Get Driving and parking Guide for Mercedes G Class SUV Third Generation (1990-2018)

Useful information ............................ 138

Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle 138

Driving ............................................... 138

Automatic transmission ................... 145

Refueling ............................................ 153

Parking ............................................... 156

Driving tips ........................................ 158

Driving systems ................................ 168

Off-road driving systems .................. 193

Towing a trailer ................................. 198

137

Driving and parking

Useful information

This Operator's Manual describes all

models and all standard and optional

equipment of your vehicle available at the

time of publication of the Operator's

Manual. Country-specific differences are

possible. Please note that your vehicle may

not be equipped with all features

described. This also applies to safety-

related systems and functions.

Read the information on qualified

specialist workshops: (Y page 24).

Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle

Important safety notes

New and replaced brake pads and discs only

reach their optimum braking effect after

several hundred kilometers of driving.

Compensate for this by applying greater force

to the brake pedal.

The first 1000 miles (1500 km)

The more you look after the engine when it is

new, the more satisfied you will be with its

performance in the future.

You should therefore drive at varying

vehicle and engine speeds for the first

1,000 miles (1,500 km).

Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full

throttle, during this period.

Change gear in good time, before the

tachometer needle is Ô of the way to the

red area of the tachometer.

Do not manually shift to a lower gear to

brake the vehicle.

If possible, do not depress the accelerator

pedal past the point of resistance

(kickdown).

Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when

driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.

After 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you can

increase the engine speed gradually and bring

the vehicle to full speed.

Additional breaking-in notes for AMG

vehicles:

Do not drive faster than 85 mph

(140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles

(1,500 km).

Only allow the engine to reach a maximum

engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.

Change gear in good time.

Avoid driving off-road before the

differential oil change at 2,000 miles

(3,000 km).

Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km),

drive in program C.

You should also observe these breaking-

in notes if the engine or parts of the drive

train on your vehicle have been replaced.

Always observe the respective speed

limits.

AMG vehicles with rear axle locking

differential

Change the oil after a breaking-in period of

2,000 miles (3,000 km) to improve protection

of the differential. This oil change will

lengthen the service life of the differential.

Have the oil change carried out at a qualified

specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz

recommends that you use an authorized

Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose.

Driving

Important safety notes

WARNING

Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the

pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.

The operating and road safety of the vehicle

is jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.

138

Driving

Driving and parking

Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are

stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter

the driver's footwell. Install the floormats

securely and as specified in order to ensure

sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use

loose floormats.

WARNING

Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage

of the pedals, e.g.:

shoes with thick soles

shoes with high heels

slippers

There is a risk of an accident.

Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct

usage of the pedals.

WARNING

If you switch off the ignition while driving,

safety-relevant functions are only available

with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,

for example, the power steering and the brake

boosting effect. You will require considerably

more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk

of an accident.

Do not switch off the ignition while driving.

WARNING

If the parking brake has not been fully

released when driving, the parking brake can:

overheat and cause a fire

lose its hold function.

There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release

the parking brake fully before driving off.

Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use

the engine's full performance until it has

reached operating temperature.

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.

Avoid high engine speeds when the

engine is cold. The engine's service life

could otherwise be significantly shortened.

Do not use the engine's full performance

until it has reached operating temperature.

AMG vehicles: at low engine oil

temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the

maximum engine speed is restricted in

order to protect the engine. To protect the

engine and maintain smooth engine

operation, avoid driving at full throttle when

the engine is cold.

Key positions

To remove the SmartKey

Power supply for some consumers, such

as the windshield wipers

Ignition (power supply for all consumers)

and drive position

To start the engine

As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the

indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light

up. If an indicator lamp does not go out after

starting the engine or lights up while driving,

see (Y page 244).

If the SmartKey is in position 0 in the ignition

lock for an extended period of time, it can no

longer be turned in the ignition lock. The

steering is then locked. To unlock, remove the

SmartKey and reinsert it into the ignition lock.

The steering is locked when you remove the

SmartKey from the ignition lock.

Driving

139

Driving and parking

Remove the SmartKey when the engine is

switched off.

The starter battery could otherwise be

discharged.

If you cannot turn the SmartKey in the ignition

lock, the starter battery may not be charged

sufficiently.

Check the starter battery and charge it if

necessary (Y page 301).

Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 303).

i You can only remove the SmartKey if:

the SmartKey is in position 0 in the

ignition lock.

the automatic transmission selector

lever is in P.

Starting the engine

Important safety notes

WARNING

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

without sufficient ventilation.

WARNING

Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your

health. All exhaust gas contains carbon

monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause

unconsciousness and possible death.

Do not run the engine in confined areas (such

as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.

If you think that exhaust gas fumes are

entering the vehicle while driving, have the

cause determined and corrected

immediately. If you must drive under these

conditions, drive only with at least one

window fully open at all times.

Do not depress the accelerator pedal

when starting the engine.

Starting procedure

Shift the automatic transmission to

position P.

The transmission position display in the

multifunction display shows P.

For further information about the

automatic transmission, see

(Y page 145).

If you depress the brake when starting the

engine, pedal travel is unusually long and

there is less pedal resistance.

Make sure that the parking brake is

applied.

Turn the SmartKey to position 3 in the

ignition lock (Y page 139) and release it as

soon as the engine is running.

You can also use the touch-start function.

To do this, turn the SmartKey to position 3

(Y page 139) and release it immediately.

The engine then starts automatically.

Pulling away

Automatic transmission

WARNING

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.

When engaging transmission position D or R,

always firmly depress the brake pedal and do

not simultaneously accelerate.

Only shift the automatic transmission to

reverse gear R or park position P when the

vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, the

automatic transmission could be damaged.

Do not depress the accelerator pedal

while depressing the brake pedal. This

impairs engine performance and results in

premature wear on the brake system and

drivetrain.

140

Driving

Driving and parking

If a warning tone sounds and the

Release Park. BrakeRelease Park. Brake message appears

in the multifunction display, the parking

brake is still applied. Release the parking

brake.

Depress the brake pedal and keep it

depressed.

Shift the automatic transmission to

position D or R.

Before driving off, wait until the gear

change is fully completed.

Release the parking brake (Y page 157).

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.

It is only possible to shift the automatic

transmission from position P to a different

position if you depress the brake pedal.

Only then is the selector lever lock

released.

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 216).

Upshifts take place at higher engine

speeds after a cold start. This helps the

catalytic converter to reach its operating

temperature more quickly.

Hill start assist

WARNING

After a short time, hill start assist will no

longer brake your vehicle and it could roll

away. There is a risk of an accident and injury.

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 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 to depress it before the vehicle begins to

roll.

Take your foot off the brake pedal.

Once you have taken your foot off the

brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around

one second.

Pull away.

Hill start assist will not function if:

you are pulling away on a level road or on

a downhill gradient.

the transmission is in position N.

the parking brake is applied.

ESP

is malfunctioning.

ECO start/stop function (AMG

vehicles)

Important safety notes

WARNING

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.

General notes

The ECO start/stop function is only available

for the G 63 AMG.

The ECO start/stop function switches the

engine off automatically when the vehicle

stops moving.

The engine starts automatically when the

driver wants to pull away again. The ECO

start/stop function thereby helps you to

reduce the fuel consumption and emissions

of your vehicle.

Driving

141

Driving and parking

The ECO start/stop function is activated each

time the engine is switched on.

The ECO start/stop function is only available

in drive program C.

The system is operational when the ¤

symbol is shown in green in the multifunction

display.

The system is operational if all conditions for

automatic engine switch-off have been

fulfilled (Y page 142) and the ¤ symbol is

shown in green in the multifunction display.

In addition, the

Stop/Start activeStop/Start active

message is shown in the AMG menu in the

multifunction display.

If not all conditions for automatic engine

switch-off (Y page 142) are fulfilled, the

¤ symbol is shown in yellow in the

multifunction display.

In addition, the

Stop/Start inactiveStop/Start inactive

message is shown in the AMG menu in the

multifunction display.

If the ECO start/stop function has been

manually deactivated (Y page 142) or a

malfunction has caused the system to be

deactivated, the ¤ symbol is not

displayed.

The

Stop/Start activeStop/Start active or Stop/StartStop/Start

inactive

inactive message in the AMG menu in the

multifunction display goes out.

Deactivating/activating the ECO start/

stop function

ECO button

To switch off: press button : in drive

program C.

Switch to drive program S or M

(Y page 149).

Indicator lamp ; on button : and the

¤ symbol in the multifunction display go

out.

The

Stop/Start activeStop/Start active or Stop/StartStop/Start

inactive

inactive message in the AMG menu in the

multifunction display goes out.

To switch on: press button :.

Indicator lamp ; lights up. If drive

program S or M is active, the automatic

transmission switches to drive program C.

If all conditions for automatic engine

switch-off (Y page 142) are fulfilled, the

¤ symbol is shown in green in the

multifunction display. In addition, the

Stop/Start activeStop/Start active message is shown in

the AMG menu in the multifunction display.

If conditions for automatic engine switch-

off (Y page 142) have not been fulfilled, the

¤ symbol will be shown in yellow. If this

is the case, the ECO start/stop function is

not available. In addition, the

Stop/StartStop/Start

inactive

inactive message is shown in the AMG

menu in the multifunction display.

If indicator lamp ; is off, the ECO start/

stop function has been deactivated

manually or as the result of a malfunction.

The engine will then not be switched off

automatically when the vehicle stops.

Automatic engine switch-off

If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in D or

N, the ECO start/stop function switches off

the engine automatically.

The ECO start/stop function is operational

and the ¤ symbol is displayed in green in

the multifunction display, if:

the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit

green.

no off-road program has been selected.

142

Driving

Driving and parking

the vehicle is stationary.

the outside temperature is within the

comfort range.

the engine is at normal operating

temperature.

the set temperature for the vehicle interior

has been reached.

the battery is sufficiently charged.

the system detects that the windshield is

not fogged up when the air-conditioning

system is switched on.

the hood is closed.

the driver's door is closed and the driver's

seat belt is fastened.

If conditions for automatic engine switch-off

have not been fulfilled, the ¤ symbol will

be shown in yellow.

In addition, the

Stop/Start inactiveStop/Start inactive

message is shown in the AMG menu in the

multifunction display.

If you shift the transmission from R to D,

the ECO start/stop function is available

again once the ¤ symbol reappears in

green in the multifunction display.

The engine can be automatically switched

off an unlimited number of times.

You can still activate the HOLD function

when the vehicle is stationary, even 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. Depress the

accelerator pedal carefully, as the engine

must be started first.

During automatic engine switch-off, the

climate control system only operates at a

reduced capacity. If you require full climate

control capacity, the ECO start/stop

function can be deactivated by pressing the

ECO button (Y page 142).

Automatic engine start

The engine starts automatically if:

In general:

you switch off the ECO start/stop

function by pressing the ECO button.

you release the brakes when in

transmission position D or N and when

the HOLD function is not active.

By the driver:

you release the brakes when in

transmission position D or N.

you depress the accelerator pedal.

you engage reverse gear R.

you move the transmission out of

position P.

you switch to drive program S or M.

you unfasten your seat belt or open the

driver's door.

By the system:

the vehicle starts to roll.

the brake system requires this.

the temperature in the vehicle interior

deviates from the set range.

the system detects moisture on the

windshield when the air-conditioning

system is switched on.

the charge level of the battery is too low.

Shifting the transmission to position P

does not start the engine.

Driving

143

Driving and parking

Problems with the engine

Problem Possible causes/consequences and MM Solutions

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.

Turn the SmartKey back to position 0 in the ignition lock before

attempting to start the engine again.

Try to start the engine again (Y page 140). Avoid excessively

long and frequent attempts to start the engine, as this

(Y page 139) will drain the battery.

If the engine does not start after several attempts:

Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

The engine does not

start. The starter motor

can be heard. The

yellow reserve fuel

warning lamp is lit and

the needle of the fuel

gauge display shows 0.

The fuel tank is empty.

Refuel the vehicle.

The engine does not

start. You cannot hear

the starter motor.

The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak

or discharged.

Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 303).

If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:

Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.

Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two

minutes.

Try to start the engine again.

If the engine still does not start:

Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

The engine is not

running smoothly and

is misfiring.

There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical

component of the engine management system.

Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.

Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic

converter and damage it.

Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist

workshop.

144

Driving

Driving and parking

Problem Possible causes/consequences and MM Solutions

The coolant

temperature gauge

shows a value above

248 ‡(120 †). A

display message may

also appear in the

multifunction display

and a warning tone may

sound.

The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine

is no longer being cooled sufficiently.

Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant

to cool down.

Check the coolant level (Y page 285). Observe the warning

notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.

If the coolant level is correct, the radiator fan may be faulty. The

coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled

sufficiently.

At coolant temperatures below 248 ‡ (120 †), drive to the

nearest qualified specialist workshop.

Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in

mountainous terrain and start/stop traffic.

Automatic transmission

Important safety notes

WARNING

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.

When engaging transmission position D or R,

always firmly depress the brake pedal and do

not simultaneously accelerate.

WARNING

The automatic transmission switches to

neutral position N when you switch off the

engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a

risk of an accident.

After switching off the engine, always switch

to parking position P. Prevent the parked

vehicle from rolling away by applying the

parking brake.

Bear in mind that the power transmission

between the engine and the transmission

is interrupted when the engine is switched

off. For this reason, shift the automatic

transmission to P when the engine is

switched off and the vehicle is at a

standstill. Apply the parking brake to

prevent the vehicle from rolling away.

