X
Press the =or; button to select the
Assistance menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Distance display.
X Press the abutton.
The multi-function display shows the Dis-
tronic* or Distronic Plus* distance display.
Activating/deactivating ESP ®G
Risk of accident
If the ÷ warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R Under no circumstances should you deac-
tivate ESP ®
.
R When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
R Adapt your driving style to the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
The vehicle may otherwise begin to skid.
If you drive too fast, ESP ®
cannot reduce the
risk of an accident. ESP ®
cannot override the
laws of physics.
Further information about ESP ®
(Y page 50)
X Start the engine.
X Press the =or; button to select the
Assistance menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
ESP.
X Press the abutton.
X To deactivate: pressaagain.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on. G
Risk of accident
If the å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the engine is running,
ESP ®
is deactivated or is unavailable due to a
malfunction. The risk that your vehicle may
start to skid then increases in certain situa-
tions. Always adapt your driving style to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
X To activate: pressaagain.
The å warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
Activating/deactivating the distance
warning function* This function is only available with Dis-
tronic*.
X
Press the =or; button to select the
Assistance menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Distance warning.
X Press the abutton.
X To activate/deactivate: pressa
again.
Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE ®
Brake* This function is only available with Distronic
Plus*.
X
Press the =or; button to select the
Assistance menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
PRE-SAFE Brake.
X Press the abutton.
X To activate or deactivate: pressa
again.
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is activated, the
multi-function display shows the Äsym-
bol.
Activating/deactivating Blind Spot
Assist* X
Press the =or; button to select the
Assistance menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Blind Spot Assist 224
On-board computerControls
* optional
216_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
bjanott,
Version: 2.11.7.7 2009-02-27T14:54:17+01:00 - Seite 224
Dateiname: 6515230602_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 04. Mar 2009 11:15:54; WK
X
Press the abutton.
X To activate or deactivate: pressa
again. Service menu
In the Service menu you can:
R call up display messages (Y page 316)
R reset the tyre pressure loss warning system
(Y page 299) or check the tyre pressure
electronically* (Y page 300)
R call up the service due date (Y page 307)
R check the engine oil level* (Y page 293)Settings menu
Use the buttons on the multi-function steer-
ing wheel.
In the Settings menu you can:
R switch the daytime driving lights on/off
(Y page 225)
R activate/deactivate the Intelligent Light
System (Y page 225)
R set permanent SPEEDTRONIC
(Y page 245)
R show/hide the additional speedometer
(Y page 226)
R select the units for speed/distance
(Y page 226)
R activate/deactivate the radar sensor sys-
tem* (Y page 226)
Switching the daytime driving lights
on/off If you set the
Daytime driving lamps and
the light switch is set to $orc, the
side lamps, dipped-beam headlamps and
licence plate lighting are switched on auto-
matically when the engine is running. If you
turn the light switch to a different position,
the corresponding lights are switched on. If you switch off the daytime driving lights
while driving at night, make sure that the light
switch is set to
Lorc.
X Press the =or; button to select the
Settings menu.
X Press 9or: to select Daytime
driving lights.
X Press the abutton.
X To activate/deactivate: pressa
again.
Activating/deactivating the Intelligent
Light System Select
Intell. Light System to switch on
or switch off the following functions:
R motorway mode
R active light function
R cornering light function
R extended range foglamps
X Press the =or; button to select the
Settings menu.
X Press 9or: to select Intell.
Light System.
X Press the abutton.
X To activate/deactivate: pressa
again.
Tourist mode
If you drive in countries in which traffic drives
on the opposite side of the road to the country
where the vehicle is registered, oncoming
traffic may be dazzled by the asymmetrical
dipped-beam headlamps.
If tourist mode is activated, the multi-function
display shows the Intell. Light System
Inoperative display message in the
Intell. Light System function. Motorway
mode and the extended range foglamps are
deactivated.
Have tourist mode activated as near to the
border as possible before crossing into these
countries. The headlamps are switched to
symmetrical dipped beam. When symmetri- On-board computer
225Controls
* optional
216_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
bjanott,
Version: 2.11.7.7 2009-02-27T14:54:17+01:00 - Seite 225 Z
Dateiname: 6515230602_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 04. Mar 2009 11:15:54; WK
X
Press the abutton.
X To activate/deactivate: pressa
again. Driving systems
Overview of driving systems
The vehicle's driving systems are described
on the following pages:
R cruise control, Distronic*, Distronic Plus*
and Speedtronic, which are used to control
the speed of the vehicle
R HOLD, which makes pulling away easier,
particularly on steep uphill gradients
R AIRMATIC* and Active Body Control (ABC),
which is used to adjust the vehicle’s sus-
pension system
R 4MATIC* (permanent four-wheel drive), for
optimum traction
R PARKTRONIC and Park Assist*, which
assist you when parking
R reversing camera*, which assists you when
parking
R Night View Assist*, which assists you when
driving in the dark
R Parking Guidance*, which assists you when
looking for a parking space and assists you
when parking
R Blind Spot Assist*, which assists you when
changing lanes
The ABS, BAS, BAS PLUS*, adaptive brake
lights, ESP ®
, EBV, ADAPTIVE BRAKE, distance
warning function* and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake*
driving systems are described in the "Driving
safety systems" section (Y page 48).Cruise control
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1,
2or 3in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly. G
Risk of accident
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic con-
ditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
store any road speed above 30 km/h. G
Risk of accident
Cruise control cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when cruise control is activated.
