BAS PLUS uses radar signals that are not
reflected well by narrow objects and
absorptive materials. For this reason BAS
PLUS will not react to persons, animals, and
approaching traffic or cross-traffic.
BAS PLUS may not detect narrow vehicles
driving in front of you, such as motorcycles
and vehicles driving offset from your vehicle
center.
After a hard collision or damage to the front
of the vehicle from an accident, have the
adjustment and operation of the radar
sensors checked
by an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
If BAS PLUS is not available due to a radar
sensor malfunction, the braking system will
continue to function normally with full brake
boost and full standard BAS function. Adaptive Brake
Adaptive Brake provides a high level of
braking safety as well as increased braking
comfort. Adaptive Brake takes driver and
vehicle characteristics into consideration,
thus achieving an optimal braking effect.
In addiditon, Adaptive Brake provides the
HOLD function
(Y page 316) and the hill-start
assist system ( Y page 315).
For more information on the brake system,
see ( Y page 398). Adaptive Brake Lights
i This function is only available for the
CL 600 (USA only).
The brake lamps flash in quick intervals
R while you are braking hard at a speed of
more than 30 mph (50 km/h)
R when you are braking with the aid of BAS
R when you are braking with the aid of BAS
PLUS.
This helps to alert drivers behind you. If you bring the car to a complete stop by hard
braking at a speed of more than 40 mph
(70
km/h),
the hazard warning flasher comes
on automatically as soon as the vehicle is at
a standstill. While the vehicle is stationary,
the brake lamps are continuously lit up. Once
you drive faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
afterward, the hazard warning flasher goes
out. EBP
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 56.
The Electronic Brake Proportioning (EBP)
enhances braking effectiveness by allowing
the rear
brakes to supply a greater proportion
of the braking effort in straight-line braking
without a loss of vehicle stability. G
Warning!
If the EBP malfunctions, the brake system will
still function with full brake boost. However,
the rear wheels could lock up during
emergency braking situations, for example.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident.
Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics. ESC
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 56.
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
operational as
soon as the engine is running.
It monitors the vehicle’s traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESC recognizes that the vehicle deviates
from the direction of travel as intended by the
driver. By applying brakes to individual
wheels and by limiting the engine output, the
ESC works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESC is
especially useful while driving off and on wet
or slippery road surfaces. The ESC also
stabilizes the vehicle during braking and
steering maneuvers. Driving safety systems
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The ESC warning lamp
÷ in the instrument
cluster comes on when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is
running. G
Warning!
Never switch off the ESC when you see the
ESC warning lamp ÷ flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed as
follows:
R When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. The ESC cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
! Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Because the ESC operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0
or 1
) when the electronic parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESC operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0 or
1 or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position 0 or 1) when the electronic parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer or when the vehicle is being
towed with one axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! The ESC will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size
as specified
in the “Technical data” section
of this Operator’s Manual.
i The DISTRONIC PLUS and cruise control
switch off automatically when the ESC
engages.
Electronic Traction System
(ETS/4-ETS) G
Observe Safety notes, see page 56.
The ETS (Electronic Traction System) and
4-ETS (four-wheel Electronic Traction
System, vehicles with 4MATIC only) are
components of the ESC. The
ETS/4-ETS
improves the vehicle’s ability to utilize
available traction, especially under slippery
road conditions by applying the brakes to a
spinning wheel. Vehicles with 4MATIC also
transfer more power to the wheel(s) with
traction.
When you switch off the ESC, the
ETS/4-ETS is still enabled.
Switching off the ESC Switching off the ESC (except CL 63 AMG)
G
Warning!
The ESC should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the
circumstances described below. Disabling
the system will reduce vehicle stability in
driving maneuvers.
Do not
switch off the ESC when a spare wheel
is mounted. 60
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To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESC. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
R
when driving with snow chains
R in deep snow
R in sand or gravel G
Warning!
Switch on the ESC immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise
the ESC will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.
When you switch off the ESC,
R the ESC does not stabilize the vehicle
R the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
R the ETS/4-ETS will still apply the brakes to
a spinning wheel
R the ESC continues to operate when you are
braking
R the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
cannot be activated
R the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
switch off if activated
i When the ESC is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESC
warning lamp ÷ in the instrument
cluster flashes. However, the ESC will then
not stabilize the vehicle.
X With the engine running, switch off the ESC
via the control system (Y page 212). G
Warning!
When the ESC OFF warning lamp å is on,
the ESC is switched off.
When the ESC warning lamp ÷ and the
ESC OFF warning lamp å are on continuously, the ESC is not operational due
to a malfunction.
When the ESC is switched off or not
operational, vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt
your
speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESC.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESC switched off.
This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Switching off the ESC (CL 63 AMG only) G
Warning!
The ESC should not be switched off during
normal driving.