Selector lever

Overview of transmission positions

If the engine speed is too high or if the

vehicle is rolling, do not shift the

transmission directly from D to R, from R

to D or directly to P.

Do not open the driver's door while the

vehicle is in motion. At low speeds in

transmission position D or R, park position

P is otherwise engaged automatically.

The transmission could be damaged.

Automatic transmission

145

Driving and parking

Selector lever

Park position

Reverse gear

Neutral

Drive

When you select a transmission position, the

selector lever subsequently returns to its

original position.

The current transmission position P, R, N or

D appears in the transmission position

display in the multifunction display.

Transmission position and drive

program display

If the transmission position display in the

multifunction display is not working, you

should pull away carefully to check whether

the desired transmission position is

engaged. Select transmission position D.

Do not restrict the shift range.

Transmission position

;

Drive program

Current transmission position : and current

drive program ; appear in the multifunction

display.

The current position of the selector lever is

shown by the indicators next to the selector

lever.

The indicators light up when the SmartKey is

inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators

go out when the SmartKey is removed from

the ignition lock.

When the selector lever is in position D, you

can influence the gearshifts made by the

automatic transmission by:

restricting the shift range

changing gear yourself

Engaging park position P

When the vehicle is stationary, depress the

brake pedal and keep it depressed.

Press the P button in the center console.

If you depress the brake pedal and push

the selector lever forwards or back to the

first point of resistance, park position P is

disengaged. The transmission shifts to

neutral N.

Park position P is automatically engaged:

if you remove the SmartKey from the

ignition lock

if you open the driver's door while traveling

at low speed in transmission position D or

if DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 176) brakes

your vehicle until it is stationary and at least

one of the following conditions is fulfilled:

the engine is switched off.

the driver's door is open and the seat belt

is not fastened.

there is a system malfunction.

the power supply is insufficient.

Engaging reverse gear R

Only shift the automatic transmission to

R when the vehicle is stationary.

146

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

When the vehicle is stationary, depress the

brake pedal and keep it depressed.

Push the selector lever forwards past the

first point of resistance.

Transmission position R is engaged.

For AMG vehicles: when reverse gear is

engaged and the ECO start/stop function

is switched on, the engine starts up

automatically (Y page 141).

Shifting to neutral N

WARNING

When leaving the SmartKey in the starter

switch, do not leave children unattended in

the vehicle. It is possible for children to switch

on the ignition which could result in

unsupervised use of vehicle equipment.

Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment could

result in an accident and/or serious personal

injury.

If the vehicle is stationary:

Depress the brake pedal.

Depending on the current transmission

position, press the selector lever forwards

or backwards to the first point of

resistance.

The automatic transmission shifts to N.

If the engine has been switched off, the

automatic transmission automatically shifts

to N.

For AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop

function switches the engine off

automatically if the vehicle is braked to a

standstill when in neutral N and the brake

is still depressed (Y page 141).

Remaining in neutral N

WARNING

If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,

they could:

open the doors, thus endangering other

people or road users.

get out and disrupt traffic.

operate the vehicle's equipment.

Additionally, children could set the vehicle in

motion if, for example, they:

release the parking brake.

shift the automatic transmission out of

parking position P.

starting the engine.

There is a risk of an accident and injury.

When leaving the vehicle, always take the

SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never

leave children or animals unattended in the

vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of

reach of children.

Make sure that the ignition is switched on.

When the vehicle is stationary, depress the

brake pedal and keep it depressed.

Shift to neutral N.

Release the brake pedal.

If the parking brake is applied, release it.

Switch off the ignition and leave the

SmartKey in the ignition lock.

Shifting to transmission position D

When the vehicle is stationary, depress the

brake pedal and keep it depressed.

Push the selector lever back past the first

point of resistance.

Transmission position D is engaged.

For AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop

function switches the engine off

automatically if the vehicle is braked to a

standstill when in transmission position D

and the brake is still depressed

(Y page 141).

Automatic transmission

147

Driving and parking

Transmission positions

Park position

Do not shift the transmission into

position P (Y page 145) unless the

vehicle is stationary. The parking

lock should not be used as a brake

when parking. In addition to

engaging the parking lock, you

must always apply the parking

brake to secure the vehicle.

The SmartKey can only be

removed if the transmission is in

position P. When there is no

SmartKey in the ignition lock, the

selector lever is locked in

position P.

Have the vehicle electronics

checked immediately at a qualified

specialist workshop.

Reverse gear

Only shift the transmission to R

when the vehicle is stationary.

Neutral

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.

Do not shift the transmission to N

while driving. Otherwise, the

automatic transmission could be

damaged.

If ESP

is deactivated or faulty:

only shift the transmission to

position N if the vehicle is in danger

of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.

If you want to engage the transfer

case, shift briefly into N

(Y page 194).

Rolling in neutral N can damage

the drive train.

Drive

The automatic transmission

changes gear automatically. All

forward gears are available.

Changing gear

The automatic transmission shifts to the

individual gears automatically when it is in

transmission position D. This automatic

gearshifting behavior is determined by:

a shift range restriction, if selected

the position of the transfer case (HIGH

RANGE or LOW RANGE)

the position of the accelerator pedal

the road speed

148

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Driving tips

Accelerator pedal position

Your style of driving influences how the

automatic transmission shifts gear:

little throttle: early upshifts

more throttle: late upshifts

Kickdown

Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:

Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the

pressure point.

The automatic 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.

Rocking the vehicle free

Rocking the vehicle free by shifting back and

forth between transmission positions D and

R can help to free a vehicle that has become

stuck in mud or snow. The vehicle's engine

management restricts switching between

transmission positions D and R to speeds up

to a maximum of 5 mph (9 km/h). To shift

back and forth between transmission

positions D and R, move the selector lever

forwards and backwards past the point of

resistance.

Towing a trailer

Drive in the middle of the engine speed

range on uphill gradients.

Limit shift range to 3 or 2 depending on the

uphill or downhill gradient (Y page 150),

even if cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC is

activated.

Shift the transfer case into low-range

driving position LOW RANGE on extreme

uphill gradients or steep downhill gradients

(Y page 194).

Program selector button

General notes

The program selector button allows you to

choose between drive programs with

different driving characteristics.

In AMG vehicles, drive program E is called

drive program C.

Drive programs

E Economy

C Controlled

Efficiency

Comfortable, economical

driving

S Sport Sporty driving style

M Manual Manual gear shifting

When the engine is started, the automatic

transmission always switches to automatic

drive program E (drive program C in AMG

vehicles).

For further information on the automatic

drive program, see (Y page 150).

Only change from automatic drive

program E or S to manual drive program

M when the vehicle is stationary.

Selecting the drive program

Example: program selector button

Press program selector button :

repeatedly until the letter for the desired

Automatic transmission

149

Driving and parking

gearshift program appears in the

multifunction display.

Only change from automatic drive

program E or S to manual drive program

M when the vehicle is stationary.

Steering wheel paddle shifters

In the automatic drive program, you can

restrict or derestrict the shift range by using

steering wheel paddle shifters : and ;

(Y page 150).

In the manual drive program you can change

gears manually using steering wheel paddle

shifters : and ;(Y page 151).

You can only change gear with the

steering wheel paddle shifters when the

transmission is in position D.

Automatic drive program

Drive program E (drive program C on AMG

vehicles) is characterized by the following:

comfort-oriented engine and transmission

settings

optimal fuel consumption resulting from

the automatic transmission shifting up

sooner

the vehicle pulling away more gently in

forward and reverse gears, unless the

accelerator pedal is depressed fully

increased sensitivity. This improves driving

stability on slippery road surfaces, for

example

the automatic transmission shifting up

sooner. This results in the vehicle being

driven at lower engine speeds and the

wheels being less likely to spin

Drive program S is characterized by the

following:

sporty engine and transmission settings

the vehicle pulling away in first gear

the automatic transmission shifting up

later

the fuel consumption possibly being higher

as a result of the later automatic

transmission shift points

Shift ranges

Introduction

When the automatic transmission is in

position D, it is possible to restrict or

derestrict the shift range.

The shift range selected is shown in the

multifunction display. The automatic

transmission shifts only as far as the selected

gear.

Driving situations

You can use the engine's braking

effect.

The braking effect of the engine can

be utilized on downhill gradients or

when driving:

on steep mountain roads

in mountainous terrain

in arduous conditions

The braking effect of the engine can

be utilized on extremely steep

downhill gradients and long

downhill stretches.

150

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Restricting the shift range

Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle

shifter (Y page 150).

The automatic transmission shifts down

one gear and restricts the shift range to the

relevant gear.

If the engine exceeds the maximum

engine speed when shifting down, the

automatic transmission protects against

engine damage by not shifting down.

If the maximum engine speed for the shift

range is reached and you continue to

accelerate, the automatic transmission

shifts up in order to prevent the engine

from overrevving, even if the shift range is

restricted.

Derestricting the shift range

Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle

shifter (Y page 150).

The automatic transmission shifts up one

gear and restricts the shift range to the

relevant gear.

Clearing the shift range restriction

Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel

paddle shifter (Y page 150) until D is shown

again in the multifunction display.

The automatic transmission shifts from the

current shift range directly to D.

Selecting the ideal shift range

Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle

shifter (Y page 150) and hold it in position.

The automatic transmission shifts to the

gear which allows optimum acceleration

and deceleration. To do this, the automatic

transmission shifts down one or more

gears.

The automatic transmission cannot shift

down beyond second gear. To shift to first

gear, you have to pull the left steering

wheel paddle shifter.

Manual drive program

Introduction

In drive program M, you can change gear

manually using the steering wheel paddle

shifters. For this, the transmission must be in

position D. The gear currently selected and

engaged is shown in the multifunction

display.

Manual drive program M differs from drive

programs E and S with regard to spontaneity,

responsiveness and smoothness of gear

changes.

Switching on the manual drive program

Press the program selector button

(Y page 149) repeatedly until M appears in

the multifunction display.

Upshifting (except AMG vehicles)

Pull the right-hand paddle (Y page 150).

The automatic transmission shifts up to the

next gear.

Shifting up (AMG vehicles)

In manual drive program M, the automatic

transmission does not shift up

automatically 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 tachometer. There is

otherwise a risk of engine damage.

Pull the right-hand paddle (Y page 150).

The automatic transmission shifts up to the

next gear.

Before the engine speed reaches the red area,

an upshift indicator will be shown in the

multifunction display.

If the color in the speedometer

multifunction display changes to red and

Automatic transmission

151

Driving and parking

the UPUP display message is shown, shift up

a gear.

Downshifting

Pull the left-hand paddle (Y page 150).

The automatic transmission shifts down to

the next gear.

If you slow down or stop without shifting

down, the automatic transmission

automatically shifts down.

Selecting the optimal gear for

maximum acceleration

Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle

shifter until the transmission selects the

optimum gear for the current speed.

Kickdown

You can also use kickdown for maximum

acceleration in manual drive program M.

Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the

pressure point.

The transmission shifts to a lower gear

depending on the engine speed.

Shift back up once the desired speed is

reached.

Vehicles with an AMG engine: it is not

possible to use kickdown in manual drive

program M.

Vehicles without an AMG engine: if you

apply full throttle, the automatic

transmission shifts up to the next gear

when the maximum engine speed is

reached. This prevents the engine from

overrevving.

Switching off the manual drive program

Press the program selector button

(Y page 149) repeatedly until E (C in AMG

vehicles) or S appears in the multifunction

display.

152

Automatic transmission

Driving and parking

Problems with the automatic transmission

Problem Possible causes/consequences and MM Solutions

The acceleration ability

is deteriorating.

The transmission no

longer changes gear.

The transmission is in emergency mode.

It is only possible to shift into second gear and reverse gear.

Stop the vehicle.

Shift the transmission to position P.

Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the ignition lock.

Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.

Shift the transmission to position D or R.

If D is selected, the transmission shifts into second gear; if R is

selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.

Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist

workshop immediately.

You hear a warning

tone.

You have:

switched off the engine

opened the driver's door

not moved the selector lever to position P

Move the selector lever to position P.

Refueling

Important safety notes

WARNING

Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.

It burns violently and can cause serious

personal injury.

Never allow sparks, flames or smoking

materials near gasoline.

Turn off the engine before refueling.

Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid

inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing

contact.

Direct skin contact with fuels and the

inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging to your

health.

Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a

gasoline engine. Even small amounts of the

wrong fuel result in damage to the fuel

system and engine.

Do not switch on the ignition if you

accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.

Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines.

Notify a qualified specialist workshop and

have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained

completely.

Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the

fuel system.

Take care not to spill any fuel on painted

surfaces. You could otherwise damage the

paintwork.

Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.

Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection

system could be blocked by particles from

the fuel can.

If you overfill the fuel tank, pressure may build

up in the fuel tank. This could cause fuel to

spray out when the fuel pump nozzle is

removed. There is a risk of injury. The fuel

tank is full when the fuel pump nozzle first

switches off. End the refueling process.

Refueling

153

Driving and parking

Further information on fuel and fuel quality

(Y page 343)

Refueling

Vehicles with a fuel filler flap

Example: G 550 fuel filler cap

To open the fuel filler flap

;

Tire pressure table

Fuel type

To insert the fuel filler cap

When you open or close the vehicle with the

SmartKey, the fuel filler flap is automatically

unlocked or locked.

