405 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:
Cruise control (page 405) and
DISTRONIC Plus*(
page 411), with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed.
ABC (page 429) adjusts the vehicle
suspension characteristics automati-
cally and control the vehicle level.
Parktronic* (page 431) and
Park Assist* (
page 435), which serve
as a parking assistant.
Dynamic Rear View Monitor*
(
page 439) is an electronic and
visual parking aid.
Night View Assist* (page 446) illumi-
nates the road with infrared light in
addition to the normal headlamps.
For information on the ABS, Adaptive
Brake, BAS, BAS Plus*, EBP, ESP
® and
PRE-SAFE® Brake*, see “Driving safety
systems” (
page 64).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of the cruise control is recom-
mended for driving at a constant speed for
extended periods of time.
You can set or resume the cruise control at
any speed over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it
advisable to travel at a constant speed.
The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on winding roads or in heavy traf-
fic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.
The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes
in tire traction can result in wheel spin
and loss of control.
Deactivate the 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.
440 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning!G
Please note that objects which do not touch
the ground, such as the bumper of a vehicle
parked behind you, a trailer hitch, or the
back of a truck, may appear to be further
away than they actually are. In this case, you
should not use the guide lines to judge dis-
tance. The use of the guide lines to judge
distance increases the risk of impacting the
objects.
Warning!G
The Dynamic Rear View Monitor is a supple-
ment system. It is not intended to, nor does
it replace, the need for extreme care. The re-
sponsibility during parking and other driving
maneuvers always remains with the driver.
The Dynamic Rear View Monitor may show
obstacles with a distorted perspective, in-
correctly or not at all.
Special attention must be paid to objects
outside of the camera’s field of view such as
those located very close to or below the rear
bumper, or above the recessed grip of the
luggage compartment lid. Such objects may
not be detected by the system and can dam-
age the vehicle.
The Dynamic Rear View Monitor does not
warn you about impending collisions with
objects. The driver is always responsible for
safety and must continue to pay attention to
the immediate surroundings while parking
or maneuvering the vehicle. This applies not
only to the area behind the vehicle, but also
to the area in front of and to the sides of the
v e h i c l e . F a i l u r e t o d o s o c o u l d r e s u l t i n i n j u r y
to persons and/or damage to the vehicle or
other property. We also recommend that the
driver use the Parktronic system* or Park
Assist* when parking or maneuvering the
vehicle.Warning!G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.
Warning!G
The Dynamic Rear View Monitor may not
function if:
the trunk lid is not completely closed
it is raining or snowing heavily, or if
there is thick fog
in a very dark area
the camera is exposed to very strong
white light (white stripes may appear on
the COMAND display)
the surrounding area is lit with fluores-
cent light (the COMAND display can
flicker)
outside temperatures are very high (lens
condensation)
446 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Night View Assist*
Night View Assist illuminates the road with
infrared light in addition to the normal
headlamps.
A camera at the top of the windshield mea-
sures the infrared light and shows a
black-and-white image on the multifunc-
tion display. The image on the multifunction display cor-
responds to a road lit up by high-beam
headlamps.
The Night View Assist image on the multi-
function display is not impaired
by the headlamps of approaching vehi-
cles
if you cannot switch on the high beams
due to oncoming traffic
As a result, you can better follow the
course of the road and detect obstacles
earlier on.The camera is at the top of the windshield.
1Night View Assist camera
Warning!G
Night View Assist is only an aid to support
you while driving and cannot substitute your
careful attention. Do not rely on the display
of the Night View Assist; instead, continue
to look through the windshield. You are al-
ways responsible for safety and must drive
in accordance with traffic conditions. Other-
wise, you could endanger yourself and oth-
ers.
If it is foggy, raining or snowing, the clarity of
the Night View Assist image on the multi-
function display may be diminished.Warning!G
Night View Assist cannot record objects im-
mediately in front of or next to the vehicle.
When maneuvering, continue to look
through the windshield. Make sure no per-
sons or animals are in the area in which you
are maneuvering. You could otherwise in-
jure them.
iInfrared light is invisible to the human eye
and can therefore remain permanently switched
on without blinding oncoming traffic.
462 Controls in detail
Trunk
Trunk opening-height restriction
The trunk lid opening height can be limited
when transporting goods on a roof rack
(e.g. presence of an optional MB sport lug-
gage container). When activated, the trunk
opens to approximately the height of the
roof edge.
Activate the limiting opening height of
trunk lid using the COMAND system
(
page 242).
Closing trunkClosing trunk from inside automatically
1Remote trunk opening/closing switch
Press and hold switch1 until the
trunk is closed.
The indicator lamp in the switch goes
out when the trunk is closed.
