Ryou shift the automatic transmission into
park position P, reverse gear R, or neutral
position N while driving
Rthe radar sensors are switched off
Ryou pull the DISTRONIC PLUS lever in
direction of arrow ? (Y page 153) for
driving off and the passenger door is open
The segments indicating the set speed in the
multifunction display go out, an acoustic
signal sounds, and the message DISTRONIC
PLUS Off appears in the multifunction
display for approximately 5 seconds.
GWarning!
The DISTRONIC PLUS switches off and
releases the brakes when the vehicle
decelerates below the minimum speed of
20 mph (30 km/h) by operation of the system
unless the DISTRONIC PLUS detects a vehicle
directly ahead of you. At that time the driver
must apply the brakes in order to reduce
vehicle speed further or bring it to a stop.
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the DISTRONIC PLUS. After a brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the
DISTRONIC PLUS will resume the last set
speed.
Setting the following distance in
DISTRONIC PLUS
You can set the specified following distance
for the DISTRONIC PLUS by varying the time
setting between 1.0 and 2.0 seconds. Using
this time setting and the current speed of
your vehicle, the DISTRONIC PLUS calculates
and sets the required following distance to
the preceding vehicle.
The set distance will be shown in the
multifunction display.
GWarning!
It is up to the driver to exercise discretion to
select the appropriate setting given road
conditions, traffic, driver’s preferred driving
style and applicable laws and driving
recommendations for safe following distance.
XIncreasing distance: Turn distance
setting switch : in direction of arrow ;.
Increasing the distance setting tells the
DISTRONIC PLUS to maintain a greater
following distance to the preceding vehicle.
XDecreasing distance: Turn distance
setting switch : in direction of arrow =.
Decreasing the distance setting tells the
DISTRONIC PLUS to maintain a shorter
following distance to the preceding vehicle.
Driving with DISTRONIC PLUS
This section describes a number of driving
situations where special precaution is
required on the part of the driver. Be prepared
to brake in such situations. Braking will
deactivate the DISTRONIC PLUS system.
GWarning!
The DISTRONIC PLUS works to maintain the
speed selected by the driver unless a moving
obstacle proceeding directly ahead of it in the
same travel direction is detected (e.g.
following another vehicle ahead of you at your
set distance).
This means that:
RYour vehicle can pass another vehicle after
you have changed lanes.
RWhile in a sharp turn or if the preceding
vehicle is in a sharp turn, the DISTRONIC
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Rthe vehicle is standing still and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot)
R the automatic transmission is in drive
position D
Activating RACE STARTXDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.XTurn the program mode selector dial
clockwise ( Y page 121) until the RS lamp
on the dial comes on.
The message RACE START Confirm:
Paddle UP Cancel: Paddle DOWN
appears in the multifunction display.
i When the activation conditions are not
fulfilled anymore, RACE START is canceled.
The message RACE START Canceled
appears in the multifunction display.
XTo cancel: Pull left steering wheel gearshift
control ( Y page 122).
or
XTo confirm: Pull right steering wheel
gearshift control ( Y page 122).
The message RACE START Available
Depress gas pedal. appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal within 2 seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The message RACE START Not
Possible See Operator’s Manual
appears in the multifunction display.
XDepress the accelerator pedal fully.
The engine speed rises to approximately
4000 rpm.
The message RACE START Release
brake to start appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within 7 seconds, RACE START is canceled.
The message RACE START Canceled
appears in the multifunction display.XTake your foot off the brake pedal while
keeping the accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The message RACE START Active appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START deactivates at a vehicle speed
of approximately 30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h). The automatic
transmission switches to program mode S+.
ESC SPORT remains switched on.
RACE START is canceled immediately if you
release the accelerator pedal while RACE
START is active or when the activation
conditions are not fulfilled anymore. The
message RACE START Not Possible See
Operator’s Manual appears in the
multifunction display.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly in a
short period of time, it is only available
again after having driven the vehicle a
certain distance.
Hill-start assist system
On uphill grades, the hill-start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake system
for approximately 1 second after you have
released the brake pedal. Therefore, you can
start off smoothly without the vehicle moving
immediately after releasing the brake pedal.
GWarning!
The hill-start assist system is not designed to
function as a parking brake. It does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when parked
on an incline.
Always engage the parking brake in addition
to shifting the automatic transmission into
park position P.
XDepress the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
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XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The hill-start assist system is inactive
R when starting off on a level road or downhill
grades
R with the automatic transmission in neutral
position N
R with the parking brake engaged
R if the ESC has switched off due to a
malfunction
All-wheel drive (4MATIC)
In vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MATIC),
both axles are powered at all times when the
vehicle is being operated. The 4MATIC
improves traction in conjunction with the ESC
( Y page 65) and the Electronic Traction
System (ETS/4-ETS) ( Y page 65).