The position of the fuel filler cap is displayed

8 in the instrument cluster. The arrow

next to the filling pump indicates the side of

the vehicle. The fuel filler flap is located to the

rear on the right.

Vehicles without a fuel filler flap

Opening the fuel filler cap

To open the fuel filler flap

;

Tire pressure table

Fuel type

To insert the fuel filler cap

Switch the engine off.

When the engine is running and the fuel

filler flap is open, the yellow reserve fuel

warning lamp and the = (USA only)

or ; (Canada only) Check Engine

warning lamp may light up.

Further information about warning and

indicator lamps in the instrument cluster

can be found in the Digital Operator's

Manual.

Remove the SmartKey from the ignition

lock.

Turn the fuel filler cap counterclockwise

and remove it.

Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder

bracket on the inside of filler flap ?.

Refueling

Completely insert the filler neck of the fuel

pump nozzle into the tank and refuel.

Do not add any more fuel after the pump

stops filling for the first time. Otherwise,

fuel may leak out.

154

Refueling

Driving and parking

Closing

Replace the fuel filler cap and turn it

clockwise. The fuel filler cap audibly

engages.

Close the fuel filler flap.

Close the fuel filler flap before locking the

vehicle. A locking pin otherwise prevents

the fuel filler flap from closing after the

vehicle has been locked.

Fuel filler flap emergency release

The emergency release is located in the cargo

compartment, on the right-hand side when

viewed in the direction of travel, behind the

rear panel trim.

The vehicle body in the emergency

release area has sharp edges. There is a

risk of injury. Avoid contact with the edges

on the inside of the vehicle body.

Open the rear door.

Remove edge protection :.

Remove rear panel trim ;.

Pull emergency release = in the direction

of the arrow.

The fuel filler flap is unlocked.

Open the fuel filler flap.

Refueling

155

Driving and parking

Problems with the fuel and fuel tank

Problem Possible causes/consequences and MM Solutions

Fuel is leaking from the

vehicle.

Risk of explosion or fire

The fuel line or the fuel tank is defective.

Turn the SmartKey to position 0(Y page 139) in the ignition lock

immediately and remove it.

Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.

Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

The fuel filler flap

cannot be opened.

The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.

The SmartKey batteries are discharged.

Unlock the vehicle (Y page 68).

Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Y page 70).

Open the rear door.

Manually unlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release

(Y page 155).

The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is

jammed.

Manually unlock the fuel filler flap using the emergency release

(Y page 155).

Consult a qualified specialist workshop.

Parking

Important safety notes

WARNING

If you leave children unsupervised in the

vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for

example:

release the parking brake.

shift the automatic transmission out of the

parking position P.

start the engine.

In addition, they may operate vehicle

equipment and become trapped. There is a

risk of an accident and injury.

When leaving the vehicle, always take the

SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never

leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.

WARNING

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.

Park the vehicle so that no flammable

materials come into contact with parts of the

vehicle which are hot. Take particular care not

to park on dry grassland or harvested grain

fields.

156

Parking

Driving and parking

WARNING

If you switch off the ignition while driving,

safety-relevant functions are only available

with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,

for example, the power steering and the brake

boosting effect. You will require considerably

more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk

of an accident.

Do not switch off the ignition while driving.

Switching off the engine

Important safety notes

WARNING

If you switch off the ignition while driving,

safety-relevant functions are only available

with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,

for example, the power steering and the brake

boosting effect. You will require considerably

more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk

of an accident.

Do not switch off the ignition while driving.

WARNING

The automatic transmission switches to

neutral position N when you switch off the

engine. The vehicle may roll away. There is a

risk of an accident.

After switching off the engine, always switch

to parking position P. Prevent the parked

vehicle from rolling away by applying the

parking brake.

Vehicles with automatic transmission

Shift the transmission to position P.

Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the

ignition lock (Y page 139) and remove it.

The immobilizer is activated.

Apply the parking brake firmly.

Turn the steering wheel until the steering

wheel lock engages.

If you turn off the engine with the

SmartKey and then remove it from the

ignition lock or open a front door, the

automatic transmission shifts to P

automatically.

The SmartKey can only be removed if the

automatic transmission is in position P.

Parking brake

WARNING

If you must brake the vehicle with the parking

brake, the braking distance is considerably

longer and the wheels could lock. There is an

increased danger of skidding and accidents.

Only use the parking brake to brake the

vehicle when the service brake is faulty. Do

not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the

wheels lock, release the parking brake until

the wheels begin turning again.

WARNING

If you leave children unsupervised in the

vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for

example:

releasing the parking brake

shifting the automatic transmission out of

the parking position P

starting the engine.

They could also operate the vehicle's

equipment. There is a risk of an accident and

injury.

When leaving the vehicle, always take the

SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never

leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.

Parking

157

Driving and parking

When you apply parking brake ; to brake

the vehicle, the brake lamps do not light up.

To apply: pull parking brake ; up firmly.

Parking brake ; is applied.

When the ignition is switched on or the

engine is running, the F (USA only) or

J (Canada only) indicator lamp is lit in

the instrument cluster.

To release: depress the brake pedal and

keep it depressed.

The selector lever lock is released.

Pull parking brake ; up firmly.

Press release button : on parking

brake ; and move parking brake ; down

to the stop.

When the ignition is switched on or the

engine is running, the F (USA only)

or ! (Canada only) indicator lamp goes

out in the instrument cluster.

If you pull away with parking brake ;

applied, a warning tone sounds.

Parking the vehicle for a long period

If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than

four weeks, the battery may be damaged by

exhaustive discharge.

Connecting a trickle charger.

You can obtain information about trickle

chargers from a qualified specialist

workshop.

If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than

six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as

a result of lack of use.

Visit a qualified specialist workshop and

seek advice.

Driving tips

General driving tips

Important safety notes

WARNING

Always remember that you must concentrate

primarily on driving the vehicle. The driver's

concentration must always be directed

primarily at road traffic. For your own safety

and that of others, we recommend that you

stop the vehicle at a safe place and in

accordance with the traffic conditions before

making or accepting a phone call.

Comply with all legal requirements if you use

the telephone while driving. Use the hands-

free system and only use the telephone when

road, weather and traffic conditions permit. In

some jurisdictions, it is forbidden for drivers

to use mobile phones while driving.

Only operate COMAND (Cockpit Management

and Data System) in compliance with all legal

requirements and when the road, weather and

traffic conditions permit. You may otherwise

not be able to observe the traffic conditions,

endangering yourself and others.

Remember that your vehicle covers a distance

of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) a second when

it is traveling at only 30 mph (approximately

50 km/h).

WARNING

If you switch off the ignition while driving,

safety-relevant functions are only available

with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,

for example, the power steering and the brake

boosting effect. You will require considerably

more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk

of an accident.

Do not switch off the ignition while driving.

158

Driving tips

Driving and parking

Drive sensibly – save fuel

Observe the following tips to save fuel:

The tires should always be inflated to the

recommended tire pressure.

Remove unnecessary loads.

Remove roof carriers when they are not

needed.

Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.

Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.

Have all maintenance work performed at

the service intervals specified in the

Maintenance Booklet or indicated by the

service interval indicator.

Fuel consumption also increases when

driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic

and in mountainous terrain.

Drinking and driving

WARNING

Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and

driving are very dangerous combinations.

Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can

affect your reflexes, perceptions and

judgment.

The possibility of a serious or even fatal

accident are greatly increased when you drink

or take drugs and drive.

Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow

anyone to drive who has been drinking or

taking drugs.

Pedals

WARNING

Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the

pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.

The operating and road safety of the vehicle

is jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.

Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are

stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter

the driver's footwell. Install the floormats

securely and as specified in order to ensure

sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use

loose floormats.

Exhaust check

WARNING

Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your

health. All exhaust gas contains carbon

monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause

unconsciousness and possible death.

Do not run the engine in confined areas (such

as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.

If you think that exhaust gas fumes are

entering the vehicle while driving, have the

cause determined and corrected

immediately. If you must drive under these

conditions, drive only with at least one

window fully open at all times.

Certain engine systems are designed to keep

the level of poisonous components in exhaust

fumes within legal limits.

These systems only work at peak efficiency if

they are serviced exactly in accordance with

the manufacturer's specifications. For this

reason, all work on the engine should only be

carried out by qualified and authorized

Mercedes-Benz technicians.

The engine settings must not be changed

under any circumstances. Furthermore, all

specific service work must be carried out at

regular intervals and in accordance with the

Mercedes-Benz service requirements. Details

can be found in the Maintenance Booklet.

Braking

Important safety notes

WARNING

If you activate the LOW off-road gear while

driving on a slippery road surface, the wheels

may lose traction:

if you remove your foot from the

accelerator pedal when driving

if off road ABS intervenes when braking

If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no

longer be steered. There is an increased

danger of skidding and accidents.

Driving tips

159

Driving and parking

Never activate the LOW off-road gear while

driving on a slippery road surface.

Downhill gradients

On long and steep gradients, you must

reduce the load on the brakes by shifting

early to a lower gear. This allows you to take

advantage of the engine braking effect and

helps avoid overheating and excessive

wear of the brakes.

When you take advantage of the engine

braking effect, a drive wheel may not turn

for some time, e.g. on a slippery road

surface. This could cause damage to the

drive train. This type of damage is not

covered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.

Heavy and light loads

WARNING

If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while

driving, the braking system can overheat. This

increases the stopping distance and can even

cause the braking system to fail. There is a

risk of an accident.

Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never

depress the brake pedal and the accelerator

pedal at the same time.

Depressing the brake pedal constantly

results in excessive and premature wear to

the brake pads.

If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy

load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but

drive on for a short while. This allows the

airflow to cool the brakes more quickly.

Wet roads

If driving in heavy rain for a prolonged period

of time without braking, there may be a

delayed reaction from the brakes when

braking for the first time. This may also occur

after the vehicle has been washed.

You have to depress the brake pedal more

firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the

vehicle in front.

After driving on a wet road or having the

vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying

attention to the traffic conditions. This will

warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them

more quickly and protecting them against

corrosion.

Limited braking performance on salt-

treated roads

If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt

residue may form on the brake discs and

brake pads. This can result in a significantly

longer braking distance.

Brake occasionally to remove any possible

salt residue. Make sure that you do not

endanger other road users when doing so.

Carefully depress the brake pedal and the

beginning and end of a journey.

Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle

ahead.

Servicing the brakes

If the brake warning lamp lights up in the

instrument cluster and you hear a warning

tone even though the parking brake has

been released, the brake fluid level may be

too low. Observe additional warning

messages in the multifunction display.

The brake fluid level may be too low due to

brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.

Have the brake system checked

immediately. This work should be carried

out at a qualified specialist workshop.

A function or performance test should

only be carried out on a 2-axle

dynamometer. If you are planning to have

the vehicle tested on such a dynamometer,

contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center to obtain further information first.

Otherwise, you could damage the drive

train or the brake system.

160

Driving tips

Driving and parking

As the ESP

system operates

automatically, the engine and the ignition

must be switched off (the SmartKey must

be in position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock) if

the parking brake is tested on a brake

dynamometer (for a maximum of ten

seconds).

Braking applications triggered

automatically by ESP

may otherwise

seriously damage the brake system.

Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only

have brake pads/linings installed on 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.

Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only

use brake fluid that has been specially

approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz,

or which corresponds to an equivalent quality

standard. Brake fluid which has not been

approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or

which is not of an equivalent quality could

affect your vehicle's operating safety.

All checks and maintenance work on the

brake system must be carried out at a

qualified specialist workshop.

Have brake pads installed and brake fluid

replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.

If your brake system is subject only to

moderate loads, you should test the

functionality of your brakes at regular

intervals by pressing firmly on the brake pedal

at high speeds. This improves the grip of the

brake pads.

You can find a description of Brake Assist

(BAS) on (Y page 61).

High-performance brake system for

AMG vehicles

The high-performance brake system is only

installed on the G 63 AMG and the G 65 AMG.

The high-performance brake system is

designed for heavy loads. This may lead to

noise when braking. This will depend on:

Speed

Braking force

Environmental conditions, such as

temperature and humidity

The wear of individual components of the

brake system, such as the brake pads/linings

or brake discs, depends on the individual

driving style and operating conditions.

For this reason, it is impossible to state a

mileage that will be valid under all

circumstances. An aggressive driving style

will lead to high wear. You can obtain further

information about this from your authorized

Mercedes-Benz Center.

New and replaced brake pads and discs only

reach their optimum braking effect after

several hundred kilometers of driving.

Compensate for this by applying greater force

to the brake pedal. Keep this in mind, and

adapt your driving and braking accordingly

during this break-in period.

Excessive heavy braking results in

correspondingly high brake wear. Observe

the brake system warning lamp in the

instrument cluster and note any brake status

messages in the multifunction display. For

high-performance driving in particular, it is

important to maintain and have the brake

system checked regularly.

Parking brake

WARNING

If you must brake the vehicle with the parking

brake, the braking distance is considerably

longer and the wheels could lock. There is an

increased danger of skidding and accidents.

Only use the parking brake to brake the

vehicle when the service brake is faulty. Do

not apply the parking brake too firmly. If the

wheels lock, release the parking brake until

the wheels begin turning again.

Driving tips

161

Driving and parking

If you brake the vehicle with the parking

brake, the brake lamps will not light up.

If you drive on wet roads or dirt-covered

surfaces, road salt and/or dirt could get into

the parking brake.

