
GWarning!
When the ESC OFF warning lamp å is on,
the ESC is switched off.
When the ESC warning lamp ä 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.
XSwitching on: With the engine running,
press ESC switch : briefly.
The ESC OFF warning lamp å in the
instrument cluster goes out. The message
ESC-ON appears in the multifunction
display.
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.
Due to the system characteristics, warnings
could be issued without cause in complex
driving situations.
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 124 mph (200 km/h) automatically
R activate preventative occupant safety
measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) ( Y page 53)GWarning!
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.
GWarning!
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.
Always pay attention to traffic conditions
even while the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is switched
on. Otherwise, you may not be able to
recognize dangerous situations until it is too
late and could cause an accident resulting in
personal or fatal injury to you or others.
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To maintain the proper distance to the vehicle
in front of you and thus prevent a rear-end
collision, you must apply the brakes yourself.XBrake the vehicle immediately to avoid a
collision.
Under no circumstances should the driver
await the intermittent warning sound
before braking. Observe the following
warning note.
The intermittent warning sound ceases and
the distance warning lamp · goes out
when the necessary distance to the vehicle
ahead is again established.
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake can react to stationary
obstacles such as standing or parked vehicles
at road speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h).
GWarning!
If you do not receive visual or acoustic
warning signals, the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may
R not have recognized the collision risk
R have been deactivated
R be malfunctioning
Apply the brakes yourself to avoid a collision.
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake does not always clearly
interpret complex traffic situations. If a visual
and/or acoustic warning is issued in an
uncritical driving situation, or if the vehicle
brakes lightly, you can interrupt the PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake maneuver by pressing down all
the way on the accelerator pedal, using
kickdown, or releasing the brake pedal.
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake maneuver is
terminated immediately when
R you avoid the obstacle by evasive steering
R you drive less than 9 mph (15 km/h)
R an obstacle can no longer be identified
ahead of you
R the system no longer senses the risk of a
collision
i The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake will remain passive
while DISTRONIC PLUS is switched on
( Y page 149).
After a hard collision or damage to the front
of the vehicle from an accident, have the
settings and operation of the radar sensors
checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.XActivating and deactivating: Activate or
deactivate the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake using the
instrument cluster control system
( Y page 137).
After the function has been activated, the
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake indicator Ä appears
in the instrument cluster. When the HOLD
function is switched on, the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake indicator Ä will not appear.
In vehicles with Parking Guidance, the
automatic transmission must be in park
position P for the PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
indicator Ä to be displayed.
The PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is deactivated when
the radar system is switched off. When you
switch off the radar system, the following
functions are deactivated:
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
R BAS PLUS ( Y page 63)
R DISTRONIC PLUS ( Y page 149)
R Blind Spot Assist ( Y page 175)
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
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GWarning!
The Adaptive Highbeam Assist is only an aid
intended to support you while driving. The
driver is and remains responsible for proper
vehicle lighting in accordance with the
prevailing light, sight and traffic conditions.
The system may be impaired or unavailable
when
R visibility is poor, e.g. due to snow, rain, fog,
or heavy spray
R the optical sensor area of the windshield is
dirty, fogged up, or covered by a sticker for
example
The system cannot recognize the following
road users:
R Road users without a lighting system of
their own, e.g. pedestrians
R Road users with dim lighting of their own,
e.g. cyclists
R Road users whose lighting is obstructed,
e.g. road users behind a guardrail
R In some seldom cases, even road users with
a lighting system of their own may be
recognized too late or not at all.
The automatic high-beam headlamps will then
not be deactivated or it will be activated in
spite of preceding or oncoming road users.
This could endanger you and/or others and
cause an accident. Always pay close attention
to the traffic situation and switch off the high
beam manually if necessary.
XActivating: Enable the Adaptive
Highbeam Assist via the control system
( Y page 142).XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
c .XPress the combination switch in direction
of arrow :.
