Page 238 of 514

237 Controls in detail
4-zone automatic climate control
Rear climate control
The rear climate control is adjusted via the
front climate control panel (
page 224) or
(
page 225) or the rear climate control
panel.
The rear climate control panel is located in
the rear center console.
Setting the temperature
Use temperature control rocker
switches4 and6 to separately adjust
the air temperature on each side of the
rear passenger compartment.
You should raise or lower the temperature
setting in small increments, preferably
starting at 72°F (22°C). The adjusted tem-perature appears in the display 5. The
rear climate control will adjust to the set
temperature as fast as possible.
1Temperature, left
2Temperature, right
Adjust the temperature to the desired
setting for each side of the passenger
compartment using the left and right
temperature buttons.
The temperature in the rear passenger
compartment is adjusted automatical-
ly.
1
Left rear center air vent, adjustable
2
Right rear center air vent, adjustable
3
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for right rear center air vent
4
Temperature rocker switch, right
5
Display
6
Temperature rocker switch, left
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for left rear center air vent
i
You can also adjust the rear temperature us-
ing the front climate control panel (
page 224)
or (
page 225).
i
The rear climate control will not cool the air
when the air conditioning is switched off
(
page 235).
Page 239 of 514

238 Controls in detail4-zone automatic climate controlAdjusting air distribution
Push the slider for the left center air
vent1 or right center air vent 2 to
the left, right, up, or down.
The air flow is directed in the
corresponding direction.
Adjusting air volume
Turn thumbwheel3 or 7 up or down.
The air volume is increased or
decreased.Adjusting the rear settings with the
front control panel
You can adjust the temperature for the
rear climate control from the front climate
control panel.
Press button5 or ™
(page 224) or (
page 225).
The display switches over.
1Rear climate control display
Set the desired temperature for the
rear passenger compartment using
temperature rocker switches4
and6.
After approximately 5 seconds after
the last adjustment, the display switch-
es back to its standard display.
i
For draft-free ventilation, move sliders for
the center air vents1 and2 upward.
i
You can also press button5 or ™
(
page 224) or (
page 225) once more to
switch back to the standard display.
Page 248 of 514

247 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume at last set speedSetting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 247).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
Warning!
G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded.
Keep in mind that 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.
i
On uphill or downhill grades, the cruise con-
trol may not be able to maintain the set speed.
Once the grade eases, the set speed will be re-
sumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed with active braking action.
In addition, on longer downhill grades the auto-
matic transmission will automatically downshift.
i
The last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
Page 249 of 514

248 Controls in detailDriving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift cruise control lever in direction of
arrow1 (
page 247) and hold it up
until the desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow2 (
page 247) and
hold it down until the desired speed is
reached.
Release cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow1 (
page 247).
Slower
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow2 (
page 247).
i
The cruise control switches off automatical-
ly if
you step on the brake pedal
you depress the parking brake pedal
In this case the segments in the multifunc-
tion display (
page 252) go out and no
warning sounds
the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)
the ESP
® is in operation or switched off with
the ESP® switch (
page 102)
you move the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving
The segments in the multifunction display
(
page 252) go out, and an acoustic warning
sounds.
!
Moving gear selector lever to positionN
while driving also cancels the cruise control.
However, the gear selector lever should not be
moved to positionN while driving except to
coast when the vehicle is in danger of skidding
(e.g. on icy roads).
i
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will re-
sume the last speed set.
i
When you use the cruise control lever to de-
celerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Page 250 of 514

249 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 247).
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds, and the corresponding speed-
ometer segments from the selected speed
to the vehicle maximum speed are illumi-
nated.
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
during travel on expressways and other
major roads.
If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at a preset
distance.
If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as cruise control (
page 246).
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is no sub-
stitute for active driving involvement. It does
not react to stationary objects, nor recog-
nize or predict the curvature and lane layout
or the movement of vehicles ahead.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to road, traffic and weather con-
ditions and to provide the steering, braking
and other driving inputs necessary to retain
control of the vehicle.Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system, its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. It is not
however, intended to, nor does it, replace
the need for extreme care. The responsibili-
ty for the vehicle speed and the distance to
the vehicle ahead, including most impor-
tantly brake operation to assure safe stop-
ping distance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account.
Page 253 of 514
252 Controls in detailDriving systemsDistronic displays in the speedometer
dial
1Set speed
If Distronic is activated, one or two seg-
ments come on around the set speed.1Segments
If Distronic detects a vehicle directly
ahead, the segments (representing the
difference) from the speed of the vehicle
ahead to the set speed come on.
If Distronic calculates that there is a dan-
ger of collision:
The distance warning lampl in the
instrument cluster comes on red.
An intermittent warning sounds.
Immediately brake the vehicle to avoid
a collision.
Under no circumstances should the
driver await the intermittent warning
sound before braking. See the follow-
ing warning note.
The intermittent warning sound ceases
and the red distance warning
lampl goes out when the neces-
sary distance to the vehicle ahead is
again established.
i
The vehicle speed displayed on the speed-
ometer can briefly vary from the speed setting
on the Distronic system.
Page 254 of 514

253 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic menu in the control system
In the Distronic menu you can read the cur-
rent settings for Distronic. What appears in
the multifunction display depends on
whether Distronic and the distance warn-
ing function are turned on or off.
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see one of the following dis-
plays.
Warning!
G
An intermittent warning sounds and the
distance warning lampl in the instru-
ment cluster is illuminated if the Distronic
system calculates that the distance to the
vehicle ahead and your vehicle’s current
speed indicate that Distronic will not be ca-
pable of slowing the vehicle sufficiently to
maintain the preset following distance,
which creates a danger of a collision.
Immediately brake the vehicle to increase
the distance to the vehicle in front of you.
The warning sound is intended as a final cau-
tion that you have not interceded with your
own braking inputs to avoid a potentially
dangerous situation. Do not wait for the op-
eration of the warning signal to intercede
with your own braking, as that will result in
potentially dangerous emergency braking
which will not always result in an impact be-
ing avoided.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident.
Warning!
G
Distronic brakes your vehicle with a maxi-
mum deceleration of 6.5 ft/s
2 (2 m/s
2).
This corresponds to about 20% of the maxi-
mum deceleration ability of your vehicle.
Distronic brakes the vehicle in an effort to
restore the preset distance or to maintain
the speed.
Page 255 of 514
254 Controls in detailDriving systemsDistronic deactivated
When Distronic is deactivated you will see
the standard display of Distronic in the
multifunction display.
1Vehicle ahead, if detected
2Actual distance to vehicle ahead
3Preset distance threshold to vehicle
ahead
4Your vehicle
5Symbol for activated distance warning
functionDistronic activated
If you turn Distronic on, you will see the set
speed in the multifunction display for
about 5 seconds. When Distronic is
activated, you will see the following display
in the multifunction display.
1Distronic activatedCruise control lever
The Distronic system is operated by means
of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column.
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Deactivate Distronic
4Resume at last set speed