GWarning!
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
R While 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 4MATIC cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
! Do not tow with one axle raised. Doing so
could damage the transfer case, which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. All wheels must be on or off the
ground. Observe instructions for towing the
vehicle with all wheels on the ground.
! Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system and/or the transfer case which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
i In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the 4MATIC is only
achieved with winter tires ( Y page 252) or
snow chains as required.
HOLD function
The HOLD function can assist you
R when driving off, especially on steep slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
Upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the
braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function is deactivated.
Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function when
R the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running
R your seat belt is fastened or the driver’s
door is closed
R the parking brake is released
R the hood is closed
R the automatic transmission is in neutral
position N, drive position D, or reverse gear
R
R the DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated
( Y page 156)
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Activating HOLD XMake sure the activation conditions are
met.
XDepress the brake pedal.XContinue to depress the brake pedal with
increased pedal pressure until the message
HOLD appears in the multifunction display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
now release the brake pedal.
Example illustration, HOLD function activated
iIf the HOLD function is not activated when
depressing the brake pedal, wait briefly and
repeat the above steps.
GWarning!
The vehicle’s brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. Therefore,
deactivate the HOLD function, for example,
when the vehicle is pulled through an
automatic car wash or being towed.
Deactivating HOLD
The HOLD function is switched off when
Ryou depress the accelerator pedal with the
automatic transmission in drive position D
or reverse gear R
Ryou shift the automatic transmission into
park position P
Ryou depress the brake pedal fully again
until the message HOLD in the multifunction
display disappears
Ryou activate the DISTRONIC PLUS
GWarning!
The braking effect of the HOLD function is
canceled and the vehicle can start to roll if
Rthe HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator pedal or the
brake pedal
Rthe HOLD function or the power supply is
malfunctioning, e.g. due to battery failure
Rthe electrical components in the engine
compartment or the fuses have been
manipulated
Rthe battery is disconnected
GWarning!
Never get out of the vehicle while the HOLD
function is activated!
The HOLD function must never be operated
or deactivated by passengers or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the
parking brake. It must not be used to secure
the vehicle when parking.
Deactivate the HOLD function when leaving
or parking the vehicle. Use the parking brake
to secure the vehicle.
When the HOLD function is activated, the
automatic transmission shifts into park
position P automatically when
Ropening the driver’s door and releasing the
seat belt
Rturning off the engine
Ropening the hood
Ra system malfunction occurs
Rthe on-board voltage is insufficient
The HOLD function is deactivated.
AIRMATIC (E 550 and E 550 4MATIC)
Introduction
The AIRMATIC lets you select the chassis and
suspension setup. The chassis and
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indicates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle visually and audibly.
The Parktronic system is activated
automatically when
Ryou switch on the ignition
and
Ryou release the parking brake
and
Rthe automatic transmission is in drive
position D, reverse gear R, or neutral
position N
The Parktronic system deactivates at speeds
above approximately 11 mph (18 km/h). At
lower speeds, the Parktronic system
activates again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates when
you shift the automatic transmission into
park position P or engage the parking brake.
The Parktronic system monitors the
surroundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
Example illustration, sensors in the front bumper
To function properly, sensors : must be free
of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean
sensors : regularly. Be careful not to
scratch or damage sensors :, see “Cleaning
the driving systems sensors” (Y page 263).
GWarning!
The Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the need
for extreme care. The responsibility during
parking and other critical maneuvers always
remains with the driver.
GWarning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
! Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts,
elevated crossbars or road curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system
and can damage the vehicle.
During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below
the height of the sensors (e.g. street curbs,
painted posts, or trailer hitches etc.). The
Parktronic system will not detect such
objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
! Ultrasonic signals from outside sources
(e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers) may impair the operation of
the Parktronic system.
Range of the sensors
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RFront area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red distance
segment illuminates and a constant
acoustic warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound for the second red
distance segment. The signal is canceled
when the automatic transmission is shifted
into park position P or the parking brake is
engaged.
RRear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red distance
segment illuminates and a constant
acoustic warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound for the second red
distance segment. The signal is canceled
when the automatic transmission is shifted
into drive position D, or park position P, or
the parking brake is engaged.
Switching the Parktronic system on/
off
The Parktronic system switches on
automatically when the ignition is switched
on.
XSwitching off: Press Parktronic
switch :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on.
XSwitching on: Press Parktronic switch :
again.
iWhen you switch the Parktronic system
on or off the Parking Guidance
(Y page 168) is also switched on or off.
Parktronic system malfunction
There is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system, if only the red distance segments
illuminate and an acoustic warning sounds.
The Parktronic system will switch off
automatically after 20 seconds and indicator
lamp ; in Parktronic switch : comes on.