In order to prevent corrosion and a reduction

in the braking power of the parking brake,

observe the following:

pull the parking brake upwards with the

release button depressed from time to time

before beginning the journey

(Y page 157).

drive for approximately 110 yds (100 m) at

a maximum speed of 12 mph (20 km/h).

Driving on wet roads

Hydroplaning

If water has accumulated to a certain depth

on the road surface, there is a danger of

hydroplaning occurring, even if:

you drive at low speeds.

the tires have adequate tread depth.

For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or

in conditions in which hydroplaning may

occur, you must drive in the following

manner:

lower your speed.

avoid ruts.

brake carefully.

Driving on flooded roads

Do not drive through flooded areas.

Check the depth of any water before driving

through it. Drive slowly through standing

water. Otherwise, water may enter the

vehicle interior or the engine compartment.

This can damage the electronic

components in the engine or the automatic

transmission. Water can also be drawn in

by the engine's air suction nozzles and this

can cause engine damage.

If you have to drive on stretches of road on

which water has collected, please bear in

mind that:

the maximum permissible still water depth

depends on the vehicle equipment

you should drive no faster than at walking

pace

Off-road fording

Under no circumstances should you

accelerate before entering the water. The

bow wave could cause water to enter and

damage the engine and other assemblies.

Do not open any of the vehicle's doors

while fording. Otherwise, water could get

into the vehicle interior and damage the

vehicle's electronics and interior

equipment.

Fording depth, 24 in (60 cm)

You may only drive through fresh water.

Observe the safety notes (Y page 164) and

the general notes (Y page 164) on off-road

driving.

Establish how deep the water is and the

characteristics of the body of water before

fording.

Switch off the air-conditioning system.

Shift the transfer case to LOW

RANGE(Y page 193).

Engage the differential locks, if necessary

(Y page 196).

Restrict the shift range to 1 or

2(Y page 150).

162

Driving tips

Driving and parking

Avoid high engine speeds.

Enter and exit the water at a flat place and

at a steady walking pace.

Drive slowly and at an even speed through

the water.

Do not stop and do not switch off the

engine.

Water offers a high degree of resistance,

and the ground is slippery and in some

cases unstable. Therefore, it is difficult and

dangerous to pull away in the water.

Ensure that a bow wave does not form as

you drive.

Clean any mud from the tire tread after

fording.

Apply the brakes to dry them after fording.

Always observe the fording depth values

(Y page 350).

Winter driving

General notes

DANGER

If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate

ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases

such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the

vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle

becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of

fatal injury.

If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating

running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area

around the vehicle are clear of snow. To

ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open

a window on the side of the vehicle that is not

facing into the wind.

WARNING

If snow chains are installed to the front

wheels, they may drag against the vehicle

body or chassis components. This could

cause damage to the vehicle or the tires.

There is a risk of an accident.

To avoid hazardous situations:

never install snow chains to the front

wheels

always install snow chains in pairs to the

rear wheels.

Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified

specialist workshop at the onset of winter.

Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"

section (Y page 314).

Driving with summer tires

Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"

section (Y page 314).

Slippery road surfaces

WARNING

If you shift down on a slippery road surface in

an attempt to increase the engine's braking

effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.

There is an increased danger of skidding and

accidents.

Do not shift down for additional engine

braking on a slippery road surface.

WARNING

The outside temperature indicator is not

designed to serve as an ice-warning device

and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.

Indicated temperatures just above the

freezing point do not guarantee that the road

surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,

especially in wooded areas or on bridges.

WARNING

If you activate the LOW off-road gear while

driving on a slippery road surface, the wheels

may lose traction:

if you remove your foot from the

accelerator pedal when driving

if off road ABS intervenes when braking

If the wheels lose traction. the vehicle can no

longer be steered. There is an increased

danger of skidding and accidents.

Driving tips

163

Driving and parking

Never activate the LOW off-road gear while

driving on a slippery road surface.

Drive particularly carefully on slippery road

surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering

and braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise

control.

If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be

stopped when moving at low speed:

Shift the transmission to position N.

Try to bring the vehicle under control using

corrective steering.

For more information on driving with

snow chains, see (Y page 315).

Off-road driving

Important safety notes

WARNING

Do not load items on the basic carrier bars. It

may cause instability during some maneuvers

which could result in an accident.

Drive slowly in unknown terrain. This will

make it easier to recognize unexpected

obstacles and avoid damage to the vehicle.

To help avoid the vehicle rolling over, never

turn it around on steep inclines. If the vehicle

cannot complete the attempted climb, back it

down in reverse gear.

Do not drive along the side of a slope. The

vehicle might otherwise rollover. If in doing so

the vehicle begins to show a tendency to roll,

immediately steer into a line of gravity

(straight up or downhill).

Never let the vehicle roll backwards in idle.

You may lose control of the vehicle if you use

only the service brake. For information on

driving downhill, see "Driving downhill".

When driving off-road, sand, mud and water,

possibly mixed with oil, for example, could get

into the brakes. This could result in a reduced

braking effect or in total brake failure and also

in increased wear and tear. The braking

characteristics change depending on the

material ingressing the brakes. Clean the

brakes after driving off-road. If you detect a

reduced braking effect or grinding noises,

have the brake system checked in a qualified

specialist workshop as soon as possible.

Adapt your driving style to the different

braking characteristics.

Driving off-road increases the likelihood of

damage to the vehicle, which, in turn, can lead

to failure of the mechanical assembly or

systems. Adapt your driving style to suit the

terrain conditions. Drive carefully. Have

damage to the vehicle rectified immediately

at a qualified specialist workshop.

General notes

Environmental note

Protection of the environment is of primary

importance. Treat nature with respect.

Observe all prohibiting signs.

Read this section carefully before driving your

vehicle off-road. Practice by driving over more

gentle off-road terrain first.

Familiarize yourself with the characteristics

of your vehicle and the gear shift operation

before driving through difficult terrain.

The following driving systems are specially

adapted to off-road driving:

4ETS (Y page 62)

Transfer case (Y page 193)

Differential locks (Y page 195)

Observe the following notes:

stop your vehicle and, if necessary, shift the

transfer case to LOW

RANGE(Y page 194) before driving off-

road.

AMG vehicles: to shift the transfer case to

LOW RANGE, deactivate the ECO start/

stop function (Y page 142).

engage the differential locks, if necessary

(Y page 196).

ABS, 4ETS, ESP

and BAS are deactivated

when the differential locks are activated.

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This allows the front wheels to lock briefly,

so that these can dig into a loose surface.

However, please note that locked wheels

skid and can no longer steer.

Check that items of luggage and loads are

stowed safely and are well secured

(Y page 261).

To avoid damaging the vehicle, make sure

there is always sufficient ground clearance.

Always keep the engine running and in gear

when driving on a downhill gradient.

Always keep the engine running and in gear

when driving on a slope.

Drive slowly and evenly, if necessary at a

walking pace.

Ensure that the wheels are in contact with

the ground at all times.

Drive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-

road routes where visibility is poor. For

safety reasons, get out of the vehicle first

and survey the off-road route.

Check the depth of water before fording

rivers and streams.

When fording, do not stop and do not

switch off the engine.

Look out for obstacles, such as rocks,

holes, tree stumps and furrows.

Always keep the doors, rear door, side

windows and the sliding sunroof closed

while the vehicle is in motion.

Switch off cruise control.

Do not stray from marked routes or paths.

Adapt your speed to the terrain. The

rougher, steeper or more ruts on the

terrain, the slower your speed should be.

Drive slowly and at an even speed through

the water. Ensure that a bow wave does not

form as you drive.

On sand, drive quickly to overcome the

rolling resistance. Otherwise the vehicle's

wheels could become stuck in loose

ground.

Do not jump with the vehicle as this will

interrupt the vehicle's propulsion.

Avoid high engine speeds. Drive at

appropriate engine speeds (maximum

3,000 rpm).

Do not shift the automatic transmission to

transmission position N.

Always check the vehicle for damage after

off-road driving.

Information about retrofitting special all-

terrain tires is available from any qualified

specialist workshop.

Do not use the HOLD function when

driving off-road, on steep uphill or downhill

gradients or on slippery or loose surfaces.

The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle

on such surfaces.

Checklist before driving off-road

If the engine oil warning lamp lights up

while the vehicle is in motion, stop the

vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible.

Check the engine oil level. The engine oil

warning lamp warning must not be ignored.

Continuing the journey while the symbol is

displayed could lead to engine damage.

Engine oil level: check the engine oil level

and add oil if necessary.

Only then does the engine receive enough

oil when the vehicle is standing on a steep

incline.

Tire-changing tool kit: check that the jack

is working and make sure you have the lug

wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding

spade in the vehicle.

Wheels and tires: check the tire tread

depth and tire pressure.

Check for damage and remove any foreign

objects, e.g. small stones, from the

wheels/tires.

Replace any missing valve caps.

Replace dented or damaged wheels.

Carry a sound spare wheel.

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Checklist after driving off-road

Driving over rough terrain places greater

demands on your vehicle than driving on

normal roads. After driving off-road, check

the vehicle. This allows you to detect damage

promptly and reduce the risk of an accident

to yourself and other road users.

Shift the transfer case to HIGH

RANGE(Y page 194).

Disengage the differential locks

(Y page 198).

Clean the headlamps and rear lights and

check for damage.

Clean the front and rear license plates.

Clean the wheels and tires with a water jet

and remove any foreign objects.

Clean the wheels, tires, wheel housings and

the vehicle underside with a water jet;

check for any foreign objects and damage.

Check whether twigs or other parts of

plants have become trapped. These

increase the risk of fire and can damage

fuel pipes, brake hoses or the rubber

bellows of the axle joints and propeller

shafts.

After the trip, examine without fail the

entire undercarriage, wheels, tires, brakes,

bodywork structure, steering, chassis and

exhaust system for damage.

After driving for extended periods across

sand, mud, gravel, water or in similarly dirty

conditions, have the brake discs, wheels,

brake pads/linings and axle joints checked

and cleaned.

If you notice strong vibrations after off-road

driving, check for foreign objects in the

wheels and drive train and, if necessary,

remove them.

Foreign objects can disturb the balance

and cause vibrations.

Test the brakes.

Driving on sand

Observe the following rules when driving on

sand:

Shift the transfer case to LOW

RANGE(Y page 194).

Avoid high engine speeds.

Limit the shift range of the automatic

transmission according to the off-road

conditions.

Drive quickly to overcome the rolling

resistance. Otherwise the vehicle's wheels

could become stuck in loose ground.

Drive in the tracks of other vehicles if

possible. When doing so, make sure that:

the tire ruts are not too deep.

the sand is sufficiently firm.

your vehicle has sufficient ground

clearance

Tire ruts and gravel roads

Check that the ruts are not too deep and

that your vehicle has sufficient clearance.

Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged

or bottom out and get stuck.

Observe the following rules when driving

along ruts in off-road terrain or on roads with

loose gravel:

Shift the transfer case to LOW

RANGE(Y page 194).

Avoid high engine speeds.

Observe the safety notes (Y page 164) and

the general notes (Y page 164) on off-road

driving.

Restrict the shift range of the automatic

transmission to 1(Y page 150).

Drive slowly.

Where ruts are too deep, drive with the

wheels of one side on the center grassy

area, if possible.

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Driving over obstacles

Obstacles could damage the floor of the

vehicle or components of the chassis. Ask

passengers for guidance when driving over

large obstacles. The passenger should

always keep a safe distance from the

vehicle when doing so in order to avoid

injury as a result of unexpected vehicle

movements. After driving off-road or over

obstacles, check the vehicle for possible

damage, especially to the underbody and

the components of the chassis.

Drive with particular care when driving

over an obstacle while driving up or down

a steep slope.

The vehicle could otherwise tilt and slide

sideways or tip over.

Observe the following rules when driving over

tree stumps, large stones and other

obstacles:

Observe the safety notes (Y page 164) and

the general notes (Y page 164) on off-road

driving.

Shift the transfer case to LOW

RANGE(Y page 194).

Avoid high engine speeds.

Restrict the shift range to 1(Y page 150).

Make sure that you have enough ground

clearance before driving across an

obstacle.

Drive very slowly.

Try to drive straight over the center of

obstacles: front wheel first, then rear

wheel.

Traveling uphill

Approach/departure angle

WARNING

If you drive on a steep incline at an angle or

turn when driving on an incline, the vehicle

could slip sideways, tip and rollover. There is

a risk of an accident.

Always drive on a steep incline in the line of

fall (straight up or down) and do not turn the

vehicle.

Always observe the approach/departure

angle values (Y page 351).

Observe the safety notes (Y page 164) and

the general notes (Y page 164) on off-road

driving.

Do not drive at an angle on slopes, inclines

or gradients, but instead follow the direct

line of fall. Note that the climbing ability of

your vehicle depends on the terrain

conditions.

Before driving on extreme uphill and

downhill gradients, shift the transfer case

to LOW RANGE(Y page 194).

Engage the differential locks, if necessary

(Y page 196).

Drive slowly.

Accelerate gently and make sure that the

wheels are gripping.

Avoid high engine speeds, except when

driving on sandy and muddy routes with

high driving resistance.

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167

Driving and parking

Avoid high engine speeds – drive at an

appropriate engine speed (maximum

3,000 rpm).

When driving down an incline, make use of

the engine's braking effect. Observe the

engine speed; do not overrev the engine.

Further information on the maximum

engine speed: (Y page 206).

