRONIC is operational if yellow  
segments showing operational readiness =  
light up.  
Driving systems  
211  
Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC  
The gear lever position or the transmission  
position of the automatic transmission and  
the direction in which the vehicle is rolling  
determine which warning display is active  
when the engine is running.  
Manual transmission:  
Gear lever posi-  
tion  
Warning display  
Forward gear  
or  
Front area activated  
Neutral  
:
Indicator lamp  
;
To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC  
Reverse gear or  
the vehicle is rolling  
backwards  
Rear and front areas  
activated  
If indicator lamp : lights up, PARKTRONIC is  
deactivated.  
i PARKTRONIC is automatically activated  
when you turn the key to position 2 in the  
ignition lock.  
Automatic transmission:  
Transmission  
position  
Warning display  
D
Front area activated  
R, N or the vehicle Rear and front areas  
activated  
is rolling back-  
wards  
P
No areas activated  
One or more segments light up as the vehicle  
approaches an obstacle, depending on the  
vehicle's distance from the obstacle.  
From the:  
R
sixth segment onwards, you will hear an  
intermittent warning tone for approx-  
imately two seconds.  
R
seventh segment onwards, you will hear a  
warning tone for approximately two sec-  
onds. This indicates that you have now  
reached the minimum distance.  
Z
Driving systems  
212  
Problems with PARKTRONIC  
Problem  
Possible causes/consequences and M Solutions  
Only the red segments PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has been deactivated.  
in the PARKTRONIC  
X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified  
warning displays are lit.  
specialist workshop.  
You also hear a warning  
tone for approximately  
two seconds.  
PARKTRONIC is then  
deactivated and the  
indicator lamp on the  
PARKTRONIC button  
lights up.  
Only the red segments The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.  
in the PARKTRONIC  
X
Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 332).  
warning displays are lit.  
PARKTRONIC is then  
X
Switch the ignition back on.  
deactivated.  
The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or  
ultrasound waves.  
X
See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.  
Make sure that no persons, animals or  
objects are in the manoeuvring range.  
When PARKTRONIC is deactivated, Active  
Active Parking Assist  
General notes  
Parking Assist is also unavailable.  
Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking  
aid with ultrasound. It measures the road on  
both sides of the vehicle. A parking symbol  
indicates a suitable parking space. Active  
steering intervention and brake application  
can assist you during parking and when exit-  
ing a parking space. You may also use  
PARKTRONIC (Y page 209).  
WARNING  
G
While parking or pulling out of a parking  
space, the vehicle swings out and can drive  
onto areas of the oncoming lane. This could  
cause you to collide with other road users.  
There is a risk of an accident.  
Pay attention to other road users. Stop the  
vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Park-  
ing Assist parking procedure.  
i The active braking application is only  
available on vehicles with automatic trans-  
mission.  
! If unavoidable, you should drive over  
obstacles such as kerbs slowly and not at a  
sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage  
the wheels or tyres.  
Important safety notes  
Active Parking Assist is only an aid. It is not a  
substitute for your attention to the immediate  
surroundings. The responsibility for safe  
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.  
Driving systems  
213  
Active Parking Assist may also display spaces between your vehicle and the trailer, Active  
not suitable for parking, e.g.:  
Parking Assist is no longer available.  
PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area.  
R
parking or stopping prohibitions  
R
in front of driveways or entrances and exits  
unsuitable surfaces  
Detecting parking spaces  
R
Objects located above the height range of  
Active Parking Assist will not be detected  
when the parking space is measured. These  
are not taken into account when the parking  
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging  
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods  
vehicles.  
Parking tips:  
R
on narrow roads, drive as closely as possi-  
ble past the parking space  
R
parking spaces that are littered or over-  
grown might be identified or measured  
incorrectly  
R
parking spaces that are partially occupied  
WARNING  
G
If there are objects above the detection range:  
by trailer drawbars might not be identified  
as such or be measured incorrectly  
R
Active Park Assist may steer too early  
R
snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking  
space being measured inaccurately  
R
the vehicle may not stop in front of these  
objects  
R
pay attention to the PARKTRONIC  
(Y page 210) warning messages during the  
parking procedure  
This could cause a collision. There is a risk of  
an accident.  
R
you can intervene in the steering procedure  
to correct it at any time. Active Parking  
Assist will then be cancelled  
If objects are located above the detection  
range, stop and deactivate Active Parking  
Assist.  
R
when transporting a load which protrudes  
For further information on the detection  
range (Y page 209).  
from your vehicle, you should not use  
Active Parking Assist  
Active Parking Assist does not assist you  
parking in spaces at right angles to the direc-  
tion of travel if:  
R
never use Active Parking Assist when snow  
chains are fitted  
make sure that the tyre pressures are  
always correct. This has a direct influence  
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-  
cle.  
R
R
two parking spaces are located directly  
next to one another  
R
the parking space is directly next to a low  
obstacle such as a low kerb  
Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces  
that are:  
R
you forward park  
Active Parking Assist does not assist you  
parking in spaces that are parallel or at right  
angles to the direction of travel if:  
R
parallel or at right angles to the direction of  
travel.  
on straight roads, not bends  
on the same level as the road, e.g. not on  
R
R
the parking space is on a kerb  
R
the pavement  
R
the system reads the parking space as  
being blocked, for example by foliage or  
grass paving blocks  
For vehicles with the trailer tow hitch folded  
out, the minimum length for parking spaces is  
slightly longer.  
If you have attached a trailer to your vehicle,  
you should not use Active Parking Assist.  
Once the electrical connection is established  
R
R
the area is too small for the vehicle to  
manoeuvre into  
the parking space is bordered by an obsta-  
cle, e.g. a tree, a post or a trailer  
Z
Driving systems  
214  
by pressing the a button on the multi-  
function steering wheel. The system auto-  
matically determines whether the parking  
space is parallel or at right angles to the direc-  
tion of travel.  
A parking space is displayed while you are  
driving past it, and until you are approx-  
imately 15 m away from it.  
Example: parking symbol  
:
Detected parking space on the left  
;
Parking symbol  
Parking  
=
Detected parking space on the right  
WARNING  
G
Active Parking Assist is activated automati-  
cally when driving forwards. The system is  
operational at speeds of up to approximately  
35 km/h. While in operation, the system inde-  
pendently locates and measures parking  
spaces on both sides of the vehicle.  
If you leave the vehicle when it is only being  
braked by Active Parking Assist it could roll  
away if:  
R
there is a malfunction in the system or in  
the voltage supply.  
R
the electrical system in the engine com-  
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking  
spaces:  
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-  
pered with.  