The Adaptive Highbeam Assist
indicator _ in the multifunction display
comes on when switching on the low-beam
headlamps.When driving faster than approximately
34 mph (55 km/h) and no other road users
are recognized, the high-beam headlamps
are switched on automatically. The high-
beam headlamp indicator lamp K in the
instrument cluster comes on additionally.
When driving slower than approximately
28 mph (45 km/h), other road users are
recognized, or the road is illuminated
sufficiently, the high-beam headlamps are
switched off automatically. The indicator
lamp K in the instrument cluster goes
out. The Adaptive Highbeam Assist
indicator _ in the multifunction display
remains on.
Adaptive control of the headlamp leveling
takes place at a speed of approximately
25 mph (40 km/h).XDeactivating: Pull the combination switch
back to its initial position.
The Adaptive Highbeam Assist
indicator _ in the multifunction display
goes out.
High-beam flasher
XSwitching on: Pull the combination switch
briefly in direction of arrow =.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be switched
on at all times, even with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.
The hazard warning flasher comes on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
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The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction in the engine
electronics or in the fuel supply system.
Carry out the following steps:XIf you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey: Turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position 0 and repeat the starting
procedure.XIf you are starting the engine with KEYLESS-
GO: Close any doors that may be open to
allow for better detection of the SmartKey.
or
XRemove the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button from the starter switch.XStart the engine with the SmartKey as radio
signals from another source may be
interfering with the KEYLESS-GO function.XRepeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The engine does not start. You cannot
hear the starter.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
XGet a jump start ( Y page 338).
If the engine will not start despite a jump
start:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The starter has been exposed to excessive
temperatures.
XLet the starter cool for about 2 minutes.XRepeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.Driving offGWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
! Do not run a cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service life
of the engine. This is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
E 63 AMG: At engine temperatures below
68‡ (20†), the engine’s maximum speed
is restricted in order to protect it from
damage. Avoid driving your vehicle at full
speed when the engine is cold to prevent
premature engine wear and/or diminished
comfort.
! If an acoustic warning sounds and the
message Release Parking Brake
appears in the multifunction display when
driving off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
! Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the brakes
reduces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
i Once the vehicle is in motion, the
automatic central locking function engages
and the locking knobs in the doors move
down.
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Shifting procedure
The automatic transmission selects individual
gears automatically, depending onRthe selected gear range (Y page 120)
Rthe selected program mode:
C/S (Y page 120)
or
M (E 63 AMG only) (Y page 122)
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe vehicle speed
With drive position D selected, you can
influence transmission shifting by
Rlimiting the gear range
Rextending the gear range
Rchanging the gears manually (E 63 AMG
only)
E 63 AMG: Double-clutching is active when
downshifting in all program modes. Double-
clutching reduces load-alteration effects and
supports sporty driving. The degree to which
you perceive double-clutching acoustically
varies depending on the selected program
mode.
Transmission positions
The current transmission position appears in
the multifunction display.
All models except E 63 AMG
:Transmission position indicator
E 63 AMG
:Transmission position indicator
If the current transmission position does not
appear in the multifunction display due to a
malfunction, for example, make sure that the
automatic transmission is in the desired
position.
XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D.
XSelect automatic program mode C.XDo not limit the gear range.XDrive off carefully.118Automatic transmissionControls in detail
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Rocking the vehicle
Rocking the vehicle by shifting the automatic
transmission directly between drive position
D and reverse gear R can help free a vehicle
stuck in mud or snow. The engine control
system of this vehicle electronically limits
directly shifting the automatic transmission
between drive position D and reverse gear R
to very low speeds, i.e. approximately 5 mph
(9 km/h). To shift the automatic transmission
directly between drive position D and reverse
gear R, move the gear selector lever up or
down past the resistance point.
Working on the vehicle
GWarning!
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and shift the automatic
transmission into park position P. Otherwise
the vehicle could roll away which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury.