To interrupt the closing procedure:
Release switch1.
iDo not place the SmartKey in the open
trunk. You may lock yourself out.
iIf the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the trunk will lock automatically after
closing it. All turn signal lamps flash three times
to confirm locking.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: To prevent a possi-
ble inadvertent lockout, the trunk will open auto-
matically if a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is
recognized inside the vehicle or in the trunk.
The vehicle is only locked when the turn signals
flash three times. If you are carrying a second SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you, you can
still lock the vehicle.
Warning!G
Maintain sight of trunk area while operating
door mounted switch. Monitor the closing
procedure carefully to make sure no one is
in danger of being injured.
To interrupt the closing procedure, release
the door mounted remote trunk open-
ing/closing switch.
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the starter
switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle, the remote trunk
opening/closing switch can be operated.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
iIf the trunk lid comes into contact with an
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has been
piled too high) in the upper motion sequence, the
closing procedure is stopped and the trunk re-
opens slightly.
iYou can also close the trunk by hand.
463 Controls in detail
Trunk
Closing trunk from outside
automatically
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO*
1Trunk closing switch
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*
1Trunk closing switch
Press trunk closing switch1 briefly.
The trunk closes.
Warning!G
Monitor the closing procedure carefully to
make sure no one is in danger of being in-
jured. To prevent possible personal injury,
always keep hands and fingers away from
the trunk lid opening when closing the trunk.
Be especially careful when small children
are around. To stop the closing procedure,
do one of the following:
press button Š on the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
press the trunk opening/closing switch
(on the driver’s door)
press the trunk closing switch
press the KEYLESS-GO locking/closing
switch*
pull the trunk lid handle
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the starter
switch or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle, the remote trunk
opening/closing switch can be operated.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
iIf the trunk lid comes into contact with an
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has been
piled too high) in the upper motion sequence, the
closing procedure is stopped and the trunk re-
opens slightly.
iYou can also close the trunk by hand.
466 Controls in detail
Power tilt/sliding sunroof
Opening and closing power tilt/sliding
sunroof
Warning!G
When closing the tilt/sliding sunroof, make
sure that there is no danger of anyone being
harmed by the closing procedure.
If the tilt/sliding sunroof encounters an ob-
struction that blocks its path in a circum-
stance where you are closing the tilt/sliding
sunroof by moving the tilt/sliding sunroof
switch past the resistance point, or by
pressing and holding button‹on the
SmartKey, by pressing and holding the sen-
sor surface (vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*) on
the outside door handle, the automatic re-
versal function will not operate.
The opening/closing procedure of the
tilt/sliding sunroof can be immediately halt-
ed by releasing the switch or, if the switch
was moved past the resistance point and re-
leased, by moving the switch in any direc-
tion.
The tilt/sliding sunroof is made out of glass.
In the event of an accident, the glass may
shatter. This may result in an opening in the
roof.
In a vehicle rollover, occupants not wearing
their seat belts or not wearing them properly
may be thrown out of the opening. Such an
opening also presents a potential for injury
for occupants wearing their seat belts
properly as entire body parts or portions of
them may protrude from the passenger
compartment.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
!To avoid damaging the seals, do not trans-
port any objects with sharp edges which can
stick out of the tilt/sliding sunroof.Do not open the tilt/sliding sunroof if there is
snow or ice on the roof, as this could result in
malfunctions.
The tilt/sliding sunroof can be opened or closed
manually should an electrical malfunction occur
(
page 638).
!Please keep in mind that weather conditions
can sometimes change rapidly. Make sure to
close the tilt/sliding sunroof when leaving the
vehicle. If water enters the vehicle interior, vehi-
cle electronics could be damaged which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iWhen the tilt/sliding sunroof is open, reso-
nance noises may result in addition to the usual
wind noises. They are caused by minimal pres-
sure changes in the passenger compartment. To
reduce or eliminate these noises, change the po-
sition of the tilt/sliding sunroof or open a side
window slightly.
471 Controls in detail
Loading and storing
Storage compartments below the front
seats
1Tab
2Compartment cover
Opening: Pull tab1 upward and fold
cover2 forward.Eyeglasses compartment
1Eyeglasses compartment mark
Opening: Press mark1.
Closing: Swing eyeglasses compart-
ment upward until it engages.Parcel net in front passenger footwell
Warning!G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net. In an accident, during hard brak-
ing, or sudden maneuvers, they could be in-
jury to vehicle occupants.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.
477 Controls in detail
Useful features
Opening ashtray
Press mark on cover plate2 forward.
Removing ashtray insert
Push sliding button1 to the left.
The ashtray is disengaged and slides
out a short way.
Remove the insert from the ashtray
frame.
Reinstalling ashtray insert
Install the insert by pushing it back into
the frame until it engages.
Closing ashtray
Briefly press mark on cover plate2
forward.
Cigarette lighter
1Cigarette lighter
Open the cover plate (page 476).
Switch on the ignition (page 336).
Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.