R
parallel or at right angles to the direction of  
R
the battery is disconnected.  
travel  
R
the vehicle is accelerated, e.g. by a vehicle  
R
that are parallel to the direction of travel  
occupant.  
There is a risk of an accident.  
Before leaving the vehicle, always secure it  
against rolling away.  
and are at least 1.5 m wide  
R
that are parallel to the direction of travel  
and at least 1.0 m longer than your vehicle  
R
that are at right angles to the direction of  
travel and at least 1.0 m wider than your  
vehicle  
i Vehicles with automatic transmis-  
sion:  
i Note that Active Parking Assist cannot  
measure the length of a parking space if it  
is at right angles to the direction of travel.  
You will need to judge whether your vehicle  
will fit in the parking space.  
When PARKTRONIC detects obstacles,  
Active Parking Assist brakes automatically  
during the parking process. You are respon-  
sible for braking in good time.  
X
Stop the vehicle when the parking symbol  
shows the desired parking space in the  
instrument cluster.  
X Vehicles with manual transmission:  
shift to reverse gear.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
shift into position R.  
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:  
% message appears in the multifunction  
display.  
When driving at speeds below 30 km/h, you  
will see parking symbol ; as a status indi-  
cator in the instrument cluster. When a park-  
ing space has been detected, an arrow  
towards the right or the left also appears.  
Active Parking Assist only displays parking  
spaces on the front-passenger side as stand-  
ard. Parking spaces on the driver's side are  
displayed as soon as the turn signal on the  
driver's side is activated. When parking on the  
driver's side, this must remain activated until  
you confirm the use of Active Parking Assist  
Driving systems  
215  
X
To cancel the procedure: press the %  
button on the multifunction steering wheel  
or pull away.  
The Park Assist active Accelerate  
and brake Observe surroundingsmes-  
sage appears in the multifunction display.  
or  
You will achieve the best results by wait-  
ing for the steering procedure to complete  
before pulling away.  
i
X To park using Active Parking Assist:  
press the a button on the multifunction  
steering wheel.  
X
Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all  
times.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to  
a standstill when the vehicle approaches  
the front border of the parking space.  
Manoeuvring may be required in tight park-  
ing spaces.  
X Vehicles with manual transmission:  
stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the  
continuous warning tone, if not before.  
The Park Assist active Accelerate  
and brake Observe surroundingsmes-  
sage appears in the multifunction display.  
X
Release the multifunction steering wheel.  
Reverse the vehicle, being ready to brake at  
X
all times. When reversing, drive at a speed  
below 10 km/h. Otherwise, Active Parking  
Assist will be cancelled.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
Active Parking Assist brakes the vehicle to  
a standstill when the vehicle approaches  
the rear border of the parking space.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission: the  
Park Assist active Select R Obbserve  
surroundings message appears in the mul-  
tifunction display.  
Manoeuvring may be required in tight park-  
ing spaces.  
X Vehicles with manual transmission:  
stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the  
continuous warning tone, if not before.  
Manoeuvring may be required in tight park-  
ing spaces.  
Vehicles with manual transmission: the  
Park Assist active Engage reverse  
gear Obsserve suurroundings message  
appears in the multifunction display.  
As soon as the parking procedure is com-  
plete, the Park Assist switcheed off mes-  
sage appears and a warning tone sounds. The  
vehicle is now parked.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission: the  
vehicle is kept stationary without the driver  
having to depress the brake pedal. The brak-  
ing effect is cancelled when you depress the  
accelerator pedal.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission: the  
Park Assist active Select D Obbserve  
surroundings message appears in the mul-  
tifunction display.  
Vehicles with manual transmission: the  
Park Assist active Engage forward  
gear Observe surroundings message  
appears in the multifunction display.  
Active Parking Assist no longer supports you  
with steering interventions and brake appli-  
cations. When Active Parking Assist is fin-  
ished, you must steer and brake again your-  
self. PARKTRONIC is still available.  
X Vehicles with manual transmission:  
shift to first gear while the vehicle is sta-  
tionary.  
Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
select transmission position D while the  
vehicle is stationary.  
Parking tips:  
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in  
the other direction.  
R
The way your vehicle is positioned in the  
parking space after parking is dependent  
on various factors. These include the posi-  
tion and shape of the vehicles parked in  
front and behind it and the conditions of the  
Z
Driving systems  
216  
X Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
shift the transmission to position D or R.  
Vehicles with manual transmission:  
shift to forward or reverse gear.  
The Start Park Assist? YYeess:: OOKK NNoo::  
message appears in the multifunction dis-  
play %.  
location. It may be the case that Active  
Parking Assist guides you too far into a  
parking space, or not far enough into it. In  
some cases, it may also lead you across or  
onto the kerb. If necessary, you should can-  
cel the parking procedure with Active Park-  
ing Assist.  
R
You can also preselect transmission posi-  
tion D. The vehicle redirects and does not  
drive as far into the parking space. Should  
the transmission change take place too  
early, the parking procedure will be cancel-  
led. A sensible parking position can no lon-  
ger be achieved from this position.  
X
To cancel the procedure: press the %  
button on the multifunction steering wheel  
or pull away.  
or  
X To exit a parking space using Active  
Parking Assist: press the a button on  
the multifunction steering wheel.  
The Park Assist active AAcccceelleerraattee  
and brake Observe surrrounddiings mes-  
sage appears in the multifunction display.  
Exiting a parking space  
In order that Active Parking Assist can sup-  
port you when exiting the parking space:  
X
Release the multifunction steering wheel.  
R
you need to have parked using Active Park-  
ing Assist.  
the border of the parking space must be  
high enough at the front and the rear. A  
kerb stone is too small, for example.  
X
Pull away, being ready to brake at all times.  
Do not exceed a maximum speed of  
approximately 10 km/h when exiting a  
parking space. Otherwise, Active Parking  
Assist will be cancelled.  
R
X Vehicles with manual transmission:  
stop, at the latest when PARKTRONIC  
sounds the continuous warning tone.  
R
the border of the parking space must not be  
too wide, as the position of the vehicle must  
not exceed an angle of 45° to the starting  
position as it is manoeuvred into the park- X Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
ing space.  
depending on the message or as required,  
shift the transmission to position D or R.  
R
a manoeuvring distance of at least 1.0 m  
must be available.  
Vehicles with manual transmission:  
depending on the message or as required,  
engage forward or reverse gear.  
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in  
the other direction. The Park Assist  
active Accelerate and bbrraakkee  
Observe suurrounddings message appears  
in the multifunction display.  
i You will achieve the best results by wait-  
ing for the steering procedure to complete  
before pulling away.  
