
have not yet been detected by the Distronic.
There will be insufficient distance to the
preceding vehicles.
Distance warning function
This function warns you at a vehicle speed of
above approximately 20 mph (30 km/h) in
the following cases:
R At the current speed, the distance between
your vehicle and the preceding vehicle is
too low for several seconds. The distance
warning lamp · in the instrument
cluster comes on.
R You are gaining on a preceding vehicle
rapidly. An intermittent warning sounds
and the distance warning lamp · in the
instrument cluster comes on.
If these warnings are issued, you must apply
the brakes to maintain a safe distance and
avoid a collision with the preceding vehicle.
When depressing the brake pedal, the
warning sound ceases. The warning sound
will also cease when the distance to the
preceding vehicle is sufficient again without
applying the brakes. In this case, the distance
warning lamp · will also go out.
GWarning!
If the distance warning lamp · in the
instrument cluster comes on while driving
and/or an intermittent warning sounds,
immediate attention on the part of the driver
is required. As required by the traffic
situation, apply the brakes and navigate
around a possible obstacle. However, do not
drive by relying on the distance warning
function, as this will result in an emergency
braking application. This will not always
enable you to avoid a collision, especially
when traveling on varying road surface
conditions and with varying driver reaction.
Complex driving situations are not always
fully recognized by the distance warning
function. This could result in wrong or missing
distance warnings.
XActivating/deactivating: Activate or
deactivate the distance warning function in
the control system ( Y page 140).
When activated, the distance warning
function indicator Ä appears in the
multifunction display.
Hill-start assist system
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.
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.
XDepress the brake pedal.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D or reverse gear R.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 ESP ®
has switched off due to a
malfunction
Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR)
For information on off-road driving, see “Off-
road driving” ( Y page 262).
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iThe message can be cleared by pressing
the V, U, & or * button on
the multifunction steering wheel.
When the highway level is reached, indicator
lamps = go out and the following message
appears in the multifunction display for
5 seconds:
iThe vehicle is lowered to the highway level
automatically if the vehicle speed is above
60 mph (96 km/h).
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
ESP® (Y page 63) and the Electronic Traction
System (4-ETS) (Y page 64).
GWarning!
If a drive wheel is spinning due to insufficient
traction:
RWhile driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
RWhile driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
RAdapt 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.
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the 4MATIC is only
achieved with winter tires (Y page 257) or
snow chains as required.
Parktronic system
The Parktronic system is an electronic
parking aid with ultrasonic sensors designed
to assist the driver during parking maneuvers.
The Parktronic system 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
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maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, shift
the automatic transmission to neutral
position N. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
i For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” ( Y page 258).
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically when
traveling at length on salt-strewn roads can
bring road-salt-impaired braking efficiency
back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on
salt-treated roads, the braking efficiency
should be tested as soon as possible after
driving is resumed.GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
To save fuel you should:
R Keep tires at the recommended inflation
pressures.
R Remove unnecessary loads.
R Remove carriers when not in use.
R Remove the crossbars when not in use.
R Allow engine to warm up under low load
use.
R Avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration.
R Have all maintenance work performed at
the intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet and as required by the
Maintenance system. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving
in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on
short trips and in mountainous areas.
Drinking and driving
GWarning!
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Pedals
GWarning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure that the
pedals still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers,
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury.
Power assistance
GWarning!
There is no power assistance for the steering
and the brake when the engine is not running.
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Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.GWarning!
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe
braking is substantially impaired. This could
result in an accident.
! 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 or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
! Because the ESP ®
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 parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer. Such testing should be no
longer than 10 seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should occasionally test
the effectiveness of the brakes by applying
above-normal braking pressure at higher
speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the
brake pads.
GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) ( Y page 63).
Parking brake
When driving on wet roads or dirt covered
surfaces, road salt and/or dirt can get into
the parking brake.
To prevent corrosion and a reduction in the
braking power of the parking brake, observe
the following:
XFrom time to time, lightly engage the
parking brake before driving off.XDrive a distance of approximately 110 yds
(100 m) at a maximum speed of 12 mph
(20 km/h).GWarning!
While performing this procedure please
assure that the vehicle is stopped before
applying the parking brake. Otherwise the
rear wheels could lock up. You could lose
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.
In addition, the vehicle’s brake lights do not
light up when the parking brake is engaged.
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when you engage the parking brake.
Driving off
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place
full load on the engine until the operating
temperature has been reached.
