Page 204 of 435
203 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The 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 77).
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 or resume
cruise control at 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 219 of 435
218 Controls in detailDriving systemsAIRMATIC
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,
“sport” or “convenience”, which you
select using the damping switch.
The following suspension styles are avail-
able:
Convenience
Both indicator lamps1 are off.
Sports 1
One indicator lamp1 is on.
Sports 2
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 221 of 435
220 Controls in detailDriving systems
The indicator lamp is then lit. The dis-
play switches off when the vehicle is
raised.
Press switch2 again to lower the ve-
hicle. 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.The ABC switch with the indicator lamps is
located in the upper part of the center con-
sole.
1Indicator lamp
2ABC switch
Start the engine.
Page 222 of 435
221 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Suspension for sporty driving style
The setting for sporty driving is selected
when indicator lamp1 is illuminated.
Press switch2.
Indicator lamp1 comes on.
Suspension for regular driving style
The setting for regular driving is selected
when indicator lamp1 is off.
Press switch2.
Indicator lamp1 goes out. Vehicle level control with ABC*
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:
reduce fuel consumption
increase vehicle safety
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:
With increasing speed, ride height is re-
duced by up to approximately 1.4 in
(35 mm).
With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.Select the level 1 and 2 settings only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise:
Fuel consumption may increase
Handling may be impairediThese height adjustments are so small
that you may not notice any change.Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.
Page 427 of 435
426 Index
Higher speed in cruise control 205
Higher speed in Distronic* 211
Individual vehicle settings 151
Interior illumination delayed
switch-off 158
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 155
Language, multifunction display 155
Locator lighting 156
Lower speed in cruise control 205
Lower speed in Distronic* 212
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 154
Parking position for exterior rear view
mirrors 162
Slower speed in cruise control 205
Slower speed in Distronic* 212
SmartKey dependent memory 160
Speed in cruise control 205
Speed in Distronic* 211
Speedometer display mode 154
Suspension tuning 220
Temperature (interior) 183
Temperature indicator 154Time 23
To last stored speed in Distronic*
("Resume" function) 212
Units
Speedometer 154
Temperature 154
Vehicle level control 219, 221
Setting current speed 204
Setting front passenger seat position
from rear* 119
Settings
Calling up Distronic* 147, 209
Convenience functions 160
Factory, SmartKey 89
Individual (SmartKey) 160
Lighting (control system) 155
Menus and submenus 136
Resetting all (control system) 151
Resetting in the submenu 152
Selective 89, 94
Settings menu
Functions in 151
Individual vehicle settings 151
Submenus 152Shift lock 405
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 167
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 165
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 112
Side impact airbags 63
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 353, 354, 357
Side windows
Automatic closing 196
Automatic opening 196
Cleaning 300
Closing 195, 196, 197
Closing fully (Express-close) 196
Closing with SmartKey 197
Opening 195, 196, 197
Opening fully (Express-open) 196
Opening with SmartKey 197
Stopping 197
Synchronizing power windows 198