Gear ranges
With the automatic transmission in drive
position D, you can limit or extend the gear
range, see “One-touch gearshifting”
(Y page 121).
The current gear range appears in the
multifunction display.
All models except E 63 AMG
:Gear range indicator The current gear range appears in the
multifunction display.
E 63 AMG
:Gear range indicatorEffect=With this selection you can use the
braking effect of the engine.
5Allows the use of the engine’s
braking effect when driving
Ron steep downgrades
Rin mountainous regions
Runder extreme operating
conditions
4For maximum use of the engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.
Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch on all modelsexcept E 63 AMG
C ComfortFor comfort drivingS SportFor sporty driving120Automatic transmissionControls in detail
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manual program mode M, see “Manual shift
program” (Y page 122).
E 63 AMG: For information on using the
steering wheel gearshift control in manual
program mode M, see “Manual shift program”
(Y page 122).
Steering wheel gearshift control (exampleillustration)
iYou cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift control when the automatic
transmission is in park position P, neutral
position N, or reverse gear R.
Limiting gear range
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
XBriefly pull left gearshift control :.
The automatic transmission will shift into
the next lower gear as permitted by the
shift program. This action simultaneously
limits the gear range of the automatic
transmission.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
downshifting, the automatic transmission
will not shift into a lower gear if the engine’s
maximum speed would be exceeded.
Extending gear rangeXBriefly pull right gearshift control ;.
The automatic transmission will shift into
the next higher gear as permitted by the
shift program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the automatic
transmission.
iIf you press on the accelerator pedal
when the engine has reached the
revolution limit of the current gear range,
the automatic transmission will upshift
beyond any gear range limit selected.
Canceling gear range limit
XPull and hold right gearshift control ; until
the gear range indicator disappears from
the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission will shift from
the current gear range directly into drive
position D.
Shifting into optimal gear range
XPull and hold left gearshift control :.
The automatic transmission will select the
gear range suited for optimal acceleration
and deceleration automatically. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
Manual shift program
The manual shift program is available on
E 63 AMG only.
Manual program mode M differs with regard
to spontaneity, response time, and shifting
smoothness from automatic program modes
S or S+.
In manual program mode M, system-
controlled automatic gearshifting is switched
off. You need to change the gears by manually
upshifting or downshifting using the steering
wheel gearshift control.
122Automatic transmissionControls in detail
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Program mode selector dial on E 63 AMG
C ComfortFor standard drivingS SportFor sporty drivingS+ Sport PlusFor sporty driving with
shorter shift times
M ManualFor manual gearshiftingRS RACE STARTFor optimum
acceleration from a
standing start
iProgram mode RS cannot be selected
while driving. For more information, see
“RACE START (E 63 AMG)” (Y page 159).
The current program mode appears in the
multifunction display (Y page 121).
For information on automatic program mode
(C or S), see “Automatic shift program”
(Y page 120) and “One-touch gearshifting”
(Y page 121).
Activating manual shift program
XTurn the program mode selector dial until
M appears in the multifunction display.
The automatic transmission switches to
manual program mode M. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range is
not limited.
You can change the gears manually with drive
position D selected. You can upshift or
downshift through the gears in succession.
iManual program mode M will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with
manual program mode M selected, the
automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode C when the
engine is restarted.
Upshifting
! In manual program mode M, the
automatic transmission will not upshift,
even if the engine has reached its
overrevving range. Shift up into the next
gear before the engine has reached its
overrevving range. Make absolutely certain
that the engine speed does not reach the
red marking on the tachometer. Otherwise
the engine could be damaged which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
XBriefly pull right gearshift control ;
(Y page 122).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next higher gear.
Upshift indicator
In manual program mode M, upshift
indicator ; in the multifunction display
advises you to upshift before the engine
reaches the overspeed range. Thus you can
drive at the maximum engine speed for each
gear without overrevving the engine.
XShift the automatic transmission from
current gear : into the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be
interrupted to prevent the engine from
overrevving.
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