Active Parking Assist can only assist you with  
exiting a parking space if you have parked the  
vehicle parallel to the direction of travel using  
Active Parking Assist.  
i Vehicles with automatic transmission:  
If PARKTRONIC detects obstacles, Active  
Parking Assist brakes automatically whilst  
the vehicle exits the parking space. You are  
responsible for braking in good time.  
X
Start the engine.  
Release the electric parking brake.  
Switch on the turn signal in the direction  
If you reverse after activation, the steering  
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead posi-  
tion.  
X
X
you will drive out of the parking space.  
Driving systems  
217  
X
Drive forwards and reverse as prompted by A warning tone sounds. The parking symbol  
the PARKTRONIC warning displays, several disappears and the multifunction display  
times if necessary.  
shows the Park Assist cancelled mes-  
sage.  
When Active Parking Assist is cancelled, you  
must steer and brake again yourself.  
X Vehicles with manual transmission:  
stop, at the latest when PARKTRONIC  
sounds the continuous warning tone.  
If a system malfunction occurs, the vehicle is  
braked to a standstill. To drive on, depress the  
accelerator pedal again.  
Once you have exited the parking space com-  
pletely, the steering wheel is moved to the  
straight-ahead position. You hear a tone and  
the Park Assist switched off message  
appears in the multifunction display. You will  
then have to steer and merge into traffic on  
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available. You  
can take over the steering before the vehicle  
has exited the parking space completely. This  
is useful, for example, when you recognise  
that it is already possible to pull out of the  
parking space.  
Reversing camera  
General notes  
Cancelling Active Parking Assist  
X
Stop the movement of the multifunction  
steering wheel or steer yourself.  
Active Parking Assist will be cancelled at  
once. The Park Assist cancelled mes-  
sage appears in the multifunction display.  
Reversing camera : is an optical parking  
and manoeuvring aid. It uses guide lines to  
show the area behind your vehicle in the  
Audio/COMAND display.  
or  
X
Press the PARKTRONIC button  
(Y page 211).  
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active  
Parking Assist is immediately cancelled.  
The Park Assist cancelled message  
appears in the multifunction display.  
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a  
mirror image, as in the rear-view mirror.  
i The text shown in the Audio/COMAND  
display depends on the language setting.  
The following are examples of reversing  
camera displays in the Audio/COMAND  
display.  
Active Parking Assist is cancelled automati-  
cally if:  
R
the electric parking brake is applied  
R
transmission position P is selected in vehi-  
cles with automatic transmission  
See the notes on cleaning (Y page 333).  
R
Important safety notes  
parking using Active Parking Assist is no  
longer possible  
The reversing camera is only an aid. It is not a  
substitute for your attention to the immediate  
surroundings. The responsibility for safe  
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.  
Make sure that there are no persons, animals  
or objects in range while manoeuvring and  
parking.  
R
R
you are driving faster than 10 km/h  
®
a wheel spins and ESP intervenes or fails.  
The ÷ warning lamp lights up in the  
instrument cluster.  
Z
Driving systems  
218  
Under the following circumstances, the  
reversing camera will not function, or will  
function in a limited manner:  
COMAND Online; see the Digital Owner's  
Manual.  
Engage reverse gear.  
X
The area behind the vehicle is shown with  
guide lines in the Audio 20/COMAND  
Online display.  
The image from the reversing camera is  
available throughout the manoeuvring  
process.  
R
if the tailgate is open  
in heavy rain, snow or fog  
at night or in very dark places  
if the camera is exposed to very bright light  
if the area is lit by fluorescent bulbs or LED  
lighting (the display may flicker)  
R
R
R
R
X To change the function mode for vehi-  
cles with trailer tow hitch: using the  
Audio 20/COMAND controller, select sym-  
bol : for the "Reverse parking" function or  
symbol ; for "Coupling up a trailer".  
The symbol of the selected function is high-  
lighted.  
R
if there is a sudden change in temperature,  
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in  
winter  
if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed.  
Observe the notes on cleaning  
(Y page 333)  
if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this  
case, have the camera position and setting  
checked at a qualified specialist workshop.  
R
R
To deactivate: the reversing camera deacti-  
vates if you shift the transmission to P or after  
driving forwards a short distance.  
The field of vision and other functions of the  
reversing camera may be restricted due to  
additional accessories on the rear of the vehi-  
cle (e.g. licence plate holder, bicycle rack).  
Displays in the Audio 20/COMAND dis-  
play  
The reversing camera may show a distorted  
view of obstacles or show them incorrectly or  
not at all. Obstacles are not shown by the  
reversing camera in the following locations:  
Activating/deactivating the reversing  
camera  
R
very close to the rear bumper  
R
under the rear bumper  
R
in the area immediately above the tailgate  
handle  
! Objects not at ground level may appear to  
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:  
R
the bumper of a parked vehicle  
R
the drawbar of a trailer  
R
the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch  
the rear section of an HGV  
a slanted post  
X
To activate: make sure that the key is in  
position 2 in the ignition lock.  
Make sure that the Activation by R  
gear function is selected in Audio 20/  
R
R
X
Use the guidelines only for orientation.  
Approach objects no further than the bot-  
tom-most guideline.  
Driving systems  
219  
:
;
:
;
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-  
imately 4.0 m from the rear of the vehicle  
White guide line without turning the steer-  
ing wheel, vehicle width including the  
exterior mirrors (static)  
Yellow guide line for the vehicle width  
including the exterior mirrors, for current  
steering wheel angle (dynamic)  
Yellow lane marking the course the tyres  
will take at the current steering wheel  
angle (dynamic)  
Front warning display  
Additional PARKTRONIC measurement  
operational readiness indicator  
=
Rear warning display  
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC: when  
=
?
PARKTRONIC is operational (Y page 210),  
additional measurement operational readi-  
ness indicator ; appears in the Audio 20/  
COMAND Online display. If the PARKTRONIC  
warning displays are active or light up, warn-  
ing displays : and = are also active or light  
up correspondingly in the Audio 20/  
COMAND Online display.  
"Reverse parking" function  
Reversing straight into a parking space  
without turning the steering wheel  
A
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-  
imately 1.0 m from the rear of the vehicle  
B
C
D
Vehicle centre axis (locating aid)  
Bumper  
Red guide line at a distance of approx-  
imately 0.30 m from the rear of the vehicle  
:
White guide line without turning the steer-  
ing wheel, vehicle width including the  
exterior mirrors (static)  
;
Yellow guide line for the vehicle width  
including the exterior mirrors, for current  
steering wheel angle (dynamic)  
Z
Driving systems  
220  
=
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-  
imately 1.0 m from the rear of the vehicle  
?