Select a shift range appropriate to the

gradient.

Before tackling steep downhill gradients,

select shift range 1(Y page 150).

Always check the brakes after driving off-

road.

Hill start assist will aid you when pulling

away on a hill.

For more information, see "Hill start assist"

(Y page 141).

Maximum gradient-climbing capability

Accelerate carefully and make sure that the

wheels do not spin when driving on steep

terrain.

If the load on the front axle is reduced

when pulling away on a steep uphill slope,

the front wheels have a tendency to spin.

4ETS detects this and brakes the wheels

accordingly. The rear wheel torque is

increased, making it easier to drive off.

Always observe the maximum gradient

climbing ability values (Y page 351).

Hilltops

When driving on an uphill gradient, reduce

pressure slightly on the accelerator

immediately before reaching the top of the hill

(do not shift the transmission to position N).

Use the vehicle's own impetus to drive over

the top of the hill.

This style of driving prevents:

the vehicle from lifting off the ground on the

brow of a hill

loss of traction

the vehicle from traveling too quickly down

the other side

Driving downhill

Before tackling steep downhill gradients,

select shift range 1(Y page 150).

This way you use the engine's braking

effect to reduce the speed. If this is not

sufficient, brake gently. When doing so,

make sure that the vehicle is facing in the

direction of the line of fall.

Observe the notes on driving in

mountainous terrain (Y page 168).

Drive slowly.

Do not drive at an angle down steep

inclines. Steer into the line of fall and drive

with the front wheels aligned straight.

Otherwise, the vehicle could slip sideways,

tip and roll over.

Check that the brakes are working normally

after a long downhill stretch.

The special off-road ABS setting

(Y page 61) enables repeated, brief,

precise locking of the front wheels, which

leads to the wheels digging into the loose

ground. Note that when the front wheels

are fully braked, they slide easily over the

surface of the ground, making it difficult to

steer.

Driving systems

Cruise Control

Important safety notes

WARNING

The brake pedal moves when cruise control

brakes the vehicle. A foot in the area under

the brake pedal could become trapped. The

movement of the pedal, and therefore the

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vehicle's ability to brake, may be restricted by

objects in the area under the brake. There is

a risk of an accident and injury.

Do not place your foot under the brake pedal.

Keep the area under the brake pedal free from

obstructions.

If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise

control can neither reduce the risk of

accident nor override the laws of physics.

Cruise control cannot take account of road,

weather and traffic conditions. Cruise control

is only an aid. You are responsible for the

distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle

speed and for braking in good time. Adjust

your driving style to the traffic conditions.

Only engage cruise control when the current

road, weather and traffic conditions permit it

to be done safely. Drive carefully and

maintain a suitable distance to the vehicle in

front.

Do not use cruise control:

in traffic conditions that do not allow you

to drive at a constant speed, e.g. heavy

traffic, on winding roads or off-road

on slippery road surfaces. Braking or

accelerating could 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

General notes

Cruise control maintains a constant road

speed for you. On long and steep downhill

gradients, especially if the vehicle is laden,

you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good

time. By doing so, you will make use of the

braking effect of the engine, which 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

conditions make it appropriate to maintain a

steady speed for a prolonged period. You can

store any road speed above 20 mph

(30 km/h).

Cruise control should not be activated

during off-road driving.

Cruise control lever

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

You can operate cruise control and variable

SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever.

When you activate cruise control, the stored

speed is shown in the multifunction display

for five seconds.

The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control

lever indicates which system you have

selected:

LIM indicator lamp off: cruise control is

selected.

LIM indicator lamp on: variable

SPEEDTRONIC is selected.

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Driving and parking

Activation conditions

To activate cruise control, all of the following

activation conditions must be fulfilled:

the parking brake must be released.

you are driving faster than 20 mph

(30 km/h).

ESP

must be active, but not intervening.

the transmission must be in position D.

Selecting cruise control

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

Check whether LIM indicator lamp ; is off.

If it is off, cruise control is already selected.

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.

Storing and maintaining the current

speed

Storing and maintaining

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

You can store the current speed if you are

driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).

Accelerate the vehicle to the desired

speed.

Briefly press the cruise control lever

up : or down ?.

Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal.

Cruise control is activated. The vehicle

automatically maintains the stored speed.

Cruise control may be unable to maintain

the stored speed on uphill and downhill

gradients. The stored speed is resumed

when the gradient levels out. Cruise control

maintains the stored speed on downhill

gradients by automatically applying the

brakes.

Calling up the last speed stored

WARNING

If you call up the stored speed and it is lower

than the current speed, the vehicle

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Driving systems

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decelerates. If you do not know the stored

speed, the vehicle could decelerate

unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.

Pay attention to the road and traffic

conditions before calling up the stored speed.

If you do not know the stored speed, store the

desired speed again.

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you =.

Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal.

Cruise control is activated and adjusts the

vehicle's speed to the last speed stored.

If no speed is stored, cruise control stores

the current speed and maintains it.

Calling up the last speed stored

Storing and maintaining

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

You can store the current speed if you are

driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h).

Accelerate the vehicle to the desired

speed.

Briefly press the cruise control lever

up : or down ?.

Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal.

Cruise control is activated. The vehicle

automatically maintains the stored speed.

Cruise control may be unable to maintain

the stored speed on uphill and downhill

gradients. The stored speed is resumed

when the gradient levels out. Cruise control

maintains the stored speed on downhill

gradients by automatically applying the

brakes.

Calling up the last speed stored

WARNING

If you call up the stored speed and it is lower

than the current speed, the vehicle

decelerates. If you do not know the stored

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Driving and parking

speed, the vehicle could decelerate

unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.

Pay attention to the road and traffic

conditions before calling up the stored speed.

If you do not know the stored speed, store the

desired speed again.

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you =.

Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal.

Cruise control is activated and adjusts the

vehicle's speed to the last speed stored.

If no speed is stored, cruise control stores

the current speed and maintains it.

Setting a speed

Adjusting

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment

until the vehicle accelerates or decelerates to

the set speed.

To increase the speed: press the cruise

control lever up :.

To decrease the speed: press the cruise

control lever down ?.

Keep the cruise control lever pressed until

the desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.

The new speed is stored.

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Driving systems

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Making adjustments in 1 mph increments

(1 km/h increments in Canada)

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

Briefly press the cruise control lever

up : for a higher speed or down ? for a

lower speed.

The last speed stored is increased or

reduced.

Adjusting in 5 mph increments (10 km/h

increments):

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

Briefly press the cruise control lever

up : or down ? to beyond the pressure

point.

The last speed stored is increased or

reduced.

Cruise control is not deactivated if you

depress the accelerator pedal. For

example, if you accelerate briefly to

overtake, cruise control adjusts the

vehicle's speed to the last speed stored

after you have finished overtaking.

Deactivating cruise control

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

There are several ways to deactivate cruise

control:

Briefly press the cruise control lever

forwards B.

Brake.

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Driving and parking

Briefly press the cruise control lever in the

direction of arrow A.

Variable SPEEDTRONIC is selected. LIM

indicator lamp ; in the cruise control lever

lights up.

Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:

you apply the parking brake

you are driving at less than 20 mph

(30 km/h)

ESP

intervenes or you deactivate ESP

you shift the transmission to position N

while driving

The last speed stored is cleared when you

switch off the engine.

SPEEDTRONIC

Important safety notes

WARNING

If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while

driving, the braking system can overheat. This

increases the stopping distance and can even

cause the braking system to fail. There is a

risk of an accident.

Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never

depress the brake pedal and the accelerator

pedal at the same time.

Depressing the brake pedal constantly

results in excessive and premature wear to

the brake pads.

If you fail to adapt your driving style,

SPEEDTRONIC can neither reduce the risk of

accident nor override the laws of physics.

SPEEDTRONIC cannot take account of road,

weather and traffic conditions.

SPEEDTRONIC 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. Only engage

SPEEDTRONIC when the current road,

weather and traffic conditions permit it to be

done safely. Drive carefully and maintain a

suitable distance to the vehicle in front.

General notes

SPEEDTRONIC brakes automatically so that

you do not exceed the set speed. On long and

steep downhill gradients, especially if the

vehicle is laden or towing a trailer, you must

select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time. By

doing so, you will make use of the braking

effect of the engine, which 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.

The speed indicated in the speedometer

may differ slightly from the limit speed

stored.

Cruise control lever

To store the current speed or a higher

speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To call up the last speed stored

To store the current speed or a lower

speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate variable SPEEDTRONIC

You can operate cruise control and variable

SPEEDTRONIC with the cruise control lever.

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Driving systems

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The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control

lever indicates which system you have

selected:

LIM indicator lamp off: cruise control is

selected.

LIM indicator lamp on: variable

SPEEDTRONIC is selected.

You can use the cruise control lever to limit

the speed to any speed above 30 km/hwhile

the engine is running.

Selecting variable SPEEDTRONIC

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

If you fail to adapt your driving style,

SPEEDTRONIC can neither reduce the risk of

accident nor override the laws of physics.

SPEEDTRONIC cannot take account of road,

weather and traffic conditions.

SPEEDTRONIC 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. Only engage

SPEEDTRONIC when the current road,

weather and traffic conditions permit it to be

done safely. Drive carefully and maintain a

suitable distance to the vehicle in front.

Check whether LIM indicator lamp ; is on.

If it is on, variable SPEEDTRONIC is already

selected.

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

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

You can use the cruise control lever to limit

the speed to any speed above 18 mph while

the engine is running.

Briefly press the cruise control lever

up : or down ?.

The current speed is stored and shown in

the multifunction display.

On downhill gradients, the speed can be

exceeded despite variable SPEEDTRONIC.

In this case, you will hear a warning tone

and the

Limit ExceededLimit Exceeded message will

appear in the multifunction display. If

necessary, apply the brakes yourself.

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Driving and parking

Calling up the last speed stored

To activate or increase speed

;

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between cruise control and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate cruise control

If you fail to adapt your driving style,

SPEEDTRONIC can neither reduce the risk of

accident nor override the laws of physics.

SPEEDTRONIC cannot take account of road,

weather and traffic conditions.

SPEEDTRONIC 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 your lane. Only engage

SPEEDTRONIC when the current road,

weather and traffic conditions permit it to be

done safely. Drive carefully and maintain a

suitable distance to the vehicle in front.

Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you =.

If you call up the stored speed and your

current speed is higher, you will hear a

warning tone. The

Limit ExceededLimit Exceeded

message appears in the multifunction

display.

If no speed is stored, variable

SPEEDTRONIC stores the current speed

and maintains it.

Deactivating variable SPEEDTRONIC

There are several ways to deactivate variable

SPEEDTRONIC:

Briefly press the cruise control lever

forwards B.

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 is selected.

It is not possible to deactivate variable

SPEEDTRONIC by braking.

Variable SPEEDTRONIC is deactivated

automatically when you depress the

accelerator pedal beyond the pressure point

(kickdown), but only if your current speed

does not differ by more than 12 mph from the

stored speed.

DISTRONIC PLUS

Important safety notes

WARNING

DISTRONIC PLUS does not react to:

people or animals

stationary obstacles on the road, e.g.

stopped or parked vehicles

oncoming and crossing traffic

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Driving systems

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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

situation and be ready to brake.

WARNING

DISTRONIC PLUS cannot always clearly

identify other road users and complex traffic

situations.

In such cases, DISTRONIC PLUS may:

give an unnecessary warning and then

brake the vehicle

neither give a warning nor intervene

accelerate unexpectedly

There is a risk of an accident.

Continue to drive carefully and be ready to

brake, in particular when warned to do so by

DISTRONIC PLUS.

WARNING

DISTRONIC PLUS brakes your vehicle with up

to 40% of the maximum braking force. If this

braking force is insufficient, DISTRONIC PLUS

warns you visually and audibly. There is a risk

of an accident.

In such cases, apply the brakes yourself and

try to take evasive action.

WARNING

If you call up the stored speed and it differs

from the current speed, the vehicle

accelerates or decelerates. If you do not know

the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate

or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an

accident.

Pay attention to the road and traffic

conditions before calling up the stored speed.

If you do not know the stored speed, store the

desired speed again.

If you fail to adapt your driving style,

DISTRONIC PLUS can neither reduce the risk

of accident nor override the laws of physics.

DISTRONIC PLUS cannot take account of

road, weather and traffic conditions.

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. Only engage

DISTRONIC PLUS when the current road,

weather and traffic conditions permit it to be

done safely, and adapt your driving style

accordingly. Drive carefully and maintain a

suitable distance to the vehicle in front.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a risk of collision

but cannot sufficiently decelerate the vehicle

in order to maintain the set distance, you will

be warned visually and acoustically.

DISTRONIC PLUS cannot prevent a collision

without your intervention. An intermittent

warning tone will then sound and the distance

warning lamp will light up in the instrument

cluster. Brake immediately in order to

increase the distance from the vehicle in

front, or take evasive action, provided it is

safe to do so.

DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect narrow

vehicles driving in front, e.g. motorcycles, or

vehicles driving on a different line. Therefore,

always pay attention to traffic conditions

even when DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.

Otherwise, you may fail to recognize dangers

in time, cause an accident and injure yourself

and others.

In particular, the detection of obstacles can

be impaired if there is:

the sensor is dirty or covered

snow or heavy rain

interference by other radar sources

there is the possibility of strong radar

reflections, for example, in parking

garages.

If DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, the vehicle

brakes automatically in certain situations.