Cruise control is only an aid designed to assist
driving. You are responsible for the vehicle's
speed and for braking in good time. G
Risk of accident
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed (e.g.
heavy traffic or winding roads). You could
otherwise cause an accident.
R on slippery roads. Braking or accelerating
could cause the drive wheels to lose trac-
tion and the vehicle could then skid.
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
Cruise control lever You can operate cruise control and variable
Speedtronic with the cruise control lever. Driving systems
227Controls
* optional
216_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
bjanott,
Version: 2.11.7.7 2009-02-27T14:54:17+01:00 - Seite 227 Z
Dateiname: 6515230602_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 04. Mar 2009 11:15:54; WK
X
Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you =.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The first time cruise control is activated, it
stores the current speed or regulates the
speed of the vehicle to the previously
stored speed.
Setting a speed X
Press the cruise control lever to the pres-
sure point, up :for a higher speed or
down ?for a lower speed.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For exam-
ple, if you accelerate briefly to overtake,
cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed
to the last speed stored after you have fin-
ished overtaking.
Making fine adjustments in 1 km/h
increments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up :for a higher speed or
down ?for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Making adjustments in 10 km/h incre-
ments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up :for a
higher speed or down ?for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced. Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards B.
or
X Brake.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow A.
Variable Speedtronic is selected. LIM indi-
cator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R you engage the electric parking brake
R you drive at less than 30 km/h
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R you shift the automatic transmission to N
while driving
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear
a warning tone. You will see the Cruise
control off message in the multi-function
display for approximately five seconds.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. Distronic*
i Distronic is only available for certain
countries.
Distronic regulates the speed and automati-
cally maintains the distance to the vehicle in
front. It brakes automatically in order to avoid
exceeding the set speed. On long and steep
downhill gradients, especially if the vehicle is
laden, you must select shift range 1,2or 3in
good time. By doing so, you will make use of
the braking effect of the engine, which
relieves the load on the brake system and
prevents the brakes from overheating and
wearing too quickly. Driving systems
229Controls
* optional
216_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
bjanott,
Version: 2.11.7.7 2009-02-27T14:54:17+01:00 - Seite 229 Z
Dateiname: 6515230602_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 04. Mar 2009 11:15:55; WK
If Distronic detects a risk of collision with a
vehicle in front, an intermittent warning tone
sounds. In addition, the ·distance warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
Brake to avoid a collision.
Cruise control lever You can operate Distronic and variable
Speedtronic with the cruise control lever.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R
LIM indicator lamp off:
Distronic is selected.
R LIM indicator lamp lit:
Variable Speedtronic is selected. :
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
; To adjust the specified distance
= LIM indicator lamp
? To store the current speed or to call up
the last stored speed
A To store the current speed or a lower
speed
B To switch between Distronic and variable
Speedtronic
C To deactivate Distronic
Selecting Distronic X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp =is off.
If it is off, Distronic is already selected. If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow
B.
LIM indicator lamp =in the cruise control
lever goes off. Distronic is selected.
Activating Distronic, storing and main-
taining the current speed If Distronic is not activated after the cruise
control lever is pressed, you will see the mes-
sage
DISTRONIC --- km/h in the multi-func-
tion display.
You can activate Distronic in the following
circumstances:
R about two minutes after the engine is star-
ted
R if you are driving faster than 30 km/h and
slower than 200 km/h
R if not braking
R if your vehicle is not secured by the electric
parking brake
R if ESP ®
is activated
R if the automatic transmission is in position
D
X Accelerate the vehicle to the desired
speed.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
up : or down Ato the pressure point.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Distronic is activated. The vehicle main-
tains the stored speed until the distance to
the vehicle in front becomes too small.
i If you do not fully release the accelerator
pedal, the DISTRONIC Override message
appears in the multi-function display. The
distance to a slower-moving vehicle in front
will then not be governed. You will be driv-
ing at the speed you determine by the posi-
tion of the accelerator pedal. Driving systems
231Controls
216_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
bjanott, Version: 2.11.7.7 2009-02-27T14:54:17+01:00 - Seite 231 Z
Dateiname: 6515230602_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 04. Mar 2009 11:15:56; WK
Distronic displays in the speedometer
When Distronic is activated, triangle
;
shows the stored speed.
i For design reasons, the speed displayed
in the speedometer may differ slightly from
the speed set for Distronic.
If Distronic detects a vehicle in front, the
speedometer dial lights up between speed of
the vehicle in front :and stored speed ;.
Distronic displays in the multi-function
display You can use the
Assistancemenu
(Y page 223) in the on-board computer to
select the distance display and to switch the
Distronic distance warning function off or on.