Red guide line at a distance of approx-  
imately 0.30 m from the rear of the vehicle  
X
Make sure that the reversing camera is  
switched on (Y page 218).  
The lane and the guide lines are shown.  
X
X
With the help of white guide line :, check  
whether the vehicle will fit into the parking  
space.  
Using white guide line : as a guide, care-  
fully reverse until you reach the end posi-  
tion.  
:
Yellow guide line for the vehicle width  
including the exterior mirrors, for current  
steering wheel angle (dynamic)  
Red guide line ? is then at the end of the  
parking space. The vehicle is almost paral-  
lel in the parking space.  
X
Stop the vehicle when it is almost exactly in  
front of the parking space.  
The white lane should be as close to parallel  
with the parking space marking as possi-  
ble.  
Reverse perpendicular parking with the  
steering wheel at an angle  
:
White guide line at current steering wheel  
angle  
Parking space marking  
:
Parking space marking  
Yellow guide line for the vehicle width  
including the exterior mirrors, for current  
steering wheel angle (dynamic)  
;
;
X
Turn the steering wheel to the centre posi-  
tion while the vehicle is stationary.  
X
Drive past the parking space and bring the  
vehicle to a standstill.  
X
Make sure that the reversing camera is  
switched on (Y page 218).  
The lane and the guide lines are shown.  
X
While the vehicle is at a standstill, turn the  
steering wheel in the direction of the park-  
ing space until yellow guide line ; reaches  
parking space marking :.  
X
Keep the steering wheel in that position  
and reverse carefully.  
Driving systems  
221  
:
;
:
Red guide line at a distance of approx-  
imately 0.30 m from the rear of the vehicle  
White guide line without turning the steer-  
ing wheel  
Red guide line at a distance of approx-  
imately 0.30 m from the ball coupling  
Trailer drawbar locating aid  
Trailer drawbar  
Symbol for the "Coupling up a trailer"  
function  
Ball coupling  
;
=
?
=
End of parking space  
X
Reverse carefully until you have reached  
the end position.  
A
Red guide line : is then at the end of park-  
ing space =. The vehicle is almost parallel  
in the parking space.  
X
Select symbol ? using the controller.  
The "Coupling up a trailer" function is selec-  
ted. The distance specifications now only  
apply to objects that are at the same level  
as the ball coupling.  
"Coupling up a trailer" function  
X
X
Reverse carefully, making sure that trailer  
drawbar locating aid ; points approx-  
imately in the direction of trailer drawbar  
=.  
Reverse carefully until trailer drawbar =  
reaches the red guide line.  
The distance between the trailer drawbar  
and the red guide line is now approximately  
0.30 m.  
X
Couple up the trailer (Y page 231).  
:
Vehicle centre point on the yellow guide  
line at a distance of approximately 1.0 m  
from the rear of the vehicle  
;
Trailer drawbar  
This function is only available on vehicles with  
a trailer tow hitch.  
X
Before coupling up a trailer, set the height  
of trailer drawbar ; so that it is slightly  
higher than the ball coupling.  
X
Position the vehicle centrally in front of  
trailer drawbar ;.  
Z
Driving systems  
222  
R
R
Wide-angle function  
if you have adopted a sporty driving style  
with high cornering speeds or high rates of  
acceleration  
if you are predominantly driving at a speed  
below 60 km/h or above 200 km/h  
R
R
if the time has been set incorrectly  
in active driving situations, such as when  
you change lanes or change your speed  
ATTENTION ASSIST is reset and starts  
assessing your tiredness again when you con-  
tinue your journey if:  
R
you switch off the engine  
you take off your seat belt and open the  
driver's door, e.g. for a change of drivers or  
to take a break  
:
Symbol for the wide-angle view function  
Own vehicle  
PARKTRONIC warning displays  
R
;
=
Select this view when you are driving out of an  
exit and the view of crossing traffic is restric-  
ted, for example.  
Displaying the attention level  
ATTENTION ASSIST  
General notes  
ATTENTION ASSIST helps you during long,  
monotonous journeys such as on motorways  
and trunk roads. It is active in the 60 km/h to  
200 km/h speed range. If ATTENTION ASSIST  
detects typical indicators of fatigue or  
increasing lapses in concentration on the part  
of the driver, it suggests taking a break.  
You can have current status information dis-  
played in the assistance menu (Y page 247)  
of the on-board computer.  
Important safety notes  
X
Select the assistance graphics display for  
ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid. It may not  
always detect fatigue or lapses in concentra-  
tion until too late, or may not detect them at  
all. The system is not a substitute for a well-  
rested and attentive driver.  
ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-board  
computer (Y page 248).  
The following information is displayed:  
R
the length of the journey since the last  
break  
The functionality of ATTENTION ASSIST is  
restricted, and warnings may be delayed or  
not occur at all:  
R
the attention level determined by ATTEN-  
TION ASSIST (Attentioon leveel), dis-  
played in a bar display in five levels from  
high to low  
if ATTENTION ASSIST is unable to calculate  
the attention level and cannot issue a warn-  
R
if the length of the journey is less than  
approximately 30 minutes  
R
R
if the road condition is poor, e.g. if the sur-  
face is uneven or if there are potholes  
ing, the System suspended message  
R
if there is a strong side wind  
Driving systems  
223  
appears. The bar display then changes the indicators of fatigue or increasing lapses in  
display, e.g. if you are driving at a speed  
below 60 km/h or above 200 km/h.  
concentration.  
If a warning is output in the multifunction dis-  
play, a service station search is performed in  
COMAND Online. You can select a service  
station and navigation to this service station  
will then begin. This function can be activated  
and deactivated in COMAND Online.  
Activating ATTENTION ASSIST  
X
Activate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-  
board computer (Y page 249).  
The system determines the attention level  
of the driver depending on the setting  
selected:  
Traffic Sign Assist  
General notes  
If Standaard is selected: the sensitivity with  
which the system determines the attention  
level is set to normal.  
If Sensitiive is selected: the sensitivity is set  
higher. The attention level detected by  
ATTENTION ASSIST is adapted accordingly  
and the driver is warned earlier.  
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated, the  
é symbol appears in the multifunction  
display in the assistance graphic display.  
When ATTENTION ASSIST has been deactiva-  
ted, it is automatically reactivated after the  
engine has been switched off. The sensitivity  
selected corresponds to the last selection  
activated (standard/sensitive).  