This can happen unexpectedly, especially

when towing or in a car wash. There is a risk

of an accident. In these or similar situations,

deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS.

If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you,

the following activation conditions must be

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Driving and parking

fulfilled (Y page 179) and the radar sensor

system must be operational.

General notes

DISTRONIC PLUS regulates the speed and

automatically helps you maintain the

distance to the vehicle detected in front.

DISTRONIC PLUS brakes automatically so

that the set speed is not exceeded.

On long and steep downhill gradients,

especially if the vehicle is laden or towing a

trailer, you must select shift range 1, 2 or 3

in good time. By doing so, you will make use

of the braking effect of the engine, which

relieves the load on the brake system and

prevents the brakes from overheating and

wearing too quickly.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a slower-moving

vehicle in front, your vehicle is braked in order

to maintain the preset distance to the vehicle

in front.

If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC

PLUS operates in the same way as cruise

control in the speed range between 20 mph

(Canada: 30 km/h) and120 mph (Canada:

200 km/h). If a vehicle is driving in front of

you, it operates in the speed range between

0 mph (0 km/h) and 120 mph (Canada:

200 km/h).

Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS while driving on

roads with steep gradients.

As DISTRONIC PLUS transmits radar waves,

it can resemble the radar detectors of the

responsible authorities. You can refer to the

relevant chapter in the Operator's Manual if

questions are asked about this.

USA only:

This device has been approved by the FCC

as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar

sensor is intended for use in an automotive

radar system only. Removal, tampering, or

altering of the device will void any

warranties, and is not permitted by the

FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in

any non-approved way.

Any unauthorized modification to this

device could void the user’s authority to

operate the equipment.

Canada only: This device complies with

RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is

subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference,

and

2. this device must accept any interference

received, including interference that may

cause undesired operation of the device.

Removal, tampering, or altering of the

device will void any warranties, and is not

permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use

the device in any non-approved way.

Any unauthorized modification to this

device could void the user's authority to

operate the equipment.

Cruise control lever

To activate or increase speed

;

To set the specified minimum distance

LIM indicator lamp

To activate at the current speed/last

stored speed

To activate or reduce speed

To switch between DISTRONIC PLUS and

variable SPEEDTRONIC

To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS

With the cruise control lever, you can operate

DISTRONIC PLUS and variable

SPEEDTRONIC.

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To switch between variable

SPEEDTRONIC and DISTRONIC PLUS:

press the cruise control lever in the

direction of arrow B.

LIM indicator lamp = on the cruise control

lever indicates which function you have

selected:

LIM indicator lamp =

= off: DISTRONIC

PLUS is selected.

LIM indicator lamp =

= on: variable

SPEEDTRONIC is selected.

Activating DISTRONIC PLUS

Activation conditions

In order to activate DISTRONIC PLUS, the

following conditions must be fulfilled:

the engine must be started. It may take up

to two minutes after pulling away before

DISTRONIC PLUS is operational.

the parking brake must be released.

the differential lock must be deactivated.

ESP

must be active, but not intervening.

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 rear doors

must be closed.

the vehicle must not skid.

the DISTRONIC PLUS function must be

selected (Y page 178).

the transfer case must be in the HIGH

RANGE transmission position.

the vehicle must not be on an uphill or

downhill gradient of more than 22-25%.

the radar sensor must be free from dirt

(Y page 291).

Activating while driving

When driving at speeds below 20 mph

(30 km/h) you can activate DISTRONIC PLUS

if the vehicle in front has been detected and

is shown in the multifunction display. If the

vehicle in front is no longer detected and

displayed, DISTRONIC PLUS switches off and

a tone sounds.

Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you ?, or press it up : or down A.

DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.

Press the cruise control lever up : or

down A repeatedly until the desired speed

is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal.

Your vehicle adapts its speed to that of the

vehicle in front, but only up to the desired

stored speed.

If you do not fully release the accelerator

pedal, the

DISTRONIC PLUS PassiveDISTRONIC PLUS Passive

message appears in the multifunction

display. The set distance to a slower-

moving vehicle in front will then not be

maintained. You will be driving at the speed

you determine by the position of the

accelerator pedal.

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Switching on while stationary

This function may be useful if you want to

keep up with the traffic flow, e.g. at the end

of a tailback.

You can only activate DISTRONIC PLUS if:

the vehicle in front and

your vehicle are stationary

Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you ?, or press it up : or down A.

DISTRONIC PLUS is selected.

DISTRONIC PLUS can be activated at a

standstill at under 20 mph (30 km/h) only

if a vehicle in front has been detected.

Therefore, the DISTRONIC PLUS distance

display in the instrument cluster should be

activated (Y page 213).

Keep the cruise control lever pressed

up : or down A until the desired speed

is set.

You can use the cruise control lever to set

the stored speed and the control on the

cruise control lever to set the specified

minimum distance (Y page 183).

Activating at the current speed/last

stored speed

WARNING

If you call up the stored speed and it differs

from the current speed, the vehicle

accelerates or decelerates. If you do not know

the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate

or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an

accident.

Pay attention to the road and traffic

conditions before calling up the stored speed.

If you do not know the stored speed, store the

desired speed again.

Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you ?.

Remove your foot from the accelerator

pedal.

DISTRONIC PLUS is activated. The first

time it is activated, the current speed is

stored. Otherwise, it sets the vehicle cruise

speed to the previously stored value.

Driving with DISTRONIC PLUS

Pulling away and driving

If the vehicle in front pulls away: remove

your foot from the brake pedal.

Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards

you ?, or press it up : or down A.

Accelerate briefly.

Your vehicle pulls away and adapts its

speed to that of the vehicle in front.

If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC

PLUS operates in the same way as cruise

control.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle

in front has slowed down, it brakes your

vehicle. In this way, the distance you have

selected is maintained.

If DISTRONIC PLUS detects that the vehicle

in front is driving faster, it accelerates your

vehicle, but only up to the speed you have

stored.

If you depress the brake, DISTRONIC PLUS is

deactivated unless your vehicle is stationary.

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Changing lanes

If you change to the passing lane, DISTRONIC

PLUS supports you when:

you are driving faster than 40 mph

(60 km/h).

DISTRONIC PLUS is maintaining the

distance to a vehicle in front.

you switch on the appropriate turn signal.

DISTRONIC PLUS does not detect a danger

of collision.

If these conditions are fulfilled, your vehicle

is accelerated. Acceleration will be

interrupted if changing lanes takes too long

or if the distance between your vehicle and

the vehicle in front becomes too small.

When changing lanes, DISTRONIC PLUS

monitors the left lane on left-hand drive

vehicles and the right lane on right-hand

drive vehicles.

Stopping

WARNING

When leaving the vehicle, even if it is braked

only by DISTRONIC PLUS, it could roll away if:

there is a malfunction in the system or in

the voltage supply.

DISTRONIC PLUS has been deactivated

with the cruise control lever, e.g. by a

vehicle occupant or from outside the

vehicle.

the electrical system in the engine

compartment, the battery or the fuses have

been tampered with.

the battery is disconnected.

the accelerator pedal has been depressed,

e.g. by a vehicle occupant.

There is a risk of an accident.

If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off

DISTRONIC PLUS and secure the vehicle

against rolling away.

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.

Depending on the specified minimum

distance, your vehicle will come to a

standstill at a sufficient distance behind the

vehicle in front. The specified minimum

distance is set using the control on the

cruise control lever.

On steep uphill or downhill inclines or if there

is a malfunction, the transmission may also

automatically be shifted into position P.

Displays in the instrument cluster

Displays in the speedometer

Example: DISTRONIC PLUS displays in the

speedometer

When DISTRONIC PLUS is activated, 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.

For design reasons, the speed displayed

in the speedometer may differ slightly from

the speed set for DISTRONIC PLUS.

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Driving and parking

Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is

deactivated

Distance display when DISTRONIC PLUS is

deactivated

Vehicle in front, if detected

;

Distance indicator, current distance to

the vehicle in front

Specified minimum distance to the

vehicle in front; adjustable

Own vehicle

You can select the distance display in the

Assistance menu (Y page 213) of the on-

board computer.

Select the

Distance DisplayDistance Display function

using the on-board computer.

Display when DISTRONIC PLUS is

activated

Distance display with DISTRONIC PLUS activated

in the multifunction display

DISTRONIC PLUS activated

;

Own vehicle

Specified minimum distance to the

vehicle in front; adjustable

Vehicle in front, if detected

In the Assistance menu (Y page 213) of the

on-board computer, you can select the

distance display.

Select the

Distance DisplayDistance Display function

using the on-board computer

(Y page 213).

You will see the stored speed for about five

seconds when you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.

Setting a speed

To store the current speed or a higher

speed

;

To store the current speed or a lower

speed

Press the cruise control lever up : for a

higher speed or down ; for a lower speed.

Keep the cruise control lever pressed until

the desired speed is reached.

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.

To adjust the set speed in 1 mph

increments (1 km/h increments): briefly

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Driving systems

Driving and parking

press the cruise control lever up : or

down ; to the pressure point.

Every time the cruise control lever is

pressed up : or down ; the last speed

stored is increased or reduced.

To adjust the set speed in 5 mph

increments (10 km/h increments):

briefly press the cruise control lever

up : or down ; to the pressure point.

Every time the cruise control lever is

pressed up : or down ;, the last speed

stored is increased or reduced.

DISTRONIC PLUS is not deactivated if you

depress the accelerator pedal. If you

accelerate to overtake, DISTRONIC PLUS

adjusts the vehicle's speed to the last

speed stored after you have finished

overtaking.

Setting the specified minimum distance

You can set the specified minimum distance

for DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time span

between one and two seconds. With this

function, you can set the minimum distance

that DISTRONIC PLUS keeps to the vehicle in

front, dependent on vehicle speed. You can

see this distance in the multifunction display

(Y page 213).

To increase: turn control = in

direction ;.

DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a greater

distance between your vehicle and the

vehicle in front.

To decrease: turn control = in

direction :.

DISTRONIC PLUS then maintains a shorter

distance between your vehicle and the

vehicle in front.

Make sure that you maintain the

minimum distance to the vehicle in front as

required by law. Adjust the distance to the

vehicle in front if necessary.

Deactivating DISTRONIC PLUS

There are several ways to deactivate

DISTRONIC PLUS:

Briefly press the cruise control lever

forwards :.

Brake, unless the vehicle is stationary.

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.

When you deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS, you

will see the

DISTRONIC PLUS OffDISTRONIC PLUS Off message

in the multifunction display for approximately

five seconds.

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183

Driving and parking

The last speed stored remains stored until

you switch off the engine.

DISTRONIC PLUS is automatically

deactivated if:

you engage the parking brake.

you are driving more slowly than 15 mph

(25 km/h) and there is no longer a vehicle

in front, or if the vehicle in front is no longer

detected.

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.

the vehicle has skidded.

If DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated, you will

hear a warning tone. You will see the

DISTRONIC PLUS OffDISTRONIC PLUS Off message in the

multifunction display for approximately five

seconds.

In the Assistance menu (Y page 213) of the

on-board computer, you can select the

distance display.

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.

Cornering, going into and coming out of a

bend

The ability of DISTRONIC PLUS to detect

vehicles when cornering is limited. Your

vehicle may brake unexpectedly or late.

Vehicles traveling on a different line

DISTRONIC PLUS may not detect vehicles

traveling on a different line. The distance to

the vehicle in front will be too short.

Other vehicles changing lanes

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Driving systems

Driving and parking

DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the

vehicle cutting in yet. The distance to this

vehicle will be too short.

Narrow vehicles

DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the

vehicle in front on the edge of the road,

because of its narrow width. The distance to

the vehicle in front will be too short.

Obstructions and stationary vehicles

DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for

obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for

example, the detected vehicle turns a corner

and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,

DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.

Crossing vehicles

DISTRONIC PLUS may detect vehicles that

are crossing your lane by mistake. Activating

DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with

crossing traffic, for example, could cause

your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.

Blind Spot Assist

Important safety notes

WARNING

Blind Spot Assist does not react to:

vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,

placing them in the blind spot area

vehicles approaching and driving by with a

speed difference of more than

approximately 11 km/h

As a result, Blind Spot Assist may not give

warnings in such situations. There is a risk of

an accident.

Always observe the traffic conditions

carefully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.

WARNING

Blind Spot Assist does not react to:

vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,

placing them in the blind spot area

vehicles approaching and driving by with a

speed difference of more than 6.8 mph

(11 km/h)

As a result, Blind Spot Assist may not give

warnings in such situations. There is a risk of

an accident.

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185

Driving and parking

Always observe the traffic conditions

carefully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.

Blind Spot Assist is only an aid. It may fail to

detect some vehicles and is no substitute for

attentive driving.

In particular, the detection of obstacles can

be impaired if there is:

dirt on the sensors or anything else

covering the sensors.

visibility is poor, e.g. due to fog, heavy rain

or snow.

there is a narrow vehicle traveling in front,

e.g. a motorcycle or bicycle.

the road has very wide lanes.

the road has narrow lanes.

you are not driving in the middle of the lane.

there are barriers or other road boundaries.

USA only:

This device has been approved by the FCC

as a “Vehicular Radar System”. The radar

sensor is intended for use in an automotive

radar system only. Removal, tampering, or

altering of the device will void any

warranties, and is not permitted by the

FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in

any non-approved way.

Any unauthorized modification to this

device could void the user’s authority to

operate the equipment.