Disabling of the system will result in the
following:
R no restriction to engine torque
R loss of system-supported traction control
“ESC OFF” is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires
a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off the ESC.
Do not switch off the ESC when a spare wheel
is mounted.
When you switch off the ESC,
R the ESC does not stabilize the vehicle
R the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin
R the ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
R the ESC operates while you are braking Driving safety systems
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R
the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
cannot be activated
R the cruise control or the DISTRONIC PLUS
switch off if activated
i When the ESC is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ESC
warning lamp ÷ in the instrument
cluster flashes.
However, the ESC will then
not stabilize the vehicle.
X With the engine running, switch off the ESC
via the control system (Y page 212). G
Warning!
When the ESC OFF warning lamp å is on,
the ESC is switched off.
When the ESC warning lamp ÷ and the
ESC OFF warning lamp å are on
continuously, the ESC is not operational due
to a malfunction.
When the ESC is switched off or not
operational, vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers is reduced.
Adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESC.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESC switched off.
This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Switching on the ESC X
Switch on the ESC via the control system
(Y page 212). PRE-SAFE
®
Brake
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is available in vehicles
equipped with DISTRONIC PLUS. The PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake
can assist you in minimizing the
risk of a rear-end collision with a vehicle in
front of you. The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also
reduce the severity of an accident. At speeds above approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) it will
issue a warning when your vehicle is
approaching the preceding vehicle very
quickly. An intermittent acoustic warning
sounds and the distance warning lamp
·
in the instrument cluster comes on.
When the driver and front passenger have
fastened their seat belts, the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can also
R brake the vehicle within a speed range of
up to 112 mph (180 km/h ) automatically
R activate preventative occupant safety
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) ( Y
page 49) G
Warning!
An intermittent warning sounds and the
distance warning
lamp · in the instrument
cluster is illuminated if the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
calculates that the distance to the vehicle
ahead and your vehicle’s current speed
indicate that the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will not be
capable of slowing the vehicle sufficiently to
maintain the preset following distance, which
creates a danger of a collision.
Immediately brake your vehicle to increase
the distance between your vehicle and the
vehicle driving in front of you. The warning
sound is intended as a final caution that you
have not interceded with your own braking
inputs to avoid a potentially dangerous
situation. Do not wait for the operation 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 being avoided.
Tailgating increases the risk of an accident. G
Warning!
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is a convenience
system designed to assist the driver during
vehicle operation. The responsibility for the
vehicle speed
and the distance to the vehicle
ahead, including most importantly brake
operation to assure safe stopping distance,
always remains with the driver. 62
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The currently selected main function is
highlighted.
Once you have selected a main function, main
area
= is active.
i The layout of the menus may vary
depending on your vehicle’s equipment.
This manual shows the menus for a fully
equipped vehicle.
Adjusting COMAND display illumination X
Increasing the illumination: Turn
knob : clockwise.
X Dimming the illumination: Turn knob :
counterclockwise.
Swiveling COMAND display With button
: or ; you can swivel the
COMAND display to the left or right. Instrument cluster multifunction
display This section describes features and controls
via the COMAND controller, display and
shortcut buttons only.
Related COMAND features are described in
the “Instrument cluster control system”
section (
Y page 201). It contains function
descriptions and operation of the instrument
cluster multifunction display and the
multifunction steering wheel buttons.
Telephone keypad X
Flip up cover ;.
With telephone keypad : you can
R enter and clear numbers and special
characters
R reject, answer, connect and end calls
(Y page 135)
R select preset radio stations and enter the
frequency manually ( Y page 155)
R select preset satellite radio stations and
enter the channel number (Y page 161)
R select a storage medium from the DVD
changer (Y page 170)
R select a track directly in CD mode, DVD
audio mode or MP3 mode (Y page 170), or
from a device connected to the media
interface (Y page 187) 70
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X
Switching to the next higher menu:
Press back button % briefly.
COMAND switches to the next higher menu
level within the currently active operating
mode.
X Switching to the main menu: Press and
hold back button %.
COMAND switches to the main menu of the
currently active operating mode. Basic functions
i The components and operating principles
of COMAND can be found on ( Y page 68).
Sound X
Muting: Press button 8 on the
multifunction steering wheel
(Y page 202).
The sound of the current audio source is
switched on or is muted.
i When the sound is muted, symbol 8
appears in the status line. When you
change the audio source, the sound is
switched on automatically. Navigation
announcements will be audible even when
the sound is muted.
Switching navigation announcements off
X Press button 8 on the multifunction
steering wheel during an announcement.
i The announcements remain switched off
even when you start a new route guidance
or switch COMAND off/on with the u
button. When you switch COMAND off by
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch and then switch the ignition back on
after more than 3 minutes, the
announcements are switched back on
automatically.
X Switching navigation announcements
back on manually: Select Navi Q RPT
(Y page 122). Adjusting volume
X
Adjusting: Turn thumbwheel H.
or
X Press button W or X on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Volume of navigation announcements
You can adjust the volume of navigation
announcements independently of the
respective audio source volume.
