Page 196 of 416
196 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:
Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed
AIRMATIC adjusts the vehicle suspen-
sion characteristics automatically and
controls the vehicle level.
ABC* with vehicle level control sys-
tems, with which you can change vehi-
cle suspension characteristics
Parktronic*, which serves as a parking
assistant
For information on the BAS, ABS, and ESP
driving systems, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 76).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set any speed
above 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 20).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the traffic, road
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
Page 211 of 416
211 Controls in detail
Driving systems
AIRMATIC
AIRMATIC automatically selects the opti-
mum suspension tuning and ride height for
your vehicle. AIRMATIC consists of two
components:
Adaptive Damping System (ADS)
Level control system
The ADS automatically selects the opti-
mum damping for the respective driving
conditions. At the same time the suspen-
sion is set to either sporty or regular.Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:
Your driving style
Road surface conditions
Your choice of suspension style,
“sporty” or “regular”, which you select
using the damping switch.
The following suspension styles are avail-
able:
Regular
Both indicator lamps1 are off.
Sporty I
One indicator lamp1 is on.
Sporty II
Both indicator lamps1 are on.1Indicator lamps
2Damping switch
Start the engine.
Press the damping switch2 until the
desired suspension style is set.iThe selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.
Page 213 of 416
213 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Briefly press switch2 to change from
one level setting to the other.
The message:AIRMATIC
VEHICLE RISING appears in the multifunction display
when changing from normal level to
raised level. The indicator lamp is then
lit. The display switches off when the
vehicle is raised.
Press switch2 again to lower the vehi-
cle. The indicator lamp is off.The selected vehicle level setting remains
stored in memory even if the engine is
turned off and restarted except when you
exceed a speed of 75 mph (120 km/h)
or
maintain a speed of between 50 mph
(80 km/h) and 75 mph (120 km/h) for
more than 5 minutes
The vehicle then lowers to regular level.
The message:
AIRMATIC
LEV. SELECT. CANCELED!appears in the multifunction display and
the indicator lamp is off. The display
switches off when the vehicle is raised.
Active Body Control (ABC)*
The ABC system automatically selects the
optimum suspension tuning and ride
height for your vehicle.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:
Your driving style
Road surface conditions
The vehicle loading
Your choice of suspension style,
“sporty” or “regular”, which you select
using the ABC button
The selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.
Page 404 of 416
404 IndexService System see FSS
Setting
Convenience functions 155
Cruise control 197
Daytime running lamp mode 151
Digital clock 23
Distronic* time interval 206
Following distance in Distronic* 206
Higher speed in cruise control 198
Higher speed in Distronic* 204
Individual vehicle settings 146
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 153
Key dependent memory 156
Lamps and lighting (control system)
150
Language, multifunction display 150
Locator lighting 151
Lower speed in cruise control 198
Lower speed in Distronic* 205
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 149
Parking position for exterior rear view
mirrors 158
Slower speed in cruise control 198
Slower speed in Distronic* 205
Speed in cruise control 198
Speed in Distronic* 204Speedometer display mode 149
Station selection mode 154
Suspension tuning 213
Temperature (interior) 177
Temperature indicator 149
Time 23
To last stored speed in Distronic* ("Re-
sume" function) 205
Units
Speedometer 149
Temperature 149
Vehicle level control 212, 215
Setting current speed 197
Setting passenger seat position from rear*
115
Settings
Calling up Distronic* 142, 202
Convenience functions 155
Factory, SmartKey 87
Individual (SmartKey) 156
Lighting (control system) 150
Menus and submenus 132
Resetting all (control system) 146
Resetting in the submenu 147
Selective 87Settings menu
Functions in 146
Individual vehicle settings 146
Submenus 147
Shift lock 385
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 163
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 161
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 108
Side impact airbags 61
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 331, 332, 335
Side windows
Automatic opening 189
Cleaning 286
Closing 188, 189, 190
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 93, 190,
194
Closing with SmartKey 190
Opening 188, 190
Opening fully 189
Opening with SmartKey 190
Stopping 189
Synchronizing power windows 191