General notes

Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor system

to monitor both the left and right sides of your

vehicle. It supports you from a speed of

approximately 20 mph (30 km/h). 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 lane, you

will also receive an optical and audible

collision warning. For this purpose, Blind Spot

Assist uses sensors in the rear bumper.

Monitoring range of the sensors

Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up to

10 ft (3 m) behind your vehicle and directly

next to your vehicle, as shown in the diagram.

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 case if the vehicles are driving on the

inner side of their lane.

Due to the nature of the system:

warnings may be issued in error when

driving close to crash barriers or similar

solid lane borders.

the warning is canceled when driving for an

extended period next to long vehicles, such

as trucks.

The two sensors for Blind Spot Assist are

integrated into the sides of the rear bumper.

Make sure that the bumper is free from dirt,

ice or slush around the sensors. The rear

sensors must not be covered, for example by

bicycle 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 specialist

workshop. Blind Spot Assist may otherwise

not work properly.

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Driving systems

Driving and parking

Indicator and warning display

WARNING

Blind Spot Assist does not react to:

vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,

placing them in the blind spot area

vehicles approaching and driving by with a

speed difference of more than 6.8 mph

(11 km/h)

As a result, Blind Spot Assist may not give

warnings in such situations. There is a risk of

an accident.

Always observe the traffic conditions

carefully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.

Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp

When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated,

indicator lamp : in the exterior mirrors lights

up yellow at speeds of up to

20 mph(30 km/h). At speeds above 20 mph

(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

20 mph (30 km/h), warning lamp : on the

corresponding side lights up red. This warning

is always emitted 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 7 mph (12 km/h).

The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse

gear is engaged. In this event, Blind Spot

Assist is no longer active.

The brightness of the indicator/warning

lamps is adjusted automatically according to

the ambient light.

Collision warning

Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp

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, vehicles detected

are indicated by the flashing of red warning

lamp :. There are no further warning tones.

Switching on Blind Spot Assist

Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp

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187

Driving and parking

Make sure that Blind Spot Assist is

activated in the on-board computer

(Y page 213).

Turn the SmartKey to position

2 (Y page 139) in the ignition lock.

Warning lamps : in the exterior mirrors

light up red for approximately

1.5 seconds and then turn yellow.

HOLD function

General notes

The HOLD function can assist the driver in the

following situations:

when pulling away, especially on steep

slopes

when maneuvering on steep slopes

when waiting in traffic

The vehicle is kept stationary without the

driver having to depress the brake pedal.

The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD

function deactivated when you depress the

accelerator pedal to pull away.

Do not use the HOLD function when

driving off-road, on steep uphill or downhill

gradients or on slippery or loose surfaces.

The HOLD function cannot hold the vehicle

on such surfaces.

Activation conditions

You can activate the HOLD function if:

the vehicle is stationary.

the engine is running or it has been

switched off by the ECO start/stop

function (AMG vehicles).

the engine is running.

the driver's door is closed or your seat belt

is fastened.

the transmission is in position D, R or N.

DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.

Activating the HOLD function

The vehicle's brakes are applied when the

HOLD function is activated. For this reason,

deactivate the HOLD function while in the car

wash or while towing.

Make sure that the activation conditions

are met.

Depress the brake pedal.

Quickly depress the brake pedal further

until ë appears in the multifunction

display.

The HOLD function is activated. You can

release the brake pedal.

If depressing the brake pedal the first

time does not activate the HOLD function,

wait briefly and then try again.

Deactivating the HOLD function

WARNING

When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away

despite being braked by the HOLD function if:

there is a malfunction in the system or in

the voltage supply.

the HOLD function has been deactivated by

pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake

pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.

the electrical system in the engine

compartment, the battery or the fuses have

been tampered with.

the battery is disconnected

There is a risk of an accident.

If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off

the HOLD function and secure the vehicle

against rolling away.

The HOLD function is deactivated

automatically if:

you accelerate and the transmission is in

position D or R.

you shift the transmission to position P.

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Driving systems

Driving and parking

you depress the brake pedal again with a

certain amount of pressure until ë

disappears from the multifunction display.

you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.

On steep uphill or downhill gradients or if

there is a malfunction, the transmission may

also be automatically shifted into position P.

4MATIC (permanent four-wheel drive)

Never tow the vehicle with one axle

raised. This may damage the transfer case.

Damage of this sort is not covered by the

Mercedes-Benz Limited 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.

When testing the parking brake, operate

the vehicle only briefly (for a maximum of

ten seconds) on a brake test dynamometer.

When doing this, turn the SmartKey to

position 0 or 1 in the ignition. Failure to do

this can cause damage to the drive train or

the brake system.

A function or performance test should

only be carried out on a two-axle

dynamometer. Before you operate the

vehicle on such a dynamometer, please

consult a qualified workshop. You could

otherwise damage the drive train or the

brake system.

4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are

permanently driven. Together with ESP

and

4ETS, it improves the traction of your vehicle

whenever a drive wheel spins due to

insufficient grip.

If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:

Only depress the accelerator pedal as far

as necessary when pulling away.

Accelerate less when driving.

If you fail to adapt your driving style, 4MATIC

can neither reduce the risk of accident nor

override the laws of physics. 4MATIC cannot

take account of road, weather and traffic

conditions. 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. Only engage

4MATIC when the current road, weather and

traffic conditions permit it to be done safely,

and adapt your driving style accordingly.

Drive carefully and maintain a suitable

distance to the vehicle in front.

In wintry driving conditions, the maximum

effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if

you use winter tires (M+S tires), with snow

chains if necessary.

For information about driving off-road, see

(Y page 164).

PARKTRONIC

Important safety notes

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 other

objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.

Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic

car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a

truck or a pneumatic drill could cause

PARKTRONIC to malfunction.

PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on

uneven terrain.

PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with

ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and

audibly the distance between your vehicle

and an object.

PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a

replacement for your attention to your

immediate surroundings. You are always

responsible for safe maneuvering, parking

and exiting a parking space. Ensure that the

areas in front, behind and to the side of the

Driving systems

189

Driving and parking

vehicle are safe before maneuvering, parking

or pulling away. There must not be any

persons, animals or objects in the area in

which you are maneuvering.

PARKTRONIC does not take into account any

persons or objects located below or above

the detection range. As a result,

PARKTRONIC cannot warn you about objects

in this area.

PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when

you:

switch on the ignition

shift the transmission to position D, R or N

release the parking brake

PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above

11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower

speeds.

PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your

vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper

and four sensors in the rear bumper.

Range of the sensors

General notes

Example: sensors in the front bumper,

left-hand side

Side view

Top view

The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or

slush. Otherwise, they may not function

correctly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking

care not to scratch or damage them

(Y page 291).

Front sensors

Center Approximately 40 in

(approximately 100 cm

from brush guard)

Corners Approximately 24 in

(approximately 60cm)

Rear sensors

Center Approximately 36 in

(approximately 90 cm)

from spare wheel

Corners Approximately 32 in

(approximately 80 cm)

Minimum distance

Center Approximately 8 in

(approximately 20 cm)

Corners Approximately 8 in

(approximately 20 cm)

If there is an obstacle within this range, the

relevant warning displays light up and a

warning tone sounds. If the distance falls

below the minimum, the distance may no

longer be shown.

190

Driving systems

Driving and parking

Warning displays

Warning display for the front area

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 center air vents.

The warning display for the rear area is

located on the headliner in the rear

compartment.

The warning display for each side of the

vehicle is divided into five yellow and two red

segments. PARKTRONIC is operational if

yellow segments showing operational

readiness = light up.

The selected transmission position and the

direction in which the vehicle is rolling

determine which warning display is active

when the engine is running.

Transmission

position

Warning display

Front area activated

R, N or the vehicle

is rolling

backwards

Rear and front areas

activated

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:

sixth segment onwards, you will hear an

intermittent warning tone for

approximately two seconds.

seventh segment onwards, you will hear a

warning tone for approximately two

seconds. This indicates that you have now

reached the minimum distance.

Deactivating/activating PARKTRONIC

Indicator lamp

;

To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC

If indicator lamp : lights up, PARKTRONIC is

deactivated.

PARKTRONIC is automatically activated

when you turn the SmartKey to position 2

in the ignition lock.

Towing a trailer

PARKTRONIC is deactivated for the rear area

when you establish an electrical connection

between your vehicle and a trailer.

Driving systems

191

Driving and parking

Problems with PARKTRONIC

Problem Possible causes/consequences and MM Solutions

Only the red segments

in the PARKTRONIC

warning displays are lit.

You also hear a warning

tone for approximately

two seconds.

PARKTRONIC is

deactivated after a few

seconds, and the

indicator lamp in the

PARKTRONIC button

lights up.

PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.

If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified

specialist workshop.

Only the red segments

in the PARKTRONIC

warning displays are lit.

PARKTRONIC is

deactivated after a few

seconds.

The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.

Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 291).

Switch the ignition back on.

The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or

ultrasound waves.

See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location.

Rear view camera

Important safety notes

The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not

a replacement for your attention to your

immediate surroundings. You are always

responsible for safe maneuvering and

parking. When maneuvering or parking, make

sure that there are no persons, animals or

objects in the area in which you are

maneuvering.

Under the following circumstances, the rear

view camera will not function, or will function

in a limited manner:

the rear door 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 light or LED

lighting (the display may flicker)

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

if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In

this event, have the camera position and

setting checked at a qualified specialist

workshop Mercedes-Benz recommends

that you use an authorized Mercedes-Benz

Center for this purpose

192

Driving systems

Driving and parking

Activating/deactivating the rear view

camera

Rear view camera

To activate: make sure that the SmartKey

is in position 2 in the ignition lock.

Make sure that the rear view camera

function is selected in COMAND (see the

separate operating instructions for

COMAND).

Engage reverse gear.

The area behind the vehicle is shown with

guide lines and "Reverse parking"

function : in the COMAND display.

To deactivate: the rear view camera is

deactivated if you:

shift the transmission to position P

drive forward ten meters

shift the transmission from R to another

position after 15 seconds

drive forwards at a speed of over 5 mph

(10 km/h)

Off-road driving systems

Transfer case

General notes

The vehicle has permanent all-wheel drive.

Power is always transmitted to both axles.

For further information on driving off-road,

see (Y page 164).

Shift ranges

WARNING

If you do not wait for the transfer case gear

change process to complete, the transfer

case could remain in the neutral position. The

power transmission to the driven wheels is

then interrupted. There is a danger of the

vehicle rolling away unintentionally. There is

a risk of an accident.

Wait until the transfer case shift process is

completed.

Do not turn off the engine while changing gear

and do not shift the automatic transmission

to another gear.

HIGH

RANGE

Position for all normal on-

road driving conditions

LOW

RANGE

Low-range position for

driving off-road.

Also for use on steep uphill

or downhill gradients,

especially when towing a

trailer.

The vehicle travels around

half the speed of on-road

driving range HIGH RANGE.

The tractive power is

correspondingly higher.

Off-road driving systems

193

Driving and parking

Shifting the transfer case

Important safety notes

WARNING

When the transfer case is in the neutral

position, power transmission to the driven

wheels is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle

could roll away. There is a risk of an accident.

Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and

on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it

with a device such as a wheel chock.

Always wait for the gear change process from

HIGH RANGE to LOW RANGE and from

LOW RANGE to HIGH RANGE to complete.

Do not turn off the engine while changing gear

and do not shift the automatic transmission

to another gear.

General notes

Current shift range

Indicator lamp

;

LOW RANGE button

Switching on the off-road gear ratio

Only carry out the gear selection if:

the engine is running.

the vehicle is rolling.

the automatic transmission is in selector

lever position N.

you are driving no faster than 25 mph

(40 km/h).

You could otherwise damage the transfer

case.

AMG vehicles: to shift the transfer case

to LOW RANGE, deactivate the ECO start/

stop function (Y page 142).

Press LOW RANGE button ;.

When the shift procedure is complete, the

LOW RANGELOW RANGE transfer case position appears

in the multifunction display.

Indicator lamp : lights up.

Shift the transmission to position D.

Switching off the off-road gear ratio

WARNING

When the transfer case is in the neutral

position, power transmission to the driven

wheels is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle

could roll away. There is a risk of an accident.

Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and

on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it

with a device such as a wheel chock.

Only carry out the gear selection if:

the engine is running.

the vehicle is rolling.

the automatic transmission is in selector

lever position N.

you are driving no faster than 43 mph

(70 km/h).

194

Off-road driving systems

Driving and parking

You could otherwise damage the transfer

case.

Press button ;.

When the shift procedure is complete, the

HIGHHIGH RANGERANGE transfer case position appears

in the multifunction display.

Indicator lamp : goes out.

If the gear change is not completed, the

following messages could appear in the

display:

TC shift Conditions Not FulfilledTC shift Conditions Not Fulfilled

You have not met one or more shift

conditions.

TC NEUTRAL OnTC NEUTRAL On

The transfer case has canceled the gear

change process and is in N. Transfer case

position

NN appears in the multifunction

display.

TC shift CanceledTC shift Canceled

The transfer case has not performed the

gear change process.

Carry out the gear change process again.

Make sure to meet all conditions for

changing gears.

TC Malfunction Visit WorkshopTC Malfunction Visit Workshop

There is a malfunction in the transfer case.

Do not shift the transfer case.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as

possible at a qualified specialist workshop.