Display when Distronic is deactivated
X Select the Distance display function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 223).
When Distronic is deactivated, you will see
the following in the multi-function display: :
Symbol for activated distance warning
function
; Vehicle in front, if detected
= Distance indicator, displaying current dis-
tance to the vehicle in front
? Specified minimum distance to the vehi-
cle in front, adjustable
A Own vehicle
Display when Distronic is activated
X Select the Distance display function
using the on-board computer
(Y page 223).
You will see the stored speed for about five
seconds when you activate Distronic. When
Distronic is activated, you will see the follow-
ing in the multi-function display: :
Distronic activated
; Own vehicle
= Specified minimum distance to the vehi-
cle in front, adjustable
? Vehicle in front, if detected Driving sys
tems
233Controls
216_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
bjanott, Version: 2.11.7.7 2009-02-27T14:54:17+01:00 - Seite 233 Z
Dateiname: 6515230602_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 04. Mar 2009 11:15:57; WK
Deactivating Distronic
There are several ways to deactivate Dis-
tronic:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever for-
wards :.
or
X Brake.
or
X Briefly press the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow =.
Variable Speedtronic is selected. LIM indi-
cator lamp ;in the cruise control lever
lights up.
i The last speed stored remains stored until
you switch off the engine.
i Distronic is not deactivated if you depress
the accelerator pedal. If you accelerate
briefly to overtake, Distronic adjusts the
vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
Distronic is automatically deactivated if:
R you engage the electric parking brake
R you are driving at less than 25 km/h
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R you shift the automatic transmission to N
while the vehicle is in motion
If Distronic is deactivated, you will hear a
warning tone. You will see the DISTRONIC
off message in the multi-function display for
approximately five seconds. Tips for driving with Distronic The following contains descriptions of certain
road and traffic conditions in which you must
be particularly attentive. In such situations,
brake if necessary. Distronic is then deacti-
vated.
Cornering, entering and exiting a bend
The ability of Distronic to detect vehicles
when cornering is limited. Your vehicle may
brake unexpectedly or too late.
Vehicles travelling on a different line
Distronic may not detect vehicles travelling
on a different line. The distance to the vehicle
in front will be too short.234
Driving syste
msControls
216_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
bjanott, Version: 2.11.7.7 2009-02-27T14:54:17+01:00 - Seite 234
Dateiname: 6515230602_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 04. Mar 2009 11:15:57; WK
G
Risk of accident
Distronic Plus cannot take account of road
and traffic conditions. If Distronic does not
recognise or no longer recognises the vehicle
in front, do not activate Distronic or, if it is
already active, deactivate it. This is especially
the case:
R before corners
R in filter lanes
R when changing to a lane with faster moving
traffic
R in complex driving situations or where the
lanes are diverted, e.g. at roadworks on a
motorway
Otherwise, Distronic Plus maintains the cur-
rent speed or accelerates up to the set speed.
Distronic Plus cannot take account of weather
conditions. Deactivate, or do not activate,
Distronic Plus:
R if the roads are slippery, snow-covered or
icy. The wheels could lose their grip when
braking or accelerating. The vehicle could
start to skid.
R if the sensors are dirty or there is poor vis-
ibility, e.g. due to snow, rain or fog. Dis-
tance control may be impaired.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even when Distronic Plus is activated. Other-
wise, you may fail to recognise dangers in
time, could cause an accident and injure your-
self and others.
! You must deactivate the radar sensor sys-
tem in certain countries and near radio
telescope facilities. Further information
can be found in the index under "Radar
sensor system".
Vehicles with COMAND and navigation sys-
tem*: you must deactivate the radar sensor
system near radio telescope facilities
(Y page 411). If you want Distronic Plus to assist you, the
radar sensor system must be activated and
operational.
If no car is driving in front of you, Distronic
Plus works like cruise control in the speed
range between 30 km/h and 200 km/h. If a
vehicle is driving in front of you, Distronic Plus
works in the speed range between 0 km/h
and 200 km/h.
Do not use Distronic Plus while driving on
roads with steep gradients.
G
Risk of accident
Distronic Plus brakes your vehicle at a maxi-
mum of 4m/s2
depending on its speed. This
corresponds to approximately 40% of your
vehicle's maximum brake force. You must
also apply the brakes yourself if this braking
power is not sufficient.
If Distronic Plus detects a risk of collision with
a vehicle in front, an intermittent warning tone
sounds. In addition, the ·distance warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
Brake to avoid a collision.
Cruise control lever With the cruise control lever you can operate
Distronic Plus and variable Speedtronic.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R
LIM indicator lamp off:
Distronic Plus is selected.
R LIM indicator lamp lit:
Variable Speedtronic is selected. 236
Driving systemsControls
* optional
216_AKB; 2; 3, en-GB
bjanott,
Version: 2.11.7.7 2009-02-27T14:54:17+01:00 - Seite 236
Dateiname: 6515230602_buchblock.pdf; erzeugt am 04. Mar 2009 11:15:58; WK