! When driving off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an
extended period with the ESP ®
switched
off. Doing so may cause serious damage to
the drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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VehicleDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsDepress
brake to
shift out
of P.You have attempted to shift the automatic transmission into
drive position D, reverse gear R or neutral position N without
depressing the brake pedal.XDepress the brake pedal.Door OpenVehicle
Not In
ParkYou have opened the driver’s door and the automatic
transmission is still in drive position D, reverse gear R or
neutral position N.XBefore you leave the vehicle, make sure the automatic
transmission is in park position P and the parking brake is
engaged.Drive to
workshop
without
shifting
gears.The automatic transmission cannot be shifted out of the
current transmission position because of a malfunction.
If the automatic transmission is in drive position D:XWithout shifting the automatic transmission out of drive
position D, drive to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the automatic transmission is set to neutral position N,
reverse gear R or park position P:
XDo not drive.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.Only
shift to
P when
vehicle
is at a
standstill
.You have attempted to shift the automatic transmission into
park position P although the vehicle was still in motion.XStop the vehicle.Shift to
P or N to
start
engine.You have attempted to start the engine with the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button while the automatic transmission was in
reverse gear R or drive position D.XShift the automatic transmission into park position P or
neutral position N. Make sure the brake pedal is depressed.Auxiliary
BatteryMalfunctio
nThe backup battery for the automatic transmission is no
longer charging.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.296Vehicle status messages in the multifunction displayPractical hints
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Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)EBV, ABS,
ESP
Inoperativ
e See
Operator’s
ManualThe brake system is still functioning normally but due to a
malfunction, the ABS, the BAS, the EBP, the ESP ®
, and the
PRE-SAFE ®
system are unavailable.XContinue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering capability.XAdjust driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.XHave the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.$
(USA only)
!
(Canada
only)Release
Parking
BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake engaged. In addition
an acoustic warning sounds.XRelease the parking brake.$
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only)Check
Brake
Fluid
LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.
Risk of accident!XStop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.XEngage the parking brakeXDo not drive any further.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the problem.
GWarning!
Driving with the message Check Brake Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
! If you find that the brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark
or below, have the brake system checked for brake pad thickness and leaks.
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Version 2
XAfter driving the vehicle for an initial
10 minutes, check the tire inflation
pressure using pressure gauge G on the
air pump.
GWarning!
If tire inflation pressure has fallen below
20 psi (1.3 bar) do not continue to drive the
vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the
roadway and contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Roadside
Assistance.
Have the damaged tire replaced.
If the tire inflation pressure is at least 20 psi
(1.3 bar), inflate or deflate the tire to the
correct tire inflation pressure (see Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar):
XTo increase tire inflation pressure:
Switch on the electric air pump.
XTo decrease tire inflation pressure:
Version 1: Open vent screw F on
pressure gauge G (Y page 338).
Version 2: Press deflate button F located
at the end of the filler hose.
XDrive to the nearest qualified workshop,
e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center,
to have the damaged tire replaced.
XRecommended duration of use: A
maximum of 300 miles (500 km) at 50 mph
(80 km/h) or below with the recommended
tire inflation pressure.
XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible to obtain a new
TIREFIT kit.
XBring used TIREFIT materials to an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
proper disposal.
XReplace your TIREFIT container every
4 years. Replacement containers are
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Mounting the spare wheel
Introduction
XPrepare the vehicle as described
(Y page 336).
XTake the following out of the vehicle:
Rspare wheel
Rjack
Rwheel wrench
Rcollapsible wheel chock
Ralignment bolt
For information on where to find the
respective items, see “Where will I find ...?”
(Y page 284) and (Y page 286).
iVehicles without spare wheel are not
factory-equipped with the tools required for
a wheel change such as a jack or a wheel
wrench. Some tools required for a wheel
change are specific to your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to obtain the tools approved for
your vehicle. This section describes the
wheel change using the tools approved and
recommended for your vehicle.
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XAttach reversible ratchet ? to jack = in
such a way that the word UP can be seen.
XPlace jack = on firm ground.XPosition jack = under take-up
bracket ; so that it is always vertical as
seen from the side, even if the vehicle is
parked on an incline.
XTurn ratchet ? up and down until jack =
is fully seated in take-up bracket ; and the
jack base evenly meets the ground.
XJack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the ground.
Removing the wheelXUnscrew the uppermost wheel bolt and
remove it.
XReplace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt :.
XRemove the remaining bolts.
! Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the wheel
bolts and wheel hub threads.
XRemove the wheel.
Attaching the spare wheel
GWarning!
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged
or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tightened
wheel bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
This could cause an accident. Make sure to
use the correct wheel bolts.
GWarning!
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts.
Other wheel bolts may come loose.
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