XHave the Parktronic system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
If only the red distance segments illuminate
and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g. dirt,
ice, snow and slush). Another cause could be
interference from other radio or ultrasonic
signals (e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers). The Parktronic system will
switch off automatically after 20 seconds and
indicator lamp ; in Parktronic switch :
comes on.
XSwitch off the ignition.XClean the Parktronic system sensors
(Y page 263).
XSwitch on the ignition.
or
XCheck the Parktronic system operation at
another location to rule out interference
from outside radio or ultrasonic signals.
Parking Guidance
The Parking Guidance is part of the Parktronic
system. With the Parktronic system switched
on (Y page 168), the Parking Guidance is also
available.
The Parking Guidance is an electronic parking
aid equipped with ultrasonic sensors. The
ultrasonic sensors scan the area on both
sides of vehicle. When a suitable parking
space is found, it is indicated by a parking
space symbol in the multifunction display.
You will receive steering instructions for
parking in that space.
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speed of up to 22 mph (35 km/h). It scans
automatically for and measures potential
parking spaces on both sides of the vehicle.
Example illustration
:Detected parking space on the left;Parking space symbol=Detected parking space on the right
At a vehicle speed of below 19 mph
(30 km/h), you see parking space
symbol ; as a system display in the
multifunction display.
When a parking space has been detected, an
additional arrow to the right = or to the
left : appears.
In order to be detected by the Parking
Guidance, a parking space must be
Rparallel to the direction of travel
Rat least 5 ft (1.5 m) wide
Rat least 4.3 ft (1.3 m) longer than your
vehicle is
A parking space is shown in the multifunction
display when driving by until you have
reached a distance of 50 ft (15 m) from the
space. The Parking Guidance only shows
parking spaces on the passenger side of the
vehicle unless you activate the driver’s side
(left) turn signal. If you would like to park on
the driver’s side, the left turn signal must
remain on until the reverse gear is engaged.
Parking
GWarning!
The Parking Guidance is only an aid and may
not detect all obstacles. The Parking
Guidance does not relieve you of the
responsibility to pay attention. You are always
responsible for safety and must continue to
pay attention to your immediate surroundings
when parking and maneuvering. Otherwise,
you could endanger yourself and others.
XBring the vehicle to a standstill as long as
the desired parking space is displayed by
the parking space symbol in the
multifunction display.
XShift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R.
The message Check Vehicle
Surroundings Press ’OK’ to Confirm
appears in the multifunction display.
XPress a on the multifunction steering
wheel to confirm.
The display in the multifunction display
changes to the Parking Guidance.
The message Please Drive Backward
appears in the multifunction display,
depending on the distance to the parking
space.
Example illustration
XIf applicable, drive straight backward a
little.
An arrow pointing toward you indicates the
backward direction.
XDrive straight backward until an acoustic
signal sounds. Stop the vehicle. You have
reached the stop position. The arrow is
completely white.
The message Please Steer Wheel to
the Right or Please Steer Wheel to
the Left appears in the multifunction
display.
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Example illustration
XWith the vehicle still standing, turn the
steering wheel in the indicated direction
until the arrow is completely white and an
acoustic signal sounds.
XPulling into parking space: Keep the
steering wheel in position and drive
backward carefully.
XStop as soon as an acoustic signal sounds.
The vehicle has reached the
countersteering point.
The message Please Steer Wheel to
the Right or Please Steer Wheel to
the Left appears in the multifunction
display.
XCountersteering: With the vehicle still
standing, turn the steering wheel in the
indicated direction until the arrow is
completely white and an acoustic signal
sounds.
XPulling into parking space: Keep the
steering wheel in position and drive
backward carefully.
XStop as soon as an acoustic signal sounds.
Stop the vehicle immediately when the
Parktronic systems issues an audible,
continuous warning signal.
The message Parking Guidance
Finished appears in the multifunction
display and an acoustic signal sounds. You
may be prompted to steer into a different
direction and then shift the automatic
transmission to a another position. The
displays in the multifunction display will
then guide you into the final park position.
XIf necessary, adjust the end position by
maneuvering as needed.
XObserve the warning indicators of the
Parktronic system (Y page 167).
Canceling the Parking Guidance
XPress the Parktronic switch (Y page 168).
The Parking Guidance is canceled
immediately and the Parktronic system is
deactivated.
The Parking Guidance is canceled
automatically if guidance into the parking
space is no longer possible or if an error
occurs.
The parking space symbol disappears and the
message Parking Guidance Canceled
appears in the multifunction display.
Rear view camera
The rear view camera is an optical parking aid.
The area behind the vehicle appears in the
COMAND system display as a mirror image,
like in the rear view mirror.
GWarning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
GWarning!
The rear view camera is only an aid and may
display obstacles
Rfrom a distorted perspective
Rinaccurately
Rmay not display obstacles at all
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