Page 235 of 570
234 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
1Temperature control, driver’s side
2Air distribution and air volume
(automatic, manual)
3Air distribution, driver’s side
4Front defroster
0USA only
P Canada only
5Increasing air volume
6Rear window defroster
1 USA only
F Canada only
7Air distribution, passenger side
8Rear automatic climate control
on/off
>USA only
™Canada only
9Temperature control, passenger side
aAutomatic climate control on/off
bAir distribution, passenger side
cAir distribution, passenger side
dAC cooling on/off
Residual heat/ventilation
eDisplay
fDecreasing air volume
gAir recirculation
hAir distribution, driver’s side
jAir distribution, driver’s side
kInterior temperature sensor
lAdopting driver’s side settings for all
zones
Page 236 of 570
235 Controls in detail
3-zone automatic climate control*
The automatic climate control is a 3-zone
intelligent automatic climate control
system. Your vehicle interior is divided
into 3 zones.With the help of a sun sensor, the
automatic climate control determines the
relation of the sun to the vehicle and auto-
matically adjusts the inside temperature
for each individual zone.
The automatic climate control is oper-
ational whenever the engine is running. It
cools the vehicle’s interior according to the
angle and intensity of the sun’s rays, the
outside temperature and the selected tem-
perature. You can operate the automatic
climate control in either the automatic or
manual mode.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air
enters the passenger compartment
through the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/C mode is deactivated
(
page 243).
Warning!G
When operating the automatic climate
control, the air that enters the passenger
compartment through the air vents can be
very hot or very cold (depending on the set
temperature). This may cause burns or frost-
bite to unprotected skin in the immediate
area of the air vents.
Always keep sufficient distance between
unprotected parts of the body and the air
vents. If necessary, use the air distribution
controls (
page 234) to direct the air to air
vents in the vehicle interior that are not in
the immediate area of unprotected skin.
Page 254 of 570
253 Controls in detail
Power windows
Fully opening the door windows
(Express-open)
Press switch1, 2, 3, or6
(
page 251) past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding door window opens
completely.
Fully closing the door windows
(Express-close)
Pull switch1, 2, 3, or6
(
page 251) past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding door window closes
completely.If the upward movement of a door window
is blocked during the closing procedure,
the door window will stop and open
slightly.
Remove the obstruction.
Pull the respective power window
switch past the resistance point again
and release.
Stopping door windows during
Express-operation
Press or pull the respective door
window switch again.Hinged quarter windows*
The switches for opening and closing the
hinged quarter windows are located on the
door control panel of the driver’s door
(
page 36).
1Hinged quarter windows: opening
2Hinged quarter windows: closing
Warning!G
Driver’s door only:
If within 5 seconds switch is again pulled
past the resistance point and released, the
automatic reversal will not function.
iIf the door window still does not close when
there is no obstruction, pull and hold the respec-
tive power window switch. The door window will
then close without the obstruction sensor
function.
Page 255 of 570
254 Controls in detail
Power windows
Opening
Press and release switch 1.
To stop the hinged quarter window:
Press and release switch 1 once
more.
Closing
Press and release switch 2.
To stop the hinged quarter window:
Press and release switch 2 once
more.
Synchronizing the door windows
The door windows must be synchronized
after the battery was disconnected
if the door windows cannot be fully
opened (Express-open) or closed
(Express-close)
Close all doors.
Switch on the ignition (page 39).
Pull and hold door window switch1,
2, 3, or6 (
page 251).
Once a door window is closed
completely, hold the respective switch
for approximately 3 seconds.
The door window is synchronized.
Summer opening feature
If the weather is warm, you can ventilate
the vehicle before driving off by simulta-
neously
opening the door windows
opening the hinged quarter windows*
opening the tilt/sliding sunroof*
(or tilt/sliding panel*)
switching on the seat ventilation* for
the driver’s seat
iWhen the obstruction sensor detects the
hinged quarter window is blocked during the
closing process, it will stop and open slightly.
iEach door window must be synchronized
separately.
Page 272 of 570
271 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Briefly press the cruise control lever
down past the resistance point in
direction of arrow2.
Release the cruise control lever.
The vehicle set speed decreases in
increments of 5 mph
(Canada: 10 km/h).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4 (
page 267).
The cruise control resumes to the last
set speed or, if no speed is stored, it
will set and store the current speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds.
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases the driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
while traveling on expressways and other
major roadways.
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 your
preset following distance.
If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as standard cruise control
(
page 266).
iThe new speed is set and the vehicle will
decelerate. Keep in mind that it may take a brief
moment until the vehicle has reached the set
speed.
Warning!G
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions
permit. Possible acceleration or decelera-
tion differences arising from returning to the
preset speed could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.
Page 274 of 570
273 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic does not act upon adverse sight
and distance conditions. Do not use
Distronic during conditions of fog, heavy
rain, snow or sleet.
Warning!G
Distronic cannot take weather conditions
into account. Switch off Distronic or do not
switch it on if:
roads are slippery or covered with snow
or ice. The wheels could lose traction
while braking or accelerating, and the
vehicle could skid.
the sensor is dirty or visibility is
diminished due to snow, rain or fog, for
example. The distance control system
functionality could be impaired.
Always pay attention to surrounding traffic
conditions even while Distronic is switched
on. Otherwise, you may not be able to recog-
nize dangerous situations until it is too late.
This could cause an accident in which you
and others could be injured.
Warning!G
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
Warning!G
Close attention to road and traffic condi-
tions is imperative at all times, regardless of
whether or not Distronic is activated.
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a
continuous speed.
Distronic will not react to stationary objects
in the roadway (e.g. a stopped vehicle in a
traffic jam or a disabled vehicle). Distronic
will also not respond to oncoming vehicles.
Switch off Distronic:
when changing from the left to the right
lane if vehicles are moving more slowly
in the left lane
when entering a turn lane or highway off
ramp
in complex driving situations, such as in
highway construction zones
In these situations, Distronic will continue to
maintain the set speed unless deactivated.
Distronic is designed and intended only to
maintain a set speed and keep a set dis-
tance from moving objects in front of it.
Page 275 of 570
274 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic displays in the speedometer
dial
1Set speed
If Distronic is activated, one or two cruise
control speed segments come on around
the set speed.1Set speed
2Cruise control speed segments
3Speed of the vehicle ahead
If Distronic detects a vehicle directly
ahead, the cruise control speed
segments2, which represents the differ-
ence from the speed of the preceding
vehicle3 to the driver’s selected set
speed1, appear in the speedometer.iUSA 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.
iCanada 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
received, 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.
iThe vehicle speed displayed on the speed-
ometer can briefly vary from the speed setting
on the Distronic system.
Page 284 of 570
283 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning
system is a dirty sensor (located behind
the hood grille), especially at times of snow
and ice or heavy rain. In such a case,
Distronic will switch off, and the message
DISTRONIC currently unavailable – See
Operator’s Manual
appears in the multi-
function display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sen-
sor, see “Cleaning the Distronic* system
sensor cover” (
page 414).Turns and bends
In turns or bends, Distronic may not detect
a moving vehicle in front, or it may detect
one too soon. This may cause your vehicle
to brake late or unexpectedly.Offset driving
A vehicle traveling in your lane but offset
from your direct line of travel may not be
detected by Distronic. There will be insuffi-
cient distance to the vehicle ahead.
iIf the message DISTRONIC available
again
appears during driving, the dirt (e.g.
slush) has dissolved; Distronic works again, if
you reactivate it (
page 277).
