Page 249 of 421

X
Rapidly continue to depress the brake until
HOLD :appears in the instrument cluster.
HOLD is activated. You can release the
brake pedal.
i You cannot activate HOLD when Distronic
Plus* is activated.
i The brake pedal does not return com-
pletely to the rest position while HOLD is
activated.
i If HOLD is not activated when you
depress the brake pedal, wait for a short
time and then try again. G
Risk of accident
The vehicle's brakes are applied when HOLD
is activated. For this reason, deactivate HOLD
if the vehicle is to be set in motion by other
means (e.g. in a car wash or by towing).
Deactivating HOLD HOLD is deactivated if:
R
you depress the accelerator pedal with the
transmission in position Dor R.
R you shift the automatic transmission to P.
R you release the brakes fully and apply them
again with a certain amount of pressure
until HOLD goes out in the instrument clus-
ter.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate Distronic Plus*.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake. G
Risk of accident
Never get out of the vehicle when HOLD is
activated.
HOLD must never be operated or deactivated
by a passenger or from outside the vehicle. HOLD does not replace the electric parking
brake and must not be used for parking.
The HOLD braking effect is cancelled and the
vehicle can start moving if:
R HOLD is deactivated by depressing the
accelerator pedal or the brake pedal.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g. bat-
tery failure.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with.
R the battery is disconnected. G
Risk of accident
If you wish to leave the vehicle or park it,
deactivate HOLD and secure the vehicle
against rolling away. AIRMATIC*
Vehicle level Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to reduce petrol consumption and
improve driving safety.
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can
be set.
Depending on the vehicle height that has
been set, the vehicle automatically adjusts its
height dependent on the current speed. The
vehicle is lowered by up to 10 mm as the
speed increases. As the speed is reduced, the
vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height.
Setting the vehicle level manually
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel housing or under the vehicle while low-
ering the vehicle when it is stationary. Other-
wise, limbs could become trapped. 246
Driving sys
temsControls
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Page 250 of 421

X
To select raised level: start the engine.
If indicator lamp ;is not lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
The Vehicle rising message appears in
the multi-function display.
X To select the standard level: start the
engine.
If indicator lamp ;is lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
i The "Raised level" setting is cancelled at
vehicle speeds above 120 km/h or if the
speed has been between 80 km/h and
120 km/h for more than approximately
three minutes. If you do not drive within this
speed range, the raised level remains
stored, even when the key is removed from
the ignition lock.
Suspension tuning The Adaptive Damping System (ADS) auto-
matically controls the calibration of the
dampers and springs. The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R
your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or com-
fort
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in sports mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e. g. on winding country roads.
X If indicator lamp ;
; is off: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The AIRMATIC SPORT message appears in
the multi-function display.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. motorways.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is on: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style. Driving systems
247Controls
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Page 251 of 421

The
AIRMATIC COMFORT message appears
in the multi-function display. Active Body Control (ABC)
Vehicle level Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to reduce petrol consumption and
improve driving safety.
Depending on the vehicle height that has
been set, the vehicle automatically adjusts its
height dependent on the current speed. The
vehicle is lowered by up to 10 mm as the
speed increases. As the speed is reduced, the
vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height. G
Risk of injury
The vehicle is lowered when the engine is
switched off. Therefore, make sure that
nobody is in the vicinity of the wheel housing
or under the vehicle when you switch off the
engine. Otherwise, limbs could become trap-
ped.
! The vehicle is lowered by about 5 mm
when the engine is switched off. When
parking, make sure that you stop your vehi-
cle so that it does not make contact with
the kerb as it is lowered. Otherwise, the
vehicle could be damaged.
Setting the vehicle level manually
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel housing or under the vehicle while low-
ering the vehicle when it is stationary. Other-
wise, limbs could become trapped. X
To select the raised level: start the
engine.
If indicator lamp ;is not lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
X To select the standard level: start the
engine.
If indicator lamp ;is lit:
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
i The vehicle level setting remains saved
when the vehicle is restarted.
Suspension tuning The electronically controlled ABC chassis sys-
tem is permanently active. This improves driv-
ing safety and ride comfort.
The tuning of the ABC chassis system is con-
trolled at each wheel individually.
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection, i.e. sports or com-
fort
R the vehicle load
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. 248
Driving systemsControls
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Page 252 of 421

Sports tuning
The firmer suspension tuning in sports mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you prefer firm suspension
tuning.
X
If indicator lamp ;
; is off: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The ABC Active Body Control SPORT
message appears in the multi-function dis-
play.
Comfort tuning
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer comfortable handling.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is on: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
The ABC Active Body Control COM‐
FORT message appears in the multi-func-
tion display. 4MATIC* (permanent four-wheel
drive)
4MATIC ensures that all four wheels are per-
manently driven. Together with ESP ®
, it
improves the traction of your vehicle when- ever a drive wheel spins due to insufficient
grip. G
Risk of accident
4MATIC cannot reduce the risk of an accident
if you drive too fast.
If a drive wheel spins due to insufficient grip:
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R accelerate less when driving.
R adapt your driving style to suit road and
traffic conditions.
i In wintry driving conditions, the maximum
effect of 4MATIC can only be achieved if
you use winter tyres (M+S tyres), with snow
chains if necessary. PARKTRONIC
G
Risk of accident
PARKTRONIC is only an aid and may not
detect all obstacles. It does not relieve you of
the responsibility of paying attention.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your imme-
diate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring. You could otherwise endanger
yourself and others. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured.
PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasound. It assists you when parking by
displaying the distance between your vehicle
and an obstacle. It also emits a warning tone
when you approach an obstacle.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you switch on the ignition, release the electric
parking brake or start the engine and shift the
automatic transmission to D,Ror N. Driving systems
249Controls
* optional
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Page 253 of 421

PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. PARKTRONIC is reactivated at
lower speeds. PARKTRONIC is deactivated
when you shift the automatic transmission to
P or engage the electric parking brake and
switch off the engine.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper. :
Example: sensors in the front bumper,
left-hand side
Range of the sensors The sensors must be free of dirt, ice and
slush; otherwise, they may not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them. Side view Top view
Front sensors
Centre Approximately 100 cm
Corners Approximately 60 cm
Rear sensors
Centre Approximately 120 cm
Corners Approximately 80 cm
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer towbars. PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when
they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or
the objects.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brake
system or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
Minimum distance Centre Approximately 20 cm
Corners Approximately 20 cm
If there is an obstacle within this range, all
warning displays light up and a tone sounds.
If the distance falls below the minimum clear-
ance, it may no longer be shown.250
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Page 254 of 421

Warning displays
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is in the
instrument cluster. The warning display for
the rear area is located on the roof lining in
the rear compartment.
Warning display for front area
:
Left-hand side of the vehicle
; Right-hand side of the vehicle
= Operational readiness symbols
The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red seg-
ments. PARKTRONIC is operational if the yel-
low operational readiness symbols =light
up.
The automatic transmission position deter-
mines which warning display is active when
the engine is running: Automatic trans-
mission position Warning display
D
Front area activated
R
Rear and front areas
activated
N
If electric parking
brake is engaged:
none
If electric parking
brake is released:
rear and front areas
are activated
P
No areas activated One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance to the obstacle. When the
first red segment lights up, you hear an inter-
mittent warning for about two seconds. From
the second red segment, you hear a continu-
ous warning. You have reached the minimum
distance.
Activating/deactivating PARKTRONIC
:
To deactivate/activate PARKTRONIC
; Indicator lamp
PARKTRONIC is deactivated if indicator
lamp ;is lit. Park Assist*
G
Risk of accident
Park Assist is only an aid and may not detect
all obstacles. Park Assist may not be able to
detect objects in corners or on smooth surfa-
ces. Park Assist does not relieve you of the
responsibility to pay attention.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your imme-
diate surroundings when parking and
manoeuvring. Otherwise, you could endanger
yourself and others. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the manoeuvring range. Otherwise, they
could be injured. Driving systems
251Controls
* optional
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Page 255 of 421

!
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*: the radar sensor system is automati-
cally deactivated near radio telescope facili-
ties (Y page 411).
If you want Park Assist to assist you, the radar
sensor system must be activated and opera-
tional.
Park Assist is an electronic parking aid with
radar sensors. It assists you when parking by
displaying the distance between your vehicle
and an obstacle, and by emitting a warning
tone when you approach an obstacle.
Park Assist is automatically activated when
you shift the automatic transmission to D,R
or Nwhile the engine is running.
Park Assist is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
Park Assist is also deactivated when you shift
the automatic transmission to Por switch off
the engine.
Park Assist is deactivated when the transmis-
sion is in position Nif you use the electric
parking brake to secure the vehicle.
Park Assist monitors the area around your
vehicle using four sensors in the front bumper
and two sensors in the rear bumper.
Range of the sensors Side view Top view
i
As the sensors have a wide detection
range, Park Assist may detect and warn you
about the following obstacles:
R Obstacles on the ground, such as man-
hole covers, rails, holes in the road or
drains
R Obstacles that move upwards quickly,
such as roller doors
Front sensors Display range
Centre Approximately 100 cm
Corners Approximately 60 cm
Rear sensors
Display range
Centre Approximately 125 cm
Corners Approximately 60 cm
!
Pay particular attention to objects above
or below the sensors when parking, such
as low walls around flower beds, high cross-
bars or trailer towbars. Park Assist does not
detect such objects when they are in the
immediate vicinity of the vehicle. You could
damage the vehicle or the objects.
i The Park Assist sensors are built into the
front and rear bumpers. Make sure that the
bumpers are free from dirt, ice or slush in 252
Driving systemsControls
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Page 256 of 421

the area around the sensors, as Park Assist
may not work properly otherwise.
Warning displays The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is in the
instrument cluster. The warning display for
the rear area is in the roof trim at the rear. Front area warning display
1
Left-hand side of the vehicle
2 Right-hand side of the vehicle
3 Operational readiness symbols
The warning display for each side of the vehi-
cle is divided into five yellow and two red seg-
ments. Park Assist is operational when yellow
operational readiness symbols 3light up.
The automatic transmission position deter-
mines which warning display is active: Automatic
transmis-
sion position Display range
D
Front area warning display
activated
R
Front and rear areas acti-
vated
N
If electric parking brake is
engaged: none
If electric parking brake is
released: front and rear
areas are activated P
No areas activated One or more segments light up as the vehicle
approaches an obstacle, depending on the
vehicle's distance to the obstacle. When the
first red segment lights up, you hear an inter-
mittent warning for about two seconds. From
the second red segment, you hear a continu-
ous warning. You have reached the minimum
distance.
i
In heavy rain, the warning displays and
tones can be triggered by, for example,
water running past the sensors.
Collision warning Park Assist detects obstacles from some dis-
tance. If you reverse towards an obstacle you
will hear a warning tone. You must brake to
avoid a collision. The collision warning tone
does not sound if you are very close to the
obstacle. Instead, you will hear the corre-
sponding warning tone for the rear area warn-
ing indicator.
i In heavy rain, the collision warning can be
triggered by, for example, water running
past the sensors.
Deactivating and activating X
Press button 1.
Park Assist is deactivated if indicator lamp
2 is lit. Driving systems
253Controls
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