Shifting to neutral

WARNING

When the transfer case is in the neutral

position, power transmission to the driven

wheels is interrupted. As a result, the vehicle

could roll away. There is a risk of an accident.

Secure the vehicle with the parking brake, and

on uphill or downhill gradients, also secure it

with a device such as a wheel chock.

Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the

ignition lock (Y page 139).

Apply the parking brake.

Depress the brake pedal.

Move the selector lever to position

N(Y page 145).

Press and hold LOW RANGE button ; for

approximately 10 seconds.

When the shift procedure is complete, the

TC In NeutralTC In Neutral message appears in the

multifunction display for 5 seconds.

If the gear change is not completed, the

following messages could appear in the

display (Y page 233).

If the transfer case is in Neutral, the

SmartKey is in the ignition lock and you

open the driver's door, the

TC InTC In

Neutral

Neutral message appears in the

multifunction display. If you then release

the parking brake, a warning tone will

sound.

Differential locks

General notes

WARNING

When the differential locks are engaged, ABS,

4ETS, ESP

and BAS are deactivated. As a

result, the wheels could lock when braking

and the braking distance is increased. There

is a risk of an accident.

Disengage the differential locks immediately

on firm surfaces with good grip.

In order to avoid damage to the transfer

case, you must operate the vehicle on a

dynamometer (1-axle dynamometer) only

if:

the axle not driven on is jacked up

the corresponding propeller shaft is

disconnected and the transfer case

differential lock is engaged.

Otherwise, the transfer case can be

damaged.

Off-road driving systems

195

Driving and parking

Differential locks improve the traction of the

vehicle.

Your vehicle is equipped with a differential

lock each for:

the transfer case: this controls the balance

between the front and rear axles.

the rear axle: this controls the balance

between the wheels on the rear axle.

the front axle: this controls the balance

between the wheels on the front axle.

Information on differential and

differential locks

When the vehicle drives around a curve, the

wheels on the outside of the curve must cover

a greater distance. Therefore, the wheels turn

more rapidly than on the inside. The

differential, a transmission in the drive train,

compensates for these different rotational

speeds, making cornering possible.

The disadvantage of a differential is that more

power is transferred to the wheels that have

the least grip. An example: a wheel of a driven

axle is on a snow-covered surface and

therefore does not have any traction. The

differential causes this wheel to be subjected

to the strongest driving force, as the flow of

force takes the path of least resistance. The

opposite wheel on this axle, however, which

stands on firm ground and could therefore

allow propulsion, receives no driving power.

4ETS compensates for this disadvantage.

4ETS provides good steerability by

automatically braking the spinning wheel.

4ETS provides the wheel on the firm surface

with more drive force, which in turn provides

propulsion.

ESP® and 4ETS are traction systems that are

ideal for road driving and suitable for light off-

road driving. The LOW RANGE off-road gear

also improves off-road capability.

Moreover, the more difficult conditions in off-

road driving require further measures such as

locking one or several differentials. Your

vehicle is equipped with three differential

locks:

a central differential lock for the transfer

case,

a differential lock for the front axle and

a differential lock for the rear axle.

Each differential lock can be engaged with the

respective switch on the center console. If

the transfer case differential is disabled, the

front and rear wheels turn at the same speed.

If the differential for the rear axle is locked,

both rear wheels turn at the same speed,

regardless of their individual torques. Please

note that activating the differential locks

severely restricts the vehicle's steerability.

Please note that the functions of the

differential are absolutely necessary for

driving on paved roads. The differential locks

must never be engaged when driving on

paved roads. Otherwise, the vehicle may not

be steerable and you could lose control of the

vehicle. The differential locks must therefore

only be engaged when driving off-road. You

may only engage the differential locks if the

functions of the 4ETS and ESP

driving

systems and the LOW RANGE off-road gear

are insufficient.

The differential locks are only available in

the LOW RANGE off-road gear.

Engaging the differential locks

Important safety notes

WARNING

When differential locks are engaged on a firm,

high-grip surface, the vehicle's steerability is

greatly impaired. In particular, engaging the

differential locks when cornering could lead

to you losing control of the vehicle. There is a

risk of an accident.

Disengage the differential locks immediately

on firm surfaces with good grip.

WARNING

When the differential locks are engaged, ABS,

4ETS, ESP

and BAS are deactivated. As a

result, the wheels could lock when braking

196

Off-road driving systems

Driving and parking

and the braking distance is increased. There

is a risk of an accident.

Disengage the differential locks immediately

on firm surfaces with good grip.

Only engage the differential locks when:

you are driving at walking pace.

the driven wheels are not spinning.

you are not driving on a firm road surface.

General notes

The switches are located on the center

console.

Function indicator lamps (red)

;

Differential lock for the front axle

Differential lock for the transfer case

Differential lock for the rear axle

Activation indicator lamps (yellow)

Engage the differential locks:

off-road

to deactivate ABS, 4ETS, ESP

and BAS

while off-road

when fording

For further information on driving off-road,

see (Y page 164).

You can only engage the differential locks

if the transfer case is in the LOW RANGE

off-road driving position (Y page 193).

You can activate the differential locks in

the following order =, ?, ;.

Differential lock for the transfer case

To engage: switch the transfer case to the

LOW RANGE off-road driving position

(Y page 194).

Press switch =.

When the transfer case is in the LOW

RANGE off-road driving position, the yellow

activation indicator lamp below switch =

lights up.

The å warning lamp in the instrument

panel lights up.

When the differential is locked, the red

function indicator lamp above switch =

lights up.

In the multifunction display you see the:

ABS not available DifferentialABS not available Differential

LockedLocked message.

The å!÷ warning lamps in the

instrument cluster light up.

The differential lock for the transfer case is

engaged.

4ETS, ESP

, BAS and ABS are deactivated.

The vehicle's ability to steer is severely

restricted. Drive carefully and accelerate

gently for optimum traction.

You can now engage the differential lock

for rear axle ? and the differential lock for

front axle ; as required.

Differential lock for the rear axle

To engage: press switch ?.

Yellow activation indicator lamp A lights

up first, followed by red function indicator

lamp : of switch ?.

The differential lock for the rear axle is

engaged.

Differential lock for the front axle

To engage: press switch ;.

First, the yellow activation indicator lamp

lights up, followed by the red function

indicator lamp.

Off-road driving systems

197

Driving and parking

The differential lock for the front axle is

engaged.

Disengaging the differential locks

You can disengage the differential locks in the

following order: ;, ?, =.

To simultaneously disengage all

differential locks: press switch =.

Yellow activation indicator lamps A and

red function indicator lamps : go out.

After approximately three seconds of

normal driving, ABS, 4ETS, ESP

and BAS

are activated.

The

ABSABS notnot availableavailable DifferentialDifferential

Locked

Locked message disappears in the

multifunction display and the å, !

and ÷ warning lamps in the instrument

cluster go out.

Shift the transfer case to the HIGH

RANGE on-road position (Y page 194).

If red function indicator lamps : do not

go out after disengaging the differential

locks, bring the vehicle to a standstill in

accordance with the traffic conditions.

Then continue driving, as the load change

can release the differential locks.

Towing a trailer

Notes on towing a trailer

Important safety notes

WARNING

If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while

driving, the braking system can overheat. This

increases the stopping distance and can even

cause the braking system to fail. There is a

risk of an accident.

Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never

depress the brake pedal and the accelerator

pedal at the same time.

WARNING

When the vehicle/trailer combination begins

to lurch, you could lose control of it. The

vehicle/trailer combination could even

rollover. There is a risk of an accident.

On no account should you attempt to

straighten up the vehicle/trailer combination

by increasing the speed. Reduce vehicle

speed and do not countersteer. Apply the

brake as necessary.

WARNING

If you install a ball coupling other than the one

delivered with the vehicle, the trailer tow hitch

and the rear axle may be overloaded. This

applies especially if the ball coupling in

question is longer or angled differently. This

could seriously impair the driving

characteristics and the trailer can come

loose. There is a risk of an accident.

Only install the ball coupling delivered with

the vehicle or a ball coupling that is designed

to meet your trailer towing requirements. Do

not modify the ball coupling or the trailer tow

hitch.

WARNING

If the ball coupling is not installed correctly or

not secured with the bolt provided and the

corresponding spring cotter, the trailer may

come loose. There is a risk of an accident.

Always install and secure the ball coupling as

described. Before every journey, ensure that

the ball coupling is secured with the bolt and

the corresponding spring cotter.

Please observe the manufacturer's operating

instructions for the trailer coupling if a

detachable trailer coupling is used.

You will find the applicable permissible

values, which must not be exceeded, in the

vehicle documents. You will find the values

approved by the manufacturer on the vehicle

identification plates and those for the towing

vehicle in the "Technical data" section

(Y page 342).

198

Towing a trailer

Driving and parking

Couple and uncouple the trailer carefully. If

you do not couple the trailer to the towing

vehicle correctly, the trailer could become

detached.

Make sure that the following values are not

exceeded:

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

When towing a trailer, your vehicle's handling

characteristics will be different in comparison

with when driving without a trailer.

The vehicle/trailer combination:

is heavier

is restricted in its acceleration and

gradient-climbing capability

has an increased braking distance

is affected more by strong crosswinds

demands more sensitive steering

has a larger turning circle

This could impair the handling

characteristics.

When towing a trailer, always adjust your

speed to the current road and weather

conditions. Do not exceed the maximum

permissible speed for your vehicle/trailer

combination.

General notes

Do not exceed the legally prescribed

maximum speed for vehicle/trailer

combinations in the relevant country.

This lowers the risk of an accident.

Only install an approved trailer coupling on

your vehicle.

Further information on availability and on

installation is available from any authorized

Mercedes-Benz Center.

The bumpers of your vehicle are not

suitable for installing detachable trailer

couplings.

Do not install hired trailer couplings or

other detachable trailer couplings on the

bumpers of your vehicle.

If you do not need the ball coupling, remove

the ball coupling from the ball coupling

recess. This reduces the risk of damage to

the ball coupling.

When towing a trailer, set the tire

pressure on the rear axle of the towing

vehicle for a maximum load; see the tire

pressure table in the fuel filler flap

(Y page 316).

You will find installation dimensions and loads

in the technical data (Y page 351).

The maximum noseweight of the trailer

drawbar on the ball coupling for up to 3

people is 562 lbs (255 kg). The maximum

permissible trailer drawbar noseweight for

more than 3 persons and the maximum load

in the trunk can be found in the trailer

drawbar noseweight table (Y page 352).

However, the actual noseweight must not

exceed the value given on the trailer tow hitch

or trailer identification plates. The lowest

weight applies.

When towing a trailer, set the tire

pressure on the rear axle of the towing

vehicle for a maximum load; see the tire

pressure table in the fuel filler flap

(Y page 316).

Please note that when towing a trailer,

PARKTRONIC (Y page 189) and Blind Spot

Assist (Y page 185) are only available with

limitations, or not at all.

On vehicles without level control, the

height of the ball coupling will alter

according to the load placed on the vehicle.

If necessary, use a trailer with a height-

adjustable drawbar.

Towing a trailer

199

Driving and parking

Driving tips

On long and steep downhill gradients,

select shift range 1, 2 or 3 (Y page 150) in

good time.

This also applies if you have activated

cruise control or SPEEDTRONIC.

If necessary, shift the transfer case to LOW

RANGE(Y page 194).

This will use the braking effect of the

engine, so that less braking will be required

to maintain the 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.

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

maximum permissible speed is. Observe the

legally prescribed maximum speed in the

relevant country.

For certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the

maximum permissible rear axle load is

increased when towing a trailer. Refer to the

"Technical data" section to find out whether

this applies to your vehicle. If you utilize any

of the added maximum rear axle load when

towing a trailer, the vehicle/trailer

combination may not exceed a maximum

speed of 60 mph (100 km/h) for reasons

concerning the operating permit. This also

applies in countries in which the permissible

maximum speed for vehicle/trailer

combinations is above 60 mph (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.

On long and steep downhill gradients, you

must select shift range 1, 2 or 3 in good time.

This also applies if you have activated

cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS.

This will use the braking effect of the engine,

so that less braking will be required to

maintain the 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.

Driving tips

If the trailer swings from side to side:

Do not accelerate.

Do not counter-steer.

Brake if necessary.

Maintain a greater distance from 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,

note that the power output of the engine,

and consequently the vehicle's gradient-

climbing capability, decrease with

increasing altitude.

Trailer power supply

You can connect accessories with a

maximum power consumption of 180 W to

the permanent power supply.

You must not charge a trailer battery using

the power supply.

The trailer socket of your vehicle is equipped

at the factory with a permanent power supply.

The permanent power supply is supplied via

trailer socket pin 9.

A qualified specialist workshop can provide

more information about installing the trailer

electrics.

200

Towing a trailer

Driving and parking

Trailer with 7-pin connector

General notes

You can make a connection to the 13-pin

socket on the ball coupling using an adapter

or, if necessary, an adapter cable. Both can

be obtained in a qualified specialist

workshop.

Installing the adapter

Make sure that there is enough slack in

the cable for cornering so that the cable

cannot become detached.

Open the socket cover.

Insert the connector with lug : into

groove ; on the socket and turn the

connector clockwise to the stop.

Make the cover engage.

If you are using an adapter cable, secure

the cable to the trailer with cable ties.

When the socket is connected, the

ultrasonic backing up aid is deactivated.

Towing a trailer

201

Driving and parking

202

Driving and parking for Your Mercedes G Class SUV Third Generation (1990-2018)

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