Traffic Sign Assist displays the maximum  
speed permitted and overtaking restrictions  
to the driver in the instrument cluster. Driving  
onto a section of road in the wrong direction  
triggers a warning. Traffic Sign Assist detects  
traffic signs with multifunction camera :  
attached at the top of the windscreen. The  
data and general traffic regulations stored in  
the navigation system are also used to deter-  
Warning in the multifunction display  
If fatigue or increasing lapses in concentra-  
tion are detected, a warning appears in the  
multifunction display: ATTENTIONN ASSIISSTT  
Take a brreak!.  
In addition to the message shown in the mul- mine the current speed limit.  
tifunction display, you will then hear a warn-  
ing tone.  
If a traffic sign that is relevant to your vehicle  
is passed, the display of the speed limits and  
overtaking restrictions is updated.  
X
If necessary, take a break.  
The display can also be updated without a  
visible traffic sign if:  
X
Confirm the message by pressing the a  
button on the steering wheel.  
R
the vehicle changes roads (e.g. motorway  
exit or slip road)  
a village or town boundary is passed which  
On long journeys, take regular breaks in good  
time that allow for adequate recuperation. If  
you do not take a break and ATTEN-  
R
TION ASSIST still detects increasing lapses in  
concentration, you will be warned again after  
15 minutes at the earliest. This will only hap-  
pen if ATTENTION ASSIST still detects typical  
is stored in the digital map  
the last traffic sign detected by the camera  
has not been repeated  
R
Z
Driving systems  
224  
If a sign indicating the end of a restriction  
(speed limit or overtaking restriction) is  
passed, the sign is displayed for five seconds.  
The currently applicable traffic regulation  
continues to be shown in the assistance  
graphic display (Y page 248).  
The camera also detects traffic signs with a  
restriction indicated by an additional sign  
(e.g. in wet conditions).  
The system may be either functionally  
impaired or temporarily unavailable if:  
R
visibility is poor, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog  
or spray  
R
there is glare, e.g. from the sun being low in  
the sky  
R
there is dirt, ice or misting on the wind-  
screen in the vicinity of the camera  
R
traffic signs are hard to detect (dirt, ice,  
The traffic signs are only displayed with the  
restrictions if:  
snow)  
R
the traffic signs are insufficiently lit at night  
R
the regulation must be observed with the  
R
signs are ambiguous (e.g. traffic signs on  
restriction, or  
construction sites or in adjacent lanes)  
R
Traffic Sign Assist is unable to determine  
R
the information in the digital street map of  
whether the restriction applies  
the navigation system is incorrect or out of  
date  
If Traffic Sign Assist is unable to determine a  
maximum permitted speed from any of the  
available sources, no speed limit is displayed  
in the instrument cluster either.  
Activating Traffic Sign Assist  
X
Activate the Traffic Sign Assist display  
using the on-board computer  
(Y page 248).  
If you have activated the Traffic Sign Assist  
display in the on-board computer, the traffic  
regulations (speed limits and overtaking  
restrictions) are displayed in the instrument  
cluster for five seconds respectively. The  
wrong-way warning and the traffic sign dis-  
play for speed limits and overtaking restric-  
tions remain active in the Assist graphic even  
when the display has been deactivated.  
Traffic Sign Assist is not available in all coun-  
tries. In this case, display : is shown in the  
multifunction display.  
Instrument cluster display  
i The following illustrations are examples of  
vehicles with colour multifunction display.  
The illustrations of vehicles with black and  
white multifunction display differ from  
them.  
Important safety notes  
Traffic Sign Assist is only an aid and is not  
always able to correctly display speed limits  
and overtaking restrictions. Traffic signs  
always have priority over the Traffic Sign  
Assist display.  
i The unit for the speed limit (km/h or mph)  
depends on the country in which you are  
driving. It is generally neither shown on the  
traffic sign nor on the instrument cluster  
but must be taken into account when  
observing the maximum permitted speed.  
Driving systems  
225  
:
;
Maximum permitted speed  
Additional signs for wet conditions  
Speed limit with overtaking restriction  
A maximum permitted speed of 60 km/h  
(60 mph) : and an overtaking restriction ;  
apply.  
Speed limits in wet conditions  
A maximum permitted speed of 80 km/h  
(80 mph) applies in wet conditions and when  
Traffic Sign Assist has determined that the  
restriction must be observed.  
:
Maximum permitted speed  
;
Maximum permitted speed for vehicles  
for which the restriction in the additional  
sign is relevant  
Additional sign for unknown restriction  
End of an overtaking restriction  
=
A maximum permitted speed of 60 km/h  
(60 mph) : applies. The overtaking restric-  
tion no longer applies ;. The traffic sign for  
signalling the end of an overtaking restriction  
is displayed for five seconds.  
Speed limit with unknown restriction  
A maximum permitted speed of 80 km/h  
(80 mph) and a speed limit of 60 km/h  
(60 mph) with an unknown restriction apply.  
Z
Driving systems  
226  
End of a speed limit  
Important safety notes  
WARNING  
No speed limit : applies here.  
G
Blind Spot Assist does not react to vehicles:  
R
overtaken too closely on the side, placing  
them in the blind spot area  
R
when the difference in the speed of  
approach and overtaking is too great  
As a result, Blind Spot Assist cannot warn  
drivers in these situations. There is a risk of an  
accident.  
Always pay careful attention to the traffic sit-  
uation and maintaina safedistance at the side  
of the vehicle.  
No entry (wrong-way warning)  
A warning message : is displayed in the  
instrument cluster if Traffic Sign Assist  
detects that you are passing a “no entry” sign  
and you are driving in the wrong direction.  
You will then also hear a warning tone. You  
should immediately check your direction of  
travel in order to avoid danger to yourself and  
other road users.  
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid. It may fail to  
detect some vehicles and is no substitute for  
attentive driving. Always ensure that there is  
sufficient distance to the side for other road  
users and obstacles.  
Radar sensors  
The radar sensors for Blind Spot Assist are  
integrated into the rear bumper. Make sure  
that the bumpers are free from dirt, ice or  
slush. The sensors must not be covered, for  
example by cycle racks or overhanging loads.  
Following a severe impact or in the event of  
damage to the bumpers, have the function of  
the radar sensors checked at a qualified spe-  
cialist workshop. Blind Spot Assist may no  
longer work properly.  
Lane Tracking package  
General notes  
The Lane Tracking package consists of Blind  
Spot Assist (Y page 226) and Lane Keeping  
Assist (Y page 228).  