During a navigation announcement:
X Turn thumbwheel H.
or
X Press button W or X on the
multifunction steering wheel.
You can recall a navigation announcement
manually.
X Select Navi Q RPT.
Adjusting volume for telephone calls
In hands-free mode, you can adjust the
volume of a telephone call while the call is
active.
During a telephone call:
X Turn thumbwheel H.
or
X Press button W or X on the
multifunction steering wheel. 76
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Off-road and off-map
Route guidance to an off-road
destination G
Warning!
The COMAND navigation system may direct
you to off-road routes that your vehicle may
not be capable of traversing through without
damaging your tires, wheels or vehicle. It is
the driver’s sole responsibility to determine
the suitability of the route. Off-road routes
may be of varying conditions and their
appropriateness for use may be affected by
various factors such as time of day, time of
year and immediate weather conditions that
cannot be judged or taken into consideration
by the COMAND system.
COMAND can guide you to destinations
within the area covered by the digital map,
even if a destination is not located at a road
known to the system.
These destinations are shown as off-road
destinations, which you can enter using the
map, for example. In these cases, COMAND
guides you for as long as possible with
navigation announcements and displays on
roads known to the system.
Shortly before you reach the last known the
point to leave the digitized road network, you
will hear the announcement The
destination is nearby. Follow the
arrow on the display.
You will then see an arrow that indicates the
direction to the off-road destination. When
the off-road destination is close to the road,
Area of dest. reached appears in addition
below the arrow.
The section of the route from the last known
point on the map to the off-road destination
is indicated with a dashed line after a certain
length. It simply shows the direction to the
off-road destination without taking account of
any type of obstacles in the way. :
Current vehicle position; the triangle
indicates the vehicle’s direction of travel
; Off-road section of the route
= Off-road destination
? Direction arrow, shows compass heading
to destination
On the off-road section of the route, direction
arrows showing the compass heading to the
destination guide you. You will also see the
Direction to destination display.
Route guidance from an off-road
location to a destination If there is no road available on map at current
position of the car, vehicle is off road.
COMAND is also able to guide you to a
destination from such a location.
At the start of the route guidance, you will see
the
Off Road message and a direction arrow.
The direction arrow shows the compass
heading to the actual destination.
The route is highlighted blue from the nearest
road known to the system.
As soon as the vehicle is back on a road
known to the system, route guidance
continues in the usual way.
Off-road during route guidance The road geometry may differ from the data
on the digital map, due to road construction,
for example.
In such cases, the system cannot allocate the
vehicle position to the digital map and the
vehicle is therefore in an off-road position.COMAND navigation system (route guidance)
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Using the Bluetooth
®
interface COMAND provides telephony via the
Bluetooth
®
interface by connecting a
Bluetooth ®
-compatible mobile phone. The
following functions can be used when a
suitable mobile phone is connected to the
Bluetooth ®
interface:
R Hands-free phone operation
R Phone book
R Reception of electronic business cards
(vCards 4
)
i For
further
information on suitable mobile
phones and connecting Bluetooth ®
-
enabled mobile phones to COMAND
R visit www.mbusa-mobile.com
R call the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) (in the USA)
R call Customer Service at
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
Calls disconnected while the vehicle is
in motion A call may be disconnected if
R
there is insufficient network coverage
R you move from one transmitter/receiver
area (cell)
into another and no channels are
free or the cell is full
Operating options i
The components
and operating principles
of COMAND can be found on ( Y page 68).
You can operate the mobile phone using the
following:
R the keys on the mobile phone
R the COMAND telephone keypad in the
center console R
the COMAND controller
R the multifunction steering wheel
R the Voice Control System (Y page 217)
Unless otherwise specified, the descriptions
and illustrations in this section apply to
COMAND or the telephone keypad in the
center console. Thus, in order to use the
described functions you always have to call
up the Telephone menu. The fastest way to
get to the Telephone menu is pressing
shortcut button S.
You can
control other functions of the mobile
phone via the COMAND, instrument cluster
control system (Y page 211) or Voice Control
System (Y page 217).
Caller ID COMAND can display the telephone number
and the name of the caller, e.g. for an
incoming call and also in other menus or
displays.
For the telephone number to be displayed,
the caller must transmit his telephone
number.
This is also the case for name displays. For
this, the telephone number and the name of
the caller must also be saved in the mobile
phone book.
Functional restrictions
You will not be able to use the telephone, or
you
may
have to wait a while, in the following
situations:
R If the Bluetooth function in COMAND or
on the mobile phone is switched off.
R If the telephone has not yet logged into the
network.
The telephone tries to log into a network
automatically. If no network is available,
you will also not be able to make a “911”
emergency call. If you attempt to make an
4 vCards are electronic business cards used by e-mail applications, mobile phones, PDAs, etc. to exchange
contact information. 136
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