The braking performance of the electric motor
using recuperative braking is, in some operating
modes, either reduced or not effective:
R
when the condition of charge of the high-volt-
age battery increases
R
if the high-voltage battery is not yet at a nor-
mal operating temperature
R
when driving close to the vehicle's maximum
design speed
R
when the vehicle is almost stationary
R
in transmission position N
R
during and after ESP stability control
If you do not make an additional effort to apply
the brake yourself, the braking effect may not be
sufficient. If necessary, counteract the reduced
regenerative braking effect by applying the
brake yourself.
Radar-based recuperation
The vehicle uses the Active Brake Assist sensors
during radar-based recuperation (D
AUTO
). The
sensors detect the distance to the vehicle ahead
and its speed. The intensity of recuperation is
then automatically adjusted to the current traf-
fic situation.
The range can then be increased by storing
energy efficiently. Adjustment is infinitely vari-
able from overrun mode (no recuperation) to
maximum recuperation.
Maintain sufficient distance to the vehicle in
front. Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
activate Active Brake Assist as a visual and
acoustic aid.
Examples of radar-based recuperation:
R
Approaching a slower vehicle, a decelerating
vehicle or when following a vehicle downhill.
Your vehicle decelerates slightly and increa-
ses recuperation.
R
Driving when no vehicle is detected in front or
when a vehicle is detected in the far distance
or an accelerating vehicle is detected. Your
vehicle switches to overrun mode at higher
speeds.
R
Driving on a steep downhill slope. Accelera-
tion downhill is reduced and recuperation is
increased. This is comparable with shifting
down when driving downhill.
X
To activate radar-based recuperation: pull
steering wheel paddle shifter : or ;
towards you and hold for about one second.
X
To deactivate radar-based recuperation:
briefly pull steering wheel paddle shifter :
or ; towards you.
If you change between radar-based and manual
recuperation, the following levels are activated
depending on the selection via the steering
wheel paddle shifters:
: Steering wheel
paddle shifter -
selects D
-
(maximum
recuperation)
; Steering wheel
paddle shifter +
selects D
+
(overrun)
In particular, the function of the radar sensors
can be impaired in the case of:
R
there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R
there is snow or heavy rain
R
there is interference by other radar sources
R
there are strong radar reflections, for exam-
ple in parking garages
R
a narrow vehicle is traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike
R
a vehicle is traveling in front on a different line
relative to the center of your vehicle
Following damage to the front end of the vehicle,
have the radar sensor settings and operation
checked at a qualified specialist workshop
immediately. This also applies to collisions at
slow speeds where there is no visible damage to
the front of the vehicle.
If the radar sensors are not available, the system
switches automatically to level D with moderate
recuperation. Have the radar sensors checked
at a qualified specialist workshop immediately.
Automatic adjustment of recuperation
on downhill gradients
The vehicle can detect steep downhill gradients.
To reduce acceleration downhill and to charge
the high-voltage battery, recuperation is
increased steplessly. This is comparable to the
engine brake in a combustion engine when you
downshift a gear on a downhill gradient.
Automatic adjustment of recuperation on down-
hill gradients is available in level D
AUTO
or on
116
Transmission
Driving and parking
English 