Blind Spot Assist  
General notes  
Monitoring range of the sensors  
In particular, the detection of obstacles can  
be impaired in the case of:  
Blind Spot Assist monitors the areas on either  
side of the vehicle that are not visible to the  
driver with two lateral, rear-facing radar sen-  
sors. A warning display in the exterior mirrors  
draws your attention to vehicles detected in  
the monitored area. If you then switch on the  
corresponding turn signal to change lanes,  
you will also receive a visual and audible col-  
lision warning.  
R
dirt on the sensors or obscured sensors  
R
poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain or  
snow  
R
a narrow vehicle travelling in front, e.g. a  
motorcycle or a bicycle  
R
very wide lanes  
R
R
narrow lanes  
vehicles not driving in the middle of their  
lane  
Blind Spot Assist supports you from a speed  
of approximately 30 km/h.  
R
barriers or other road boundaries  
Driving systems  
227  
Warning display  
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not  
indicated.  
:
Warning display  
Blind Spot Assist is not active at speeds below  
approximately 30 km/h. Vehicles in the mon-  
itoring range are then not indicated.  
If Blind Spot Assist is activated, indicator  
lamp : in the exterior mirrors lights up yel-  
low up to a speed of 30 km/h. At speeds  
above 30 km/h, the indicator lamp goes out  
and Blind Spot Assist is operational.  
If a vehicle is detected within the monitoring  
range of Blind Spot Assist at speeds above  
30 km/h, warning lamp : on the corre-  
sponding side lights up red. This warning  
always occurs when a vehicle enters the blind  
spot monitoring range from behind or from  
the side. When you overtake a vehicle, the  
warning only occurs if the difference in speed  
is less than 12 km/h.  
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse  
gear is engaged. Blind Spot Assist is then  
deactivated.  
The brightness of the indicator/warning  
lamps is adjusted automatically according to  
the ambient light.  
Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up to  
3.0 m behind your vehicle and directly next to  
your vehicle, as shown in the picture.  
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the  
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may  
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not  
driving in the middle of their lane. This may be  
the caseifthe vehiclesare drivingon the inner  
side of their lane.  
Due to the nature of the system:  
R
warnings may be issued in error when driv-  
ing close to crash barriers or similar solid  
lane borders  
R
warnings may be interrupted when driving  
alongside particularly long vehicles, for  
example lorries, for a prolonged time  
Collision warning  
If a vehicle is detected in the monitoring range  
of Blind Spot Assist and you switch on the  
corresponding turn signal, a double warning  
tone sounds. Red warning lamp : flashes. If  
the turn signal remains on, detected vehicles  
are indicated by the flashing of red warning  
lamp :. There are no further warning tones.  
Z
Driving systems  
228  
Activating Blind Spot Assist  
tion camera : attached at the top of the  
windscreen. Lane Keeping Assistdetects lane  
markings on the road and can warn you  
before you leave your lane unintentionally.  
X
Make sure that Blind Spot Assist is activa-  
ted in the on-board computer  
(Y page 249).  
This function is available in a speed range  
between 60 km/h and 200 km/h.  
X
Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition  
lock.  
A warning may be given if a front wheel  
passes over a lane marking. It will warn you by  
means of intermittent vibration through the  
steering wheel for up to 1.5 seconds.  
Warning lamps : in the exterior mirrors  
light up red for approximately 1.5 seconds  
and then turn yellow.  
Towing a trailer  
Important safety notes  
If you couple up a trailer, make sure that you  
have correctly established the electrical con-  
nection. This can be accomplished by check-  
ing the trailer lighting. Blind Spot Assist is  
then deactivated. The indicator lamps in the  
exterior mirrors light up yellow and the  
Blind Spoot Assist not availaable when  
towing a ttrailerr SSeeee OOwwnneerr''ss MMaannuuaall  
message appears in the multifunction dis-  
play.  
WARNING  
G
Lane Keeping Assist cannot always clearly  
identify lane markings.  
In these cases, Lane Keeping Assist may:  
R
give an unnecessary warning  
R
not give a warning  
There is a risk of an accident.  
Always pay particular attention to the traffic  
situation and keep in lane, especially if Lane  
Keeping Assist alerts you.  
i You can deactivate the indicator lamps in  
the exterior mirrors.  
To do so, you will need to deactivate Blind  
Spot Assist if:  
WARNING  
G
The Lane Keeping Assist warning does not  
return the vehicle to the original lane. There is  
a risk of an accident.  
R
the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock  
R
the engine is not running  
R
the electrical connection to the trailer  
has been established  
Always steer, apply the brakes or accelerate  
the vehicle yourself, especially if Lane Keep-  
ing Assist alerts you.  
Lane Keeping Assist  
General notes  
If you fail to adapt your driving style, Lane  
Keeping Assist can neither reduce the risk of  
an accident nor override the laws of physics.  
Lane Keeping Assist cannot take into account  
road, weather or traffic conditions. Lane  
Keeping Assist is only an aid. You are respon-  
sible for the distance to the vehicle in front,  
forvehiclespeed, forbrakingingoodtimeand  
for staying in lane.  
Lane Keeping Assist does not keep your vehi-  
cle in its lane.  
Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area in  
front of your vehicle by means of multifunc-  
Towing a trailer  
229  
R
R
The system may be impaired or may not func-  
tion if:  
you have switched on the turn signal. In this  
event, the warnings are suppressed for a  
certain period of time.  
a driving safety system intervenes, such as  
ABS, BAS or ESP®.  
R
there is poor visibility, e.g. due to insuffi-  
cient illumination of the road, or due to  
snow, rain, fog or spray  
R
R
R
you accelerate hard, e.g. kickdown.  
you brake hard.  
you steer actively, e.g. swerve to avoid an  
obstacle or change lane quickly.  
R
there is glare, e.g. from oncoming traffic,  
the sun or reflection from other vehicles  
(e.g. if the road surface is wet)  
the windscreen is dirty, misted up, dam-  
aged or covered, for instance by a sticker,  
in the vicinity of the camera  
no or several, unclear lane markings are  
present for one lane, e.g. in a construction  
area  
the lane markings are worn away, dark or  
covered up, e.g. by dirt or snow  
the distance to the vehicle in front is too  
small and the lane markings thus cannot be  
detected  
the lane markings change quickly, e.g.  
lanes branch off, cross one another or  
merge  
R
R
you cut the corner on a sharp bend.  
In order that you are warned only when nec-  
essary and in good time if you cross the lane  
marking, the system detects certain condi-  
tions and warns you accordingly.  
