Page 254 of 522
253 Controls in detail
Driving systems
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.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.i
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 de-
vice 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.
i
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 re-
ceived, 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 in any non-approved
way.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.Warning!
G
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account. Only use Distronic if
the road, weather and traffic conditions
make it advisable to travel at a steady
speed.
Page 259 of 522
258 Controls in detailDriving systemsCruise 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 speedActivating Distronic
You can activate Distronic if
you are driving between 20 mph
(30 km/h) and 110 mph (180 km/h)
the ESP
® is activated (
page 100)
If Distronic has not been activated after
pressing the cruise control lever you will
see the message
---
in the multifunction
display.
In the following cases you cannot activate
Distronic
up to 2 minutes after starting the en-
gine
when you brake
if you have set the parking brake
if the gear selector lever is in
positionP, R or N
if the ESP
® is switched offSetting the current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift or depress the cruise control
lever.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
i
If you do not take your foot off the
accelerator completely, the following message
will appear in the multifunction display:
DISTRONIC
overrideThe distance to a slower moving vehicles in front
of you will not be set. Your vehicle speed will
then be determined only by the accelerator ped-
al position.
Page 260 of 522
259 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow1 (
page 258) to in-
crease vehicle speed in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 257), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on in the speedometer
(
page 255).Setting a lower speed
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow2 (
page 258) to de-
crease vehicle speed in increments of
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h).
The new speed is set.
The stored speed is displayed in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds (
page 257), and one or
two segments around the stored speed
come on in the speedometer
(
page 255).Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 258).
i
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate Distronic. After brief acceleration
(e.g. for passing), the cruise control will resume
the last speed set.
i
When you use the cruise control lever to de-
celerate, the brakes will be applied to support
deceleration.
In addition, the transmission will automatically
downshift on long downhill grades.
Page 261 of 522
260 Controls in detailDriving systemsSetting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow4 (
page 258).
Distronic is activated and set to the last
stored speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Deactivating Distronic
There are several ways to deactivate the
Distronic system:
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in di-
rection of arrow3 (
page 258).
or
Step on the brake pedal.
Distronic will be deactivated. The last
speed set will be stored into memory.Distronic deactivates automatically when:
you set the parking brake
you drive slower than 20 mph
(30 km/h)
the ESP
® is active (
page 100) or you
deactivate the ESP
®
you move the gear selector lever into
positionN
A signal will sound. The
DISTRONIC off
message appears in the multifunction
display for approximately 5 seconds.
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.
i
The following message will appear in the
multifunction display for approximately
5seconds:
DISTRONIC offThe last stored speed is deleted when you turn
off the engine.
Warning!
G
Distronic switches off and releases the
brakes when the vehicle decelerates below
the minimum speed of 20 mph (30 km/h)
by operation of the system. At that time the
driver must apply the brakes in order to re-
duce vehicle speed further or bring it to a
stop.
Page 317 of 522
316 OperationDriving instructionsIf you are uncertain about the correct read-
ing of the information given on a tire’s side-
wall, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to assist you.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
i
For information on speed ratings for winter
tires, see “Winter driving” (
page 364).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on tire sidewall, see “Tire speed rating”
(
page 352).
i
For more information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” (
page 365).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Page 383 of 522
382 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP
® warning
lamp flashes while driving.
The ESP
® or traction control has come into
operation because of detected traction loss
in at least one tire.
The cruise control and the Distronic* system
are deactivated.
When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP
®.
Exceptions: (
page 104).
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Page 400 of 522
399 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Cruise control
--- mph(USA only)--- km/h(Canada only)
You have tried to switch on cruise
control below a speed of 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and
save the speed.
DISTRONIC
--- mph(USA only)--- km/h(Canada only)
You have tried to switch on Distronic
below a speed of 20 mph (30 km/h).
Drive faster than 20 mph (30 km/h) and
save the speed.
inoperative
The Distronic* is malfunctioning or
the display is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Page 418 of 522
417 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
•
The cooling fan for the coolant is malfunc-
tioning.
Observe the coolant temperature indicator
in the instrument cluster (
page 27).
If the coolant temperature is under 248°F
(120°C), you may continue driving to an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid placing heavy loads on the engine
(e.g. by driving uphill) as well as
stop-and-go traffic.
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are unable to
relay information to the control system.
The following systems may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Engine
Service
There may be a malfunction in:
the fuel injection system
the ignition system
the exhaust system
Have the engine checked as soon as possi-
ble by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