R
R
The warning vibration occurs earlier if:  
R
you approach the outer lane marking on a  
bend  
the road has very wide lanes, e.g. a motor-  
way  
R
R
R
R
the system detects solid lane markings  
The warning vibration occurs later if:  
R
R
the road is narrow and winding  
the road has narrow lanes  
R
R
there are highly variable shade conditions  
you cut the corner on a bend  
on the road  
Activating Lane Keeping Assist  
Towing a trailer  
X
Activate Lane Keeping Assist using the on-  
Important safety notes  
board computer; to do so, select Standard  
or Adaptive (Y page 249).  
If you drive at speeds above 60 km/h and  
lane markings are detected, the lane mark-  
ings in the assistance graphics display  
(Y page 248) are shown in green.  
WARNING  
G
You could lose control of the vehicle/trailer  
combination if it begins to swerve. The vehi-  
cle/trailer combination could even overturn.  
There is a risk of an accident.  
On no account should you attempt to  
straighten out the vehicle/trailer combina-  
tion by increasing speed. Decrease your  
speed and do not countersteer. Brake if nec-  
essary.  
When Standdard is selected, no warning vibra-  
tion occurs if:  
R
you have switched on the turn signal. In this  
event, the warnings are suppressed for a  
certain period of time.  
R
a driving safety system intervenes, such as  
ABS, BAS or ESP®.  
WARNING  
G
If the maximum permissible load for a carrier  
system is exceeded, the carrier could come  
loose from the vehicle and endanger other  
When Adapttive is selected, no warning vibra-  
tion occurs if:  
Z
Towing a trailer  
230  
You will find the values approved by the man-  
ufacturer on the vehicle identification plates  
and those for the towing vehicle under "Tech-  
nical data" (Y page 406).  
road users. There is a risk of an accident and  
injury.  
Never exceed the maximum permissible load  
when using a carrier.  
WARNING  
G
Exceeding the maximum permissible nose-  
weight of the trailer drawbar on the ball cou-  
pling may cause damage to the following:  
If you release the ball coupling or it does not  
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing  
out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,  
there is an increased risk of an accident and  
injury.  
R
your vehicle  
R
the trailer  
R
the ball coupling  
trailer tow hitch  
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting  
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that  
the ball coupling engages when folding in.  
R
The vehicle/trailer combination could  
become unstable.  
If the noseweight used is lower than the min-  
imum permissible noseweight, the vehicle/  
trailer combination could also become unsta-  
ble.  
When reversing the vehicle towards the  
trailer, make sure there is nobody between  
the trailer and the vehicle.  
Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If  
you do not couple the trailer to the towing  
vehicle correctly, the trailer could become  
detached.  
To avoid hazardous situations:  
R
make sure to check the noseweight before  
each journey  
use a drawbar noseweight as close as pos-  
sible to the maximum noseweight  
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling  
characteristics will be different in comparison  
to when driving without a trailer.  
R
The vehicle/trailer combination:  
R
do not exceed the maximum permissible  
noseweight  
do not use a noseweight lower than the  
minimum noseweight  
Make sure that the following values are not  
exceeded:  
R
is heavier  
R
R
is restricted in its acceleration and gradi-  
ent-climbing capability  
has an increased braking distance  
is affected more by strong crosswinds  
demands more sensitive steering  
has a larger turning circle  
R
R
R
the permissible trailer drawbar noseweight  
the permissible trailer load  
the permissible rear axle load of the towing  
vehicle  
the maximum permissible gross vehicle  
weight of both the towing vehicle and the  
trailer  
The applicable permissible values, which  
must not be exceeded, can be found:  
R
R
R
R
This can impair the vehicle's handling char-  
acteristics. Adapt your driving style accord-  
ingly. Maintain a safe distance. Drive care-  
fully.  
When towing a trailer, always adjust your  
speed to the current road and weather con-  
ditions. Do not exceed the maximum permis-  
sible speed for your vehicle/trailer combina-  
tion.  
R
R
in your vehicle documents  
on the identification plates of the trailer tow  
R
hitch and the trailer  
R
on the vehicle identification plate  
If the values differ, the lowest value applies.  
Towing a trailer  
231  
reasons concerning the operating permit.  
This also applies in countries in which the  
permissible maximum speed for vehicle/  
trailer combinations is above 100 km/h.  
When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling  
characteristics will be different in comparison  
to when driving without a trailer and it will  
consume more fuel.  
Change into a lower gear in good time on long  
and steep downhill gradients. For vehicles  
with automatic transmission, you need to  
have selected manual drive program M  
(Y page 177).  
This also applies if you have activated cruise  
control, SPEEDTRONIC or DISTRONIC PLUS.  
This will use the braking effect of the engine,  
so less braking will be required to maintain  
vehicle speed. 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 continuously.  
Briefly depressing the accelerator pedal on  
downhill gradients while the manual drive  
program M is temporarily activated (vehicles  
with automatic transmission): the automatic  
transmission may switch back to the last  
active automatic drive program E or S. The  
automatic transmission may shift to a higher  
gear. This can reduce the engine's braking  
effect.  
Notes on towing a trailer  
General notes  
Trailer towing is not permissible on the fol-  
lowing models:  
R
A 250 Sport  
R
A 250 Sport 4MATIC  
R
Mercedes‑AMG A 45 4MATIC  
R
A 180 d BlueEFFICIENCY Edition  
R
Vehicles with AMG Line  
When towing a trailer, set the tyre pressure on  
the rear axle of the towing vehicle for the  
maximum load. Further information on the  
tyre pressure table in the fuel filler flap  
(Y page 362).  
Please note that when towing a trailer, the  
following driving systems have limited avail-  
ability or are not available at all.  
R
PARKTRONIC (Y page 209)  
R
Blind Spot Assist (Y page 226)  
The height of the ball coupling changes with  
the load of the vehicle. If necessary, use a  
trailer with a height-adjustable drawbar.  
You will find fitting dimensions and loads  
under "Technical data" (Y page 405).  
Driving tips  
Observe the notes on ESP® trailer stabilisa-  
tion (Y page 76).  
The maximum permissible speed for vehicle/  
trailer combinations depends on the type of  
trailer. Before beginning the journey, check  
the trailer's documents to see what the max-  
imum permitted speed is. Observe the legally  
prescribed maximum speed in the relevant  
country.  
Driving tips  
If the trailer swings from side to side:  
X
Do not accelerate.  
X
Do not countersteer.  
X
Brake if necessary.  
R
Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle in  
front than when driving without a trailer.  
Avoid braking abruptly. If possible, brake  
gently at first to allow the trailer to run on.  
Then, increase the braking force rapidly.  
The values given for gradient-climbing  
capabilities from a standstill refer to sea  
level. When driving in mountainous areas,  
For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the max-  
imum permissible rear axle load is increased  
when towing a trailer. See the "Technical  
data" section to find out whether this applies  
to your vehicle. If you utilise any of the added  
maximum rear axle load when towing a trailer,  
the vehicle/trailer combination may not  
exceed a maximum speed of 100 km/h for  
R
R
Z
Towing a trailer  
232  
note that the power output of the engine,  
and consequently the vehicle's gradient-  
climbing capability, decrease with increas-  
ing altitude.  
Folding out the ball coupling  
WARNING  
G
If the ball coupling is not correctly engaged,  
the trailer can detach. There is a risk of an  
accident.  
X
X
Pull out release wheel =.  
Turn release wheel = anti-clockwise as far  
as it will go.  
The ball coupling disengages and folds out  
behind the rear bumper. Indicator lamp ?  
flashes.  
Always engage the ball coupling as described.  
WARNING  
G
If you release the ball coupling or it does not  
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing  
out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,  
there is an increased risk of an accident and  
injury.  
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting  
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that  
the ball coupling engages when folding in.  
Before you can tow a trailer with your vehicle,  
you must fold out the ball coupling.  
The release wheel is located behind the left-  
hand side panelling in the luggage compart-  
ment.  
X
Pull the ball coupling in the direction of the  
arrow until it engages in a vertical position.  
The indicator lamp on the release wheel  
goes out. The power socket folds down  
automatically.  
The multifunction display shows the  
Check traailer hitch lock display mes-  
sage until the ball coupling is engaged.  
X
X
Remove the protective covering from the  
ball coupling and store it in a safe place.  
Make sure that the ball of the ball coupling  
is clean and that it is either greased or dry  
(grease free), depending on the instruc-  
tions for the trailer.  
X
To open the cover: turn handle : anti-  
clockwise, the fold down and remove  
cover ;.  
Towing a trailer  
233  
Coupling up a trailer  
Folding in the ball coupling  
X
Make sure that the transmission is in posi-  
tion P.  
WARNING  
G
If you release the ball coupling or it does not  
engage correctly when folding in, it will swing  
out. Within pivoting range of the ball coupling,  
there is an increased risk of an accident and  
injury.  
Only release the ball coupling if the pivoting  
range is unobstructed. Always make sure that  
the ball coupling engages when folding in.  
X
X
Apply the electric parking brake.  
Position the trailer horizontally behind the  
vehicle.  
Couple up the trailer.  
Establish the electric connection between  
the vehicle and the trailer.  
X
X
X
Check that the trailer lighting system is  
working.  
Fold the ball coupling back in if you are not  
using the trailer tow hitch.  
The release wheel is located behind the left-  
hand side panelling in the luggage compart-  
ment.  
A connected trailer is only recognised when  
the electrical connection is established  
correctly and when the lighting system is  
working properly. The function of other sys-  
tems, such as ESP® or PARKTRONIC also  
depends on this.  
X
Place the protective covering on the ball  
coupling.  
Uncoupling a trailer  
WARNING  
G
If you uncouple a trailer with an engaged over-  
run brake, you could trap your hand between  
the vehicle and the trailer drawbar. This poses  
a risk of injury.  
Do not uncouple a trailer with an engaged  
overrun brake.  
! Do not disconnect a trailer with an  
engaged overrun brake. Otherwise, your  
vehicle could be damaged by the rebound-  
ing of the overrun brake.  
X
To open the cover: turn handle : anti-  
clockwise, then fold down and remove  
cover ;.  
! Remove the installed adapter cable  
before folding in the ball coupling. Other-  
wise, damage may occur to the rear  
bumper and the adapter cable.  
X
Make sure that the transmission is in posi-  
tion P.  
X
Apply the electric parking brake.  
X
Secure the trailer against rolling away.  
X
Remove the trailer cable and decouple the  
trailer.  
Z
Towing a trailer  
234  
X
X
Pull out release wheel =.  
Turn release wheel = anti-clockwise as far  
as it will go.  
You can find more information about fitting  
the trailer electrics at a qualified specialist  
workshop.  
The ball coupling disengages and folds out  
behind the rear bumper. Indicator lamp ?  
flashes.  
X To switch the connected power supply  
on or off: turn the key to position 2 or 0  
respectively (Y page 157).  
Failure check for LEDs  
If LED lamps are fitted in the trailer, a mal-  
function message may appear in the multi-  
function display even if there is no fault. The  
reason for the error message may be that the  
current has fallen below the minimum of  
50 mA.  
To ensure reliable operation of the failure  
indicator, each LED chain in the trailer lighting  
must be guaranteed a minimum current of  
50 mA.  
X
Press the ball coupling in the direction of  
the arrow until it engages behind the  
bumper.  
The indicator lamp on the release knob and  
the message in the multifunction display go  
out.  
Trailer with 7-pin connector  
General notes  
Trailer with 7-pin connector: you can con-  
nect to the 13-pin socket on the ball coupling  
using an adapter or, if necessary, an adapter  
cable. Both can be obtained at a qualified  
specialist workshop.  
Trailer power supply  
! You can connect accessories to the per-  
manent power supply up to a maximum of  
240 W.  
You cannot charge a trailer battery using  
the power supply.  
Fitting the adapter  
When it leaves the factory, your vehicle's  
trailer socket is equipped with a permanent  
power supply and a power supply that is  
switched on via the ignition lock.  
The permanent power supply is supplied via  
trailer socket pin 9.  
The power supply that is switched on via the  
ignition lock is supplied via trailer socket pin  
10.  
! Make sure that there is sufficient cable  
play so that the cable cannot become  
detached when cornering.  
! Remove the installed adapter cable  
before folding in the ball coupling. Other-  
wise, damage may occur to the rear  
bumper and the adapter cable.  
The trailer's permanent power supply is  
switched off in the event of low vehicle supply  
voltage and after six hours at the latest.  
Towing a trailer  
235  
X
X
Open the socket cover.  
Insert the plug connector with lug : into  
groove = on the socket.  
X
Turn bayonet connection ; clockwise to  
the stop.  
X
X
Let the cover engage.  
If you are using an adapter cable, secure  
the cable to the trailer with cable ties.  
Z
236  

Related Topics

Useful information DYNAMIC SELECT button (all vehicles except Mercedes-AMG vehicles) DYNAMIC SELECT controller (Mercedes-AMG vehicles) Manual transmission Automatic transmission Refuelling Towing a trailer

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